I recently read an article by Robin Russell called Are Churches 'Too Feminized' for Men? It was rather intriguing and made some amazingly excellent points.
To summarize the article...churches are so feminized that men no longer feel comfortable in churches. Here are some of the statistics found within the article:
5 out of 6 men consider themselves Christian but only 2 out of six attend church.
Church attendance is roughly 1/3 men and 2/3 women.
Nearly 1/4 of married women attend church alone while their husbands play golf, sleep in, or mow the lawn.
I could go on listing the statistics of men and church attendance, but I think the stats above paint a clear enough picture. Authior David Murrow says that other religions have little trouble attracting men. His theory is that Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam offer more "uniquely masculine" experiences for men. However, in Christianity, faith is painted as an unconditional love relationship with Jesus. This may be true to a certain extent but this presentation of the gospel will attract more women then men...and it has.
Just think of the terminology that we use to describe our faith. We refer to ourselves as the "Bride of Christ" and speak of God's unconditional love and the commandment to love one another. This sort of language appeals to women (stereotypically) and not as much to men (again...stereotypically).
The way we do church...its structure, organization, presentation, decoration, and its teaching...is geared toward women. I know, I know. As we continue in the push to be gender nutural in our language and in our actions...we leave men behind. As we attempt to avoid sexism against women...we commit sexism against men.
I know, I know. Someone is thinking that I am a sexist pig right now...but allow me to put it this way. Imagine you are driving your car down a snow covered road. The snow is packed down pretty good so it is a little slick. Suddenly, you lose control. You begin to "fish-tail". What do you do? Well...if you have ever lived in these conditions...you simply make a correction by keeping the tires pointed in the direction that you want to go. But...if you steer too far in one direction...you have overcorrected and you will continue to fish-tail.
This is what we tend to do in the church...on many issues. We fish-tail. I am all for women in the ministry and making things more equal. The problem is that, sometimes, we overcorrect and when we do that it sends us into a fish-tail that excludes someone else...in this case...men.
No doubt many of you have heard of people referring to God as "Sophia". This is overcorrection at its finest. Imagine how a man feels when the God that he has known as Father his whole life is now called "Sophia" and referred to as his mother. Of course...I know many women who would struggle with this too.
So, anyway...at some point we must learn how to correct this vehicle we call church the right amount. Overcorrecting has never solved problems...it has only replaced one problem with another.
I am still processing this information and I encourage you to do the same. This article can be found on the following website...
http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/SeptemberOctober/so06feminized.htm
12/18/2006
12/06/2006
A New Paradigm...For Me Anyway
So...the community debate continues. But now I have a new thought process which is radically different than my previous arguments. I believe that my arguments were wrong. Can you believe that? I admitted that I was wrong. Mark this on your calendars...because as my wife can attest...this never happens. However, I also believe that those things I would argue against were wrong. I think that our mindset must be reoriented in regards to community (I use "reoriente" on purpose).
As my friends on the Worship Development Team decided to make me wake at 5:15 in the morning this past Sunday to celebrate Advent...which is another thing that never happens. Well, I take that back...I will wake that early for golf. Although I did not want to go and the last thing I wanted to do that early was spend time with people (I am not a morning person) it was actually quite good. During our little worship service, we all faced the east where the sun was beginning to wake itself. It is here that God slapped me with a new paradigm...for me anyway.
As we gazed upon the sunrise, it was mentioned that we were orienting ourselves to the east, which is believed to be the direction that Jesus will return from. When we are reorienting ourselves, we are turning our focus to the east (which is what orient means) in expectation for the coming Messiah (see? This is Advent!). As we stood there, for the first time I thought to myself...we are in community! For those of you I have had these debates with...this statement may be shocking to you...so...I will leave you on a cliffhanger.
In class today, we talked about the 17th chapter of John when Christ prays to the Father. It is here that Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21).
We see that it is Jesus' desire for us to be "one". So, we strive to build community. We should spend time with one another, love one another, act in certain ways to one another, etc. What we forget is that in the passage above, Jesus gives us the example of how to be in unity. The example is His relationship with the Father. It was close...that is undeniable. Jesus' ministry was a ministry of prayer and intimacy with the Father. What we do, however, is interprete this to mean that you and I have to be that way with one another. I agree...however...I think we need to reorient ourselves. The meat of this passage is not on my relationship with you.
As we stood in the circle on that chilly Sunday morning, we looked upon one another...we read Scripture...we prayed...we participated in quality liturgy. However, when we turned and all faced to the east, I saw the picture of what community is. We were oriented to the Savior. We were facing to the east and looking for Christ. Our focus was not on one another...it was on God!
When we try to establish community, we spend a lot of time ensuring that there is fruit. In the words of A.W. Tozer, in his book The Root of Righteousness, he states, "the (church) fathers were concerned with the root of the matter, while their present-day descendants seem concerned only with the fruit.” What Tozer is saying is that in order to pursue righteousness, we have to be focused (or oriented) toward Christ rather than the fruit. The fruit will come with a proper relationship with Christ. If we spend all of our time focusing on manufacturing proper fruit than we miss the source of the fruit...and as we know...without the root, the fruit will die.
So...what is community. My paradigm shift is to say that community is formed with a common focus. A common orientation...to the east...to Christ. Let us cast away the idea that we must produce fruit on our own. We do not have to change people into what we think they should be. If you are oriented to the east...and I am oriented to the east...we are in community. Even if you are on the other side of the world...we are in community because we are abiding in Christ and it is within Christ that we find community with the Body of Christ.
Is community the group of five or so people you hang out with? Or, is community the entire Body of Christ?
This is where I am...trying to correct my orientation. Moving my focus from the fruit to the root...of righteousness...of community...of LIFE!!!!!
11/30/2006
Socialization
Over the course of this semester, I have been in a number of debates in which I find myself arguing against "community" as it is commonly stressed in some circles.
To clarify what I mean by the "community" that I argue against...I have discovered a term that better fits this sense of "community". That term...socialization. To be defined, socialization is something done to somebody by somebody else. This is the mentality of "community" at times. People within this "community" aim at pressing the way they do things (whether it is fellowship, discuss, work, etc...) into the lives of others. This can be beneficial. It can introduce individuals and groups to the rich resources of the Christian faith and specific religious traditions. It can add support and encouragement to someone's life.
However, there are also many bad aspects of this socialization. For starters, it can lead to pathological dependency. It can become something that you have to have and your ability to hear the voice of God (or perform other acts of faith) will become totally dependent upon this "community" that performed socialization on you. Another major problem is that it tends to encourage a group superiority complex and exclusiveness.
Any time that you are approached by a member of a socialization community and asked to change your behavior because it does not match what the "community" desires, you are suddenly slapped in the face with the fact that the norms and standards of the "community" are necassary to become fully a part of the "community". This sounds an awful lot like group superiority to me and an excluusion of anyone who does not meet the norms. Before you reply and tell me how important it is to follow a groups norms because of morality, ethics, etc..., please note that I am speaking of non-essentials here. I totally agree in the following statement:
In essentials unity
In non-essentials liberty
In all things charity
(I think I have that right)
It is often humurous to me that many times, within the "community" debate, I find myself being accused of having views that are dead wrong. I am often told that it would benefit me greatly if I changed my thoughts (this is often because people don't listen and take the time to discover what I am saying...they simply hear something that seems contrary to their beliefs, and I think that frightens them). The interesting thing to me is that it is rare for someone I am speaking to to acknowledge that there is a small chance...an astronomically small chance...that they are wrong. I will be first to admit...I MAY BE WRONG. Obviously, I do not think so...but it is a possibility.
