Smurphy's Journal

Bullies

2012-01-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

2 Kings 2:23-25

²³ He (Elisha) went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” ²⁴ And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. ²⁵From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

I’ve picked up one of my old hobbies this fall. Since my wife and I moved back to Mississippi I thought it would be good to start hunting again. We all need some type of get away or release, and if you are in ministry as I am you better find something! I was reading on a hunting forum about a young boy who was getting picked on by the other boys in his class. This young boy has some challenges that any special needs child will have. The father was upset because someone was picking on his child, and of course who could blame him for being upset. In mid July 2012 I will learn what it means to love as only a father could love. I cannot imagine what emotions are running through this fathers mind. I’m sure having a child with special needs is tough, but I’m sure its not hard loving a special needs child. I wonder how God feels when we make fun of His beautiful and perfect creation. I wonder if God feels the pain the father feels when He sees someone making fun of a little child who cannot help how he was made. The question we have to ask is; who is this child or person we are making fun of. What if we were making fun of God’s prophets, angel, or messenger of some sorts? How does it make God feel when we deny the beauty and love that He created? I realize that it’s easy to say that kids are cruel and dismiss this as kids being kids, but that’s not true. What if that special person was God’s angel sent to watch over us? What if this Angel was intentionally placed in our life so we could see God everyday? What I find most fascinating is people that have worked with kids that have special needs are some of the Godliest people I know. Each and every day they have the opportunity to see God’s miracles happen through people with special needs. God places these people in our life for a reason. We often would rather not associate the special needs, maybe because we refuse to receive God’s blessing. Maybe we feel guilty because we have never truly thanked God for our life. Maybe we have thanked God, but the way we live our life says otherwise. The story of Elisha getting made fun of by some immature teenagers resonates still today. It’s not like these group of boys had no clue that Elisha was a prophet. In fact Elisha had just been given the #1 starting spot because Elijah had been taking to heaven. The boys made fun of Elisha because being bald was not very cool. God forbid that Elisha not has cool hair like Samson, or the Swedish Jesus in the movies. There was something different about Elisha and that’s OK. As I get further along in youth ministry I appreciate the different kids more now than ever. It takes a lot of gumptions to be different. Often kids will do things to draw attention to them or try to do something to be different, but that’s only for a moment. Why do we not like people who are different? Is it because we find ourselves being challenged to look inside and figure out who we are? Are we intimidated because someone is comfortable enough in their own skin to truly be themselves? Maybe we are jealous because they are strong enough on the inside to be different on the outside. We have to be carful who we pick on, and in matter of fact we better sustain. God sent prophet throughout history who were laughed at and scoffed, but it didn’t work out so well for the scoffers. Jesus was mocked and made fun of; that’s why they gave him a crown of thorns. They were trying to insult Jesus because He went against the norms of Jewish society. The same things still happens today when we meet people who go against our norms. We try to make fun of them or put them down so we can be bigger than them. Over the years I have encountered people who were bullies, and to be honest nothing gets me more fired up than a bully. When I was in the 7^th grade I transferred from public school to private school. I was very happy in public school, but private school was virtually a living hell. I was a late bloomer and did not get any size until my junior year of high school. I actually grew a couple inches at the end of my freshman year of college. I was picked on by guys who were 2-3 grades above me, and yes they were much bigger than me. To be honest there’s a couple of guys who I would love the chance to rumble with even today. I realize that’s not good for a minister to say, but I’m telling the truth. Even working in the church I still have encountered bullies. What burns me up the most is the behind my back bully. The person whose not man enough to say something to my face. I’m not going to lie I get fired up, and yes I want to punch them in the face! See getting revenge here on earth does no good, because in the end God’s justice will prevail. It goes back to going against the grain, we just can’t stand it when someone challenges who we are. God sent the prophets to relay a message to His people, and unfortunately the people did not always like the message! We have to remember that we were all created in God’s image. Just because Elisha was bald headed, and gray hair was considered to be esteemed, does not take away the fact that God created Elisha, and Elisha had the job of delivering God’s message. When Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount he starts of with the beatitudes. Jesus gives us all these blessed are the poor, meek, and so on because they will inherit the earth. Maybe we can’t stand it because we know that God will give the special needs everything and then some in our resurrected bodies. God truly created each and every one of us in His image, and just because some may seem imperfect to us they are indeed perfect in God’s eyes.

Kids

2011-12-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Roughly 12 weeks ago I found out that my wife Allison is pregnant with our first child. I have to admit that I am very nervous about raising kids. Raising kids is a tremendous responsibility and at the same time something the Bible teaches us to do. I have been guilty of making many jokes to my wife and others about how I did not want kids. I think it was wrong for me to do that, and I will admit that my experiences in youth ministry have added to my nervousness of raising kids. “‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 5:16). It's kind of ironic that God would give this commandment when so high up in the list. God starts off with:

"You shall not have any other God's before me"

"You shall not make any carved images and worship them"

"You shall not take my name in vein"

"Observe the Sabbath and keep it Holy"

And then God tells us the command to honor our parents, but He gives us this little promise... So that it may go well with you in the Promised Land. God gives us this command with a promise, and this is the first command with a promise. Then Deuteronomy 6 comes along... " ¹ “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, ² that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. ³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey" (Deuteronomy 6). This is a fantastic chapter about family discipleship! Raising kids is a big responsibility after all kids are a gift from God! I think what scares me the most is what if my kids do not follow Christ. What if I fail to pass on the faith to my children. What if I do a bad job of being a parent. I'll be honest with you that I am absolutely scared. The years of youth ministry have put a fear in me. I pray that God guides me along the journey of raising kids, because I know that I can't do it alone! I'm thankful that God gave me a wonderful wife Allison to keep me grounded. God gave Israel these commands because they were about to enter a pagan land where their faith will be challenged. It's similar to today's culture where now pop culture hinders our ability to raise up future generations in the faith. It's important to teach our children how to walk in the way of our Lord. I'm a youth pastor and for the last nine years parents have dropped off their kids at church for me to teach them Bible. The sad part is that out of all the people who have influence on our youth the youth pastor is 5th on the list. If you were playing a football game would you start your 5th string? Parents have the most influence on their kids faith. Parents have more influence than their pastors when it comes to their child's faith. Parents are so important in passing on the faith. I pray that I disciple my family and that my kids continue on the faith. Christianity is declining in the United States, but ironicly if we were discipling our kids we would have increased our numbers over the years. There's is no replacement for family discipleship. Simply taking your kids to church once a week is not enough, we have to pump truth and life into our children.

Gun Shop Theology

2011-11-17T13:04:00.001-08:00

It’s deer hunting season here in Mississippi, and today I was lucky to harvest a nice doe. During my lunch time I took my deer to the processor, and on my way home I stopped by my favorite gun shop in Hamilton, MS. Mitch’s Gun Shop has been a staple in the Hamilton Community for many years. Mitch Mitchell is the proud owner and works everyday beside his son Michael. Mitch is a faithful follower of Christ and is also a Gideon. Gideon’s go into the public schools (that will let them) and pass out Bibles to kids. I had a quick question about my deer rifle and ended up in a deep theological discussion. It was a discussion that needed hours, but I was short on time and had to get back to my office. Mitch tossed me a question about the church, and it was kind of a where we went wrong question. I’m almost a seminary grad (one class left) and so I think I know the answer, but so does Mitch. I like to think of myself as a theologian, I mean after all I have $90,000.00 invested in my Christian education! I was reminded today that just because I went to seminary does not mean I know everything! Other people’s opinions are just as valid as mine (they just need to back it up!). Of course I used my education to say that many of our problems began when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, and I began to work my way forward. Mitch began his thought process with little bit of Luke’s Acts of the Apostles and some Paul of course, but threw in a little Billy Graham. Mitch quoted Billy Graham’s saying that 85% of the church is lost, and that would not surprise me one bit. I started with the issue of the inward focus of the church, and how much of our operating expense goes to just keeping the facilities afloat. We both had very similar views, but Mitch’s view was more focused than my approach. I have spent much time thinking about these issues. To think that if all the problems in the church came about because of the majority of lost people in the church. Mitch brought up an interesting point about the lost in the church. It’s one thing to know God in your mind, and to have the knowledge of God’s Word in your brain, but without repentance you cannot know God. We need to be in constant repentance with our Creator who sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. We all can learn from each other, and today I was once again reminded that just because I have been to school, that does not mean I know everything. I was once again reminded that I do not repent enough, and I need to because sin was what drives us away from God. To think that so many in the church profess to be Christian but are lost is absolutely astonishing. They go through all the effort to appear Christian, but yet they have not repented of their sins. We are all in need of a savior including me the professional Christian, and we are all in need of constant repentance including myself. What scares me the most is those lost in the church who know about God, and know about God’s Word. Will God judge the one’s who know harsher than the ones who have no clue? I often wonder if God will be harder on the ones who claim to be of God but are not of God.

