Good Food, Good Meat...

I’m sitting in a restaurant in South East, Texas. It’s the kind of place that greasy old men come to eat greasy biscuits and gravy and drink more than 50 cents worth of their 50 cent cups of coffee.

I love it!

Seriously.

As much as I love the trendy little coffee shop, (and I do) I’ve got to get out of them once in a while. I can spend incalculable hours in a bare-brick/ cool music/ expensive espresso kind of environment- I’ll tell you to this day that my all time favorite place in the world is a little shop in New London, CT. called the “beanandleaf”. But sometimes you can have too many people wearing skinny legged jeans with high art IQs and socialist leanings in one place.

So that’s why I’m at Lanes.

I’m not the only one here, though. It’s the standard Wednesday morning crowd- the same men sitting at the same tables they’ve sat at for years. There are also a few people here that I know to be Believers- and they just got their food...

I wonder what’s about to happen?

Eyes clinched tight- check.

Hands held across the table- check.

From across the crowded diner, I can hear the prayer- check.

I can also see a few people staring. Even in the buckle of the “Bible Belt” this appears strange.

______

Ok, a lot of prefacing and disclosures need to take place.

Prayer is Important:

I fully assert that prayer is one of the most important disciplines that a Believer can practice.

Prayer has both private and public elements which are necessary for spiritual growth, community and evangelism.

Joint prayer can build a community of believers in a powerful way.

Public Profession of Your Faith is Important:

Even though our relationship with God is a personal one- it was never intended to be a private one.

We should never be concerned with or censor our faith in an attempt to prevent the world from judging us for it.

I’m also very familiar with a certain text in the Bible that begins:

“If you acknowledge me before men...”

Thanking God for His Provision is Important:

I can say with integrity that I hold this view with more weight than most. I believe that the Bible teaches a constant gratitude. One that leads you to give credit for every good taste and every good smell coming from that plate to God and His perfect creativity. I also believe that failure to give Him the glory for all of that is an act of blasphemy.

_______

So now that all the disclaimers are out of the way- and the proud Christians have stopped yelling: “Like Paul- I am not ashamed of the Gospel!” maybe we can talk...

Did the eyes clinched, hands clasped, extra loud prayer in the crowded diner accomplish anything towards the cause of the Gospel?

In an action that was certainly vigilant in it’s ‘unashamednity’, did anybody in the crowd staring move closer to a relationship with Jesus?

I think a stronger argument can be made for the opposite. That people already put off by the Gospel were pushed further away from it.

(It should be noted: In my experience, those people do not usually have an aversion to the Gospel as much as they have one to many of the people who are supposedly claiming it.)

I’m not against families praying together over a meal in a public place. I’m not against parents teaching their children to thank God for all he gives to us- but it’s also been my experience that those who are very overt in “public displays of faith” are also very anemic when it comes to displaying it privately.

I know it’s reductionistic but seriously- those that are louder in public generally are the most spiritually dead in private. Like many other things in the life of a believer, compensation is made. Much like the person who doesn’t know how to study the Bible for themselves will live vicariously through preachers- they will be involved in every Bible study the church offers. Or the person who slips in sin will attempt to “pay God back” by pouring into the body- the Overt Public Prayer (hereto after referred to as the “OPP”) typically never prays when there’s no one to see them do it.

This leads me to believe that their prayer is much more an attempt to be seen by men for how faithful and unashamed they are than an opportunity to pause and thank God for something He’s seen fit to bless them with.

It’s an attempt to make much of themselves; not God.

Which begs the question: Is that prayer even one God will listen to?

Paul did say to the Romans that he wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel but Paul also died for his faith in a first century Roman prison. Don’t echo his words just to be pretentious in a restaurant.

Knock, Knock

I have never really understood much about things closely associated with that “Old-Timey Religion.” In fact, in most cases I have been bitter/resentful or just plain rude to things connected with it.

This is especially true with visitation.

