Well Christmas is around the corner and I am excited. Yes, I will continue to say Merry Christmas, not because I dislike other religions and festive celebrations, but because this season is encapsulated in Christ for me. Some have been trying to get me to say 'happy incarnation' so that I can apologetically defend the incarnation. I think that this type of reasoning is nice, but sincerely misguided.
In other news, I am currently reading The Jesus Way by Eugene Peterson. I am enjoying this spiritually formative read and I will keep on this blog my thoughts about what I am reading.
This book is predicated on John 14:6 where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life..." Peterson would like to point out that the 'truth and life' can only be accomplished when we are on the 'way.'
In his introduction, Peterson discusses how Jesus is not offering a complementary way to the ways and means of the world, but an alternative way. The manner in which God goes about defining success and production is completely different from the way in which the world offers these signposts of greatness. Peterson also critiques the consumer driven American church with a strikingly harsh, but true, statement; "A consumer church is an antichrist church (page 6)."
The flow of thought continues to show just how far reaching salvation is. Peterson shows that the 'end' goal of the Christian experience is salvation. It is highly important to realize that this salvation is not just an eschatological divine pardoning, but also a life altering and transforming, long lasting experience. "This is a salvation understood as comprehensive, intricate, patiently personal, embracingly social, insistently political. Salvation is the work of God that restores the world and us to wholeness (page 7 emphasis mine)." Peterson continues to discuss how to often the church will use the ways and means of the world that are at odds with what God desires.
It is integral in this understanding is the realization that Jesus is King. "We live in a world where Christ is King. If Christ is King, everything, quite literally, every thing and every one, has to be re-imagined, re-configured, re-oriented to a way of life that consists in an obedient following of Jesus (page 9)." This coheres well with NT Wright's understanding of the word 'gospel' as being the pronouncement that Jesus is King. Those who try to divorce Jesus Christ and his work from political action misunderstand the nature of the gospel. The gospel according to Jesus was "the kingdom of God is at hand (mk 1:15)." The reason the gospels are so inundated with the Kingdom of God is that Jesus came to establish a kingdom, not a simply a system of how people get their sins managed. Peterson continues, "The ways and means promoted and practices in the world are a systematic attempt to substitute human sovereingty for God's rule (pg 9)."
To conclude the introduction, Peterson speaks against what he calls the 'Laity Myth.' There is a pervading myth in the Christian church that people who do not have a degree in theology or who do not the gifts of preaching/teaching are sort of second-class believers. This is completely untrue. The people of God are built up of mainly people without such degrees and the like. Jesus's disciples were not those schooled in theology, but those who knew how to fish, do taxes, be zealous and the like. A problem connected with this is that people invest too much of their identity in what they can do well, rather in who they are (in the case of believers, Children of God). It is important for the 'leaders' of the church to get involvement from those without the official training. It is important for those who are not officially trained to believe that God desires earnestly to use them.
That is it for now. I am challenged and encouraged in reading this book, I hope that my synopsis has aided you as well.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
3 reaons hy I hate finals week:
Here are some reasons why I really dislike finals week, especially in the dorms.
1. Guys get crazy. There is something about the last few days of a semester that bring out all of the stored in frustrations. Also, guys just like to do stupid things and they have been working hard for an entire semester, they want to do something fun, so they do something stupid.
2. School shuts down. I like the routine that school gives my life. I am not a very structured person, but the structure that I get from school is beneficial to healthy living. I find it very hard to adjust and make up a new structure.
3. I hate leaving my social network. All of the friends with whom I have spent large amounts of time with are no longer around me when break comes. As I write this I realize that I will only have this type of community for another semester, then things will change drastically. I am not looking forward to reestablishing a good community. I hope that I will be able to find one.
Well that is about it. Tests are not a problem, projects aren't that big of a deal. It is mainly about relationships.
1. Guys get crazy. There is something about the last few days of a semester that bring out all of the stored in frustrations. Also, guys just like to do stupid things and they have been working hard for an entire semester, they want to do something fun, so they do something stupid.
2. School shuts down. I like the routine that school gives my life. I am not a very structured person, but the structure that I get from school is beneficial to healthy living. I find it very hard to adjust and make up a new structure.
