Changes planned for the New Year?

As the year comes to a conclusion, I think it would be good to remind ourselves of the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” As we reflect on the past year, we can certainly all agree that God has moved us forward by his grace. 

"Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to become all that He intends in this New Year."

Count your blessings

In 1897, Johnson Oatman Jr. published his song entitled “Count your blessings”. The first verse of that song begins:

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

The challenge of Oatman’s song is the challenge of the Word of God. The song was based on the admonishment of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

What is a good church service?

During my time as a professor of communication studies at Louisiana College I taught a class entitled  “Defending Christianity in the media and marketplace.” The idea behind the class was to challenge students to explore and understand the culture so that they could be better equipped to defend Christianity in a culturally effective way. As their final assignment, I challenged my students to interview local Pastors and Christian leaders as well as those that followed them and reveal the results in paper accompanied by a presentation delivered to the class.

What is worship? 

Why religion may be the single greatest obstacle to God

It is widely reported that G.K. Chesterton once replied to an inquiry of The Times of London, as to what is wrong with the world, with the simple response “I am”. Chesterton understood that contrary to popular opinion, the ills of the world find their origin, not in the culture, or in the government, or even in the mores of the day, but in the darkness of the human heart. So as we survey the current cultural and philosophical landscapes it is important to remember the problem is not out there, the problem is in here, the confines of my heart and yours.

As God spoke through the prophet so long ago in Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” This reality is what makes the ideas of religion so dangerous. In fact, religion may be the single greatest obstacle to a genuine relationship with God, because it is often the tenants of religion that falsely convince people that they are in a right standing with God, when they are not.

Perceptual Vigilance and why it mattes

The astronomer Galileo once challenged a group of philosophers, who denied the Copernican theory that the earth revolved around the Sun, to simply look through the telescope. They refused, and Galileo was labeled a heretic in 1632 and suffered humiliation and prison because the establishment refused to see the truth. I wonder how often we refuse to look and behold the truth of God’s Word because of how it challenges our belief systems.

For example, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ –by grace you have been saved.” This is the lens through which God sees our lives if we are in Christ. It is also the lens with which we should view our lives and what Christ is doing in and through us.

What Should Sodom Teach Us?

The Church, Same-Sex Marriage, and Homosexuality (part two)

As I continue outlining my position about homosexuality and same sex marriage, let me again state that I seek to establish my beliefs on this matter both humbly and lovingly. This matter has become increasingly divisive within the church itself, but it is not my intention to drive away or belittle anyone with these posts. Rather, I hope to encourage conversation as we work together to understand what the Bible teaches about this lifestyle. I encourage you to pray through these Scriptures with an open heart.

What is it with bearded fellows and controversy?

What is it with bearded fellows and controversy? The recent brouhaha concerning the suspension of Phil Robertson from A&E’s popular Duck Dynasty program over his remarks made to GQ magazine are symptomatic of the depths of our depravity as individuals and society. Consider that Robertson is typical of most 67-year-old southern white men, recounting his formative experiences growing up, and his struggles with his own proclivity to sin.

Why the influence of Jesus is still undeniable

It is amazing for me to think that some two-thousand years ago, Jesus so radically changed the world that He is still present in our lives, in fact it is difficult to imagine what the world would look like without His influence. While many decry the fact that Jesus continues to be pushed from the public arena of ideas, I, for one, will suggest that Christ is still influencing the global conversation. Consider that politicians and pundits still embrace many of His ideas if not His divinity, which should give us to the political right of the discussion pause before we so openly point fingers at those who would not share our values. However, it is important to remember that Jesus, although significantly important in His influence of human history, did not come to influence the events of human history, many men and women have succeeded in this cause, Jesus did not come to change human history, He came to change human hearts! Before we exploit the segregation of Jesus from matters of state for the advancement of our own political agenda, we would do better to examine the expulsion of Jesus from the mundane matters of our lives. Many who desire to see Christ represented in the White House fail to have him residing in their own house. 

What should the Church understand about same-sex marriage? (Part One)

The cultural tide is turning on the subject of same-sex marriage. Many on both the right and left of this issue have debated the merits and pitfalls of this change in direction away from the traditional understanding of marriage. Certainly for people of the Christian faith, and other faiths for that matter, this is a disturbing development. For most in the Christian community this is not a matter of hating homosexuals or seeking to deny them access to benefits, but rather it is an effort to protect what the Bible declares to be the definition of marriage. And because I am someone who believes the Bible to be the Word of God, defending what it says about all matters of life and faith are important to me.  I desire truth.

What made the wise men "wise"?

The gospel narratives tell us that there were those who recognized the Jesus was the Messiah, even when he was a child. Of course the shepherds were the first to visit, informed by a heavenly chorus that Christ was born. But later, likely arriving around the second birthday of Jesus came wise men baring gifts. The gospel of Matthew records for us the account of the visit. Matthew 2:1-2 records, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” Of course King Herod was intimidated by their visit because anyone who could claim to be “King of the Jews” threatened his position. But what made the wise men “wise” was not only their ability to navigate by the stars and recognize their significance but also, and perhaps more importantly, it was their desire to worship that distinguished them from others. Herod was threatened when he heard of Christ, but the wise men desired to worship him, wise men still desire to worship him. When the wise men found the Christ child they delivered him gifts, expensive gifts, their heart of worship led them to give. A heart of worship will always lead us to give. As we move through the Christmas season I hope that our hearts will be challenged to worship Jesus and to give, in the tradition of the wise men. We give because Christ has so freely given to us. May we be like the wise men and “Rejoice” at the prospect of giving and worshiping. 

