mattinseminary

What I Hate About Christian Blogging

2012-01-19T19:48:00.001-07:00

There's something I hate about blogging with the intent to share my faith, journey with the Lord, and the lessons he's taught me. What is that something? Blogs are terrible at communicating these deeply important messages. Don't get me wrong--I have some very awesome friends that have written some incredible things on their blogs. Yet, sometimes I wonder if a blog is a poor place to share my most important messages.

Let me explain.

There once was a really smart guy named Marshall McLuhan who said "The medium is the message." I haven't studied him in depth or anything, but his idea basically means this: the form (media) in which you communicate your message will greatly impact what you are saying.

Here's an example. Valentines Day is coming up, and if I value my marriage at all, I will try to let my wife know just how special she is to me. My message is "I love you." Now, there are many ways that I can tell my wife "I love you". I can write her a letter, leave her a voicemail, send her flowers with a note, tell her in person, write it in syrup on her morning pancakes, have an airplane sky-write it, or display it on a jumbo-tron at a Denver Nuggets game.

The words will always be the same- "I love you." But the avenue in which I communicate this to her will have a great effect. Writing her a letter tells her that I put more time and effort into it than simply telling her that on the phone. Portraying it on a jumbo-tron communicates that I want the world to know that I love her--which, knowing Hilary, I'm not sure that she'd appreciate all of the public attention.

"The medium is the message"

I love the stories that God has placed in me. I love the things that he's doing in my life. I love telling people about them. However, I have become very suspicious about the medium of the blog in doing so. Without an author's meaning or intent a blog can communicate some troubling things.

A blog can communicate that God's work is neat and tidy- never more than 4 paragraphs long.

A blog can communicate that God's work in my life should come promptly- enough to post several times a week.

A blog can communicate that all a read needs to do is read a couple of verses and someone's short post- in order to be transformed for the day.

A blog can communicate relationships and faith stories told to an anonymous audience- who doesn't have a responsibility for what they've read.

A blog can communicate that I think I'm much cooler, much more special than someone else- why else would people come to my blog?

A blog can communicate these things, but it doesn't have to. I believe that we should use all avenues and every tool in our arsenal to communicate the magnificent things that God is up to--including blogs, twitter, facebook, text messages, movies, books, and sand sculptures. Yet, we must always be wrestling with the best methods to communicate each and every message God gives us. What does this mean for my blog? I'm not sure yet. I'll continue to post (hopefully), yet I want to continue to refine what sorts of messages and ideas I put up here.

What do you guys think?

Happy New Year

2012-01-09T21:48:00.002-07:00

Hey Guys--Just a quick post tonight.

Hilary and I had a great Christmas back in Iowa seeing family, friends, and PLCer's. We were blessed with laughter, rest, and fun.

Since being back in Denver, I've jumped headfirst into a 3 week intensive course on the Old Testament Kingdom Literature and Prophetic books. In just over a week I've read 1+2 Samuel, 1+2 Kings, Isaiah, and Jeremiah (as well as some assigned textbook reading). It's been enlightening and intense! I hope to discuss some of the things that I've been learning on here in the near future!

Also, I've been pondering what I should be doing with my little corner of the internet here. For the most part I've used it as a spring board to flesh out some spiritual principles that have been on my heart, and I've really enjoyed doing that. However, I am considering some new directions to take this blog. Perhaps I could tell more stories about life in Denver? Or maybe find some other ways to express and grow some of my creativity (such as short stories?).

Anyways, if you are reading this and you have an idea or two that you'd like me to run with, hit me up in the comments!

Hilary and me at Denver Seminary this Thanksgiving

Your Ultimate Career

2011-12-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Usually around this time of year we all take stock of our lives. We see how much our children have grown, we see a year's worth of dreams come true--or still stand unfulfilled. Sometimes, we find ourselves wrestling with meaning. Is this really the life that I am to live? Is this the type of job that I am to work? Last night i was reading "A Christmas Carol"--the classic by Charles Dickens.

At one point in early in the story Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by his long departed business partner who warns him that of the coming three spirits that will visit him in he ensuing evenings. His old friend also laments how he wasted his life when he walked the earth. This startles Scrooge, who had considered his deceased partner to have been quite successful in life--he had made a fortune after all in business. The Ghost responds:

"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

Dickens, Charles (2004-08-11). A Christmas Carol (Kindle Locations 217-218). Public Domain Books. Kindle Edition.

Take time this season to take stock of your life. If you are a Christians, whatever your job is--whether teaching, working in an office, raising children-- it is not your career. Your career is to honor and serve God, care for others, and bring Heaven to Earth.

A Special Post From My Buddy Dan

2011-12-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a special post by my buddy Dan Snyder. He's a stellar dude who I've had the privilege of working with at New Denver Church and seeing on campus from time to time at Denver Seminary.