3. I hate leaving my social network. All of the friends with whom I have spent large amounts of time with are no longer around me when break comes. As I write this I realize that I will only have this type of community for another semester, then things will change drastically. I am not looking forward to reestablishing a good community. I hope that I will be able to find one.
Well that is about it. Tests are not a problem, projects aren't that big of a deal. It is mainly about relationships.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Few Thoughts About God
The title could be no more nebulous, I like that.
I am finding that all the intellect in the world does not matter as much as I might think. Being smart might be nice, I wouldn't know, but knowing God is the only worthwhile pursuit. No matter how much I could tell someone about the facts of Christianity (whichever facts I may believe) that is generally not what changes a person. What changes a person is meeting other people whose lives change other people. Great people inspire greatness.
There are few people who would have disrespected Mother Teresa. Her kindness was tempered with humility that almost forced people to listen to her speak. Her stature was small, I'm not sure she was even 5 feet tall, yet her presence was enormous. She had authority, an unassuming authority that graced people. She was not powerful, she was authoritative. It is authentic authority that people will listen to.
I met a man at the National Missionary Convention whose life will hopefully change me permanently. His name is Ash Barker. He moved from comfortable Australian living to an urban area of disaster. He moved with his wife into places that most people would consider untouchable. He did this in order to share the gospel with these down and out people. Ash correctly realized that a gospel that is not good news to the poor, is not good news at all. The gospel that Ash taught was not that the poor will become rich, but that the poor can have worth and value in the eyes of God, and hence in the eyes of God's people. It is in this that the people can then rejoice. For the community will take care of them, the poor can rejoice. Sadly, the community at large has forgotten this. But through Ash's work, the neighborhood he moved to became an area of hope.
Ash started an organization called Urban Neighbors of Hope (UNOH). With that, he moved his family (wife and daughter at the time, he now has a son) into the Klong Toey slum in Bangkok, Thailand. This community of 80,000 people live in 2 square kilometers, and do not have a proper sewerage system. The area is rampant with disease, the people are incredibly poor. This is not the type of place most peopel visit, let alone want to life. But because Christ has called his people to serve the poor, Ash went. He started a community center and began helping out in a local church. He is helping show God's love to people who need to hear some good news. Ash's voice to others is a voice of authority, no one can doubt the sincerity of this man. Yet probably the most remarkable of all Ash's attributes is that he does not condemn those who are not as active in serving the poor as he is. He believes (and rightly so) that Christians need to be invovled in solving proverty in the world, but he is not condemning of those who have not realized this yet. His attitude is not cynical, but grace-filled. He a person to whom people will and do listen carefully. He has authority.
Authority comes from knowing God. When Jesus spoke, he spoke with authority. His authority came from knowing God. May I ever be a person who knows God. May I always spend my energy on the only thing worthy of pursuit, knowing God. May God be as real and intimate with me as my own self. I wish to know God, I say. Better and better every single day. I wish to hear his tender voice. I long to have his blessed insights. His tender mercies to be my speach. His great love to be my reach. Within my hand he grace to give. And for his sake, my life to live.
And this is eternal life to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I am finding that all the intellect in the world does not matter as much as I might think. Being smart might be nice, I wouldn't know, but knowing God is the only worthwhile pursuit. No matter how much I could tell someone about the facts of Christianity (whichever facts I may believe) that is generally not what changes a person. What changes a person is meeting other people whose lives change other people. Great people inspire greatness.
There are few people who would have disrespected Mother Teresa. Her kindness was tempered with humility that almost forced people to listen to her speak. Her stature was small, I'm not sure she was even 5 feet tall, yet her presence was enormous. She had authority, an unassuming authority that graced people. She was not powerful, she was authoritative. It is authentic authority that people will listen to.
I met a man at the National Missionary Convention whose life will hopefully change me permanently. His name is Ash Barker. He moved from comfortable Australian living to an urban area of disaster. He moved with his wife into places that most people would consider untouchable. He did this in order to share the gospel with these down and out people. Ash correctly realized that a gospel that is not good news to the poor, is not good news at all. The gospel that Ash taught was not that the poor will become rich, but that the poor can have worth and value in the eyes of God, and hence in the eyes of God's people. It is in this that the people can then rejoice. For the community will take care of them, the poor can rejoice. Sadly, the community at large has forgotten this. But through Ash's work, the neighborhood he moved to became an area of hope.