I believe that community is something far greater than socialization. Community involves an acceptance of how each of us has been made differently by the same God. There is a reason that I am the way I am (please keep all jokes to a minimum in regards to that phrase). If I am forced into participating in a community that practices socialization, who I am will be snuffed out and I will cease to be who I am. And...as I have said a million times...one cannot know who he/she is in community, if he/she does not know who they are as an individual.
True community molds people into the likeness of Christ...not the likeness of themselves. The problem is that the majority of the time, we do not know that we are trying to form people into the likeness of ourselves. The ratiolnale is, "This is how God made me, so this is how God wants everyone to be." This is the breeding ground for socialization.
Just because I don't fit into the paradigm of what you believe community is, does not mean that we cannot have great Christian community. In fact, I challenge that we could have fantastic Christian community. The problem is that we must first understand that what community is may not look like what we are picturing.
I shall conclude my rant............now!
To clarify what I mean by the "community" that I argue against...I have discovered a term that better fits this sense of "community". That term...socialization. To be defined, socialization is something done to somebody by somebody else. This is the mentality of "community" at times. People within this "community" aim at pressing the way they do things (whether it is fellowship, discuss, work, etc...) into the lives of others. This can be beneficial. It can introduce individuals and groups to the rich resources of the Christian faith and specific religious traditions. It can add support and encouragement to someone's life.
However, there are also many bad aspects of this socialization. For starters, it can lead to pathological dependency. It can become something that you have to have and your ability to hear the voice of God (or perform other acts of faith) will become totally dependent upon this "community" that performed socialization on you. Another major problem is that it tends to encourage a group superiority complex and exclusiveness.
Any time that you are approached by a member of a socialization community and asked to change your behavior because it does not match what the "community" desires, you are suddenly slapped in the face with the fact that the norms and standards of the "community" are necassary to become fully a part of the "community". This sounds an awful lot like group superiority to me and an excluusion of anyone who does not meet the norms. Before you reply and tell me how important it is to follow a groups norms because of morality, ethics, etc..., please note that I am speaking of non-essentials here. I totally agree in the following statement:
In essentials unity
In non-essentials liberty
In all things charity
(I think I have that right)
It is often humurous to me that many times, within the "community" debate, I find myself being accused of having views that are dead wrong. I am often told that it would benefit me greatly if I changed my thoughts (this is often because people don't listen and take the time to discover what I am saying...they simply hear something that seems contrary to their beliefs, and I think that frightens them). The interesting thing to me is that it is rare for someone I am speaking to to acknowledge that there is a small chance...an astronomically small chance...that they are wrong. I will be first to admit...I MAY BE WRONG. Obviously, I do not think so...but it is a possibility.
I believe that community is something far greater than socialization. Community involves an acceptance of how each of us has been made differently by the same God. There is a reason that I am the way I am (please keep all jokes to a minimum in regards to that phrase). If I am forced into participating in a community that practices socialization, who I am will be snuffed out and I will cease to be who I am. And...as I have said a million times...one cannot know who he/she is in community, if he/she does not know who they are as an individual.
True community molds people into the likeness of Christ...not the likeness of themselves. The problem is that the majority of the time, we do not know that we are trying to form people into the likeness of ourselves. The ratiolnale is, "This is how God made me, so this is how God wants everyone to be." This is the breeding ground for socialization.
Just because I don't fit into the paradigm of what you believe community is, does not mean that we cannot have great Christian community. In fact, I challenge that we could have fantastic Christian community. The problem is that we must first understand that what community is may not look like what we are picturing.
I shall conclude my rant............now!
11/15/2006
The Whipping Boy
As days pass to become weeks and weeks pass to become months, I become all the more aware that the time to graduate is rapidly approaching. Granted, I am not graduating until December of next year, but I have been here for one year thus far and it has flown by. So, I have no reason to think that the next year will be any different.
As I think of the coming years, I try to imagine what my life will look like and I see only a void. It is not something that I can predict. It is the first time, that I can remember, that my future has not been fairly clear. In fact, in trying to look past December of 2007, other than being able to tell you the "general" area that we will be in, I have no idea what to expect. I am terrified.
My wife is entertaining me by allowing me to read her a chapter every night of my favorite childhood book. I love this book! Reading it simply makes me feel good. Tonight we will complete this amazing text when we read the final chapter. The book is called The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. It is a story about Prince Brat and Jemmy-From-The-Streets, who is the Prince's whipping boy. You see, you cannot whip the Prince, so each time he gets in trouble the Whipping Boy gets whipped.
Last night we read the chapter in which Jemmy and Prince Brat were in the sewers, running from Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. They are the bad-guys of the story...the highway men...the scoundrels...the ruffians...you get the drift.
While they are in the sewer Prince Brat is scarred. So scarred that he grabs hold of Jemmy's hand (a little background...shaking hands with the Prince was forbidden...no one shakes the Prince's hand). Instead of letting go, Jemmy allowed Prince Brat to hold on and he led Prince Brat through the sewers because Jemmy knew which tunnel to take.
As I read this portion of the book, I find myself relating to Prince Brat. As I stand in a place that consists of looking for direction and some sort of plan, I find myself scarred. Prince Brat knew exactly what he was doing. Jemmy-From-The-Streets used to make a living as a ratcatcher. He did this in the sewers. Jemmy was in his element and Prince Brat was not. The Prince knew this and grab ahold of the one who is in his element.
As I stand in the dark, searching for the right path (or tunnel), I find that the only thing that I can do is reach for the One who is in His element. I think that this is part of ministry. Having things planned and organized is not the objective. Sure, we can plan things and organize things in our ministries, but we can only do it if we are connected with Jesus. When we lose that grasp on Jesus, we may stray down the wrong path. In the book, the wrong path would cause you to be attacked by thousands of rats and be eaten alive. If we lose our grasp on Jesus and head down the wrong path........our consequences may be far worse.
As I think of the coming years, I try to imagine what my life will look like and I see only a void. It is not something that I can predict. It is the first time, that I can remember, that my future has not been fairly clear. In fact, in trying to look past December of 2007, other than being able to tell you the "general" area that we will be in, I have no idea what to expect. I am terrified.
My wife is entertaining me by allowing me to read her a chapter every night of my favorite childhood book. I love this book! Reading it simply makes me feel good. Tonight we will complete this amazing text when we read the final chapter. The book is called The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. It is a story about Prince Brat and Jemmy-From-The-Streets, who is the Prince's whipping boy. You see, you cannot whip the Prince, so each time he gets in trouble the Whipping Boy gets whipped.Last night we read the chapter in which Jemmy and Prince Brat were in the sewers, running from Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. They are the bad-guys of the story...the highway men...the scoundrels...the ruffians...you get the drift.
While they are in the sewer Prince Brat is scarred. So scarred that he grabs hold of Jemmy's hand (a little background...shaking hands with the Prince was forbidden...no one shakes the Prince's hand). Instead of letting go, Jemmy allowed Prince Brat to hold on and he led Prince Brat through the sewers because Jemmy knew which tunnel to take.
As I read this portion of the book, I find myself relating to Prince Brat. As I stand in a place that consists of looking for direction and some sort of plan, I find myself scarred. Prince Brat knew exactly what he was doing. Jemmy-From-The-Streets used to make a living as a ratcatcher. He did this in the sewers. Jemmy was in his element and Prince Brat was not. The Prince knew this and grab ahold of the one who is in his element.
