So...we visited a new church, Easter weekend. Well, it wasn't a new church, but it was new for us. I went expecting more, but left with less. I didn't want to see the negative but it just seemed to scream at me. Does no one ever take a step back and look at what is going on. I mean, when I get dressed up to go out, I take at least one glance into the mirror to see that everything is in place and make sure I have not spilled something on myself or forgotten something. Why would I put energy into putting myself together and not ensure that the outcome matches the effort? Why take the time to have Church and then settle for a mediocre experience? Maybe it's just me, but are we getting so desensitized that we don't see what's going on?
So, let me share what has me so worked up. We visited this church for their Easter Sunday Morning service. The fellow that opened the service (not the pastor) was virtually ignored by the congregants in the back forth of the auditorium. They continued to talk while he tried to welcome everyone and go through the preliminaries of their service. The pastor participated in a duet while a "drama" took place. I mean a practiced drama. Not like the 8th grade drama I usually deal with. Anyway..."Jesus" comes walking up the middle isle followed by two roman soldiers. Jesus was wearing blue jeans and white t-shirt with red magic marker blood. The roman soldiers were wearing Roman soldier tunics with blue jeans and cowboy boots. I could imagine them saying "Git up 'ere Jew boy so we can whup ya." I hanestly wanted to stand up, look around, and say "Really?......REALLY? Is this the best you can do to remember the most important event in all of Christendom?" Don't even get me started on people singing solos who can't carry a tune in a bucket. Use your gifts, people, and not someone else's gifts. Stop coveting the gifts of the singer when God chose other gifts for you. And while we're at it...stop lieing to people by telling them they can sing when we all can tell they can't. Isn't lieing still a sin? I don't mean that you should be rude and tell people that they stink. That would be mean. I'm just saying that if you don't start a lie then you don't have to continue telling that lie. Teach people that their gifts and talents are at least as important as the showy ones. Is it all that hard to be honest? After all, we are Christians and we are supposed to lvoe folks. Is it really love if it is based on a lie? If I wanted to be a fasion model, someone would tell me that I don't have what it takes...wouldn't you?
It is kinda like saying "That was the best canned SPAM that I have ever tasted!" Regardless...It was SPAM. It was not steak. How good could it have been?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Parable of the Colors
There once was a man, wearing a multi-colored outfit, who climbed a mountain that seemed to have no top, for it went on and on and he could not see to its peek. He climbed in search of a wise man. Upon find the plateau of the wise man, the climber asked "What is the secret of living a fulfilled life?" The wise man answered "To wear blue for the rest of your life." "I can do that," replied the mountain climber. "Is that all?" "Yes" said the wise man, "To wear blue is to avoid all colors that are not blue."
The climber thought that this one requirement was very simple and that it would be amazingly easy to comply...until he began to analyze the requirement. He then asked the wise man "What shade of blue should I wear? Should it be dark blue, light blue, navy blue, aqua, pastel..." The wise man interrupted him with the single word "Blue". "What," said the climber "would you say to my wearing purple? After all," said he "it is made up of the color blue." To this the wise man sighed a long sigh and said simply..."blue."
The climber and the wise man sat in silence for a very long time, as the climber stared off into the world of thoughts and the wise man stared at the climber. The wise man remembered all of the other climbers who had visited him, and wondered if today's climber would wear blue and continue his upward journey or, like so many before him, would stray and, wrapping himself in other colors, climb back down the mountain.
"I will do it!" said the climber. "I will adopt blue as my very own! I will love blue!" With that proclamation, the climber rejected all but blue and resumed his journey. As he left, there was quite a remarkable change from what he had looked like when he had first arrived at the plateau of the wise man, and the wise man spoke these final words to him: "Be aware! There are those who would convince you to abandon the blue. All is not safe until you reach the summit."
The climber thought that this one requirement was very simple and that it would be amazingly easy to comply...until he began to analyze the requirement. He then asked the wise man "What shade of blue should I wear? Should it be dark blue, light blue, navy blue, aqua, pastel..." The wise man interrupted him with the single word "Blue". "What," said the climber "would you say to my wearing purple? After all," said he "it is made up of the color blue." To this the wise man sighed a long sigh and said simply..."blue."
The climber and the wise man sat in silence for a very long time, as the climber stared off into the world of thoughts and the wise man stared at the climber. The wise man remembered all of the other climbers who had visited him, and wondered if today's climber would wear blue and continue his upward journey or, like so many before him, would stray and, wrapping himself in other colors, climb back down the mountain.
"I will do it!" said the climber. "I will adopt blue as my very own! I will love blue!" With that proclamation, the climber rejected all but blue and resumed his journey. As he left, there was quite a remarkable change from what he had looked like when he had first arrived at the plateau of the wise man, and the wise man spoke these final words to him: "Be aware! There are those who would convince you to abandon the blue. All is not safe until you reach the summit."
Saturday, March 19, 2011
True Followers?
