G Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7)
R Read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11)
Begin with the gospel of John
O Obey God, moment by moment (John 14:21)
W Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matt. 4:19; John 15:8)
T Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7)
H Holy Spirit-allow Him to control and empower your
daily life and witness (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8)
Monday, August 29, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Be a Conqueror!
When the mind dwells on self, it is turned away from Jesus, the source of strength and life. Hence it is satans constant effort to keep the attention diverted from Jesus and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Jesus. The pleasures of the world, life's cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, and our own faults and imperfections- to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell on their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Jesus he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to Jesus and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt, dismiss your fears, say with the apostle Paul, "I live, yet not I, but Jesus lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. Rest in God, He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you to be more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.
Monday, August 22, 2005
The Master Deviant
The term deviance refers to a practice that is outside the established norms for a particular society or group within a society. Christ is the Master deviant! Not in terms of conforming to the wishes of His heavenly Father and doing God's will, but this question is referring to deviance to society. In the course of His earthly life, Jesus consistently defied the social norms of His day. There are too many examples to share them all but I would like to point out a few.
He amazed His disciples, in John chapter 4, because He, being both a man and a Jew, openly spoke to a Samaritan woman. This broke not only social customs in dealing with other races but also in dealing with members of the opposite sex. He was willing to not only heal lepers but also touch them. This is something that a leprous person would never feel again- human touch. They were outcast by society and here Jesus (Mark 1) shows compassion, and deviance from society because they had no compassion, and instead of moving away from him or requiring him to shout "Unclean, Unclean!" Jesus reaches for him and touches him! Here's a thought. Do you think He touched them because He knew He was God or because He didn't care and had the faith to be protected?
Jesus deviated from the culture norms in that He did not instruct His followers to ceremoniously wash their hands before eating (Mt.15). He again surprised His disciples when He, being the Master, washed the feet of His disciples. This was a chore that society had reserved for the lowliest of servants. And yet here was the One they had confessed was the Messiah kneeling to wash feet!
He again deviated in Mark 10 when He instructed His disciples to not forbid the little children to come to Him- for society wanted the children seen and not heard and not waste the Master's time- but instead took time for them and explained that the adults must become like the children!
Pilate was also amazed at His deviance from established norms seeing how He did not try to defend Himself. Pilate in John 19 asked Jesus if He understood that Pilate had the power to crucify Him and why then would Jesus not present a defense against the charges. Jesus responded in a way that was deviant from the natural and cultural norm to self-preserve. He had already explained that His Kingdom was not of this world. If it was, His followers would fight, but since it wasn't, they wouldn't. None of this should have surprised him because Jesus(Emmanuel) had already stated, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways... (Is 55:8)
He amazed His disciples, in John chapter 4, because He, being both a man and a Jew, openly spoke to a Samaritan woman. This broke not only social customs in dealing with other races but also in dealing with members of the opposite sex. He was willing to not only heal lepers but also touch them. This is something that a leprous person would never feel again- human touch. They were outcast by society and here Jesus (Mark 1) shows compassion, and deviance from society because they had no compassion, and instead of moving away from him or requiring him to shout "Unclean, Unclean!" Jesus reaches for him and touches him! Here's a thought. Do you think He touched them because He knew He was God or because He didn't care and had the faith to be protected?
Jesus deviated from the culture norms in that He did not instruct His followers to ceremoniously wash their hands before eating (Mt.15). He again surprised His disciples when He, being the Master, washed the feet of His disciples. This was a chore that society had reserved for the lowliest of servants. And yet here was the One they had confessed was the Messiah kneeling to wash feet!
He again deviated in Mark 10 when He instructed His disciples to not forbid the little children to come to Him- for society wanted the children seen and not heard and not waste the Master's time- but instead took time for them and explained that the adults must become like the children!
Pilate was also amazed at His deviance from established norms seeing how He did not try to defend Himself. Pilate in John 19 asked Jesus if He understood that Pilate had the power to crucify Him and why then would Jesus not present a defense against the charges. Jesus responded in a way that was deviant from the natural and cultural norm to self-preserve. He had already explained that His Kingdom was not of this world. If it was, His followers would fight, but since it wasn't, they wouldn't. None of this should have surprised him because Jesus(Emmanuel) had already stated, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways... (Is 55:8)
Friday, August 19, 2005
7 Tips for Building Intimacy with God
1. Spend extended time alone with God. (like 1 day every quarter)
2. Seek to please God. (Don't worry more about upsetting people than God)
3. Reflect on God.
4. Find a Christian who models intimacy and ask questions.
5. Tell yourself the truth about your relationship.
6. Practice intimacy with your spouse and family.
7. Participate in a forum that encourages intimacy with God. (Like a Bible study or chat group)
2. Seek to please God. (Don't worry more about upsetting people than God)
3. Reflect on God.
4. Find a Christian who models intimacy and ask questions.
5. Tell yourself the truth about your relationship.
6. Practice intimacy with your spouse and family.
7. Participate in a forum that encourages intimacy with God. (Like a Bible study or chat group)
Monday, August 15, 2005
Root or Fruit?
I was listening to a program the other day and the speaker was talking about God's word being as sharp as a two edged sword(Heb.4:12). He was pointing out how His word separates the "root" issues from the "fruit" issues of the world. I'm not talking about the Fruits of the Spirit.
I am relating it to marriage specifically. I think too many people today view marriage in a way that asks about the rewards or benefits for the time invested. If my spouse has fed, watered, and nurtured me- seeing to all my needs, then I will produce the fruit of love, stability, and respect for her that she desires. That is entirely a worldly view.
God's word deals with the root issues. We can view our marriage this way by establishing ourselves firmly in God's word and talking with Him together each day. I've found that by living His principles and putting my wife before myself, I don't have thoughts of unmet needs. Tell me what marital problems can't be fixed by dealing with personal pride and selfishness.
I am relating it to marriage specifically. I think too many people today view marriage in a way that asks about the rewards or benefits for the time invested. If my spouse has fed, watered, and nurtured me- seeing to all my needs, then I will produce the fruit of love, stability, and respect for her that she desires. That is entirely a worldly view.