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do you often feel like you’re being held back by your past? you find yourself thinking things like, “there’s no way god can use me…look at all that i’ve done (or not done).” or, are you afraid of telling your story, the whole story, for the first time?

i’m no biblical scholar and sitting next to matt in two different new testament courses at seminary confirmed that fact. but i do know this: god uses our weaknesses and our past to glorify him. the bible tells us that god uses weak people to do mighty things in history (joseph, moses, paul, and jesus to name a few). he redeems our past to create our future.

but i’ll be honest, i often hide my past from people. among the many things i hide; my past struggles with alcoholism. i’m ashamed. i’m filled with guilt. i get in this mindset: “people won’t love me if they knew the real me.” can you relate to that?

but, i’m pretty sure that’s satan’s way of attacking me. and that’s satan’s way of attacking you. trust me, when i share my story i am flooded with love, mercy, and grace. i once wrote a blog about my alcoholism and received 100’s of emails and comments thanking me and encouraging me. i have tears in my eyes thinking about it right now. i wrote a blog a few days ago about my decision to join a sexual integrity group. shortly after, i received a text from a friend who opened up with me about his 10 year battle with sexual addiction. when we’re willing, he’s able. we’re not alone. god redeems our past to create our future.

we all have things in our past that we’re ashamed of. some of us more than others. but i really think that god wants us to use our stories and our struggles to glorify him. he is made strong in our weaknesses (2 corinthians 12). if we’re willing, god will use our past and our struggles to help others. we just have to be willing.

what in your past can you share that will help others? not sure? start here: what are you afraid of admitting to others? ten-to-one, someone you know struggles with that same thing.

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Hey it's me, Matt, again. Don't let Dan's humility or lack of capitalization throw you off-- He's a killer paper writer!

Generosity and A Picture of Heaven

2011-12-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

This summer I worked for a couple of weeks in Eastern Colorado helping with the wheat harvest. I sat on a tractor and helped unload combines on 4000+ acres. While the days are long and the weather is hot, it's actually refreshing to get out of the city and spend sometime in the country.

Now, if you aren't all that interested in farming, please hang on! This post is not really about farming.

A few weeks ago my boss from my weeks in the wheat fields contacted me and wanted to know if Hilary and I would be interested in attending a Christmas party with them in Colorado Springs. And although the part would occur the week before my finals, Hilary and I usually jump on every opportunity to get out and experience new things. So we decided to go.

Now, I couldn't say that I knew either my boss or the other employees all that well--I sat on a tractor 90% of my day. Nor had Hilary met anyone that I had worked with. Therefore, we were a little nervous and all.

When Hilary and I arrived at the party I recognized not only a few year-round employees of my boss, but I recognized that they all had their entire families there as well. There must have been 20 to 30 of us there in all.

Hilary and I were surprised again and again how generous my boss and his wife were. They took care of dinners, took us to a melodrama, and put us up in a hotel. I was amazed that they would want to do such a thing for me, an employee for little more than one week! They were so generous to us!

Not only this, but we recognized something odd as well. As Hilary and had an opportunity to share some time with my boss and his wife, we were continually bombarded with the feeling as if we were doing them a favor by allowing them to be generous to us. Here we were, enjoying a weekend on their dime, yet they were simply thrilled to spend some time with us.

Somewhere in here is a spiritual lesson. Perhaps we all need to learn how to be more generous people to others. But ultimately, I think, I got a small glimpse of heaven that weekend. Someday, Christians are promised, we will get to spend time with our heavenly father--who not only has already blessed us immensely but will provide us with joy, new bodies, heavenly rooms, and an extravagant feast with Jesus.

Why We Still Need Jesus This Christmas

2011-12-09T09:15:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. The season for parties. The season for gifts. The season for family.

That's at least the Christmas we all hope for. Yet for many of our friends, family, and neighbors--this won't be the Christmas that they get. Instead this is a season for loneliness. This is a season for financial stress. This is a season of job insecurity. This is a season for broken families to relive their pain.

Instead of hope we have fear. Instead of love we have hate. Instead of joy we have burdens. And to tell you the truth--a new iPhone, diamond necklace or Lexus won't fix it. Like a child gorging on Christmas cookies we will our life trying to be happy for a moment, and we all end up sick.

We need Jesus in our Christmas. In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus declares his reason for coming to earth:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." NIV

When Jesus came to the world, it was in shambles.

The government was oppressive
People struggled to make a living
Racism permeated culture
The religious were hypocritical
The poor were forgotten
Families lost loved ones
God seemed distant

Sound familiar?

Our economy is in shambles

Families are broken

Friends are fighting in wars

Men, women, and children are dying due to the lack of clean water

The church often spends more time fighting with itself than solving the world's problems

Jobs are hard to come by

God seems distant

We live in a world that still desperately needs hope, peace, love, and joy. We live in a world that is growing hungry for meaning. We live in a world that needs a savior.

As a Christian we should have hope. We should have peace. We should have love. We should have joy. Why? Because Jesus has come and he has set us free, recovered our sight, and brought us once again to God. The world needs us to live this way boldly.

So this Christmas :

Love greatly.

Forgive freely.

Give sacrificially.

Live relationally.

Serve intentionally.

Bring Jesus to your world.

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays

2011-12-07T08:09:00.001-07:00

I love Christmas. I absolutely love everything about Christmas. I love Christmas carols and egg nog and opening presents and going to Christmas Eve services. On of my favorite things about Christmas, however, is getting all of my siblings and cousins together. You never know what crazy things we'll come up with.

Here's a video from a couple of Christmases ago. I believe it was like -10 or something outside. But that didn't stop us. Check it out!

What Seminary Has Taught Me So Far Part 2

2011-12-05T09:03:00.001-07:00

3. Although The Bible Was Written For You, It Was Not Written To You

Perhaps one of the most important roles of seminary is to teach one who to read the Bible. Well duh, right? But in order to read the Bible in the most accurate, appropriate way, it is necessary to try to understand both the mindset of the author and the audience of a specific passage. Remember, each passage in the Bible was written by a specific person to a specific group of people in response to a specific set of circumstances.