Traditions

2011-10-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). I read something very interesting yesterday about C.S. Lewis, who was a popular theologian from England. Many people know Lewis’s work such as Narnia. Lewis had an interesting journey to Christianity that I believe is quite remarkable. I realize that in the church few people value the search for faith. I find it remarkable how people who spent much of their life searching for God have a solid understanding of what they believe and why. We should value the seeking out of God in the search. It’s too often the people appear to receive the faith with little searching and do very little to grow in their faith. The Lewis’s of today are often put aside to figure things out for themselves with little help from the church. Lewis had an interesting perspective about what type of books we should read. All too often we in society latch on to the latest and greatest ideas and technologies; while abandoning things that are out of style. Lewis believed that we should read equal number of old and new books. We should not be so quick to throw out everything we have ever known for the latest fad. It’s easy to forget that foundational learning we received is essential to which we are today. So why should we abandon everything we have ever known for something new? John Wesley’s quadrilateral (Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason) has stood the test of time, and although sometimes we forget that traditions are what make us who we are; we constantly need to be looking back at our traditions. See Lewis had a problem that people in the church refused to use their brains. Church leaders believed the world was flat and that was the end off the story, but explorers and philosophers believed the earth was round, and they were considered heretics. The close mindedness of the church turned C.S. Lewis away from the faith. As he became Christian Lewis did not abandon some of his ideas. With age often comes wisdom, and that is why Lewis believed we should not be so quick to get rid of everything old. In our time today some believe that we should be open to new interpretations of Scriptures, but do we even know what God meant when He inspired people to write down the Scriptures. Tradition is a good way to gauge what we should change for the future. Tradition teaches us to look back at the mistakes of our past. We have to remember that God did give us a brain to use, but we have to use tradition as our guide for the future. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever reminds us that times have changed and people have changed, but Jesus never changes. Jesus still meant what He preached tow thousand years ago, and it is up to the people in the church to carry on that message. We can’t be so quick to abandon everything the Bible has taught us and is still teaching us today, after we are the ones who have changed not God.

Ephesians 5

2011-10-18T05:29:00.000-07:00

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,³⁰because we are members of his body. ³¹ "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." ³²This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Ephesians 5:22-33).

This past Sunday during our Sunday school hour my teacher who has been teaching us the book of Ephesians, covered this passage. It’s really sad but this is one of those passages that often get swept under the rug, and people choose to ignore it. It’s sad because wives are letting their husbands off the hook. This passage is not only about submission, but it’s about husbands and fathers choosing to reject passivity shown to us by Adam. Men have a choice to make they can be like Adam and accept passivity, or they can choose to be like the “second Adam” Jesus who succeeded where Adam failed. It’s common now to see the wife running the household, and Dad just kind of does his own thing. Dad in some cases maybe the provider and that is the extent of his involvement in the family. Women have stepped in to do the job that should be done by Godly faithful husbands and fathers. Our culture is letting men choose passivity, and we are not living up to the guidelines of biblical manhood. See this verse is so much more than women being submissive; it’s about husbands and fathers showing unconditional love to their wives and children. God created woman from the rib of man, because they are to walk side by side in partnership together with man’s arm around woman so he can protect and love her. God never created woman for man to dominate and trample over, and the same goes for woman. The word used in the ESV is submit, the NRSV uses the word subject, but it’s a military term; meaning there is some type of hierarchy. The Greek reads “wives to your husbands as to the Lord.” The Bible always gives more responsibility to the ones in leadership. The church leaders, teachers all have a big responsibility and they will also be held accountable. The same applies to men in this passage as well. Men will be held accountable for choosing passivity. The husband’s responsibility is self sacrificing love, he is to give himself up so he can be the husband and father his family needs. It’s not just enough to love but to “agape” love your wife and family. As the passage continues on to chapter 6 Paul writes about children and parents where he continues on to address fatherhood. Fathers are to have knowledge of the scriptures so they can bring their children up in the Lord. Fathers are to love and care for their family, and that is more than just going to work and providing. Families need strong biblical men, and they deserve strong biblical men. That does not mean they will be perfect or never make mistakes, but they refuse to accept passivity. When I read about fathers taking care of their family I think about one of my Dad’s friends. My dad had a customer who was married and for whatever reason they divorced. His wife moved off remarried and he ended up loosing his family. A few years later he remarried and started another family, and they had a couple of kids; for whatever reason his second also divorced. The house his second family was living in was built on his families land, and he brought it into his second marriage. He was determined not to loose his second family in spite of being divorced. He told his second wife that she could live in his house for free, but he was going to build himself a house a few hundred yards away. He told her that he did not want to loose his family again. They were able to turn a bad situation into something good, because they were able to work through their differences for the sake of the family. They would go on to eat supper as a family each night; the couple just went to their own house to sleep each night. Oddly enough this worked well for the family and the divorced couple it allowed some type of normal for the kids, because they spent time with their father every day. Eventually the husband and wife moved on and began to date again, but they were able to work through everything and they still had supper as a family each night. Both the husband and wife remarried and continued to eat their nightly meal as a larger family, and eventually the two families became best friends. They would take vacations together, and what seemed odd to everyone else; they made the best out of bad situation. The kids are all grown and it’s like one big family to this day. This father even through a failed marriage refused to loose his family, and was willing to do what it takes to keep his family together.

Big But

2011-10-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

Big But

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See Details Buy Now

10 Years Ago

2011-09-13T08:32:00.001-07:00

I’ve had mixed emotions over the 10^th anniversary of 911. It was without a doubt a tragic event. As I got to thinking about the actual day and what I was doing; a door of mixed emotions began to enter my mind. I had started back college at MUW in the fall of 2001. I had a really good job that ended back in the summer; the company I was working with had lost it’s contract and I was out of a job. I was lucky to find a job working at Holman Transmission selling parts and handling all the repair orders. They were willing to work around my school schedule which was very helpful. I had just finished up a good phase of my life. I was working full time, taking some night classes, and making good grades. I kind of was in a growing up phase, I was 24 or 25 years old. I wanted to graduate college because that was a goal that I had set for myself. 2001 began a series of closed doors, open doors, dead ends, and not knowing what the heck I needed to do in life. It began an era of three years of floundering, going to church, falling of the wagon, a bad relationship that I allowed to continue, and utter confusion. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried a door would be closed, or I would come to a dead end with no where to go. It seemed that I just could not get it together, but just a couple years before I was all together. I later learned that life is like a series of innings in a baseball game, and each inning requires a different outlook, strategy, and approach. What worked before may not always work again. The odd part about this time is that I really worked on my relationship with God. I had stumbles, and I was struggling with alcohol. I learned later that my issues were with God, and I refused to deal with anything. I needed to learn how to rely on God. God had a calling on my life, but I refused to answer the call. Several people close to me new that I had this call, but let me work it with God. I don’t really miss the years between September 11, 2001 until February 2005 when I answered my call, but those years where vital to God’s shaping me. I never want to go through those years again, and I am thankful for my relationship with God, my wife, and being in Amory. I look back and sometimes I’m just like there is no way all this has went on in my life, but for whatever reason God has lead me down this road. I realize that some people struggle with believing in God, but for me its easier when I look back on my life. I know God was there through those years of struggling and running from God. I can look back and see how God provided a way for Allison and myself to be in Amory. I felt that my life was like the game show Let’s Make a Deal, and I was constantly opening the doors to see what life had to offer. That was much of my problem because I was trying to open the door instead of listening to God. I’m still paying for some of those mistakes I made during this time. There was a period where I was so broken I would have done anything to be in the place God wanted me to be. I learned that brokenness is no fun, but if you put up a fight long enough you will become broken and then desperate. Desperate to go where God wants you to go, because you want this brokenness to go away. I can remember wanting to be happy and content with my life, but could not find it. I had no inner peace and my heart was in utter turmoil. I don’t miss those years before I finally surrendered to God. Honestly I wish I would have gave my life to God in 1998 when I had some idea that God was calling me into the ministry. I ran from God until December 2004 when I finally said I would go wherever God wanted me to go. I was at breakthru on December 27, 2004 when my brokenness began to turn into healing, and then I answered God and said yes. In February 2005 when I accepted my first youth ministry position I felt as if the world had lifted from my shoulders. I was absolutely relieved and my heart was no longer in turmoil. Youth ministry has not been easy at all, but at its lowest point it was never like the years of my life starting fall 2001. I look back at the past 10 years and think about how far God has brought me. I think about all the tangible ways in which I have seen God work in my life, the church, and people. I would never want to go back to my old life, and I am thankful that God has taken a broken down sinner (who still sins) and gave me a heart for people. 10 years is a long time ago, and a lot has happened. I’m looking forward to the next 10 years with my wife, and I am looking forward to 10 years with God.

Why does this keep happening God?

2011-09-08T09:37:00.001-07:00

Why does this keep happening God?

“⁸And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. ⁹ Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. ¹⁰ And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night” (1 Samuel 19:8-10).