God's word deals with the root issues. We can view our marriage this way by establishing ourselves firmly in God's word and talking with Him together each day. I've found that by living His principles and putting my wife before myself, I don't have thoughts of unmet needs. Tell me what marital problems can't be fixed by dealing with personal pride and selfishness.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
A Different Kind of Middle East Terrorism
A terrorist that opposed any territorial concessions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict opened fire on a bus in Northern Israel on Thursday, killing four Israeli citizens. While that sounds commonplace in the tragic history of this long conflict, it actually was a very different kind of Middle Eastern terrorism. What made this distinct from most of the terrorist killings is that the terrorist was Jewish and his victims were Arabs.
Two months ago, Eden Natan Zada, went AWOL from the Israel Defense Forces because of his disagreement with the Israeli government’s planned disengagement from the Gaza strip. After hiding in a West Bank settlement, Zada boarded a bus dressed in IDF fatigues and carried an IDF automatic rifle. He arrived in the Israeli Arab town of Shfaram where he opened fire on the Arab citizens of Israel who were riding the bus. Apparently, Zada hoped to provoke Arab violence and thereby pre-empt the upcoming Israeli pullout from Gaza. Tragically he killed four Israeli Arabs before police apprehended him. Then a mob of Israeli Arabs seized the young terrorist and lynched him on the bus.
Besides the terrorist being Jewish and not Palestinian, there were some other factors that made this brutal terrorist attack different from the kind of terrorist assaults that usually take place in Israel.
First of all Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denounced Zada’s actions in the strongest possible way. He described it as “a sinful act by a bloody terrorist!” He promised to make every effort to assure the safety of every Israeli citizen. Then he made available every governmental aid to the victims of terrorism, both the survivors of the attack and the families of those who were murdered. How different that response is to the typical Palestinian Authority response to Palestinian terrorism. While the frequently denounce terrorism, it is common for PA leaders to do so not because it is wrong, but rather unproductive.
Yet another way that this attack was different can be seen in the response of the families. Eden Natan Zada’s family was horrified by his actions. Zada’s mother had notified the army of the young man’s desertion and begged them to find him for fear that he would commit this reprehensible act. How different from Palestinian mother’s who celebrate their terrorist sons, calling them martyrs for their cause and wishing that their other sons would join them.
This terrorism was also dissimilar in that the President of Israel and the two chief Rabbis made condolence visits to the bereaved families. How different from Palestinian leadership that would denounce terrorism but then send letters of congratulations to the families of the terrorists.
The entire nation of Israel was horrified by and corporately denounced Jewish terrorism. There was no justification or excuses given. It appears that Israelis understand Proverbs 17:15: “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” Jewish and Palestinian terrorism are the same in that they are equally evil. What makes them different is evident in the national responses to terrorism.
Michael Rydelnik.
Two months ago, Eden Natan Zada, went AWOL from the Israel Defense Forces because of his disagreement with the Israeli government’s planned disengagement from the Gaza strip. After hiding in a West Bank settlement, Zada boarded a bus dressed in IDF fatigues and carried an IDF automatic rifle. He arrived in the Israeli Arab town of Shfaram where he opened fire on the Arab citizens of Israel who were riding the bus. Apparently, Zada hoped to provoke Arab violence and thereby pre-empt the upcoming Israeli pullout from Gaza. Tragically he killed four Israeli Arabs before police apprehended him. Then a mob of Israeli Arabs seized the young terrorist and lynched him on the bus.
Besides the terrorist being Jewish and not Palestinian, there were some other factors that made this brutal terrorist attack different from the kind of terrorist assaults that usually take place in Israel.
First of all Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denounced Zada’s actions in the strongest possible way. He described it as “a sinful act by a bloody terrorist!” He promised to make every effort to assure the safety of every Israeli citizen. Then he made available every governmental aid to the victims of terrorism, both the survivors of the attack and the families of those who were murdered. How different that response is to the typical Palestinian Authority response to Palestinian terrorism. While the frequently denounce terrorism, it is common for PA leaders to do so not because it is wrong, but rather unproductive.
Yet another way that this attack was different can be seen in the response of the families. Eden Natan Zada’s family was horrified by his actions. Zada’s mother had notified the army of the young man’s desertion and begged them to find him for fear that he would commit this reprehensible act. How different from Palestinian mother’s who celebrate their terrorist sons, calling them martyrs for their cause and wishing that their other sons would join them.
This terrorism was also dissimilar in that the President of Israel and the two chief Rabbis made condolence visits to the bereaved families. How different from Palestinian leadership that would denounce terrorism but then send letters of congratulations to the families of the terrorists.
The entire nation of Israel was horrified by and corporately denounced Jewish terrorism. There was no justification or excuses given. It appears that Israelis understand Proverbs 17:15: “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” Jewish and Palestinian terrorism are the same in that they are equally evil. What makes them different is evident in the national responses to terrorism.
Michael Rydelnik.
Friday, August 05, 2005
A Mirror
A Mirror
Lord, let me be a mirror
of You the world can see.
I'll be Your faithful servant
because You set me free.
When my mirror has some flaws,
I know that I'll be broken.
But then I'll be a clearer one
by hearing what You've spoken.
Even in the darkest night,
I'll shine like noonday sun.
Because Your glory fills my soul,
there's only room for one.
A mirror shows both good and bad;
of that you can be sure.
So keep your mirror polished up
reflecting what is pure.
JG
Lord, let me be a mirror
of You the world can see.
I'll be Your faithful servant
because You set me free.
When my mirror has some flaws,
I know that I'll be broken.
But then I'll be a clearer one
by hearing what You've spoken.
Even in the darkest night,
I'll shine like noonday sun.
Because Your glory fills my soul,
there's only room for one.
A mirror shows both good and bad;
of that you can be sure.
So keep your mirror polished up
reflecting what is pure.
JG
Thursday, August 04, 2005
THE SUPREME CLIMB
THE SUPREME CLIMB
"Take now thy son ." Genesis 22:2
God's command is - Take now, not presently. It is extraordinary how we debate! We know a thing is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it at once. To climb to the height God shows can never be done presently, it must be done now. The sacrifice is gone through in will before it is performed actually.
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning and went unto the place of which God had told him" (v. 3). The wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not confer with flesh and blood. Beware when you want to confer with flesh and blood, i.e., your own sympathies, your own insight, anything that is not based on your personal relationship to God. These are the things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.