What can Hugh Jackman teach us about grace in Les Misérables?

During the holiday season, my family and I love to watch the latest film adaptation of the classic musical Les Misérables.  The work based on the novel by Victor Hugo, is a profound story of grace and redemption.  The story follows the lives of two men: Valjean, the criminal seeking redemption, and Javert, the man of the law. Through the lives and interactions of these two men, the evident themes of law/grace and justice/mercy emerge in a picture of God’s redemptive plan.

The "oneness" that brings together Driscoll, Jakes, and MacDonald: A Throwback Thursday Post

On January 25, 2012, a group of prominent pastors from across America sat down at a forum called “The Elephant Room.” Pastor James MacDonald who leads Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, Illinois hosted the event. “The Elephant Room” as envisioned by Pastor MacDonald  “…is the outgrowth of an idea. The idea that the best way forward for the followers of Jesus lies not in crouching behind walls of disagreement, but in conversation among all kinds of leaders about what the scriptures actually teach. We must insist on the biblical Gospel, right doctrine, and practice, but not isolate ourselves from relationship even with those who believe much differently.”

What is the chief occupational hazard of a preacher?

Shortly before His crucifixion, our Lord challenged Simon Peter with these words recorded in Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus, who knew the hearts of all men, including those closest to Him, understood that Simon Peter in a moment of weakness would deny that he even knew who Jesus was.

The antidote for false gospels

19^th Century Princeton theologian B.B. Warfield observed, “There is nothing in us or done by us, at any stage of our earthly development, because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake, or we cannot ever be accepted at all.” As 21^st Century Christians, it seems that this truth of the gospel can easily be lost amid the onslaught of competing philosophies. These philosophies, upon careful analysis, fall under the weight of Biblical scrutiny, demonstrating themselves to fall far short of anything that can be considered competitive on any level. The Gospel alone stands as the message with the power to change lives and transform hearts.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Paul correctly points out that the Gospel alone is the power of God to bring salvation. But yet even among professing Christians this truth is obscured by the many false gospels we embrace in efforts to enhance our spiritual and moral resumes.

The Fatal Flaw of Experiential Worship

In his book, The Experience Economy: Work is Theater and Every Business a Stage, James Gilmore writes that business may be the leading institution of our day and as such sets the trends for other institutions to follow including the Church. In an interview with www.modernreformation.org, he states, “…in multiple spheres of life and culture, we see this desire for experiences. But what we address explicitly in the book is the desire for consumers to have experiences today.”

Finding clarity in the holiday chaos

It has been said that Christmas is not just an observance it is an experience. Certainly as Christians the Advent season should be one that we feel in our soul. It is very easy to become consumed with the busyness, pressure, and materialism of what Christmas in America has become. But the first Christmas was also filled with busyness and pressure. The biographies of Christ recorded in Scripture, detail for us that the events surrounding the birth of Christ were certainly holy, but not necessarily silent.

The Wonder of Christmas is Christ

The Christmas season is upon us. The time that we, as Christians, set aside to celebrate the advent of our Savior, as the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in Luke 2:11: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The frivolity of the season that so often characterizes the celebration of this Holy day has the potential of robbing us of the wonder that should be our posture as we approach Christmas. As author Phillip Yancy observes in his book “The Jesus I never knew,”: “A human being becoming a fish is nothing compared to God becoming a baby. And yet according to the gospels that is what happened at Bethlehem. The God, who created matter, took shape within it, as an artist might become a spot on a painting or a playwright a character within his own play. God wrote a story…on the pages of real history. The Word became flesh.”

Indeed it is a wondrous story that we take for granted as we rush to purchase gifts, hang lights, decorate trees and sip cider. The idea that God became man is a difficult one for us to grasp, but this is exactly what happened. Christianity is not a fable or fairytale, nor is it mythology in the tradition of the Greeks or Romans. Christ was not some mixture of God and man; He is fully God and fully man. This is the greatest gift of Christmas. Amazingly every year, many people celebrate Christmas without celebrating the Christ. The wonder of the season is on display for us if we would take the time to rehearse it with our families.

Consider that the good news of the Messiah’s arrival was heralded to both the rich and poor. Both the Magi of the East and the shepherds in the field were participants in the first Christmas. The Magi by all accounts were very wealthy men, the shepherds very poor, but both were invited to worship Jesus.

It is also important to remember that when it came time for God to enter the world in the form of a baby, the vehicle that was chosen, was a chaste young lady, a virgin by the name of Mary. As C.S. Lewis points out, “The whole thing narrows and narrows, until at last it comes down to a little point, small as the point of a spear-a Jewish girl at her prayers” In this modern culture when morals have been impugned and discounted it is important to remember that character still counts. The greatest gifts that we can give to our families are not wrapped with colorful paper but rather they are the legacies of honesty, purity, and love.

