The world has come to an end…no I did not see the latest doomsday movie and think it was real. Nor is this writing about the end of human history but the end of the world as we know it. But, the world as we know it is dying each day. It changes and moves forward as we cling to the ideas and thoughts of the past, if our memory is accurate, and struggle with an uncertain future, for many. The times are indeed constantly changing. The world we knew has come to an end. Depending on your age many things you once treasured are gone for good. I am of the age when I can remember people saying, “I will walk before I pay $1 for a gallon of gas!” Of course, not many are walking today.
As each old year passes and each New Year approaches there is a place for nostalgia as well as dreams for the future but there is a better place for realism. The forecasters and trend predictors are rarely right about the future and the good old days were not always so good. We enjoy thinking of a simpler time when we remember being more religious but there was just as sin, evil and injustice. We just did not have as much access to instant information.
The struggle of good and evil has existed since Eden. It inhabits each heart. Church is not necessarily the answer. That is why attendance has been steadily declining for the past 25 years. Still we are very active as a churched society. About 100 million Americans attend sporting events each year, however although church attendance is declining over 130 million children/adults still come in contact with church each month! Don’t get too excited. Coming in contact does not mean they are spiritually changed. In fact the inverse seems to be true. We are overchurched and ineffective. People are no longer looking to the church for spiritual guidance. There is much confusion from movies, TV, recycled philosophies and cults as people seek God but are not necessarily doing so in the right place.
We will always seek God because we are made in his image. Jesus is a part of all things (John 1:4) so he makes sense of all things. But many outside the church have a negative image of the church and many in church have negative image with much of the unchurched world. Evidence of both are shown by a t-shirt “Jesus save me from some of your followers” and quote from a famous author, Mark Twain; “After spending time with good people of the church, I understand why Jesus spent time with tax collectors & sinners”
George Barna, who studies these things more than anyone says, less than 10-15% of our churches are rated Highly Effective. The Bible is unknown (1/2 who call themselves ‘born again’ read the Bible during week). 12% think Joan of Arc was married to Noah. 80% claim to be Christian but 4 of 10 are unable to name the four Gospels. I wonder if some thing Amos next to the book of Andy. Comedian Jay Leno’s Man on the Street interviews asked two college students to; "Name one of the 10 commandments"; they said, “Freedom of Speech?” They were next asked to complete, “Let he who is without sin…” to which they replied, “Have a good time?” The third question was, “Who was swallowed by a great fish in the Bible?” Pinocchio got the third big laugh of the routine but it was really a sad commentary as we continue the same pathway to confusion and separation from each other and God. The new progressive sounding truths are only old reworded confusion from the past. A famous female celebrity who many looked to for spiritual truth said, to a stadium giving rousing applause, “find your own truth.” That profundity was reminiscent, for those who read the Bible of one of the most wicked times in Old Testament history (Judges 21:25) when “every man did what was right in his own eyes”. We think we are changing and progressing but the secret is still found in connecting with God through his word.
Yet we all struggle with adjustments to change. The clinical definition of death is, “A body that does not change”. However, we are better at this change thing than we realize. You are in constant change right now. Your skin replaces itself every month (Cheek cells replace themselves 3 times a day). You have a; new stomach lining every 5 days, new Liver every 6 weeks, new skeleton every 6 weeks and 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced each year. So as you sit there with 5 pounds of dead skin flaking and flushing off right now don’t tell me you have trouble with change. It is time to make some real eternal changes. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be different, transformed, not like the rest of the world and renew our minds.
So, what am I taking so long to say? The best place to connect with God is still in his word, the Bible. Find a copy of the scriptures that is easy to read and understand and let him speak to you in a fresh new way. Then, if you are not already there, find a group of believers that will help you correctly understand the scriptures (there is much confusion), grow, keep you accountable as you walk in the Spirit and continue to change into the image of Christ…that is the change that is eternal. Time is fleeting and too precious to waste. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us God is in the change business. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Image is Everything (or is it?)
A highly successful marketing campaign combined the media darling of tennis, Andre Agassi, and Canon cameras a few years ago. Commercials would show the then popular handsome athlete energetic action poses stroking his long flowing hair and concluding with a close-up as Andre said, “Image is Everything!” As it turned out most everything was image. The long flowing hair was a wig and much of the energy was assisted by crystal meth. However, the public continues to buy into the ‘image’ of celebrities whether they are politicians, sports or movie stars. Some even enjoy idolizing their favorite pastor. Time after time we see these images collapse in some moral failure as one celebrity after another will disappoint us with failure. Tiger Woods is the latest example in a long line that will continue.