As a middle school teacher, I see societal trends that sway my students and I see how they try to be something that they are not. Sometimes this is positive and other times …not so much. I shared with my students that when I was in school, in the 80s, and we tried to pretend that we were something that we were not, we would pretend up. We who were not from the wealthier families would try to dress like we were in a vain attempt to be accepted by those who were popular. This was usually the wealthy kids. They were able to be the jocks and the cheerleaders. If you look at students today, you see a disturbing trend to pretend down. It has become popular to try and be like the thugs , drug dealers, and convicts who are portrayed in music videos, TV and movies as being powerful and successful. Instead of young girls dressing to impress, they dress like the trampy hollywoodistas, who vie for camera time and make a living of being celebrities. Young boys are sporting the Justin Beiber haircut while younger and younger girls are imitating their favorite attention-grabbing paparratzi-exciters. What we actually are seeing is true followers and true worship. It has been said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, have we not? Do we, as Christian, put as much time, energy and finances into worship? What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?
If you were to say that you were my follower (not a wise move) then how would people be able to judge if you were a true follower or not?
You would have to follow me. To follow me would be to listen to me and to watch me and attempt to emulate what I do or say. You would try to become like me, in every way. You would dress like me, talk like me, walk like me. You would learn about me and be able to tell, anyone who asked, anything and everything about me. You would be able to win a trivia contest based on me. Ask a middle-schooler about their favorite celebrity and they will tell you all about them. If the Idol is a singer, then the student can tell you the words to that person’s latest hit song. Have you notice that many “Christians” can’t tell you what Jesus said. They can tell you what they heard their grandmother tell them about what Jesus said, but although they have the words of their supposed idol, they don’t read them, much less commit them to memory. I had one person even tell me that Jesus was African “because he and his parents came from Africa and moved to Israel” she told me. I had to explain the part about Jesus’ parents taking him and fleeing to Egypt, following his birth. News to this lady.
You would have to be obedient. What ever I asked you to do; you would have to do it. You would not argue with me or fail in any way to follow my commands. You would strive to do every thing within your power to succeed in carrying out my orders. You would even go beyond what you thought was possible, because you would put obedience before everything, including your own safety and life. Your mantra would become “I will do it, or die trying.” There are people who compete on reality shows for a prize. I believe the difference between most of the winners and the losers is decided by determining which contestant is willing to push the hardest without giving up. Most of us have two points that determine our limitations: physical and mental. I can do almost anything any other man can do, given time to prepare. I am, however, limited by what I will do. Can I base jump off a mountain? Sure I can. Will I base jump of a mountain? Not unless I am pushed. I can, and have, performed many back flips off diving boards and trampolines. I don’t, however, perform this flip the first time I step onto the board. Due to fear, I have to work up to it. Once I have pushed the fear down enough, I perform the flip. After the first time, I can do it with regularity. The problem is not one of ability, but willingness. Scripture states “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” This does not say that I will be given superpowers (although I wish that was the promise here), but that Christ will bring about a maturity and fear reduction that will allow me to push past my normal limitations.
You would have to worship. What is worship? It is to love unquestioningly and uncritically. It is to Idolize or set up as higher than any other thing. To say that all else is unimportant in comparison; that although all else may pass away, the one that you worship will forever stand in the forefront of your admiration and love. If you were to worship me (again, not a very good idea) then I would expect you to tell me how wonderful that you think I am. I would expect more than for you to only call me when you needed something. I would think that you would try and build a relationship with me stemming from your great desire to spend as much time with me as possible. I would think that you would seek out alone time with me, when we could talk, one-on-one and not be disturbed by anything or anyone. Could I not expect that if I were to get into your car, I would find your radio tuned to a station that celebrated me, or CDs of my teachings or music? Would I find CDs of my biggest rival? Would you secretly be learning the teachings of my greatest nemesis when I am not around? Those who admire a particular movie star would not care who else was around if that star were to walk into the restaurant where you were eating. They would jump up and make a spectacle of themselves for the opportunity of having some contact with a person who does not know them and will, most likely, not remember them. How many “Christians” are unwilling to pray aloud before their meal, in public, due to concerns of public scorn?
You do not want to follow me. That would be a great mistake, but how well are we following Christ? Are we just giving lip-service? Did you notice that church attendance was never mentioned? A follower will want to spend time with other followers, but spending time with followers does not mean that you are, in fact, a follower.
If you were to say that you were my follower (not a wise move) then how would people be able to judge if you were a true follower or not?
You would have to follow me. To follow me would be to listen to me and to watch me and attempt to emulate what I do or say. You would try to become like me, in every way. You would dress like me, talk like me, walk like me. You would learn about me and be able to tell, anyone who asked, anything and everything about me. You would be able to win a trivia contest based on me. Ask a middle-schooler about their favorite celebrity and they will tell you all about them. If the Idol is a singer, then the student can tell you the words to that person’s latest hit song. Have you notice that many “Christians” can’t tell you what Jesus said. They can tell you what they heard their grandmother tell them about what Jesus said, but although they have the words of their supposed idol, they don’t read them, much less commit them to memory. I had one person even tell me that Jesus was African “because he and his parents came from Africa and moved to Israel” she told me. I had to explain the part about Jesus’ parents taking him and fleeing to Egypt, following his birth. News to this lady.
