I Am Convinced...

I am sure you noticed the title for this post did not end with a period (.), but rather with an ellipsis (…). This is because I have been pondering a thought for quite some time now, and I believe it is now time to hesitantly share it…while leaving some room for modification (hence the ellipsis). Here is the statement; it is harder to live for Jesus here in our culture than it is in other cultures. Of this reality I am convinced… 

Another reason I use an ellipsis instead of a period, is because my experience is in this culture. I have only read about following Jesus in other cultures; I have not experienced it. So allow me to cut to the chase again, phrased a bit differently, following Jesus is harder in our culture than in other cultures…

I have pondered this statement for a while for a variety of reasons. One reason is that it is one thing to ponder something, but it is another to put it out there for consumption. Quite often in my mind I think if my life does not reflect what I put out there, then what is my basis for making the statement? In other words; “practice what you preach”.

Granted, I am all for practicing what I preach. Yet we need to understand something; if someone highlights an issue or a problem, and for some reason their life does not match up to “the solution,” this does not mean the issue or problem is false or irrelevant. E.g., around 26,000 children will die today (and tomorrow, and the next day) from a lack of food or some other poverty-related issue. However, just because I am going to likely eat more than the bare minimum needed for survival on most days, and drive a car rather than walk to work, does not negate the reality that 26,000 children are going to die of preventable causes. In other words, just because I have not reduced the “stuff” in my life to what seems to be drastic measures (by our standards), this does not negate the truth of poverty devouring life on this earth. Truthfully, I think far too many Christians play the “Well yeah, but what are you doing about it?” card in order to somehow justify their lack of doing anything. Let us call that for what it is – sin.

OK, now back to why I am convinced it is harder to follow Jesus here than in other cultures. Simply stated, it is easy to know following Jesus is costly if a gun is pointed to your head for your professed belief (or a machete is being repeatedly lowered on your leg, or your house is being bombed, or your children are being targeted for death because the persecutors know they can no longer keep you silent by threatening merely your life), as you are given an option to repent. On the other hand, it is not so easy to tell following Jesus is costly when we are faced with upgrading to a nicer automobile (or home, or cable package, or brand of clothes) when what we have is honestly, and quite often, more than enough. 

On one hand, the above examples of “it is easy to tell” and “it is not so easy to tell” can easily be expounded. Yet on the other hand, we must not be fooled into thinking this applies only in the realm of materialism. However we cannot deny Jesus bluntly states “the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mk4:19). No wonder Jesus told a guy to sell all he had and give it to the poor (Mk10:21). 

If you are still reading, let me briefly expand this difficulty in following Jesus in our culture beyond the realm of materialism. For example, in a culture where your very life depends on unity and harmony in the body it is likely “easier” to reconcile and forgive an offense. Yet in our culture, where one can just leave one church and go to the next, or choose not to talk and reconcile with someone because the stakes for unity and harmony do not seem so obvious, well then forgiveness and reconciliation are easily viewed as an option. Similarly, it is perhaps “easier” to be blinded to the reality of how our actions impact others here as well. Yet I recall Paul saying something about protecting the Unity the Spirit has gifted to The Church (Eph4:3), and Jesus saying the world will know we are His disciples by how we love one another (Jn13:34-35; cf. Jn17:20-23). Those do not sound like optional aspects of following Jesus. Indeed, they are not; we are only deceived into thinking they are. Let us again call that for what it is – sin.

We live in a culture that teaches us to be self-centered, not self-denying. We live in a culture that teaches us to be independent, not dependent on God for everything. We live in a culture that teaches us things are disposable, not a resource to be leveraged for the Kingdom. We live in a culture that tells us relationships are replaceable, not valuable and worth fighting to preserve. We live in a culture that tells us unity is important so long as it does not cost us anything, not to go to extreme measures to protect it. We live in a culture that teaches us to consume will bring ultimate happiness and fulfillment, not that it leads to addiction and emptiness. We live in a culture that teaches us so many things contrary to God’s desires are acceptable, the norm, or just the way our culture is so we may as well accept it.

I think many people seeking to follow Jesus struggle with things in this post…yet sadly I think many have been placated into at least a partial resignation to the way things are. Yeah, it is harder to follow Jesus here than in other cultures, of this I am more convinced… 

 

So, I turn to God in prayer; thankful for His grace...yet expressing my desire to respond to It more fully. I realize this is a battle I cannot win on my own; of that I am convinced.

