A quote on a dynamic church…

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A friend sent this quote by Chuck Colson to me. It got me thinking and its something we should ponder:

“I miss traveling abroad.  I always returned home from visiting out partners in Third World nations invigorated, revived, and encouraged.  I would often find more exciting, growing, church vitality in places like Sri Lanka or Papua New Guinea or Peru than in comfortable churches at home.

In many nations, the church is a tiny, embattled minority – and it has no superstars. So when the church wants to evangelize, for example it can’t depend on a celebrity or bring in Billy Graham for a crusade. The people do the work themselves. Which means the church functions as the church, not a bunch of observers watching someone else perform.

When we sit passively in our pews, paying some charismatic leader to entertain us and other staff people to do ministry, we do much more than miss the living dynamic of how Jesus intends His church to work in the world.  When we mimic the culture around us with our pedestal complex, we offend a holy, all powerful  God, the most grievous consequence of all.

Of course we should respect those who are invested with spiritual authority.  That’s biblical.  But there’s a difference between respect and adulation. With the latter, we are always in danger of stepping over the line giving glory to man rather than God.

It’s easy to see how the world’s fascination with fame has snuck into our tents  and sapped our effectiveness. Yet this attitude runs absolutely contrary to that which Christ modeled when He, the King of the universe, came to live among us as a suffering servant.”

P. 334-335  Being the Body by Chuck Colson.

Manic Monday: Lovin the military!

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Given the justice brought to a certain terrorist who is sleeping among the fishes, this memorial day seems more special. Times of war are always controversial in US history. Hard decisions are called hard decisions for a reason. Sacrifice is called sacrifice for a reason. The military shows us the best of man in the darkest of times: Sacrifice for the joy of freedom.

Thanks for serving!

But if you do what is evil, be afraid ; for [government] does not bear the sword for nothing ; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 3:4b

Manic Monday: Enjoying life or idol?

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The Bible days all things are lawful, but we’re also to be mastered by nothing. Idols are specifically false gods. Sometimes it isn’t idols but other things in life that distract us from what’s most important.

The Bible also teaches us to enjoy life as a gift from God. Life brings many joys and things that bring out nuances of it. We often fear enjoying something, that it may be an ‘idol.’ Fear isn’t acting in faith. If doing something violates your conscience then stop it.

But what if that thing in life is a platform to connect with others? We love to share with others what we love. Perhaps God wired in you to love something to give you opportunity to connect with someone else you normally wouldn’t. I’m not talking about rushing the Gospel, but building a genuine relationship around something you love. From that relationship, then God may give you boldness to share your hope in the Gospel, and still enjoy your passion.

(especially on Monday)

Lynx & Stuff

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A change in publishing on the horizon…
http://www.cfpublishinggroup.com/

Online diagramming tool
http://www.diagram.ly/

Throwing religion under the bus… sigh.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/19/my-take-doomsdayers-show-what%E2%80%99s-wrong-with-all-religion/

Comparing the HCSB with other translations
http://hcsb.org/translation-comparison.aspx

Info on the Twitter hash tag
http://www.techforluddites.com/2009/02/the-twitter-hash-tag-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-use-it.html

Christian conference junkies…
http://theresurgence.com/2011/05/16/the-crisis-of-conference-christians

Interesting discussion on hip-hop & education
http://vimeo.com/22591307

Design inspiration
http://mashable.com/2011/05/15/web-design-inspiration/

Manic Monday: Slow times

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Kelly and I had the joy of serving in the normally crazy full nursery Sunday. It was quiet. Just a few kids. Scary. We waited for kids to drop from the ceiling and yell SURPRISE, but no such ambush occurred. Quiet and slow times are good. You need them.

When I worked at a Buick dealership as a teenager and college student I remembered a  phrase often said. I told myself I needed to remember it. I didn’t. Now I did.

“Slow times are training times.”

When things are slow you have opportunity to work extra on things you normally wouldn’t have time for in the normal business of life and especially hectic business of life.