Finally, in order for the wonder of the season to be recaptured, we must understand and help our families to understand, that the greatest gift of the season is the good news that God became man, and as that man He died in our place, and conquered death by rising again, and has extended forgiveness of sin to all of us, to all who trust in His name. This is the great gift of Christmas, a wondrous story that we would all do well to remember and communicate to our family and friends.

For many of us the story is all too familiar, and therein is the danger. As Saint Francis de Salle points out, nothing is so debilitating as the continual handling of the outside of holy things, too many of us at Christmas handle the symbols of the season, the gifts, the tinsel, the lights, but we miss the substance of the season, God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. This is the wonder of Christmas that we must not miss.

The Lord and a Long Line of Losers

The holiday season often forces people together who normally wouldn’t choose to be around each other. As you read this, I am sure numerous acquaintances and family members come to mind – as does the reality that you will be spending an extended amount of time with them during the holiday season. But before you are too discouraged, it may be helpful to think of Christ, the Lord of glory, whose birthday we celebrate this time of year, and the unlikely characters who made up his family tree.

The gospel of Matthew opens with a list of names all connected to the family tree of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Matthew begins by calling Jesus the son of David and the son of Abraham, two very prominent names in Biblical and Jewish history. But upon further examination, we see that both Abraham and David weren’t without problems. Abraham was a pagan worshiper of idols who lived in a household whose chief source of income was the manufacturing of idols. So, not only did he not worship the true and living God, he actively was involved in facilitating the idolatry of others. That is, until God called him by name in Genesis 12:1: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’” Matthew, who was writing his gospel to a primarily Jewish audience, would have employed Abraham’s name to lend credibility to the claim of Jesus as the Messiah. But it was also an indictment to those who embraced Abraham as their father as a matter of religious and national pride.

Jesus confronted this pride in John 8:39, saying, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.” What did Abraham do? He obeyed the call when God intervened in his heart leading him away from idolatry to worship the one true God. The religious leaders of Christ’s day had made an idol out of their religion, but missed the point that it was all about Jesus. John the Baptist made this point in Matthew 3:9: “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Because Jesus came as Savior and Messiah, we all have access to the benefits of being “children of Abraham.” As Paul declared in Galatians 3:29, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Then consider David. Here is a man considered to be one “after God’s own heart,” but at the same time Scripture reveals that David was guilty of both adultery and murder. But because of the grace extended to him and his subsequent repentance, David’s throne was established forever. David’s song of repentance is recorded famously in Psalm 51, where he cries out to God, “Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” God graciously heard David’s prayer and forgave him, and listed him in the ancestry of the one who would ultimately be responsible for providing true and lasting forgiveness.

And theses are just the first two names listed in Jesus’ genealogy. If you continue to read, you will discover that prostitutes, pagans, sexual deviants, liars and thieves are listed there among the family of Christ. Amazing how Christ came into a dysfunctional family to rescue us from the ultimate dysfunction of sin and death. Christ was included as a part of this family so that we could be included as part of his family. This good news is what Christmas is all about.

Avoiding disappointment during the Holiday Season

Author Eliza Tabor once said, “Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” For many the Holiday season is a time of intense disappointment, from the trivial, such as not receiving the gift you had asked for on Christmas morning, to the more serious, such as the turmoil of escalating family dysfunctions. But the reality of disappointment need not be a destructive force; it can be a tempering, strengthening force in our lives when we understand the providential hand of God directing these disappointments for our good.

Many Biblical examples come to mind when we think of those who endured suffering and disappointment, but since this is the Christmas season, it may be appropriate to re-visit the events surrounding the miraculous birth, not of our Savior, but of His cousin, John. The story of John the Baptist’s birth is one that is often overlooked in Scripture, but one that is very important to our understanding of God’s providential hand in bringing the Christ into the world. In the closing pages of the Old Testament, an obscure prophet by the name of Malachi wrote these words, “Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)

Some four centuries later, God moved on the heart of an evil, but brilliant king, Herod the Great, to erect this temple into which Messiah would come. History teaches us that Herod, the puppet king during the Roman occupation of Israel, was a megalomaniac. And he was so in love with himself that on every stone that made up the temple he branded his initials. 

 Many stones of the temple weighed as much as a jumbo jet, and the temple was visible miles away from Jerusalem. Herod wanted everyone who visited Jerusalem, a city whose population would swell to as many as one hundred thousand during Jewish feasts, to know that it was King Herod who was great. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter one, Luke contrasts the backdrop of this historical landscape with the story of an unassuming country preacher by the name of Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth. The Bible also reports that they were both advanced in years and without children, a devastating and dangerous condition in their culture.

Zachariah would have been one of about 18, 000 priests in Israel at the time, leading his local synagogue of about 30 to 40 people in a community of only 50 to a 100 people. Twice a year, the priests were permitted to go to Jerusalem to serve at the temple. The desired job at the temple was to represent the people of God by entering the temple and offering a prayer at the altar of incense in the holy place. This honor was determined by the casting of lots, the ancient way of making a selection without showing favoritism; it was their version of flipping a coin. Zachariah could have conceivably gone to Jerusalem for many years competing with 750 other priests that made up his division, one of 24, for this one spot of service. So his experience was much like mine on the playground, he was never picked, until this day recorded in Luke, chapter one.

