Category: Life & Learning

Freedom & Responsibility

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Freedom and Responsibility are the key to our society. No law will stop evil. There is evil and there is no replacement for personal responsibility. Undermining freedom undercuts responsibility. Lack of freedom and responsibility undercuts community. Lets focus on the problem and restore freedom & responsibility.

Mental health, not guns
There is a pattern: people struggling with mental health issues performed evil acts. We can blame guns, but that isn’t the problem. In a free society we have a responsibility to help (not condemn) those struggling with mental health. Such struggle does not make one evil, though its also no excuse for performing evil acts. We must deal with the problem of evil and not the tools used for evil. Tools can change: box cutters, pipe bombs, airplanes, fertilizer, etc.

Flight Schools, Apple & NRA
Based on current logic, Flight Schools enable terrorism, Apple enables manslaughter via distracted driving. Why you may ask? Because the NRA promotes the 2nd Amendment. In the bill of rights, it is listed second, right under freedom of religion, assembly and free press. Blaming gun advocates for enabling the tragedy is ludicrous. Attacking a freedom isn’t the answer to the evil that occurred. Labeling law abiding citizens as enabling an act of evil is bullying, not civility. It’s polarizing, not healing.

Freedom
Freedom isn’t free, nor is it the absence of personal responsibility. Perhaps the recent tragedy shows how we’ve squandered our freedom in the name of convenience. How? In further reliance on government or allowing such we undermined what is critical to freedom: community & responsibility. An inward focus on self combined with outsourcing our responsibility leaves us baffled in tragedy. As community and responsibility drop so does prudence & wisdom. Further removing freedoms will only exasperate a growing problem.

Responsibility
You are responsible for your actions. There are choices. There are consequences. In our culture’s avoidance of consequences in the name of compassion or fairness, have we undermined the skills needed to recover from failure? Said another way, have we eroded our sense of ownership for our actions? Is our wanting compassion really about our own personal fear of failure? This is why responsibility is so important. Robbery of failure robs the responsibility required for a free society. Lack of community robs us of wisdom & prudence required for a free society.

Community
The value of community is to wisely and prudently help people rise from failure and champion success. It takes responsibility to another level. Community needs freedom and freedom needs responsibility. If nothing else, perhaps the recent tragedy should focus us back on these critical elements, for here lies the problem. A hundred years ago there wasn’t regular mass shootings and many owned guns. Compassion wasn’t void either. But, a hundred years ago there was a sense of community, of freedom, of responsibility.

Clean water

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There is a shift in our church culture towards social justice. This is a welcomed change as for too long social justice was divorced for the Gospel. It’s hard to say we love Jesus if we don’t love our neighbor both here and abroad. I also love it when people use their God-given abilities to make something happen. Here is an opportunity that came across desk recently that I’m praying over. To my ministry friends, what are your thoughts?

Water Sunday
Video – https://vimeo.com/47960626

Water Sunday is an initiative of Water Missions International, inspiring a movement within the Church to respond to the global water crisis. Together, we can be the solution. Water Sunday is the start.

Every day 1 in 8 people in the world lack their most basic need – safe water to drink. We’re tired of hearing about the problem, so we’re solving it. As the Church we’ve been specifically called to do something.

What would happen if the American Church came together and said ‘We want to end the global water crisis?’
Water Missions International is asking churches across the country to give one Sunday between January and April 2013 to transform lives through safe water. All the resources are available to make sure your church is fully equipped for a Sunday that is as transformational and hassle-free as possible. (You’re going to LOVE the resources – check them out here!) Our desire is that the members of your church would move from being ‘transactional givers’ to passionate people who have been transformed through engaging in the call to care for the thirsty (Isaiah 58).

By combining the efforts of many churches, we are able to make a HUGE impact around the world. In the months that follow Water Sunday, everyone will celebrate together, as photos and stories of transformation pour in from the projects funded through Water Sunday. Your church community will be able to see the faces of those impacted, and the JOY made possible through their efforts. 