Abraham did not choose the sacrifice. Always guard against self-chosen service for God; self-sacrifice may be a disease. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential order of God for you is a hard time of difficulty, go through with it, but never choose the scene of your martyrdom. God chose the crucible for Abraham, and Abraham made no demur; he went steadily through. If you are not living in touch with Him, it is easy to pass a crude verdict on God. You must go through the crucible before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because in the crucible you learn to know God better. God is working for His highest ends until His purpose and man's purpose become one.
"Take now thy son ." Genesis 22:2
God's command is - Take now, not presently. It is extraordinary how we debate! We know a thing is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it at once. To climb to the height God shows can never be done presently, it must be done now. The sacrifice is gone through in will before it is performed actually.
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning and went unto the place of which God had told him" (v. 3). The wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not confer with flesh and blood. Beware when you want to confer with flesh and blood, i.e., your own sympathies, your own insight, anything that is not based on your personal relationship to God. These are the things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.
Abraham did not choose the sacrifice. Always guard against self-chosen service for God; self-sacrifice may be a disease. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential order of God for you is a hard time of difficulty, go through with it, but never choose the scene of your martyrdom. God chose the crucible for Abraham, and Abraham made no demur; he went steadily through. If you are not living in touch with Him, it is easy to pass a crude verdict on God. You must go through the crucible before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because in the crucible you learn to know God better. God is working for His highest ends until His purpose and man's purpose become one.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Rant Revisited
I was getting my hair cut this weekend by my mother in law and I brought up the topic of the homosexual man that wanted to become a member of his church from Friday's post. She disagreed with me and went on to say that she didn't think that a gay person should have the same rights as a "card carrying" member of the church. I told her I thought the Nazi party were card carrying and that the European community thought they were neato at first because they destroyed pornographic and other types of unacceptable literature. You see where that lead. Yes, that might have been a bit harsh but it made me think. It's not really the fact that he was being shut out as much as this set of rules and regulations set up by denominations. "Card carrying" as my mother in law puts it.
I used to go to this church that had a long list of bylaws. One of the most amusing, and tragic I guess, was that they had two different levels of membership. A "Community member" could smoke and stuff, but you were kind of the B team in christian politics. Then we had the "Covenant member". That was the good stuff. You were in like flint on that one. This was about five years ago. What's interesting is that they were receiving complaints and losing membership because of this deliniation so over a period of a year they quietly eliminated the "community member" option.
The Holy Bible tells us not to go beyond the Word, and Paul said in 1Cor. 1:11-13 that some people were saying they were following Apollos, others Paul, while others followed Peter. Paul asks a very important question. "Has Christ been divided?"
It's my opinion that denominations are a form of legalism and while being a member of a Baptist, Wesleyan, Methodist or whatever shouldn't keep anyone out of Heaven(I hope), I do think they have gone beyond His Holy Word and seperate and keep people out.
Therefore, this is my new monicker. It's a long one, so bear with me. I am a child of God, a follower and joint heir with Jesus and my rule book is only one- The Holy Bible. That's the only membership you need.
P.S. Mr. Webster's definition of Denomination is: A religious sect.
I used to go to this church that had a long list of bylaws. One of the most amusing, and tragic I guess, was that they had two different levels of membership. A "Community member" could smoke and stuff, but you were kind of the B team in christian politics. Then we had the "Covenant member". That was the good stuff. You were in like flint on that one. This was about five years ago. What's interesting is that they were receiving complaints and losing membership because of this deliniation so over a period of a year they quietly eliminated the "community member" option.
The Holy Bible tells us not to go beyond the Word, and Paul said in 1Cor. 1:11-13 that some people were saying they were following Apollos, others Paul, while others followed Peter. Paul asks a very important question. "Has Christ been divided?"
It's my opinion that denominations are a form of legalism and while being a member of a Baptist, Wesleyan, Methodist or whatever shouldn't keep anyone out of Heaven(I hope), I do think they have gone beyond His Holy Word and seperate and keep people out.
Therefore, this is my new monicker. It's a long one, so bear with me. I am a child of God, a follower and joint heir with Jesus and my rule book is only one- The Holy Bible. That's the only membership you need.
P.S. Mr. Webster's definition of Denomination is: A religious sect.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Today's Rant
Okay, so I don't usually get on a jag about things too much, but here's something that's been really bothering me. I was listening to my usual local christian radio station this morning and the news guy was reporting that the National Methodist Conference or something like that was in a controversial quagmire because a gay man had wanted to become a member of this church. The Pastor refused to allow him membership because he was not repentant of being gay. Is being gay the ultimate sin, or did I miss something? I mean, I wonder how many members are in that church who have committed adultery, left their spouse and are now with the new person. Are they going to repent, leave that person and try to beg forgiveness and reconcile with their former mate? Or how about a church member who becomes addicted to alcohol or prescription pills? I say throw 'em all out! God forbid we should open a discussion on glutony. UH-OH, there goes the new addition to the building with the full gym and indoor pool because half your church just got banned. Don't ever misunderstand me. I think the homosexual lifestyle is a path to sure and eternal death, but we, as a church body, cannot shut people out because our Lord definitely wouldn't have. Why would a person ever want to repent if they're not accepted with open arms?If they have those feelings it doesn't mean they have to act on them. It's no different than if I see a pretty girl and have a momentary lustful thought. Do I feel bad? Yes. But I repent and go on. I don't act on it. Same goes for eating. I enjoy food, but I know better than to eat like I did when I was a kid or else I'd probably croak in a few years. End of rant.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Forgiveness
I don't know about anyone else, but that's probably the hardest (or one of the hardest) hurdles for me to get over. What's interesting is that if it's just an acquaintance, it's easier for me to forgive. Is that because I just don't care? He asks us to love everyone the same.
I do believe this much; Even if you forgive, I don't think it let's the other person off the hook for the responsibilities of their actions. In other words, the previous Pope went to a prison and met with the man who tried to kill him back in the late 80's(I think). He forgave him of the act, but the man still had to do the time. I must have some narcissistic tendencies because isn't forgiveness really to heal yourself of that burden of carrying it around and basically just giving another person some power over you? I'd just betcha that in most cases when someone is harbouring unforgiveness in their heart against somebody, that that person probably isn't even aware of the offense. Too much time and effort is expended on waiting for someone to be sorry.
