I didn't come up with that title on my own. Those are some lyrics from the song "Portland is Leaving" by a killer artist named Rocky Votolato. (If you like singer-songwriter acoustic stuff with some harmonica thrown in, this is your guy). Anyways, this entry isn't really about me plugging music. I've heard that song hundreds of times and always thought it was good, but those specific lyrics have been stuck in my head lately. I think Rocky is a Christian, I'm not really sure, but boy do those lyrics sum up what we are supposed to be about.
When we try to go about this whole Christian thing with any other motive than love, it really is a massive trainwreck waiting to happen. Paul made that pretty clear in I Corinthians 13 when he wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." How many times are our actions based on something other than love? How often do we treat others with a measure of love that we feel is equivalent to what we receive in return?
Are you a love-centered person? Is your church love-centered? We cannot be program-centered, ministry-centered, social justice-centered, small group-centered, or any other kind of centered. We need to weigh every action and every word, considering the question, "Is love motivating me?"
The only thing that will change people, culture, and our church is love---it is the only answer.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Re-blog: Kevin DeYoung's review of Rob Bell's "Love Wins"
A well-written review of the new Rob Bell book...I know there are a lot of Rob Bell fans out there, and certainly a fair share of critics. In reading the selections from "Love Wins," it is clear Bell is making some dramatic leaps beyond the fringes of orthodoxy. It's a long, but valuable, read.
God Is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School Is Still True: A Review of “Love Wins”
God Is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School Is Still True: A Review of “Love Wins”
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Called to Adopt?
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress" James 1:27
Most people in the United States would consider themselves "religious." (I know, I know, that word is not popular among Christians these days, but I don't mean it in the legalistic sense...I just mean that most people believe in something supernatural, something bigger than themselves.) In fact, the vast majority (the last number I read was something upwards of 80%) of Americans label themselves as a Christian. Given that most people self-identify as Christ-followers, why is James 1:27 ignored by the majority of us? If we consider ourselves "religious," then why don't we want the right kind of religion, a type that God considers "pure" and "faultless"?
Maybe our Biblical illiteracy keeps us from grasping the heart of God when it comes to adoption. Sadly, a growing number of Christians spend very little time in the Bible, much less have an in-depth understanding of what Scripture teaches. Adoption is close to God's heart. James 1:27 is not the only place where God mandates orphan care...the Bible is full of references to taking care of children, the poor, the weak, and the voiceless. But, even more importantly, the Bible makes it clear that we are spiritually adopted by God. Through the sacrifice of Christ, we are grafted into God's family tree as his sons and daughters. When we see God participate in a process on a major scale, it usually means that we need to imitate his work on a human scale. Adoption is a God-act, and therefore needs to be a part of the work of the Church as well.
Maybe we don't understand the gravity of the problem. UNICEF estimates that there are 140-210 million orphans in the world. Every day, nearly 6,000 children become orphans. Over 2 million children become orphans each year in Africa alone. This is an epidemic of epic proportions. The Bible mandates that we take care of the orphans. Maybe we have such a problem on our hands because the Church has dropped the ball for 2,000 years and failed to be what God has called us to be. If the Church isn't taking care of orphans, who is going to? (And on that note, if the Church isn't feeding the hungry who will? clothing the naked? housing the homeless? And the list goes on)
Maybe a lot of us are waiting around to have the feeling we are "called" to adopt. We are no more "called" to adopt than we are "called" to be kind, to help the poor, to share the Gospel, etc. James doesn't say that adoption is part of pure religion for the super-spiritual or "called to adoption" crew. It's for Christians. That includes me, and if you're reading this, probably you. It's not just for middle-aged couples who already have kids. It's for young couples with babies. It's for widows. It's for couples with children and without children. Pure religion is for every Christian which means adoption is for every Christian. Maybe some circumstance keeps us from bringing a new child into the house (although I would venture to say that most of us have some pretty lame excuses for why our circumstances keep us from adoption), but even in that case we can contribute to the cause of adoption by giving to someone else, supporting others, etc.
Alyssa and I are in the same boat as all of you. So, we are going to stop worrying about the finances, family dynamics, waiting for our own babies, etc. God wants Christians to adopt. We're Christians. So, we're exploring adoption options and considering what our next step is. We would appreciate your prayer and wisdom, but more so I hope you consider this epidemic and get involved personally. Tonight, all over the world, children are alone, without parents or a family They are hungry, cold, alone, and sad. Their one dream is to have a family. How can you help?
Most people in the United States would consider themselves "religious." (I know, I know, that word is not popular among Christians these days, but I don't mean it in the legalistic sense...I just mean that most people believe in something supernatural, something bigger than themselves.) In fact, the vast majority (the last number I read was something upwards of 80%) of Americans label themselves as a Christian. Given that most people self-identify as Christ-followers, why is James 1:27 ignored by the majority of us? If we consider ourselves "religious," then why don't we want the right kind of religion, a type that God considers "pure" and "faultless"?