I don’t know what it is- I’m not very big on people dropping by my house uninvited/unexpected. It’s not that I’m not a good host. I LOVE having people over. I like to cook for a group (Next time you’re over, let’s do steaks). I like to entertain with movies/board games/sports. I thoroughly enjoy a deep conversation over GOOD cups of coffee sitting on the couch. (It should be noted that there is such a thing as an Un-good cup of coffee.)

I just like all that stuff a lot better when I invited you over.

I think that that’s my biggest hang up when it comes to visitation. Deep down, I feel like they’re just waiting for me to finish whatever I’m talking about and leave. At least that’s what I’d be thinking if you randomly knocked on my door and started inviting me to church.

Maybe I’ve just been too private with my private life.

Maybe I just lived in New England a little too long and I need to readjust back to a simpler “Southern Hospitality” way of doing things.

I have said time and again that I want to go wherever God leads me.

I have always said that I am not tied to a particular methodology and am willing to do whatever works (even what’s uncomfortable to me) to push the Gospel forward.

So why do I still have an aversion to things like visitation?

It could be that I’m prideful. It’s a sin that I have to wrestle with every day. Jesus still has much to change in me regarding my arrogance. He is continually drilling into my head that my methodologies aren’t THE methodologies.

I am young. I am dumb. And everybody knows it. It’s not some big secret. I regularly put my foot in my mouth in a very public way. I am bumbling through this world as I figure out what kind of man and what kind of pastor God would have me to be.

But could my aversion also have to do with something else?

Could it be that my pride is not the only contributing factor?

What if it’s also rooted in a deep desire to see the Gospel go out and for that “going out” to actually be affective?

What if the stats say that our church fails to reach younger generations well?

What if the stats say that we have never done so?

What if, as a 27 year old, I speak for a large portion of my own generation and maybe even the generations around mine and say: “I don’t like it when people drop by my house.”?

I concede my pride.

I concede the arrogance of my supposedly “proven methodologies”.

I concede that I am inexperienced when it comes to outreach ministry in the South.

As such, I should shut up and cheerfully try visitation.

But the sin of pride in my own methodologies very closely mirrors the sin of pride in many of your own.

As I said before, (whether I’m there yet or not,) I want to be in a place where I can truthfully say that I’d rather do what works for the cause of the Gospel than hold to traditions.

Even if those traditions are loved and created by me.

But are you willing to do the same?

Are you willing to part with things/methods/actions that you love (whether that be “Sleek- &-New” or “Old-Timey-&-True”) simply to push the Gospel forward?

Don’t worry, I’m not there yet either.

But can we commit to pursuing it together?

I think that may be the truest mark of a great church.

Spin Me Right Round Baby, Right Round

i need a spin doctor!

In matt 9, Matthew throws a party for his brand new friend Jesus. He invites all of his friends and it is an absolute blow-out. Matthew’s friends aren’t exactly “good Christian folk” if you catch my drift. This isn’t like your momma’s fondu and parcheesi parties. This party has great food, strong booze and loud music.

Jesus went to that kind of party.

He wasn’t tricked into coming. Matthew didn’t tell him it would be a small get together and then “surprise!” Jesus didn’t find out what would be going on and then debate within Himself whether He should stay or go:

“My youth minister always told me not to sit with these people at lunch in the cafeteria but I did just meet this guy, it would be rude if I just left...”

That never happened.

Jesus was there because He wanted to be there.

The Pharisees find out about this and they get somewhat upset...

“Why does He associate with those kinds of people?”

Does that sound familiar? Does that sound like a standardized religious response to that situation? Does that sound like something you’ve heard before or even something you’ve said yourself?

How does Jesus respond to that accusation?

(It was a question spoken behind Jesus’ back to His disciples but let’s be honest here, accusation was the heart of it through and through.)

Jesus says: “It’s not the healthy that need a physician but the sick.”