You would have to be obedient. What ever I asked you to do; you would have to do it. You would not argue with me or fail in any way to follow my commands. You would strive to do every thing within your power to succeed in carrying out my orders. You would even go beyond what you thought was possible, because you would put obedience before everything, including your own safety and life. Your mantra would become “I will do it, or die trying.” There are people who compete on reality shows for a prize. I believe the difference between most of the winners and the losers is decided by determining which contestant is willing to push the hardest without giving up. Most of us have two points that determine our limitations: physical and mental. I can do almost anything any other man can do, given time to prepare. I am, however, limited by what I will do. Can I base jump off a mountain? Sure I can. Will I base jump of a mountain? Not unless I am pushed. I can, and have, performed many back flips off diving boards and trampolines. I don’t, however, perform this flip the first time I step onto the board. Due to fear, I have to work up to it. Once I have pushed the fear down enough, I perform the flip. After the first time, I can do it with regularity. The problem is not one of ability, but willingness. Scripture states “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” This does not say that I will be given superpowers (although I wish that was the promise here), but that Christ will bring about a maturity and fear reduction that will allow me to push past my normal limitations.
You would have to worship. What is worship? It is to love unquestioningly and uncritically. It is to Idolize or set up as higher than any other thing. To say that all else is unimportant in comparison; that although all else may pass away, the one that you worship will forever stand in the forefront of your admiration and love. If you were to worship me (again, not a very good idea) then I would expect you to tell me how wonderful that you think I am. I would expect more than for you to only call me when you needed something. I would think that you would try and build a relationship with me stemming from your great desire to spend as much time with me as possible. I would think that you would seek out alone time with me, when we could talk, one-on-one and not be disturbed by anything or anyone. Could I not expect that if I were to get into your car, I would find your radio tuned to a station that celebrated me, or CDs of my teachings or music? Would I find CDs of my biggest rival? Would you secretly be learning the teachings of my greatest nemesis when I am not around? Those who admire a particular movie star would not care who else was around if that star were to walk into the restaurant where you were eating. They would jump up and make a spectacle of themselves for the opportunity of having some contact with a person who does not know them and will, most likely, not remember them. How many “Christians” are unwilling to pray aloud before their meal, in public, due to concerns of public scorn?
You do not want to follow me. That would be a great mistake, but how well are we following Christ? Are we just giving lip-service? Did you notice that church attendance was never mentioned? A follower will want to spend time with other followers, but spending time with followers does not mean that you are, in fact, a follower.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
God's Wonderful Blessing
So...we find a house that we really like and the owner, a very personable 77 years old retiree, offers to do owner financing at 4% interest over 30 years. We pay him 3.2% down. We will be making payments for the next 30 years. He asks "When do you want the first payment due?" I say "May 1st?" He agrees. Cool! After we close on a Thursday (he offered to pay all the lawyer fees or "closing cost"), I get a call on Sunday. He asks me if I'm sitting down. I get worried. He tells me that he has been giving it a lot of thought..."I've been talking to my wife and I layed in bed last night thinking about it," he says. "I have done well and I am in a position to help people. It is rare that I meet someone like myself. I am a plain ol' country boy. What you are doing, teaching those kids and trying to change their future...I just can't do that." He continues, "I figure that if your loan were 0% interest then your payment would be about $70 less each month and you could have it paid off in 20 years instead of thirty." My mouth fell open. "The lawyer will be in around 8:30 and I'm going to be there and tell him to rewrite the promisory note for the loan to 0% for 20 years."
Have you seen the insurance comercial where the lady is dancing on the table and then it says "5 minutes ago..." and she is on the phone saying "I can save how much on my car insurance?" Well that was almost me. I almost have a shouting jag right there in Captain D's. Have you ever heard of such a thing as this? I called my father in law, who lives near us, and told him that God must really want us to move to this new home in this new town, near my job (6.5 miles to work instead of the 41 mile I have been driving for the past 3 years one way). "I don't know what he wants me to do" I told him. Pop said "Me neither, but what ever it is, you had better do it."
I have looked over my backtrail many times and have seen where God has guided my path. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us, this time. It's kinda scary to think about, but he said that he would guide ue, walk with us, equip us, and I am excited. I can't wait to start hunting a new church and maybe start a home Bible study group. Pray, people, Pray!
Have you seen the insurance comercial where the lady is dancing on the table and then it says "5 minutes ago..." and she is on the phone saying "I can save how much on my car insurance?" Well that was almost me. I almost have a shouting jag right there in Captain D's. Have you ever heard of such a thing as this? I called my father in law, who lives near us, and told him that God must really want us to move to this new home in this new town, near my job (6.5 miles to work instead of the 41 mile I have been driving for the past 3 years one way). "I don't know what he wants me to do" I told him. Pop said "Me neither, but what ever it is, you had better do it."
I have looked over my backtrail many times and have seen where God has guided my path. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us, this time. It's kinda scary to think about, but he said that he would guide ue, walk with us, equip us, and I am excited. I can't wait to start hunting a new church and maybe start a home Bible study group. Pray, people, Pray!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Home Bible Study???
