I read the sign wrong...

My eye caught a church sign recently that I misread. Here's what it actually said (paraphrase):

"Try to be more Christ-like and less Christ-less"

Here's what my brain perceived it to say:

"Try to be more Christ-like and less like Christians"

I had to giggle at myself for that mistake, but then I thought, wait a minute. Society has such a bad taste in its mouth over the word "Christian" today that perhaps my mental mistake may have some truth to it! There are plenty of folks out there who are focusing so much on being a good "Christan" that they forget it's not just the regiment of church going, tithing, and circle meetings that makes us holy. It's our relationship with Christ. Therefore, let's all stop focusing on what makes a Christian, and focus on modeling our lives after Christ.

Dave Burchett's book "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People," which I'm reading now, really addresses how Christians in our society have let each other (and the world) down in many ways. Dave's also got a blog if you want a snapshot version of his philosophy: http://www.daveburchett.com/

Also, while I'm sharing links, in trying to find the source of the above sign quote, I stumbled upon a very funny blog about church signs. Warning: if you're easily offended, this site does poke a bit of fun at some of the silliness we allow our churches to advertise. It's cynical humor to say the least. http://crummychurchsigns.blogspot.com/

A Post Card Moment, kind of

I thought I would do a "super spiritual" thing one day of my vacation and take my Bible out to the beach and just hang out with God for a few minutes. I imagined all of the great revelations that would come out of this picture perfect post-card type setting. However, I had to giggle to myself when the continual distractions of dog walkers, gusty wind, and other things made it more like a comedy than a post card.

Still I was able to read some "random" (nothing ever really random with God's Word) passages, and here's what the Lord reminded me of:

From Isaiah 66, I was reminded that God will not forget the unjust. They will be punished, but in his own timetable.

From Acts 8, through the encounter with Simon the Sorcerer, I was reminded that money can buy a lot, but it can't buy the power of God in one's life. And through Phillip, I was reminded of our mission to win the lost, and how sometimes the Lord "yanks" you away somewhere else! (v.39)

From the gospel of John, Chapter 6, I was reminded that Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is our sustenance. Acceptance of that sacrifice (internalizing it) is the only was we can have full "communion" with God. The key to eternal life is BELIEF.

From Psalm 73, I was reminded again (in a bookend way) that the Lord will judge the wicked - that I have no need to worry about enacting justice myself. The Lord has me by "my right hand" (v. 23) and will help my embittered spirit, and will provide care and sustenance of my spirit.

Why argue?

A quote from Dave Burchett, in his book "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" says,

"If Christians are onto something that is life-changing, if we posess a relationship worth dying for, if we believe in something enough to change our worldview in order to embrace it, then why are we arguing about things like whether women can teach in the church? In a world that is clearly on a moral slippery slope, why are we debating whether seeker-sensitive churches are more effective than traditional ones?"

Now, I'm not asserting my opinions on the controversies expressed in these statements, but Dave makes a good point. We as Christians waste our time arguing over things that don't mean a hill of beans when it comes to eternal significance. Something to think about.

Dealing with Guilt

One of the things about an event like a "Souper Bowl" Party, or Homecoming, or any covered dish meal is the Baptist rationalizing that tends to go on while we overeat. It starts an internal conversation with yourself that goes something like this:

“What a spread of food! Mmmm, that smells good. Looks good too. Of course, I should stay true to my diet. I’ve been doing pretty well here lately. Yeah, I have, haven’t I? Shouldn’t I reward myself for that? – great idea! Still, this could set me back – Oh, who cares? Look at all of the fun everyone else is having!!! They are piling their plates full, and after all, this event doesn’t happen everyday!
-LATER- “Wow, that first and second plate were good, but you know I didn’t try Aunt May’s Rhubarb Pie. And you know her, she’ll ask later if I tried it, so I don’t want to make her feel bad about it. “
-LATER- “Boy, I’m stuffed, that filled me up more than it should have! My eyes were bigger than my stomach! Still, we’ve got a while to go before we leave, so I need to pass the time somehow. Maybe I’ll grab another cookie or something. Hey Marvin just brought it a new cake. Is that one of his wife’s famous pound cakes?”
-THE NEXT DAY- “Why did I do that? What was I thinking? I must have gained five pounds last night! I’m going to have to work harder now to get back in my routine, more exercise – something!!! I can tell you this I will NEVER do that again.”

That is until the next event comes around, of course. Does this sound like you? Now contrary to what you’re thinking, today’s thought is not about gluttony. It’s about temptation and guilt. In our humanness we sin. This is truth. Our guilt is the reflection of the Holy Spirit’s prompting that something in our lives is not in perfect alignment with God’s plan for our character. In the case of overeating, our bodies sometimes pay that price and the “temple of God” is ultimately affected. In the case of other sins, not dealing with guilt can lead to hard hearts. A hardened heart can lead to more rationalizing of sins and an endless cycle much like the many trips to the buffet table. If you know you have sinned, deal with it. First, with your Creator, and then with the others affected in the measure. Merely making an appearance at an altar call doesn’t erase guilt, unless it is coupled with genuine repentance and actions that back them up. And then after that, be patient. Trust is not like a Lego tower that can be quickly rebuilt.

Top Ten Hymns for Your Church Football Party

OK, I pulled out all of my corny-ness for this evening's big game party at our church. As the music minister, I came up with the Top Ten rejected hymns to use at such an event

(drum roll)

10. O Perfect Season

9. When We All Get to Halftime

8. When the Ball is Thrown Up Yonder

7. Shall We Gather at the Endzone

6. He Touchdown-ed Me

5. Half-time Thine Own Way

4. Blest Be the Tied Up Game

3. Lord, Send a Receiver

2. Amazing Grass, How Sweet the Turf

1. Pass Me Not, O Eli Manning

The Marriage Road

This weekend I officiated the wedding of Ivis and Matthew back in a former church in Virigina. Ivis was one of my former youth. The young couple met on the side of a road when Ivis' brother had forgot to pick her up one day. I used this part of their story to draw some biblical parallels, which I've posted below.

Lots of very important things happen “on the side of the road.” In scriptures we find the Lord led Moses and the Israelites down a winding and long road to freedom. Our Lord Jesus tells of following “a narrow road” that leads to life. He also tells us of a Good Samaritan that lends a hand to someone injured by the roadside. Our Lord was praised with palm branches as he triumphantly rode the road to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. And after our Lord’s Resurrection, one of Christ’s first appearances was walking down the Emmaus road with some disciples. And who can forget Paul, whose life was changed dramatically on the side of a road. When I asked Ivis how she met Matthew, she told me it was literally “on the side of the road.” While this sounds like a very unconventional place to meet the love of your life, I think it’s important to view the symbolism of a road in the context of a marriage. The imagery of a road implies a journey. Matthew and Ivis, your presence here today means that you acknowledge that your meeting on that roadside was not by chance, but by the divine intervention of God Almighty. You are willingly choosing to walk down life’s path as partners. Like the Israelites with Moses, there will be plenty of times where the journey may seem long, mundane, and frustrating. Like the Good Samaritan, there will be plenty of times where you must humble yourself and lean down to help the other when they are hurt or need a helping hand. Like the triumphant entry, there will be times, such as this moment today, where you are filled with insurmountable joy. Like Jesus’ presence on the Road to Emmaus, sometimes you just need to walk along side each other as quiet and trusting friends. And like Paul’s conversion, there will be events in your life that will completely turn your world upside down. In these times your support of each other will be very important.