Why is this important? Well, it helps protect us from blatantly misinterpreting scripture. When we misinterpret scripture, we can live destructive or misguided lives under the guise of it being God's will. For example, take Romans 8:28a for instance:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him... (NIV)

This verse has been wildly misused from time to time by Christians who want to claim that everything in a believer's life will be daises and ice cream sandwiches. No, of course this verse does not mean that there will not be any hardships or that every true believer will live lives of financial abundance. Instead, when we take Romans 8:28 and read it in the light of Romans 8:18 we understand that the "good" God is working toward may not be realized in this life.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

Likewise, when we understand that this passage was written by Paul (who had suffered greatly for his faith) to a church in Rome (that would shortly be facing Nero's persecution) we begin to understand a more accurate picture of what Romans is really saying.
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Putting in the appropriate work to understand scripture is not always an easy undertaking. Yet, when we put in the work, we are better able to understand what the Bible is about and how it applies to our lives.

How do we do this? Study Bibles are a start. Also, more in depth study can be helpful -- from reading an assortment of commentaries from leading scholars to comparing the Greek terms and their usage with other Greek literature and the Septuagint. Sounds scary or impractical to even the most regular church attender? Indeed, it is a huge undertaking-- and is the reason why I'm spending three years and tens of thousands of dollars at seminary. However, I spend the time and the money because it is important that the church has men and women who are able to assist others in understanding the scriptures.

If you're the average person who hasn't had the blessing to spend time in seminary, there's still some good things you can do. Use a good Study Bible. Read some books. Listen to some awesome pastors and teachers. Ask your pastor questions, and if they don't know the answer nag them until they get you one! And, finally pray to God regularly that you are continually developing a mind and heart more ready to really understand God's word to humankind.

What Seminary Has Taught Me So Far Part 1

2011-12-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

Here is the first installment of a multi-series post about what I've been learning in Seminary. Look for more posts about this to come in the near future!

In a little over a week I will have finished my third semester at Denver Seminary. That means I'll be halfway done with my Masters of Divinity degree. What has half-a-degree taught me? Well, I'm glad you asked. In addition to the vast assortment of facts and details of theology, biblical interpretation, spiritual growth and guidance, and Koine Greek--perhaps the most important things I've learned are "bigger" and "broader" in nature. Here's a sampling of the most important big ideas I've learned:

1) Jesus is a confirmable historical figure.

In the spring of this year I wrote an entire paper on this topic--studying everything from Josephus', Tranquillus, or Pliny the Younger's historical accounts. After going into the details for 15 pages or so, I was able to conclude in my paper these things from only secular historical sources:

Therefore, even without opening the Bible and using evidence dating only until the mid-second century, much can be said about Jesus and early Christians. First, John the Baptist lived, preached repentance, and was executed by Herod Agrippa. Second, Jesus Christ had a brother named James, who with some others were stoned at the order of the Sanhedrin under the charge of breaking the law. Third, Jews following Christ were bothersome enough to be kicked out of Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius in the 40’s and 50’s AD. Fourth, Christians were persecuted in Rome under Emperor Nero in the 60’s AD. Fifth, Christians refused to worship the Roman gods and the Emperor. Sixth, Christians regularly met together on a fixed day. Seventh, Christians worshiped Jesus as a God. Eighth, Christians lived notably moral lives. Ninth, Pontius Pilate punished Jesus. Tenth, Jesus was crucified.

2) Seminary Does Not Make You A Good Pastor

In the very first week of one of my very first classes in seminary, a professor dropped a bomb on us. Seminary does not make you a good pastor. In fact, one can go all the way through seminary with high marks, yet still be a miserable pastor. Why is that? Isn't the role of seminary to make good pastors?

Well, the reason a seminary education does not guarantee that one will be a good pastor is simply because seminary is an educational, not a professional environment. That is, although seminary can give one magnificent tools to understand scripture, theology, and communication skills, the role of a pastor is not confined to these things. Pastors need to be individuals who are able to interact with, mentor, counsel, disciple others. These things cannot be taught in the classroom.

Because of this, I feel that I am very blessed to be receiving half of my seminary education outside of the classroom. For about 20 hours a week I work for a church plant called "New Denver Church". At NDC I help with the leadership of the church, assist in the weekend worship experience, and co-lead (is tri-lead a word?) a Young Adults Ministry. This last role has been the most transformative of all of my seminary experience. For the first time in my life I am in a role in which I get to partner with God's work in the lives of several dozen 20-30 somethings. I get to pray with people over cups of coffee, lead large group environments, and spur young men and women to take great steps of faith. Take a look at our webpage www.newdenver.org

here is the books from my fall 2010 semester

Prayer Part 2

2011-12-01T10:51:00.001-07:00

Yesterday my buddy Dan Snyder posted my entry on prayer. Today, you can find his own thoughts on the same subject here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Prayer

2011-11-30T13:11:00.001-07:00

Today's post about prayer can be found at Dan Snyder's blog. He's a great friend, coworker, and fellow seminarian. Check it out here.

Thanks and God Bless!

Taming Vampires

2011-11-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past few years, you are well aware of the greatest teen book and movie series in recent time.

Yes folks, that's Twilight.