As I stand in the dark, searching for the right path (or tunnel), I find that the only thing that I can do is reach for the One who is in His element. I think that this is part of ministry. Having things planned and organized is not the objective. Sure, we can plan things and organize things in our ministries, but we can only do it if we are connected with Jesus. When we lose that grasp on Jesus, we may stray down the wrong path. In the book, the wrong path would cause you to be attacked by thousands of rats and be eaten alive. If we lose our grasp on Jesus and head down the wrong path........our consequences may be far worse.
11/06/2006
Tony's Mid-season Awards
On a few occasions I will deviate from the normal content of this blog. This is one of those times. Prepare yourselves for my very own NFL mid-season awards!
10 - NFL's biggest embarrassment goes to: Terrel Owens (This guy has no concept of what it means to be on a team. He is an amazing reciever. Imagine how good he would be if he would shut-up and play football. On a side note, if he is going to claim to be the best in the NFL, he hasgot to stop dropping balls. He has dropped way too many passes to be the best reciever in the league, or ever as he would lead you to believe.)
9 - NFL's worst rule goes to: Illegal contact (This rule, or the over-enforcing of this rule, is the number one reason that Manning broke Marino's TD record. It remains one of the main reasons that he continues to throw TDs. Watch the Colts a couple of times and see how often the defense is called for this violation. It is a lot...and usually it is the sort of contact that should be allowed. The enforcing of this rule came about because the Colts did not like how physical the Patriots were with them in the AFC Championship game...so they complained and whined. The rule is now enforced which may explain why the Colts get all the calls. This just proves that if you want to get your way...just whine and complain...maybe even cry about it...Peyton fits will here. With this rule in place, defensive backs should be called defenseless backs. But, I digress.)
8 - NFL's biggest disapointment goes to: Cincinnati Bengals (I thought at the beginning of the season that the Bengals were going to win the Super Bowl. I rarely switch teams in mid-season but they have me on the edge getting ready to jump ship.)
7 - NFL's most errogant team goes to: Pittsburgh Steelers (Come on guys. You were beat by the Oakland Raiders and your season has been flushed down the toilet, yet you continue to think that you are someone special. One Super Bowl and even Hines Ward struts like he is Terrell Owens. Any time they get a first down, they celebrate and jump around as if they just scored a 30 point touchdown. I guess with a QB like Roethlisberger, a first down is a big deal. Hate to break it to you guys...but you have already lost your crown as the NFL champs. Party is over. I think someone forgot to tell them that defending Super Bowl champions were supposed to defend their title.)
6 - NFL's worst pregame analyst goes to: Jerome Bettis (He wins this one hands down! Sterling Sharpe and Chris Collinsworth simply laugh at him every single Sunday night because he has no idea what he is talking about. Maybe he should just stick to the "Man Law" commercials. But, hey, I guess every show could use some comic relief.)
5 - NFL's worst Color Commentator goes to: John Madden (I am shocked that this man ever coached football. He never says anything of substance and always sounds as though he is explaining football to fourth grade girls. Secondly, he is one of the reasons that people like Ben and Peyton are overrated...because he never stops worshipping them. I think he has a shrine of Peyton Manning in his bedroom that he bows to every night...facing East of course.)
4 - NFL's most underrated team goes to: Miami Dolphins (I know, I know. You are probably saying, "He only says the Dolphins because he is a Dolphins fan!" Well, that is the benefit of it being MY list! We are going to see, however, that the Miami Dolphins will play havic with their opponents along the line in their chase for the playoff spots. Keep in mind also that Miami has the third toughest schedule throughout the rest of the season.)
3- NFL's most overrated team goes to: Indianapolis Colts (With a run defense that opens like the Panama Canal...they have no shot at winning the SuperBowl. Plus Manning will choke anyway...hence one reason he is one of the most overrated player category.)
2 - NFL's most underrated player goes to: Mark Bulger (Is this a surprise to you? If it is...it is probably because you have not heard that he has thrown for 2300 yards, 13 TDs, only 1 INT, and has a QB rating of 102.1. Pretty impressive for a guy you never hear about or talk about. By the way...he plays for the Rams.)
1- NFL's most overrated player goes to: Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger (There is a tie! Ben Roethlisberger is horrible. He has managed to lose games all by himself, which, I guess, is impressive that he does not need the rest of the team to help him. Ben has 7 TDs and 14 INTs!! He is better than Charlie Frye though...but not by much. And what about Peyton "The Cry-Baby" Manning, or Captain Choke as I like to call him. The analysts and announcers, especially Madden, treat him like he is just a small step from being Christ. Any time that a QB can throw four incomplete passes, that should have been completed, in a row and follow it with a five yard screen pass, and you hear someone say, "That is why Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback in the NFL," you know that they are overrated. I wonder if his middle name is Midas. It seems, by listening to people like Madden and all the fans that are influenced by someone like Madden, that everything he does turns to gold. However, he can't seem to put a gold ring on his finger.)
So, there you have it! Tony's mid-season awards for the NFL. The winners of these awards will be notified in the coming days of their honors. I believe that the Steelers were notified of their award yesterday when they lost to the Broncos.
10 - NFL's biggest embarrassment goes to: Terrel Owens (This guy has no concept of what it means to be on a team. He is an amazing reciever. Imagine how good he would be if he would shut-up and play football. On a side note, if he is going to claim to be the best in the NFL, he hasgot to stop dropping balls. He has dropped way too many passes to be the best reciever in the league, or ever as he would lead you to believe.)
9 - NFL's worst rule goes to: Illegal contact (This rule, or the over-enforcing of this rule, is the number one reason that Manning broke Marino's TD record. It remains one of the main reasons that he continues to throw TDs. Watch the Colts a couple of times and see how often the defense is called for this violation. It is a lot...and usually it is the sort of contact that should be allowed. The enforcing of this rule came about because the Colts did not like how physical the Patriots were with them in the AFC Championship game...so they complained and whined. The rule is now enforced which may explain why the Colts get all the calls. This just proves that if you want to get your way...just whine and complain...maybe even cry about it...Peyton fits will here. With this rule in place, defensive backs should be called defenseless backs. But, I digress.)
8 - NFL's biggest disapointment goes to: Cincinnati Bengals (I thought at the beginning of the season that the Bengals were going to win the Super Bowl. I rarely switch teams in mid-season but they have me on the edge getting ready to jump ship.)
7 - NFL's most errogant team goes to: Pittsburgh Steelers (Come on guys. You were beat by the Oakland Raiders and your season has been flushed down the toilet, yet you continue to think that you are someone special. One Super Bowl and even Hines Ward struts like he is Terrell Owens. Any time they get a first down, they celebrate and jump around as if they just scored a 30 point touchdown. I guess with a QB like Roethlisberger, a first down is a big deal. Hate to break it to you guys...but you have already lost your crown as the NFL champs. Party is over. I think someone forgot to tell them that defending Super Bowl champions were supposed to defend their title.)
6 - NFL's worst pregame analyst goes to: Jerome Bettis (He wins this one hands down! Sterling Sharpe and Chris Collinsworth simply laugh at him every single Sunday night because he has no idea what he is talking about. Maybe he should just stick to the "Man Law" commercials. But, hey, I guess every show could use some comic relief.)
5 - NFL's worst Color Commentator goes to: John Madden (I am shocked that this man ever coached football. He never says anything of substance and always sounds as though he is explaining football to fourth grade girls. Secondly, he is one of the reasons that people like Ben and Peyton are overrated...because he never stops worshipping them. I think he has a shrine of Peyton Manning in his bedroom that he bows to every night...facing East of course.)
