Sunday, September 17, 2006
Ithaca Church of Christ
Today my search for a place in ministry came to an end. I was offered the Preaching/Evangelist ministry position with the Ithaca Church of Christ in Ithaca, New York. My wife and I feel like we are a really good fit with this congregation and apparently that feeling is mutual. We look forward to what God is going to accomplisht through us and this church as we seek to proclaim Jesus Christ to the community of Ithaca, NY. We plan to move in late December. Please click on the link to see the church website and learn more about Ithaca, New York. To God be the glory!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Because Jesus is Lord
Did you hear about Gregory A. Boyd? He serves as an evangelist and preacher with the Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN. The Woodland Hills Church is a non-denominational church that apparently is very evangelical in its beliefs and practices and has become somewhat of a “Mega-Church.”
Believing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not aligned with American politics or the nationalism so prevalent in this country (of which traditional evangelicalism traditionally stands for), Mr. Boyd preached about this. Daring to speak the truth at the risk of knowing he would upset some of the members in this church, Boyd counted the cost and continued to speak the truth. The result: according to Boyd, about 1,000 members of this 5,000 member church decided to leave. However, this also opened the door to this church reaching out and ministering to many more of the poor in the community.
Whether you agree or disagree with Boyd, he deserves respect because he knows who is Lord (Jesus the Messiah) and who is not the Lord (congregation members, money from tithing, popularity and likeability, American politics, American evangelicals, etc… to name a few). If you want to read the full article then click on the title of my blog to hit the link.
Believing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not aligned with American politics or the nationalism so prevalent in this country (of which traditional evangelicalism traditionally stands for), Mr. Boyd preached about this. Daring to speak the truth at the risk of knowing he would upset some of the members in this church, Boyd counted the cost and continued to speak the truth. The result: according to Boyd, about 1,000 members of this 5,000 member church decided to leave. However, this also opened the door to this church reaching out and ministering to many more of the poor in the community.
Whether you agree or disagree with Boyd, he deserves respect because he knows who is Lord (Jesus the Messiah) and who is not the Lord (congregation members, money from tithing, popularity and likeability, American politics, American evangelicals, etc… to name a few). If you want to read the full article then click on the title of my blog to hit the link.
Off To Fort Scott, Kansas
Well, my family and I are headed to Fort Scott, Kansas this weekend to see if God is calling us to ministry in this town with the 15th and Crawford Church of Christ. We are excited about the trip and look forward to being in Kansas. We have never been to Kansas before but we have been to Missouri and this town is only about ten miles across the Missouri/Kansas state line.
Later in August, we will travel to Union Town, Pennsylvania to consider a ministry opportunity with the Union Town Church of Christ. And then on Labor Day weekend we will be up in beautiful Vermont to be with the Montpelier Church of Christ. So we are excited about the future, we just wish we knew where the near future is taking us but God is with us so we do not fear.
Later in August, we will travel to Union Town, Pennsylvania to consider a ministry opportunity with the Union Town Church of Christ. And then on Labor Day weekend we will be up in beautiful Vermont to be with the Montpelier Church of Christ. So we are excited about the future, we just wish we knew where the near future is taking us but God is with us so we do not fear.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Still Alive / In a phase of discerning
Yes I am still alive. My family and I have been busy little traveling bunnies over the last month. We have been to the west coast and the east coast looking at ministry opportunities but for reasons not entirely known to me, those opportunities have been closed. Nevertheless, I will trust that God is providentially at work in our lives, as he has always been in the past. We also went home to the southern part of the Lake Michigan area (did I mention we were traveling bunnies?) to see family and most especially Laura’s father who is recovering from prostate removal surgery which caused some serious complications but he is better now and is recovering well. He, Jim Martin, is still not out of the woods in terms of cancer and may need to undergo chemo therapy, so please pray for him.
Any ways, Laura and I are trying to discern the future path God has for us. We know God has called us to serve him and for me to proclaim his Son Jesus as the Messiah. All I want to do is help other people find hope in Jesus and learn to live the life he is calling them too, while leading others around me to be effective witnesses and servants of the Risen One. Yet I am not sure where, so I continue to be discerning. While we continue to discern, we are asking ourselves if God is calling us to ministry through church planting or through an existing congregation. But I believe all discernment should be done in Christian community – and you all, the readers of this blog, are part of my Christian community, so what do you think?
In the meantime, if you know of a congregation looking for a minister, one where I would fit in well, then please let me know. Please keep us in your prayers.
Any ways, Laura and I are trying to discern the future path God has for us. We know God has called us to serve him and for me to proclaim his Son Jesus as the Messiah. All I want to do is help other people find hope in Jesus and learn to live the life he is calling them too, while leading others around me to be effective witnesses and servants of the Risen One. Yet I am not sure where, so I continue to be discerning. While we continue to discern, we are asking ourselves if God is calling us to ministry through church planting or through an existing congregation. But I believe all discernment should be done in Christian community – and you all, the readers of this blog, are part of my Christian community, so what do you think?
In the meantime, if you know of a congregation looking for a minister, one where I would fit in well, then please let me know. Please keep us in your prayers.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Pat Robertson's Plane Crashes
A plane belonging to the fundamentalist Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson crashed near Long Island, NY. Both Pilots perished as a result of the crash and several other people were injured. Pat Robertson was not aboard the flight. Click on the link in the title for an online news article with more details.
However, now that this terrible tragedy has occurred we all are left to wonder how Pat Robertson will interpret this terrible occurrence. Will he see this tragedy as a sign of God’s divine punishment, as he does with many other tragedies that either occur or are predicted by him? Or will he finally learn that human suffering and human tragedy are not necessarily the wrath of God being outpoured? Even more, will Pat Robertson finally learn that God has not given humans the ability to interpret and declare the reasons for human tragedy and innocent suffering?
However, now that this terrible tragedy has occurred we all are left to wonder how Pat Robertson will interpret this terrible occurrence. Will he see this tragedy as a sign of God’s divine punishment, as he does with many other tragedies that either occur or are predicted by him? Or will he finally learn that human suffering and human tragedy are not necessarily the wrath of God being outpoured? Even more, will Pat Robertson finally learn that God has not given humans the ability to interpret and declare the reasons for human tragedy and innocent suffering?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Trusting in Divine Mystery
Over the last two weeks I have been slowly reading through a book titled Stumbling Toward Faith: My Longing to Heal from the Evil that God Allowed by Renée Altson. The book is her story of being abandoned by her mother, growing up in a home where her father sexually abused her while reciting scripture to her, and being made out to be an outcast by the church.
Neither of my parents abandoned me, I never was sexually abused (or abused in any form), and I never was treated as a social outcast by a church. Therefore, I come to this book as one who can only learn through the eyes of the author what it is like to be victimized to such an extent that your innocence is completely robbed and your trust in everything, including God, is shattered.
On the other hand, I read the book as one who has suffered the loss of a child and as one who has preached the funeral of his younger brother who left behind a wife and two children. So in one sense, I unfortunately understand what it is like to believe in God but have everything you believe about God brought into question by shattering and painful experience of death. Here is a lengthy section from this book that details her struggle with the church:
“i have always posed a lot of questions that made a lot of people in the church uncomfortable. to many of those people my questions were insignificant, and their responses were hastily muttered under their breath. i don’t think they ever even really thought about anything i said. they didn’t want to confront their own questions, their own doubts, and they labeled by dangerous. i was considered a troublemake.
this made it difficult to ever be taken seriously. i was silenced before i ever found the courage to speak. i was told half-truths before the questions ever left my lips.
slowly i began to their problem wasn’t with me or with my questions as much as it was with the inevitable (but never verbalized) ‘i don’t know.’
it was imperative that they ‘know’ – even if it meant age-old platitudes grown hollow and insignificant through years of recitation…
i heard a lot of the same things:
‘god always provides.’
‘god will not give you anything you can’t handle.’
‘god will make a way for escape.’
these pat answers were thrown back at me as weapons, as ways to silence my questions. but while these kinds of statements were usually sucked right from the pages of scripture, and therefore bore some element of truth, they became meaningless to me with their overuse…
…they were easy explanations, cut-and-pasted christian phrases guaranteed to stifle honest exploration into pain and turn god into a magic 8 ball with answers that fit any situation.
the truth in them was stripped out; the whole story in them was eliminated: god doesn’t always provide when we think he should, and sometimes, his provision looks nothing like what we expect it to. god may not give more than we can handle, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t hurt under the weight of what he has already given us…
in my journey toward god, one of the greatest things i have learned is that there is much i do not know…
if there’s anything i’ve learned about not knowing, it’s that it reveals the depth of my trust. can i trust a god who will not explain himself? can i trust a god who leaves me not knowing his purpose, his will? can i trust something beyond the pat answers, the snatched promises, the ways we quiet ourselves when the questioning grows too strong?
can i trust a god who lets me live with an ‘i don’t know’ and expects that it is enough?”