Bella, a clumsy somewhat homely high school student wins the hearts of both a handsome, gentlemanly vampire and a wild, passonate werewolf. Who will Bella choose? Thus, millions of girls have swooned over Edward's vampire-glittering skin or Jacob's werewolf-chiseled abs. And many adults are confused at what the fuss is all about.

Okay, so you're probably asking yourself- "Why in the world is Matt writing about Twilight of all things on his blog?" That's an excellent question.

I think that the wild popularity of Twilight can tell us some very significant things about our human nature. You see, I don't think Twilight is wildly popular because of it's clever writing or wild adventure. It's popular because it portrays a tale of how an average girl can fall in love with the very thing that's most dangerous for her--and all eventually ends up okay. The vampire doesn't murder Bella, nor does the werewolf rip apart her undead boyfriend.

This isn't a new story. Men and women from all eternity have been tempted to love the very thing that destroys us. Yet, we all desperately hope that somehow, someway we will outsmart this killer. We want to play with fire and not be burned.

We want to take short-cuts in work and school and still get ahead.
We enter into relationships with people who are bad news, and we think we might change them.
Alcoholics hear their souls whisper that they are strong enough to only have one drink.
Teenagers take risks by driving too fast believing nothing bad could happen to them.

We are all enticed by things that are bad for us. When we act on these temptations, the Bible calls it sin.

(B)ut each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14-15

I think that deep down the reason that many people love Twilight is because it suggests that maybe the thing that's bad for us is maybe not that bad after all. Maybe we can tame our desires that want to destroy us. Maybe we, like Bella, can put a leash on that wishes to destroy our souls.

I'm not saying watching movies is bad, or that we can't take a little enjoyment in the absurd love stories told to our teenagers. Just know this: if a vampire or werewolf want to out with you on a date, realize that you are probably dinner.

The Clear Path Isn't Always The Right One

2011-11-20T21:39:00.001-07:00

I must confess something here:

Deep down I believe that I know what God really wants for my life and the world around me.

This belief manifests itself in some predictable ways. I expect that I can trust what my own reasoning and understanding tells me is the right thing to do in a specific instance or decision.

If I have two job opportunities, clearly God wants me to take the one with better pay, hours, and easier work.

If someone asks for my help with a project or ministry, clearly God has set this in my path.

If I get to choose who I can spend my day with, clearly God wants me to invest in the person that is popular or is exciting to hang out with.

Deep down inside of me, I believe that God's will is the path of least resistance. Or, at the very least, if the path is difficult, it will be very rewarding.

Here's the funny thing. I think that often I am right. Oftentimes I probably can make a pretty good guess as to what the right path is. Yet, what if God's path isn't always the own that makes the most sense to my logic, rational mind?

Paul was a smart dude. I'd guess that 90% of the time he could trust his instincts as to the next village he needed to visit or what things he needed to say when he preached. Yet, Paul wasn't always right.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Acts 16:6-7 NIV

What does that exactly mean? Did Jesus materialize and stand in the road before them? Or did Paul find set back after set back when he pursued that path?

We don't know for sure.

Yet, somehow Paul knew that this was the work of God--instead of simply bad luck or even the work of Satan opposing him. How? I suspect it was because Paul's first reaction was probably to go to the Lord in prayer instead of relying on his own smarts to progress his ministry. And it's a good thing too.

Because when Paul yielded his expectation of God's direction, God's actual direction became clear.

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:9-10 NIV

So what's the lesson here?

Yes, we need to be actively pursuing what "work" we think God wants us to do in our lives. Yet, we need to always lay our expectations of God's direction at His feet. I bet that if we are faithful in this, God will be faithful in revealing his plan to us at the right times in the right ways so that we may act with certainty that we are doing God's work.

This is not my home

2011-11-15T21:44:00.001-07:00

I'm tired.

Which is weird. I'm consistently getting plenty of sleep. Yet, I'm weary.

It's a deep, soul tired too. That is, it's as if it's my inner being that's exhausted. Why? Well, I'm busy for one thing. I'm spending lots of time working on school assignments and investing at my role at New Denver Church. These are good things. Yet, I'm tired.

One thing that is overwhelming is the vast amount of work that God's up to in this life. He's transforming people's lives in front of me and my own life within me. Each day I believe that I wake up more and more like the man that He created me to be. Yet, it's exhausting.

Yes, Thanksgiving break is coming and soon Christmas will be here--my soul will likely be refreshed. Yet, the work, His work will continue.

I have hope, however. While on one breath I can be overwhelmed by the great task that He sets before me, I cling to one truth: this is not my home.

In John 14:1-4 Jesus says:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

This is not my home. This is not my destination. Rest is coming. It will be marvelous!

One day I will eat with God face to face. One day I will not be overwhelmed with stuff to do. One day my heart will not weep for others. One day I will rest.

In the meantime? I'll try to ensure that these rooms will be filled.

Fake Jesus

2011-11-02T09:45:00.000-06:00

Here is a post that I wrote for one of my seminary classes. Thought I'd share it with you. This was the discussion question that I was responding to:

What attachments or ‘idols’ are you clinging to that hinder surrender to Jesus, deeper relationship with Him & holiness of life?

I have some interesting idols and attachments that hinder my surrender to Jesus. What are these? Frankly, the biggest idol in my way is my desire to be successful in ministry and life. It's pretty funny, really. I have a huge heart to be used by God in a successful ministry that changes people's lives and impacts the world.