4 - NFL's most underrated team goes to: Miami Dolphins (I know, I know. You are probably saying, "He only says the Dolphins because he is a Dolphins fan!" Well, that is the benefit of it being MY list! We are going to see, however, that the Miami Dolphins will play havic with their opponents along the line in their chase for the playoff spots. Keep in mind also that Miami has the third toughest schedule throughout the rest of the season.)
3- NFL's most overrated team goes to: Indianapolis Colts (With a run defense that opens like the Panama Canal...they have no shot at winning the SuperBowl. Plus Manning will choke anyway...hence one reason he is one of the most overrated player category.)
2 - NFL's most underrated player goes to: Mark Bulger (Is this a surprise to you? If it is...it is probably because you have not heard that he has thrown for 2300 yards, 13 TDs, only 1 INT, and has a QB rating of 102.1. Pretty impressive for a guy you never hear about or talk about. By the way...he plays for the Rams.)
1- NFL's most overrated player goes to: Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger (There is a tie! Ben Roethlisberger is horrible. He has managed to lose games all by himself, which, I guess, is impressive that he does not need the rest of the team to help him. Ben has 7 TDs and 14 INTs!! He is better than Charlie Frye though...but not by much. And what about Peyton "The Cry-Baby" Manning, or Captain Choke as I like to call him. The analysts and announcers, especially Madden, treat him like he is just a small step from being Christ. Any time that a QB can throw four incomplete passes, that should have been completed, in a row and follow it with a five yard screen pass, and you hear someone say, "That is why Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback in the NFL," you know that they are overrated. I wonder if his middle name is Midas. It seems, by listening to people like Madden and all the fans that are influenced by someone like Madden, that everything he does turns to gold. However, he can't seem to put a gold ring on his finger.)
So, there you have it! Tony's mid-season awards for the NFL. The winners of these awards will be notified in the coming days of their honors. I believe that the Steelers were notified of their award yesterday when they lost to the Broncos.
10/23/2006
What color is the grass at night?
As I continue in my Inductive Bible Study course on the Gospel of John, I find that the majority of my mind's time is focused on this portion of Scripture. An interesting theme that is found in the Gospel of John is the concept of light and darkness.
This makes me think back to my Physics course in high school. I loved that class. We learned things that surprised us and intrigued us. One thing that stuck with me since that class is how light works. Allow me to explain.
I often ask people the question, "What color is the grass at night?" The common response is something along the lines of..."Green...duh!!" Well...I am sorry to burst bubbles here (not really), but green is the wrong answer. No object, whether grass, a car, a book, water, etc... has a color. They simply reflect color.
There is an inevitable stat that you are bound to hear at some point that red cars get more tickets than any other color car. Some would call this prejudice toward red cars by police officers. Some would even call this auto-racism. The fact of the matter is this...the radars that are used by police officers operate with a red laser beam. That red beam travels to the travelling automobile and bounces back. Based on the pigment in the paint of the car the beam will travel back to the radar at various strengths. Since a red-pigmented car reflects red, it is easier to get a reading from a red car. Have you noticed that black shirts are hotter than white shirts? That is because, white pigmented shirts relfect all colors while black absorbs all colors thus holding the heat.
I have tried numerous times to explain this concept to loved ones but to no avail. Sometimes people just want proof. I have even seen people go out with a flashlight to check the color of grass. I hope that this sounds as stupid to you as it did me. In case it does not, just to let you know, adding light to an object will cause it to reflect some of the light...so the grass appears green. So, there is really no way to "prove" this concept.
It is simply a fact that is supported by scientific facts of how light and pigments work. The presence of light is what makes things take on color. The absence of light brings darkness which eliminates color.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus (or the Word) is described as the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." (John 1:9). The presence of Light give every man color. Jesus brings life and fills the void and darkness of our souls. It is only by this light that we are able to become who we were created to become. God created grass to be green, but it is only by the presence of light that makes this possible. God created each of us to be something, but it is only by the presence of the true Light that this is possible for us.
One of my favorite verses now is John 1:5 which says, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." You will find many different translations of the Greek here, such as; understand, comprehend, overcome, conquer, etc. The importance here is that Light is in contrast with darkness.
Throughout the Gospel of John there seems to be a "battle" between the Light and darkness. You see this played out. Those who believe in Jesus have the Light while those who do not walk in darkness. The darkness is trying to overcome the Light (as seen in John 1:5). Here is where the similarities with grass break down. The light from the sun will give way to the night sky on a predictable cycle. Jesus however, has conquered darkness. Darkness will never "overcome" the Light. This is extremely important! Jesus Christ has come to this world to give Light to every man! A Light that darkness cannot drown out.
On a final note, when Jesus was placed on the cross, one of the things that happened was that the sky turned dark. As Luke puts it, "It was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining." (Luke 23:44-45). I may be stretching things a bit but there was darkness when Jesus died. It seems that darkness has won at this point. However, we know the rest of the story. Jesus lives! I imagine that when Jesus walked from the tomb, the sun was shining bright because Light overcame darkness. And, it is by this Light that we are able to have life...because the true Light gives us color.
This makes me think back to my Physics course in high school. I loved that class. We learned things that surprised us and intrigued us. One thing that stuck with me since that class is how light works. Allow me to explain.
I often ask people the question, "What color is the grass at night?" The common response is something along the lines of..."Green...duh!!" Well...I am sorry to burst bubbles here (not really), but green is the wrong answer. No object, whether grass, a car, a book, water, etc... has a color. They simply reflect color.
There is an inevitable stat that you are bound to hear at some point that red cars get more tickets than any other color car. Some would call this prejudice toward red cars by police officers. Some would even call this auto-racism. The fact of the matter is this...the radars that are used by police officers operate with a red laser beam. That red beam travels to the travelling automobile and bounces back. Based on the pigment in the paint of the car the beam will travel back to the radar at various strengths. Since a red-pigmented car reflects red, it is easier to get a reading from a red car. Have you noticed that black shirts are hotter than white shirts? That is because, white pigmented shirts relfect all colors while black absorbs all colors thus holding the heat.
I have tried numerous times to explain this concept to loved ones but to no avail. Sometimes people just want proof. I have even seen people go out with a flashlight to check the color of grass. I hope that this sounds as stupid to you as it did me. In case it does not, just to let you know, adding light to an object will cause it to reflect some of the light...so the grass appears green. So, there is really no way to "prove" this concept.
It is simply a fact that is supported by scientific facts of how light and pigments work. The presence of light is what makes things take on color. The absence of light brings darkness which eliminates color.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus (or the Word) is described as the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." (John 1:9). The presence of Light give every man color. Jesus brings life and fills the void and darkness of our souls. It is only by this light that we are able to become who we were created to become. God created grass to be green, but it is only by the presence of light that makes this possible. God created each of us to be something, but it is only by the presence of the true Light that this is possible for us.
One of my favorite verses now is John 1:5 which says, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." You will find many different translations of the Greek here, such as; understand, comprehend, overcome, conquer, etc. The importance here is that Light is in contrast with darkness.
Throughout the Gospel of John there seems to be a "battle" between the Light and darkness. You see this played out. Those who believe in Jesus have the Light while those who do not walk in darkness. The darkness is trying to overcome the Light (as seen in John 1:5). Here is where the similarities with grass break down. The light from the sun will give way to the night sky on a predictable cycle. Jesus however, has conquered darkness. Darkness will never "overcome" the Light. This is extremely important! Jesus Christ has come to this world to give Light to every man! A Light that darkness cannot drown out.