As we move into our new home, I am considering starting a home Bible study. Not a time for me to preach, but a time for me to get together with other seekers and learners and dive into scripture with the hope of having it speak into our lives. How can we as Christian follow God unless we can hear him calling us and instructing us? He does this through his word and I for one want to know more. I wonder who would join me?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Science Teacher speaks
I have had to teach my 8th graders about the theory of the history of the Earth, according to some scientists. I teach them that theory means a hypothesis (an educated guess) and not a fact. Someone has an idea of what may be truth and sets out to prove that truth. They gather evidence to support their hypothesis, but until they prove it, it is only a theory. I say "some scientists" because it would be wrong to pile all of them into the same cart. The beliefs of scientist vary as much as any group would. I felt somewhat guilty having to teach them something that I don't believe. My hands are somewhat tied, as a gov't employee. I am limited to what I can say, in the classroom, when it comes to my personal beliefs. That is why I felt the need to write this particular blog entry.
I don't tell them not to believe what is in the text book. I tell them to learn what others believe, investigate, and determine what they believe. I told my students that they do not have to believe everything they hear, or what is in their text book. They mearly have to understand that the lessons they learn, in science class, are theories that some people believe. I tell them to follow the evidence. "What is important is that you know what you believe and have evidence to back it up. Don't say that you believe something based on someone else's beliefs. Be able to give reasons and a real argument for what you believe. This means that you have to understand what you believe, instead of blindly following what someone tells you. This is true regardless if you are talking about your beliefs in science, religion, politics, your favorie superhero, or your favorite food." They ask me what I believe and I tell them that what I believe is not as important to them as what they believe. I also explained that some things are believed based on faith until you have enough evidence to prove you theory. Faith (not only a religious term) is believing that the next breath I take will contain Oxygen, although I don't see or smell it. It means believing my car will start each time I try to crank it. The theory become fact when the engine starts.
I believe that to tell them to blindly follow what they hear would be irresponsible of me, as a teacher. I am tasked with opening their minds and teaching them, not facts, but how to learn. Thus, I teach them what the state descided that I should teach them first, and that is to investigate and decide what the facts tell us about a given problem. No where does the state teaching standards instruct teachers of science to teach our students to become sheep and blindly follow. I want my students to become more than just laborers who follow instructions to complete nominal tasks, I want them to be thinkers and life-long learners.
What do I find, when I "follow the evidence." There are multiple definitions of evolution. One would be survival of the fittest that results in those animals who can survive and procreate, will. Those who can't, wont. Therefore, those that survive will change the makeup of the entire group; ex. white rabbits have a better chance to surving in a snowy climate , therefore there are more white rabbits procreating, like rabbits.
I don't believe that people evolved from anything but people. We may have grown taller, through the years, and we have probably gotten fatter (I have), but there is no real evidence that proves that we were ever anything but the people that God created us to be. I reject the neanderthal mentality that points toward the neanderthal. I know that there are many people out there who will reject what I have to say. I have been told that "You would have to be crazy not to believe the evolution argument. Scientist have proven it." Really? How many people have told you that Picaso was a great artist. I have seen lesser know artists that I favor over any of his works. So an artist paints a picture. Someone says that his work is great. Someone else hears that and in the spirit of 'go along to get along' and to keep from looking like an ignorant hillbilly, they repeat what they hear and tell others of the greatness of the artist. Eventually enough people are saying it and who has the intestinal fortitude to go against so many people. After all "That many people can't be wrong", right? The number of people who support something does not make that something valid. For example. how many people thought that the Steelers were the greatest team in the NFL this past season, only to watch Green Bay defeat them in the Super Bowl?
I believe in the Bible. I don't want to pick and choose the scriptures that I like. I want to celebrate the entire thing, whether it pains me or pleases me. There are things that overlap between the ideas of creation and evolution. I believe that evolutionists could explain more if they would remove the blinders that keep them from viewing creation. I can see the changes that have happened over Earth's history in the light of scripture. Do I believe that creation happened in seven twenty-four hour days? Not particularly. I think that days is as symbolic as days are in Daniel and Revelation. Does it reduce the power and glory of God by seeing creation as happening over hundreds or thousands or even millions of years? Not to me. Given an infinite number of years, I could never create anything out of nothing. Can I believe that there were creatures that roamed the Earth and became extinct before man walked the Earth? Sure I can. Can I believe in Pangea, where all of the continents were one large one and then broke apart? Sure, but I believe that it happened in about a years time. I think a better explaination would be that Noah (of the ark and flood fame) might have lived on Pangea, and when God sent the flood and saved Noah and his family (recorded in Christian, Hebrew and Muslim scriptures) he used the time that Noah was on the Ark (over a year) to break up Pangea and move the continents around (not to mention making the Grand Canyon). Whether Noah landed in his original area is another subject entirely. He was from the area near the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and when he got off the boat he saw rivers and named them the same rivers. Surely the area, after over a year of flood, erosion, and sedimentation would not look the same, right?
The Bible refers to people as sheep for a reason. Sheep are followers and not very bright. We follow what we are told without questioning. As a matter of fact, some leaders (in order to control their followers) discourage questioning. This has happened in science classes and churches for years and years. "The church" has been guilty of this throughout the years. After all, what was the inquisition and the tactics that were used against Martin Luther and other reformists all about anyway? Truth, however, will stand up to any amout of critique. A lie does not wish to be questioned, just as ignorance will avoid questions. That is why, I believe, people will state "I don't discuss religion or politics." They don't know enough about what they believe to defend their position and will resort to personal attacks when confronted.