I often wonder how David felt during his battle with Saul. It’s not like David asked to be anointed, because he was just obeying his authorities (i.e., his father, Samuel, & Saul). I’m sure David never intended to kill Goliath, or had any intentions of being anointed king of Israel. I wonder if he would have given it all back. I wonder what was going through David’s mind every time Saul hurled one of those spears at him. David did everything that was ever asked of him, and did it to the best of his ability. When the prophet Samuel was going to anoint a new king; he went to visit the house of Jesse (David’s father), and it was there he began to look at all Jesse’s sons, but after looking at his first seven sons none were to be king. Jesse had to send for David because he was watching the animals. Faithfully protecting them and making sure the family livelihood was protected. I wonder why David was the only son of Jesse watching over the animals. Did Jesse ask David because he new that David would get the job done? If the only thing David did was to be faithful then why would his brother be jealous of him when he came to visit him on the battlefield? Why would Saul want to kill him if all he ever did was to faithfully carry out all Saul’s commands? David won wars for Saul, but yet Saul wanted to kill him! I bet David could never understand why? Why God am I going through this junk if this is the place you want me to be? I love David’s story because he was imperfect and a sinner just like me. I wonder how many Psalms David wrote that were never recorded. David would be one of the people I would love to seek out for advice. David how did you get through ______? You could name anything from his battle with Saul to his affairs. David what advice could you give me today? I could see David today as this old wise man who is weathered the storms of life, and maybe even showing is age more than most men his age. How cool would it be to see David at Starbucks! I would buy him all the coffee he could drink just to get some of his advice. I bet David would have a lot of good nuggets for life. What if we could here David talks about the Psalms he wrote? To be able to have the man who wrote all these words explain to us exactly what he was going through! I bet the Bible would absolutely come to life. I wish I could get 30 minutes of David’s time today. I realize the church is made up of imperfect people, but for some reason they feel the need to put on this front of perfection. Everything is OK and my life is all great; even in spite of the rumors going around town that we are loosing our home….. Everything is great even though our marriage is over…. Everything is great but…. I bet David never said everything is great even though Saul is trying to kill me! Why does this keep happening to me God! When I read David’s story I never get the impression of someone who is trying to put up a front that everything is OK. For some reason the people in the church does not embrace the David’s of the congregations. The people who have slain drug, alcohol, addictions, bankruptcy, illness, etc you name it. It’s these people who have been molded and shaped by the mistakes, battles, and even faithfulness to following Christ. That’s the kind of people we need in the church. Nobody is perfect, and we should not have to act as if we are! I’m drawn to many of the stories of imperfect people in the Bible because I see myself. Sometimes withered by my own mistakes, but trying to be faithful to Christ, and often times sinning. We all have stories just like David’s.

Money for nothing?

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

¹⁴Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, ¹⁵who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, ¹⁹saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." ²⁰But Peter said to him,” May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! ²¹You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.²²Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." ²⁴And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

(Acts 8:14-24 ESV)

I will admit that I struggle with impulse purchases, and when working on something around the house going out to get that tool so I can do the job. You never know when you might need that tool again, and even though it may have been cheaper to hire someone; I now have the tools and experience to do the job myself. I like to fix stuff, and I can’t stand for something to not work properly. I can literally be consumed by trying to get something fixed. It’s as if I can’t move on until the job is finished. I realize these things because they are my strengths. I am a restorer someone who likes to fix things or trouble shoot. I am a learner I enjoy learning new things, and need to be constantly learning something new. I am an achiever I like to get the job done, and whatever you do, do not disturb me! Our gifts and strengths can also be our weakness. The urgency of getting something done has sent me on many trips to the hardware store or Harbor Freight to get that one tool so I can do the job. I can literally block out all reasoning of why I should wait until I have the cash in hand; instead of putting things on the ole credit card. This absolutely drives my wife insane. She also loves the fact that I will fix something around the house. Our greatest strengths can also be our weakness. This story in Acts is about Simon the magician who can dazzle people with his cool tricks. You could say he was Chris Angel before there was a Chris Angel or even David Copperfield. Simon the magician won the attention of the people by his talent, but his talents could not win a faith in God, or the Holy Spirit. Simon saw the one thing he could not achieve ever, he saw the power of the Holy Spirit and he had to have it! The problem with Simon the magician was that he tried to buy this power. He wanted the one thing his money could buy! Our strengths cannot win over God, mostly because God gave them to us for His glory. Money does a lot of dumb things to people including myself. We loose all common sense sometimes. We all know you cannot buy faith in God, but that does not stop people from trying! Simon is not the only person throughout history who thought he could buy power from God! Simon new his talent was not enough, but I wonder what his plans were for this power! Would Simon use them for good or evil? When we rely on our God-given strengths or talents without God what does that say about us? I’m so awesome that I can fix most anything, but yet I need to spend an extra hundred bucks getting that tool, or if I had that tool I could do insert whatever here! I bet Simon was thinking if I could just get this power I could do… you name it! The point is that we can do the dumbest things, or what may seem to ourselves as a good idea at the time, but be absolutely dumb to others; when we rely on ourselves instead of God. In my heart I know that debt is bad, and that debt drives my wife crazy, but that urgency to get a project finished no matter that cost takes over. I’m reminded that our God given talents when used without God can cause grief to others. I often wonder what God thinks when I say look what I did! I wonder if he laughs. I wonder if God laughed at Simon the magician. You cannot buy faith, faith comes through obeying, serving, trusting, prayer, time, etc and we all could go on and on. Faith is not something we could ever buy or earn from our talents. I’m reminded of the 1980’s movie Top Gun when Tom Cruise (a.k.a. Maverick) and his partner “Goose” are in trouble because of “circus stunt fly by.” Maverick is told by his superior officer that he is “writing checks his butt cannot cash.” In other words his talents were running out among other things. Our talents or money can only carry us so far and if we are not careful our strengths can become our greatest weakness.

Oh.. Saul..

2011-09-02T05:11:00.000-07:00

¹⁷And Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. ¹⁸And the LORD sent you on a mission and said, 'Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' ¹⁹Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?" ²⁰And Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. ²¹ But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." ²²And Samuel said,

    "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
   as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to listen than the fat of rams.
²³For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
   and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
    he has also rejected you from being king."
²⁴Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. ²⁵Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may worship the LORD." (1 Samuel 15:17-25)

It's funny how God's Word speaks to us today. Sometimes it could be in a random passage, a verse of the day from KLove, a verse on a random business sign, and even in our orderly daily Bible reading. I've had personal debate about how I should lead the youth ministry at my new church. There's the old traditional way of making everyone happy and doing a lot of stuff. There's a newer more sustainable way of trying to lead a ministry. One way is more work on myself, and the other is more work on the people (myself included). One way makes people immediately happy, and helps with the age old question "what are you going to do Pastor?" It's hard to get people to understand the new age of the church. Many pastors are starting new churches because the older more established churches simply kick their butt (myself included). It's easier to start a new church than turn an older church around. It's hard to develop something new when everything looks back at the way of the past. I'm not talking about worship, because there's value in hymns, liturgy, and creeds; in matter of fact they make us who we are. I'm referencing to the people of the church. Far too long the church and leaders have turned congregations into consumers of faith. The church offers a product on Sunday morning along with more products (ministries, programs) during the week. The people come, partake in the faith and then go home. I myself have been guilty of programming up thinking more people would come. Mid 2000's and earlier a paradigm shift began to happen. Churches and youth ministries would do up these big events and fewer and fewer people began to attend. Slowly event ministry is loosing ground, and partakers of the faith have moved their business elsewhere, their kids have grown up, and some grew in their faith and moved to another church. There are still churches doing event ministry in smaller towns, but eventually they will have to change as well. It makes the people happy when they get their church calender and it's full of events. People brag to their churches about how much their children and youth ministries are doing, but are these churches making lifelong disciples of faith. Can event ministry make disciples? Some would say yes, and I am sure there are a few who became true lifelong disciples because of an event. As parents have to decide, ministers have to decide what is the difference between a need and want. What do the people need? Saul had this same problem, but he was more worried about how he looked to the people. God gave Saul a command to obey, but he listened to the people and it got him into trouble. Sometimes you have to listen to the steady voice of God. You have put the loud voice of the people into perspective and ask what is a need or want? Saul listened to the people and God regretted making him king, and not to mention poor Samuel who grieved about Saul for the rest of his life. Sometimes it's better to endure the short term complaints for the long term goal. The goal is where God is leading, but we have to remember there is only stages. The journey never stops, there are only stages of life. God has a way for each stage along the journey, but we have to listen for the direction of the next stage. We never arrive in Christianity, or at least here on earth, but we are on a journey with the people of God. It's easy to do what is right in the eyes of man, but are we doing right in the eyes of God?