On a final note, when Jesus was placed on the cross, one of the things that happened was that the sky turned dark. As Luke puts it, "It was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining." (Luke 23:44-45). I may be stretching things a bit but there was darkness when Jesus died. It seems that darkness has won at this point. However, we know the rest of the story. Jesus lives! I imagine that when Jesus walked from the tomb, the sun was shining bright because Light overcame darkness. And, it is by this Light that we are able to have life...because the true Light gives us color.
10/12/2006
Too willing to praise
As Christians, we try really hard to ensure that we do not hurt someone's feelings or make someone feel like they are important and gifted. This is a good thing. On the Worship Development Team, we have a sort of team Scripture. It is as follows...
My purpose is that they be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2-3)
I think this is a good purpose statement for a group to have. Allow me to list a few conceptions about Christianity and the behavior of Christians. They may not all be from the Scriptures but few would argue that they are good virtues of a Christian.
1 - Treat others as you wish to be treated.
2 - If you don't have anything good to say...don't say anything at all.
3 - Love one another.
4 - Encourage one another.
5 - Share in others' struggles.
6 - Be respectful.
7 - Be kind.
I stopped the list at seven because of the implications of perfection. Also, because I knew that I could go on for quite some time but I think seven of them get the idea across.
As Christians we try very hard to accomplish these things. When someone gives their testimony, preaches, sings, prays, or does any other act of service, we give encouragement and support. If we didn't, then we often feel as though we have not succeeded at the seven (and many others) items listed above.
The other side of this issue is criticism. We, as Christians, do not want to be critical of our fellow believers. When they are finished, let's say preaching, we encourage them and praise them for a good message. We make them feel good. The last thing we want to do is be critical and make them feel inadequate. Many times, we see cases of people being too critical which is contrary to what we believe we should be doing. One case takes place on Asbury campus every day. All I have to do is say the name Joel Osteen and criticism will happen. We criticize him, people criticism Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, John Ortberg, and pretty much anyone who preaches on TV.
My point is, regardless as to whether or not any of these people should be criticized, there are times that we go too far. However, I believe that we, much more than we know, go too far with encouragement and praise. Let me say that again...I think we are too quick to praise someone for a job well done.
I believe that at many times our ambition to be good Christians and encourage and praise blinds us to reality. Maybe what that person preached was heresy or horrible theology or against what the church is about. In this case, when we praise them and encourage them, we are only adding fuel to the poor teaching.
If we get right down to it accomplishing the seven goals that I laid out above may look different than we think. Maybe, if the teaching and/or preaching was bad...we should tell them. Consider this:
1 - Treat others as you wish to be treated.
-If I am wrong...I want you to tell me because I desire to be right about this faith.
2 - If you don't have anything good to say...don't say anything at all.
-The question is...who is it good for. If it is good...then it will lead me to a better relationship with Christ because I will have a chance to correct my mistakes. Besides, shouldn't we worry about what is good for the Kingdom rather than what is good for me?
3 - Love one another.
-When you truly love one another you can voice these things. Did you read my last post? It read, "The fear of conflict breeds false harmony." If you are afraid to approach me, then the "harmony" that we have is false. I want real harmony.
4 - Encourage one another.
-If you showed me how to correct my mistakes, I would be encouraged for next time. You can be encouraging and still be honest.
5 - Share in others' struggles.
-Obviously, if I was off-base, I will be struggling. Walk that road with me.
6 - Be respectful.
-If you respected me, expressing your concerns would be respectful.
7 - Be kind.
-The right thing, and kind thing, to do would be to tell me.
There is a lot of overlap within the seven listed above. In case, you don't like my perspective...let's look at what Proverbs has to say within its wisdom.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. (Proverbs 27:5)
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. (Proverbs 28:23)
Do I have a point in all of this. Maybe. We must keep our eyes open. All too many times we hear or see something that is wrong and we do and say nothing. Maybe we simply choose not to act...maybe we don't realize the wrongness...maybe we are simply blinded with our drive to encourage and praise that we fail to evaluate and scrutinize what we heard or saw.
To encourage does not mean to praise and lift up. It does not mean to overlook negatives and only stress positives. As a Christian...sometimes encouragement means taking that difficult step and speaking out in some fashion for the gospel. And sometimes, just sometimes, that means rebuking another person.
Being able to rebuke openly and honestly will breed true harmony. And nothing sounds better than true harmony.
My purpose is that they be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2-3)
I think this is a good purpose statement for a group to have. Allow me to list a few conceptions about Christianity and the behavior of Christians. They may not all be from the Scriptures but few would argue that they are good virtues of a Christian.
1 - Treat others as you wish to be treated.
2 - If you don't have anything good to say...don't say anything at all.
3 - Love one another.
4 - Encourage one another.
5 - Share in others' struggles.
6 - Be respectful.
7 - Be kind.
I stopped the list at seven because of the implications of perfection. Also, because I knew that I could go on for quite some time but I think seven of them get the idea across.
As Christians we try very hard to accomplish these things. When someone gives their testimony, preaches, sings, prays, or does any other act of service, we give encouragement and support. If we didn't, then we often feel as though we have not succeeded at the seven (and many others) items listed above.
The other side of this issue is criticism. We, as Christians, do not want to be critical of our fellow believers. When they are finished, let's say preaching, we encourage them and praise them for a good message. We make them feel good. The last thing we want to do is be critical and make them feel inadequate. Many times, we see cases of people being too critical which is contrary to what we believe we should be doing. One case takes place on Asbury campus every day. All I have to do is say the name Joel Osteen and criticism will happen. We criticize him, people criticism Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, John Ortberg, and pretty much anyone who preaches on TV.
My point is, regardless as to whether or not any of these people should be criticized, there are times that we go too far. However, I believe that we, much more than we know, go too far with encouragement and praise. Let me say that again...I think we are too quick to praise someone for a job well done.
I believe that at many times our ambition to be good Christians and encourage and praise blinds us to reality. Maybe what that person preached was heresy or horrible theology or against what the church is about. In this case, when we praise them and encourage them, we are only adding fuel to the poor teaching.
If we get right down to it accomplishing the seven goals that I laid out above may look different than we think. Maybe, if the teaching and/or preaching was bad...we should tell them. Consider this:
1 - Treat others as you wish to be treated.
-If I am wrong...I want you to tell me because I desire to be right about this faith.
2 - If you don't have anything good to say...don't say anything at all.
-The question is...who is it good for. If it is good...then it will lead me to a better relationship with Christ because I will have a chance to correct my mistakes. Besides, shouldn't we worry about what is good for the Kingdom rather than what is good for me?
3 - Love one another.
-When you truly love one another you can voice these things. Did you read my last post? It read, "The fear of conflict breeds false harmony." If you are afraid to approach me, then the "harmony" that we have is false. I want real harmony.
4 - Encourage one another.
-If you showed me how to correct my mistakes, I would be encouraged for next time. You can be encouraging and still be honest.
5 - Share in others' struggles.
-Obviously, if I was off-base, I will be struggling. Walk that road with me.
6 - Be respectful.
-If you respected me, expressing your concerns would be respectful.
7 - Be kind.
-The right thing, and kind thing, to do would be to tell me.