After years of disappointment for Zachariah, it was God who directed his selection. As Proverbs 16:33 reveals, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” It was in the holy place of service that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah, announcing to him that his expectation for the arrival of Messiah and his desire for a child would be answered. The Angel added in Luke 1:15, speaking of the child that would be born to Zachariah and Elizabeth, “for he will be great before the Lord.” The Angel of the Lord revealed the reality of God’s perspective, announcing that true greatness was not in the external trappings of an earthly king who declared his greatness by burning his logo onto everything he built, but in the quiet faithfulness of an elderly couple and the bold preaching of a miracle baby who would grow up to prepare the way of the Lord.

In our disappointments it can be very easy to lose sight of the fact that God is in charge of our destiny and it is He who chooses to use our disappointments, as was exemplified in the lives of Zachariah and Elizabeth, as the means of His blessing to the world.

Christmas in July: What is the 4th of July to a slave, and what is Sunday to a sinner?

"What is the Fourth of July to a slave?"

The Fourth of July holiday is a day set aside to celebrate the independence we enjoy as Americans, but that Independence was not always enjoyed by every American. In fact on July 5th, 1852, Frederick Douglass made a powerful speech exposing the hypocrisy of asking a slave to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who became a symbol of freedom as he was paraded around the country by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society on speaking tours. Douglass was an effective spokes person because of the education and natural abilities he possessed. As one biographer observed, “As a youngster, he learned to read and write. He purchased a copy of The Columbian Orator, a popular anthology of rhetorical masterpieces that Douglass used the same way it was used in the schools…Douglass’ rich voice, handsome physique and superb command of the English language gave him the attributes which ordinarily would make a speaker very persuasive, but these same qualities made some of his early listeners doubt that he was a fugitive slave”. Douglass’ credibility was strengthened by the publishing of his book, Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. It is against this backdrop that Douglass gives his speech on July 5th 1852.

Mark Driscoll and Four consequences of not giving

In his latest book "A Call To Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Future or a Funeral", Mark Driscoll points out that there are consequences to the decline of giving among the people of God. Pastor Mark does a good job articulating these consequences that I have witnessed in my time as a pastor. I want to list these consequences here and provide some of my observations in the context of the local church that support these assertions.

1. "Consumer Christians are consuming programs rather than committing to a church" Driscoll describes this as "...people who show up in church expecting to give nothing and receive everything." This often manifest itself in people leaving the church when the demands become to great and the perceived benefit fails to meet expectations in the areas of service oriented ministries such as music, youth or children's programs. This puts a tremendous strain on new and growing churches that cannot meet the demand due to limited resources, this also creates a challenge for larger churches that can meet these expectations. Because the result is shallow, immature, people who exist only to be served, yet refuse to serve as Christ and the early church modeled. As Driscoll observes, "Many modern Christians will take the best programs from every church while committing to no church."

2. "The church promotes causes instead of Christ" Driscoll rightly observes that "Young people tend to get excited about causes more than they do churches" This attitude results in an intense pressure on church leaders to focus on trends and the latest 'cause celeb' instead of staying true to the message of the cross and the mission of Christ. This attitude also leads to shallow emotional appeals for people to give.  Resulting in no long term commitment to the church and the gospel, but lasting only as long as the guilt accompanying the manufactured moment. For the church to enjoy the impact of the last generation, this present generation must make a commitment to the local church, if not, the local church will increasingly become a place for only old people and children. If this happens the local church will eventually go the way of the dinosaur.

3. "Parachurch ministries siphon resources and undermine the health of the church" A Parachurch ministry is not a church. It is a ministry that focuses on a particular need within the church or community with varying degrees of success. Many times these particular ministries do not value or promote the importance of the local church in the spiritual health of those they are seeking to help, resulting in competition for limited resources. Often these ministries make demands of the local church, seeking to use resources or facilities to advance their mission, but refuse to assist in advancing the mission of the local church. To be clear, many of these ministries are doing a good job and deserve the support of the local church, but as Driscoll points out, "Many operate without any standard for membership or biblically qualified spiritual authority...the end result being people who are no longer actively and sacrificially participating in a local church." Jesus did not come to build ministries but the church. He clearly said that the "...gates of Hell shall not prevail against the church." So lets get excited about the right things and invest in the right mission. 

4. "The supply line for global missions and ministry is drying up." Driscoll sums up this point with these words, "Unless something changes, however, there will soon be fewer Christians, giving less generously, while the global population and need rise." God calls us to give. God calls us to become "sons and daughters" of the local church. Unless we are willing to do this, and exhibit what one writer has called "long obedience in the same direction", the church will continue to be challenged facing the seriousness of the need and commission of Christ to go into all the world with the proclamation of the gospel.

As a Christian, I am continually re-evaluating my giving. And as a pastor I want to example what I ask of others. This is my prayer. Will you join me? 