I think we all need a confidant, whether it be a spouse or a best friend (same thing for me), but it has to be someone you can trust with everything. That's a hard thing to find. I've opened myself up a few times in the past and everytime it seems to have become fodder for them. Some things must be too juicy to hold in. I don't know why people do that. I'm probably a poor judge of character. I guess we should seek out someone whose house is in order- like His word says.
I do believe this much; Even if you forgive, I don't think it let's the other person off the hook for the responsibilities of their actions. In other words, the previous Pope went to a prison and met with the man who tried to kill him back in the late 80's(I think). He forgave him of the act, but the man still had to do the time. I must have some narcissistic tendencies because isn't forgiveness really to heal yourself of that burden of carrying it around and basically just giving another person some power over you? I'd just betcha that in most cases when someone is harbouring unforgiveness in their heart against somebody, that that person probably isn't even aware of the offense. Too much time and effort is expended on waiting for someone to be sorry.
I think we all need a confidant, whether it be a spouse or a best friend (same thing for me), but it has to be someone you can trust with everything. That's a hard thing to find. I've opened myself up a few times in the past and everytime it seems to have become fodder for them. Some things must be too juicy to hold in. I don't know why people do that. I'm probably a poor judge of character. I guess we should seek out someone whose house is in order- like His word says.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Four Wives
Four Wives
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times. The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her! One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Legalism Today
Legalism Today
What trivialities do we obsess over, and what weighty matters of the law-justice, mercy, faithfulness- might we be missing? Does God care more about nose rings or about urban decay? Grunge music or world hunger? Worship styles or a culture of violence?
Author Tony Campolo, who makes a regular circuit as a chapel speaker on Christian college campuses, for a time used this provocation to make a point. "The United Nations reports that over ten thousand people starve to death each day, and most of you don’t give a sh--. However, what is even more tragic is that most of you are more concerned about the fact that I just said a bad word than you are about the fact that ten thousand people are going to die today." The responses proved his point: in nearly every case Tony got a letter from the chaplain or president of the college protesting his foul language. The letters never mentioned world hunger.
Much of the behavior considered sinful in my youth is now common practice in many evangelical churches. Although the manifestations have changed, the spirit of legalism has not.~ excerpt from "What’s So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey
What trivialities do we obsess over, and what weighty matters of the law-justice, mercy, faithfulness- might we be missing? Does God care more about nose rings or about urban decay? Grunge music or world hunger? Worship styles or a culture of violence?
Author Tony Campolo, who makes a regular circuit as a chapel speaker on Christian college campuses, for a time used this provocation to make a point. "The United Nations reports that over ten thousand people starve to death each day, and most of you don’t give a sh--. However, what is even more tragic is that most of you are more concerned about the fact that I just said a bad word than you are about the fact that ten thousand people are going to die today." The responses proved his point: in nearly every case Tony got a letter from the chaplain or president of the college protesting his foul language. The letters never mentioned world hunger.
Much of the behavior considered sinful in my youth is now common practice in many evangelical churches. Although the manifestations have changed, the spirit of legalism has not.~ excerpt from "What’s So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey
Monday, July 18, 2005
What Is A Habit?
What is a habit?
We spend so much of our time reading, writing and talking about bad habits. We are sometimes consumed with guilt and even allow bad habits to control our lives. People have been destroyed by desires of the flesh. We attempt to break our bad habits while giving little thought to good habits. As with anything else we want, it takes will- the will to create a good habit over a bad one. Sorry to say, there is no magic pill, just determination and patience.
Good habits can play a powerful role in helping us to become consistent. Consistency means repetition; repetition eventually becomes a habit. Proverbs 22:6 says that teaching a child something over and over is the best way to ensure that it stays with them as an adult. If you haven’t made habits out of a daily devotional time, church attendance, prayer, and other godly pursuits, you are making a habit out of being inconsistent in all areas of your life.
Oswald Chambers wrote, "If I am in the habit of steadily facing myself with God, my conscience will always introduce God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The point is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I walk without offense. I should be living in such perfect sympathy with God’s Son, that in every circumstance the spirit of my mind is renewed, and I "make out" at once "what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
If we obey when we hear that still small voice, our new habits will become commonplace and the peace that surpasses all understanding will find us.
JG
We spend so much of our time reading, writing and talking about bad habits. We are sometimes consumed with guilt and even allow bad habits to control our lives. People have been destroyed by desires of the flesh. We attempt to break our bad habits while giving little thought to good habits. As with anything else we want, it takes will- the will to create a good habit over a bad one. Sorry to say, there is no magic pill, just determination and patience.
Good habits can play a powerful role in helping us to become consistent. Consistency means repetition; repetition eventually becomes a habit. Proverbs 22:6 says that teaching a child something over and over is the best way to ensure that it stays with them as an adult. If you haven’t made habits out of a daily devotional time, church attendance, prayer, and other godly pursuits, you are making a habit out of being inconsistent in all areas of your life.
Oswald Chambers wrote, "If I am in the habit of steadily facing myself with God, my conscience will always introduce God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The point is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I walk without offense. I should be living in such perfect sympathy with God’s Son, that in every circumstance the spirit of my mind is renewed, and I "make out" at once "what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
If we obey when we hear that still small voice, our new habits will become commonplace and the peace that surpasses all understanding will find us.
JG
Friday, July 15, 2005
STAND and PRAISE
Stand and Praise
I was recently studying in 2 Chronicles during my devotion and was moved by the events that occurred in chapter 20. The king of Judah at that time was Jehoshaphat. Like us, Jehoshaphat was not perfect and made a lot of mistakes, but he truly loved the Lord and tried to do what was right in His sight.