There is a lot of overlap within the seven listed above. In case, you don't like my perspective...let's look at what Proverbs has to say within its wisdom.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. (Proverbs 27:5)
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. (Proverbs 28:23)
Do I have a point in all of this. Maybe. We must keep our eyes open. All too many times we hear or see something that is wrong and we do and say nothing. Maybe we simply choose not to act...maybe we don't realize the wrongness...maybe we are simply blinded with our drive to encourage and praise that we fail to evaluate and scrutinize what we heard or saw.
To encourage does not mean to praise and lift up. It does not mean to overlook negatives and only stress positives. As a Christian...sometimes encouragement means taking that difficult step and speaking out in some fashion for the gospel. And sometimes, just sometimes, that means rebuking another person.
Being able to rebuke openly and honestly will breed true harmony. And nothing sounds better than true harmony.
10/05/2006
9/27/2006
Portal to the past
The period before 1935 was called the "Mechanical Television Era". There were televisions then, just nothing like what we have today. In fact, the screen was only about half the size of a business card and really gave no picture at all. Owning one of these television sets was virtually unheard of...there was no reason to because nothing was being broadcast. It was not until 1935 that television stations began to broadcast...mostly test...with a handful of televisions in the hands of consumers.
That being said...the image here is of a radio that I recently acquired. I like this radio for two reasons. First of all, I have a broadcast background and I have always liked old radios. Secondly, I like this radio because it is from 1928. This is significant. You see, television was not around then. Radio was the form of entertainment. When a family finished a meal, they would gather around the radio and listen to their favorite shows. Shows like Amos 'n' Andy, Abbott and Costello, The Bob Hope Show, Gene Autry, Buck Rogers, Batman, and many others. I can picture a family sitting around this very radio. Spending time with one another and enjoying a common interest. Much like a family gathers for a favorite show or movie, families gathered around this radio.
When I think about it, the Bible is just like this radio. Many years ago people gathered around in groups to hear the Scriptures read to them. It was quality time that they spent with one another. They enjoyed listening to the Word of God read to them. It is what they did. So, each time I pick up the Bible I am participating in something that was a central source of entertainment for many people a long time ago.
The problem is this...Families do not gather around the radio anymore for their favorite shows. In fact, radio ratings are based on 15 minute time frames...maybe because people are not interested in it for long periods. The interest in radio has turned from a central means of entertainment to background noise. Many times, we do this with the Bible. The Scriptures become background to our own experiences and other things around us. When the radio took a back seat to the television, people stopped appreciating radio. When the Bible takes a backseat to anything, we stop appreciating the Word of God.
I am guilty of this...like all too many of us are. The television has replaced the radio. What has replaced the Bible in your life? What is your "television"? Think about it...figure it out...it is important. I am trying to figure it out for myself as well.
That being said...the image here is of a radio that I recently acquired. I like this radio for two reasons. First of all, I have a broadcast background and I have always liked old radios. Secondly, I like this radio because it is from 1928. This is significant. You see, television was not around then. Radio was the form of entertainment. When a family finished a meal, they would gather around the radio and listen to their favorite shows. Shows like Amos 'n' Andy, Abbott and Costello, The Bob Hope Show, Gene Autry, Buck Rogers, Batman, and many others. I can picture a family sitting around this very radio. Spending time with one another and enjoying a common interest. Much like a family gathers for a favorite show or movie, families gathered around this radio.
When I think about it, the Bible is just like this radio. Many years ago people gathered around in groups to hear the Scriptures read to them. It was quality time that they spent with one another. They enjoyed listening to the Word of God read to them. It is what they did. So, each time I pick up the Bible I am participating in something that was a central source of entertainment for many people a long time ago.
The problem is this...Families do not gather around the radio anymore for their favorite shows. In fact, radio ratings are based on 15 minute time frames...maybe because people are not interested in it for long periods. The interest in radio has turned from a central means of entertainment to background noise. Many times, we do this with the Bible. The Scriptures become background to our own experiences and other things around us. When the radio took a back seat to the television, people stopped appreciating radio. When the Bible takes a backseat to anything, we stop appreciating the Word of God.
I am guilty of this...like all too many of us are. The television has replaced the radio. What has replaced the Bible in your life? What is your "television"? Think about it...figure it out...it is important. I am trying to figure it out for myself as well.
9/25/2006
Plea for blessings
Of late...my wife and I have been seeking a blessing. The very concept of seeking a blessing is quite interesting. As we read Scripture we see numerous blessings. Whether it is a child given to Abraham, seeing your brother raised from the dead, or being one of the 5,ooo people that Jesus feed, people experienced huge blessings in their lives.
We also see blessings in the lives of people around us. People seem happy...in fact some people seem to recieve that blessing that we so earnestly seek. As we sit in the midst of others recieving that blessing...it becomes difficult. Why does God not give us this blessing?
Sure, we understand that God has a plan for our lives and maybe...just maybe...that blessing is not in God's plans right now. Some would say that we should only seek God's will and not seek particular blessings. I disagree...strongly disagree.
This is how I see it. No matter what I pray and what I ask God for, my desire for this blessing is strong. It is there...and God knows this. It is a prayer written on my heart and God has read and continues to read my heart, so when the prayer leaves my lips...it is no surprise to God. The key here is that blessings, I believe, are a means of grace. To experience blessings in your life is to experience God. To seek blessings is to seek God.
We know that ultimately God's plan for us is best regardless of what that is. But, we want to experience God in one way in particular. Asking for this is not wrong...in fact...it is right. To seek God for this is to acknowledge before the blessing is ever recieved that the source of the blessing, and all blessings, is God.
So, we pray, we ask, and we seek. In the end...in some way...we will experience God.
We also see blessings in the lives of people around us. People seem happy...in fact some people seem to recieve that blessing that we so earnestly seek. As we sit in the midst of others recieving that blessing...it becomes difficult. Why does God not give us this blessing?
Sure, we understand that God has a plan for our lives and maybe...just maybe...that blessing is not in God's plans right now. Some would say that we should only seek God's will and not seek particular blessings. I disagree...strongly disagree.
This is how I see it. No matter what I pray and what I ask God for, my desire for this blessing is strong. It is there...and God knows this. It is a prayer written on my heart and God has read and continues to read my heart, so when the prayer leaves my lips...it is no surprise to God. The key here is that blessings, I believe, are a means of grace. To experience blessings in your life is to experience God. To seek blessings is to seek God.
We know that ultimately God's plan for us is best regardless of what that is. But, we want to experience God in one way in particular. Asking for this is not wrong...in fact...it is right. To seek God for this is to acknowledge before the blessing is ever recieved that the source of the blessing, and all blessings, is God.
So, we pray, we ask, and we seek. In the end...in some way...we will experience God.
9/21/2006
Daddy
The other day, during our Monday night prayer service, a good friend of mine prayed with me. In his prayer, he said something along the lines of, "Lord, show Tony that you are still his Daddy." As soon as he said this, an image popped into my mind.When I moved to California, to follow God's call on my life, I found myself standing in the backyard (if you call it that...in CA, they don't have backyards, only strips of grass between your house and the house behind yours), saying goodbye to my parents. As I hugged my father, he began to cry, which I think I had only seen him do on three or four occasions. His words to me were, "I'm going to miss you Bozo."
Ok...let me explain. When I was little, my dad always called me Bozo. It was my nickname...probably because I was a little dorky goober.
As we grow up, our relationships with our fathers change. We mature, an naturally, our relationships mature as well. I was making a huge leap of faith in my life. My life was changing drastically. I thought I was all alone. But, as my father hugged me, he reminded me...my father is still my daddy. That will never change.