Now, I know that this causes people to fidget in their seat. I know that this incites debates over christian liberty and leading people astray. I know that this causes those who are theologically conservative to close up tight and protect what they believe is right and I know that this causes those who are theologically liberal to puff up their chest and offer their opinion on “new ways to interpret things”.... but no matter where you land on that spectrum, the very pressing question still remains...

“What do you do with that text?”

I mean, honestly! It doesn’t matter how conservative you are... you can’t argue that fact that He was there because HE WAS THERE!

It doesn’t matter how liberal you are, you can’t argue that Jesus was okay with their actions because HE DIDN’T SIN! On top of all that, He called them spiritually “sick” and in need of a doctor.

So what do you do with this passage? - I mean in practical “orthopraxy” kind of way?

I recently spoke on this passage in a more conservative church as the final installment of a sunday night series on evangelism. For two months we had great conversations about what the gospel is, why we should share it, how we share and with who Jesus would have us share it. Last sunday night, as I spoke about “Where Jesus Saves” I received some of the dirtiest looks that I have ever received while preaching.

I’ve been teaching long enough that people’s disagreements don’t phase me. If I feel led to proclaim something that I believe is Scriptural then you’re gonna hear it. But God has blessed me with just enough wisdom to understand that I have a lot left to understand. I feel like the text is clear but I see the fidgeting....

If you disagree that Jesus would willingly and purposefully go into those kinds of places and build relationships with those kinds of people, then what do you do with this text? Please, I beg you, spin it for me.

If you disagree that Jesus calls us to repentance and goes into places and builds relationships with people without ever sinning with them, then what do you do with the text? Please, I beg you, spin it for me.

In a blog that discusses the praises and frustrations of the tug-o-war between what I lovingly refer to as the “two ruts” of the church; one of the things that frustrates me beyond all other frustrations is the pendulum swing between these two thoughts. Why are we so engrained with the idea that we have to either be one or the other? To either be ultra conservative or ultra liberal in our theology?

To be honest, I truly believe that this (Matt 9) more than anything else is what drains us of any potency when it comes to trying to share Jesus with the world. The church either forces us to line up with the conservative side and we never actually meet anyone who doesn’t know Jesus or the church forces us to line up with the liberal view and we have active relationships with non-christians that never lead anyone to the gospel because the gospel never changed our own lives.

So again I beg you- spin it...

Shadows

I absolutely love shadows.

They’re fun to play with.

They make me feel like I’m powerful (“I command you to raise your left hand!”)

And on top of that, as the sun continues to sink into the horizon I get taller and taller. I’m 5’11.98’’ not short by any stretch of the imagination but I grew up with and still hang out with today, people who are freakishly blessed with height. But anyways, back to the shadows....

Here’s the thing about shadows though, they’re not the real thing. As fun as they are to play with and manipulate, They’re only a byproduct of the real thing. If you follow the shadow to it’s source, you find that the source is way better. The easiest way to see this would be to look at my wife’s shadow. Now she makes a striking silhouette on the ground, (The details of which aren’t appropriate for this post) but connected at the feet, is a way more attractive Katy. Her shadow makes no effort to copy her smile (If it does try it has failed miserably). Her shadow can’t give me the unnecessary details of a story like the real Katy can (and does most of the time).

The shadow is great, but it can never (hard as it may try) come close to the glory of the real thing.

Spring is in the air.

I’m sitting in a trendy coffee shop in New England and they’re currently setting up the tables outside in anticipation of warmer weather. You can feel it. It’s almost here and I’m getting excited. I adore warm weather. I’m a shorts and flip-flops kind of guy but as great as late spring in Connecticut is, maybe it’s just a shadow of something much, much better.

What if it’s entire purpose was to get us thinking about a more-perfect spring?

A more-perfect shorts and flip-flops kind of day to come?

The Bible uses the imagery of a “shadow” over and over again. In fact, that’s pretty much what the book of Hebrews hinges on. Again and again we hear the writer say things like “it’s a shadow” or “it’s a picture”. It uses these words to describe the Law and the Prophets. It uses these words and then says that these shadows connect at the feet of Jesus- The true form.

