The Agenda

John chapter 5 tells the story of Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethesda. He had been there 38 years and Jesus shows up one day and by no effort of the lame man Jesus heals him. The healing has the appearance of an arbitrary act of compassion. The part of this passage that messes with me is not the part that got Jesus in trouble, that I am ok with, the part I don’t get is how he healed the man and didn’t even tell him who he was. He just freed him and then slipped away. I have been trained in several different forms of evangelism and all of them have contributed to my understanding of how to share Jesus with someone. But each of those approaches center around getting into discussion with someone and then leading through the truth about Jesus in a very deductive and propositional method. Most of them felt more like an interrogation rather than sharing the life of Jesus. “Do you know what would happen to you if died right here, right now huh, do ya, do ya, do ya?!?” I don’t recall this method as one that Jesus employed, with the exception of the thief on the cross and he actually was dying so I think it would have been “relevant” to use one of our favorite buzz words. Then there is the new and very relational approach employed by a certain former child actor turned evangelist. Here is how it goes, walk the streets with a video camera, confront people and ask them if they have ever lied, stolen, cheated, etc. when they confess to it then remind them that makes them a lying, thieving, cheater and remind them that everyone knows that “liars go to hell.” Ask them if they want to go to hell, lead them to faith (?) in Jesus, and get it all on film. Not exactly Carnegie material I don’t think. Seems like I remember Jesus talking more about salvation from the perspective of turning your life over to him right here, right now and that he came to befriend liars, thieves, and cheaters, (I think he even deputized some of them into his crew, 12 if I recall). In John 5 we see no sermons, no laws, no steps to peace, in fact this man was looking for some steps, he wanted someone to show him how to get into the water. He may have thought “what am I doing wrong here? A three part series about how to effectively and strategically roll oneself into the pool at just the right time would be helpful.” Jesus will have none of that, just get up and walk and take your bed with you and go on and get about the business of living life again as a normal, productive citizen who has been restored to health. Jesus tracks the guy down later on in the day and tells him his 7 step plan for living a new and fulfilled life of victory and power, it’s amazingly profound get ready…he says, stop sinning! Not very profound, but oh so very powerful.

my new shirt

Last weekend me and the family went to the mall to do a little summer clothes shopping. We're headed to the beach in a couple of weeks so we had to get new bathing suits for growing children and mom and dad could use a little updating as well. I got a few shirts that were nice enough to preach in at our new little fellowship and at the same time night out at the beach worthy. The best thing about the whole deal was that most of the stuff was on sale. It was a win win, we got some needed new threads while at the same time saving a little coin. I was excited about my new shirt and even wore it Sunday night. I got so excited about it I wore it again Tuesday night to the baseball game and then by the end of that night I was ready to throw the shirt away like a used up paper towel. Why the sudden change of heart? Am I that fickle? I hope not. Did I develop some new found conviction concerning shirts from Old Navy? Not on this budget. Did I gain twenty pounds in two days and it no longer fits? Possibly...but no. You see what happened involved my two year old little girl. She was playing on the play ground and got whacked in the noggin and to make a long story short she ended up having to have three stitches right between her pretty little eyes. There was a good amount of blood and nothing with which to wipe it. That's where my shirt comes in. Between carrying her to the van and into the hospital lets just say my shirt got a little stained. But that shirt had never dreamed of being so used. Certainly it was just an ordinary shirt and when I put it on all I wanted was for it to make me look good. But it came to bear the marks of that which is most precious to me. When I put it on I thought looking good mattered, when I took it off it reminded me of what really matters.

a view from the left

a couple of weeks ago I had the privelege of attending a debate in the Big Easy on the "future of atheism." There were many scholars there from both sides of the aisle, Christian philosophers and apologists William Lane Craig and Allister McGrath eloquently made the argument for the case for the existence of God. On the other side were scholars of the atheistic belief with world renowned atheist Daniel Dennett, author of "Breaking the Spell" and "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" headlining the card (to use a little MMA terminology). The debate was lively, intelligent, courteous and fruitful. It certainly proved again how feeble is my wee little mind. In the ensuing week after the conference I took it upon myself to email Dr. Dennett and simply thank him for coming to New Orleans and engaging the christian community in an intellectually honest debate. You see most atheists believe that Christians hate them militantly. This presumption, which may be of course true in some cases, only serves to fan the flame of their passsionate zeal to oppose and resist the truth that is in front of us every day. The clearly hidden truth of design. I did not expect Dr. Dennett to respond to my email. Not only did he respond but he actually engaged my statements and respondied to me specifically and personally. When I got done reading the message I felt honored and respected. I had received a personal email from a Pulitzer Prize finalist! There are many pastors today who never even see half of the correspondence that comes from their own people. I felt valued and it made me want to hear more about what Dr. Dennett has to say. I know we are far from each other in terms of our beliefs. But now instead of thinking of them as the enemy, I see them much more like I think Jesus would have me to, with compassion. Funny how so many christians are so much more interested in being heard than hearing. The best way to open the door to anyone is by letting down your guard and listening to more than their words, listen to their life.