No matter how old I get or how far away from him I am...he is still my daddy and I am still his little bozo. I should not have to explain how this relationship is like our relationship with God. God is our Daddy. He always will be, no matter how far from home we go.
God is our Daddy! It is so great to say! When I am in pain and hurting...He is my Daddy. When I am alone and scared...He is my Daddy. When I need a refuge for safety...He is my Daddy. So, it is with pride that I say...My Daddy loves me...and I love my Daddy!
9/13/2006
If we listen
As I read through the Gospel of John I come across two passages that I find to be personal favorites of mine. I list the passages to follow:
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not a sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
John 5:1-14
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
John 8:1-11
I can't help but put myself in one of these situations. How many times have I experienced the healing power of Christ in my life and not know how to fully explain it. To be confronted with questions about how and who and where and when. What a wonderful feeling to know that Christ will give us the power to walk when we think we don't have the strength.
At times, I feel as though I can relate with the woman caught in adultery. Caught in a sin. A sin that I should have known better not to commit...yet forgiven by the amazing mercy of a loving Savior. To stand in front of your Lord and Savior and face the consequences of your poor moral decision, and to hear the words..."I do not condemn you." The relief that you have at this time. The peace that you are overcome with. The joy of hearing those words from the one who can speak those words and know that it is ultimate reality.
However, I have yet to touch on the area of these stories that entice me the most. The important part here is what Jesus says after His healing and forgiving are completed.
To the healed man, Jesus said, "Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."
To the woman He says, "Go. From now on sin no more."
It is here that I hear the strong message that rings ever so loudly. It resounds. Jesus tells each of them what He had done for them saying, "I have made you well" and "I do not condemn you." It is following thes statements, the statements that Christ has done a work in your life that only Christ can do, that this command is made. Stop sinning! Flea from sin! Strive to perfection!
Our response to Christ loving us and dieing for us and raising from the dead for us is simply this; leave our lives of sin behind. This is what we are called to do. This command does not simply reside in these two verse. It stretches from Genesis to Revelation. We are to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mat 5:48). We are to strive to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. This is our goal to strive for. This is what Jesus is calling the adulterous woman and the healed man to do. This is also what Jesus calls us to do. All we have to do is listen to Him. He is speaking. Are we listening?
I imagine that if I took the time to listen after Christ does something great in my life, I could hear Him say..."Tony, leave your life of sin behind." If only I would listen...maybe I could hear the whispers.
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not a sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
John 5:1-14
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
John 8:1-11
I can't help but put myself in one of these situations. How many times have I experienced the healing power of Christ in my life and not know how to fully explain it. To be confronted with questions about how and who and where and when. What a wonderful feeling to know that Christ will give us the power to walk when we think we don't have the strength.
At times, I feel as though I can relate with the woman caught in adultery. Caught in a sin. A sin that I should have known better not to commit...yet forgiven by the amazing mercy of a loving Savior. To stand in front of your Lord and Savior and face the consequences of your poor moral decision, and to hear the words..."I do not condemn you." The relief that you have at this time. The peace that you are overcome with. The joy of hearing those words from the one who can speak those words and know that it is ultimate reality.
However, I have yet to touch on the area of these stories that entice me the most. The important part here is what Jesus says after His healing and forgiving are completed.
To the healed man, Jesus said, "Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."
To the woman He says, "Go. From now on sin no more."
It is here that I hear the strong message that rings ever so loudly. It resounds. Jesus tells each of them what He had done for them saying, "I have made you well" and "I do not condemn you." It is following thes statements, the statements that Christ has done a work in your life that only Christ can do, that this command is made. Stop sinning! Flea from sin! Strive to perfection!
Our response to Christ loving us and dieing for us and raising from the dead for us is simply this; leave our lives of sin behind. This is what we are called to do. This command does not simply reside in these two verse. It stretches from Genesis to Revelation. We are to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mat 5:48). We are to strive to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. This is our goal to strive for. This is what Jesus is calling the adulterous woman and the healed man to do. This is also what Jesus calls us to do. All we have to do is listen to Him. He is speaking. Are we listening?
I imagine that if I took the time to listen after Christ does something great in my life, I could hear Him say..."Tony, leave your life of sin behind." If only I would listen...maybe I could hear the whispers.
9/04/2006
Invisible Lines
As Melissa and I were flying back from a weekend in California, I found myself doing the same thing I do every time I fly. I was looking out of the window wondering what state we were over at the time. This time, it got me thinking. We, as a culture, are surrounded by invisible lines.
We mark off invisible lines that divide countries. Invisible lines divide states. They divide counties, and even townships. Property lines, many times, are established with invisible lines. Some of us...me for example...have invisible lines of "personal space". Our world seems to be overrun by these invisible lines and we live our lives obeying the restrictions and barriers that these invisible lines manufacture.
However, as you fly over this wonderful country of ours...you see none of these invisible lines. All you see is a mass of land that is shared by everyone below...each car...each home...each person. They all share the same place. I imagine God looking at things from a "high" place much like I was in our small aircraft. He sees us all sharing the place that He created. There are no invisible lines in God's eyes. There are no countries...there are no states...there are no townships...there are no property lines.
We are intended to live in harmony and peace. Unfortunately, this is very difficult because of our invisible lines. We hear of wars over these invisible lines. We even hear of arguments over which state is better. Don't we all live in the same place. All of our land is connected...therefore, we are all connected. But...we don't like that. We like our invisible lines because it separates us from one another. The invisible lines tell me that you and I are not alike. I am from Indiana...and most likely...you are not. If you are...you are probably not from the same town and certainly not from the same property (home).
Maybe a lot of the struggles that our culture endures is caused by the invisible lines. Many people refer to the "Acts 2" church. It didn't seem as though they had many invisible lines and things seemed pretty good there. So good that people today desire to establish congregations that are modeled on the "Acts 2" church. I just wonder how much each of us struggle with invisible lines. How much does it hurt our ministry? How much does it hurt our friendships? How much does it hurt our marriages?
As I sat high above the earth in my cramped seat I couldn't help but think...what does God think about our invisible lines? What would God want us to do about our invisible lines?
Maybe something that we need to do is erase the invisible lines. I know that the reality is that this is difficult if not impossible...but isn't it worth a try? In order for these lines to be erased, we must first start small. By small, I mean those invisible lines that we draw around ourselves, our heart, our minds, and our souls. It is only then that we can even begin to focus on bigger invisible lines.
We mark off invisible lines that divide countries. Invisible lines divide states. They divide counties, and even townships. Property lines, many times, are established with invisible lines. Some of us...me for example...have invisible lines of "personal space". Our world seems to be overrun by these invisible lines and we live our lives obeying the restrictions and barriers that these invisible lines manufacture.
However, as you fly over this wonderful country of ours...you see none of these invisible lines. All you see is a mass of land that is shared by everyone below...each car...each home...each person. They all share the same place. I imagine God looking at things from a "high" place much like I was in our small aircraft. He sees us all sharing the place that He created. There are no invisible lines in God's eyes. There are no countries...there are no states...there are no townships...there are no property lines.
We are intended to live in harmony and peace. Unfortunately, this is very difficult because of our invisible lines. We hear of wars over these invisible lines. We even hear of arguments over which state is better. Don't we all live in the same place. All of our land is connected...therefore, we are all connected. But...we don't like that. We like our invisible lines because it separates us from one another. The invisible lines tell me that you and I are not alike. I am from Indiana...and most likely...you are not. If you are...you are probably not from the same town and certainly not from the same property (home).
