Father’s Day came and went again this year…and my emotions on this day are always ambivalent. On my tenth birthday (over forty years ago now) my own father suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which along with some paralysis and partial brain damage left him anything but the kind of man I, at that age, was proud to call daddy. I really never got to know my father in those first ten years of my life. I remember I was confused, and ashamedly embarrassed by a condition he certainly hadn’t any control over. Still, these are the feelings I experienced and although I had been exemplifying aspects of being an extrovert at the time, I retreated and became introverted and painfully shy.
Basically all I remember about those earliest of years is dad seemed to always be working. For my male mentoring my grandfathers and uncles tried to pick up the slack and often told me stories about what a hard driving, competitive type of man my dad had been...you know, before. It was impressed upon me that my dad had been chasing the American dream for his family and climbing the corporate ladder…and I’d like to say I missed not knowing him…but I don’t even know if that’s true or not. I’m pretty sure he must once have had a great sense of humor and I always did love hearing any story he ever told me.
He died not long after I graduated from college and although there was an ongoing relationship during those intervening ten to twelve years…I have always felt that something significant in my life was missed by not having (forgive me) a “real father.”
Of course, at the age of seventeen, I entered in to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but I’ll admit that I’d developed a pretty intense shell around my heart by that time…and having God as a father-figure was intriguing, exciting and wholly fulfilling until my introverted extroverted rebelliousness (it’s really hard to explain) ran head-long into your Christian church-going types. Quickly I remember wondering “Where’s the love, man?” “Do we even know the same God?” And over the years I’ve continually had to ask why does the “organized church” keep harping to people that they have to do this or that certain thing, in a particular way, which I never have found out where these notions originated?
So, I never really had an opportunity to get to know my earthly father. And for thirty-five plus years I’ve been wanting to know more and more about my heavenly father. I've also learned a good deal of tedious and unflattering things about myself along the way as well. I’ll want to venture in to this some next time but let me leave you with thoughts contained in chapter 14 of Mark’s gospel account right before Jesus gets executed,
“They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, ‘Sit here while I go and pray.’ He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’
He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. ‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’”
and then this if from 1 John 3,
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!”
Have a great week. Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
An Exercise in Christianity
I’ll start by admitting the extent of my personal exercise has been fairly limited to an extensive amount of walking up and down the stairs at my apartment each day. My computer-based recording facility and office is upstairs and the coffee pot - with seemingly some one thing or another invariably turning out to be down. (There’s a middle landing on the staircase that I’ve come to refer to as the “stupid step.” Its place where I remember that thing that I should have brought with me and have to turn around go back and get it. Have you seen one of these?) Oh yeah, my point…well apart from my actual exercising regime rarely involving much more than this it has been known to comprise a good deal of jumping to conclusions and flip-flopping on issues.
So, these words from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 4:8, came to mind recently, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Naturally, this got me to thinking about how my personal exercising habits haven’t changed much…beyond planning for less of each. Even though I continue in my ritualistic stair mastering, conclusion jumping and issue flopping, it’s all in the course of a day’s activity for an executive producer of a listener supported internet radio show.
Upon further contemplating what Paul is telling Timothy, though, I’ve lazily arrived at the conclusion that all this flip-flopping and mind-changing is fully in keeping with what the Christian faith comprises. Another influential passage was also written by Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 beginning at verse 13,
“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
It’s probably this propensity of jumping too quickly to conclusions that results in the ultimate flip-flopping later on. You see, I’ve been through those “mind-altering” phases of skepticism towards God, Christ, and the Bible to becoming fully confident in their overall honesty and truth. I now choose to believe that what I read in the Bible is in no way intended to lead me astray but rather set me on a right path. What I used to merely value as wise and insightful teachings are now, for me, a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” i.e. the very words of God.