I understand completely how the author feels. My wife and I had some of the same “pat answers” thrown back at us in response to the new faith questions we had. Those pat answers never answered anything. They cannot! God is too big for such naïve, simplistic concepts.
I wish I knew why certain children live while others die? I wish I knew why certain children remain innocent while other children have their innocence stolen before they even know what the term “innocence” actually means. I wish I knew…
But I don’t know. All I am left knowing is that God has come into this world proclaiming his reign through Jesus Christ in death and resurrection as a promise that suffering and pain will not have the final word in life. So I am comforted, even though God remains in many ways a Divine Mystery.
The question ever before me is whether I can trust in God who in many ways remains a Divine Mystery?
Neither of my parents abandoned me, I never was sexually abused (or abused in any form), and I never was treated as a social outcast by a church. Therefore, I come to this book as one who can only learn through the eyes of the author what it is like to be victimized to such an extent that your innocence is completely robbed and your trust in everything, including God, is shattered.
On the other hand, I read the book as one who has suffered the loss of a child and as one who has preached the funeral of his younger brother who left behind a wife and two children. So in one sense, I unfortunately understand what it is like to believe in God but have everything you believe about God brought into question by shattering and painful experience of death. Here is a lengthy section from this book that details her struggle with the church:
“i have always posed a lot of questions that made a lot of people in the church uncomfortable. to many of those people my questions were insignificant, and their responses were hastily muttered under their breath. i don’t think they ever even really thought about anything i said. they didn’t want to confront their own questions, their own doubts, and they labeled by dangerous. i was considered a troublemake.
this made it difficult to ever be taken seriously. i was silenced before i ever found the courage to speak. i was told half-truths before the questions ever left my lips.
slowly i began to their problem wasn’t with me or with my questions as much as it was with the inevitable (but never verbalized) ‘i don’t know.’
it was imperative that they ‘know’ – even if it meant age-old platitudes grown hollow and insignificant through years of recitation…
i heard a lot of the same things:
‘god always provides.’
‘god will not give you anything you can’t handle.’
‘god will make a way for escape.’
these pat answers were thrown back at me as weapons, as ways to silence my questions. but while these kinds of statements were usually sucked right from the pages of scripture, and therefore bore some element of truth, they became meaningless to me with their overuse…
…they were easy explanations, cut-and-pasted christian phrases guaranteed to stifle honest exploration into pain and turn god into a magic 8 ball with answers that fit any situation.
the truth in them was stripped out; the whole story in them was eliminated: god doesn’t always provide when we think he should, and sometimes, his provision looks nothing like what we expect it to. god may not give more than we can handle, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t hurt under the weight of what he has already given us…
in my journey toward god, one of the greatest things i have learned is that there is much i do not know…
if there’s anything i’ve learned about not knowing, it’s that it reveals the depth of my trust. can i trust a god who will not explain himself? can i trust a god who leaves me not knowing his purpose, his will? can i trust something beyond the pat answers, the snatched promises, the ways we quiet ourselves when the questioning grows too strong?
can i trust a god who lets me live with an ‘i don’t know’ and expects that it is enough?”
I understand completely how the author feels. My wife and I had some of the same “pat answers” thrown back at us in response to the new faith questions we had. Those pat answers never answered anything. They cannot! God is too big for such naïve, simplistic concepts.
I wish I knew why certain children live while others die? I wish I knew why certain children remain innocent while other children have their innocence stolen before they even know what the term “innocence” actually means. I wish I knew…
But I don’t know. All I am left knowing is that God has come into this world proclaiming his reign through Jesus Christ in death and resurrection as a promise that suffering and pain will not have the final word in life. So I am comforted, even though God remains in many ways a Divine Mystery.
The question ever before me is whether I can trust in God who in many ways remains a Divine Mystery?
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Dare We Live "The Sermon on the Mount"
I have just left the Sermon Seminar at Rochester College in Rochester Hills, MI. The seminar topic was “Dare We Live in the World Imagined in the Sermon on the Mount.” Without a doubt, the seminar was both encouraging and challenging.
As Christians, here are some of the questions we have been challenged to ask:
Can we be a people who embrace the impoverished and destitute rather than the wealthy and powerful?
Can we be a people who live by grace, compassion, and righteousness rather than a triumphalistic, self-perpetuated glory?
Can we be a people who seek peaceful solutions to justice rather than the violent ways of our world?
Can we be a people so transformed by prayer that we truly become salt and light rather than just another common ordinary people among the world?
Can we be a people so transformed by prayer that we can freely confess our own wrong-doings, seek forgiveness in God, and then demonstrate that same loving forgiveness to the world – even our enemies of this world?
Can we seek the kingdom of God with such vigor that nothing of this world will come between our desire live out our calling?
Can we become so full of faith that the worries of this world depart from us, knowing that our Father in heaven has, is, and will continue to provide for our every need?
Can we learn to walk the narrow road, knowing that the narrow road will incur persecution but that God will give us our reward for faithfulness?
Can we truly learn to be the radical disciple that Jesus calls us to be, who abandoned the many dying kingdoms of this age and embraces the inbreaking Kingdom of God of the New Age?
So how about it? In a world where might is right, where wealth, power, and prestige are valued as essential to living and survival, where roughly 95% of the world exists in slavery for the service of the other 5%... Can we as Christians embrace a kingdom that is inaugurated by its leader hanging on a cross? Can we follow our Lord in such a path, embracing the cross in anticipation of God victory which has been promised in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Kai Leigh Harriot's Grace
Did you miss the story about Kai Leigh Harriot? If so, then let me tell you.
When Kai Leigh Harriot was three years old, she was the victim of gun violence. As a result, the gunshot shattered her spinal cord before ripping through her chest. The gunshot left Kai paralyzed from the middle of the chest down.
Now five years old, Kai sits in a wheelchair that will be with her for the remainder of her life. She will never experience many of life’s little joys that so many of us take for granted on a daily basis.
Earlier this month she sat in the courtroom and faced the man who fired the gunshot into her little body. With profuse tears choking up her voice, she acknowledged that what the gunman did to her was wrong but then she said “But I still forgive him.”
Kai Leigh Harriot teaches us so much. She could have chosen to hate this man and curse him for this act of injustice he has afflicted her with but instead she chose to forgive this man. What a wonderful expression of grace!
If this little five year old child can have it in her heart to forgive someone for committing an egregious act of evil, why do so many of us struggle to forgive others who do wrong towards us?
When Kai Leigh Harriot was three years old, she was the victim of gun violence. As a result, the gunshot shattered her spinal cord before ripping through her chest. The gunshot left Kai paralyzed from the middle of the chest down.
Now five years old, Kai sits in a wheelchair that will be with her for the remainder of her life. She will never experience many of life’s little joys that so many of us take for granted on a daily basis.
Earlier this month she sat in the courtroom and faced the man who fired the gunshot into her little body. With profuse tears choking up her voice, she acknowledged that what the gunman did to her was wrong but then she said “But I still forgive him.”
Kai Leigh Harriot teaches us so much. She could have chosen to hate this man and curse him for this act of injustice he has afflicted her with but instead she chose to forgive this man. What a wonderful expression of grace!
If this little five year old child can have it in her heart to forgive someone for committing an egregious act of evil, why do so many of us struggle to forgive others who do wrong towards us?
Monday, April 24, 2006
Frustrated but Encouraged
I have been extremely busy as the school semester winds down. Between staying at home and being a Father to my daughter, attempting 9 semester hours, trying to locate a full-time ministry opportunity (this is my last semester in Memphis), and trying to remain involved ministry wise in the lives of some other people, I am frustrated but Encouraged.
Ever since becoming a Christian I have always wanted to help others come to know God. I know that even the best ministry context has its problems as well, but I am so tired of fighting ridiculous barriers that keep people from being open to God’s calling.
Why do Christians judge other people through human eyes? Why do Christians judge people by their skin color? By the way they dress? By their outward appearance? Why have Christians not learned to view people through the image they were created in? Through the baptism they could receive if they hear the gospel and see that very gospel lived out in the church’s life?
Why do we insist on having an unwritten dress code for church that tells the majority of our culture “Clean up and dress up if you wish to come hear!”
Why do we live in a culture celebrates exciting experiences with shouts of joy and cheers but insist that such emotions are improper in worship.