1977

Does anyone really know what they are doing? Does anyone have a life plan that seems to be totally predictable and fulfilling at the same time? If you do please call me and tell me how you came to this conclusion. Oh I'm not saying that it cannot be done but it is amazing to me that things have not proceeded in my life as I thought they would. Things seemed simpler (sometimes even better) in 1977, I was 5 then. You see I used to think that as I got older I would accumulate vast amounts of knowledge, gain indepth relational isinght, and traverse the unsearchable wisdom that comes from maturity. I'm 34 now certainly not old (at least I don't feel old). I could be at middle age I guess or even past it for that matter, I guess I won't really know until I die, when middle age is for me. I know this may be a little disconcerting to many of you out there who live in such supreme confidence in the world around you. I guess as I watch the world and observe and live I realize everyday even more than the last that I cannot really predict anything or hold anything too tightly. My son turns 5 years old tomorrow, I think he turned 1 yesterday, it sure feels that way. As I look at him and think about the things I want to say to him and want him to live out in his life my mind does not turn to finances, social skills, or even morality, though all of those things are certainly important. No, I believe if I could simply transfer something from me to him and know for sure that he would get it I think it would be to forget about figuring it all out, you can't. Don't spend your days trying to lay out your future and make it what you want it to be. First of all control and predictability is an illusion or at best relative. And not only that how do you know that if you were in control the outcome would be all together better than if someone else was in control? I think I am beginning to understand that the road less traveled is a little scary and uncertain that is why it is less traveled. But it holds treasures unkown to those on the other roads. Dive, run, explore, yell, jump, fly and do not allow the volume of your 5 year old heart to be turned down so as not to offend or stir those on the other road, I am in the process of trying to turn mine back up again, back to the level it was in 1977.

Letter to Myself

Last week I jumped on the national band wagon and saw the new Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves movie "The Lake House." My wife and I needed a night away from the kids and I have to say the movie did live up to the hype. Half chic flick half mystery, it really was a good movie. And it did what I value most in a movie and that is get me thinking. The basic premise of the movie is that these two people are in love yet somehow they are living two years apart. I cannot explain how this happens and the movie does not attempt to, the lovely suspension of belief that allows us to accept realities otherwise not possible if not for being in our imagination. But if I could write a letter to myself who was two years ago I wonder what I would say...Would that letter be any different than the letter I would write to myself who may be two years from now? I would hope that if I had the chance to speak back in time I would have more to say than simple cliches and information about the future. Love the family more and put your money on the White Sox in 06 may be useful but I think there is more to be said than that. I think my letter in it's simplest form may simply say something to the effect of, 'don't forget that one day you will not be where you are now, but the way you live there will affect how you live here. The moment you are in right now is circumstantially gone but it still exists in your soul. Your heart and soul is perfect record of everything you do and how you live. So please take a moment and consider that what you are doing right now is affecting me still today.

break neck speed

My prayer these past couple of nights with the kids is that God would just give us hearts that are calm. Not sure if you know what I am talking about but there is just that feeling that nothing is settled. It's like driving down the road with the windows open. Sure the air feels great on your face but the wind is about blow absolutely everything in the car out the window. Break neck speed is great to talk about, break neck speed is cool, it's edgy, it will also...break your neck and wreck your emotional shell if you allow it to go on too long without a...break. I don't mean a vacation or just a few hours alone, although they help and certainly can alleviate the pressure to some extent. I am talking about real deep and soul refreshing rest. The kind of active rest that can stand ritght in the midst of the chaos and be completely detacthed from it. The wind and fire swirl all around and yet in the midst you are cool and still. This is really not a circumstance because circumstances are relative. A night out at Sullivan's or a day at the spa may be totally relaxing, unless you're poor and it takes you a months pay to do it. A night out at the House of Blues listening to local jazz bands may bring down your level of stress, unless you wind up next to a group that's had a few too many. Circumstances are relative. This rest is not.It's more than a state of mind. My mind is capable of quite alot, though some say it's used for very little. My mind can convince me of anything I want but even worse my mind is extremely prone to distraction and even on occasion known to be wrong. If I quiet my mind only, I have nothing to anchor myself in, in order to come to a level of soul refreshing rest I must first let go of myself and then to sustain it I must allow myself to be filled up with something greater than myself. The only way I now to attain and sustain soul refreshing rest is to allow my heart to be cleansed, repaired, and restored. The break neck pace my life seems to gravitate toward is not going to go away, it's just not going to be the one in control.

rejection resolution

Ever felt like you just did not belong somewhere? This may seem like a redundant question because the reality is that everyone of us has felt that way at some time or another. You know that feeling like you are completely alone in a room full of people or even amongst people you know and who know you but who just don't "get" you. To feel like you just don't connect with a certain group of people is normal and even ok. Once you understand who you are and what God has in mind for you and your life you learn to deal with not pleasing everyone or even being understood by everyone or thinking you have to take on everyone else's cause as your own. Such is life and the mature ones learn to move on, but the feeling of rejection or exclusion takes it to another level and is one that no one is immune to. I felt that sting just the other day and it reminded me how much people need to feel like they belong somewhere and to somebody. I guess God puts pain drops into our lives so we can remember where most people live. The rejection I experienced was tough and it hurt me but I think I can see it's redemptive value. There are people all over who feel the sting of rejection, that emotional assault that says "you don't belong here" and not for anything you have done, just because of who you are. One of the most basic needs of every human heart is security. Therefore I resolve to live my life so that everyone who comes in contact with me feels safe. I want to leave a welcome mat out in front of my life that says what's mine is yours and "you belong here."