In slow times you can: Play, prep, train, clean, experiment, connect, network, catch your breath, and/or prepare the ground for rain. (In Seattle that would be prepare yourself for Sun.)

Use the slow times to your advantage. God knows we need them.

(especially on Monday)

Lynx & Stuff

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Ebook publishing tips
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/how-to-publish-your-ebook_b29811

What is the Holman Christian Standard Bible? I appreciate this translation.
http://hcsb.org/about.aspx

Thoughts on Christian movies. Agree or disagree?
http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/movies/789-why_are_reviews_of_christian_movies_so_awful

Human trafficking… a sadly growing issue that needs to end
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/human-trafficking-gods-world/

Why not Wednesday? Going retro

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Let’s face it, tradition for a long time got a bad rap. Often hailed as the opposition to change, tradition has an aspect of humanity we cannot run from. It grounds us. Allusions to the past, or retro, shows up everywhere and for quite a while. Going retro demonstrates some cool things.

Rediscovery
There is no school like old school. Often the old school has the art and delight for something we now take for granted.

Appreciation
Mimicking is the highest form of flattery. The quest to allude to things past celebrates the work and efforts of those in generations past.

Depth
Things of old contain value. Retro understands this but adds to it a flare of modernity. In a real sense, it is our contribution. Appreciation is the parent, depth is the new birth.

Clarity
Tradition grounds us in a way that helps us navigate life and understand the world. It gives us perspective and stability in an (overly) fast paced world.

Ministry context
In a church context, the retro movement can be seen as a rediscovery of what church is. There is a sense that many churches have lost who they are in running from tradition. There is movement to have a more classic approach to church, but not stodgy. In large measure it comes from a realization that church is unique and it has a rich history. Tradition wasn’t the enemy, and each generation must add its nuance.

The bottom line:
Culture wide there is a reach for all things past. In one sense, perhaps this is a realization that we’re a unique culture. (America is still very young.) But, in another sense I think people are seeking stability. Connecting with the past gives a sense of calmness. After all, we’ve been here before.

Joy in victory over enemies

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1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble ! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high !
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary And support you from Zion !
3 May He remember all your meal offerings And find your burnt offering acceptable ! Selah.
4 May He grant you your heart’s desire And fulfill all your counsel !
5 We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed ; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright.
9 Save, O LORD ; May the King answer us in the day we call.
~ Psalm 20 NASB

Some thoughts on yesterday…

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As Christians we struggle with the interplay of justice and hope of redemption. We struggle with the love of enemies and the requirements of justice. I do not believe it is poor judgment for people to fill time square and celebrate. I also believe it’s not poor judgment to be somber. Thousands have died in the War on Terror. It has been a costly war. President Bush said at the start that this would be a long and drawn our war spanning multiple presidents. Let’s pray that it can end soon. As we think of yesterday’s events I look forward to the new Heaven’s & Earth where Sin & death is abolished.

Posted thoughts on May 1st
On this day [May 1st] 66 years ago, Germany announced that Hitler was dead. Today, President Obama announces that Bin Laden is dead.

Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Rom 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

I’m saddened by loss of life, but comforted by justice served. There is evil in the world and ultimately it is a changed heart that is needed. Still, justice cannot be ignored- hence God ordains government. Life change must occur, so God ordained the church. And the message of the Gospel can be spread regardless of type of government or a political party in power or culture.

How I say that is the reality of Hell. I believe war & the death penalty are proper actions for a government to take (abuse of such not withstanding). My hope is for repentance, though reality is that will not always happen. The US Military served us well in bringing a terrorist to justice.

An evil man was… brought to justice. I’m comforted by that. Two crosses bore criminals. One repented and is in paradise. The other cross should sadden us even though justice was served. Ironically, Christ died to abolish sin & death.

President Bush said at the start that this would be a long and drawn our war spanning multiple presidents. Let’s pray that it can end soon.