When people are grieving, why do we deny them the place in worship and fellowship to truly lament and question God, telling them “It will be alright! Just remember ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him…” when we don’t even know what suffering they are going through – AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN TAKEN THE TIME TO ASK THEM.
Why do we profess every Sunday faith in a person whose life was shaped by servitude, humility, and obedience, and yet we struggle so to even scratch the surface of those attributes at times?
Why is church more about us and getting our preferences met first? AND THEN if those on the outside can fit into our mold, then they can enter and learn about Jesus.
Why are we more concerned with keeping our local church in good standing with a brotherhood church then worrying about whether Jesus is actually trying to change us so that we could effectively minister incarnationally to a postmodern, unchurch world?
Why are we so critical of postmodernism, resisting it at all cost when we have swallowed – hook, line, and sinker – modernism? Could it not be that while both isms contain elements contrary to the gospel, that God still could work WITHIN a postmodern world just as he did in a modern world?
These are just a few of my frustrations when it comes to church. However I am encouraged because God has worked through all the other imperfect moments of history in the church, so I know that he can work through our imperfect attempts at being a Jesus community…
…just as he can even work through someone like you and I!
Ever since becoming a Christian I have always wanted to help others come to know God. I know that even the best ministry context has its problems as well, but I am so tired of fighting ridiculous barriers that keep people from being open to God’s calling.
Why do Christians judge other people through human eyes? Why do Christians judge people by their skin color? By the way they dress? By their outward appearance? Why have Christians not learned to view people through the image they were created in? Through the baptism they could receive if they hear the gospel and see that very gospel lived out in the church’s life?
Why do we insist on having an unwritten dress code for church that tells the majority of our culture “Clean up and dress up if you wish to come hear!”
Why do we live in a culture celebrates exciting experiences with shouts of joy and cheers but insist that such emotions are improper in worship.
When people are grieving, why do we deny them the place in worship and fellowship to truly lament and question God, telling them “It will be alright! Just remember ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him…” when we don’t even know what suffering they are going through – AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN TAKEN THE TIME TO ASK THEM.
Why do we profess every Sunday faith in a person whose life was shaped by servitude, humility, and obedience, and yet we struggle so to even scratch the surface of those attributes at times?
Why is church more about us and getting our preferences met first? AND THEN if those on the outside can fit into our mold, then they can enter and learn about Jesus.
Why are we more concerned with keeping our local church in good standing with a brotherhood church then worrying about whether Jesus is actually trying to change us so that we could effectively minister incarnationally to a postmodern, unchurch world?
Why are we so critical of postmodernism, resisting it at all cost when we have swallowed – hook, line, and sinker – modernism? Could it not be that while both isms contain elements contrary to the gospel, that God still could work WITHIN a postmodern world just as he did in a modern world?
These are just a few of my frustrations when it comes to church. However I am encouraged because God has worked through all the other imperfect moments of history in the church, so I know that he can work through our imperfect attempts at being a Jesus community…
…just as he can even work through someone like you and I!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Following Jesus in a Violent World
The Muslim violent protest in reactions to the cartoons of Mohammad is wrong. No matter how offended the Muslim world is by the cartoons of Mohammad, it does not justify violent protest. However, it seems now that some Christians have felt justified in returning such violence by engaging in violent protests themselves. This is wrong too.
Christian violence should be of a special concern for Christians when we consider the fact that our Lord and Savior was treated unjustly, resulting in his persecution and eventual crucifixion. Jesus could have, as the song we sometimes sing, called ten-thousand angels - but he didn't. His disciple, Peter, tried using violence to defend him and he told Peter to put away the sword unless he wanted to die by the sword. Consequently, the earliest Christians, victims of severe persecution as well, refused to resort to violence as a means of defending themselves from injustice. This was in part because of their understanding of the Kingdom they now belonged too but this was also but this was also because they knew God had already given them victory over their oppressors and would bring about this victory upon the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.
Unfortunately today many Christians believe violence is a needed and justified solution to the evil acts of others. Where did we ever develop this idea from? Certainly not the life of Jesus we have modeled for us in scripture. When we use violence against our enemies, it makes us no better than our enemies. It surely does not demonstrate for our enemies and the rest of the world the new "kingdom" way of living to which God has called us to in Jesus Christ.
As a child my mother always told me “two wrongs never make a right.” There is a lot of wisdom in this little proverb. Violence is wrong. Violence is wrong whether it is the Muslim community reacting in protest to a perceived wrong done to them and violence is wrong when it is the Christian community reacting in protest to a perceived wrong done to them as well.
God our Father, your Son was a peaceful and loving servant who went to the cross so that we might live in victory as he does. Father, you raised him from death showing the world your victory over sin and death. Now you have called us to follow your Son Jesus, carrying our own crosses, becoming servants in this world, trusting in you as our victor and our source of life. You have sent you Spirit to empower us to live such a life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may walk by the power of your Spirit and express in our lives the very fruit of your Spirit. Amen!
Christian violence should be of a special concern for Christians when we consider the fact that our Lord and Savior was treated unjustly, resulting in his persecution and eventual crucifixion. Jesus could have, as the song we sometimes sing, called ten-thousand angels - but he didn't. His disciple, Peter, tried using violence to defend him and he told Peter to put away the sword unless he wanted to die by the sword. Consequently, the earliest Christians, victims of severe persecution as well, refused to resort to violence as a means of defending themselves from injustice. This was in part because of their understanding of the Kingdom they now belonged too but this was also but this was also because they knew God had already given them victory over their oppressors and would bring about this victory upon the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.
Unfortunately today many Christians believe violence is a needed and justified solution to the evil acts of others. Where did we ever develop this idea from? Certainly not the life of Jesus we have modeled for us in scripture. When we use violence against our enemies, it makes us no better than our enemies. It surely does not demonstrate for our enemies and the rest of the world the new "kingdom" way of living to which God has called us to in Jesus Christ.
As a child my mother always told me “two wrongs never make a right.” There is a lot of wisdom in this little proverb. Violence is wrong. Violence is wrong whether it is the Muslim community reacting in protest to a perceived wrong done to them and violence is wrong when it is the Christian community reacting in protest to a perceived wrong done to them as well.
God our Father, your Son was a peaceful and loving servant who went to the cross so that we might live in victory as he does. Father, you raised him from death showing the world your victory over sin and death. Now you have called us to follow your Son Jesus, carrying our own crosses, becoming servants in this world, trusting in you as our victor and our source of life. You have sent you Spirit to empower us to live such a life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may walk by the power of your Spirit and express in our lives the very fruit of your Spirit. Amen!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Why I Am Pursuaded Towards Practicing Non-Violent Justice, Rev. & Expd.
This is not a fully detailed argument for what is commonly referred to as pacifism. There is a lot more that could be said in defense of the Christian pacifistic position. I would like to qualify the term “Pacifism” and suggest that from a Christian view point I would like to understand this term as a non-violent but active approach to practicing justice in the world. This qualification is due to the fact that I do believe Christians should be actively practicing social justice among the world, but only in a non-violent manner. For an accessible but more detailed case, here is my suggestion: Lee C. Camp, "Mere Discipleship: Radical Discipleship in a Rebellious World" (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2003).
At one time I was an advocate of the “just war” position. I am still proud of those who serve in the military because they are convicted it is morally correct as well as they believe it is their calling, and so they serve as though they were serving God. So please do not misunderstand my present conviction to be understood as though I disrespect those who serve in the military, especially those who have given their life while serving in the armed forces.
Nevertheless, over the years since I became a Christian, I have begun to question the ethical appropriateness of engaging in warfare in order to bring about justice among the world. I now am pretty convinced that engaging in warfare is unethical from a Christian viewpoint. Therefore I am now advocating as the acceptable moral/ethic Christian position the pursuit of non-violence in the quest for justice in this world. I will confess however, there are a lot of questions when it comes to the various hypothetical situations which I simply do not have all the answers too. This is the same for me when it comes to my theodicy (a Christian explanation for the problem of evil and innocent suffering). There are plenty of hypothetical situations of suffering (which are actually real for some people) to which I have no answer for. But not having an answer to every possible situation should not keep anyone from defending and living out what is believed to be the correct teaching, the biblical-ethical teaching.