What you should understand about the book of Revelation

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”-Revelation 1:1(ESV)

It is with these words that perhaps the least understood book of the Bible begins. But like all of scripture it is divinely inspired and ordered by the Holy Spirit for our instruction. As Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”, and this would certainly apply to the Revelation of Jesus Christ, just as it does to the entirety of the cannon. When reading the book of Revelation, we must as with all of scripture, “rightly divide the word of truth.” We do this by first understanding the context of the passages involved; remember that although all of scripture is for us, it was not written to us. All of scripture, including the book of Revelation was written to specific groups of people living in a real historical context and culture. So in order to better understand the message that the Word of God has for us, it is helpful to understand to whom that Word was originally addressed. In the case of the book of Revelation, this letter was addressed by the Apostle John to “…the seven churches that are in Asia.” These churches are listed for us in Revelation 1:11 as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Again these were real cities with real Churches facing a very difficult time in history and the more we understand about what was addressed to them, the better we can understand what the Holy Spirit has for us.

Why Give?

The Apostle Paul speaking to a group of Ephesian elders in Acts 20:32 reminded them of his faithfulness to the ministry, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’” Paul had a clear understanding that the gospel is propagated through giving.

First, the Bible models it, over and over again when giving is exemplified it is rewarded. The principle of the New Testament is to give and give generously. A common characteristic of the early church is revealed in Acts 4:34-35 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” If we are to be Apostolic then we must give. The Old Testament gives us the principle of the tithe, but the New Testament, while confirming that principle, challenges us to move beyond obligation to generosity. Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” True justice, mercy and faithfulness necessitate stewardship and generosity.

Next, I give because by doing so; I participate in the ministry of the gospel. As Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 9 in his defense of gospel workers being remunerated for their service, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense, who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit, or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Paul then goes on to point out in verse 15, “But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision….What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” The Apostle clearly links giving with the propagation of the gospel. 

Finally, by giving I leave a legacy and example for my children and grandchildren. It is always important to remind ourselves that the Kingdom of God is greater than ourselves and will extend far beyond our lifetime and influence. If I want my children to know the joy of a life lived unselfishly then I must exemplify it before them.

In the words of Christ, "Give and it shall be given to you". 

The Best Teacher Ever is....

I must have been at least five or six years old at the time, riding with my Dad and my great Uncle in the cab of my Dad’s truck, this was before the days of seat belts and child protective seats, I was probably standing in the middle of the seat, it’s a wonder I survived my childhood. I can’t remember where we were going and perhaps that was what prompted me to ask the question; “Where are we going?” At first glance it seems like an innocent enough question, but what I failed to mention was that in the middle of my innocent question I added a not so innocent four-letter word. The word was “Hell” and I wasn’t using it in the Biblical sense. I was using it more in the sense of “Where the hell are we going!” like a drunken sailor looking for the “open all night house of ill repute” sense; I was mature for my age.

My Dad didn’t respond, I think my Uncle laughed, but when we got home my Dad and I had a little talk. You understand, of course, when I say, “talk” neither one of us, said a whole lot. Unless you count belt talking to buttocks, in that case there was a virtual gabfest-taking place, like a politician at a Toastmasters' convention. It was serious when my Dad and I had those kinds of talks. I can count on one hand the times we had those talks. Now Mom, and me it seemed were talking all the time. But my Dad was an excellent teacher, and on this occasion he taught me not to use that particular four letter word, unless I wanted to end up there, something, it seemed, he would see to personally.

I had a lot of good teachers in my life. In Jr. High I had Coach Davis for all things Physical Education related. Now from my eighth grade perspective this guy was the epitome of athleticism. He was the football coach, the track coach, and the Physical Education and Health teacher. He was Mr. Macho and at fourteen, I was Mr. Not-So. I’m not entirely sure why, perhaps it was due to my lightning speed or my massive physic (can you hear the sarcasm?) I was deemed not worthy for athletic endeavors. So Coach Davis selected me to be the track manager. If you are wondering what exactly a track manager does well let me tell you. As track manager I managed to bring all the athletes water when they needed a drink, I managed to load and unload the bus, and I managed to do whatever Coach Davis told me to do. Coach Davis taught me to be dependable, on time, and that no task was unimportant.

Somewhere around this time I joined the 4-H club, I used to remember what the four H’s stood for, but no longer. What I do remember is that in 4-H each member was responsible for developing a certain skill and mine was to be public speaking. The time came for me to demonstrate this skill, and I worked really hard on preparing my speech. I quoted Ronald Reagan, took a hard-line stance against abortion and lamented the burden of high taxes and large government on the middle class. I was a great young republican. Of course this freaked my Dad out, who was a die-hard democrat, so much so that he once expressed his anxiety that if Teddy Kennedy was the nominee, he would have to vote for him. But I digress, my speech was prepared, I had a great introduction, a substantive body, and a strong conclusion; I was ready to wow the 4-H constituency with my oratorical talents. One problem, when the time came to deliver my speech, I experienced what Americans cite as their number one fear, and a big problem for anyone with aspirations of public speaking greatness, the fear of public speaking. I was very good at the preparation part and did a great job delivering my speech, to the mirror, it was other people, commonly referred to as an audience that I was having trouble with. The time arrived and my mother and I got in the car to travel to the great hall for me to make my debut as the world’s greatest orator, a virtual Cicero, it was about this time that Cicero developed laryngitis. I could not, I would not speak, and I told my mother so.