The chapter begins with word coming to the king of an impending attack by other nations. (vs.1-2). I think we could all relate this to the many fears, trials and temptations we face daily. The question then is how did Jehoshaphat deal with this threat. In verse 3, because of his fear, he sought the Lord and called for a nationwide fast. Then all the people came together to seek God’s guidance (vs.4). When everyone was gathered, Jehoshaphat led his people in prayer, proclaiming God’s greatness and power to do all things.(vs.5-12). If we face problems today, either personally or as a church family, we should come together as one and always pray for each other. I feel Jehoshaphat made a bold statement of faith in vs.9 when he said that even if sword, judgement, pestilence, or famine should come upon them, they will stand before God and He will hear and save them. The king understood that they were outnumbered and had no power to defeat the enemy but vowed to keep their eyes on the Father. (vs.12). We too have no power over sin in the flesh, but if we keep our eyes on Him, sin will be defeated. Through a prophet, God spoke to all His people and told them that all they need to do is stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. (vs.15-17) I know I have a tendency to want to pick something back up and try to manipulate it, especially when it seems like He’s not solving the problem as quickly as I would like. If we could just take ourselves out of the equation and stand, we’d realize that the battle is His.
Now let’s take it a bit further. (As if just standing isn’t hard enough sometimes). As we read on, we find that not only did they stand in faith, but before the battle had begun, they stood and praised God with voices high. (vs.19) The king consulted his people and appointed people to sing to the Lord and praise the beauty of holiness. The people then went out before the army. As they started singing and praising, God had already started, so when they came over a rise to look upon the enemy, they were already dead. (vs.21-24). What would happen if the next time we were facing a battle, we STOOD, SANG and PRAISED. You never know, the battle might already be won.
J G
I was recently studying in 2 Chronicles during my devotion and was moved by the events that occurred in chapter 20. The king of Judah at that time was Jehoshaphat. Like us, Jehoshaphat was not perfect and made a lot of mistakes, but he truly loved the Lord and tried to do what was right in His sight.
The chapter begins with word coming to the king of an impending attack by other nations. (vs.1-2). I think we could all relate this to the many fears, trials and temptations we face daily. The question then is how did Jehoshaphat deal with this threat. In verse 3, because of his fear, he sought the Lord and called for a nationwide fast. Then all the people came together to seek God’s guidance (vs.4). When everyone was gathered, Jehoshaphat led his people in prayer, proclaiming God’s greatness and power to do all things.(vs.5-12). If we face problems today, either personally or as a church family, we should come together as one and always pray for each other. I feel Jehoshaphat made a bold statement of faith in vs.9 when he said that even if sword, judgement, pestilence, or famine should come upon them, they will stand before God and He will hear and save them. The king understood that they were outnumbered and had no power to defeat the enemy but vowed to keep their eyes on the Father. (vs.12). We too have no power over sin in the flesh, but if we keep our eyes on Him, sin will be defeated. Through a prophet, God spoke to all His people and told them that all they need to do is stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. (vs.15-17) I know I have a tendency to want to pick something back up and try to manipulate it, especially when it seems like He’s not solving the problem as quickly as I would like. If we could just take ourselves out of the equation and stand, we’d realize that the battle is His.
Now let’s take it a bit further. (As if just standing isn’t hard enough sometimes). As we read on, we find that not only did they stand in faith, but before the battle had begun, they stood and praised God with voices high. (vs.19) The king consulted his people and appointed people to sing to the Lord and praise the beauty of holiness. The people then went out before the army. As they started singing and praising, God had already started, so when they came over a rise to look upon the enemy, they were already dead. (vs.21-24). What would happen if the next time we were facing a battle, we STOOD, SANG and PRAISED. You never know, the battle might already be won.
J G
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
ARE YOU EVER DISTURBED?
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." John 14:27
There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever "spirit and life." Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "My peace I give unto you" - it is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren? Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. If you allow anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you, you are either disturbed or you have a false security.
Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement and sorrow, hear Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled."
There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever "spirit and life." Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "My peace I give unto you" - it is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren? Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. If you allow anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you, you are either disturbed or you have a false security.
Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement and sorrow, hear Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled."
Friday, July 08, 2005
Interesting article on technology
VIEWPOINT
Virtual Christianity: Evangelicals, America, and the Big Show
by Glenn R. Paauw
The great machines of our technological age produce some very powerful entertainment. Today’s typical teenager, raised on Sesame Street, Saturday morning cartoons, commercials, and now MTV, has been treated to an impressive display of technological images, all moving at an incredible speed before his or her mesmerized eyes. And this is just the beginning. Already we are fast-forwarding to a whole new world with an even better show.
The next step is what is called Virtual Reality. This electronically created experience "tricks" one’s brain into thinking it is in a real three-dimensional place. Instead of merely watching images on a screen, one now enters the world of images.
Already there is talk of fascinating applications of this new entertainment supermachine, including virtual rock concerts, virtual war games, and virtual sex. And, given the current culture, is there any doubt that few limits (if any) will restrain those applications? After all, the new, powerful technologies do not improve human nature; they merely magnify the depths of the human heart.
What would evangelicals do if they had Virtual Reality at their fingertips? It’s a troublesome question. American evangelicals have had a long, well-documented love affair with technological progress. We’ve married the Great Commission to the great machines with the oft-repeated blessing, "The message doesn’t change, merely the method." Believing that the old, old story can be told equally well in any new, new medium, evangelicals have excelled at delivering the message in culturally relevant forms.
There are many reasons for evangelicalism’s technological optimism. More than a few historians have noted the strength of the bond between American culture and our expression of the Christian faith. The strands of that bond include a deep commitment to individualism, a depreciation of history and tradition, and a tendency toward popularization and anti-intellectualism. Combine these forces with the essentially free-market orientation of our vast empire of parachurch ministries and publishers, and the result is an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. New, market-driven expressions of the faith thrive in this environment.
Today, evangelical enterprises are working overtime to keep in step with the visually dominated, fast-paced, technological times. We have Nintendo-like Bible adventure video games, cartoon versions of Jesus’ parables, music videos showing Satan and his demons being shot down in a Western-style gunfight, and Jesus as the leather-jacketed leader of a Christian street gang.
All these phenomena should compel us to examine more closely our enthusiasm for the electronic gospel. Why do we so naively assume that these powerful new media are really neutral conveyers of our cherished timeless truths? It is time to ask not just the usual "Will the technology reach more people?" but more importantly, "What message will actually get through?"