Why have I changed? Primarily, I have changed due to my understanding of hermeneutics. In short, my hermeneutic, by which I determine how to conduct my life as a Christian, is based on how Jesus lived — whom I call Lord and follow after. This is contra to the hermeneutic which I was taught as a child growing up in church, which simply sought a proof text (i.e. cut and paste) from the Bible either by command, example, or inference in order to justify or condemn a particular position and/or practice. My hermeneutic led me to view the Bible as a window (if you will) to the life of Jesus. I am trying to model my life after Jesus and in scripture I see other communities of people trying to follow after Jesus as well, some better than others. As I read the teachings passed on to these communities in response to their own circumstances, these letters become a guiding point for me. However the scriptures are not the pattern I am seeking to follow, they are the window through which I see the pattern – Jesus that is – I am trying to follow. The New Testament scriptures present a window of insight into how other Christian communities incorporated the teachings and life of Jesus into their own life. Because scripture, as God’s written word, belongs to a specific historical context, it calls for all contemporary readers to ask the question of how we take instruction given to an ancient faith community and apply that instruction to our own unique circumstances. However, the intent is not for us to make the written instruction our pattern but rather is to point us to Jesus who is our one true pattern for living a true life.
So with this hermeneutical shift, this is what I noticed. Rather than defending himself, Jesus endured the evil of humanity and trusted in his Father to vindicate him. Such endurance led Jesus to the cross but the cross was followed by a resurrection. Even though the cross was certainly part of God’s plan of salvation for humanity, it was also a result of Jesus’ refusal to give way to the political and religious positions of his day while at the same time refusing to engage with tactics of warfare in the proclamation of the kingdom of God. So Jesus was active in bringing about social justices, as seen in his public ministry which proclaimed and embodied the kingdom of God. However, while proclaiming this new kingdom (which was a threat to the existing political and religious powers) and living the kingdom values out, Jesus simultaneously resisted the political and religious powers in a non-violent manner.
Jesus called people to follow him, carrying a cross as well (Mk. 8.34). The promise of the Son of Man (i.e. Jesus) returning in glory was the promise of victory for those who followed him as well. Thus the earliest Christians were also called to endure the evil of humanity rather than defend themselves and then “in faith” trust God to vindicate them (Rev. 13:7-10 and 14:9-12; passages that usually goes unnoticed when discussing topics like this). This practice of Christians enduring the evil of humanity rather than rising in defense of themselves and others continued until the fourth century. They chose to be martyrs rather than to use the sword on their own behalf and thus trusted in God to vindicate them. This was the practice of the Christian church up and until the Roman emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity. Further, to rise up in support of the worldly, political kingdoms seemed to be considered offering worship to someone other than God.
If non-violent resistance was the practice of Jesus and his earliest followers, why should it be any different now? Why should it be different now when Christians are still people who belong to the kingdom of God and thus should embrace the values of the kingdom, which was demonstrated by Jesus? Can we who are Christians in the twenty-first century not also trust in God to vindicate us? Especially since we are promised that the kingdom of God, which we belong too, is victorious and that all worldly kingdoms have been, are, and will be destroyed.
Such non-violent resistance does not mean that Christians should be passive when it comes to social-justice. Christians should work to help those who are oppressed, whether such oppression is found in the form of tyranny or poverty or some other form. What can be done? First, Christians should be in constant prayer for those who are oppressed (and prayer is something rarely considered as a “powerful” response to injustice – which betrays our faith in prayer). Second, Christians can live out their baptism (see Romans 6) and realize they have already been baptized into death and therefore have been raised into life with Jesus. This means Christians are free to live and minister to the oppressed without fear of social reprimand, political persecution, or worse, even death. I realize that in the United States of America, it seems unlikely that Christians will ever face political imprisonment or execution for ministering and seriously taking a non-violent stand against social injustice. But I believe Christian who do minister in an incarnational manner among the oppressed will face social persecution from their peers, because such a lifestyle will become a stunning rebuke to the way thing exist in society – even in the United States of America. I know this because one of my most beloved undergraduate teacher has been told at times throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s that he was unwelcome in a Christian house of worship because of his outspoken and living stance against the racial segregation and oppression of African Americans. Third, Christian must be the alternative to an oppressive society. Where worldly political – nation – states, among other empires, are concerned with self-preservation, Christians know the Kingdom of God is the only ever lasting Kingdom. The kingdom is a reality where life is experienced the way God created life to be lived. The kingdom of God is perfectly embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. Christians, who belong to the alternative community called church, are called to embody this kingdom life (literally the reign of God) as well, offering the world an alternative way to the temporary kingdoms where the Kingdom Way is demonstrated, experienced, and embodied to its fullest.
At one time I was an advocate of the “just war” position. I am still proud of those who serve in the military because they are convicted it is morally correct as well as they believe it is their calling, and so they serve as though they were serving God. So please do not misunderstand my present conviction to be understood as though I disrespect those who serve in the military, especially those who have given their life while serving in the armed forces.
Nevertheless, over the years since I became a Christian, I have begun to question the ethical appropriateness of engaging in warfare in order to bring about justice among the world. I now am pretty convinced that engaging in warfare is unethical from a Christian viewpoint. Therefore I am now advocating as the acceptable moral/ethic Christian position the pursuit of non-violence in the quest for justice in this world. I will confess however, there are a lot of questions when it comes to the various hypothetical situations which I simply do not have all the answers too. This is the same for me when it comes to my theodicy (a Christian explanation for the problem of evil and innocent suffering). There are plenty of hypothetical situations of suffering (which are actually real for some people) to which I have no answer for. But not having an answer to every possible situation should not keep anyone from defending and living out what is believed to be the correct teaching, the biblical-ethical teaching.
Why have I changed? Primarily, I have changed due to my understanding of hermeneutics. In short, my hermeneutic, by which I determine how to conduct my life as a Christian, is based on how Jesus lived — whom I call Lord and follow after. This is contra to the hermeneutic which I was taught as a child growing up in church, which simply sought a proof text (i.e. cut and paste) from the Bible either by command, example, or inference in order to justify or condemn a particular position and/or practice. My hermeneutic led me to view the Bible as a window (if you will) to the life of Jesus. I am trying to model my life after Jesus and in scripture I see other communities of people trying to follow after Jesus as well, some better than others. As I read the teachings passed on to these communities in response to their own circumstances, these letters become a guiding point for me. However the scriptures are not the pattern I am seeking to follow, they are the window through which I see the pattern – Jesus that is – I am trying to follow. The New Testament scriptures present a window of insight into how other Christian communities incorporated the teachings and life of Jesus into their own life. Because scripture, as God’s written word, belongs to a specific historical context, it calls for all contemporary readers to ask the question of how we take instruction given to an ancient faith community and apply that instruction to our own unique circumstances. However, the intent is not for us to make the written instruction our pattern but rather is to point us to Jesus who is our one true pattern for living a true life.
So with this hermeneutical shift, this is what I noticed. Rather than defending himself, Jesus endured the evil of humanity and trusted in his Father to vindicate him. Such endurance led Jesus to the cross but the cross was followed by a resurrection. Even though the cross was certainly part of God’s plan of salvation for humanity, it was also a result of Jesus’ refusal to give way to the political and religious positions of his day while at the same time refusing to engage with tactics of warfare in the proclamation of the kingdom of God. So Jesus was active in bringing about social justices, as seen in his public ministry which proclaimed and embodied the kingdom of God. However, while proclaiming this new kingdom (which was a threat to the existing political and religious powers) and living the kingdom values out, Jesus simultaneously resisted the political and religious powers in a non-violent manner.
Jesus called people to follow him, carrying a cross as well (Mk. 8.34). The promise of the Son of Man (i.e. Jesus) returning in glory was the promise of victory for those who followed him as well. Thus the earliest Christians were also called to endure the evil of humanity rather than defend themselves and then “in faith” trust God to vindicate them (Rev. 13:7-10 and 14:9-12; passages that usually goes unnoticed when discussing topics like this). This practice of Christians enduring the evil of humanity rather than rising in defense of themselves and others continued until the fourth century. They chose to be martyrs rather than to use the sword on their own behalf and thus trusted in God to vindicate them. This was the practice of the Christian church up and until the Roman emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity. Further, to rise up in support of the worldly, political kingdoms seemed to be considered offering worship to someone other than God.
If non-violent resistance was the practice of Jesus and his earliest followers, why should it be any different now? Why should it be different now when Christians are still people who belong to the kingdom of God and thus should embrace the values of the kingdom, which was demonstrated by Jesus? Can we who are Christians in the twenty-first century not also trust in God to vindicate us? Especially since we are promised that the kingdom of God, which we belong too, is victorious and that all worldly kingdoms have been, are, and will be destroyed.