Additionally, I’ve flip-flopped on a good many other things as well. I used to think that the noble attitude was to allow for free-choice in the issue of abortion. Now I have become an adamant pro-lifer. After long pursuing writing, acting, directing and broadcasting as a career I’ve become convicted that many of the activities I was obligated or required to do in the course of “career-building” and/or "money-making" was compromising my professed allegiance to Christ. I along the way even switched from thinking I was a Democrat to realizing I was more inclined toward the Republican Party platform, even though, I won’t deny a biblically-influenced approach to any political decision making.
Apart from explaining what’s happened…the key is that something continues happening to change my ways of thinking. Once again, Paul begins his 12th chapter of the letter to the Romans by writing, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
I’m presently coming to a place in my life where it’s occurring to me that mere flipping on conclusion jumping still isn’t fulfilling my Christian-esque obligations. See, if I’m adamant that people shouldn’t kill unwanted babies…then I better, in kind, become pro-adoption. Certainly in following Christ’s examples I must be willing to take on someone else’s burdens and James wrote, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Essentially, I get the impression that we are to care for those who are not able to care for themselves.
So when I catch myself bad-mouthing today’s media or our political leaders it isn’t enough to draw the conclusion that I won’t participate or support the evil they propagate. Sure, it’s one thing not to frequent movies, or even stop watching television, but are we looking for ways to support, encourage, and participate with those who are honestly seeking to provide alternative program options for those who don’t hold these views…like a hmmm, I don’t know, an ActofGraceRadio.net, maybe? Equally, we are not making anything better if we just stop voting for politicians because it only seems to encourage they’re bad behavior. No, I really think we have to continue being diligent and prudent in not just making the best choices available on the ballot but helping to enable those who have the gifts, talents, passion, and purposefulness to bring about Christ-likened changes to the political arena.
Far more than Paul’s mention to Timothy that physical training’s value is limited, he refocuses the reader’s thoughts on the true issue at hand. This is that “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
I know there are still plenty of conclusions that I’ve jumped to over the course of my life that may still need reevaluation and perhaps an opinion flip-flop or three. But, I’ve got to have the courage to openly look at them, the fortitude to change what’s wrong, and the integrity and conviction to implement the appropriate actions. I invite you to comment right now, or maybe come back for another visit sometime and see how I’m doing.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
So, these words from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 4:8, came to mind recently, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Naturally, this got me to thinking about how my personal exercising habits haven’t changed much…beyond planning for less of each. Even though I continue in my ritualistic stair mastering, conclusion jumping and issue flopping, it’s all in the course of a day’s activity for an executive producer of a listener supported internet radio show.
Upon further contemplating what Paul is telling Timothy, though, I’ve lazily arrived at the conclusion that all this flip-flopping and mind-changing is fully in keeping with what the Christian faith comprises. Another influential passage was also written by Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 beginning at verse 13,
“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
It’s probably this propensity of jumping too quickly to conclusions that results in the ultimate flip-flopping later on. You see, I’ve been through those “mind-altering” phases of skepticism towards God, Christ, and the Bible to becoming fully confident in their overall honesty and truth. I now choose to believe that what I read in the Bible is in no way intended to lead me astray but rather set me on a right path. What I used to merely value as wise and insightful teachings are now, for me, a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” i.e. the very words of God.
Additionally, I’ve flip-flopped on a good many other things as well. I used to think that the noble attitude was to allow for free-choice in the issue of abortion. Now I have become an adamant pro-lifer. After long pursuing writing, acting, directing and broadcasting as a career I’ve become convicted that many of the activities I was obligated or required to do in the course of “career-building” and/or "money-making" was compromising my professed allegiance to Christ. I along the way even switched from thinking I was a Democrat to realizing I was more inclined toward the Republican Party platform, even though, I won’t deny a biblically-influenced approach to any political decision making.
Apart from explaining what’s happened…the key is that something continues happening to change my ways of thinking. Once again, Paul begins his 12th chapter of the letter to the Romans by writing, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
I’m presently coming to a place in my life where it’s occurring to me that mere flipping on conclusion jumping still isn’t fulfilling my Christian-esque obligations. See, if I’m adamant that people shouldn’t kill unwanted babies…then I better, in kind, become pro-adoption. Certainly in following Christ’s examples I must be willing to take on someone else’s burdens and James wrote, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Essentially, I get the impression that we are to care for those who are not able to care for themselves.