Maybe our Biblical illiteracy keeps us from grasping the heart of God when it comes to adoption. Sadly, a growing number of Christians spend very little time in the Bible, much less have an in-depth understanding of what Scripture teaches. Adoption is close to God's heart. James 1:27 is not the only place where God mandates orphan care...the Bible is full of references to taking care of children, the poor, the weak, and the voiceless. But, even more importantly, the Bible makes it clear that we are spiritually adopted by God. Through the sacrifice of Christ, we are grafted into God's family tree as his sons and daughters. When we see God participate in a process on a major scale, it usually means that we need to imitate his work on a human scale. Adoption is a God-act, and therefore needs to be a part of the work of the Church as well.
Maybe we don't understand the gravity of the problem. UNICEF estimates that there are 140-210 million orphans in the world. Every day, nearly 6,000 children become orphans. Over 2 million children become orphans each year in Africa alone. This is an epidemic of epic proportions. The Bible mandates that we take care of the orphans. Maybe we have such a problem on our hands because the Church has dropped the ball for 2,000 years and failed to be what God has called us to be. If the Church isn't taking care of orphans, who is going to? (And on that note, if the Church isn't feeding the hungry who will? clothing the naked? housing the homeless? And the list goes on)
Maybe a lot of us are waiting around to have the feeling we are "called" to adopt. We are no more "called" to adopt than we are "called" to be kind, to help the poor, to share the Gospel, etc. James doesn't say that adoption is part of pure religion for the super-spiritual or "called to adoption" crew. It's for Christians. That includes me, and if you're reading this, probably you. It's not just for middle-aged couples who already have kids. It's for young couples with babies. It's for widows. It's for couples with children and without children. Pure religion is for every Christian which means adoption is for every Christian. Maybe some circumstance keeps us from bringing a new child into the house (although I would venture to say that most of us have some pretty lame excuses for why our circumstances keep us from adoption), but even in that case we can contribute to the cause of adoption by giving to someone else, supporting others, etc.
Alyssa and I are in the same boat as all of you. So, we are going to stop worrying about the finances, family dynamics, waiting for our own babies, etc. God wants Christians to adopt. We're Christians. So, we're exploring adoption options and considering what our next step is. We would appreciate your prayer and wisdom, but more so I hope you consider this epidemic and get involved personally. Tonight, all over the world, children are alone, without parents or a family They are hungry, cold, alone, and sad. Their one dream is to have a family. How can you help?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Sad Truth about Water
Water is a luxury that we (Americans/the Western world) take for granted. Showers, dishes, drinking water, car washes, toilets, washing machines, swimming pools, water fountains, ice cubes, decorative fountains---all things that take water, whether or a lot or little, that we don't bat an eye at. Water is plentiful---for us. In the majority of the world, clean water is scarce. Do you realize just how scarce it is? Check out these facts from Compassion International:
*50% of the world's hospitalizations are due to water-related illnesses such as cholera.
*One in five children (TWENTY PERCENT OF ALL CHILDREN!) worldwide die from diarrhea---that's more than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined.
*Poor people living in the slums often have to pay five to ten time more per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.
*2.5 million people do not have adequate sanitation facilities.
*800 MILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER.
*1.5 million children die of water-borne illnesses every year.
These numbers are absolutely staggering. I can't even comprehend the suffering that is happening worldwide. Life is cozy and safe here. Kids aren't dying because they don't have water. People aren't begging in the streets for clean water. We are isolated from this worldwide epidemic. We can choose to not be isolated. There are ways to help. Blood Water: Mission is a ministry that our family supports that builds wells for impoverished areas of Africa. Check out this video to learn more about what they do and how you can help.
*50% of the world's hospitalizations are due to water-related illnesses such as cholera.
*One in five children (TWENTY PERCENT OF ALL CHILDREN!) worldwide die from diarrhea---that's more than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined.
*Poor people living in the slums often have to pay five to ten time more per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.
*2.5 million people do not have adequate sanitation facilities.
*800 MILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER.
*1.5 million children die of water-borne illnesses every year.
These numbers are absolutely staggering. I can't even comprehend the suffering that is happening worldwide. Life is cozy and safe here. Kids aren't dying because they don't have water. People aren't begging in the streets for clean water. We are isolated from this worldwide epidemic. We can choose to not be isolated. There are ways to help. Blood Water: Mission is a ministry that our family supports that builds wells for impoverished areas of Africa. Check out this video to learn more about what they do and how you can help.
Our friends the Palms have a heart for Uganda and particularly an unsanitary holding area for orphans that lacks clean water. Read their story here and get involved by giving $20 to their cause.