Such non-violent resistance does not mean that Christians should be passive when it comes to social-justice. Christians should work to help those who are oppressed, whether such oppression is found in the form of tyranny or poverty or some other form. What can be done? First, Christians should be in constant prayer for those who are oppressed (and prayer is something rarely considered as a “powerful” response to injustice – which betrays our faith in prayer). Second, Christians can live out their baptism (see Romans 6) and realize they have already been baptized into death and therefore have been raised into life with Jesus. This means Christians are free to live and minister to the oppressed without fear of social reprimand, political persecution, or worse, even death. I realize that in the United States of America, it seems unlikely that Christians will ever face political imprisonment or execution for ministering and seriously taking a non-violent stand against social injustice. But I believe Christian who do minister in an incarnational manner among the oppressed will face social persecution from their peers, because such a lifestyle will become a stunning rebuke to the way thing exist in society – even in the United States of America. I know this because one of my most beloved undergraduate teacher has been told at times throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s that he was unwelcome in a Christian house of worship because of his outspoken and living stance against the racial segregation and oppression of African Americans. Third, Christian must be the alternative to an oppressive society. Where worldly political – nation – states, among other empires, are concerned with self-preservation, Christians know the Kingdom of God is the only ever lasting Kingdom. The kingdom is a reality where life is experienced the way God created life to be lived. The kingdom of God is perfectly embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. Christians, who belong to the alternative community called church, are called to embody this kingdom life (literally the reign of God) as well, offering the world an alternative way to the temporary kingdoms where the Kingdom Way is demonstrated, experienced, and embodied to its fullest.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Mandisa'a Grace
I am not a fan of the popular television show American Idol, and have only seen a couple of the episodes. However, fan or not, you would need to be a complete hermit to not know what American Idol is.
One of the facts about the show is the candid, some would say mean-spirited, remarks and criticism hurled upon the contestants by Simon. One particular victim of Simon’s sense of humor and personality was a contestant named Mandisa. The remarks were directed at her physical size, as she is a larger woman. Naturally these remarks were very hurtful to Mandisa and she admitted that she was brought to tears by the comments of Simon.
The natural response to an attack and insult on our personhood is to put up our defense by going on the offense and lashing out our pain and anger on the Simon’s of this world. I know this is what I naturally want to do when someone does something that angers me or hurts my feelings. I must get even! Get revenge! No, not just get even and get revenge but hurt them worse than they hurt me. That will teach them a lesson… “They messed with the wrong person this time” is what I think.
But Mandisa showed the world what it means to have experienced grace and what it means to extend that same grace. Instead of unleashing a verbal assault, or worse, on Simon she said something to the effect of…
“I’ve forgiven you. You don’t need someone to apologize to offer them forgiveness. If Jesus Christ could die for my sins then I can extend that same grace to you.”
Simon responded by admitting that he was humbled. And we have learned a lesson that vengeance, hatred, defensiveness, etc… does not make right of the wrongs done to us in life. Grace, the extension of the same grace God has shown us in Jesus Christ, rights the wrongs of this world. And I am sure that Mandisa, out of her willingness to forgive and unconditionally extend grace to Simon, is at peace for doing so.
One of the facts about the show is the candid, some would say mean-spirited, remarks and criticism hurled upon the contestants by Simon. One particular victim of Simon’s sense of humor and personality was a contestant named Mandisa. The remarks were directed at her physical size, as she is a larger woman. Naturally these remarks were very hurtful to Mandisa and she admitted that she was brought to tears by the comments of Simon.
The natural response to an attack and insult on our personhood is to put up our defense by going on the offense and lashing out our pain and anger on the Simon’s of this world. I know this is what I naturally want to do when someone does something that angers me or hurts my feelings. I must get even! Get revenge! No, not just get even and get revenge but hurt them worse than they hurt me. That will teach them a lesson… “They messed with the wrong person this time” is what I think.
But Mandisa showed the world what it means to have experienced grace and what it means to extend that same grace. Instead of unleashing a verbal assault, or worse, on Simon she said something to the effect of…
“I’ve forgiven you. You don’t need someone to apologize to offer them forgiveness. If Jesus Christ could die for my sins then I can extend that same grace to you.”
Simon responded by admitting that he was humbled. And we have learned a lesson that vengeance, hatred, defensiveness, etc… does not make right of the wrongs done to us in life. Grace, the extension of the same grace God has shown us in Jesus Christ, rights the wrongs of this world. And I am sure that Mandisa, out of her willingness to forgive and unconditionally extend grace to Simon, is at peace for doing so.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
True Freedom vs. the Idolatrous Illusion
In his 2006 State of the Union address to Congress and the Citizens of the United States, President Bush made this the following statements with regards to the U.S. military involvement among the rest of the world:
“The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead.”
He goes on to say, “There is no peace in retreat. And there is no honor in retreat.”
And finally our President speaks of our country by saying:
“…We must never give in to the belief that America is in decline, or that our culture is doomed to unravel. The American people know better than that. We have proven the pessimists wrong before -- and we will do it again.”
I find these comments strangely interesting, considering that our President is a confessed Christian along with many of us who also live in the U.S.
I thought as Christians we believe that Jesus is our only security and peace. In fact I thought as Christians we believe Jesus showed true honor and peace by retreat and refusing to fight when the Roman soldiers came to arrest him and execute him. I thought as Christians we believe that every nation is in decline, even our own, and that the only everlasting nation/kingdom is the Kingdom of God.
I guess not every Christian believes that.
This post is not about whether the use and support of warfare and military power by a Christians is ever justified. This post is about the idolatry many Christians who live in the U.S. have bought into. Is our security and peace dependent on a government and its military force?
The Apostle Paul believed that Jesus had died and arose from death and therefore death had no more mastery over Jesus. Furthermore, Paul believed death had no more mastery over any Christian because Christians too had died with Jesus and therefore have also been raised into the resurrected life of Jesus (Romans 6.8-10). The death and resurrection of Jesus changed the reality of the world. Through Jesus death was conquered and therefore brought about the ultimate peace to those who believe in Jesus.
Because Paul believed in Jesus, Paul also believed death held no mastery over him (or any other Christian). This is why Paul can say in his letter to the Philippian church, a letter he wrote in prison:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1.20-21, TNIV)
Paul knew he was facing a date with the executioner for being a Christian. However, the possibility of martyrdom did not scare Paul, it did not threaten his sense of security and peace because Paul knew that dying in this world simply meant gaining the reward of eternal life with Jesus Christ. Now that is true freedom!
Jesus Christ is the only true freedom and it is only in Jesus that a person can obtain true freedom. It is an idolatrous illusion to be a Christian and yet buy into the notion that our freedom, our hope, our security, and our peace is dependent on our government or any other nation/state.
I am sure that our President means well but he is wrong, dead wrong. And so are the Christians who believe that our freedom is dependent on any person or people besides Jesus Christ. When we Christians finally realize that we have been set free in Christ, we then, like Paul, can be free to live each and every day in complete surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and stop worrying whether some other nation, people group, etc… is going to persecute us. We can do this just like Paul did along with the rest of the Christians in the first three centuries and just like many other Christians today who live a “free” life under a tyrannical regime.
“The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead.”
He goes on to say, “There is no peace in retreat. And there is no honor in retreat.”
And finally our President speaks of our country by saying:
“…We must never give in to the belief that America is in decline, or that our culture is doomed to unravel. The American people know better than that. We have proven the pessimists wrong before -- and we will do it again.”
I find these comments strangely interesting, considering that our President is a confessed Christian along with many of us who also live in the U.S.
I thought as Christians we believe that Jesus is our only security and peace. In fact I thought as Christians we believe Jesus showed true honor and peace by retreat and refusing to fight when the Roman soldiers came to arrest him and execute him. I thought as Christians we believe that every nation is in decline, even our own, and that the only everlasting nation/kingdom is the Kingdom of God.
I guess not every Christian believes that.
This post is not about whether the use and support of warfare and military power by a Christians is ever justified. This post is about the idolatry many Christians who live in the U.S. have bought into. Is our security and peace dependent on a government and its military force?
The Apostle Paul believed that Jesus had died and arose from death and therefore death had no more mastery over Jesus. Furthermore, Paul believed death had no more mastery over any Christian because Christians too had died with Jesus and therefore have also been raised into the resurrected life of Jesus (Romans 6.8-10). The death and resurrection of Jesus changed the reality of the world. Through Jesus death was conquered and therefore brought about the ultimate peace to those who believe in Jesus.