So when I catch myself bad-mouthing today’s media or our political leaders it isn’t enough to draw the conclusion that I won’t participate or support the evil they propagate. Sure, it’s one thing not to frequent movies, or even stop watching television, but are we looking for ways to support, encourage, and participate with those who are honestly seeking to provide alternative program options for those who don’t hold these views…like a hmmm, I don’t know, an ActofGraceRadio.net, maybe? Equally, we are not making anything better if we just stop voting for politicians because it only seems to encourage they’re bad behavior. No, I really think we have to continue being diligent and prudent in not just making the best choices available on the ballot but helping to enable those who have the gifts, talents, passion, and purposefulness to bring about Christ-likened changes to the political arena.
Far more than Paul’s mention to Timothy that physical training’s value is limited, he refocuses the reader’s thoughts on the true issue at hand. This is that “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
I know there are still plenty of conclusions that I’ve jumped to over the course of my life that may still need reevaluation and perhaps an opinion flip-flop or three. But, I’ve got to have the courage to openly look at them, the fortitude to change what’s wrong, and the integrity and conviction to implement the appropriate actions. I invite you to comment right now, or maybe come back for another visit sometime and see how I’m doing.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Choosing what we believe
This week’s “@ the Rock Shop” on ActofGraceRadio.net addresses the subject of choices. And was spawned by thoughts regarding whether we really do have a choice in what we believe.
A circumstance occurred in my extended family this week wherein one person (that I did not know) died and at this writing another is in the last stages of cancer contributing to the shuffling off of their mortal coil. Naturally as a Christian I am concerned whether or not these people have, or had, ever put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior; I do not know the answer, but God does. Having been born and raised in the United States I have no doubt that on no less than one occasion they were given the opportunity of responding to the saving grace available by faith in Jesus Christ. (Talking about that is something we do a lot around here.)
Apart from the eternal, I know these two situations have raised a lot of questions in the minds of the loved ones who are being left behind. I have every assurance that God’s will is being done. But some in the throes of the circumstances are wondering what that really means. Who can blame them?
One of the most devastating situations, from my perspective, was the manner in which our not-so-believing family members were confronted by the much-professing believers, particularly in the area of being baptized before you die or you won’t get into heaven. All I’m feeling compelled to ask in this writing is, where do they get that notion that you have to be baptized before God would allow you into heaven? I don’t find any teachings of this from Jesus in the Bible, and I don’t think that the action of being baptized changes the heart. If a person doesn’t believe in God, has never felt a need to submit to the authority of God in their lives…well, they’ve essentially decided they don’t want to be around the folks that will comprise heaven anyway. I’m pretty sure that everybody who is, or will be, in heaven will be there by choice.
There do seem to be maybe two stipulations that assure a person has properly made their reservations for heaven: they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only acceptable sacrifice, which happens to have been provided by God in the first place; and in a verbal profession of faith. This is Romans 10: 9 and 10, by the way. Now, there’s evidence that this is an honest, sincere, heart-felt belief because there are many New Testament instances that after such a faith-profession the new believer is baptized. They do stop doing many of the “bad” things they had done in the past – repenting – and in many cases seek to make restitution to those they have wronged. The new believer, upon their profession of faith, also finds that they have an increasing desire to know and learn more about God and, in addition, begin looking for ways to be a help to others. This is how true faith is exemplified. It honestly has nothing to do with anything we have, can, or will do. Baptism is a key element, but people die believing in God and never get baptized. Communion is a wonderful experience for a believer to participate in, as well, but merely taking communion isn’t particularly significant. How much we pray or don't pray isn't a measuring stick. God says to the prophet Malachi in chapter 3 of the Old Testament book that bears his name, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Later in the same chapter God spells out to every reader what He’s about. These are the words of God quoted from Malachi beginning at verse 13, “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?’