We seem to be a people of short memories as we soon turn our eyes to the next celebrity figure hoping this will be the one we can honor as a role model and place upon a pedestal. We forget that behind what is presented as intelligence, talent, charisma or attractive appearance (much of which is often a carefully crafted marketing image) beats a heart like ours susceptible to the same sins and temptations. More often than not, as they are awarded the privilege of celebrity status an attitude known as ‘hubris’ develops. This ancient Greek term indicates overweening pride, haughtiness, or arrogance, outrageous acts or exhibitions of pride or disregard for basic moral laws often resulting in fatal retribution. Hubris leads people to think they are above normal laws of the land, nature or morality that apply to everyone else. Eventually that pride leads to a fall as well stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Our fascination and desire to honor people and give them celebrity status is illustrated as a liability early in human history in I Samuel chapter 8. God desired his people to look to him and only follow leaders he appoints who have integrity and Spiritual leadership qualities given by him. The people were warned of consequences from following earthly kings but verses 19 and 20 gives their reply; "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations”. The desire to follow others, even to give others celebrity status goes back to the desire for a king. We want to be like everyone else, and look up to others rather than God.
However, God created us to be different. We are to exalt God not fellowmen. We are to look to God for leadership before men. We are to look for guidance from his word before listening to words of men. There are times when God uses people to lead but we should be very careful then to only follow those people who exhibit Godly qualities, even then they should be held accountable and not be given celebrity status lest they develop pride. Scripture gives many such warnings such as I Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Back to the Canon commercial, time has shown us Andre is bald, used drugs and Canon cameras have been topped by iPhone. “Image is not Everything”. Image us usually just that, image. Faith in God and integrity may not be as flashy but they are real, not image. They will last long beyond a carefully crafted celebrity image and never disappoint.
We seem to be a people of short memories as we soon turn our eyes to the next celebrity figure hoping this will be the one we can honor as a role model and place upon a pedestal. We forget that behind what is presented as intelligence, talent, charisma or attractive appearance (much of which is often a carefully crafted marketing image) beats a heart like ours susceptible to the same sins and temptations. More often than not, as they are awarded the privilege of celebrity status an attitude known as ‘hubris’ develops. This ancient Greek term indicates overweening pride, haughtiness, or arrogance, outrageous acts or exhibitions of pride or disregard for basic moral laws often resulting in fatal retribution. Hubris leads people to think they are above normal laws of the land, nature or morality that apply to everyone else. Eventually that pride leads to a fall as well stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Our fascination and desire to honor people and give them celebrity status is illustrated as a liability early in human history in I Samuel chapter 8. God desired his people to look to him and only follow leaders he appoints who have integrity and Spiritual leadership qualities given by him. The people were warned of consequences from following earthly kings but verses 19 and 20 gives their reply; "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations”. The desire to follow others, even to give others celebrity status goes back to the desire for a king. We want to be like everyone else, and look up to others rather than God.
However, God created us to be different. We are to exalt God not fellowmen. We are to look to God for leadership before men. We are to look for guidance from his word before listening to words of men. There are times when God uses people to lead but we should be very careful then to only follow those people who exhibit Godly qualities, even then they should be held accountable and not be given celebrity status lest they develop pride. Scripture gives many such warnings such as I Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Back to the Canon commercial, time has shown us Andre is bald, used drugs and Canon cameras have been topped by iPhone. “Image is not Everything”. Image us usually just that, image. Faith in God and integrity may not be as flashy but they are real, not image. They will last long beyond a carefully crafted celebrity image and never disappoint.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Immature Church Members
There is not much that extinguishes a movement of the Holy Spirit, turns people away from church and Jesus more than immature church members. I am not speaking of new members that are in the early stages of their Christian pilgrimage into discipleship. They are usually eager to grow. I am referring to those who have been around for a while and are still like the little boy who was tucked into his bed by his father. As the father quietly reached the door leaving his son’s room he heard a thud and turned to see his son had rolled out of bed onto the floor. The boy looked up and said, “I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.” To grow in Christ one must move deeper into discipleship and become more mature as a member of the body of Christ.