Because Paul believed in Jesus, Paul also believed death held no mastery over him (or any other Christian). This is why Paul can say in his letter to the Philippian church, a letter he wrote in prison:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1.20-21, TNIV)
Paul knew he was facing a date with the executioner for being a Christian. However, the possibility of martyrdom did not scare Paul, it did not threaten his sense of security and peace because Paul knew that dying in this world simply meant gaining the reward of eternal life with Jesus Christ. Now that is true freedom!
Jesus Christ is the only true freedom and it is only in Jesus that a person can obtain true freedom. It is an idolatrous illusion to be a Christian and yet buy into the notion that our freedom, our hope, our security, and our peace is dependent on our government or any other nation/state.
I am sure that our President means well but he is wrong, dead wrong. And so are the Christians who believe that our freedom is dependent on any person or people besides Jesus Christ. When we Christians finally realize that we have been set free in Christ, we then, like Paul, can be free to live each and every day in complete surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and stop worrying whether some other nation, people group, etc… is going to persecute us. We can do this just like Paul did along with the rest of the Christians in the first three centuries and just like many other Christians today who live a “free” life under a tyrannical regime.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
If you periodically view this blog, I apologize for the long absense without any post. I hope to be posting soon again but right now I am super busy finishing graduate school work and at the same time I am immersed in a ministry job search. If you know of a good ministry job opening, let me know. Thanks and God bless you all!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
In Prayer I Trust God Once Again
You have heard all those clichés before… You know, how God hears our prayers and answers them… how “all things work for good for those who love the Lord…” and so on. I used to believe them without giving them any more thought than just to quote those spiffy little sayings when ever they suited my purposes and helped me towards my own favor. But that changed…
There are certain points in life where those statements seem pretty absurd, not because they are untrue but because at certain moments of life, those unpleasant moments of deep suffering, and those sayings – as biblical as they are – seem very untrue.
Whether it is the death of someone deeply loved, a divorce, a serious illness, or a deeply imbedded emotional wound that makes you wish life would just end, whatever the case may be it seems hard to believe that God hears and answers prayer and is doing so in order that your life will turn out for the good. In my case, it seemed pretty hard to trust in God after having spent nine months praying for my unborn son only to watch him die three days after his birth.
Following my own experience of suffering was a period of 1-1½ years where I could no longer trust God, even though I had nowhere else to turn but to God. Yet I could not pray. What would I pray about? It seemed that God did not near my prayers for my son. And if he heard my prayers then he must not have answered those prayers. And if he answered those prayers (which led to my son’s death), then what good was prayer anyways if it brought me this much pain.
Do you understand the dilemma? Almost three years later I heard a person speaking on the subject of spiritual transformation. This person himself had suffered the death of a wife and a son during his lifetime. During the question and answer session, I asked him how we learn to pray again. His answer was Romans 8.26-27…
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (TNIV)
Scripture reminds us that God is working for us through the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us in prayer. Therefore God knows what we need even if we do not know how to ask for it.
This was a turning point. Because I came to realize that I needed to trust that God had only my good in mind, even if I was unable to see how God was working for my good in the temporal moment. This is why Paul continued in his letter to the Romans saying…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8.28, TNIV).
At that moment I learned that if I was ever to recover from the horror of loosing my son, I would need to trust in God even when I could not see or understand why. This is faith and it is truly a liberating moment of joy with God.
Eventually I began praying again. My prayer started out something like this: “Father God, I need you in my life but I do not know what to say or ask you for. I don’t know what to even pray for. However, I know that by your Spirit you are listening and that you know what my life needs so in your grace and mercy will answer my prayer? I trust you in your Son, Jesus. Amen!
I do not have all the answers to why bad things happen. I do not fully understand how God is involved in our life. This I do know… The Father sent his Son, Jesus into this world to redeem us through the cross and resurrection and has left us with the indwelling Holy Spirit as a promise of our eternal life until the Son comes again. Because I believe this, I must believe God is always working for my good – even when I am unable to see that work in the temporal moment. And so in prayer I trust God once again.
There are certain points in life where those statements seem pretty absurd, not because they are untrue but because at certain moments of life, those unpleasant moments of deep suffering, and those sayings – as biblical as they are – seem very untrue.
Whether it is the death of someone deeply loved, a divorce, a serious illness, or a deeply imbedded emotional wound that makes you wish life would just end, whatever the case may be it seems hard to believe that God hears and answers prayer and is doing so in order that your life will turn out for the good. In my case, it seemed pretty hard to trust in God after having spent nine months praying for my unborn son only to watch him die three days after his birth.
Following my own experience of suffering was a period of 1-1½ years where I could no longer trust God, even though I had nowhere else to turn but to God. Yet I could not pray. What would I pray about? It seemed that God did not near my prayers for my son. And if he heard my prayers then he must not have answered those prayers. And if he answered those prayers (which led to my son’s death), then what good was prayer anyways if it brought me this much pain.
Do you understand the dilemma? Almost three years later I heard a person speaking on the subject of spiritual transformation. This person himself had suffered the death of a wife and a son during his lifetime. During the question and answer session, I asked him how we learn to pray again. His answer was Romans 8.26-27…
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (TNIV)
Scripture reminds us that God is working for us through the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us in prayer. Therefore God knows what we need even if we do not know how to ask for it.
This was a turning point. Because I came to realize that I needed to trust that God had only my good in mind, even if I was unable to see how God was working for my good in the temporal moment. This is why Paul continued in his letter to the Romans saying…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8.28, TNIV).
At that moment I learned that if I was ever to recover from the horror of loosing my son, I would need to trust in God even when I could not see or understand why. This is faith and it is truly a liberating moment of joy with God.
Eventually I began praying again. My prayer started out something like this: “Father God, I need you in my life but I do not know what to say or ask you for. I don’t know what to even pray for. However, I know that by your Spirit you are listening and that you know what my life needs so in your grace and mercy will answer my prayer? I trust you in your Son, Jesus. Amen!
I do not have all the answers to why bad things happen. I do not fully understand how God is involved in our life. This I do know… The Father sent his Son, Jesus into this world to redeem us through the cross and resurrection and has left us with the indwelling Holy Spirit as a promise of our eternal life until the Son comes again. Because I believe this, I must believe God is always working for my good – even when I am unable to see that work in the temporal moment. And so in prayer I trust God once again.
Monday, October 03, 2005
When God Sends Them Our Way
While attending seminary on a full-time basis, I also serve as a part-time associate minister in a small congregation which is an overwhelmingly congregation of elderly people. This church is your typical traditional Church of Christ. There is no big exciting ministries taking place and certainly there is no dazzling youth ministry going on (we don’t have any teenagers in attendance).
Well three weeks ago two teenage boys, one of whom lives two blocks from the church building, decided to walk over to our building and visit us for worship. Because I was leading songs that morning, I was not able to speak with them until after services were over. After talking with them, I honestly thought that they would never show up again. But wouldn’t you know it, this past Sunday morning they both showed up again for Sunday School, worship (the beginning of our Gospel Meeting), and then stayed for the potluck afterwards..
I and another associate minister who attends seminary with me were able to spend the class time with them, getting to know these boys a little better. They wanted to study the Bible. Now let me tell you, everything you have heard about a postmodern world view was true with them (as far as I could tell). When asked what they thought about God… they replied that he is like a superhero in the sky.
Now since I happen to be very interested in the subject of Christian ministry in a postmodern setting, I was not intimidated one bit by the fact that their world view and understanding of life carries a complete different set of assumptions then I was raised with. Of course, I realize that postmoderns learn much easier through experience than rational thought (which is neither good nor bad).
So I thought that it would be very nice to have a dynamic youth group (community) to which I could invite these two teenager into and let them see the transforming power of God at work among a community of “God-people, so that they could eventually see that all of this “Bible / Church” stuff has some merit to it – hoping that this would lead them to an embracing of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But I don’t have this. All that I had was a library, the other associate minister, some Bibles, and some knowledge (feeble knowledge) to offer them. We started with Genesis and I tried to help them see the point of the creation narrative and why it meant something to the Israelites coming out of Egyptian captivity. And this rational discourse was intended to teach them that God created them to be his special people as well.
So I did not have the “ideal” environment for spiritual transformation among a couple of teenage postmodern minds. God still sent them our way and placed them before me so that they could begin to here and see the good news of God. No, I did not have the picture perfect situation to work with but I have learned something again. Discovering God is not dependent on whether I can engineer the perfect environment for spiritual transformation. Yes, if I had my choice it would be a different environment. But I did not have that luxury. Still, God sent them our way. I then can only do two things: 1) Plant the seed of Jesus Christ, and 2) trust God to water and increase that planted seed. I am still grateful for the opportunity to spend at least one morning with these two boys showing them where true life is found.