“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will say, “Blessed are the arrogant.” For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.”
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. “They will be my people,” says the LORD Almighty. “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
There are only a few verses left before God brings the Old Testament to conclusion. The next words that are written in the Bible begin the New Testament as regards the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. (Just for grins and giggles check out Revelation 20:11-15.) Any of us really have only one important decision to make. Will we believe in and serve God because we have been adopted as His child and have the privilege to spend eternity with Him or reject the offer?
You see nobody get’s taken into heaven kicking and screaming against their will. And nobody is being forced to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, or be baptized in His name, or have communion with Him in the fellowship of other believers, or recite any number of prayer litany's. None of that will be required of anybody who chooses not to want to. Heaven is only for the believers in God. (Remember the two thieves crucifed with Jesus?) Nobody else would even want to go there, because heaven ain’t going to be about them. It's not about your rewards, or your mansion, or even how many virgins you’ll be getting…heaven is, always has been, and always will be about God. And only those who want to be there, with Him, will be.
So, if you still think you want to go to heaven, it might behoove you to find out what is required. Then make the choice, because you may not even want to go to heaven at all. And God has made other arrangements for that decision.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
A circumstance occurred in my extended family this week wherein one person (that I did not know) died and at this writing another is in the last stages of cancer contributing to the shuffling off of their mortal coil. Naturally as a Christian I am concerned whether or not these people have, or had, ever put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior; I do not know the answer, but God does. Having been born and raised in the United States I have no doubt that on no less than one occasion they were given the opportunity of responding to the saving grace available by faith in Jesus Christ. (Talking about that is something we do a lot around here.)
Apart from the eternal, I know these two situations have raised a lot of questions in the minds of the loved ones who are being left behind. I have every assurance that God’s will is being done. But some in the throes of the circumstances are wondering what that really means. Who can blame them?
One of the most devastating situations, from my perspective, was the manner in which our not-so-believing family members were confronted by the much-professing believers, particularly in the area of being baptized before you die or you won’t get into heaven. All I’m feeling compelled to ask in this writing is, where do they get that notion that you have to be baptized before God would allow you into heaven? I don’t find any teachings of this from Jesus in the Bible, and I don’t think that the action of being baptized changes the heart. If a person doesn’t believe in God, has never felt a need to submit to the authority of God in their lives…well, they’ve essentially decided they don’t want to be around the folks that will comprise heaven anyway. I’m pretty sure that everybody who is, or will be, in heaven will be there by choice.
There do seem to be maybe two stipulations that assure a person has properly made their reservations for heaven: they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only acceptable sacrifice, which happens to have been provided by God in the first place; and in a verbal profession of faith. This is Romans 10: 9 and 10, by the way. Now, there’s evidence that this is an honest, sincere, heart-felt belief because there are many New Testament instances that after such a faith-profession the new believer is baptized. They do stop doing many of the “bad” things they had done in the past – repenting – and in many cases seek to make restitution to those they have wronged. The new believer, upon their profession of faith, also finds that they have an increasing desire to know and learn more about God and, in addition, begin looking for ways to be a help to others. This is how true faith is exemplified. It honestly has nothing to do with anything we have, can, or will do. Baptism is a key element, but people die believing in God and never get baptized. Communion is a wonderful experience for a believer to participate in, as well, but merely taking communion isn’t particularly significant. How much we pray or don't pray isn't a measuring stick. God says to the prophet Malachi in chapter 3 of the Old Testament book that bears his name, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Later in the same chapter God spells out to every reader what He’s about. These are the words of God quoted from Malachi beginning at verse 13, “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?’
“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will say, “Blessed are the arrogant.” For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.”
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. “They will be my people,” says the LORD Almighty. “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
There are only a few verses left before God brings the Old Testament to conclusion. The next words that are written in the Bible begin the New Testament as regards the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. (Just for grins and giggles check out Revelation 20:11-15.) Any of us really have only one important decision to make. Will we believe in and serve God because we have been adopted as His child and have the privilege to spend eternity with Him or reject the offer?