Water Missions International’s goal is to see lives changed through the transformative power of safe water and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By partnering through Water Sunday, your church will be part of the active body of Christ responding to urgent physical needs with safe water that will flow forever. In addition, your church will be part of providing the Living Water Jesus talks about in John 4:14 for those who thirst spiritually. Engage your church to join the Body and end the global water crisis.

Here’s what you can do:

  • If you’re not:  Tweet Your Pastor (or email them this post) Example Tweet: (@YOURPASTORSTWITTERHANDLE), let’s end the global water crisis. Sign up your church NOW.@watermissions#WaterSunday”

The vision is for more than 100 churches to participate in Water Sunday this year and provide access to safe water to more than 33,000 people.

Join Water Sunday. Be The Solution.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/watermissions

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/WaterMissions

Forgotten Gifts of the Spirit

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Church is team. It takes diversity for a unified church body to work, both within the local church as well as the universal church. Smoldering in the back of my head is the issue of Seminary, thanks in part to Pastor Tim Raymond. Back in May, Pastor Tim, a peer in seminary and a man of God I had the privilege to growing up with, wrote a series on the importance of seminary (Part one Part Two Part Three Part Four). Here is the opening to the series:

“For decades, seminary education has endured the slings and arrows of bad jokes, unkind mockery, and downright slander.  If I had a quarter for every time I’ve heard a disillusioned preacher intentionally misspeak, recalling his years in “cemetery, I mean seminary,” I might be able to buy something edible.  It would be easy for the average Christian to think wrongly, like Nathaniel did with Nazareth, that nothing good can come out of seminary.”

Wisdom & Knowledge
Wisdom & knowledge seem to be neglected gifts. Bill Hybels mentions often how leadership is often not developed or neglected in churches. For a long time, I believe that to be true. As I look over the course of my lifetime, it seems wisdom and knowledge are largely neglected. Churches rarely promote the life of the mind. Wisdom and knowledge feeds solid leadership and solid pastoring. It gives tools to evangelism and mercy. In the fear of heresy, apathy and/or elitism, we’ve neglected two vital gifts.

Seminary is vital
The church both local and universal need places of scholarship where those gifted with wisdom and knowledge can develop and build the body of Christ. I believe it is a duty of a pastor to be a theologian. Having the gift of leadership or shepherding doesn’t give us an excuse to be lax in our theology. It does mean we need to lean on those gifted in ways we are not. I’d be lost preaching through Romans if it were not for those gifted with wisdom and knowledge. While true knowledge can puff up and love edifies, Paul also argues for the importance of the mind in 1 Corinthians 14.

Disciples were diverse
Often the argument against scholarship, like seminary, is the disciples were average men. This is partly true. They were also men who went through a rigorous three-year training program by a master teacher, Jesus. Afterwards the Holy Spirit instructed them. While peter was “blue collar” Paul was clearly an intellectual. While John spoke profound truths simply, Luke and the writer of Hebrews were academically astute. We need all gifts. The formation of God’s Word illustrates this.

The Bible
Biblical and theological literacy are at an all time low. The need for biblical counseling stands at an all time high. There is a relationship between these two things. Perhaps the church is reaping the costs of neglecting the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. What good is leadership or shepherding if it’s not on the firm foundation of God’s Word? Confusion on the Gospel, in worship and the church relationship to culture flow from not heeding wisdom and knowledge. We need to heed Hebrews 5:11-14.

The bottom line:
We need seminary and seminaries don’t need to be places where people lose their faith or passion. Like Tim, I found this to be quite the opposite. I’m immensely grateful for the discipleship Baptist Bible Seminary provided. While I understand that not all will or can attend seminary, I do think one should if at all possible. We need places where we can benefit from those gifted with wisdom and knowledge.