Ruth & Naomi

2011-08-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

Ruth & Naomi

It seems that I have been trying to finish reading my ESV Bible for too long! I only have 12 books to finish; one of those is Psalm which I have been reading alongside other books. This morning I read the book of Ruth. I think Ruth is a wonderful book in the Old Testament. I realize that since I am a man that I loose a lot of what is going on in the story of Ruth. I believe that Ruth was a remarkable woman to say the least, but the story reminds me of friendship and maybe even something deeper than just friendship, and definitely a relationship that God would shine his face upon. I think we have taken the word intimate and messed it up. We think of intimate relationships as sexual, but I am talking about a deeper plutonic relationship. We can have intimate close friends without having a sexual relationship. I have friends that I consider family, and I am thankful God has placed those friends in my life. Sometimes we have friends that for some reason our other friends may not like. They are good friends to us, and have never done us wrong. These are friends that have been there for us in times of need, or maybe friends that have just been good to us and our family. I heard a story of how a friend spoke out for someone because they were good friends and this person had been good to their family. It’s what a good friend would do! Good friends are hard to come by and we should value our friends. Have you ever spoke out for someone and everyone that you thought you were friends no longer talked to you? Good friends do not bail out in a time of need! The story of Ruth, Naomi and in the beginning Orpah is a story of two people who have something deeper than the normal friendship. All three women are widowed and married into the same family. Naomi the mother in law gives Ruth and Orpah a way out, because they have fulfilled all their obligations that were normal for the day. Orpah goes home to her family and that was the custom, but Ruth does not leave her mother in law. Truthfully all three women were on the brink of being destitute, and Naomi was in big trouble because of her age, but Ruth could have moved back to her family and survived OK. Ruth stays with her mother in law Naomi because it was the right thing to do. It was not about following the social norms of the day, because their relationship was deeper and Ruth would not let Naomi end up destitute wondering around for food. Ruth is the kind of friend we all would like to have. Ruth made a commitment to take care of Naomi until she died. Sometimes we like to bail out on people because we do not like them. We ostracize people who take up for the ones we may not like. It’s the boss everyone hates but one or two people at our jobs. We call them suck ups and other derogatory names. We should all value our friendships, but even more we should value other people’s friendships. A good friend stays with you in the bad times. We should not dislike someone because they run around with someone we particularly do not care for! I’m not talking about the friend that we know is bad for us to hang around! I am talking about close lifelong friends! There is honor in sticking behind our friends even when they have done something wrong. I am not say we deny their guilt or ignore their wrong doing, but we help them along. A family member got into serious trouble with the law once. A lot of his friends stuck beside him and some did not, but one in particular was very loyal, and this friend even help pay for my family member’s lawyer. Despite what everyone was calling him, his friends were there until he died. Some people may have ended the relationship, but this friend told me something I will never forget. He may have done wrong, but he never did anything to me, and has always been a good friend. You don’t bail out on someone even when they are in trouble with the law. I’m not sure why we do not respect other people’s friendships. We should even when someone testifies in court on behalf of a murderer, because they are innocent until proven guilty. It’s what a good friend would do, but I am not saying that we lie and deny their guilt. A good friend goes beyond the social norms just like Ruth.

Judges

2011-08-11T05:55:00.001-07:00

Judges

It’s been a while since I have had to prepare youth lessons, and I have been going through different lessons of the past and one in particular I have been expanding. I like to go back through old lessons so I can add new ideas to them. I’ve been working on an Old Testament Overview lesson, and something struck me. I was reading 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders, and one particular saying stuck with me. The period/book of Judges “Samson and others were chosen as Judges to rule over the land for four hundred rebellious years.” During this time God gave the people Judges to here them out and help them with difficult decisions. Sometimes in the case of Gideon they even had to fight for peace. God sent men and women to Judge the people. We have to remember God does not have a particular type of human being He wants to use. God can use whomever He chooses. I wonder how difficult the decisions where that had to be made? I will never forget an Andy Stanley sermon I heard at the National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta back in 2007. Whenever the difficult decision has to be made you make the decision for the people in the room, not the leader. It’s not easy making these types of decisions, but sometimes they have to be made. I was listening to someone who was talking about difficult decisions that they had to make. For me they all seemed like good decisions, but they were all difficult ones. They could have gone in a different direction or cave in to easy decision. Sometimes it’s easy to let things slide, or not properly deal with things, but that’s not good for God’s people. Sometimes decisions have to be made because of the past history of a church or business, and even a sports team. Not dealing with something in business, family, life, and especially the church will always come back to haunt us. It may take a few years, but I promise at some point our past habit of not dealing with something will always re-emerge at some point. Making a bad judgment can veer us off the right path for years. Sometimes people leave a church when the right decision is made. Sometimes we may loose customers when the right decision is made. Some close friends of my parents owned a restaurant and felt that God was calling them to quit serving hard liquor. The bar was a major money maker for their business that was now on the rocks because of the bad economy. Eventually they closed their restaurant and just about lost everything. Most people would say that it was not very smart, and God would never bring something bad like loosing a business on someone. That’s simply not true being a Christian is not easy, and it is not the good life. It’s a better life, but not the easy life that so many claim. My parent’s friends spent most every night working at their restaurant including weekends. Their kids did their homework at one of the booths. Eventually they would both get other jobs that were more 9-5ish hours, but they had normal family time. What was a bad thing and caused them anguish and embarrassment of closing a business was eventually turned around to be something good. Difficult decisions are not always easy and often we do not see the fruits until years down the road. We have to listen for God in all our decisions, and pray for guidance, because God knows the direction of our future path.

Last Counsel

2011-08-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

Moses’ Last Counsel

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB).

As Moses is preparing to move on from this world into heaven, he gives a going away speech to Israel, and specifically his loyal student Joshua. Moses reminds the people that God is with them, and by now they should know that God is with them. As followers of Christ we should know that God is always with us. We are quick to give God credit when everything works out our way, but we sing a different tune when things are different than we envision. It is easy to say God is great when things are going well, but what about the storms of life? For the last two years things have not gone as I would have liked, but it took me a year to figure out that God’s plan was for my good. I wondered where is God and what why did things not go they way I thought they should. God gave me a break because I needed a break. There were things that I needed to get taken care of such as seminary, and personal healing. We have to remind ourselves that God is always there and that our plan is not always God’s plan. I learned something three years ago that is coming true today. God’s help is rarely early, never when we want it, but always at the right time. My wife and I have just moved to Amory, MS, and it has been overwhelming to see how God has revealed himself over the last month. We did not want to move, but we were willing to move, and open to moving. We were both happy in Memphis, and I had begun to consider Memphis my home. Life is like the seasons fall, winter, spring, summer, baseball, volleyball, football seasons you name it! Each season of life can offer change, and sometimes we have to look out ourselves and evaluate things we need to change. Each season of life my not look like the previous season. Each season of life may not go the way we would like, but we have to remember that God is there, and He is constantly molding and shaping us in the various seasons of life. We have to be open to change in our life; it is often through these changes that God reveals himself to us. Being resistant to change can cause us to miss out on the tangible moments to feel God’s presence in our life. God gave Israel a simple command follow me and I will bless you beyond your imagination! All Israel had to do was to obey God’s Word and they would be blessed to the point where everyone would notice. Israel was to be something different from anything the world had ever seen. The average person would have known the Israel was something special and they were blessed. Israel failed to follow after God, and God had to put Israel on the shelf for a time. God is not done with Israel and He has not forgotten them. It’s the same way with Christians today. Obey God’s command and follow after Him and you will be blessed. The blessing are beyond our wildest imagination, but we have to be patient for the next life when we receive our blessings. Even though we may like or dislike this current season of life, God is with us and He will not fail us or forget about us!

Casey Anthony

2011-07-06T06:55:00.001-07:00

From Dr Pete Gathje’s Christian Ethics class

Memphis Theological Seminary

Theology and the Death Penalty, A Contest of Visions: Vision of Redemptive Violence vs. Vision of Restorative Justice

Two Visions—Views human life and justice

1. Redemptive Violence: focused on individual wrong-doer, Retributive justice is necessary to express a righteous moral anger in response to wrongdoing. Therefore the proper moral response to a murder must be proportionate to the crime of murder. Killing the evil doer will restore moral order.

2. Restorative Justice: focused on harm done to individual, and to the community; recognizes wrongdoer as part of the community; accountability for wrongdoing that is redemptive, communally focused, and healing. Judgment is for the sake of redemption; overcome evil with good

Mercy as action that delivers from need, affliction, bondage.

B. What is the Theology Behind These Two Visions?

Vision of God: God as Punisher of Law Breakers or Redeemer of the Broken? Purpose of the law: to punish or to restore (Jesus’ question in Mark 3:1-6)
Vision of Jesus’ Life, Death, and Resurrection, Atonement Theology

Two views of atonement—how does Jesus’ death on the cross save us?: Satisfaction/Judicial vs. Christus Victor/Participation

III. Two Views of Atonement: Paul on the Death Penalty?

A. Judicial Atonement Theology: See Galatians 3:13-14, Romans 3:23-27, 5:1-11, Colossians 2:13-15.

1. Sin: our violation of God’s law, we are lawbreakers and we deserve punishment

2. The Cross: Jesus takes for us the punishment from God due to us for our sin. God is punisher of law breakers. Jesus’ “sacrifice” satisfies God’s demand for justice.

