What are we here for?

Wow it has been a long time since I have posted anything! I guess grad school and "part time" youth ministry will do that to you. I have been reading alot lately about the Church and how we should do church, and methods of church growth, and how to structure church life. And, all this leaves me with one question. What is the Church? Why is it that no one defines the Church? I wonder if we have become so comfortable in our American life that Church=building. Oh, of course we claim the Church is a group of people that come together to worship God, but even in that is it just when we come together? I thought we are the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the called out ones. It tears me down to see so many advocates of contemporary Church, community Church, modern Church, emerging Church, and the list goes on. Do we not see this is all a method. We are fighting over how we come together and sing songs, hear the Word, and do other things. Have we ever stopped to ask what we are saying to the world around us? As someone who has done the seminary thing for a while now, one thing that I regretfully notice is that as Christian we place some of our most brilliant minds in strategic position to answer the real questions in life: Predestination or free will, hymns or praise songs, God's sovereignty or man's choice, and the list goes on. Have we thought about what Christ really called us to? As a once heard Louie Giglio say, when will we ask the REAL question: Is God smiling down on us and our lifestyle of worship?

The twisted mind of a youth minister

Watch this clip and tell me if you laughed...
True spirit

Big Men and Little Dreams

Have you ever talked to little children and ask them what they want to be when they grow up (I still get that question myself)? The answers are always enlightening: superhero, richest man in the world, miss America, or like my daddy. Let's take a look at that last one for a minute. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (Luke 18:17; Mark 10:15; Matt. 19:14)." This was an occasion that so shocked the disciples that they all recorded it. Why was it shocking? These were men who sat at Jesus' feet, the Messiah, for several years now. Wouldn't they get the preferential treatment. Why would Jesus consider children to be so important to him. One answer, and if you have been around me any amount of time you know what's coming........ FAITH. Children have very few restrictions. Belief, not blind, that what God says is true. Jesus has this habit throughout the Gospels of praising people for their faith. This requires a portion of life that makes us all a little precarious. That which is unknown, unseen, and in some cases unheard of. Remember what it was like when you first experienced the grace of an all-loving and all-powerful God? Comfort, joy, peace, and a vision and passion that would not be quenched. What happened? Many of us have lost the faith and dreams that our God is really as big as He says He is. This brings me to asking myself: how big are my dreams for what He can do? God has gifted us all to bring Him glory and seek His kingdom. "The question we each must answer is not 'why did God give that brother or sister more than me in this area?' but rather 'what am I going to do with what I've got (J.P. Moreland).'" How is it that we are going to dream these dreams, moving out of the ordinary into His world? Loving Him with all our heart, soul and mind. This includes us being mindful that this is the same God that made the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead rise. That has to make me ask myself, "what was I complaining about again?" Big men with little dreams and big complaints and a little god.

On the side

I just wanted to take this blog to say that it has been good to hear from some of you guys that I have not heard from in way too long. This is one thing that I continue to thank God for everyday. It has been a relief from the monotony of Dillon. Also, it continues to teach me about the grace of our Heavenly Father. Thanks for all the feedback. Holla at me sometime.

How C.S. Lewis changed the world

He was a man who was little known during his tenure at Oxford. A simple tutor of English literature, medieval literature more precisely, that passionately explored the world in which he lived. Clive Staples Lewis was his name, or C.S. as many have known him. He was said to have been searching for something more in his life when he encountered a man he called Tollers, J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a English tutor as well, Old English. Their friendship grew and Tollers continued to challenge Lewis on his understanding of the world. For Lewis, there were two plausible options, Christianity and Hinduism. All other religions were poor imitations and twisted perspectives. After his conversion, Lewis continued to strive to grow in this newfound relationship with Christ. As a devout Anglican, Lewis searched the scriptures, creeds and early church fathers for all the answers to questions he had for years.
Lewis was not a pastor, parishioner, theologian, or church historian. He was a "layman" that followed through in his faith with a passion and vigor for truth. He was noted, "there will be progress in Christian knowledge only as long as we accept the challenge of the difficult or repellent doctrines." This was a challenge put before a group of pastors and young church leaders at Carmarthen Conference for Youth Leaders and Junior Clergy. Students have noted that within the classroom little was said of his faith, however he was ridiculed and nearly ostracize for his faith. This did not deter Lewis, truth was to be sought at all cost and communicated with the same attention and care.
"If one has to choose between reading the new books and reading the old, one must choose the old; not because they are necessarily better but because they contain precisely those truths of which our own age is neglectful." By many standards a non-conformists, he rejected the fads of the times and choose to address more "universal" matters to speak to all generations. The questions we all seek to answer: Why am I here? What am I to do? What of eternity? To this Lewis spoke out with a series of radio addresses to speak to the nation in a time of physical and moral turmoil. These addresses later became "Mere Christianity," a timeless and priceless guide to Christian apologetics and faith. Lewis topped off his work with a collection of stories that would change the library of children's literature forever, "The Chronicles of Narnia," an explanation of the gospel for children.
Lewis did not set out to shake the world to the core for years to come, he was simply faithful in pursuing the Lord that gave all for his life. What a great picture for us, not to be something spectacular, but to be who God made us to be and use the talents he has uniquely given to us.
Finally, to read Lewis is a joy. Here is a man of great humility and Christlike manner in all his writings. For someone of his wealth of knowledge and capacity to make this quote truly calls to question my attitude in all things:
"That is why we apologists take our lives in our hands and can be saved only be falling back continually from the web of our own arguments, as from our intellectual counters, into the Reality- from Christian apologetics into Christ himself. That also is why we need one another's continual help. oremus pro invicem."