Now normally I would not describe my mother as a tenacious woman, but for some reason, on this particular day she grew a pair. Perhaps she had heard me practicing, maybe she sensed that I had some talent or maybe she just wasn’t going to drive all the way to town only to disappoint my audience that was awaiting my speech. So finally after a few circles around the parking lot, I knew there was no backing out I would have to face my speaker apprehension and boldly deliver the speech of a lifetime. Looking back I really owe my mother a great deal, especially for this, she forced me to discover the one thing, at least the one big thing in life that I’m really good at, speaking. Turns out I can talk the paint off a fence post. I learned this the day my mother taught me to face my fear, open my mouth and speak. I conquered my fear, my mother was proud, and my audience was blown away, I know this because they told me so, all four of them.

I’ve been blessed with a lot of good teachers in my life. Someone once said the best time to plant an oak tree is one hundred and twenty years ago, the next best time is today. This is a great description of teaching; it is the planting of seeds that will one day produce a great harvest. Jesus called the Holy Spirit a teacher in John chapter fourteen. Perhaps of all the teachers I’ve had the Holy Spirit has been the most effective, because the Spirit continues to teach me on a daily basis and unlike earthly teachers never turns out to be wrong or mistaken. The Holy Spirit is always current, well read, thoroughly prepared and never boring. Each day is an adventure in learning and growing. My Dad, Mom, and Coach Davis, taught me well. The Holy Spirit will one day deliver me to my final exam, and according to God’s word the grade will be well done.

Three ways Christians can make a difference

I had the opportunity to attend a lecture at Arkansas State University that dealt a very difficult and controversial subject. The topic of the lecture was the compatibility of Evolution and the Christian faith.
The young lady presenting did a good job of articulating her passion that science and Christianity do not have to be at odds with one another over this particular issue. And I was happy to speak with her afterwards and hear her affirm her belief in the resurrection of Christ. At this point I won't address the content of the lecture. But I did want to describe my general impressions that I took away from the presentation, and how I believe what I experienced is instrumental in helping us advance the gospel of Christ.

James 4:6 says "But He gives more grace. Therefore it says "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

As Christians we are not called to segregate ourselves from the culture, the sciences, the arts, or any aspect of life. There are three important concepts we must remember when we are challenged to proclaim the gospel in these arenas.

1. We must maintain a posture of humility. Humility isn't timidity or weakness. But rather it is a quiet strength that comes from a clear understanding of the difference the gospel of Christ has made in our lives. With an understanding of who we are in Christ, we can be content knowing that we do not have to 'know' everything. And that humility should encourage us to study, work, and diligently apply the knowledge we do have always guided by the truth that our capacity to learn is not finite.

2. For the Christian, there is no secular/sacred divide. For many who would claim to be a part of the Christian church, the mistake is often made that 'church' is just something that happens on Sunday, but has no real impact on the rest of their lives. However the New Testament knows nothing of a cultural Christianity alone. If we are to truly represent the difference Christ expects us to make in the world, we must be engaged with every aspect of society.

3. We must work to seek first to understand if we are to be understood. Far too many Christians make assumptions about what others believe, and we often lump groups of people together with sweeping generalizations. In order to make a greater impact on others we must be willing to develop relationships with others, even with those with whom we disagree.

I believe it is God's intention that we make a difference in the world. In order to do so we must continue to be the 'salt and light' that Jesus says we are. There are many challenges in the culture and in the world but God by His grace calls us to demonstrate the love of Christ on a daily basis. This begins with a clear understanding of "Who we are in Christ" which moves us to "What we do for Christ" May our activity as Christians always follow our identity as Christians.

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."-1 Peter 3:15 

Five ways people will know you are a Christian

If someone were to describe your life as a Christian what words would they use? Jesus said we would be know as his disciples because of our love for one another. Just by looking at your lifestyle can it be said that you are a Christian?

Here is an early description: The second century document called The Letter to Diognetus offers one of the most powerful and eloquent apologies for the Christian faith in its description of the early Christians. 

 “For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle. This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the thought and reflection of ingenious men, nor do they promote any human doctrine, as some do. But while they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one’s lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring.

The Reality of your "Status"

With our cooperation, the phenomenon of social media is increasingly putting our lives on display. There was a time when we created our own status through hard work, education, or material gain; in other cases, our status – defined by a lack of these attributes – was imposed on us. But with Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites, status is now something we simply declare. A perusal of these sites will clue you into what is happening in the lives of your friends and acquaintances, with all of the moment-by-moment graphic details. Declaring our status in this way has become a new extension of an old idolatry. Ever since Adam and Eve hid in the garden attempting to cover the shame of their sin, humanity has continued to follow in this never-ending quest to hide, justify, and manage what others see.