The way more attractive form.

The “more-perfect” form.

It’s Holy Week. Easter is a couple of days away and the stats say that church attendance will balloon for the day. Some churches will take advantage of this and preach a gospel message.

But some won’t.

We’re preoccupied with manipulating the shadow.

It will simply be another in a long list of sacrifices that Hebrews says get us nowhere.

It will simply be another in a long list of offerings that get us no closer to the true form.

It will simply be another in a long list of attempts to fill the eternal hole in our souls that can never be filled with un-eternal sacrifices.

During a week of hyperbolized evangelical-ness my hope and prayer is that you will enjoy the shadow but even more than that, I pray that you’ll trace the silhouette down to the feet where it connects to the more-perfect form, Jesus.

He has risen!

Your response here: ___________________!

Got Your Tickets? - To the Gun Show!

Christian cliches drive me up a wall.

There are several that set me off. (Of which I will refrain to mention in this post because I want to be selfish and use them in future posts.) But one that does me in every single time is in regards Christian fundraising. I wish I had a nickel every time a heard a meek little voice say:

“Well God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.”

(Typically those meek little voices belong to lifelong church going grandmas, women wearing denim dresses or men wearing tucked in pastel polo shirts.)

My first response when hearing that phrase is one of frustration. Quickly I try to discern in my head if the person needs to be rebuked or extended grace, but because I’m not a very bright person, thinking happens at a slower-than-required pace. I usually sigh, try to hide my eye rolling, and gently suggest that they used the verse out of context.

If you’ve ever used that verse in that way, I probably need to explain myself right now.

here’s what I mean...

Do you know where that verse is found?

It’s Psalm 50:10

(Most people have no idea, so clarifying is paramount)

If you did know it was Psalm 50:10, do you know what the 9 verses before and the 5 verses after it say?

Here’s the text:

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,God shines forth. 3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire,around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness,for God himself is judge! Selah. 7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine,the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills,and all that moves in the field is mine 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,for the world and its fullness are mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

The text really ought to speak for itself right now but let’s break it down anyways...

So God speaks to Israel and tells them that He’s unhappy. And it’s not because they fail to give Him the sacrifices He demanded but because even though they sacrifice everyday their hearts are unmoved by it. So God says “I will testify against you.”

Those are not the words you want to hear coming out of the mouth of God.

He continues to say “I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your fold”. Even though they bring the correct offering required, God tells them that He wants no more of it. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills... if I were hungry, I would not tell you... do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” God essentially tells Israel that even though He commands them to offer a sacrifice, that offering Him what he already owns does nothing for them and that what He really wants is a changed heart. We could probably paraphrase it this way:

“You think I want you to bring me bulls and goats?

I ALREADY OWN THEM!

Bulls and goats do nothing for you.

I want your heart changed.”

It seems a little messianic doesn’t it?

So we’re getting ready for a fairly large trip over spring break. You may have heard about it, you may not. We’re going to the ukraine and in order to get there, we’re going to have to raise a lot of money. If you’re one of the people going on the trip, I would ask that you not try to use that verse in your fundraising efforts. If you’re not going on the trip, I’m sure you will either go on a similar one soon or be in the presence of someone who’s trying to. I request the same from you.

Does this mean that God is incapable of providing?

Does this mean that God is unwilling to provide?

Of course not.

If you need to be reassured, I would suggest you read Matthew 6 & 7. There’s plenty enough in those 2 chapters to get you through.

I don’t point out these things to be mean or divisive or controversial but as someone who wants to see people come to a saving knowledge and relationship with Jesus, and as someone who wants to see that relationship evolve and grow out of how Jesus reveals Himself through scripture, it’s imperative that I correct false understanding and proof-texting when I see it.

God does provide.

God does own the cattle on a thousand hills.

God does not however, point that out to ensure us that He’s got our backs but rather, to make sure we understand who’s really in control around here whether we’re trying to give to Him or receive from Him.

Think of it as God inviting you to a holy gun show.