3. Salvation: The resurrection indicates the penalty has been paid. “And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

My thoughts:

Keep in mind this was just a tidbit of Dr Gathje notes, I could have posted the notes from this particular class, but for the purpose of time I will not. It’s been all over facebook how people whom I know are Christian are calling for Casey Anthony’s head on a platter. I try to remember how Christians should respond to situations as these. Should I as a Christian want to execute someone like Casey Anthony? Casey Anthony was not proven guilty; should I have faith in the system that she is innocent? What should my feelings be toward people like Casey Anthony or O.J. Simpson? I think it’s easy to write them off as guilty, and hope they end up in hell, but as a follower of Christ should I want someone to end up on hell? What if Casey Anthony was found guilty and sentenced to die? Would this satisfy God’s justice or man’s justice? I think the United Methodist church has an interesting view of the death penalty. The UMC’s stance is that as long as someone is living they have the opportunity to have their life transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ. I think the UMC has a valid point. I’m not saying that we should not pay for our crimes that we commit. All of our sins have a price that we pay whether something small or something that could land us in jail. One thing that I believe our criminal justice system should do better is restorative justice. As Christians we should try to restore criminals back to their community. Its one thing to ask for forgiveness, but it’s another thing to make it right, or in some cases as right as possible here on earth. As human beings we are often too quick to judge, and as Christians we are even quicker to judge. Sometimes I think that Christians today have become more like the Pharisee’s than the actual Pharisees! Jesus came to restore people and that is one reason He healed the sick and the lame. These people were kicked out of their communities because they were not as good as every one else. Not only did Jesus heal them but in His healing it brought them back into fellowship with their friends and family. Whether or not Casey Anthony is innocent or guilty it is not our place to judge, but the bigger question is how we can restore Casey Anthony or someone like her. This is no easy task for people to undertake, but remember that Jesus raised the bar, and challenged the people of His time to move beyond legalism. Keep in mind there is only one mainline Christian denomination that still believes in the death penalty. At one time I believed that people should die, but over time I changed my stance. I changed because I felt that our justice system is flawed, and the have nots of our world face a greater danger of being sentenced to die. If you have the money for the best lawyer you have a better chance of getting off or a reduced sentenced. Our system favors the rich and is often not far to the least of these. We have to remember our system is ran by man who is flawed. It’ the reason guilty people get away with murder and the innocent go to jail. We still have to pay for our sins, but I cannot justify killing someone. We want our (mans) way of justice satisfied, but we forget that true justice (Gods) will not be satisfied in this lifetime.

Paving The Way

2011-06-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Back in the late 1990's around 1998 or 1999 my church was having it's yearly revival. I can't remember much about the speaker, but I do remember a couple of things he said. The first was about joining the church, I had been attending their for well over a year and had not joined. It was time for me to join the church, and so I joined. The second was a saying that I still have not forgotten. It's a saying that is written in one of my Bibles. "Where the Lord guides, God will provide." It's a very important saying that has shown to be true in my life. Sometimes this saying has challenged me and has also rocked me to the core. There has been times when God provided and I cannot tell you how I made it through. All the odds were stacked against me, the money was simply not there, but yet God provided the opportunity and there was just enough. Allison and I are getting ready to start our ministry together in Amory, MS. She teaches for Memphis City Schools, and we desperately need for her find a full time teaching job. We have a goal of being debt free, and I am the reason we have debt. Student loans are good for some, but I am not so sure they were good for me. We have this goal of being debt free in 2-3 years. Since I am a youth minister I know that I will never be rich. We know that God has provided just enough that we can live and achieve what I believe is God's goal for everyone. I believe that God wants us to be debt free because we become slaves to our debt. One reason I believe that God wants us free from debt is so He can guide our path instead of our bank account. I was offered a position at a church in Thomasville, AL but I could not take it because of my debt. I still today believe that I missed a wonderful opportunity. There have also been times when God provided and it left me speechless. It was as if God was saying look her big boy I am here with you, and you have to trust me! I can remember sitting in my office just in awe of how God provided just enough. I am reminded of a saying I learned while going through Downline: "God's help is rarely early, never late, and always at the right time." I also think it's important say that as Christians we are not promised an easy life. Being Christian does not mean that my life is all good and so much better now. Paul writes about persecution, and was killed because of his faith. God providing just enough does not mean enough so I can get that new sport utility that gets 10 miles a gallon. God providing just enough means that we can live the life that God wants for us, while being free from slavery (whatever you are a slave to) so we can be ready for when God plucks us from our current location and moves us to another. I think Jeremiah the weeping prophet said it best: ¹¹ For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NASB). It's important to remember that transition is never easy, but God paves the way. God can pave the way in many different ways, but we have to listening and looking for God. It may not seem all that miraculous for some, and others it may take a miracle for you to make the moves God is wanting you to make.

Divisions over Qualifications

2011-04-24T06:41:00.001-07:00

Divisions over Qualifications

In Memphis, TN where I live some of the local churches have decided to move their denominational membership to another denomination. The PCUSA voted to allow homosexuals to ordained as ministers, which has caused churches to change how they view scripture, interpretation, and inspiration of the Bible. I wanted to first say there is a difference between being accepting of all people inspite of their sins, and ordaining someone which affirms their sins. There has been much debate of homosexuality in the church, and much attack on the interpretation of homosexuality in the Bible. I want to first say that not everyone has the qualifications to be a minister. Some people have sins and lifestyles they are not willing to give up, and for that they are not quailified to be ministers. The book of first Timothy gives us insights to what qualifies someone to be a minister. I’m a youth pastor and I can’t live a unworthy of my calling to be in ministry. If I go out and get drunk and sleep around, chances are my youth are going to know. Most people can spot a fake and that would make me a bad minister. I’m not saying that I live a sin free life, believe me I have my struggles with sin. I am A.D./H.D. and have been clinically diagnosed, and what I learned through the process of getting tested is that I am a visual learner. I am a highly visual person, and things can easily catch my attention. It could be anything from an impulsive purchase to women, but I have to be aware of my short comings, and yes it is a struggle. I can’t help it that I have a nuerological disorder, but none the less it is a problem that I have to deal with. It would be easy to say that God made me this way and it is not my fault. That is where many argue for people who are homosexual to be ordained ministers. The issue becomes the denial of sin and the fall of man. We are dealing with thousands of years of sin, and we need not to ignore sin in the world today. God did not screw things up, we screwed things up and continue to do so today. Saying that God made me this way is an excuse not to own up to our own sins. If we ordain people who are not qualified for ministry on the basis that God made them this way, then you better hold on. There has been enough research to say that alcoholism and drug abuse can be passed down through genetics. Should we ordain the alcoholic and drug addict? Some would say pedophiles are also born that way, and should we ordain them? Before I became a youth pastor I had do deal with sin in my life, and continue to deal with sin today. I’m not claiming to be without sin, but I am acknowloging them and trying to deal with them today. Professional ministry is not for everyone, it is not easy, and you better believe you are under a microscope. As a Christian we are all called to a new life, to move away from our old selves, but as a minister you have to move even further from you old ways.

Many theologians also say we need to be open to new interpretations to the Bible. This where 1 Timothy teaches us about false teachings. We have to be careful about new interpretations. Many on the side of homosexuality argue that slavery was justified by using bad interpretation of scripture. They want to compare homosexuality with slavery, which is absolutely false. This comparison is a horrible injustice to slavery and civil rights. Theologians who make this statement have never worked a hard days labor in their life. Homosexuals are not being made to work sun up to sun down picking cotton until their hands bleed. To make a statement such as this is for someone to be highly out of touch with the working person. Growing up in Mississippi on a small farm I have some understanding of the work slaves went through. In junior high I had to plow our small farm with a tiller. I worked all day plowing with a beast tiller! I worked extremely hard for someone barely a teenager, but that does not even compare with slavery. I was not beaten if I was slow, or if I did not get everything finished. My life was never threatened, and my experience gave me a positive understanding of what it means to work hard. I would say that the struggle of the African American people have made the struggles of homosexual much easier. You do not see Homosexuals on the street picketing for higher wages, in fact most do quite well financially. Whenever we are fighting for an issue we have to be careful not to do an injustice to struggles of others before us.

I am not and will not say that homosexuals are going to hell. I do believe it is a sin, but I am also a sinner. I realize that homosexuality is quite taboo and many find it repulsive. If we say that all homosexuals are going to hell then what about the luster, thief, adulterer, and so on. Why do I get a free pass and not the homosexual? We will all be judged one day and I will live that up to the one doing the judging. Personally I would rather not condemn anyone to hell. I heard once that we will be judged through the same lenses that we judged others. I’m not sure if this is true, it could be, but it made me think about being so quick to judge others and their sins.

