Delivering the word

He Knows

The night before last I was looking through my bookshelves in search of that “perfect” book.  My spirit was looking for a certain something and the shelf after shelf of Christian-ese, Church “structure” and how to be a good person.  Jennifer and I are avid readers and we’ve got two rooms of bookshelves between the library and my office.  Nothing spoke to me…  I grabbed the Bible (go figure) and decided to read through it. 

For whatever reason, I started and ended with one verse:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. ~Ezra 7:10

I spent some time, as I feel asleep, asking for guidance in where my reading should go.  I’ve been very frustrated with how Christianity is practice and perceived.  Frustrated where the politics and religion have began to merge and where the church has neglected the example of Christ, in lieu of creating it’s own soft and comfortable theology. 

He knew my heart…

The Gift

Yesterday at work, I was waiting for package from UPS and I actually received two.  The second mystery package was from Amazon.com (my favorite place next to Borders!).  I opened the box and found a gift wrapped book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love surprises….and books. (Yes, I took pictures before even knowing what it was)  This book was from Julie Emery, who is a friend on Twitter and acquaintance from work.  I’m very grateful that she thought of me and Jennifer and sent this book.  I opened it up and by the first few pages realized this is exactly what I was looking for! 

Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claiborne

The book is called Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne.  I haven’t finished the book, so I don’t know if I can support all the ideas, but I have thus far connected with it.  This line specifically:

My activist friends call me conservative, and my religious friends call me liberal.  What I often get branded is ‘radical.’

So, I am only in chapter one, but I’m sure I’ll be writing other thoughts provoked in this book.  I like not being put into categories.  Categories are dangerous.  Religion is dangerous.  But, danger is only dangerous if you’re on the wrong side of the revolution! 

Faith reduced to a bumperstick….

I recently have been observing more and more “Christian” bumper stickers, and feeling my spirit just shudder.  really…  I am not sure what part of scripture has convince Believers that offending those who are not following, on the rear-end 1982 pinto.  I really want to know – why do Christians feel that offensive slogan are going to drive others to the mercy seat?

Please understand, my faith is too large to be reduced to a sticker.  Anyone who has actually read the Word (and not just the overheads on Sunday mornings) understands that Christ ministered through His life and how he engaged people.  He built relationships and encouraged us to do the same. 

You cannot build a relationship with your vehicular chastisements.   Personally, my driving ability is never 100% perfect and I’d rather those not of my faith to judge the Church by my inability to always maintain the speed limit…

I’ve collected a few bumper stickers, and would you to view them through my eyes: 

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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

I am comforted by the fact that God knows me, and chose to love (to the point of death) me anyway.

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  Anti-Abortion bumper stickers are the worst.  Do you REALLY think you’re going to change this difficult choice, by referring to the desperate woman as a murderer?  Of course, I don’t believe in Abortion, but it is only the power of Christ (not a sticker) that will sway someone away from this decision.  If anything, angry “Christians” yelling at this person will convince them even more that it’s the “right” thing to do.  After all, who wants to make angry, hurtful, judgmental people happy? 

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. ~ John 13:25

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What does this even mean?  With the exception of those who care about Church politics, this is non-sense.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves ~1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

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I am not convinced that you can be a Libertarian and have any statement such as this.  My understanding is that Libertarians believe that they should be self to self governance and do not need a government to oversee them.  Yet, most Christian movements believe in the total depravity of man.  If we believe that we are total deprived with Christ, than how could we not need some level of governance?

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ~1 Timothy 2:1-2

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I like this… I’m glad that Christ is not religious – He’s relational.

 

 

This was mainly just for fun, but the truth of the matter is, that Christ did not use one line sarcastic and offense bumper stickers to build relationships and to show His love for others – and neither should we. 

This is yet one more example where the Church has lost touch with it’s true mission, which is to love others and to share the Gospel.  You can’t minister to those who you’ve offended and I’ve yet to meet anyone who said they came to Christ, because you said they were otherwise going to hell on the tail end of your car….