Ash started an organization called Urban Neighbors of Hope (UNOH). With that, he moved his family (wife and daughter at the time, he now has a son) into the Klong Toey slum in Bangkok, Thailand. This community of 80,000 people live in 2 square kilometers, and do not have a proper sewerage system. The area is rampant with disease, the people are incredibly poor. This is not the type of place most peopel visit, let alone want to life. But because Christ has called his people to serve the poor, Ash went. He started a community center and began helping out in a local church. He is helping show God's love to people who need to hear some good news. Ash's voice to others is a voice of authority, no one can doubt the sincerity of this man. Yet probably the most remarkable of all Ash's attributes is that he does not condemn those who are not as active in serving the poor as he is. He believes (and rightly so) that Christians need to be invovled in solving proverty in the world, but he is not condemning of those who have not realized this yet. His attitude is not cynical, but grace-filled. He a person to whom people will and do listen carefully. He has authority.
Authority comes from knowing God. When Jesus spoke, he spoke with authority. His authority came from knowing God. May I ever be a person who knows God. May I always spend my energy on the only thing worthy of pursuit, knowing God. May God be as real and intimate with me as my own self. I wish to know God, I say. Better and better every single day. I wish to hear his tender voice. I long to have his blessed insights. His tender mercies to be my speach. His great love to be my reach. Within my hand he grace to give. And for his sake, my life to live.
And this is eternal life to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Random Thoughts Against the Christian Political Right:
1. The USA was founded on Christian principles:
All of this is to say that I am sick of the Evangelical Right and their complaining. I know not every person who voted McCain is like this. I just want to let this out. There seems to be an embedded understanding among Evangelicals that political activism is best fleshed out through voting republican. I think that is completely asinine and vacuous. It would be incredibly refreshing if the same people in my home state of California who voted against gay marriage, were to actually care enough about the sanctity of marriage to not get divorced. It would also be great if Christians decided that it is God who defines what marriage is and not the government. If a homosexual couple wants the same insurance rights as a married couple why shouldn't they get them? I am sickened because I rarely see any times in church history where the church actually showed the love of Christ to homosexuals. What if that happened? What if the church decided to love homosexuals enough to treat them as human beings? Do you think something might change? Evangelicalism seems too often narrow minded and based on one issue. I am tired of it. I want to see the church be a true force in the community, a force that seeks to change the world with the love of Christ. But it seems that Evangelicals cannot love the unlovely unless the unlovely becomes a straight white middle classed American. That is harsh, I know. But that is how I feel. The christian right has been caricatured here and I realize it. Still, the majority of contact that I have with this Christian right is so devoid of love toward those who are opposed to being good republicans that it sickens me. Why can't we love people? All that said, I do love the people in the church who are like this. I am sad that they make poor decisions and neglect what seems incredibly important to the gospel. I don't want to offend anyone who reads this, but no doubt I will. Sorry.
grace and peace
- Romans 13 says not to rebel against the King
- It would seem that the revolutionary was is in direct contrast to this.
- Paul wrote quite probably about Nero, a much worse king than George
- the preamble to the constitution was written for white, land owning, males, not a literal every man and woman concept of freedom
- He divorced his wife for a sordid love affair to a younger lady
- President Bill Clinton had an affair and the Christian right shouted "impeach, impeach"
- The lesser of two evils then only seems to be the republican instead of the democrat due largely to the abortion issue. Ironically, I know of at least 3 people who have been/are active in Crisis Pregnancy Centers who voted Obama, that is refreshing to me.
- It would only seem fitting to vote for someone whose moral life you wouldn't want to impeach, like Obama, but that would be too bad.
- This seems to be based largely on poor theology: a wrong eschatological framework
- This comes out of fake accusations that President Elect Obama is a muslim terrorist
- New presidents rarely are able to change much.