1 Timothy 1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
² To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

¹ Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[a] respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
¹¹ In the same way, the women^[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 4

¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Inerrancy

2011-03-07T05:40:00.000-08:00

It seems lately I have had painful conversations about the inerrancy of the Bible. I believe that God inspired people to write the Bible. Each person wrote a particular book of the Bible and some like Paul wrote multiple books. The books were written over a long period of time, and they were written to specific groups often dealing with specific situations. Some things that we can find from studying apologetics will teach us about the Bible as we know it today. Because the original writers and witnesses were getting old the church decided it was time to gather all the scriptures and compile them into one book. Each book had to go through a lengthy process to figure out if it belonged in the Canon as we know today. We know that Scripture was written down by hand, and then copied by hand so the Scriptures could be passed around. What many like to say is that man copied the Bible and therefore it’s wrong because they made mistakes. Here is what we know, the mistakes made in copying the Bible were “slips of the pen.” None of the mistakes made while copying change any of the meanings of the passages. People try to say that we do not have any of the original manuscripts, but they forget to mention the dates of the ones we have. The earliest New Testament manuscripts are only 50 years newer than when Mark was written. It is not far fetched that the original New Testament writers could have read earliest copies we have today. The Dead Sea Scrolls proved how accurate Scripture was copied, because from the copies we had to the Dead Sea Scrolls was over 1,000 years; which proved how accurate Scriptures were copied and confirmed the accuracy of the canon we use today. The Bible makes clear it’s views of Scripture, and never tries to prove the accuracy of Scripture. “All Scripture is God breathed” and Paul writes to Timothy about finding people with sound doctrine. Jesus quoted Scriptures all the time, and realized the importance of knowing the Bible. What I find going on around me is what N.T. Wright calls “The Belittling” of Scripture. People want to lower the authority of the Bible so they can make it about themselves. God has a plan for everyone, and I doubt God is worried about what he think, because God’s plan is better for us than anything we could ever dream. I personally feel that this is man’s way of trying to subdue God, because we do not want anyone telling us what to do. If we make scripture out to be wrong then why should we follow what the Bible teaches? The truth is Christianity needs more people who take the Bible seriously, but I am not talking about fundamentalism where we use the Bible to Scripture whip people. I am talking about reading the Bible and following the teachings of Jesus and putting Scripture into practice. I know it’s hard to believe but its not about me or you, but that is what society teaches us today. If God can part the Red Sea I believe He can put together a Bible without errors. People try to say the Bible contradicts itself, but I believe there are something we just do not know or will know. Scripture points out there will be a time when all things will be revealed. Instead of saying the Bible has errors and putting the blame on someone or something else, we should admit for once that we honestly do not know everything written in the Bible. I’m not saying that we should not wrestle with the original context of Scripture, but we need to be honest about the interpretation of the Bible. We also need to be willing to submit ourselves to the authenticity of Scripture. By lowering the authority of the Bible we are trying to make ourselves a god over our own life. If God is the God of miracles in the Bible, and if God is still doing miracles today I figure the God can inspire people to write a book and do it accurately. The Bible has stood the test of time, and has been confirmed by archeology. Over the years archeologist have unearthed towns that were mentioned in the Bible. New manuscripts have also been unearthed which has confirmed the authenticity of the Bible. A.J. Jacobs who wrote the book The Year of Living Biblically called the Bible the “book of all books.” I believe that is what God has given us today, “the book of all books” for us to study and learn so we can be little Christ for the people around us.

Spicy Italian for the Nice Homeless Lady

2011-01-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

Today I was looking for some handles that I need to finish up a project that I can’t seem to get finished. I went to Northern Tool on Summer Avenue, and then to Harbor Freight, but still could not find what I need. I parked by Subway because I decided it would be good to have a healthy lunch! I noticed a bunch of stuff sitting under the covered sidewalk, I thought at first maybe it was a store remodeling or something. As I walked toward Subway I noticed a lady sitting down by all this stuff, just reading and trying to stay dry. It appeared that she had lost her home; she had all her belongings that she could carry. She had a few books, small Christmas tree, and a Bible. I caught a glimpse of her Bible and noticed how warn it looked. Her Bible looked as if she had read it a thousand times. Sometimes I admit that I have been hardened by people who beg, because they have abused the system, or need money for alcohol or drugs. This lady was a nice lady who for some reason was down on her luck. I’m not sure what happened in her life that put her in this situation. She was minding her own business, not asking anyone for anything. I felt led by the Holy Spirit to get this nice lady something to eat. Sometimes I feel that we need to be the answer to people’s prayer, instead of just praying for them. To be honest I’m not even sure if she needed something to eat, but I felt that’s what I should do. The Scriptures became real to me, because all of the sudden I was reminded how the least will be first, and how we are not promised anything more in life. We are not promised a tomorrow, we are not owed anything, but God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. I wish I knew what would lie ahead for this lady, but I have no way of knowing. I do know one thing. I asked the nice lady if she was hungry and if she wanted something to eat. She hesitated and said that she would like a spicy Italian sandwich with everything on it! I went inside and ordered her a foot long spicy Italian, bag of chips, large Fanta Orange, and two chocolate chip cookies (just because you’re homeless does not mean you don’t like desert!). I wanted this nice lady to have her fill for the day. I do not know what God will have for her tomorrow, but today I know God wanted this nice lady to have enough food for today. I know this because God told me to get her something to eat. I wish I had more definite moments in my life where I heard God speak with a definite action. In the past I have had experiences where I felt that I should have helped someone in need, but I was too scared or simply not willing to listen to God’s call in that moment. It was a missed opportunity and a missed moment with God. I know today that I experienced God’s presence in my life. Money has been tight and I wish I could do more for this nice lady. I did invite her to my church on Saturday night for worship, and reminded her that Jacobs Well is a church for all types of people. I’m reminded once again that we have to be faithful to God’s calling no matter how big or small. I am also reminded that sometimes people need more than our prayers. Sometimes people need our actions or our help, but our prayers are also important as well. We can’t hide behind prayer, because being a Christian means that we need to get our hands dirty.

Living Our Gifts

2011-01-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) About two years ago I had the opportunity to take the Servants by Design Test. It’s a test that helps to reveal our strengths, understand how we are wired, and how that affects us in ministry. As I was reading through the 6 page report; I was very happy to learn how I am wired, but saddened at the same time. As I kept on reading I realized that I was serving in the wrong church. I was hired for my views of youth ministry, which I now realize are based on how I am wired. In my heart I knew that I should find another church to serve. I’m the type that needs to be creative, try new things, loves to learn, and a problem solver to name a few of my strengths. I was hired to bring new life into a struggling ministry. I was hired for my constantly evolving ideas, and that we could all grow and learn together. I realized that I was serving in a place that hired me for my strengths, but was not going to let me use them. What I did not realize then, but what I know now; we all have gifts and strengths that we have to use. Since I was serving at a church that was not allowing me to use my strengths, I had the life taken from me. There were periods of time where I exercised my gifts of problem solving (restoration), and learning the history (context) of the ministry I was serving. Eventually there was a long period where I simply existed, and I never came close to reaching my potential. Two weeks ago while on a retreat for the Center for Youth Ministry Training, we went through Living Our Your Strengths. I had previously taken the test two days before class, and I was somewhat curious to what I would learn. I was placed at the table labeled innovators. My top five gifts are Restorative (problem solving), Self-Assurance, Achiever, Learner, & Context. It’s always good to learn more about yourself. Once again as I was going through the seminar it hit me again. I have never served in a church where I could exercise my gifts. There have been periods of time where I have exercised one or two of my gifts, but eventually there have been long periods of time where my gifts were not used. Not using our strengths can be dangerous to our spiritual health. What I learned was that in not using my strengths I became another person. I became an introvert, but my close friends would tell you that I am very outgoing. In many ways I had been robbed of my creativity. I once kept a file of nothing but ideas for ministry, but I cannot remember the last time I added something to the list. I would simply sit at home and be a recluse on the weekends. My whole life had become out of balance, and I began to loose my sense of purpose. Deep down I knew who I really was, but others did not. I once was told to be more outgoing, but my friends would tell you I need not to be encouraged. It’s very important that we learn our gifts/strengths that we learn who we are, so we can learn what we are! If you have ever worked a job that sucked the life from you, then you may not be using your gifts. If you have ever wondered why you were so unhappy at your job, it could be that you are not using your gifts. Our gifts/strengths come from God, and He gave each one of us different gifts. God gave us our gifts so we could glorify the Kingdome of God. I thank God that we are all made different, and that we all have different gifts to offer. What I find difficult about my situation, is that people want or think they know what I need to grow, or in the church people think they can mold you into what they want. It just does not work that way. For me the thought of doing the same thing over and over again absolutely boars me to death! It’s very important that we find ways that we can use our gifts. I have a friend that took a new job over a year ago. His new boss wanted my friend to grow not only at his job, but as a man. My friend had opportunities to explore other areas; the new areas helped him grow, and made him better at his job. From these new opportunities he was living out his strengths that he may not use at his normal job. It’s amazing to see how happy he is, and how much joy he has from his job. He readily admits they have had tough times, but because he was using his strengths it allowed him to thrive instead of surviving hard times. It’s very important that we figure out our gifts, it’s the core of who we are, and we cannot build God’s Kingdom if we are not living out our strengths.

Inclusive / Exclusive

2011-01-15T06:52:00.000-08:00

In Lynn Japinga’s book Feminism and Christianity, she writes about positive and negative ideas of Feminist views in Christianity. Furthermore, in chapter three Japinga writes about the language we use for God. Japinga challenges Christians to think about how our language of God can also limit our view of God. In the church, we all need to be more conscious of the words we use to describe God. Often I have been told not to refer to God in the masculine form, in particular calling God “Father.” Personally I have wrestled with this topic, and I have thought long and hard about the words I use for God. The purpose of this paper is to show that when we use gender specific language, we are still limiting God, whether we use feminine or masculine language. From early on God’s relationship with Israel was a special relationship. Israel held God with an awe and mystery so much that they would not fully pronounce God’s name.