 

Shoveling Snow & Lent [2]

As we concluded our time together pondering shoveling snow and Lent last time, I stated, “the reality of sin in our lives can and does lead to jarring impacts…So what is one to do?”. Well, we will consider what to do in a moment. Yet before we do that let me start with an analogy, which I hope will prove to be helpful. 

If 20” or so of snow falls in a 24 hour period, it will eventually have to be removed. If it is not, getting in and out of one’s driveway will prove to be hazardous, if not impossible. Indeed, the snow will need to be removed from the driveway, sidewalk, etc. Well, there is the option of letting nature take its course and allowing the snow to melt. Yet aside for the soon to be seen irony with that choice, let us simply acknowledge that will make getting around your place extremely difficult and treacherous for quite some time. In fact, many people could even get hurt in the process.

Since the snow needs removed, one has a few options, of which we will look at two. One option is to wait until it is all done snowing, at least as best as one can tell, and then remove all 20” of snow at once. Another option is to go out a few times during the snowstorm and remove smaller amounts; obviously this will include scooping snow more than once to finish the job.

Option one, shoveling 20” of snow at one time, is no small feat. Even for someone in good physical condition, it will take a lot of time and effort. In fact, one may need to stop a time or two while doing a driveway, sidewalk, and/or deck. Indeed, doing this much snow at once would likely seem to be a daunting and impossible task. One might even get frustrated and discouraged while doing it – especially if one were doing it alone.

In option two, lesser amounts of snow could be done at breaks in the day – especially if it were a true “snow day” (i.e., a day without normal work). One could scoop a few inches shortly after waking up, scoop some more upon returning from work late in the morning (or else risk getting stranded away from home), then go back out in the afternoon, and perhaps in the evening as well. To be certain, this will still take time and effort, but the overall time and effort will be less. Well, the time might be a bit more, but I doubt it. Yet for certain the strain on one’s back is much less in dealing with 3-6” of snow multiple times as opposed to 20” at once. In fact, you cannot manually scoop 20” of snow at once. Indeed, one would be forced to scoop their way down to the bottom; either straight down or by taking a layer, then doing another layer, and likely another layer (not to mention those difficult icy footprints and tire tracks on the bottom layer).

Now what does this have to do with sin? Actually, I would not be surprised if many of you already know where I am going with this. When it comes to sin in our lives we have two basic choices: a) let it pile up until something has to be done with it – usually because of some sort of consequence or difficulty one now faces, or b) deal with it as it occurs in one’s life. 

Simply stated, dealing with sin is difficult; there is always fallout – somewhere. What do I mean by fallout? I mean your sin never impacts only you…it impacts others around you as well. We can pretend it does not, but it always does (e.g., read the Bible).

I would like to expound on the above analogies and draw comparisons, but I think you all can do that. So, instead of that, I will give an example of “a” and “b” with a common sin that is often overlooked – anger.

Actually, I will not. Not this time at least. I will simply end by stating the fact; sin has to be dealt with – sooner or later.

It can “accumulate” in one’s life until it is “too big” and “too daunting” and therefore people feel defeated before they ever start to address it. This is option “a” above. Or, one can live a repentant life and deal with sin as they are convicted by the Holy Spirit (option “b”). To be certain, this still takes effort and is daunting at times…but it is much more manageable – not to mention godly.

Oh yes, there is also a “c” option, you know, the “irony” from the second paragraph of this post. This option is to do nothing and let nature run its course. Well, in the course of sin – it is death. Granted, for those “in Christ” things are different…but it certainly leads to a lot of frustration, a lack of fruit, in short – bondage to the forces of darkness. This should never be the option of a follower of Jesus. Yet sadly, and ironically, it is often chosen; sometimes by default, other times as a preference.

We will continue again – likely by showing options “a” and “b” in relation to anger. Who knows, maybe option “c” will be included, I do not know. Yet this I do know, Jesus came to ‘destroy' the works of the devil (1Jn3:8). Yes, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world! (cf. the Bible).   

Shoveling Snow & Lent [1]

Shoveling snow and Lent huh? What do they have to do with one another? Well, I like snow. I do not like sin. I am growing in my appreciation of Lent. Yet on top of that; this is the season of Lent, we got a lot of snow yesterday where I live (KS), and sin – well, sin is pretty much everywhere.