All of this is to say that I am sick of the Evangelical Right and their complaining. I know not every person who voted McCain is like this. I just want to let this out. There seems to be an embedded understanding among Evangelicals that political activism is best fleshed out through voting republican. I think that is completely asinine and vacuous. It would be incredibly refreshing if the same people in my home state of California who voted against gay marriage, were to actually care enough about the sanctity of marriage to not get divorced. It would also be great if Christians decided that it is God who defines what marriage is and not the government. If a homosexual couple wants the same insurance rights as a married couple why shouldn't they get them? I am sickened because I rarely see any times in church history where the church actually showed the love of Christ to homosexuals. What if that happened? What if the church decided to love homosexuals enough to treat them as human beings? Do you think something might change? Evangelicalism seems too often narrow minded and based on one issue. I am tired of it. I want to see the church be a true force in the community, a force that seeks to change the world with the love of Christ. But it seems that Evangelicals cannot love the unlovely unless the unlovely becomes a straight white middle classed American. That is harsh, I know. But that is how I feel. The christian right has been caricatured here and I realize it. Still, the majority of contact that I have with this Christian right is so devoid of love toward those who are opposed to being good republicans that it sickens me. Why can't we love people? All that said, I do love the people in the church who are like this. I am sad that they make poor decisions and neglect what seems incredibly important to the gospel. I don't want to offend anyone who reads this, but no doubt I will. Sorry.
grace and peace
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday my heart is restless
Finally, the day has come! It has been long enough, the election is over. Yet something restless lies in my heart. Not about the country, its politics, or the election, but about my future as someone serving God.
I have begun to see where people draw the line for fellowship. Maybe not intentionally, but the line is drawn nonetheless. The whole church is not always concerned about the pursuit of truth. It is sad to say, but the church parade's its knowledge of truth as a knowledge of ownership, a knowledge that exclusively belongs to her. This knowledge is stagnant, not progressing. I fear what will happen to me, whether or not I will remain faithful to truth, even if that means marching down a different path from the ones who led me along. What if I disagree greatly with my mentors and those who have invested in me? Do I just concede what I perceive truth to be, so that I will not ruffle anyone's feathers? I fear that I have seen people take a stand, a radical stand for what they thought was true. But after a while of standing on their own, of being outside of the theological and social norm, they caved into compromise.
I will pursue truth, because I believe that Jesus is truth. I will pursue it and know what precious little of it I can. I will stand alone if necessary so that truth can be proclaimed. I will be faithful. All of this will happen only by the grace of God. Only by my trusting in Him above all else.
It is my goal to read the people I am told I should disagree with. I want to hear their voice, not their accusers. I would rather disagree with the accuser, it is in my nature to be pretentious. I am sick of hearing false caricatures of "liberal" views. I am sick of being given a partial and biased knowledge against beliefs that stretch people. I am sick of much, I am sick of who I am becoming. But I know that it is only on the road of trials that I will become. In the end I wish to say that, I have known God.
I have begun to see where people draw the line for fellowship. Maybe not intentionally, but the line is drawn nonetheless. The whole church is not always concerned about the pursuit of truth. It is sad to say, but the church parade's its knowledge of truth as a knowledge of ownership, a knowledge that exclusively belongs to her. This knowledge is stagnant, not progressing. I fear what will happen to me, whether or not I will remain faithful to truth, even if that means marching down a different path from the ones who led me along. What if I disagree greatly with my mentors and those who have invested in me? Do I just concede what I perceive truth to be, so that I will not ruffle anyone's feathers? I fear that I have seen people take a stand, a radical stand for what they thought was true. But after a while of standing on their own, of being outside of the theological and social norm, they caved into compromise.
I will pursue truth, because I believe that Jesus is truth. I will pursue it and know what precious little of it I can. I will stand alone if necessary so that truth can be proclaimed. I will be faithful. All of this will happen only by the grace of God. Only by my trusting in Him above all else.
It is my goal to read the people I am told I should disagree with. I want to hear their voice, not their accusers. I would rather disagree with the accuser, it is in my nature to be pretentious. I am sick of hearing false caricatures of "liberal" views. I am sick of being given a partial and biased knowledge against beliefs that stretch people. I am sick of much, I am sick of who I am becoming. But I know that it is only on the road of trials that I will become. In the end I wish to say that, I have known God.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Waiting For Wednesday
I will be glad once this presidential election is finished. It will be a glorious day to not have to hear or see another political advertisement. It will be even better to not have to heart the many disagreements taking place within the Kingdom of God. I could care less who is president, but I need to care more about what the church is doing to change the world.
In the Old Testament the Temple was the intersecting point between the presence of God and the presence of humanity. Ironically, in the New Testament, Paul calls the church the Temple of God. So, what Paul is says is that the church is the presence of God within humanity.