I think that deep down this is really a good desire. Yet, sometimes this good desire can overcome my desire for Jesus. How so? Well, I think that I become so enamored with what I think God needs to be doing in my life and my world that I stop searching for the real Jesus. I build a fake Jesus that wants me to have a nice house in the country with several acres of timber near a pristine lake, a beautiful family with several kids and a dog, and a vibrant ministry in which people respect me as someone who knows God and has a direct connection to him. (Sadly, it didn't take much thought to write out that last sentence).

We're all seminary students and probably have heard time and time again how we need to be vulnerable before God with our desires for ministry. Maybe God has a wildly different plan for my life. But even so, I don't think his "plan" is his main concern. Instead, I think that God's main concern is that I am in constant relationship with Him--that I'm constantly laying my heart before Him.

This seems like an easy thing to write about, but it's another thing altogether to live out. I love my idol Jesus. I love my dream future. And frankly, I'm really terrified what God may actually do with me and my future.

One of the things that was impressed upon my heart over the last year as I studied the New Testament in detail was that Paul and Peter surrendered their lives and pleasures for the good news that God had given them. Paul spent some serious prison time and was beaten again and again. Yet, all that he seemed to be concerned about in his epistles was that the message of Jesus be spread all through the world.

Peter? Well, we don't have as many writings from him, but I bet he was tempted to be jealous of Paul. Wasn't Peter supposed to be "the rock?" And here we see that God gave Paul perhaps the most important mission of the early church. Peter could have been bitter. Yet in 1 Peter, we see Peter spurring believers on to take the responsibility of spreading the word.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
1 Peter 2:9 NIV

If I was Peter, I'd be tempted to maintain my "authority" as the first of the disciples. I'd probably demand that Christians report to me and that all ministry be from my own thinking. Good thing I'm not Peter.

The Problem of Epicycles

2011-10-16T22:33:00.000-06:00

"Epicycle" is a strange word. Especially for a blog like this.

"Epicycle" is actually a word not from faith but from science. More precisely, an epicycle was a term used to explain the mystifying reversal of motion that the planets visible in our night sky took throughout the seasons. Got that?

You see, if you go outside at the same exact time every night and look at the "stars", all of the stars(not including planets) will progressively be further and further west each night. Now, for the most part planets will do the same--only at different speeds than the stars around them. Therefore, Jupiter is not always found in the Orion constellation. However, what mystified early astronomers even more was that sometimes these planets changed speed for a period of time--even moving backwards relative to the stars nearby!

Now this was a big problem for early astronomers with a geocentric understanding of our solar system. Simply studying the nights sky proved that all of the celestial objects didn't travel in neat circles around the earth.

How did the early astronomers
rectify the discrepancy between their theories and reality? They tweaked their models. Now, while planets circled the earth, they also were believed to be circling a point (D) at the same time. This would, in theory, allow the planets to change their apparent speeds as they raced across the sky month after month, year after year.

These early scientists when faced with a troubling problem did not look to a new model, but they continued to add complex additions to make their math add up. They created epicycles--which thanks to astronomers like Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo, we know that the geocentric model of the solar system is bogus.

Okay. Why am I reading about astronomy on a seminary blog?

Stick with me. You see, I believe that we all in our own ways create "epicycles". We all have clear simple models in our minds about how the world works, and when we are challenged by something that doesn't fit neatly into our model, we nail on additions.

When we see poor people, our worldview may make us assume that they are lazy.

When we don't get the promotion, we may blame our bosses for favoritism.

When we aren't chosen for the musical, it's because the director didn't like us.

When we want to buy something nice and expensive, we tell ourselves that we deserve it, yet we may have always judged others with the same things.

When we are tempted into bad relationships, we are sure that this guy or girl is different.

When we read something convicting in the Bible, we dismiss it as outdated without truly exploring it.

We all create epicycles to make our lives and world bearable. They allow us to get what we want and not feel guilty. They allow us to judge others without having to do some deep soul-searching. Our epicycles are evil. Instead of forcing us to our knees before God, we can keep on living in destructive habits. We tell ourselves lies that almost always make us the victims--and cause us to spite others.

We need to toss out our models from time to time when we find a better one that is more deeply rooted in God's Word. It hurts. It makes us uncomfortable. But it also makes our lives simpler. It makes us free. But most importantly, it makes us able to know, love, and serve God better.

Want to Grow?

2011-09-17T23:46:00.000-06:00

One of the most common things that I hear from Christians, at least sincere ones, is that they want to grow in their faith. They want to become better people who are more connected to God and aware of His presence working in their life and the world.

Awesome!

This is a great desire. And it's a desire that should never really leave us. That is, if we get to a place were we can say, "That's okay Jesus, I don't need to grow anymore," we probably need to check ourselves.

So how does one grow?

"Obvious" answers common to our western churches tell us to read the Bible more, pray more, worship more, tithe more, and serve more. Whatever you're doing isn't enough.

While this isn't a bad answer to our question, I would like to suggest it's a wrong answer.

Instead, we should focus on our relationship with God more. What? Isn't that what reading your bible, praying, worshiping, tithing, and serving does? Maybe. But not necessarily. It sure doesn't when the goal of our reading the bible or praying isn't done with the goal of getting to know God more. Sometimes we can read verse after verse with a misplaced judgement that simply reading the right words enough times will make us grow.

"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

John 5:39-40 NIV

So, simply reading scripture, praying, and doing "holy" things is not what brings us to God. Coming to Jesus is what brings us to God. So one of the things that we must do is approach these spiritual things not as tasks to be done but as avenues to bring us into deeper relationship with God.