You see nobody get’s taken into heaven kicking and screaming against their will. And nobody is being forced to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, or be baptized in His name, or have communion with Him in the fellowship of other believers, or recite any number of prayer litany's. None of that will be required of anybody who chooses not to want to. Heaven is only for the believers in God. (Remember the two thieves crucifed with Jesus?) Nobody else would even want to go there, because heaven ain’t going to be about them. It's not about your rewards, or your mansion, or even how many virgins you’ll be getting…heaven is, always has been, and always will be about God. And only those who want to be there, with Him, will be.
So, if you still think you want to go to heaven, it might behoove you to find out what is required. Then make the choice, because you may not even want to go to heaven at all. And God has made other arrangements for that decision.
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Monday, April 7, 2008
What ever happened to R&R?
Hey y'all (That there’s Texas talk fer hi, me thinks)
This ought to be one of the greatest days for a long-time sports nut like me. It’s the home opener for my newly adopted baseball team the Houston Astros. My baseball team for life, the Kansas City Royals, are out in front in their division here at the onset of the season. (And, if you don’t follow baseball then you won’t grasp the marvel of that feat.) And tonight, the University of Kansas Jayhawks, another of the sports teams I’ve long-suffered with, will be battling for the men’s NCAA Division I basketball championship. And instead of enjoying the excitement of all these events coming into alignment in one fell swoop, I’m going nuts because I don’t think I should be thinking about any of this stuff when the world is going to hell in a hand basket, I’ve got rent, and utility bills, a car in need of tires, and another tank of gas before the end of the week. On top of that I can’t seem, for the life of me, to find a supplemental job that isn’t going to cost more to have than I’ll be getting paid. On the ministry front, at times I feel like John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness…or maybe more like the tree falling in the forest that nobody hears...boo-hoodie-hoo. Yeah, so baseball and basketball seem to have lost some of their recreational diversion. And, drat, I think it’s a crying shame… because tonight I would rather watch basketball, and listen to baseball on the radio, than fretting over, or inadequately praying about, the desperate situation of Christian brothers and sisters fighting for their lives in China, India, North Korea, and Africa. Just what is wrong with me!?!?!
I vaguely remember, in those days before I signed on with Artists in Christian Testimony and subsequently became an agent of gospel outreach over the internet, (having now completed a full three years in such service) that I rarely was challenged in the areas of resting and relaxing. But, things sure seem a whole lot more complex at present...Since I’ve become labeled as a missionary I really can't seem to relax much at all anymore.
Amid my anxiety, I recall this quote of Jesus, (red-lettered in my NLT Bible) “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30. Yet, forgive me Jesus, but I’m actually feeling much more weary and most of my present burdens surely aren’t feeling any lighter either. I'm feeling crushed by the yoke. (And this, by the way, is no joke.)
It seems Jesus is implying, to His largely agriculturally adroit audience that just like one of those yokes, that heavy wooden harness that was placed on beasts of burden so they can pull farm implements, is indicative of our dragging about heavy burdens…He’s got a better yoke. That’s all fine and well, I truly believe this is true and encourage others to listen to what Jesus is offering here. But I note further that there are many clear instructions in the Bible regarding the obligations for any who aspire to being a religious teacher…like a missionary.
A few of the heaviest verses might be Ephesians 4:11-13, “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and to build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” Add to that then, Titus 2:8, “Let your teaching be so correct that it can’t be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won’t have anything bad to say about us.” And finally, there’s always James 3:1, “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.” If you don’t mind my saying, this doesn’t appear to be to be a particularly light burden to bear…and I can get pretty freaked out about the level of responsibility I’ve been entrusted with. Still, you go Astros, Royals, and especially you Jayhawks - beat Memphis!