With that as a background, I would like to see the church start doing acts of restoration on troublesome issues, rather than complain about legislature. Maybe if the church actually did something, other than vote, like pray or act, we would not be worried so much about abortions.
In any case, I am excited about this Wednesday it will be a time of relief and hopefully of the church growing closer together. Politics may be a tool of the enemy used to divide, rather than unite. I pray that we may be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.
In the Old Testament the Temple was the intersecting point between the presence of God and the presence of humanity. Ironically, in the New Testament, Paul calls the church the Temple of God. So, what Paul is says is that the church is the presence of God within humanity.
With that as a background, I would like to see the church start doing acts of restoration on troublesome issues, rather than complain about legislature. Maybe if the church actually did something, other than vote, like pray or act, we would not be worried so much about abortions.
In any case, I am excited about this Wednesday it will be a time of relief and hopefully of the church growing closer together. Politics may be a tool of the enemy used to divide, rather than unite. I pray that we may be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Importance of Being Random
So yesterday as I was driving to a friend's house, I picked my nose. It was intense, for the moment I stopped picking the itch present in my nose continued. I looked in the mirror to see why there was such an itch on my nose and I saw a hair. Now I thought this was no big deal, you see I have a rather large beard. It was my initial understanding that this hair on my nose was coming from my face, alas I was wrong. While driving, I discovered that this hair was not on the external part of my face, but that its origins were from deep within my nostrils. So, I tried to pluck it, after one failed attempt with several tears trickling down my face, I determined to finish the job once the car was stopped. After I parked, I grabbed the pair of tweezers that are in my car (for what reason tweezers are in my car, I have no clue) and gave this evil hair a light pluck. My hand faltered and the hair remained in my nose. Several more tears streaming down one half of my face and I decided to give up. I will say repeatedly that I have no shame, so I felt no great concern with a nose hair poking its way out of my nostril. After a few moments chilling with my friend my curiosity got the best of me and I gave another try after this ominous foe. This time I was victorious!! I had plucked the hair. In that moment of glorious victory, I was confronted with the horrible truth. I had just plucked a 3/4inch nose hair. The biggest problem with this whole ordeal is that I really don't like being...hairy? It is not exactly my thing to have loads of hair, yet, it seems to be my reality. I am not yet close to 25 years old and my nose hairs are already 3/4inch long. What will happen when I am 60? I hate to think of the future of my nose hair. I can only imagine being unable to hear because of ear hair, or not being able to smell because of nose hair. That is only a glimpse into the pathetic nature I call my life. So the moral of the story is keep a handy pair of tweezers in your car, you never know when you'll have a rogue nose hair.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Are we captive????
O Come O Come Immanuel
And Ransom Captive Israel
That Mourns in Lowly Exile Here
Until the Son of God appears
Rejoice, Rejoice Immanuel
Has Come to Thee O Israel
So N.T. Wright talks about Israel thinking itself still in captivity in the first century, I think that others saw this before him. Maybe Paul really saw the Christian experience in parallel with the exodus of captive Israel. We are in exile until the Son of God ransoms us and takes us to be with Him in resurrection.
By the way, Christmas is ever approaching.
And Ransom Captive Israel
That Mourns in Lowly Exile Here
Until the Son of God appears
Rejoice, Rejoice Immanuel
Has Come to Thee O Israel
So N.T. Wright talks about Israel thinking itself still in captivity in the first century, I think that others saw this before him. Maybe Paul really saw the Christian experience in parallel with the exodus of captive Israel. We are in exile until the Son of God ransoms us and takes us to be with Him in resurrection.
By the way, Christmas is ever approaching.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I guess this blog name should be explained
Well for those of you who do not know, hesed (pronounced with a guttural ch at the beginning) is the Hebrew word for covenant loyalty. Throughout the OT this word occurs to describe how God responds to His covenant, with faithfulness. God is completely faithful. In fact, I am studying the letter to the Romans this semester and the view of the "New Perspective" explains one of the major, if not the major, theme in Romans is God's faithfulness to His covenant is seen in the life and ministry and death and resurrection of Jesus. God is faithful to his covenant, no matter how faithless his people are. The title of my blog is about holding on to the hope that and fact that God is completely faithful to those who belong to God.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Obamanation!!