Far too many church members stay too close to where they came in. It is these that Paul addresses in I Corinthians 3:1-3 saying, he “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Once we make a decision to follow Christ and unite with his church we have made a commitment to deny self, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The command to deny self and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus is a call to put self, ego, feelings, desires and anything that is personal to death. It is a call to put self completely and sacrificially aside to follow Jesus.
When church members remain immature they make themselves the issue and are often a continual source of conflict, disruption, distraction and hurt feelings needing to be pampered or enticed to attend or serve as if they were doing the Lord a favor by their presence or offering their service. Jesus, himself gave us the ultimate lesson on service in John 13. Verse three tells us when Jesus knew the Father had given him all authority he did not worry about his desire, plans, ego and feelings. He showed his disciples, then and now, the example of mature leadership and sacrificial action by ultimate humility in lowly servanthood performing one of the lowest and most menial tasks allowed in that culture, washing the feet of his disciples. His disciples were first stunned then amazed but he said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We are to learn and grow from his teaching to put ourselves (ego, agenda and feelings) aside for sacrificial service.
When we uncontrollably give ourselves completely to Jesus putting self totally aside we no longer are worried about our plans, agenda, feelings or ideas there is immense freedom, release and joy that religion absolutely cannot produce. We simply seek to follow Jesus by faith in total obedience through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he calls us to do, the Spirit equips and enables us to do and we move forward by faith as enjoy the ride while God works through us in miraculous unity. This is the body of Christ at its best. When believers do this there is harmony. If we are all following the same Christ there is no division, disunity or disruption in the unity in the body of Christ. We all remain different and unique but blend the different blessings and gifts the Father has given as we place ego aside and work together sacrificially for his glory.
When others see this they are amazed and realize they see something that can not be explained in human terms and they are drawn into the Kingdom. This is the answer to the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane (John 17:20-26). Our mature submission and harmonious service to him answers his prayer. Our Spiritual maturity, our self-less submission and harmony is the answer to his prayer. We expect Jesus to answer our prayers but he leaves it up to us to be the answer to his. He is waiting for his prayer to be answered through us. Why not today?
Far too many church members stay too close to where they came in. It is these that Paul addresses in I Corinthians 3:1-3 saying, he “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Once we make a decision to follow Christ and unite with his church we have made a commitment to deny self, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The command to deny self and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus is a call to put self, ego, feelings, desires and anything that is personal to death. It is a call to put self completely and sacrificially aside to follow Jesus.
When church members remain immature they make themselves the issue and are often a continual source of conflict, disruption, distraction and hurt feelings needing to be pampered or enticed to attend or serve as if they were doing the Lord a favor by their presence or offering their service. Jesus, himself gave us the ultimate lesson on service in John 13. Verse three tells us when Jesus knew the Father had given him all authority he did not worry about his desire, plans, ego and feelings. He showed his disciples, then and now, the example of mature leadership and sacrificial action by ultimate humility in lowly servanthood performing one of the lowest and most menial tasks allowed in that culture, washing the feet of his disciples. His disciples were first stunned then amazed but he said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We are to learn and grow from his teaching to put ourselves (ego, agenda and feelings) aside for sacrificial service.
When we uncontrollably give ourselves completely to Jesus putting self totally aside we no longer are worried about our plans, agenda, feelings or ideas there is immense freedom, release and joy that religion absolutely cannot produce. We simply seek to follow Jesus by faith in total obedience through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he calls us to do, the Spirit equips and enables us to do and we move forward by faith as enjoy the ride while God works through us in miraculous unity. This is the body of Christ at its best. When believers do this there is harmony. If we are all following the same Christ there is no division, disunity or disruption in the unity in the body of Christ. We all remain different and unique but blend the different blessings and gifts the Father has given as we place ego aside and work together sacrificially for his glory.
When others see this they are amazed and realize they see something that can not be explained in human terms and they are drawn into the Kingdom. This is the answer to the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane (John 17:20-26). Our mature submission and harmonious service to him answers his prayer. Our Spiritual maturity, our self-less submission and harmony is the answer to his prayer. We expect Jesus to answer our prayers but he leaves it up to us to be the answer to his. He is waiting for his prayer to be answered through us. Why not today?
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