We all need to do something. Please, get involved and save a life.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Music: The Avett Brothers- Various Songs
Sometimes, we need to appreciate art because it's beautiful, and good. If every good and perfect thing comes from God, then we can definitely find God in art and music. As I was watching the Avett Brothers rock it tonight, I was reminded of how creative God is and how creativity is such a reflection of who he is. We are made in the image of the Creator God, so our creativity comes as a result of being made in his image. Long story short, I really appreciate the Avett Brothers music and I'm posting it because it is art and not because of some deep spiritual teaching (not that I am saying I provide that here, but you get my point). Enjoy some of my favorites.
"I and Love and You"
"Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise"
"I and Love and You"
"The Ballad of Love and Hate"
"I Would Be Sad"
"If It's the Beaches"
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Music: Jon Foreman- "Revenge"
I really enjoy this song and have heard multiple intriguing explanations of the meaning of some of the writing. What do you think?
Righteous Indignation
Maybe it shouldn't make me proud to hear my students expressing some righteous indignation, but I admit that I felt that way today. Righteous anger can sometimes really be nothing more than pride not-so-subtly rearing its ugly head, but it can also be a sign of maturity. So, let me explain what happened and why the attitude of my junior and senior Bible class encouraged me that they are growing.
Today, we had a speaker come into our chapel to share about the 30 Hour Famine ministry of World Vision. (http://30hourfamine.org/) He actually seemed like a really solid, humble guy and I enjoyed his presentation on social justice stemming from Micah 6:8. I want to be totally clear here and state that I think the work that World Vision does to create awareness about hunger and to raise funds to feed the needy is wonderful. The purpose of the speaker's visit was to encourage students to attend a 30 Hour Famine event at a local church. (To summarize this event, students get pledges for every hour that they don't eat during this teen-centered event. They do some community work during the night and a lock-in is held where kids hang out and fast.) I think it's a good way for kids to become aware of a need in a tangible way, so I support the kids participating. What I found a little off-putting---and I later found out ruffled my students feathers as well---was that after a great presentation the students were encouraged by the speaker to attend the event because they would have a "sweet juice bar" and several great bands for the kids to listen to. Now, it probably sounds like I'm just picking everything apart and being a jerk. I'm not. I just know that my kids don't need that kind of incentive to help others.
Later, when I talked to my class, they were quick to mention how they felt a little patronized by the incentives to participate. One student said, "I don't need all that to do what's right..." Another commented that it didn't sound like "suffering if I get a juice bar." Sometimes, I think, we don't give teenagers enough credit. We assume we have to put together a cool event or flashy worship service or attractive youth room in order to get kids to be willing to do something "Christian." This isn't true. Kids are spiritually astute enough to know that something is missing in their lives when God is not there. They are hungry for significance and wholeness. They aren't opposed to considering Christ as an answer to the void in their lives. When you get a solid group of Christian kids like we have at VCA, their hearts are already moved towards helping the helpless. They need awareness. Awareness IS the incentive to act.
These principles apply to adults too. People know they are missing something. If what we provide is more about aesthetics and less about authenticity, we will find people quickly becoming unamused and moving on to the next form of entertainment. If we're really the Church, we don't need the bells and whistles to be moved by the Spirit. That goes for our kids too...
Today, we had a speaker come into our chapel to share about the 30 Hour Famine ministry of World Vision. (http://30hourfamine.org/) He actually seemed like a really solid, humble guy and I enjoyed his presentation on social justice stemming from Micah 6:8. I want to be totally clear here and state that I think the work that World Vision does to create awareness about hunger and to raise funds to feed the needy is wonderful. The purpose of the speaker's visit was to encourage students to attend a 30 Hour Famine event at a local church. (To summarize this event, students get pledges for every hour that they don't eat during this teen-centered event. They do some community work during the night and a lock-in is held where kids hang out and fast.) I think it's a good way for kids to become aware of a need in a tangible way, so I support the kids participating. What I found a little off-putting---and I later found out ruffled my students feathers as well---was that after a great presentation the students were encouraged by the speaker to attend the event because they would have a "sweet juice bar" and several great bands for the kids to listen to. Now, it probably sounds like I'm just picking everything apart and being a jerk. I'm not. I just know that my kids don't need that kind of incentive to help others.
Later, when I talked to my class, they were quick to mention how they felt a little patronized by the incentives to participate. One student said, "I don't need all that to do what's right..." Another commented that it didn't sound like "suffering if I get a juice bar." Sometimes, I think, we don't give teenagers enough credit. We assume we have to put together a cool event or flashy worship service or attractive youth room in order to get kids to be willing to do something "Christian." This isn't true. Kids are spiritually astute enough to know that something is missing in their lives when God is not there. They are hungry for significance and wholeness. They aren't opposed to considering Christ as an answer to the void in their lives. When you get a solid group of Christian kids like we have at VCA, their hearts are already moved towards helping the helpless. They need awareness. Awareness IS the incentive to act.
These principles apply to adults too. People know they are missing something. If what we provide is more about aesthetics and less about authenticity, we will find people quickly becoming unamused and moving on to the next form of entertainment. If we're really the Church, we don't need the bells and whistles to be moved by the Spirit. That goes for our kids too...
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