Rick Warren on religious liberty

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Warren: There is an even bigger issue at stake right now than who sits in the White House. It is the crumbling of our constitution’s first guaranteed freedom – the freedom of religion. This issue is more significant and has far greater implications for America’s future. People have forgotten that America was founded by people who came here to escape religious persecution. Freedom of religion is America’s FIRST freedom. It’s #1. It is the first freedom mentioned in the Bill of Rights – before freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and every other freedom! America was the first and probably the only country to be founded in order to give every individual the freedom to practice his religion and follow his conscience without governmental constraint. And yet today, at the city, the state, and the federal levels, government bureaucrats are daily trying to limit that freedom, impose restrictions, and stifle expressions of faith on campuses, in hospitals, and in businesses. There are widespread attempts to redefine the first amendment to simply mean “You are free to believe anything at your place of worship but you are not free to practice your conscience elsewhere.” So now we’ve had the Justice Department suing a religious university for wanting to hire only teachers that share their faith and convictions. Fortunately, the Supreme Court overruled them, but religion is being zoned into a little box. We’ve had the government forcing confessing Catholics to violate their convictions, cities zoning out churches, Muslims forbidden to wear head scarves, and businesses banned because of the religious views of the owners. There are literally hundreds of examples of freedom being squelched. The constitution doesn’t just guarantee your freedom to worship; it guarantees you freedom from government intervention in your daily living out of what you believe. That’s why we’ve chosen to host a Civil Forum on Religious Freedom in September instead of the presidential forum. It’s a fight for the constitution, not a personality.

Interview can be found here.

Civility, freedom and Christian discourse

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After the ‘feast of chickens’ I’m seeing much discussion on whether the church should have engaged in the activity. One statement I read on the matter said this: “What if all those people took a day to serve in soup kitchens instead.” The statement has merit, but it misses something as well. Silence is not always king.

Civility
There is a grave lack of civility in our culture. It is completely civil to state one’s beliefs in a matter that is humble and gracious. Current rhetoric about most matters in our country lack civility. To express one’s view of marriage being one man with one women for a lifetime does not mean one is automatically homophobic and discriminatory. On the flip side, one being homosexual doesn’t mean God gave up on them and immediately sentenced them to Hell. God saves all people.

Freedom
Baptists in Virginia strongly pushed for freedom of religion. The reason: many Baptist preachers were thrown into prison for preaching without a license. From this the first amendment was born. The founders also viewed the importance of religion to speak to the conscience of a society, while at the same time understanding the state should not run the ‘church.’ This lead the amendment’s specific wording. The intent of the amendment was to prevent exactly what certain mayors did.

Christian discourse
While the Gospel is first and central, we must also faithfully teach and uphold God’s Word. Culture does not decide what is sin or not, the Bible does. Yes, the act of homosexuality is a sin. That does not make the church homophobic. Jesus saves all, desires to redeem all, and will make all things new. Homosexuals are welcome to church. Why? We’re all broken. It’s not if we struggle with sin, rather it’s what sin do we struggle with? Truth and love must be tied together, and in the Gospel they are.

The bottom line:
If I had the opportunity, I’d bought chicken too. Freedom is too precious to let people trample on it. A line was crossed that should have never been crossed. I agree with the statement above, what if we all served in soup kitchens. But, I also believe a stance for freedom is vital. Both are important. So, church, let’s do both. We must keep the Gospel first and central. Standing for a biblical view of marriage doesn’t mean we hate homosexuals. (If because of this you do, you need to repent and have the same attitude as Jesus.) Standing for a biblical view of marriage means we strive to live according to God’s plan. There is a difference.

Thoughts on the recent tragedy

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I’ve seen a few of these tragedies now. They’re becoming a sad reflection on our society. What these tragedies reveal about us is sad. It’s not as dire as loss of life, but it’s sad enough we should stop and reflect.

First, evil exists. Plain and simple. We can try to hide it all we want, but it’s a reality. We don’t know when it will show itself. Each time it’s sad.

Second, the last few tragedies became political mudslinging diatribes. Doesn’t matter one’s political viewpoint. People need to be patient, listen and shut up with the politics-left or right.

Third, life does not happen on TV time. It takes time to get the facts and investigate. This doesn’t always happen as fast as we or the people doing the investigation would like. Be patient and wait for the facts. Few things in life are truly instant. For sure trying to figure out the motive for an evil act won’t become apparent immediately. Wait for the facts.