Who is God sending your way?
Well three weeks ago two teenage boys, one of whom lives two blocks from the church building, decided to walk over to our building and visit us for worship. Because I was leading songs that morning, I was not able to speak with them until after services were over. After talking with them, I honestly thought that they would never show up again. But wouldn’t you know it, this past Sunday morning they both showed up again for Sunday School, worship (the beginning of our Gospel Meeting), and then stayed for the potluck afterwards..
I and another associate minister who attends seminary with me were able to spend the class time with them, getting to know these boys a little better. They wanted to study the Bible. Now let me tell you, everything you have heard about a postmodern world view was true with them (as far as I could tell). When asked what they thought about God… they replied that he is like a superhero in the sky.
Now since I happen to be very interested in the subject of Christian ministry in a postmodern setting, I was not intimidated one bit by the fact that their world view and understanding of life carries a complete different set of assumptions then I was raised with. Of course, I realize that postmoderns learn much easier through experience than rational thought (which is neither good nor bad).
So I thought that it would be very nice to have a dynamic youth group (community) to which I could invite these two teenager into and let them see the transforming power of God at work among a community of “God-people, so that they could eventually see that all of this “Bible / Church” stuff has some merit to it – hoping that this would lead them to an embracing of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But I don’t have this. All that I had was a library, the other associate minister, some Bibles, and some knowledge (feeble knowledge) to offer them. We started with Genesis and I tried to help them see the point of the creation narrative and why it meant something to the Israelites coming out of Egyptian captivity. And this rational discourse was intended to teach them that God created them to be his special people as well.
So I did not have the “ideal” environment for spiritual transformation among a couple of teenage postmodern minds. God still sent them our way and placed them before me so that they could begin to here and see the good news of God. No, I did not have the picture perfect situation to work with but I have learned something again. Discovering God is not dependent on whether I can engineer the perfect environment for spiritual transformation. Yes, if I had my choice it would be a different environment. But I did not have that luxury. Still, God sent them our way. I then can only do two things: 1) Plant the seed of Jesus Christ, and 2) trust God to water and increase that planted seed. I am still grateful for the opportunity to spend at least one morning with these two boys showing them where true life is found.
Who is God sending your way?
Friday, September 30, 2005
William Bennett and Others who don't Get it
Recently on his radio talk show, William Bennett made this comment in a discussion about the crime rate:
"I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down."
Because he called the idea of aborting every black baby “morally reprehensible,” he does not understand why his statement is still offensive to some people.
He does not get it!
Mr. Bennett, what you have done is singled out one particular race and essentially said that this race is solely responsible for crime, or at least the majority of crime, in our country. Further more, you seem to have forgotten the many African American citizens of this country who are not involved in criminal activity but rather are morally good standing people who contribute a worth of value to the betterment of community, both on the local and national level.
As we all know, crime seems to breed where poverty exists. And ANYONE who has ever spent time with any person, regardless of race, who lives in poverty, knows that some of the circumstances which contribute to their lifestyle of poverty were never in their control. Circumstances like where the community they were born into, the family they were born into (healthy vs. dysfunctional), the educational opportunities that were available to them (and anyone who is connected to the Memphis City Schools know that not every educational system is equally as good as another), and might we say that because racism is still a factor in the United States that being born a different race than white into a different environment than middle to upper class is a factor as well.
So Mr. Bennett, and to all the others who share your ridiculous opinion. Listen up: I spent two years, which is not much, working in a jail ministry. Most of the prisoners I spoke with were in jail for some reason that was related to drug addictions. Now I certainly believe that each one of those prisoners had committed a certain act(s) that justified their presence in the county jail. But how interesting it is to know how quickly society responds, and how much money the tax payers will pay in support of, when these adult men and women commit an illegal act and one that infringes on the rights of other. But where was society when these adult prisoners were children having no choice but to grow up in environments where abuse, neglect, negative influences (often drugs and alcohol), etc… were a normal way of life for them, teaching them such dysfunctional lifestyles?
So, if you want to curb the crime rate… Try investing yourself in the life of the children who are forced to grow up in these environments.
People often ask my wife why she continues to teach in an inner city school. She does so because she knows that often, though not always the case, she is possibly the one positive role model who will have an opportunity for influence on these children. She does so because she knows as a Christian, that God has blessed her so that she can bless the least of these.
"I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down."
Because he called the idea of aborting every black baby “morally reprehensible,” he does not understand why his statement is still offensive to some people.
He does not get it!
Mr. Bennett, what you have done is singled out one particular race and essentially said that this race is solely responsible for crime, or at least the majority of crime, in our country. Further more, you seem to have forgotten the many African American citizens of this country who are not involved in criminal activity but rather are morally good standing people who contribute a worth of value to the betterment of community, both on the local and national level.
As we all know, crime seems to breed where poverty exists. And ANYONE who has ever spent time with any person, regardless of race, who lives in poverty, knows that some of the circumstances which contribute to their lifestyle of poverty were never in their control. Circumstances like where the community they were born into, the family they were born into (healthy vs. dysfunctional), the educational opportunities that were available to them (and anyone who is connected to the Memphis City Schools know that not every educational system is equally as good as another), and might we say that because racism is still a factor in the United States that being born a different race than white into a different environment than middle to upper class is a factor as well.
So Mr. Bennett, and to all the others who share your ridiculous opinion. Listen up: I spent two years, which is not much, working in a jail ministry. Most of the prisoners I spoke with were in jail for some reason that was related to drug addictions. Now I certainly believe that each one of those prisoners had committed a certain act(s) that justified their presence in the county jail. But how interesting it is to know how quickly society responds, and how much money the tax payers will pay in support of, when these adult men and women commit an illegal act and one that infringes on the rights of other. But where was society when these adult prisoners were children having no choice but to grow up in environments where abuse, neglect, negative influences (often drugs and alcohol), etc… were a normal way of life for them, teaching them such dysfunctional lifestyles?
So, if you want to curb the crime rate… Try investing yourself in the life of the children who are forced to grow up in these environments.
People often ask my wife why she continues to teach in an inner city school. She does so because she knows that often, though not always the case, she is possibly the one positive role model who will have an opportunity for influence on these children. She does so because she knows as a Christian, that God has blessed her so that she can bless the least of these.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Grieving with the Suffering
The other day I was in to pick up some family portrait pictures. The sales person was showing me the pictures we had made to make sure I thought they turned out fine (they did). She noticed in the picture that we had one child (our 8-month old daughter). But for some reason she asked me if that was the only child we had. Well it isn't and even though there is no easy way to tell someone that you have a son who died, I am not about to pretend that I don't have another child when I am asked about it. So I responded to her and simply said, "We have a son also." I did not really want to elaborate too much but she went on to ask how old he is. Well there is no way to answer that one without simply telling the truth. So I told her that our Son passed away when he was three days old.
As you can imagine, she was taken back a bit and you could tell she really did not know how to respond. BUT she responded any ways. She said, "I am sorry! Three days old? He mines well have not even been born."
Now I was taken back. My son, better off not even being born? NO WAY! I told her that I was glad to have the three days with Kenny that we did have and that I would never wish them away.
Thankfully, it has been over three years now since my wife and I lost our son Kenny. Because I am able to handle hearing the ridiculous comments, which I am sure are made with the intension of being comforting rather than malicious.
But this illustrates a point that I cannot emphasize enough. Our world is full of people who experience forms of suffering that go beyond another person's ability to imagine such pain. It does not necessarily need to be the death of a child. Suffering can exist in the form of divorce, death of any close friend or relative (especially spouses, children, and parents & siblings), being the victim of a violent crime and abuse, depression and other emotional disorders, being stricken with a horrible illness or injury, etc...
When we witness others suffering, we are often left without knowing what to say or what to do. That's OK! I have lost a father, a son, and now a younger brother. I still do not know what to say to people who have experienced the death of someone they love. When my son died, many people would say the famous nine words "I am sorry, I don't know what to say." That is enough, by being there and saying those nine words said more than they could ever say with any other words. Furthermore, being there and only being able to say those nine words does not do any more harm.
What those who are beginning to suffer do not need to hear, is little statements like the one mentioned at the beginning of this post that are intended to comfort but really pour salt on an open wound. What sufferers need - and Christians and Churches take notice of this - is people who will be there for them, allow the sufferer to grieve in their own way (so long as it is not harmful to them or someone else), allow the sufferer to grieve openly when they want to, someone who will do the mundane things that they cannot think about at the moment, and someone who will just listen to them. If you will listen then eventually God will provide you with something to say or do that is helpful and if you listen and do not judge or criticize your suffering friend, then they will give you the opportunity to help them.