Yet there is more to the connection of snow, sin, and Lent than their current presence all around me at the moment. However, their current presence was certainly the inspiration for this and some following posts.

Many in the Christian faith are familiar with the concept of their sins being washed “whiter than snow”. One’s knowledge of this could be via a text in Isaiah 1:18; “Come now, let us reason together, says YHWH, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (ESV). One’s knowledge of this concept may have come through a song, of that title, by James L. Nicholson. 

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul.

Break down every idol, cast out every foe;

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

To be certain, it is assuring to know that even though sin has left its ugly mark on every single one of us, thanks to Jesus, we can indeed be “whiter than snow”. I can hardly think of that concept without having Romans chapter five come to mind – how God acted on my (our) behalf while I was still a sinner. Yes, because of Jesus I can be justified; I can be “whiter than snow”. 

I imagine the concept of being “whiter than snow” likely comes to one’s mind more readily when looking at fresh snow. After all, it is a peaceful picture, and taking that concept into our lives and how we are that way with God can be a comforting reality. Yet there is a hidden reality, if you will, under the pristine and unblemished fresh snow.

An elderly couple lives across the street from us; whenever it snows I clear their driveway as well. I will never forget the first time I cleared it. Why? Well, I did our driveway first and then headed over to theirs. In doing ours I had become accustomed to giving hard shoves and pushes to move the snow across the even driveway. Yet as I attempted this on their driveway I came to more than one shoulder-jarring (and back-jarring and wrist-jarring) halt. Why? Their driveway has a variety of cracks in it. Yet on top of that, grass and weeds had grown up in those cracks, and while they were now either dead or dormant, the left behind foliage added to the difficulty of snow shoveling. In other words, not only did I have to shovel the snow, I also had to feel my way for cracks, and then chop through the foliage in order to clear their driveway.

So, again you may be wondering – snow? sin? Lent? – I am not getting it. The issue is this. Despite the “whiter than snow” gift those “in Christ” have…a reality still exists. This reality is sin. Even the most beautiful snowfall only obscures what is really beneath the surface. In the case of our neighbor’s driveway it was a lot of cracks that made shoveling snow more challenging (and time-consuming). This is where Lent comes in. An aspect of Lent is preparing oneself for Resurrection Sunday (Easter) by taking a more serious look at sin in our own lives. Sin is present in your life; sometimes in obvious ways, but at other times sin is lurking beneath an otherwise pristine surface. What will you do about it?  

Just to be clear, I am not downplaying the truth of “whiter than snow” – yet I am calling us to not downplay the reality of sin in our lives either. While we may be “pure” in God’s sight…the reality of sin in our lives can and does lead to jarring impacts. These impacts affect not only our lives, but the lives of those around us as well. So what is one to do? We will look at that next time. 

Preparing for Advent [8]

Memories. We all have them.

There are some memories in which we relish, and we regularly enjoy reliving them. There are some memories that frighten us, and we would just as soon forget them. Yes, we all have memories.

Memories. They are interesting.

The good ones can make changing something that helped create those memories difficult, or perhaps even unthinkable. The affects of the bad ones may have altered the course of our lives in ways that make living difficult, and perhaps unbearable.

What do memories have to do with a reflective post on Advent? Quite a lot. Your current environment (life situation) is a factory for making memories (i.e., you live and have experiences = memories). Your current environment has been influenced by culture. Our culture does not celebrate Advent. Rather, it forces on people a Christmas shaped by, dare I say, capitalism.

Did you know there is the very real possibility several "black Friday" deals are frauds? Did you know people have been trampled and killed on "black Friday"? Now, I am not advocating for outlawing "black Friday" because without it Jdimytai Damour (the man in story #1 from the "trampled and killed" hyperlink) would still be alive today any more than I am advocating for outlawing "black Friday" in order to keep manufacturers from, well, doing what manufacturers will do. Yet the truth is, Mr. Damour died in a black Friday related event, and people may have bought a lot of "look alike" items this past black Friday, because of a condition of the human heart. The human heart has been corrupted by, well, a variety of things, but let us just call it sin.

Yes I realize the concept of sin is an unpopular one in our culture today. Yet we cannot disagree that there is something gravely wrong with "us".

I plan to return to the aspect of memories and what they have to do with Advent. Yet between now and that time, after you finish reading this post of course, I encourage you to ponder that concept along with the above comments on memories. For now, I will return to this aspect of sin.