Should you sit in church and assume that your preacher is right or should you question and investigate? There was a time when "the church" didn't want people to have copies of the Bible for fear they would question the teachings of "the church." I have heard many preachers make mistakes, from the pulpit. I have made a few myself. We are imperfect. If your is perfect then you have been fooled. Can you give a sensible arguement for what you believe. Many people can give a better arguement for their support of Ford vs Chevy than they can for Christ. It's sad, really.
I don't tell them not to believe what is in the text book. I tell them to learn what others believe, investigate, and determine what they believe. I told my students that they do not have to believe everything they hear, or what is in their text book. They mearly have to understand that the lessons they learn, in science class, are theories that some people believe. I tell them to follow the evidence. "What is important is that you know what you believe and have evidence to back it up. Don't say that you believe something based on someone else's beliefs. Be able to give reasons and a real argument for what you believe. This means that you have to understand what you believe, instead of blindly following what someone tells you. This is true regardless if you are talking about your beliefs in science, religion, politics, your favorie superhero, or your favorite food." They ask me what I believe and I tell them that what I believe is not as important to them as what they believe. I also explained that some things are believed based on faith until you have enough evidence to prove you theory. Faith (not only a religious term) is believing that the next breath I take will contain Oxygen, although I don't see or smell it. It means believing my car will start each time I try to crank it. The theory become fact when the engine starts.
I believe that to tell them to blindly follow what they hear would be irresponsible of me, as a teacher. I am tasked with opening their minds and teaching them, not facts, but how to learn. Thus, I teach them what the state descided that I should teach them first, and that is to investigate and decide what the facts tell us about a given problem. No where does the state teaching standards instruct teachers of science to teach our students to become sheep and blindly follow. I want my students to become more than just laborers who follow instructions to complete nominal tasks, I want them to be thinkers and life-long learners.
What do I find, when I "follow the evidence." There are multiple definitions of evolution. One would be survival of the fittest that results in those animals who can survive and procreate, will. Those who can't, wont. Therefore, those that survive will change the makeup of the entire group; ex. white rabbits have a better chance to surving in a snowy climate , therefore there are more white rabbits procreating, like rabbits.
I don't believe that people evolved from anything but people. We may have grown taller, through the years, and we have probably gotten fatter (I have), but there is no real evidence that proves that we were ever anything but the people that God created us to be. I reject the neanderthal mentality that points toward the neanderthal. I know that there are many people out there who will reject what I have to say. I have been told that "You would have to be crazy not to believe the evolution argument. Scientist have proven it." Really? How many people have told you that Picaso was a great artist. I have seen lesser know artists that I favor over any of his works. So an artist paints a picture. Someone says that his work is great. Someone else hears that and in the spirit of 'go along to get along' and to keep from looking like an ignorant hillbilly, they repeat what they hear and tell others of the greatness of the artist. Eventually enough people are saying it and who has the intestinal fortitude to go against so many people. After all "That many people can't be wrong", right? The number of people who support something does not make that something valid. For example. how many people thought that the Steelers were the greatest team in the NFL this past season, only to watch Green Bay defeat them in the Super Bowl?
I believe in the Bible. I don't want to pick and choose the scriptures that I like. I want to celebrate the entire thing, whether it pains me or pleases me. There are things that overlap between the ideas of creation and evolution. I believe that evolutionists could explain more if they would remove the blinders that keep them from viewing creation. I can see the changes that have happened over Earth's history in the light of scripture. Do I believe that creation happened in seven twenty-four hour days? Not particularly. I think that days is as symbolic as days are in Daniel and Revelation. Does it reduce the power and glory of God by seeing creation as happening over hundreds or thousands or even millions of years? Not to me. Given an infinite number of years, I could never create anything out of nothing. Can I believe that there were creatures that roamed the Earth and became extinct before man walked the Earth? Sure I can. Can I believe in Pangea, where all of the continents were one large one and then broke apart? Sure, but I believe that it happened in about a years time. I think a better explaination would be that Noah (of the ark and flood fame) might have lived on Pangea, and when God sent the flood and saved Noah and his family (recorded in Christian, Hebrew and Muslim scriptures) he used the time that Noah was on the Ark (over a year) to break up Pangea and move the continents around (not to mention making the Grand Canyon). Whether Noah landed in his original area is another subject entirely. He was from the area near the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and when he got off the boat he saw rivers and named them the same rivers. Surely the area, after over a year of flood, erosion, and sedimentation would not look the same, right?
The Bible refers to people as sheep for a reason. Sheep are followers and not very bright. We follow what we are told without questioning. As a matter of fact, some leaders (in order to control their followers) discourage questioning. This has happened in science classes and churches for years and years. "The church" has been guilty of this throughout the years. After all, what was the inquisition and the tactics that were used against Martin Luther and other reformists all about anyway? Truth, however, will stand up to any amout of critique. A lie does not wish to be questioned, just as ignorance will avoid questions. That is why, I believe, people will state "I don't discuss religion or politics." They don't know enough about what they believe to defend their position and will resort to personal attacks when confronted.