But that's not all.

In America we love to tout our individuality in all things from our SUV's, picket fences, and backyard gardens. Yet, I believe if we want to grow closer to God we must do so in community.

Now, I've talked about this topic before, but for some reason its importance keeps returning in my life. I used to think that if I heard a good enough sermon it would change my life. Or my life would be suddenly transformed through an intimate worship experience. If not these, then definitely I'd be transfigured by seeing a miracle from heaven. These may leave a big impact, but what's to keep me from hating my brother, envying my neighbor, or lying to my friends a week later?

The right community.

Every community has the amazing ability to challenge us, shape us, and conform us to a certain mold. Therefore, we must be careful what our community looks like. A God-inspired community will remind you of God's goodness in your hard times, celebrate with you in life's victories, and call you to take deeper steps into the faith.

Somehow, a deeper relationship with God is almost always connected to a deeper relationship with God-lovers.

Perhaps that's why Jesus says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Matthew 18:20 NIV

So, if you want to know God more and more read the bible, pray, give and all that good stuff--but don't forget to find a persistant group of God-seekers. That may be a church, a small group, or even a group of hunting buddies. And, if you have a friend or two that love the Lord, you better be looking for opportunities to build your community with other believers at all places of their faith.

A Litmus Test For Your Dreams

2011-09-14T09:10:00.000-06:00

I work with a lot of different kinds of people, but for the most part, they are all young adults. One of the interesting things about young adults in this generation is that they are very ambitious. We all have dreams of what we want our lives to become. Some have dreams for great business success. Others want to be in charge of a powerful non-profit organization. Some want to have big families. But one thing is for sure: we all want to be successful. Christian young adults are really no different, except that we sometimes have a hard time determining if our big dreams and aspirations line up with what God wants. Here's a list of questions to ask yourself about your big dream. It's certainly not all-encompassing, but I think it helps us determine whether or not our dream lines up with what God wants.

Your dream may be God-inspired if:

It doesn't contradict any biblical principles.

It ultimately blesses people and points them to God.

You've surrendered it-- if it doesn't happen, you're cool with it.

You're fine if you never get recognition.

You're more concerned with it happening than you leading it.

You're willing to invest your own resources to make it happen.

You're committed to seeing it through.

You're willing to wait a long time to see it through.

You can do it without breaking other biblical principles.

You are already obeying God in the simpler, smaller things of the faith.

Your trusted, Christian friends and community agree this is God's plan.

You will live a holy, Godly life.

Your dream grows in periods of peaceful rest with God, not out of anxious worry.

It leads people to Christ.

"One final word, friends. We ask you-urge is more like it-that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life. Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity. Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God. Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful-as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 MSG

Maybe this list encourages you. Maybe it challenges you. If you're more of the latter person perhaps your dream isn't God's dream. Or maybe you have some soul-work that needs to be accomplished before God awakens your dream in the world.

Why Does the Church Matter?

2011-09-11T23:28:00.000-06:00

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:24-25 NIV)

I've spent an awful lot of time in church. Just doing a little bit of rough math: I'm almost 26 years old, I've pretty much gone to church every week, and there has been several years of my life that I'd attend multiple services to serve with the technical team and what not. But, to be conservative that's at least 1352 hours. That's a lot of church!

Yet, that's also not really that much time. In fact, that's only just over 56 24-hour days. That's only about 2% of my life. That's not a lot of time invested in my spiritual growth--and I'm somewhat of a super-church-goer-anomaly.

No wonder we don't see huge advancements in our spiritual growth when we confine our 'church-time' to one hour a week on Sundays. Maybe there's a better way. Reading the New Testament, we find a much different model of 'church'.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47 ESV)

These believers were legit. They didn't just see each other for one our on Sunday. Nope, they spent time studying together, eating together, praying together, sharing together, worshiping together. Together. That's a novel concept, at least for us. We're really good at trying to study alone, eat alone, pray alone, share alone?, and worship alone. And if you're anything like me, it's awfully easy to find something better to do--so you simply stop doing many of these things.

You see, I think that community is one of the most important aspects of church. In fact, I'd argue that without a community, there is no church. Sorry, simply listening to a worship cd, watching a sermon, reading blogs (even mine), or listening to Christian radio does not count as church. Why not? Because without true community, there is no one to check your "blind spots" in your life and call you to deeper relationship and holiness before God. Instead, it is essential that you surround yourself with people who love God and love you.

So maybe nothing here I've said is all that surprising or challenging yet. Everyone's heard the importance of having "Christian friends," right? Well, now I may get a just a little more offensive.

Answer these questions for me:

1) Who are in the group of people that you spend the majority of your time with (apart from work and family)?

2) What kinds of things do you do most regularly with these people?

These two questions are likely to say a lot about you. They are likely to say what sorts of things you value in life. Now, having a group of poker buddies, cycling partners, or lunch friends is a great thing. It can show what kinds of things you enjoy and value in life--like having fun or staying fit. Yet, if you're a Christian, there can be a problem.

The problem is if you find yourself valuing your relationships with these friends and valuing these activities more than you value spending time with others in pursuit of God, you probably have an idol on your hands.

Again, there's nothing wrong with having fun or spending time with friends--in fact you need to! Yet, if you want to grow in your faith and relationship with God you must find ways to immerse yourself in a community of other believers in ways that will challenge you to mature and grow. This is church. This is what it means to follow Christ. You will become like those you hang-out with.