Quotes taken from various essays in "God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics"

What is the gospel?

For some time now that question has swirled around in my mind. The reason being, we call ourselves Christians, possibly evangelical, but do we really know what the gospel includes. We are told that we should share the gospel with others, our life is the gospel others see, and were it not for the gospel all hope would be lost. So, exactly what is this gospel.
There is no doubt in my mind that in the time we live, the gospel has been diluted, soiled, and commercialized to the tenth degree. "Pastors" stand behind pulpits, in places like Houston, that cost more that my truck and smile to tell people to think positively and everything will be okay. Is this the gospel? No need to change lives, no newness of life, no hope in holiness and conformity to Christ.
Paul begins the eighth chapter of the book of Romans with these words: "there is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." That's a bold statement! How could he proclaim such freedom, liberty and life. THE GOSPEL!!! Romans 1-7 is a treatise on the gospel. Roms. 1-3 states sin is a disease that has infected all men, by Adam sin entered into the world and all men died. Physically? Yes. That's not an answer you hear to often. We forget that death is imminent in all our lives because of the power of sin. Roms. 4-6 give the hope of a newness in life. Is it through practice, morality or positive thoughts? NO!! It is through faith alone in the pursuit a lover has for the one who is loved. Romans 5:8- while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Paul concludes with the ongoing struggle and pursuit of godliness, or Christlikeness, in his life. The answer? You guessed it, the gospel: "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
So, what is the gospel? Simple... There is a Father that is in love with His children that is willing to sacrifice of Himself to have a relationship with that lost child. As John Piper has said, "God is the gospel." Yes, this does include the cross, death, burial and resurrection. But do not forget all these things are contingent on a Father that evermore loves His children. So many times, I think we forget the goodness of gospel. So much so, that our lives become mundane and dutiful. With God as the gospel in mind, our world is now a ministry. Take a moment today and look around at the people you know that this would change there lives. Not mundane anymore. Paul says in the following verse of Roms. 8 that this can only be seen and exhibited by a life in the Spirit. Many times the people around you will be convinced more by seeing Christ (the gospel) in you than the verbal package it comes in.
"More often than not, it is what you are rather than what you say that will bring an unbeliever to Christ. This is the ultimate apologetic.... YOUR LIFE." William Lane Craig- Reasonable Faith

Sometimes I just don't understand

There are times in life that I just get so frustrated. I have more questions than answers, everything that you planned is not going as so, and you seem all alone on this journey. Such is the story of my life for the past few weeks. (No details needed). I look around at everything that has happened in my life, and I just scratch my head. I have said for some time now, that nice guys really do finish last. The guys that I know who try to live a faithful life end up being the ones that have more questions than comrades. And here I am, confused, conflicted, and complicated.
Yet, I pick up my Bible and read: "For we walk by faith and not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7. What is the irony of this verse. It is written in the midst of a teaching about reconciliation?? What would walking by faith have to do with reconciliation? At the same time, I read across the encouraging words in Hebrews 11:6: "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." That's not easy for me to read. Especially in light of Gal. 6:9: "do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart." I know these things are true. That is not even questionable! But the problem now lies in what is happening in my life. I find myself crying out to my Father and saying "Father, I know you control all things. open my eyes to the truth, and not my wants."
One of the toughest things for me to realize is that so many things that are slipping out of my hands are not my own anyway. Above all else, this season in my life has taught me to hold losely to all things in my life. What is most precious? I don't know who reads this things, but I pray that this will be an encouragement to anyone who knows what this time in life is like. I know now more than ever: I walk by FAITH, not by my own power or possessions (or lack thereof).

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?... But I have trusted in Your mercy. My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Ps. 13:1-2,6
What great encouragement to know you are in good company!!