Should you sit in church and assume that your preacher is right or should you question and investigate? There was a time when "the church" didn't want people to have copies of the Bible for fear they would question the teachings of "the church." I have heard many preachers make mistakes, from the pulpit. I have made a few myself. We are imperfect. If your is perfect then you have been fooled. Can you give a sensible arguement for what you believe. Many people can give a better arguement for their support of Ford vs Chevy than they can for Christ. It's sad, really.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
"You can't sell Jesus for a dollar"
Tammy (my wife) and I enjoy a good auction. We have discovered treasures that we can flip on Ebay and make a profit. We have made a purchase at one auction, on Friday, and sold it at another auction, on Saturday, and walked away with a healthy cha-ching in our pocket. So...we are sitting at this auction last night and the most tacky pair of pictures were being sold. They were pictures of Jesus, in gold frames and there was a set of praying hands attached to each frame. They were purchased by a couple who runs a thrift/junk store. I was surprised anyone wanted them, to tell the truth. Later, as we sat behind that couple, another pair of pictures came up for auction. These were also pictures of Jesus. They were less gaudy, but didn't sell. No one would even bid one dollar. I found it a bit humorous, to be honest, and commentted that "you can't by Jesus for a dollar." I sarcasticly asked the couple in front of me "If I buy Jesus' picture, do I get to go to heaven?" I realize that I was being a smart aleck, but (in my defence) I am talented that way. We all know people who think that writing a check, or working in church, or giving to foreign missions helps them get in.
I also commented that I find it amusing that pictures of Jesus portray him as a white dude with chesnut hair and blue eyes. He was Jewish, for crying out loud. Not European Jew or Americanized Jew or even Sammy Davis Jr. Jew. Israelis now have European influences, due to the many years of the Diaspora, but he was a middle east Jew. His ancestors were from Iraq. I hope that doesn't come as a surprise to anyone. Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldeans, which is modern day Iraq. I wish I would see a picture of Jesus that shows an acurate portrayal of his earthly appearance. British actors may get the content correct, but they just don't fit the bill in the looks category. And people, please, quit trying to sell me on the Idea that Jesus was an African. I have a hard time believing that he had dreadlocks or braids, like the pictures in the mall kiosks.
I know..."color is not important." and "he is all things to all people" but, come on, can't we at least try. I picture Jesus as love. I see kindness and warmth, gentleness coupled with strength. As a carpenter, he should have been in good shape, not some wimpy, scrawny guy. I really would like to know what he looked like when he walked through Israel. Which actor would I choose to play the part? Send a casting director to the middle east, why don'tcha?
I also commented that I find it amusing that pictures of Jesus portray him as a white dude with chesnut hair and blue eyes. He was Jewish, for crying out loud. Not European Jew or Americanized Jew or even Sammy Davis Jr. Jew. Israelis now have European influences, due to the many years of the Diaspora, but he was a middle east Jew. His ancestors were from Iraq. I hope that doesn't come as a surprise to anyone. Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldeans, which is modern day Iraq. I wish I would see a picture of Jesus that shows an acurate portrayal of his earthly appearance. British actors may get the content correct, but they just don't fit the bill in the looks category. And people, please, quit trying to sell me on the Idea that Jesus was an African. I have a hard time believing that he had dreadlocks or braids, like the pictures in the mall kiosks.
I know..."color is not important." and "he is all things to all people" but, come on, can't we at least try. I picture Jesus as love. I see kindness and warmth, gentleness coupled with strength. As a carpenter, he should have been in good shape, not some wimpy, scrawny guy. I really would like to know what he looked like when he walked through Israel. Which actor would I choose to play the part? Send a casting director to the middle east, why don'tcha?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Department Store & The Gym
The first argument that you are going to offer will probably be something like "but Michael, churches are not businesses."
What would happen if churches stepped back and looked at themselves through the viewfinder of the business spectacles? Mind you, I am not saying that churches should begin to make themselves businesses, I am only suggesting that they see what they would look like with a business perspective. I will explain...A department store has one purpose and one purpose alone: to make a profit. Each year they compare their profit to last year's profit and if they have an increase then they are successful. I have worked for at least one national big box chain that evaluates their profit, by comparison, daily. Each day, they gather together and vocalize the profits from today and the same day last year. They compare each department of the store and discuss which departments increased profit and which departments need work. This profit is, of course, dollars. Any store that fails to make a profit from year to year, eventually will fail to exist.
So, how does this translate over to church work? A church's profit would be what? Souls saved, right? I know that church is more than that, but this is, or should be, the number one priority. When we look at the New Testament, and read about "the church" we see entries like "were added to the church, daily." If we audit any church, would we see that, compared to the same date last year, there is an increase in the number of people who have accepted Christ? If a church is found to be losing people or not gaining, then could we claim "profit" or "loss"?
How about a business who has less customers each year? How about the store that has just enough customers to keep the doors open, but not enough to reinvest in the business? Profit or loss? Would you consider yourself a successful businessperson if your business was not reaching the spending public, was woefully outdated and had lost touch with the community? Is it enough to merely be in business?