In fact, the new forms of communication are increasingly biased against a "message" at all (in the sense of communicating rationally understood content). The dominant media today form a funnel, allowing only the visually stimulating, emotionally exciting, and lightning-paced to reach us. But evangelicals seem unaware that when a particular medium follows its own strengths, it necessarily shapes and molds what is communicated.
One might attempt to fight the medium by producing content-heavy lectures on television, but that’s "bad television" and it won’t survive. Boring video games won’t sell. In the end, the medium calls the shots.
We would like to believe, of course, that the technology itself is neutral, able to be used for good or ill. But this neutrality is true only in the most limited of moralistic senses. To plug in Bible stories to replace pornography ignores the similar structure of the experiences. The shifts toward the new, the fast, the exciting — these are not neutral biases. They change the very way we live and relate and understand. The fact is, the electronic media have been remaking our message for some time.
It’s not that evangelicals haven’t confronted today’s media-saturated world; they have. But the preoccupation has been primarily with the surface effects, the moral content of the various electronic media. Our products simply try to add "values" to all the entertainment.
Authentic expressions of the depth of Christian theology do not fare very well in this environment. High-tech popularizations of our faith have little regard for the more serious, less action-packed material in the Bible. It is no accident that video Christianity tends to be Christianity lite — a faith minus the meat and reduced most often to moralisms. Cartoon Christianity tends to be just that — laughable.
A recent Christian video, for example, uses animation to turn biblical depictions of the pain of violence into cartoons on the level of Roadrunner and Coyote. When my kids viewed the video’s depiction of the man on the road to Jericho being beat up, they thought it was funny. The production itself turned violence into slapstick. They were supposed to laugh, despite the intention of the original Author. In this case the medium — an animated cartoon on video — reshaped the message and miscommunicated the Bible’s meaning.
Everywhere, on all sides, the pressure mounts to conform to the onslaught of visual media. To compete with the powerful visuals of the electronic show, print media are trying to adapt. We see shorter articles, bigger type, more white space, action photos, and computer-enhanced design. Bibles must be simplified — even for adults. To get any attention at all, reading material must become what it is not, trying to match TV’s sound-bites for brevity and its flashy imagery for visual appeal.
On these terms, reading material doesn’t stand much of a chance. After all, behind that shiny hologram on the Bible cover, one still must deal with all those laws in Leviticus and complicated passages in Romans. Who can make it through that stuff anymore?
It is ironic indeed that despite the impressive array of excellent study Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, and other helps available to us, as a group we could not answer even the simplest questions about the Bible when George Barna’s researchers interviewed us. If we honestly look at the results that matter, not merely annual sales figures and units moved, we have to admit that something has gone wrong. Biblical illiteracy is a problem among born-again believers, people who have been reached but now spend more time watching the Show than reading the Book.
So what is a culturally relevant ministry to do? Switch to a shorter, easier, faster version of everything? Admit that in the age of the 3.5-second attention span the One-Minute Bible just takes too long? Get over our outdated obsession with black marks on flattened, dried-out wood pulp and start producing 24-hour-a-day Christian MTV?
How does a religion based on a substantial amount of content from a book survive in this environment? Increasingly, it survives in a reduced form — less to know, but more to see and feel and experience. This shorter, easier, faster Christianity is a diminished Christianity.
Will the show go on? Will we continue to fall all over ourselves in the rush to inject some values into the latest electronic medium? Unfortunately, we seem to be well on our way to Virtual Christianity. Given our history of adoring technology, of falling under its spell like everyone else, we will soon see the Virtual Reality "Battle of Armageddon" Bible adventure game. How else will we reach the video game generation with the good news?
And what could be more effective for evangelism than Virtual Bibleland? Who could possibly resist a gospel appeal after actually being there at the Crucifixion and hearing the Roman centurion say, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"? But perhaps we will only get Virtual Conversions — thrilling, moving, exciting — but not quite real when the machine gets turned off.
Can we stop and think before our Christianity becomes virtual and our faith becomes less than real?
I am not advocating a mindless fear of the new and strange, like some 1940s fundamentalist Christian condemning motion picture technology to hell. By now we have had some experience with various electronic and visual media. It’s time for a tough, hard look at their real-life effects and lasting impact. Although it goes against the grain of our instincts as American evangelicals, perhaps we should rethink our participation in the Big Show.
First, when we do decide that a particular technology is appropriate for our use, we must still be frank with ourselves about its strengths and its weaknesses. What are the biases of this new technology? What distortions of Christianity might this medium foster? Our televangelists, for instance, apparently did not stop to think what their television techniques would do to the message they brought. In contrast, we must commit to using new methods thoughtfully, critically, and carefully.
Second, more time, energy, and resources must be put into efforts to move people beyond the artificial life offered by new technologies to the authentic life of following Jesus in the real world. This authentic life involves knowing His Word and living His ways.
The experiences produced by the new technologies are addicting. Everyone is "wowed" by them. But hypnotized videots cannot relate very significantly with others, nor experience much of God’s full creation. Real social interaction and group experiences are decreasing in our culture as more and more people enjoy their own isolated experience of the show. Attempting to "redeem" video games, television, and personal computers by adding moralistic content is not going to change that.
We talk fervently about "reaching people," about bringing the good news to a new generation that doesn’t read books or listen to long sermons. But do we really think that once we’ve contributed to their ongoing entertainment, albeit with the gospel, they will willingly and easily turn into reflective Christians that meditate on God’s written Word? What steps are we taking to make sure this happens?
In fact, it is not happening. Maybe the way we are reaching people has something to do with the kind of Christians they are becoming. Our all-consuming drive for "relevance," revealed especially in our embrace of entertainment, has not produced disciples of Jesus so much as shallow fun-seekers.
Evangelical Christians rightly seek to "reach people where they are" — even in the entertaining world of the technoshow. The question today is whether we are content to leave people where we reach them. Even more perplexing is the question, "Have we ourselves comfortably settled in with them?"
Real Christianity means we must live our lives, work out our relationships, raise our children, and fulfill our mission in real reality. It means getting to know our neighbors, playing outside with our kids, serving meals at our local street mission, or taking a walk with a friend to just talk.