Ministry for your Computer

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. ~Philippians 4:8

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Submerse Yourself

You’ve just heard a great sermon on Sunday and now you wish that you get that feeling of being fed throughout the week.  I’m with you!  There is nothing that is more difficult in the daily walk than feeling disconnected from your church family.  From time to time social media friends will contact and me about how I stay connected throughout the week.  So, I am creating a list of a few of my favorite places to read blogs, listen to podcasts and music.

iTunes Rawks

First, I would suggest that you go download iTunes for free.  Even if you don’t have an iPod or iPhone, you can still use the download features of music and sermons.  Most all teachings are free.  Here is a quick video on how to get the podcasts into iTunes.

Great Places to Start

If you are looking for a free and easy place to find a particular song to list to and maybe share, www.Blip.fm is a cool place to start.  Also. www.Tangle.com is a family focused Christian video site, like www.YouTube.com.

For Ministry, I recommend checking out the following:

Matt Chandler – The Village Church (Amazing Ministry and the best teaching I’ve ever heard)

Frontline Ministeries in McLean Virginia

Desiring God – John Piper

International House of Prayer Ministry (IHOP) – Just Awesome!

The Bible Gateway – Complete Bible online with Various Versions

Christian Social Media

Dwell Deep – Kathryn Wells

Thinking Christian

Those are just a few to get you started!

Be BLESSED!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love Misty Edwards music. I haven’t heard one of her songs, that I didn’t want to listen to over and over. Her free way of worship is amazing!

The Tribe Comes to Ladysmith, Virginia

Beginning Saturday February 7, 2009 at 7:00 pm and then every 1st Saturday thereafter, Grace Community Church of Caroline will host a time of ministry open to everyone. We will be meeting in Ladysmith, near I-95. You can get more information HERE.

It’s a Slow Fade

Casting Crowns is unquestionably my favorite group out there. Their real-life direct approach is refreshing in this day of watered down Christianity. This latest video “Slow Fade” is so incredibly true:

more about “GodTube.com – life180 – Slow Fade by …“, posted with vodpod

The Focus

Asking the Right Question

I’ve referenced before while preaching, that Jennifer and I have been trained by Christian friends to make sure that we are “asking the right question.” This means that when we’re praying or talking to other believers we need to make sure that the “right” questions are asked. For example, when asking for God to show you what company will be best for you; perhaps you are asking the wrong questions and you should ask ‘what company do You want me to work at?’ The focus is very important.

Luke 7:36-39; 44-49

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Traditional View

Traditionally I see Pastors talking about this scripture reference from the aspect of the woman’s convictions and faith saving her. But what if the focus is wrong, and the focus is not on the relationship of Christ and the woman?

We’ve seen over and over the “marketable” Christ. The Christ where it’s easy for everyone to accept, the Christ that is easy to approach as a buddy and runs about blessing the little children. However, we miss the ubiquitous instances where Christ is stressing his masculinity and authority.

The Authority

See, when I read this scripture, I see Christ standing boldly before the religious leaders of the time, the rulers who can and will eventually kill Christ – but only in His time – and only because He ordained it. I see Christ standing and telling this religious leaders “You say that only God can forgive sins – I say that I am God and this woman’s sins are forgiven.”

Imagine the scene! Do you think that this was a soft spoken cowering man, that whispered these words? These words were His death penalty! No, I see a strong man, with an ability to command an audience just by His presence. I see Him looking each Pharisee in the eye; ensuring that He had their direct attention and then with the same voice that commanded the creation of the earth, speaking forgiveness to a prostitute; and using that instant to stand in for her penalty. Understand, that in order for Him to forgive that sin; He would have to go to the cross and die. His blood washed those sins away.

We glance through this scripture with an almost casual respect for what we believe to be a predictable story. We get shivers with the rousing speeches of man; yet when we read the actual words of God we scan over them. Why!?! Because the focus is on us and not Him.

I pray that our focus will be on Him, I pray that our vision of Christ is refelctive of who He is and now who we want Him to be.