Fourth, the politicized, impatient society of ours rushes to judgement too fast (without all the facts) and then reverts to judging others for their politicized comments. This doesn’t help anyone and only adds torment to an already horrid situation. Further, it produces little learning and change. Reserve judgement for later.

Pray. Listen. Appreciate moments of heroism. Seek how you can help & bless others. Yes evil exists and when it comes out in full force it’s ugly. Let’s not add to the situation by adding to it foolishness.

Happy 4th of July? Kind of…

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Liberty and freedom are not an easy life. It’s hard. It requires character, strong morals, strong education and generosity. I believe greatest freedom is found in the Gospel and no where else. While the Gospel is my main focus, its important to engage in civil discourse for the betterment of my country. It’s hard to celebrate independence day this 4th.

The Gospel
Too often churches put political issues in front of the Gospel. A political party is not our savior, and while the Bible speaks to many and all situations, one’s primary need is a relationship with Jesus. Too often throughout history the church sold it soul to a political party- right or left- and not keeping their focus on Jesus. At the same time, I don’t think a focus on the Gospel requires complete silence on civil discourse.

Pro-liberty, anti-tyranny
Personally, I’m conservative. I’m pro liberty and anti-tyranny. This does not mean I’m for dirty water, air, etc. It does not mean I or others like me lack compassion, love, sincerity, mercy or grace. In fact it’s quite the opposite. What I have in full measure is a love for and a passion for liberty. It’s too easy to lose liberty out of connivence. It’s too easy to lose liberty in the name of compassion. Freedom isn’t free, isn’t easy, and isn’t natural. In liberty there is a chance for the soul to prosper. In tyranny souls are crushed, dreams diminished and hopes faded. Liberty breaths life.

Civil discourse
The tone of civil discourse in our country is beyond sad. This is deeply troubling, and as Christians we should promote a gracious and reconciliation tone to discourse. Regardless of view- left or right- the tone is caustic, the attacks ad hominem, and the results bleak. This is why character and a strong moral foundation are essential to freedom and liberty. Our tone needs changing.

Healthcare
I’m greatly dismayed at the healthcare bill that was upheld by the Supreme Court. All the good of the bill does not out weigh the shift made from liberty to tyranny. By even saying that one is accused of being mean-spirited and wanting people to die in the streets. Liberty is much a life issue as healthcare, for many have died under the hand of tyranny. Look at our nations birthday for an example. You cannot sacrifice one vital principle liberty- for another- compassion/mercy.

Religious liberty
Two attacks within the last couple years occurred on religion by the government. One regarding a Christian school teacher. The case was upheld in favor of religious liberty (a rare 9-0 supreme court ruling). The second is against the catholic church via the healthcare law that the Supreme Court upheld. As many have a differing view on contraception from the catholic church, one must pause for a moment: The issue is liberty. If it were an issue you cared about, you’d take a much different stand.

Not a fairy tale
The revolutionary war is not a fairy tale. The colonies sought liberty from tyranny. If we are not careful we can walk right into what so many died to escape from, and what many today are crushed by. With the problems we face as a nation, tyranny isn’t the answer. Read the Declaration of Independence. At that moment in history codified that we are free. It is not a historical cliché. Liberty a priceless treasure.

Wonder what it felt like when…

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…this was written.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

~Declaration of Indepedence

Book Review: reWritten by Bruce & Heather Moore

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“With each life opportunity, God reveals to us more of His story for our lives and the potential for what we can become if we trust Him to author our future.” p. 35

Many of us have wondered, is this really how my life is supposed to be? Maybe your life’s story is marked by poor decisions or the hurtful actions of others. How can you turn things around? Is God still interested in using you? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Rewritten guides you through five life opportunities to exchange your story for God’s story. When you become the person He designed you to be and accomplish the tasks appointed to only you, you will experience the greatest fulfillment you could ever know and bring hope to a broken world.

The authors
Bruce & Heather Moore made the most extreme decision of their lives by leaving a large suburb church to rebirth a dying church with one year to live. They have seen the radical transformation of a church and the stories of countless lives rewritten. Bruce serves as Senior Pastor at Christ Fellowship Tampa and they have a very active preschooler.