I decided to seek a new gym. I noticed that a new one had gone in at a local strip mall. I stopped by and went in to inquire as to prices and hours. As I scanned the gym, I noticed that the equipment was dated and of lower quality. The guy told me that he and friends had opened a private gym and that each had donated equipment for the group to use. I was politely informed that I was unwelcome: Members (friends) only. I found another gym, and joined for a while. The owners had invested in good equipment and facilities. They had done their homework, too. They had figured out that people need to work out at varying times of the day. They had people trained to meet me where I needed them. They could teach me to work out on weights, involve me in an aerobic workout program, show me how to follow a weight loss program or offer a massage for my weary and hurting body. I need a church that can offer the same. Why try to operate with substandard equipment, in an outdated facility? Why do we think that 10:45-12 (on the dot) Sundays is ideal worship time? So the pastor says "I have 5 minutes to finish up." Are the members going to revolt if God leads him to expound past noon? Does God not show up at other times? Can you not have trained leaders who can teach me to build my spiritual self, while offering me strategies to reduce the weight of the mistakes and sin that has weighed so heavy on me? How about a place that offers the opportunity to heal and rejuvenate?
Can I hear some of you saying "I hear bitterness. Sounds like sour grapes." If this is what you are saying, then read it again, please. I am a participant in the system. I have been on both sides of the counter; customer and merchant, member and minister. I see failing businesses and wish to yell and scream, but to whom? I can sit in a restaurant and spot a bad waiter, as well as you can. Would the business benefit from a change in personel or at least some coaching on the fine points of customer service? I know bad food when I taste it.
How many churches are operating in the red and have been for years, but keep the doors open with the faint hope that a miracle will take place. "After all" some of them may comment, "I showed up. I tried. I did my part. It's not my fault." I have heard that when Col. Sanders was at the helm of his chicken empire, he would walk into a sub-par KFC, shut the doors, fire and rehire. For church... look with the bosses eyes, and determine what would allow you (as a church and member) to be the best steward of the resources you were given.
What would happen if churches stepped back and looked at themselves through the viewfinder of the business spectacles? Mind you, I am not saying that churches should begin to make themselves businesses, I am only suggesting that they see what they would look like with a business perspective. I will explain...A department store has one purpose and one purpose alone: to make a profit. Each year they compare their profit to last year's profit and if they have an increase then they are successful. I have worked for at least one national big box chain that evaluates their profit, by comparison, daily. Each day, they gather together and vocalize the profits from today and the same day last year. They compare each department of the store and discuss which departments increased profit and which departments need work. This profit is, of course, dollars. Any store that fails to make a profit from year to year, eventually will fail to exist.
So, how does this translate over to church work? A church's profit would be what? Souls saved, right? I know that church is more than that, but this is, or should be, the number one priority. When we look at the New Testament, and read about "the church" we see entries like "were added to the church, daily." If we audit any church, would we see that, compared to the same date last year, there is an increase in the number of people who have accepted Christ? If a church is found to be losing people or not gaining, then could we claim "profit" or "loss"?
How about a business who has less customers each year? How about the store that has just enough customers to keep the doors open, but not enough to reinvest in the business? Profit or loss? Would you consider yourself a successful businessperson if your business was not reaching the spending public, was woefully outdated and had lost touch with the community? Is it enough to merely be in business?
I decided to seek a new gym. I noticed that a new one had gone in at a local strip mall. I stopped by and went in to inquire as to prices and hours. As I scanned the gym, I noticed that the equipment was dated and of lower quality. The guy told me that he and friends had opened a private gym and that each had donated equipment for the group to use. I was politely informed that I was unwelcome: Members (friends) only. I found another gym, and joined for a while. The owners had invested in good equipment and facilities. They had done their homework, too. They had figured out that people need to work out at varying times of the day. They had people trained to meet me where I needed them. They could teach me to work out on weights, involve me in an aerobic workout program, show me how to follow a weight loss program or offer a massage for my weary and hurting body. I need a church that can offer the same. Why try to operate with substandard equipment, in an outdated facility? Why do we think that 10:45-12 (on the dot) Sundays is ideal worship time? So the pastor says "I have 5 minutes to finish up." Are the members going to revolt if God leads him to expound past noon? Does God not show up at other times? Can you not have trained leaders who can teach me to build my spiritual self, while offering me strategies to reduce the weight of the mistakes and sin that has weighed so heavy on me? How about a place that offers the opportunity to heal and rejuvenate?
Can I hear some of you saying "I hear bitterness. Sounds like sour grapes." If this is what you are saying, then read it again, please. I am a participant in the system. I have been on both sides of the counter; customer and merchant, member and minister. I see failing businesses and wish to yell and scream, but to whom? I can sit in a restaurant and spot a bad waiter, as well as you can. Would the business benefit from a change in personel or at least some coaching on the fine points of customer service? I know bad food when I taste it.
How many churches are operating in the red and have been for years, but keep the doors open with the faint hope that a miracle will take place. "After all" some of them may comment, "I showed up. I tried. I did my part. It's not my fault." I have heard that when Col. Sanders was at the helm of his chicken empire, he would walk into a sub-par KFC, shut the doors, fire and rehire. For church... look with the bosses eyes, and determine what would allow you (as a church and member) to be the best steward of the resources you were given.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A MODERN DAY PARABLE?
There was a couple who, wishing to be involved in a church that was actively involved in ministry, searched for a church family with which to join. This couple had spent many years in full-time and part-time church ministry, prison ministry, and children’s home ministry. They had served in the capacity of Sunday school teacher, Minister of Music, Children’s pastors, and Youth Pastors and processed many talents and abilities. She was an organizer. God had given her the ability to take what was and organize it so that it ran more efficiently. She would work, behind the scenes, planning and setting things in motion, so that it ran smoothly and, although her efforts often went unnoticed, the lack of these efforts would surely have been detected. God had given him talents in music, singing and oratory. He was a teacher and expositor. Their gifts were complimentary and served to enhance the ministry of each other as well as others.