Evangelicals have done all they can to match the technical quality of the Big Show, while making sure the fun is good fun. But it’s time to offer something more. The frenetic pace of the electronic media produces restlessness and disquiet. Too often what we’re left with, even after the values-added versions, is mere agitation. The Bible causes us to realize that God’s salvation brings rest and peace. As one of the Reformation catechisms (the Heidelberger) reminds us, we can "begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath." How truly refreshing it would be to our frantic world if we fulfilled our role as agents of this rest, of God’s shalom, rather than merely imitating the agitators.
God has revealed Himself as the Word. He came and walked among us in the flesh. For real. He is a majestic God whose profound depths we can never fully communicate to the world. But we can take the time to pass on what we know faithfully. Our current temptation is to reduce Him to the slick, the silly, and finally, the unreal. It doesn’t have to be this way. We don’t have to settle for Virtual Christianity.
Glenn R. Paauw is product development manager for International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, CO and an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Virtual Christianity: Evangelicals, America, and the Big Show
by Glenn R. Paauw
The great machines of our technological age produce some very powerful entertainment. Today’s typical teenager, raised on Sesame Street, Saturday morning cartoons, commercials, and now MTV, has been treated to an impressive display of technological images, all moving at an incredible speed before his or her mesmerized eyes. And this is just the beginning. Already we are fast-forwarding to a whole new world with an even better show.
The next step is what is called Virtual Reality. This electronically created experience "tricks" one’s brain into thinking it is in a real three-dimensional place. Instead of merely watching images on a screen, one now enters the world of images.
Already there is talk of fascinating applications of this new entertainment supermachine, including virtual rock concerts, virtual war games, and virtual sex. And, given the current culture, is there any doubt that few limits (if any) will restrain those applications? After all, the new, powerful technologies do not improve human nature; they merely magnify the depths of the human heart.
What would evangelicals do if they had Virtual Reality at their fingertips? It’s a troublesome question. American evangelicals have had a long, well-documented love affair with technological progress. We’ve married the Great Commission to the great machines with the oft-repeated blessing, "The message doesn’t change, merely the method." Believing that the old, old story can be told equally well in any new, new medium, evangelicals have excelled at delivering the message in culturally relevant forms.
There are many reasons for evangelicalism’s technological optimism. More than a few historians have noted the strength of the bond between American culture and our expression of the Christian faith. The strands of that bond include a deep commitment to individualism, a depreciation of history and tradition, and a tendency toward popularization and anti-intellectualism. Combine these forces with the essentially free-market orientation of our vast empire of parachurch ministries and publishers, and the result is an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. New, market-driven expressions of the faith thrive in this environment.
Today, evangelical enterprises are working overtime to keep in step with the visually dominated, fast-paced, technological times. We have Nintendo-like Bible adventure video games, cartoon versions of Jesus’ parables, music videos showing Satan and his demons being shot down in a Western-style gunfight, and Jesus as the leather-jacketed leader of a Christian street gang.
All these phenomena should compel us to examine more closely our enthusiasm for the electronic gospel. Why do we so naively assume that these powerful new media are really neutral conveyers of our cherished timeless truths? It is time to ask not just the usual "Will the technology reach more people?" but more importantly, "What message will actually get through?"
In fact, the new forms of communication are increasingly biased against a "message" at all (in the sense of communicating rationally understood content). The dominant media today form a funnel, allowing only the visually stimulating, emotionally exciting, and lightning-paced to reach us. But evangelicals seem unaware that when a particular medium follows its own strengths, it necessarily shapes and molds what is communicated.
One might attempt to fight the medium by producing content-heavy lectures on television, but that’s "bad television" and it won’t survive. Boring video games won’t sell. In the end, the medium calls the shots.
We would like to believe, of course, that the technology itself is neutral, able to be used for good or ill. But this neutrality is true only in the most limited of moralistic senses. To plug in Bible stories to replace pornography ignores the similar structure of the experiences. The shifts toward the new, the fast, the exciting — these are not neutral biases. They change the very way we live and relate and understand. The fact is, the electronic media have been remaking our message for some time.
It’s not that evangelicals haven’t confronted today’s media-saturated world; they have. But the preoccupation has been primarily with the surface effects, the moral content of the various electronic media. Our products simply try to add "values" to all the entertainment.
Authentic expressions of the depth of Christian theology do not fare very well in this environment. High-tech popularizations of our faith have little regard for the more serious, less action-packed material in the Bible. It is no accident that video Christianity tends to be Christianity lite — a faith minus the meat and reduced most often to moralisms. Cartoon Christianity tends to be just that — laughable.
A recent Christian video, for example, uses animation to turn biblical depictions of the pain of violence into cartoons on the level of Roadrunner and Coyote. When my kids viewed the video’s depiction of the man on the road to Jericho being beat up, they thought it was funny. The production itself turned violence into slapstick. They were supposed to laugh, despite the intention of the original Author. In this case the medium — an animated cartoon on video — reshaped the message and miscommunicated the Bible’s meaning.
Everywhere, on all sides, the pressure mounts to conform to the onslaught of visual media. To compete with the powerful visuals of the electronic show, print media are trying to adapt. We see shorter articles, bigger type, more white space, action photos, and computer-enhanced design. Bibles must be simplified — even for adults. To get any attention at all, reading material must become what it is not, trying to match TV’s sound-bites for brevity and its flashy imagery for visual appeal.
On these terms, reading material doesn’t stand much of a chance. After all, behind that shiny hologram on the Bible cover, one still must deal with all those laws in Leviticus and complicated passages in Romans. Who can make it through that stuff anymore?
It is ironic indeed that despite the impressive array of excellent study Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, and other helps available to us, as a group we could not answer even the simplest questions about the Bible when George Barna’s researchers interviewed us. If we honestly look at the results that matter, not merely annual sales figures and units moved, we have to admit that something has gone wrong. Biblical illiteracy is a problem among born-again believers, people who have been reached but now spend more time watching the Show than reading the Book.
So what is a culturally relevant ministry to do? Switch to a shorter, easier, faster version of everything? Admit that in the age of the 3.5-second attention span the One-Minute Bible just takes too long? Get over our outdated obsession with black marks on flattened, dried-out wood pulp and start producing 24-hour-a-day Christian MTV?