In the first three chapters of Lynn Japinga’s book Feminism and Christianity, the saying, “mystery of God,” occurs over and over. Although I have heard that statement before, maybe there is something in the words we use that keeps us from understanding the “mystery of God.” All too often I forget that there is a “mystery” to God. There is a line in Delirious’ song titled My Glorious that sums it up very well: “God is bigger than the air we breathe, the world will leave.” Our language can in fact limit our view and relationship with God, and we need to bring back the “mystery of God.” I say bring it back because I believe that even though at some point many of us have heard this, most of us have forgotten this as well. I know that I often call God “Father,” but for some I realize that this may bring out a negative emotion or thought of God. My father died of a heart attack when I was seventeen, and so often when I would call to God for help, I would call on God as Father. I did this because I did not have a father to help or talk with, so I prayed to God as Father. I loved my earthly father, and for me God the Father is a good thing. If we are constantly referring to God as a Father, it has subconsciously limited our view of God. I feel that whatever language I use for God, it is still limiting God. If I refer to God as creator, that is still only giving God credit for creation, and thus leaving out the saving attributes of God. Calling God savior leaves out God’s nurturing characteristic. I feel as if I am on a merry go round trying to figure out what words I should use for God. “These words may offer a glimpse of God, but they too are incomplete because God is much more than words can express” (Japinga 61). No matter how many different words we use to describe God, according to Japinga, we still fall short. So what about metaphors? “Effective metaphors aid our understanding, but they are not literally true. When we use human experience to describe God as something like a mother, a father, or a rock, we qualify these comparisons because we can recognize that God cannot be fully described by these images” (Japinga 63). Quite simply, according to Japinga, no matter what words we use, our words fall short. Taking into account that there is a mystery to God, maybe there is a reason our words fall short, or limit our perception of who God really is.

Throughout scripture God is described in many ways. We should not ignore the fact that God is described with feminine adjectives, and we cannot ignore the fact that God is described in many ways other than a father. “Likeness to God pertains not only to what male and female have in common but also what remains distinctive to them. This provides a basis for the use of both male and female images for God; while male images predominate, female images, especially those of motherhood, are used, particularly in those texts and times where themes of divine closeness and comfort seem called for” (Birch 43). In essence, we cannot ignore the use of female imagery; one could argue that denying the use of female imagery for God could even mean denial of the authority of Scripture. We still have to be conscious of our language we use such as the constant use of father. “The frequent and casual use of the phrase ‘Father God’ implies that God has been domesticated or tamed. Certainly God is like a father in some ways; but God is far more than that, and language for God ought to reflect a sense of mystery and awe as well as of relationship. Human beings ultimately cannot name the God who is always several steps ahead of them who refuse to be confined by the names they choose” (Japinga 62). Keeping in agreement with Japinga that God cannot be confined by the name we choose for God. At the same time if we constantly refer to God in the feminine context such as mother or midwife; in essence we would still sound as if we are attempting to domesticate God.

I feel as if I am on a merry go round. I know that I need to expand the vocabulary that I use to describe God. I also struggle with the fact that no matter what words I use, the language I use can never even come close to describing God. For every word I use, I am leaving out many more words that can also be used to describe God. I also feel that by not using feminine attributes, I am not staying true to Scripture. I feel as if I am in constant battle paying the price for what others have done. I feel that because a wife may have been abused by her husband, that calling God Father is now something that is negative. What if someone had been abused by their mother? Does that mean calling God by a feminine name is also negative? I understand the reasoning why we should not constantly refer to God as Father, but I feel as if it is because of something negative. I do not believe that the Bible is oppressive, but I believe that people have used the Bible to oppress. I believe that as a husband, I have to be submissive to God and that I should be the spiritual leader of my family. That does not give me permission to lord over or dominate my wife. I love my wife and would never want to harm her. I want to empower my wife, and encourage her to grow in her faith and as godly woman. When I was starting the second grade, my mother quit her job as a real estate agent. My father encouraged my mom to attend college, because if something ever happened, he wanted my mom to have security and not to depend on finding another husband to survive. In our church, my father actually took some heat over this, because people thought my mom should be taking care of our home. My father passed away when I was seventeen, and my mom admitted that if she had not attended college she would have been in trouble. By my father encouraging my mom, she did not have to rely on someone else for security. When I think of being a spiritual leader for my wife, it means to encourage and empower. I love my wife too much to boss her around and lord over her.

In chapter one, Japinga writes about some of the negative aspects of the early feminist movement. “Considering all the emphasis in feminist theology on attending to women’s experience, it is painfully ironic that the feminist theology done by white, middle-class, educated women has excluded or at least not paid attention to women who are not white and middle class… because of their own racism and because they feared their movement would lose credibility if black women were included” (Japinga 30). More than just the language we use, we have created within ourselves a consciousness of others who are male and female, black, brown, Asian, Indian and so on. We have to understand that we are all created in God’s image, and because of that we have to be conscious of our different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. I have therefore decided to work toward a language that is not exclusive to any gender, race, or culture. In order to recognize that God cannot be defined by our human language, we have to use a language that is constantly evolving and uses feminine and masculine characteristics of God. If I only use masculine words, then I am denying God’s feminine traits, and vice versa. If God cannot be defined by our words or metaphors, maybe our goal should be to use as many different words and metaphors when we reference God. Maybe by the use of many words, it will help others with the understanding that God is not just a creator, father, mother, etc. God is many things but cannot be defined by our language.

Japinga’s use of the “mystery of God” also brings up another idea: If we constantly refer to God as Father or any other word, that we are denying the “mystery of God.” What if we did not use words to describe God? If we simply acknowledged the fact that there is a mystery of God. We know how God has acted and reacted in history through Scripture. We acknowledge the attributes of God that are written down in the Bible, but we admit that our words could never describe God. I wonder if the writer of Exodus was on to something. “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you’.” (Exodus 3:14 NRSV) Other than telling the Exodus story, why would the author include this passage? If verse fourteen were omitted, would it change the story or meaning of the chapter? I believe there is something more to this passage. Who is God, and how can I reference God? When you think about the “I AM” statement, it could be anything. Maybe the reason God told Moses “I AM” is because words cannot describe God. It could mean I am (insert word here), but that would still fall short. God simply says “I AM” because God can be anything. The “I AM” is a mystery. What could “I AM” actually be? I believe there is something about this passage. God chose not to use another word after “I AM” because God cannot be limited by human beings’ perception of how we view God.

The people of Israel took a different approach in their vocabulary. Keeping in mind the “mystery of God,” I believe Israel may have had the best approach. Japinga admits that our language cannot adequately describe God, and I believe that all Christians would agree with that statement. Maybe instead of arguing over our speech, we should look back to Israel. “Since Yahweh was God’s personal name by which God was known to Israel, in post-exilic times it began to be considered so sacred that it was no pronounced. Instead the term Adonai was usually submitted, and by the sixth to seventh centuries A.D. the vowels of Adonai were combined with the consonants YHWH to remind the synagogue readers to pronounce the sacred name as Adonai. From this came the artificial word Jehovah. But all of this underscores the awe in which the name was held” (Ryrie 53-54). In many ways we have lost this awe when it comes to God. We give God names, but all are inadequate and limit God. Israel considered God to be so sacred that they would not pronounce the name of God. They had a reverence for God that we have lost today. I say that because our culture does not consider describing God as father or mother as being reverent. Our culture teaches us to have a respect for a father or mother but not reverence. I do not think we are doing God any favors by trying to describe God as something that will fall short or deny other attributes. During class last week, something very profound was spoken. God does not need to be proven into existence. God is everywhere, and we can see God’s presence in all of creation. I believe that the church should not be exclusive, and that the church should include all people of different ethnic, economical, social, and cultural backgrounds. For the church to only be inclusive in language would be missing the mark. By using gender specific language, we are still limiting God, whether we use feminine or masculine language. I believe that God answered Moses with “I Am” because God cannot be defined in human terms. Quite simply written by the Psalmist: “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3 NIV).

Coon Tail Hats

2011-01-02T07:40:00.001-08:00

Mark 2 (Contemporary English Version)

Mark 2

Jesus Heals a Crippled Man

(Matthew 9.1-8; Luke 5.17-26)

¹Jesus went back to Capernaum, and a few days later people heard that he was at home. ^[a]2Then so many of them came to the house that there wasn't even standing room left in front of the door. Jesus was still teaching ³when four people came up, carrying a crippled man on a mat. ⁴But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they made a hole in the roof ^[b] above him and let the man down in front of everyone. ⁵When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, "My friend, your sins are forgiven." ⁶Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering, ⁷"Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins." ⁸Right away, Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, "Why are you thinking such things? ⁹Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home? ¹⁰I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth." So Jesus said to the man, ¹¹"Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home." ¹²The man got right up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"