I saw a bumpersticker the other day. “Obama 08” is what it read. Nothing spectacular, nothing profound, but something stuck out to me. The elderly lady driving that car didn’t notice that I was starring, but I noticed something about her, and I assume, people in general. She has hope for something better than this world. She has the desire for a better tomorrow. Something within her longs for a bright and bold future that offers freedom, peace, and beauty. She has “the audacity of hope.” Maybe I am naïve, but then again I feel as though I perceived something quite true today. All of this ladies hopes and dreams are misplaced. She is expecting the government, particularly the Obama campaign to bring about peace, hope, beauty and freedom. She is hoping in the goodness of the few to bring about the joy for the many. I can’t help but think that her hopes in one charismatic man are quite close to the truth. For within her hopes of this one man is found a larger and more encompassing hope in the goodness of people. Her hope that people will make the right decisions, that people will be good, that people will do the right thing, is something found among many people. It is even a hope expressed in the new movie, ‘Dark Knight.’
Her hope in one man is actually bigger than I have expressed, she hope/thinks/believes that somehow the system of America will in some way be able to bring about a better world. This just seems to me to be a little off of the truth as well. She feels that the ideals of America such as freedom, capitalism, and equality are core values in securing the better tomorrow. This is all well and good, if you have no other system by which you can judge the securing of a better tomorrow. Even when there are competing systems jockeying for a better slot there is debate about which one is best. It would seem to me that America has an efficient enough system in bringing about the “best” for the people who live there, but the system and ideals of America are not exactly what I want.
I want my ideals to be the ideals of God, my system to be the only system/kingdom that offers eternal peace, my hope in people to be in the kingdom members, and my one man I trust in to be Jesus. I can’t help but think (possibly due to an overly high ecclesiology) that the freedom, peace, beauty and justice that everyone wants is total and complete when found within God’s kingdom. When the gospel (the news that Jesus is king over everything, not just a personal Lord. And that this Jesus’ people can go about proclaiming that news and bringing freedom and liberation and justice to those who obey follow him.) is spread through the community of God freedom, beauty, justice, and peace spring forth. “Christianity is all about becoming human.” At least that is what I keep hearing from Alex Giltner. But really why should I hope in some man other than Jesus, some group of people other than the church, some system of government other than the kingdom of God? I submit I should not.
Now I don’t know much about politics or campaigns, but I think that what I want to communicate is irrelevant to political campaigns. So, I see within that lady’s bumpersticker a philosophy for something deeper and that is less than satisfactory. But then again, that car might have been stolen, or that sticker been slapped on that ladies car by some crazy Obama supporter. For those who suffered through this, sorry for my inability to be clear.
Her hope in one man is actually bigger than I have expressed, she hope/thinks/believes that somehow the system of America will in some way be able to bring about a better world. This just seems to me to be a little off of the truth as well. She feels that the ideals of America such as freedom, capitalism, and equality are core values in securing the better tomorrow. This is all well and good, if you have no other system by which you can judge the securing of a better tomorrow. Even when there are competing systems jockeying for a better slot there is debate about which one is best. It would seem to me that America has an efficient enough system in bringing about the “best” for the people who live there, but the system and ideals of America are not exactly what I want.
I want my ideals to be the ideals of God, my system to be the only system/kingdom that offers eternal peace, my hope in people to be in the kingdom members, and my one man I trust in to be Jesus. I can’t help but think (possibly due to an overly high ecclesiology) that the freedom, peace, beauty and justice that everyone wants is total and complete when found within God’s kingdom. When the gospel (the news that Jesus is king over everything, not just a personal Lord. And that this Jesus’ people can go about proclaiming that news and bringing freedom and liberation and justice to those who obey follow him.) is spread through the community of God freedom, beauty, justice, and peace spring forth. “Christianity is all about becoming human.” At least that is what I keep hearing from Alex Giltner. But really why should I hope in some man other than Jesus, some group of people other than the church, some system of government other than the kingdom of God? I submit I should not.
Now I don’t know much about politics or campaigns, but I think that what I want to communicate is irrelevant to political campaigns. So, I see within that lady’s bumpersticker a philosophy for something deeper and that is less than satisfactory. But then again, that car might have been stolen, or that sticker been slapped on that ladies car by some crazy Obama supporter. For those who suffered through this, sorry for my inability to be clear.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I now have a shotgun!