Layout
reWritten is logical and flows together well as a book. The book is written in three sections: Your Story, God’s Story and The Exchange. The aim of the books is towards those whose lives are a wreck, though anyone will benefit from reading it. The first part had me skeptical at first of the book, until I remembered that ministry is really that messy. The second part is well written. The third part is pure gold. I appreciate discussion and thought questions, ‘story builders,’ were well placed throughout the chapters than merely as an after thought.

Story as metaphor
The Moore’s use the concept of story as a metaphor throughout the book. The over all concept of exchanging our story for God’s story. reWritten reflects this in the layout. The metaphor adds significance to how God uniquely designed each one of us for His good purpose. What stands out from this is how approachable the book is; gracious and dealing with truth.

He said what?!
My heart leaped when I read the table of contents. We too often get locked into the idea that if life is good, then God is blessing. The Moore’s deal with the topics of humility and suffering! Too often these areas are ignored. Of note, the section of forgiveness is well done. It’s important to read the book from beginning to end to get the full scope, but mark the last section up well. It’s an excellent resource for counseling. I appreciate in how the personal stories shared makes God the hero. Some stories end exceptionally, while other end with ‘because this is what God wants of us.’

“With each moment that we suffer, God brings us gifts that change our perspective and allow other people to see His grace in our lives.” p. 139 on suffering

The writing
reWritten is approachable without being inaccurate. It is definitely written from a pastoral heart that cares deeply for people. The book has one of the best rhythms I’ve seen in a long time. The first section had me on edge a little as almost being cliché. When starting to read remember that, yes, ministry is that messy. We forget that too often. The second part is a clear description of God’s image in our lives and the rhythm really picks up there. The pattern of the book is one we should model in ministering to people; moving from where they’re at to where God wants the to be.

The bottom line:
reWritten is an excellent resource to help people to take the mess of their story and to seeing what God wants to do in their life. This is a book that pushes us to live Godly, seeking what He is doing in our circumstances. It builds a big picture of the great God we serve. Well written, the book also addresses topics we often ignore, such as humility and suffering. For those who actively council and minister to people, reWritten is a helpful guide to keep on hand.

Book Review: Dream House by Barry Bandara

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“In many ways, our families are in a battle- a battle of priorities. If we don’t take the time to account for all the movement of our family now and then, we can easily become overwhelmed with all that we have to do.” p. 70

Pastor Barry Bandara gives us an excellent blueprint for developing our own “Dream House.” The book is humorous, insightful and usable. Often books on parenting place a massive guilt burden on parents. Make no mistake about it, there are times when you will say ouch. Overwhelming, you’ll walk away saying “I can do this!” We need more resources that are refreshingly humorous while also giving clearly communicated wisdom.

Overview
Taking from the three best sources possible: God’s Word, wisdom from others and his own failures & success, Barry takes us through the various “rooms” of our dream house and how it relates to family. Along with each chapter and at the end, Barry also shares resources he and his wife found helpful. The metaphor and the warmth of his writing keep the principles understandable and approachable. (Some books I’ve read you almost need a PhD to understand them!)

The big win
Dream House is written by a man who practices what he preaches. I’ve had the privilege to serve with Pastor Barry and to see him as a father. He practices what he preaches. I’m a better husband and father because of his ministry. Often with family resources we ask: will this work? The answer is yes.

The book
What is helpful is the book gives us principles and not programs to add in our homes. Dream House gives you what needs to be done, how it can be done, as well as other resources to do it. This leaves the book highly adaptable for different family contexts. The questions at the end of each chapter are also helpful to figure out how to apply what was said in your own family.

Marriage counseling
Pastor Barry presents a 10 year rule in his book. The idea is to think 10 years down the road. If your child is 2 how do I want them to act when they are 12, and so on. Dream House is a book I’d highly recommend for marriage counseling. It gives a blue print of raising a healthy family and many of the needed principles need to start before kids. You may think “we’re just getting married,” but kids are not that far off.

The bottom line:
Dream House is an excellent resource on leading your family well. It’s written with a warmth and practicality often lacking. I’m looking forward to using Dream House in my own ministry and my own family.