Maybe a lot of the struggles that our culture endures is caused by the invisible lines. Many people refer to the "Acts 2" church. It didn't seem as though they had many invisible lines and things seemed pretty good there. So good that people today desire to establish congregations that are modeled on the "Acts 2" church. I just wonder how much each of us struggle with invisible lines. How much does it hurt our ministry? How much does it hurt our friendships? How much does it hurt our marriages?
As I sat high above the earth in my cramped seat I couldn't help but think...what does God think about our invisible lines? What would God want us to do about our invisible lines?
Maybe something that we need to do is erase the invisible lines. I know that the reality is that this is difficult if not impossible...but isn't it worth a try? In order for these lines to be erased, we must first start small. By small, I mean those invisible lines that we draw around ourselves, our heart, our minds, and our souls. It is only then that we can even begin to focus on bigger invisible lines.
8/29/2006
An insight from the ropes course
Today, the WDT (Worship Development Team), which I am blessed to be a part of, spent the morning participating together in a "ropes course". Little did I know that I would experience something there that I will surely never forget. For simplification reasons, I will simply say that I was blindfolded and had to get from one platform to another without touching the ground. I was the last one left. Everyone else was on the "safe" platform. The team arranged the boards the best that they could for me to cross...and off I went.
I must make the comment that...when you are blind...you can't see anything! That may sound obvious but until you are blind...you cannot understand what that truly means. We had established that Anna would be our contact person as we crossed (two others crossed before me). She would be the one who talked to us and helped us across the dangerous poisonous waters below (really just mulch...you have to play along).
Anyway...as I was crossing the death-defying balance beam of torture, I felt alone. I was reaching out for help in the form of Anna's hand and it was when our hands met that the very concept of safety and comfort actually entered my world again (at least somewhat...you know...with all the poisonous waters rushing just inches below my feet).
Suddenly, the wet boards, which were overlapped to walk across because one was not long enough on its own, slipped off of each other and I tumbled to my demise. I was allowed to go back and try again and we were able to accomplish the task in front of us.
It was not until later that I reflected and imagined watching the whole scene. Tears began to fill my eyes...like most of you know happens quite often. I was overwhelmed with the implications that I could draw off of that simple little occurrance. You see, Anna reached out to help me in need. I needed her to help me get across those boards and she was there. Her voice and her hands were there to help me to salvation (the "safe" board). She extended herself to so far that she fell in on my first attempt with me! She was that vulnerable...for me!
I know...you are thinking...it was just a silly little exercise. It is not like she risked her life for me. First of all, I know I have not known her long...but from what I do know...I am sure it would have been no different if it was a life or death situation. I believe that any one of those men or women on that "safe" platform would have done the same thing. Secondly, I mentioned before that I found implications in this event. That is what struck me so.
I have a picture of the Sistine Chapel's painting "Creation" in my living room. The picture is of the hands of God and Adam. I have heard different peoplesay different things about this picture but I tend to see it as representing our fallenness. You see, God is stretching out for Adam but Adam is hardly trying to reach God. Adam's hand is limp! The focus here for me is on God's outstretched hand. God reaches out for us...He draws us in.
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."
-John 12:32
This is how I see this picture. God will draw us in. He draws us with His love. The love that made Jesus become man. The love that made Jesus resist temptations. The love that made Jesus die on the cross and raise again. The love that reaches out to us now, calling us to Him. The love in the form of a friend's hand reaching out in vulnerability and saying "I will help you to a 'safe' place."
Today...I saw the love of Christ through the hands and voice of a friend. Now, I am faced with the question...who am I reaching out to? Who am I vulnerable for? Who am I embodying the love of Christ for? Am I allowing the Spirit of God to draw people in through me?
I must make the comment that...when you are blind...you can't see anything! That may sound obvious but until you are blind...you cannot understand what that truly means. We had established that Anna would be our contact person as we crossed (two others crossed before me). She would be the one who talked to us and helped us across the dangerous poisonous waters below (really just mulch...you have to play along).
Anyway...as I was crossing the death-defying balance beam of torture, I felt alone. I was reaching out for help in the form of Anna's hand and it was when our hands met that the very concept of safety and comfort actually entered my world again (at least somewhat...you know...with all the poisonous waters rushing just inches below my feet).
Suddenly, the wet boards, which were overlapped to walk across because one was not long enough on its own, slipped off of each other and I tumbled to my demise. I was allowed to go back and try again and we were able to accomplish the task in front of us.
It was not until later that I reflected and imagined watching the whole scene. Tears began to fill my eyes...like most of you know happens quite often. I was overwhelmed with the implications that I could draw off of that simple little occurrance. You see, Anna reached out to help me in need. I needed her to help me get across those boards and she was there. Her voice and her hands were there to help me to salvation (the "safe" board). She extended herself to so far that she fell in on my first attempt with me! She was that vulnerable...for me!
I know...you are thinking...it was just a silly little exercise. It is not like she risked her life for me. First of all, I know I have not known her long...but from what I do know...I am sure it would have been no different if it was a life or death situation. I believe that any one of those men or women on that "safe" platform would have done the same thing. Secondly, I mentioned before that I found implications in this event. That is what struck me so.
I have a picture of the Sistine Chapel's painting "Creation" in my living room. The picture is of the hands of God and Adam. I have heard different peoplesay different things about this picture but I tend to see it as representing our fallenness. You see, God is stretching out for Adam but Adam is hardly trying to reach God. Adam's hand is limp! The focus here for me is on God's outstretched hand. God reaches out for us...He draws us in.
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."
-John 12:32
This is how I see this picture. God will draw us in. He draws us with His love. The love that made Jesus become man. The love that made Jesus resist temptations. The love that made Jesus die on the cross and raise again. The love that reaches out to us now, calling us to Him. The love in the form of a friend's hand reaching out in vulnerability and saying "I will help you to a 'safe' place."
Today...I saw the love of Christ through the hands and voice of a friend. Now, I am faced with the question...who am I reaching out to? Who am I vulnerable for? Who am I embodying the love of Christ for? Am I allowing the Spirit of God to draw people in through me?
8/28/2006
Welcome!
Ahhh. A new blog to fill some of the time that I do not have to offer. I have decided to create a separate blog for my own personal rambles and insights in the world of faith. Well...at least my world...that hopefully plays some role in yours.
I have named this post "A Lighted Path" as a testament to our lives. As we all seek to become those children of God that we were created to be, we have the graceful light of Christ to guide us on our journey. Sometimes the light is bright and illuminates everything in front of us and sometimes, maybe it seems more often, the light appears dim. So dim that taking another step involves entering into the unknown. I hope that this blog addresses both our times of great joy in the presence of the radiance of our King as well as the uncertainty of the darkness. No matter the circumstance, it is my desire to find and draw attention to that light. Because no matter how dark it seems there is still light, and Christ is still their.
I have named this post "A Lighted Path" as a testament to our lives. As we all seek to become those children of God that we were created to be, we have the graceful light of Christ to guide us on our journey. Sometimes the light is bright and illuminates everything in front of us and sometimes, maybe it seems more often, the light appears dim. So dim that taking another step involves entering into the unknown. I hope that this blog addresses both our times of great joy in the presence of the radiance of our King as well as the uncertainty of the darkness. No matter the circumstance, it is my desire to find and draw attention to that light. Because no matter how dark it seems there is still light, and Christ is still their.
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