Yes, I now own my own shotgun! It is a Benelli Nova Pump, 12 gauge, in Advantage Max 4HD camoflauge. I really like it. My job is okay. I wish i were better for my church. but my final year of undergraduate work is creeping slowly around the corner. soon i will be a college grad, it seems like it has taken long enough.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tipping is not a city in China.
So I now work at iHop (thank you apple) and I have discovered that getting a good tip is not all that easy. I guess with the failing economy the first thing to go is good tipping, right? Higher gas prices, higher food prices and all that jazz really makes it hard to earn money. Not that money is everything or even eternally important, but I have found in this climate a chance to practice better stewardship (one of my many failing points). Jesus talked about money a lot, and using it for eternal things. I hope to be a person who gives generously not only from my pocket but also from my heart. He that is faithful in little will be faithful in much. I hope that I can be a faithful person in all my dealings. That is all for now, I guess.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
I don't love America...
But I don't hate it either. So that leaves me with a question; should I leave? You do know the old saying "America, love it or leave it!" But what about those who are mildly/more than mildly indifferent about the US of A? My reasoning for not being madly in love with America is not from a disdain for the Bush campaign, but out of the love for the only eternal nation (the Kingdom of God).
I am currently home in California, and I have been amazed at the ardent nationalism found within the church of America. I don't pledge allegiance to a flag of any nation, I pledge allegiance to Christ, hence I say that Jesus is Lord. This does not mean that Jesus is only a personal Lord, it means that Jesus is the LORD (ie King) of everything. I could see how saying Jesus is my personal Lord is saying that Jesus is the Lord of their life, or that she/he has recognized Jesus' Lordship.
All of this leads me to one question of many, should Christians say a pledge of allegiance (similar to saying, "Caesar is Lord")? One could argue that the pledge of allegiance to the US is not at all similar, however, I would remark that the words in the pledge argue against its dissimilarity to saying Caesar is Lord. Why should I give my allegiance to a country if I have already pledged "All to Jesus I surrender?" I remember someone saying that, "you cannot have two masters, you cannot serve both God and country" (okay I know the verse says money, but I think that this is a clear implication from the first part of the statement).
What about the US being a "Christian" nation, that has to count for something, right? I don't really think so. I have heard it said that this country was founded on Christian principles, however, I do not see them. This country was founded in rebellion to another empire. As I look through the pages of the New Testament I don't find any reason for a rebellion of force against a persecutor/tyrant. Remember the context of the New Testament, crazy Roman emperors, some who decided to physically and financial persecute the people of God. Amidst such a bad climate, never does Paul, Peter, James, John or any New Testament leader encourage a rebellion of force, even in "self-defense." The advice from these Apostles was "honor the king," "pray for the king," "submit to the government." Thus, I feel it is a presumptuous to assume Christian heritage of the USA. Especially considering the fact that in the face of financial and some physical persecution the founders of the USA fought in a rebellion of force, something that contradicts the advice given from the Apostles in a similar situation.
Now, I really am ambivalent about the USA, but I am adamant against nationalism in the church. Churches should rid themselves of the American flag. Churches should emphasize political action, but not in the manner of a Chuck Colson. (ASIDE: Breakpoint ministries, or whatever they are called, try to get Christians involved in keeping Christian values prominent in American society. What this translates to for me is they try to get every Christian to actively promote a republican agenda. This is nice in the sense that this ministry is attempting to get Christians involved in the political world. However, I find the methods and means of doing so are poor. Jesus was political, but not a republican. Jesus was political in a politically charged environment, but he was not a part of any of the political parties. So I suggest that the church be political in a manner like Jesus was. Jesus was not a republican or a democrat or even a third party. Jesus didn't vote, he acted political. So maybe rather than just voting against abortion [as if it is the only political issue] maybe Christians should start crisis pregnancy centers. END OF ASIDE)
So I will continue not to pledge allegiance to a country that is not the Kingdom of God, I will continue not to sing a national anthem that doesn't emphasize the LORDSHIP of Christ over all, and I will continue to be upset and baffled when Christians say that the soldiers have given us the peace we experience in this country (as if God had nothing to do with it). I am a Resident Alien, I don't belong in the US or in any country that isn't the Kingdom of God. My citizenship is in heaven from where I wait the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change my vile body like unto His glorious body.