This ought to be one of the greatest days for a long-time sports nut like me. It’s the home opener for my newly adopted baseball team the Houston Astros. My baseball team for life, the Kansas City Royals, are out in front in their division here at the onset of the season. (And, if you don’t follow baseball then you won’t grasp the marvel of that feat.) And tonight, the University of Kansas Jayhawks, another of the sports teams I’ve long-suffered with, will be battling for the men’s NCAA Division I basketball championship. And instead of enjoying the excitement of all these events coming into alignment in one fell swoop, I’m going nuts because I don’t think I should be thinking about any of this stuff when the world is going to hell in a hand basket, I’ve got rent, and utility bills, a car in need of tires, and another tank of gas before the end of the week. On top of that I can’t seem, for the life of me, to find a supplemental job that isn’t going to cost more to have than I’ll be getting paid. On the ministry front, at times I feel like John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness…or maybe more like the tree falling in the forest that nobody hears...boo-hoodie-hoo. Yeah, so baseball and basketball seem to have lost some of their recreational diversion. And, drat, I think it’s a crying shame… because tonight I would rather watch basketball, and listen to baseball on the radio, than fretting over, or inadequately praying about, the desperate situation of Christian brothers and sisters fighting for their lives in China, India, North Korea, and Africa. Just what is wrong with me!?!?!
I vaguely remember, in those days before I signed on with Artists in Christian Testimony and subsequently became an agent of gospel outreach over the internet, (having now completed a full three years in such service) that I rarely was challenged in the areas of resting and relaxing. But, things sure seem a whole lot more complex at present...Since I’ve become labeled as a missionary I really can't seem to relax much at all anymore.
Amid my anxiety, I recall this quote of Jesus, (red-lettered in my NLT Bible) “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30. Yet, forgive me Jesus, but I’m actually feeling much more weary and most of my present burdens surely aren’t feeling any lighter either. I'm feeling crushed by the yoke. (And this, by the way, is no joke.)
It seems Jesus is implying, to His largely agriculturally adroit audience that just like one of those yokes, that heavy wooden harness that was placed on beasts of burden so they can pull farm implements, is indicative of our dragging about heavy burdens…He’s got a better yoke. That’s all fine and well, I truly believe this is true and encourage others to listen to what Jesus is offering here. But I note further that there are many clear instructions in the Bible regarding the obligations for any who aspire to being a religious teacher…like a missionary.
A few of the heaviest verses might be Ephesians 4:11-13, “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and to build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” Add to that then, Titus 2:8, “Let your teaching be so correct that it can’t be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won’t have anything bad to say about us.” And finally, there’s always James 3:1, “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.” If you don’t mind my saying, this doesn’t appear to be to be a particularly light burden to bear…and I can get pretty freaked out about the level of responsibility I’ve been entrusted with. Still, you go Astros, Royals, and especially you Jayhawks - beat Memphis!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Bored-room meeting of CEO’s
For many weeks churches across the world have prepared for Easter morning - one of their highest attended days because it’ll be the first of the bi-annual gatherings of the community CEO’s in their sanctuary (or bored-room). You might know this already, but the CEO’s are those that attend church Christmas and Easter Only.
I’ve known this derisive term to be bandied about a lot in church circles, especially in anticipation of the increase in padded posteriors sitting in pews during either of these two “big events” in Christendom’s historical calendar…the baby that was born and the dead man who came back to life.
Now, my curiosity runs more toward why do “church” people get so much more excited about the people who’ll be coming on Christmas or Easter than they do on any other Sunday of the year?