We do this, I think, not only to manage what others see, but also and more profoundly, we attempt to manage what God sees.  And of course this is a foolish and impossible task. Consider the words of 2 Chronicles 16:9: “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen the hearts of those fully committed to him.” No matter how desperately we attempt to hide from God, or each other, or even from ourselves, these attempts will always eventually leave us exposed to the elements of our own demise. Our identities become manufactured, photo-shopped expressions of who we wish we were. The comments we leave on the “walls” of others reinforce our preoccupation with splinters while we are pupil-deep with two-by-fours. As Tim Keller observes, “When your meaning in life is to fix someone else’s life, we may call it ‘co-dependency’ but it is really idolatry. An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, ‘If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.’ There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship with something, but perhaps the best one is worship.”

The Bible has a lot to say about the reality of our status. Ephesians 2:1 puts it simply, saying, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” Our status wasn’t one of being sick or impaired – we were dead. And no matter how much we try to cover, hide, or perfume it, the stench of death at work in us remains. Death is a status that requires nothing short of a resurrection.

Because God in his word tells the truth about our status, he then has the power to supernaturally change that status. This is the power of the gospel to transform our lives, and move us from “death to life.” Jesus declared in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  This is a truth Paul makes abundantly clear as we continue to read in Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.”

Our status has been transformed in Christ, so that now our identity and activity – all of it – flows from him. So the next time you update your “status,” remember this: for those who are in Christ, our eternal status is the declared righteousness of Jesus, along with the joy and peace this brings. 

Jesus is the well that won't run dry

Rigid thinking and inflexible positions often characterize Christianity, and while it is true that there is non-negotiable truth, our approach to that truth and its delivery can be pliant. Jesus communicated the truth of the gospel in many different ways to diverse audiences. For example when He would challenge the religious leaders of the day, He was often harsh, using vivid word pictures to describe their hypocrisy. And when He spoke to the marginalized living on the fringes of society, He shared with them stories that invited them into His presence. In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul, often crafted his message to the audiences he encountered through out the Roman Empire, for example on Mars Hill in Acts 17, Paul started his message by referencing the multiple idols that gave testimony to the idolatry of Athens.

Are you quick to quarrel?

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3  (NIV)

The Bible has a lot to say about fighting. Sometimes we are called to fight to defend what is true, other times the Bible challenges us to avoid strife. The difficulty is to know when to fight and when not to fight. 

My prayer this morning is that God will give me wisdom to know when it it time to engage and when it is time to let things go. One thing I do understand is that God calls me to forgive and show mercy. The default mode of our humanity often leads us to assume the worst of others. But I want to be someone who doesn't assume the worst but I want to believe for the best. 

I want to avoid the foolish quarrels, and petty issues that separate people. I want to be a man, a leader, who loves and serves and seeks to glorify God with excellence in all that I do. 

Perhaps this is your prayer today as well. 

Who decides your Labels?

Label makers are a thing of the past. But when they were in use, they served as a tool of ownership. With the power of the a label maker I could put my name on whatever belonged to me. A sharpie can serve that purpose as well. This concept isn't lost on advertisers who engage in the often sophisticated art and science of branding. This why we associate certain products with certain name brands.

This got me to thinking about "Who brands me?" Which labels do we embrace and reject? Who determines if you are beautiful, rich, poor, ugly, talented, lazy, athletic, resourceful, and a host of other adjectives used to describe people.

Many of us embrace labels from our family of origin, or perhaps a past or present relationship. But truly the only one really qualified to label us is the one who made us. That would be God.

What does God say about you? Thankfully He has told us through His word what He thinks of us.

1. We are sinful: You might think that this is a horrible thing to say about someone, but God says this about us because He offers to us the remedy for sin. His grace sets us free from our damaging sinful habits and attitudes.

2. We are loved: God loves us, and there is nothing that we can do to make Him love us any less or any more. He simply loves us.

3. He has a bright future in mind for all us. God has a unique use in mind for you and me. Something that only we can accomplish. Discover your gifts and talents and then loose yourself in pursuit of God.

4. We are not alone: God has made a community of people where we can belong. He calls this community the church. Find your place in the church and discover the joy that God has given to you through the gift of others.

These are just a few of the things God says about us, maybe you can think of some others. Remember God made you and He alone can label you. The good news is that He makes all things new! 

Three ways to deal with dissenting opinions

Every month I am privileged to sit down with the board of directors of the church that I lead. We also have the counsel of financial advisors who join us to give insight and direction, as we plan and strategize for the future. Proverbs 11:14 says that "...there is safety in having many advisers.", so I try to pull in as many people as possible to be a part of our leadership team at our church.

From time to time we disagree. In my short time as a lead pastor, there have been many such disagreements. I value these disagreements because often they are the pathway to solutions. In life and in leadership we will deal with criticism. The tendency is to slip into default thinking and become defensive or intimidated. But Scripture challenges us to respond differently. As Christians and as leaders we have a responsibility to be strong in our convictions but also to be humble in our weaknesses. We should all realize that there is no perfect leader or follower. And that together we seek to discern and follow the leading of Jesus.

Here are three ways that I have learned to handle dissenting opinions.