I return to it, in part, because prior to finishing this post I learned of a school shooting that has left 26 people dead, 18 of whom are children. Oh yeah, it is possible the gunman (or one of them) was the son of a teacher at the school. Undoubtedly the questions have been going for quite some time now, and will continue for quite some time into the future. How? Why? What could have been done differently? Are my children no longer safe at school? Etc.

Please understand, I am troubled by the tragedy...my heart hurts for the lives lost and the ripple effects this will have on many, many people. Yet please also understand, in relation to question number four above (i.e., Are my children no longer safe as school?), the answer is NO!

I want to be clear. This is not an alarmist call to home school your children or anything else that may purport to stop a tragedy like this from happening in the future (or at least keep your children safe). What this is, is a plea for us to wake up. There is something wrong with "us".

You can deny the something wrong is sin. That is your choice. But if it is not sin, then what is it? Advent, as a part of God's Story, reminds us this world is not right.

God's Story does not shy away from tragedies like today. This is so important because the cultural expectations of "Christmas" have been dashed for 100's of people today (not counting the 1,000's impacted in other ways today, or the millions around the world who are not able to "celebrate" Christmas in our culturally shaped way). Yet while "Christmas" may have been ruined for many...Advent can bring comfort because events like today will not have the last word!

Advent conditions us to long for the return of Jesus...and at His return there will be no more death (cf. Rev21). Advent reminds us Jesus gave up the "riches" of heaven and entered the "slums" of earth in order to show God's love to people - all people. Advent reminds us that sin, which has impacted every human heart, will only have a temporary reign. In light of that we say maranatha - Come Lord Jesus!

What If We Shared Our Stories

What If We Told Shared Our Stories? 

Isolated. Ashamed. Guilty. Confused. Angry. Alone.  Those and many other words are how many of us have felt, at one time or another, in our lives.  For some, “at one time or another,” may be right now.  Why does this happen?  A simplistic answer; a War is raging and our only enemy (Satan) wants us to feel trapped in those ways.  We must never forget Satan is a liar (Jn8:44), a murderer (Jn8:44), an accuser (Rev12:10), and deceiver (2Cor4:4).  Satan does not play; he works, distorts, and connives for keeps.  What he wants to keep are the souls of people.      

This is where the beauty of God's Story comes in.  God's Story does not ignore pain and heartache.  God's Story looks our fallen world (all of which is under the influence of Satan) right in the eye and says YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD!!!  Because of this fact, our broken stories (the sum of our lives to a given point) can be redeemed – all because of God's Story (see “the bottom” for a bookend approach to God’s Story).  Make no mistake about it, when our stories are redeemed, they need to be shared. 

What if we told our stories?  Well, at the least, it would seem a lot of people should realize they are not “the only one” or any other lie like that.  Yet what if we moved beyond telling our stories to sharing our stories?  I am making a distinction because it seems to share one’s story is to open yourself up in such a way that you are willing to walk with and help others.  Somehow your unique past intersects with their unique past, and when this happens God is at work. 

Make no mistake about it, being able to tell your story takes guts.  It is not easy to admit to secret sins, or being a victim of some sort of abuse, or any other aspect of your story.  More people ought to tell their stories because it is a step.  It is a step because, while being able to tell your story takes guts, being able to share your story takes grace.  It takes grace because only God can bring redemption into someone’s broken story…and by His grace your sharing can be a vehicle through which He does just that.      

The bottom line is this.  Things like drug abuse, sexual abuse, materialism, the burden of crushing debt, and any other sin issue you can think of are well known (e.g., “told” stories).  While the deceiver will do his best to keep people thinking “they are the only one who struggles with _____,” or “they are the only one who has been impacted by ______,” I think somewhere, deep down inside of people, we know that is not true.  For example, a person cannot rationally think they are the only person who struggles with an addiction to pornography; my goodness, simply look at the sheer volume of pornographic material available (or read the papers when a “sex scandal” breaks out).  Yet the enemy can twist things in our mind to where we are duped into shamefully thinking this…

This is where sharing our stories come in.  I think if more stories were shared then there would be a lot less isolation, shame, guilt, confusion, anger, and aloneness.  Instead there would be communities (which make up The Church) of broken people who realize their God is a God of grace and no “story” is beyond repair.  Indeed, many more would acknowledge their need for help and say, “take my broken story and give me a new one”.  This new story would be the same in many ways, but with a twist – the twist of redemption and therefore purpose.  And this is a way “heaven” is brought to this fallen earth…  

“The Bottom”

Here is a link to a recent sermon at New Life Christian Church.  In this audio you will hear an individual share part of his story which includes being abused sexually as a child.  Sexual abuse is far more prevalent than many realize.  Yet our God is a God of redemption.  May God give us the grace, strength, and compassion to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those impacted by past abuse. 