How does a religion based on a substantial amount of content from a book survive in this environment? Increasingly, it survives in a reduced form — less to know, but more to see and feel and experience. This shorter, easier, faster Christianity is a diminished Christianity.
Will the show go on? Will we continue to fall all over ourselves in the rush to inject some values into the latest electronic medium? Unfortunately, we seem to be well on our way to Virtual Christianity. Given our history of adoring technology, of falling under its spell like everyone else, we will soon see the Virtual Reality "Battle of Armageddon" Bible adventure game. How else will we reach the video game generation with the good news?
And what could be more effective for evangelism than Virtual Bibleland? Who could possibly resist a gospel appeal after actually being there at the Crucifixion and hearing the Roman centurion say, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"? But perhaps we will only get Virtual Conversions — thrilling, moving, exciting — but not quite real when the machine gets turned off.
Can we stop and think before our Christianity becomes virtual and our faith becomes less than real?
I am not advocating a mindless fear of the new and strange, like some 1940s fundamentalist Christian condemning motion picture technology to hell. By now we have had some experience with various electronic and visual media. It’s time for a tough, hard look at their real-life effects and lasting impact. Although it goes against the grain of our instincts as American evangelicals, perhaps we should rethink our participation in the Big Show.
First, when we do decide that a particular technology is appropriate for our use, we must still be frank with ourselves about its strengths and its weaknesses. What are the biases of this new technology? What distortions of Christianity might this medium foster? Our televangelists, for instance, apparently did not stop to think what their television techniques would do to the message they brought. In contrast, we must commit to using new methods thoughtfully, critically, and carefully.
Second, more time, energy, and resources must be put into efforts to move people beyond the artificial life offered by new technologies to the authentic life of following Jesus in the real world. This authentic life involves knowing His Word and living His ways.
The experiences produced by the new technologies are addicting. Everyone is "wowed" by them. But hypnotized videots cannot relate very significantly with others, nor experience much of God’s full creation. Real social interaction and group experiences are decreasing in our culture as more and more people enjoy their own isolated experience of the show. Attempting to "redeem" video games, television, and personal computers by adding moralistic content is not going to change that.
We talk fervently about "reaching people," about bringing the good news to a new generation that doesn’t read books or listen to long sermons. But do we really think that once we’ve contributed to their ongoing entertainment, albeit with the gospel, they will willingly and easily turn into reflective Christians that meditate on God’s written Word? What steps are we taking to make sure this happens?
In fact, it is not happening. Maybe the way we are reaching people has something to do with the kind of Christians they are becoming. Our all-consuming drive for "relevance," revealed especially in our embrace of entertainment, has not produced disciples of Jesus so much as shallow fun-seekers.
Evangelical Christians rightly seek to "reach people where they are" — even in the entertaining world of the technoshow. The question today is whether we are content to leave people where we reach them. Even more perplexing is the question, "Have we ourselves comfortably settled in with them?"
Real Christianity means we must live our lives, work out our relationships, raise our children, and fulfill our mission in real reality. It means getting to know our neighbors, playing outside with our kids, serving meals at our local street mission, or taking a walk with a friend to just talk.
Evangelicals have done all they can to match the technical quality of the Big Show, while making sure the fun is good fun. But it’s time to offer something more. The frenetic pace of the electronic media produces restlessness and disquiet. Too often what we’re left with, even after the values-added versions, is mere agitation. The Bible causes us to realize that God’s salvation brings rest and peace. As one of the Reformation catechisms (the Heidelberger) reminds us, we can "begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath." How truly refreshing it would be to our frantic world if we fulfilled our role as agents of this rest, of God’s shalom, rather than merely imitating the agitators.
God has revealed Himself as the Word. He came and walked among us in the flesh. For real. He is a majestic God whose profound depths we can never fully communicate to the world. But we can take the time to pass on what we know faithfully. Our current temptation is to reduce Him to the slick, the silly, and finally, the unreal. It doesn’t have to be this way. We don’t have to settle for Virtual Christianity.
Glenn R. Paauw is product development manager for International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, CO and an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
A Poem
Dirty Knees
I lie awake. I toss and turn.
I long for this. For that I yearn.
I work all day and fret at night.
So many bills. What is my plight?
I go to church and praise God's name.
Where's my reward? Is this a game?
Nowhere to turn, I start to cry-
fall to my knees and ask God why?
That's when it hits me clear as day.
I never took the time to pray.
I lift my eyes to God above.
There on that floor I'm filled with love.
I see a man knelt in a garden,
and on a cross Our sins He pardoned.
My daily worries now seem so small.
He prayed for us-then gave it all.
So through life's trials and tragedies,
you'll find clean hearts on dirty knees.
I lie awake. I toss and turn.
I long for this. For that I yearn.
I work all day and fret at night.
So many bills. What is my plight?
I go to church and praise God's name.
Where's my reward? Is this a game?
Nowhere to turn, I start to cry-
fall to my knees and ask God why?
That's when it hits me clear as day.
I never took the time to pray.
I lift my eyes to God above.
There on that floor I'm filled with love.
I see a man knelt in a garden,
and on a cross Our sins He pardoned.
My daily worries now seem so small.
He prayed for us-then gave it all.
So through life's trials and tragedies,
you'll find clean hearts on dirty knees.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Tithing
I was writing my tithe check the other day and I was thinking that the normal human conception of giving God your first tenth is that you will have 90% of your income remaining to pay your bills. Well, here's a different viewpoint. If I have all the money I need to pay my debts, isn't that 100%? So really, isn't our Father giving us 110%? I think when we begin to realize that it's all His anyway and He could just as easily take it all away, then it's easier to let go of it. We couldn't even take our next breath if He didn't allow it. Matt. 6:25-27.
Monday, December 13, 2004
I was thinking this morning about how we sometimes view an incident or experience, whether tragic or joyous as God's mysterious plan- especially if we don't understand it. We get confused when it directly affects us and we can't figure out His purposes. Our tendency is to want to categorize something and put it in a box. Of course we may never know what His great plan is, but I do know that while we think in simple terms of God's will working in one or two people's lives because of an occurrence; in actuality, it could be thousands or more souls. That just blows me away that God's mind is so infinite that He is orchestrating His will to be done billions of times over while loving each of us enough to let us mess it up.
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