1. Remain humble: James 4:6 teaches us "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" Humility shouldn't be viewed as weakness or low self-esteem. But rather humility is a strength given by God to understand who we are, and what we have been called to do. Jesus was able to wash His disciples feet because He knew who He was. Jesus even challenged Peter in that context, when Peter expressed a dissenting opinion, "You will never wash my feet". But Jesus responded with the strength of humility, "Unless I wash your feet, you have no place with me." (John 13: 1-9)

2. Learn as much as possible: If you listen carefully to dissenting opinions, you will learn something. Criticism can serve as the greatest source of coaching. Through seeking to understand what is being said, insight can be gained into how what you are doing as a leader is impacting others. You can also gain insight into the life of the person who is the source of the dissent and by doing so become better equipped to serve them. As Proverbs 1:5 instructs us, "Let the wise hear and increase in learning..."

3. Look for solutions: It is a fool's game to attempt to please everyone. As a leader if you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. Often though, solutions come from listening and learning from the voices that surround you. As a leader you are tasked with the mission of finding workable solutions. In order to do so you must have a clear understanding of the problems, seek to gather as much information as possible, and then make a decision and live with the consequences. There will always be "Monday morning quarterbacks" who will seek to second guess choices made. But at the end of the day, God has called us to lead with clarity and conviction. So look for the solution, make the decision and then stick by that decision.

Listen to the gifts of those God has surrounded you with. Understand that every person He brings into your life serves a purpose. Do not fear dissenting opinions, but welcome them.

Samuel R. Chand observes in his book Cracking your church's culture code, 

"Healthy teams foster the perspective that failure isn't a tragedy and conflict isn't the end of the world. Great leaders welcome dissenting opinions, as long as they are offered in good will and with an eye toward a solution. These teams are willing to take great risks and even to fail miserably because they've gotten over the notion that failure is a personal flaw. That believe God is worthy of noble efforts, and they trust that God smiles on them as they attempt great things for him" 

May we all seek to continue attempting great things for God, and see all the voices around us as resources to that end. 

Three reasons to make moments count

I have been thinking about this passage from 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12:

"When he (Christ) comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 

There are no insignificant moments in the life of a Christian. Every moment, and every day should count for the sake of the gospel. In this passage there are three big reasons every moment counts in the life of a believer.

4 Big Reasons I Believe the Bible

I recently responded in an online forum as to why I believe the Bible to be the Word of God. These are my thoughts, what are yours?

I believe the Bible is the Word of God as preserved in its original manuscripts. There have been obvious errors in translations but not in the substantive portions. Not everything that is said in the Scripture is God speaking, obviously when Satan is speaking, the description of what he said is accurate although what he is saying isn't the truth. As to how the Canon was put together, the early church received rather than produced the Canon in my estimation. The Scripture must be rightly interpreted and there is room for disagreement between honest people on what portions of the Scripture mean. The different genres must be correctly understood as well. So again to be clear, I believe the Canon to be the infallible Word of God.

Paula Deen: Questions of Forgiveness and Restoration

Watching the fallout from the Paul Deen controversy, surrounding her admitted use of a racial slur some years ago, and her efforts to redeem herself in the eyes of the media consuming public, is an illustration of how society has evolved when it comes to ideas of sin and redemption. It wasn’t that long ago, that if someone committed a public sin and was caught, if that person claimed to be a Christian they would seek forgiveness from God and would, in time be lovingly restored to fellowship within the church. But now celebrities when caught in a public transgression of accepted behavior, make their rounds to media intercessors that serve as their public confessors giving them access to the consumers of their personal brand in hopes of finding redemption and restoration. Our secular society has removed itself from biblical principles but it will never be able to remove itself from the need for redemption.

The Apostle John writes in his first epistle, “…If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1 ESV) This Scripture along with many others makes it clear that Christ alone is our advocate and intercessor. The writer of the book of Hebrews gives us a clear understanding of this, referring to the imperfections of Old Testament priests and the perfection of Christ as a New Testament priest, “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:22-25 ESV) Jesus saves us to the uttermost, because he was not “prevented by death”. Unlike the priest of the Old Testament, Jesus “always lives”.

The current manifestation of entertainment society to seek and receive redemption is incomplete because at the heart of this process are people just as guilty as the perpetrators. Returning for a moment to the Paula Deen example, the list of programs where she has issued apologies continues to grow, as does the list of companies abandoning her as a spokes person. The businesses that once embraced her personal brand now seek to distance themselves from her, perhaps sensing that when it comes to this kind of offense there can be no recovery. The problem of course is that others have been equally as guilty as Deen, or have transgressed current mores without suffering the consequences being experienced by Deen. The point is that this human system of confession and forgiveness is imperfect because on many levels we are guilty of the same sins. The Bible, unlike the fickle winds of human opinions, challenges our motivations as well as our actions, our thoughts as well as our deeds. And by that standard we all fall short.

This, by no means excuses the words or actions of Paul Deen, or any celebrity or person for that matter. My point is to simply underscore the failures of our human systems of justice, grace and forgiveness. These are concepts we all long to embrace, but because of our own failures we are ill equipped to embody. Only Christ can adequately forgive and restore because he was the only one in all of human history qualified to pay the penalty for all of my sin and yours.

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." -2 Corinthians 5:21