Here are some “bookends” of God’s Story.  It begins in a garden (Gen2:8,9,10,15,16; 3:1,2,3,8,8,10,23,24) and ends in a garden (“paradise” cf. Rev2:7 – the same Greek word underlies all of those uses).  It also has the tree of life in the first garden (Gen2:9; 3:22,24) as well as the redeemed garden (Rev2:7; 22:2,14,19).  We must not forget, the only way the second/redeemed garden is possible is because of Jesus’ obedience in another garden – Gethsemane (e.g., Mk14:32ff) – which led to a cross and an empty tomb.  Praise be to our marvelous God!!!

Gospel Avengers?

Earlier this week I finally gave in; my wife and I went to see The Avengers.  OK, that is not entirely true... but we did see The Avengers (something we both wanted to do).

I usually try and relax whenever I see a movie.  In fact, at times I come close to being alarmed with how much of an escape a movie can be for me.  Yet that is another issue (and maybe another post).  Nevertheless, I share that because I do not seek to evaluate every twist and turn, figure things out in advance, etc.  Quite often I like to simply be along for the ride.  Yet early in The Avengers a few things stood out so blatantly that I am compelled to comment on them.  While the quotes will not be verbatim, the concepts are accurate.

Relatively early in the movie the "key" villain, Loki, mentioned he came with an announcement of "good tidings".  In other words he came with an announcement of good news...or a gospel.  A bit later Loki derides humans for how their "pursuit of freedom is enslaving them" and how they were "made to be ruled and to submit".  Who would have ever thought such deep concepts - and truth - would make their way into a superhero movie?

First let us quickly take the "good tidings" comment.  Christianity does not have a corner market on the Greek word euangelion (from which we get "good news" or "gospel" - hence Loki's "good tidings").  It is a term that for Rome could announce Caesar's birthday or a victory in battle; basically things that were "good" for the advancement of Rome (which meant the opposite for many others).  The concept is much the same for the Jewish people.  In other words, the "good news" is good (or bad) based on context; good for some yet bad for others.  This is true in the New Testament too.  All that is encompassed by God's "good news" is indeed bad news for the kingdom of darkness.  Therefore, Loki (as a 'god') does bring good news (a side note, it is interesting how he takes captive some key individuals early in the film - cf. 2Cor4).  It just so happens many would disagree with Loki's assessment that the news he brings is good (hence the movie).  Yet we should not write it off so quickly...

Loki is correct in his assessment that the pursuit of freedom is enslaving people.  There will (perhaps) be another time to address that issue.  Yet for now we will simply acknowledge "freedom" is a slippery word.  It certainly cannot mean the ability to do whatever one desires because that will quickly turn into a lack of freedom for others.  In this case freedom is defined by the one with the bigger stick - which is the way the kingdoms of the world roll.  

Loki is also correct in his assessment that humanity is "made to be ruled and to submit."  Indeed, this is biblical truth.  When humanity seeks to throw off restraint and "be free" they pass from one (benevolent and loving) Ruler to another (malevolent and hateful) ruler.  We are either seeking to continually submit to God's rule (cf. the concept of the Kingdom of God), or we are being deceived by Satan.  Humanity was made to submit to the rule of God.  Unfortunately, far too often we choose our own way because we are deceived and pursuing an illusion of freedom - which only lands us in Satan's web of deceit and chains of addictions.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.  Praise God for the gift of His Spirit which can make our hearts new and continually guide us.  When I look at a list of what flows out of the heart (e.g., Mk7:21-22) it can be depressing.  Fortunately God's grace can bring victory as we cast off the foolish lust for (the illusion of) freedom and submit to the One who brought true "good news" to the world.  May the coming of the Spirit we celebrate this Sunday empower us to be heralds of the best news ever...God is making all things new!  Fortunately, as the crowning point of His creation, that includes you and me.  Mind-boggling...but praise God for it!!!