Faith: It's a Journey.

2011-09-06T07:36:00.000-06:00

Evangelical Christians typically miss something. (I consider myself an evangelical, so I'm speaking from experience).

Evangelicals are big about a few things:

1) The Bible--it's God's word to the world.

2) Salvation comes through a professed faith in Jesus--walk down the aisle, pray the prayer, and cross the line.

I believe these things with my whole heart. However, evangelicalism, while having a lot to say about how God feels about this or that kind of behavior, speaks very little as to what the spiritual walk of the believer looks like after becoming a "Christian." It's as if somehow praying a prayer to receive Jesus into your heart is all that God calls a believer to do.

So ask Jesus into your heart already, and hurry up to move to the middle of the pew.

Yet, if you're like me, you're probably left wanting. I mean, I fully believe that the most important decision that one can make in their life is when they surrender their life to Jesus. However, the question becomes what to do with these believers after they've been following Jesus for days, months, or even years.

This isn't a new question. It's actually been asked since the birth of the church. Faithful men and women dove into study and prayer about what this whole "following Jesus thing" looks like over a lifetime of believing. Subsequently, a few models describing Christian growth emerged over the centuries and were very helpful to the church. However, these have been largely forgotten in the modern church. Here's one:

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was an abbot, preacher, and writer of many hymns. He developed a four stage description of what he thought faith looked like over time. Here's my cliff-notes version.

Stage One: "Love of Self for Self"

This stage is typical for many young Christians. Essentially, it affirms that before a Christian can learn to love others, or God for that matter, they must learn to love themselves first. For, loving your neighbor as your self is of no use if you don't love yourself! (Mt 22:39)

Stage Two: "Love of God for Self"

This is perhaps the most common stage to find Christians. Essentially, people here love God for the gifts, peace, and joy that he brings. God is the meeter of needs in this stage.

Stage Three: "Love of God for God"

Believers at this step love God, not for the things that belief in him brings, but simply for who he is. It is the lover of the Giver behind the gifts.

Stage Four: "Love of Self for God"

This final stage is a little perplexing. Essentially, believers at this stage find joy and love for all aspects of their life as a type of worship to God. Even mundane things, such as going to the grocery store, can be done out of a continue spirit of love and interaction with God. Imagine how you'd react differently when you get stuck in traffic if somehow you were able to love God in that moment!

Now, Clairvaux's model isn't found in the Bible, and others have developed other models to describe the Christian journey that may be even more helpful. However, I think it's important to meditate on models such as this because they help me realize one important truth:

The Christian faith is a journey. There are no short-cuts to "sainthood." Each stage of our life is important--God has things that perhaps he can only teach us along the journey. So buckle in.

Another Video!

2011-09-05T08:21:00.000-06:00

Here's another work that I've helped New Denver Church create.

Recent Creative Work

2011-08-28T22:40:00.000-06:00

Here's a recent video that I helped make for New Denver Church. Enjoy.

Picked Last For Jesus' Team

2011-08-27T12:16:00.000-06:00

I'm one of those kids. You know, one of those kids that sometimes got picked last at recess to play soccer, football, or basketball. It's a bummer.

I think that some of Jesus' followers may have felt the same way. Early on in Jesus' ministry, he had swarms of people following him. Sometimes he had to get into a boat and sail across a lake to try to outrun them. Everyone wanted to rub elbows with him. Needless to say, Jesus probably had a pretty difficult task of choosing the twelve disciples that would be his go to guys. His "A-Team."

Mark 3:13-19 records:

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder") Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (NIV)

Imagine watching Jesus on the mountain. "Simon, you're in. James and John, yep..." With each name the blood pressure must have been rising in the crowd. Will my name be on there? "Andrew, Philip, Bart..." He's getting near the end and he hasn't called my name. Maybe it's that I'm special... Maybe he's saving me for last. But no. "Judas."

Not only have I been left out for teams at recess, but I've also not made the cut for drama casts, job interviews, or scholarships. It's hard. Sometimes, I even felt like Jesus didn't pick me for the ministry or opportunity that I was sure he was calling me to. That's harder.

The Bible tells us of two such men that didn't make the team. These guys were Matthias and Joseph. Acts 1 tells us that these men tagged along with the disciples from Jesus' baptism to his resurrection. They were two men that missed the cut with dozens of other men. They still got to know Jesus and they still were presumably used for some ministry (Luke 10). Yet, they were not one of the chosen few that got to spend the most time with Jesus in the most private of situations.

Yet, there was something that did set these men apart from the rest. The dozens of other men disappeared. Throughout the course of Jesus' ministry, they picked up their balls and went home. Sometimes it was after Jesus taught a difficult and challenging teaching or loved those that were "unlovable." The rest it seems fled when Jesus was arrested and nailed to a cross.

Matthias and Joseph were the last two men who had been with Jesus and the disciples since the beginning.

They didn't give up hope. They swallowed their pride and continued to show up and serve. In the end Matthias was honored in replacing Judas as one of the twelve disciples (Acts 1:26). Joseph, I bet kept showing up. But that's all we can say, since neither are mentioned again.

What can we learn from Matthias and Joseph?

They kept the faith even when they didn't receive recognition.