One of the greatest gifts my friends at the Wednesday Night Bible Study house group ever gave me, was a place where my wife and I could grieve freely without judgment and a place where there was friends who would just sit back and listen.
As you can imagine, she was taken back a bit and you could tell she really did not know how to respond. BUT she responded any ways. She said, "I am sorry! Three days old? He mines well have not even been born."
Now I was taken back. My son, better off not even being born? NO WAY! I told her that I was glad to have the three days with Kenny that we did have and that I would never wish them away.
Thankfully, it has been over three years now since my wife and I lost our son Kenny. Because I am able to handle hearing the ridiculous comments, which I am sure are made with the intension of being comforting rather than malicious.
But this illustrates a point that I cannot emphasize enough. Our world is full of people who experience forms of suffering that go beyond another person's ability to imagine such pain. It does not necessarily need to be the death of a child. Suffering can exist in the form of divorce, death of any close friend or relative (especially spouses, children, and parents & siblings), being the victim of a violent crime and abuse, depression and other emotional disorders, being stricken with a horrible illness or injury, etc...
When we witness others suffering, we are often left without knowing what to say or what to do. That's OK! I have lost a father, a son, and now a younger brother. I still do not know what to say to people who have experienced the death of someone they love. When my son died, many people would say the famous nine words "I am sorry, I don't know what to say." That is enough, by being there and saying those nine words said more than they could ever say with any other words. Furthermore, being there and only being able to say those nine words does not do any more harm.
What those who are beginning to suffer do not need to hear, is little statements like the one mentioned at the beginning of this post that are intended to comfort but really pour salt on an open wound. What sufferers need - and Christians and Churches take notice of this - is people who will be there for them, allow the sufferer to grieve in their own way (so long as it is not harmful to them or someone else), allow the sufferer to grieve openly when they want to, someone who will do the mundane things that they cannot think about at the moment, and someone who will just listen to them. If you will listen then eventually God will provide you with something to say or do that is helpful and if you listen and do not judge or criticize your suffering friend, then they will give you the opportunity to help them.
One of the greatest gifts my friends at the Wednesday Night Bible Study house group ever gave me, was a place where my wife and I could grieve freely without judgment and a place where there was friends who would just sit back and listen.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
I Struggle (Pt. 2)
Earlier tonight, just after my church’s Wednesday Evening Bible Study dismissed, a man entered are building. He had a fairly neat appearance but still somewhat disheveled, enough that I figured he was seeking some sort of benevolence help. My congregation is located along one of the busier streets in Memphis in a lower economic section of the city. I introduced myself and asked his name (I always try to speak to people like they are important and are a friend), and he said his name was Richard (if that was the truth). He said that his family was stuck in Jackson, MS and he needed enough gas to get him to Jackson and back (which is a three hour round trip). The church agreed that I would take the church credit card to the gas station and fill this man’s gas tank up for him.
While getting the credit card from the church office along with my friend, colleague, and mission partner, there was a commotion taking place. It turned out that this man, who called himself Richard, had stolen a purse from my friend’s wife in front of her children. Nobody was physically harmed, the man got away, and my friend’s wife was able to recover her purse and all of her belongings.
After the police came and finished filling out their investigative report, my family gathered with my friend’s family and another family and I led a prayer thanking God that there was no physical harm done to anyone, as such a scenario could have turned out much worse. We also prayed for Richard that he would be released from what ever evil presence captivated him so much that he was willing to commit a crime and endanger the lives of others for his own sake.
Sounds good, huh? But I was really dishonest. We are taught to pray for our enemies, to love our enemies, etc… That is what I wanted to do but in all honesty, when I was praying, I was hoping that Richard would be caught and would receive the full weight of the law. I was really wishing that I could have caught him so that I might be able to give him a little “old-school” justice. I was… You get the point!
And now as I have had some time to reflect, I wonder. I wonder why I did not see this coming. After all, he was a stranger. But I have been taught to welcome the stranger (i.e. Matt. 25.31-46). Well maybe I should not have been so trusting of this man. But I try not to judge people based on the present status but rather based on what they could be in Christ (i.e. 2 Cor. 5.16 – heck, that’s even part of my ministry philosophy). And while I struggle, I must not forget the very important thing – my actions, good or bad, affect more people than just myself.
So why am I ranting about this. Well, at my church I just finished preaching a series of sermons on how we should treat the poor, weak, disconnected, and needy individuals in our society, trying to encourage greater faith in ministering to those people who sometimes scare us middle-class white folks. The problem is that most of these people in our neighborhood also have personal demons and addictions that make them a possible danger to be around.
So I continue to struggle. I struggle to treat these people with grace, dignity, love, and genuine compassion despite what ever reasons I suspect may have played a role in forming their present lifestyle. I struggle because the life of Jesus tells me and calls me to welcome these people without reservation, but my experience (especially when it’s your friend’s wife who is the victim) tells me to be cautious and never trust.
And so I continue to struggle…
While getting the credit card from the church office along with my friend, colleague, and mission partner, there was a commotion taking place. It turned out that this man, who called himself Richard, had stolen a purse from my friend’s wife in front of her children. Nobody was physically harmed, the man got away, and my friend’s wife was able to recover her purse and all of her belongings.
After the police came and finished filling out their investigative report, my family gathered with my friend’s family and another family and I led a prayer thanking God that there was no physical harm done to anyone, as such a scenario could have turned out much worse. We also prayed for Richard that he would be released from what ever evil presence captivated him so much that he was willing to commit a crime and endanger the lives of others for his own sake.
Sounds good, huh? But I was really dishonest. We are taught to pray for our enemies, to love our enemies, etc… That is what I wanted to do but in all honesty, when I was praying, I was hoping that Richard would be caught and would receive the full weight of the law. I was really wishing that I could have caught him so that I might be able to give him a little “old-school” justice. I was… You get the point!
And now as I have had some time to reflect, I wonder. I wonder why I did not see this coming. After all, he was a stranger. But I have been taught to welcome the stranger (i.e. Matt. 25.31-46). Well maybe I should not have been so trusting of this man. But I try not to judge people based on the present status but rather based on what they could be in Christ (i.e. 2 Cor. 5.16 – heck, that’s even part of my ministry philosophy). And while I struggle, I must not forget the very important thing – my actions, good or bad, affect more people than just myself.
So why am I ranting about this. Well, at my church I just finished preaching a series of sermons on how we should treat the poor, weak, disconnected, and needy individuals in our society, trying to encourage greater faith in ministering to those people who sometimes scare us middle-class white folks. The problem is that most of these people in our neighborhood also have personal demons and addictions that make them a possible danger to be around.
So I continue to struggle. I struggle to treat these people with grace, dignity, love, and genuine compassion despite what ever reasons I suspect may have played a role in forming their present lifestyle. I struggle because the life of Jesus tells me and calls me to welcome these people without reservation, but my experience (especially when it’s your friend’s wife who is the victim) tells me to be cautious and never trust.
And so I continue to struggle…
Friday, September 09, 2005
Katrina: Playing the blam game
I originally posted this breif thought as a response to another blog, see http://www.kendallball.net/archives/20050909/pointing-fingers/ I do not know what it is like to loose everything in a natural disaster, be displaced without a home, be separated from loved ones, and even be facing the reality that some of my loved ones have perished as a result of this tragedy… but I do know what it is like to suffer tragedy. I have buried a son and a younger brother within the last three years. At both furnerals, I heard people who wanted to speculate on the resonsibility for such tragedy (in my case the discussion was either God, incompetent Doctors, and people). I wish they all would SHUT UP! They are not helpful in the least way possible and they do not help me one bit in the process of living life “one step at a time” after such a tragedy.
My point: would those, from the right and left, who just want to speculate on whose to blame just keep your thoughts to your self because you are not helping anyone who is suffering. What has happened cannot be undone, and no matter how much blame can be placed upon one person or group, it will not change the past events one bit—nor will it help the survivors of Katrina go one living in the furture. After the rebuilding of their lives has become more of a tangible reality, then there will be an opportunity to discuss what went wrong and what needs to be improved for the future.
My point: would those, from the right and left, who just want to speculate on whose to blame just keep your thoughts to your self because you are not helping anyone who is suffering. What has happened cannot be undone, and no matter how much blame can be placed upon one person or group, it will not change the past events one bit—nor will it help the survivors of Katrina go one living in the furture. After the rebuilding of their lives has become more of a tangible reality, then there will be an opportunity to discuss what went wrong and what needs to be improved for the future.
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