I am currently home in California, and I have been amazed at the ardent nationalism found within the church of America. I don't pledge allegiance to a flag of any nation, I pledge allegiance to Christ, hence I say that Jesus is Lord. This does not mean that Jesus is only a personal Lord, it means that Jesus is the LORD (ie King) of everything. I could see how saying Jesus is my personal Lord is saying that Jesus is the Lord of their life, or that she/he has recognized Jesus' Lordship.
All of this leads me to one question of many, should Christians say a pledge of allegiance (similar to saying, "Caesar is Lord")? One could argue that the pledge of allegiance to the US is not at all similar, however, I would remark that the words in the pledge argue against its dissimilarity to saying Caesar is Lord. Why should I give my allegiance to a country if I have already pledged "All to Jesus I surrender?" I remember someone saying that, "you cannot have two masters, you cannot serve both God and country" (okay I know the verse says money, but I think that this is a clear implication from the first part of the statement).
What about the US being a "Christian" nation, that has to count for something, right? I don't really think so. I have heard it said that this country was founded on Christian principles, however, I do not see them. This country was founded in rebellion to another empire. As I look through the pages of the New Testament I don't find any reason for a rebellion of force against a persecutor/tyrant. Remember the context of the New Testament, crazy Roman emperors, some who decided to physically and financial persecute the people of God. Amidst such a bad climate, never does Paul, Peter, James, John or any New Testament leader encourage a rebellion of force, even in "self-defense." The advice from these Apostles was "honor the king," "pray for the king," "submit to the government." Thus, I feel it is a presumptuous to assume Christian heritage of the USA. Especially considering the fact that in the face of financial and some physical persecution the founders of the USA fought in a rebellion of force, something that contradicts the advice given from the Apostles in a similar situation.
Now, I really am ambivalent about the USA, but I am adamant against nationalism in the church. Churches should rid themselves of the American flag. Churches should emphasize political action, but not in the manner of a Chuck Colson. (ASIDE: Breakpoint ministries, or whatever they are called, try to get Christians involved in keeping Christian values prominent in American society. What this translates to for me is they try to get every Christian to actively promote a republican agenda. This is nice in the sense that this ministry is attempting to get Christians involved in the political world. However, I find the methods and means of doing so are poor. Jesus was political, but not a republican. Jesus was political in a politically charged environment, but he was not a part of any of the political parties. So I suggest that the church be political in a manner like Jesus was. Jesus was not a republican or a democrat or even a third party. Jesus didn't vote, he acted political. So maybe rather than just voting against abortion [as if it is the only political issue] maybe Christians should start crisis pregnancy centers. END OF ASIDE)
So I will continue not to pledge allegiance to a country that is not the Kingdom of God, I will continue not to sing a national anthem that doesn't emphasize the LORDSHIP of Christ over all, and I will continue to be upset and baffled when Christians say that the soldiers have given us the peace we experience in this country (as if God had nothing to do with it). I am a Resident Alien, I don't belong in the US or in any country that isn't the Kingdom of God. My citizenship is in heaven from where I wait the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change my vile body like unto His glorious body.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
He must increase
School is rearing it's ugly head. I am readying myself for another semester, possibly the toughest one I have ever had.
I am not capable, but God is more than able. In Mark class last semester Mark Scott as well as the commentary we read stressed one fact about the disciples: They were more concerned with their own inability rather than Christ's ability. I think that I am the same way. Sometimes I ponder and think that there is no real difference between the the believers back then and the believers now. Even having seen the risen Lord, Peter still acted poorly to Gentile believers. Before preaching I remark at my inability to speak powerfully, but I believe that the focus of that thought is all wrong. For my focus should not be on how I cannot, but how God can. There is still something within me that is holding on to the idea that I need to know my own weaknesses and fight off prides ugly head. How is that done while still having a proper understanding of God's ability? I guess it is done by realizing that God is so big that he can work within and through me, my strengths, weaknesses, and everything else, and still produce his desired effect. This applies to relationships, finances, politics, ministry and the like. If my focus is on how am I to be perceived, then there is a problem. However, if my focus is on will God be seen as Holy, there is much more power and effect in that.
I am steadily becoming aware that my humanness will not leave me until I am in a resurrected state, and even then it will not be totally gone, but at least the bad stuff will. May my focus be on His glory and on His ability, not on my own inability, or even ability. In the Words of John "I must decrease and He must Increase."
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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