In their efforts to find a church were they could serve, they would always consider their children. Whenever they visited a church, they would try to ensure their children would be ministered to, in order to avoid the “minister’s plague”. The minister’s plague is a debilitating disease that afflicts ministers’ families. Ministers who put such an emphasis on ministering to others, often neglect their own families, resulting in spouses who turn to others in order to have their needs met, and children who gain a certain reputation due to lack of parental supervision and/or guidance. (It is often said that “The preacher’s kids are the worst kids in the church.”)
This couple searched and searched, but were always disappointed when, after attending a church for some time, they would find that their present congregation was a “nominal” church; that the members were happy to be a social organization, and that the pastorate was happy with the status quo, ignorant as to how to change it, unwilling to shake up the apple cart, or overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead. After all, if a church has a good number of congregants and the bills are being paid, then many a church folk will settle in and ride this train to glory. After all, people really don't like change.
Early on, the couple made sure that the pastor knew their heart and abilities. They laid it out for him to clearly understand, that they were ready to get involved and work. They desired no position and wished to displace no one. They merely desired to enhance the ministries of the church. And they waited… The man saw that there was no one to play the guitar and volunteered. When needed, he would play other instruments, due to absence of fellow musicians (due to work or illness). He expressed interest in teaching. And he waited… The couple would attend church dinners. They desired to have friends, in the church. They felt that because they were outsiders, they should not intrude into already established cliques. They would rather be invited. They sat together, alone, hoping for an invitation. And they waited… The woman hoped for friends that she could share life with, but she was shy and reserved and wished for an invitation to friendship. “At least” she thought “the pastor’s wife will understand and reach out.” And she waited… Finally an invitation came. “Maybe we should accept,” said the woman “Even if it is from the senior’s ministry and we are no where near their age.” And she waited…Their children hoped that someone would reach out to them. And they waited...
The couple, and their children, got tired of waiting...they began their search again...
How many times does this story play itself out on the stage of churches around us? Are we the ones that should be looking around our church for those who are waiting for someone to reach out and make the effort? Are we the minister or leader that needs to reevaluate our role as a manager and learn to nurture those new people, motivate those cold people, and equip those people who are ready to serve? Are we the person who holds a position, in church, that is satisfied with having a position, for position's sake? Do we have a sense of urgency for those who are within our reach or do we settle for going to church, socializing with our little group of friends, being “friendly” to everyone without putting in the effort to actually become friends with anyone new? Are we satisfied with the way things are?
In their efforts to find a church were they could serve, they would always consider their children. Whenever they visited a church, they would try to ensure their children would be ministered to, in order to avoid the “minister’s plague”. The minister’s plague is a debilitating disease that afflicts ministers’ families. Ministers who put such an emphasis on ministering to others, often neglect their own families, resulting in spouses who turn to others in order to have their needs met, and children who gain a certain reputation due to lack of parental supervision and/or guidance. (It is often said that “The preacher’s kids are the worst kids in the church.”)
This couple searched and searched, but were always disappointed when, after attending a church for some time, they would find that their present congregation was a “nominal” church; that the members were happy to be a social organization, and that the pastorate was happy with the status quo, ignorant as to how to change it, unwilling to shake up the apple cart, or overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead. After all, if a church has a good number of congregants and the bills are being paid, then many a church folk will settle in and ride this train to glory. After all, people really don't like change.
Early on, the couple made sure that the pastor knew their heart and abilities. They laid it out for him to clearly understand, that they were ready to get involved and work. They desired no position and wished to displace no one. They merely desired to enhance the ministries of the church. And they waited… The man saw that there was no one to play the guitar and volunteered. When needed, he would play other instruments, due to absence of fellow musicians (due to work or illness). He expressed interest in teaching. And he waited… The couple would attend church dinners. They desired to have friends, in the church. They felt that because they were outsiders, they should not intrude into already established cliques. They would rather be invited. They sat together, alone, hoping for an invitation. And they waited… The woman hoped for friends that she could share life with, but she was shy and reserved and wished for an invitation to friendship. “At least” she thought “the pastor’s wife will understand and reach out.” And she waited… Finally an invitation came. “Maybe we should accept,” said the woman “Even if it is from the senior’s ministry and we are no where near their age.” And she waited…Their children hoped that someone would reach out to them. And they waited...
The couple, and their children, got tired of waiting...they began their search again...
How many times does this story play itself out on the stage of churches around us? Are we the ones that should be looking around our church for those who are waiting for someone to reach out and make the effort? Are we the minister or leader that needs to reevaluate our role as a manager and learn to nurture those new people, motivate those cold people, and equip those people who are ready to serve? Are we the person who holds a position, in church, that is satisfied with having a position, for position's sake? Do we have a sense of urgency for those who are within our reach or do we settle for going to church, socializing with our little group of friends, being “friendly” to everyone without putting in the effort to actually become friends with anyone new? Are we satisfied with the way things are?
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