This past fall my wife and I have been attending a new church plant in Memphis, TN called Jacobs Well. It’s a new church where people from different race, ethnic, and socio economic backgrounds all come together and worship. I will admit that it has challenged me in many ways. Last night we had a guest speaker Rev Jerome Scales Jr who preached on the Mark 2 passage. I was looking around the room and was taking in all the different people. It is challenging to purposely place ourselves around people who are not like us. The guy sitting behind us smelled of alcohol and to be honest church is the best place for him. A group of men sitting on the back row are in a local rehab facility; one in particular is celebrating over 100 days sober. Another guy sitting two rows in front of us is a homeless guy who wears a coon skin hat. Needless to say Jacobs well is full of people who are different. Last summer I was at a concert watching some friends play at a local church. A mother had brought her family to enjoy a night of worship. Her oldest son had some type of disability; he is bound to a wheel chair, and does not have much control of his body. During the worship service she placed her son in her lap; she was helping him to remain still so he could worship. The same mother brought her son to Jacobs Well for worship last night. Toward the end of the service he began making some noise, and as I was looking at him I noticed the smile on his face. I’m not sure the age of the young man, but I would guess 16 or older. I began to wonder what was going through his mind. He seemed to be very attentive during the service, trying to focus the best he can. I wonder what God was saying to him during the service. I have seen this mother a few times throughout the year at various church events and she always brings her son. I began to wonder if she knew that Jesus was speaking in a house, would she tare off the roof and lower her son so he could be healed. What if she sees Jesus everyday in her son? I was told by a mother whose daughter had similar disabilities; that she would not have her daughter Grace any other way. She loves Grace just the way she is, and even though things can be tough, every day she is amazed by her daughter. In some way I found it very fitting for this young man to be in church worshiping. We all need Jesus whether were middle class, bound to a chair, or the homeless guy with a coon tail hat. Sometimes I feel guilty because I feel down because I am not working full time. God has provided just enough for me and my wife during the past year. I feel guilty for feeling the pressure of getting a full time job that will provide for my family, when other people are struggling to beat an addiction, when a mother is trying to get her son to church, and when someone is celebrating 100 days of sobriety. I feel as if my problems are minor compared to other people. It reminded me of how bad to we want Jesus to be in our life. Would I be willing to tear the roof from a house to get closer to Jesus? Do I have enough faith to even climb on the roof? What I have learned about Jacobs Well is that some people would never darken the walls of a church because they do not feel worthy. I feel just the opposite at Jacobs Well; I feel that I am not worthy. I wonder what separates me from the homeless guy wearing the coon tail hat. Why do I have a home? I believe there is a reason that the church is for everyone, and not just for people who are like us. It’s not very challenging for me to attend a suburban church, because it places me around people just like me. What I have learned is that we all need Jesus, but some actually depend on Jesus to get through the day. It is a reminder that God can help a young man stay sober. It is a reminder that the alcoholic needs church also. It is a reminder that the disabled can worship Jesus also. What if Jesus were in a house today? Who would be in the house? Would the house be full of poor people, disabled people, or the addict who is begging for sobriety? Something tells me that it may not be the suburban house, although we know that Jesus spent time with all types of people. I say all this because I worked in the suburban church for over 5 years. I never saw the disabled, drunk, or homeless come to worship, yet some of these people have the most real faith I have ever witnessed. There is a reason why the people in Mark 2 ripped off the roof of a house lowered the disabled man. They knew that Jesus could heal this man. It’s ironic that we unintentionally keep the very people out of church whom Jesus gives special attention in Scripture. It is challenging to place ourselves around people who are different from us, but when we do it is a very humbling experience. In many ways the church roof needs to be torn off today. Our churches need to be more welcoming and need to represent the community around our church. It’s not easy, but it is called upon us through Scripture; even when the homeless guy wearing the coon tail hat comes to worship.

Let Justice Roll Down

2010-10-07T06:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning I finished John M. Perkins book “Let Justice Roll Down”. I have heard a little about Dr Perkins, but I have never read anything that he wrote. I knew Perkins was a civil rights activist, but I was unsure to the extent of his involvement. I’m not sure another book outside of the Bible has rocked my world, in the same way as Let Justice Roll Down. Most everyone has heard of Dr Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, but John Perkins is not as well known. I’m not sure that I have ever read a book from such a brilliant mind; it was very obvious that God had anointed John M. Perkins for His service. Perkins had a simple philosophy for activism. Perkins believed that Jesus Christ was the way to heal racism and a cure for civil rights issues. Perkins was beaten severely in a Brandon, MS jail. Perkins had not committed any crime. John Perkins was simply going to bail a friend out of jail, who had also been falsely arrested. Perkins was arrested and beaten on the steps of a Brandon, MS jail by 12 police officers and then arrested. During the beating Perkins was in awe of the anger inside the police officers. He made a commitment not to let anger do to himself what it had done to these angry police officers. John Perkins believed Jesus was the way, and that following Jesus was the only way. He struggled with racism in the church, and he could not understand how someone could be “Christian” and yet hate someone because of their skin color. Hate and racism are complete opposite of the Gospel message. Perkins wanted a movement to be centered on Christ and the Gospel message. No matter how bad things were for Perkins, he never changed his view of peace. John M. Perkins is a living witness for all of us, and how we can change the world by following Jesus and the Gospel message of peace. John Perkins and the Voice of Calvary ministry are still doing great things for God’s Kingdom today. Perkins is a model of perseverance and faith that we can all look towards. No matter how bad things got for Perkins, he was able to use it to glorify Christ. He suffered setbacks in the form of floods, health problems, financial issues, and beatings at the hand of angry white police officers. Yet Perkins is still glorifying God today!

Matthew 5 (Contemporary English Version)

Matthew 5

The Sermon on the Mount

¹When Jesus saw the crowds; he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. ^[a] Jesus' disciples gathered around him,

Blessings

²and he taught them:

    ³God blesses those people
   who depend only on him.
   They belong to the kingdom
   of heaven! ^[b] ⁴God blesses those people
   who grieve.
   They will find comfort!
    ⁵God blesses those people
   who are humble.
   The earth will belong
   to them!
    ⁶God blesses those people
   who want to obey him ^[c] more than to eat or drink.
   They will be given
   what they want!
    ⁷God blesses those people
   who are merciful.
   They will be treated
   with mercy!
    ⁸God blesses those people
   whose hearts are pure.
   They will see him!
    ⁹God blesses those people
   who make peace.
   They will be called
   his children!
    ¹⁰God blesses those people
   who are treated badly
   for doing right.
   They belong to the kingdom
   of heaven. ^[d] ¹¹God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. ¹²Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.

Lectio Divina

2010-09-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Lectio Divina

Use lectio divina in your daily reading of scripture or as you read the quote for the week.

One of the most central and ancient practices of Christian prayer is lectio divina, or divine reading. In lectio divina, we begin by reading a few verses of the Bible. We read unhurriedly so that we can listen for the message God has for us there. We stay alert to connections the Spirit may reveal between the passage and what is going on in our lives. We ask, “What are you saying to me today, Lord? What am I to hear in this story, parable, or prophecy?” Listening in this way requires patience and a willingness to let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to God’s shaping.

Once we have heard a word that we know is meant for us, we are naturally drawn to prayer. From listening we move to speaking — perhaps in anguish, confession or sorrow; perhaps in joy, praise, thanksgiving or adoration; perhaps in anger, confusion or hurt; perhaps in quiet confidence, trust or surrender. Finally, after pouring out our heart to God, we come to rest simply and deeply in that wonderful, loving presence of God. Reading, reflecting, responding and resting — this is the basic rhythm of divine reading.

1. Read the scripture slowly. Watch for a key phrase or word that jumps out at you or promises to have special meaning for you. It is better to dwell profoundly on one word or phrase than to skim the surface of several chapters. Read with your own life and choices in mind.

2. Reflect on a word or phrase. Let the special word or phrase that you discovered in the first phase sink into your heart. Bring mind, will and emotions to the task. Be like Mary, Jesus’ mother, who heard of the angel’s announcement and “treasured” and “pondered” what she had heard (Luke 2:19).

3. Respond to what you have read. Form a prayer that expresses your response to the idea, then “pray it back to God.” What you have read is woven through what you tell God.

4. Rest in God’s word. Let the text soak into your deepest being, savoring an encounter with God and truth. When ready, move toward the moment in which you ask God to show you how to live out what you have experienced.

The Psalter

2010-09-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Psalter

Domine, Dominus noster [592]

O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Second Day: Morning Prayer

Something New

2010-09-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

⁶Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. ⁷Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

⁸Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. ⁹You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you. Phillipians 4:6-9

I have been trying something new. For the last several years I have focused much of my attention on learning God's Word. Eugene Peterson says that "knowing facts about God does not change your relationship with Him". I believe that Eugene Peterson is correct. I have been trying to add Lectio Dina to my daily life. Lately I have learned that reading the Bible is not enough. We have to spend time practicing our faith. We have to spend time experiencing God. Contemplative prayer is not an easy thing for me, it takes focus and silence. I lack in both. My prayer today is the Phillipians passage. Instead of reading 5 or 6 chapters in the Bible, Lectio Divina focuses on one passage. It's a slower approach to God's Word, and prayer. Today's passage was appropriate for my life today. I have been worried about what to do lately. Through my prayer time God reminded me that He has provided for me and my wife, and that He has sustained us during the past year. I've been worried about the future that I have missed seeing how God has been faithful to us over the past year. When things are not well I can get consumed with how to make them better. I'm a fixer and I like to fix stuff! I'm getting better, but God still has plenty work left in me! We cannot let our worries consume us to the point we miss God around us. We cannot let our worries rob us of the peace we find in Jesus Christ. I have to remind myself that Scripture does not tell us the Christian life will be easy. Often times we can find the answers we are searching for in Scripture. If I spent more time focusing on the things that are true, pure, right, holy, proper, and friendly; I may find life a little easier. Scripture tells us do not worry about tomorrow. We can't be so caught up in tomorrow that we do not live today.