They must have found their value in their relationship with God instead of their usefulness or ability (Read Luke 10:17-20)

I may never become a pastor of a mega-church, write a best selling Christian book, counsel a United States president, or start a world-changing ministry. I need to learn that its okay if Jesus doesn't pick me for that team. I will continue to follow, continue to serve, continue to show up. And I will take joy in the fact that I have been blessed with the unimaginable honor to know and be loved by God for today and eternity.

Special thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/subewl/22659506/in/photostream/ for the epic image.

When Getting An "A" Is A Bad Thing.

2011-08-26T00:18:00.000-06:00

When I was in high school, I was a perfectionist about my grades. No one in particular over-pressured me or anything. Instead it was a quasi-religious move on my own. Here's how my logic went:

God is perfect.

God wants me to be like him as much as possible.

It is possible for me to get straight A's.

For me not to get straight A's would be letting God down and perhaps even a sin.

Talk about a guilt trip whenever I got a B on a test.

In college I gave myself a little more wiggle room, but, for the most part, I probably kept working with the same mindset. (I did really well)

It is probably safe to say that I started seminary with much of the same mindset. After all, I was paying a great deal for this incredible opportunity, and I thought it was my duty to squeeze every last ounce of knowledge and success out of my experience.

However, there's a problem. God hasn't called me to be a excellent seminary student. (Hold on mom...)

God has called me into continual obedience to his will and to strive to be more and more like his son Jesus. Now, before someone drops a theological bomb on me saying, "Well, Jesus would surely get A's,"--just wait.

The thing is, I know that I could get straight A's in seminary--destroying tests, papers, and assignments. To do so would require an awful lot of work. I would need to study my can off most hours of the day, tirelessly read and reread my textbooks, and systematically write and rewrite my papers.

Why shouldn't I do this? Because I could study every minute of every day receiving the highest marks on all of my classes and that would not equate me with Christ-likeness.

This type of lifestyle would destroy my current ministry opportunities, friendships, my emotional well-being, and my relationship with my wife. I could get through seminary with the best of grades but walk out with nothing.

So what should I do? I must give seminary a great deal of effort in the times and places that God has called me to set aside for him. But I must be willing to put my studies on the shelf to have a cup of coffee with a friend in need. Or to spend a night at the movies with my wife. Or to lead a men's Bible study. Or to take a much needed nap from time to time.

God calls me to be a wholly-devoted and transformed follower...not just someone who "knows" the right things.

The same thing is really true throughout the rest of our lives as well. There's plenty of things that we should do well and whole-heartedly. But there does come a time when you need to put down your Bible, commit to less volunteer work, take a personal day, and interact with the "non-spiritual" aspects of life.

We need to not elevate one good thing in our lives to the point where we miss out on the better things God has for us.

I think that's who God calls me to be in seminary. And I think that's who God calls us to be in life.

When Zeal Isn't Enough

2011-08-22T20:27:00.000-06:00

zeal |zēl|noun great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

Our culture really likes zealous people. At kindergarten we are taught that if we simply want something enough, we will be able to achieve it. As adults we praise the entrepreneurs who start with nothing but a dream and create a multi-million dollar corporation.

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that our love for zealous people has crept into our churches. "Successful" pastors are more likely to have best-selling books than the faithful leadership of small community churches. Let's be fair, though, zeal is a really good thing when it is directed in a correct direction. I do believe that we need to lay all of our lives on the line for our relationship with the Lord and his will for our lives.

So what's the problem? Sometimes zeal is not enough. Zeal for the wro

ng things is destructive. To better illustrate our point, let's look at the Apostle Peter.

Peter was pretty much the rock star of the disciples. He was one of the very first chosen by God, he was in Jesus' inner circle, he saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain, and he walked on water with Jesus for crying out loud.

Peter was very zealous. He was the first to speak up, and he had big plans for what God wanted to do in his life.

Paul had a very clear idea what he thought Jesus was all about and how he fit into his plan.

He was willing to fight for his Jesus, serve for his Jesus, and die for his Jesus.

But he had a wrong idea of who Jesus was.

When Judas betrayed Jesus in Gethsemane, Peter's true vision of who he thought Jesus was came out.

"Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (Jn 18:10-11 NIV)

Peter was zealous for a plan. His plan was probably that this Jesus would be the long awaited revolt leader who would cast the Romans from the Jewish homeland. Jews had been looking for a messiah to fill this role for quite a while.

But Peter had a problem. The thing that he was zealous for--the thing that he was ready to die for-- was not Jesus' plan. Jesus wasn't going to overthrow the Roman government and become the long awaited king (yet, at least). Peter's zeal for God was heartfelt and sincere, but it was misguided.

I think that we often fall into the same trap. I think that we often find ourselves with deeply rooted dreams in which we sincerely desire to see God do a great thing in our lives and our world. Often, these can be very good things--like caring for the needy and standing up for justice. Yet, sometimes we may be zealous for things that differ from what God desires.

So what do we do?

We must never equate our deep yearnings as always being God's sovereign plan. (He may not want you to have this job, live in that house, or marry this girl)

We must continually humble ourselves before God, even laying our deepest longings and desires at his feet. (Our longings must never come before God)

We must make knowing God our greatest goal. (If we are attentive to the Spirit, we will remain in step with what God desires for our lives)

--------

We will mess this up over and over again. But we must take heart. Peter, after perhaps the greatest of screw ups was forgiven by Jesus. And, I truly believe, that what Peter learned from his misguided zeal transformed him into a much better and more devoted leader in the church.