Granted it's just human nature to be impressed by bigger audiences, at least that’s true for a performer like myself. But it seems that on many an occasion, as recorded in the gospel accounts of the New Testament, Jesus was less inclined to be impressed by the big crowds in general and far more interested in particular individuals. That becomes readily apparent in a cursory reading of any of the gospel accounts – four of which are contained in one of those run-of-the-mill Bibles that are easy to get your hands on – if you’re interested in actually reading about what transpired in the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Within a one-week time span of a public ministry that only lasted three years, Jesus of Nazareth would enter Jerusalem hailed by the crowd of on-lookers as their long-awaited king. The next day Jesus would begin a process of upsetting most of those people when he disrupted their moneymaking activities in the Temple, the church building of His day; and within another 72 hours one of his best friends would betray him to the authorities. This results in Him being arrested. And in one of the swiftest examples of “due process” in history, He is falsely accused, convicted in a mockery of justice and executed when the very same crowd that had hailed his arrival preferred having a criminal released from custody than Jesus. Essentially this served as the Roman and Jewish equivalent of a lynching. And it seems that crowds have a propensity toward fickleness.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, that week prior to His execution, the religious leaders begged him to have his followers keep down all the racket about him being a king and all. To this, Jesus’ reaction is recorded in an account found in Luke’s gospel chapter 19 starting at verse 37.
Having lots of eyes or ears in attendance is surely a measure of opportunity, but what is the measure of success? Each week as “@ the Rock Shop” is uploaded to the Internet via ActofGraceRadio.net there’s a resemblance to shoving a bunch of bird seed into a cannon and firing it into the air…oh yes, opportunity indeed, but how would one measure it’s effectiveness? Which brings to mind a whole other parable that Jesus taught, but not necessarily my point.
I don’t know why so many more people go to church only on Christmas and Easter. Why is being a CEO sufficient? I don’t know if the messages or the music they hear on these two occasions are sufficient to tie them over until their next visit…but something’s definitely not all that appealing when they darken the doors of these bored-rooms. A church is the one place in town that’s intended purpose is to be a refuge from the slings and arrows the world at large is prone to pelt at an individual. Isn’t a church supposed to be a house of worship and prayer? Isn’t a church supposed to be a good deal more reflective of the Savior they proclaim?
As those CEO’s leave their church services this weekend, having performed what I can only imagine they must think is their “Christian duty” what will they really take away from the experience? I think this is the question that any church leadership would be better inclined toward finding an answer to than just looking at the numbers and counting what came in the collection plate. If “church” isn’t any more impacting on a world in desperate need of knowing the love of Jesus Christ than two days out of a year then how do we rationalize keeping these things open the other three hundred sixty-three (or three hundred sixty-four this year)?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
I’ve known this derisive term to be bandied about a lot in church circles, especially in anticipation of the increase in padded posteriors sitting in pews during either of these two “big events” in Christendom’s historical calendar…the baby that was born and the dead man who came back to life.
Now, my curiosity runs more toward why do “church” people get so much more excited about the people who’ll be coming on Christmas or Easter than they do on any other Sunday of the year?
Granted it's just human nature to be impressed by bigger audiences, at least that’s true for a performer like myself. But it seems that on many an occasion, as recorded in the gospel accounts of the New Testament, Jesus was less inclined to be impressed by the big crowds in general and far more interested in particular individuals. That becomes readily apparent in a cursory reading of any of the gospel accounts – four of which are contained in one of those run-of-the-mill Bibles that are easy to get your hands on – if you’re interested in actually reading about what transpired in the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Within a one-week time span of a public ministry that only lasted three years, Jesus of Nazareth would enter Jerusalem hailed by the crowd of on-lookers as their long-awaited king. The next day Jesus would begin a process of upsetting most of those people when he disrupted their moneymaking activities in the Temple, the church building of His day; and within another 72 hours one of his best friends would betray him to the authorities. This results in Him being arrested. And in one of the swiftest examples of “due process” in history, He is falsely accused, convicted in a mockery of justice and executed when the very same crowd that had hailed his arrival preferred having a criminal released from custody than Jesus. Essentially this served as the Roman and Jewish equivalent of a lynching. And it seems that crowds have a propensity toward fickleness.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, that week prior to His execution, the religious leaders begged him to have his followers keep down all the racket about him being a king and all. To this, Jesus’ reaction is recorded in an account found in Luke’s gospel chapter 19 starting at verse 37.
Having lots of eyes or ears in attendance is surely a measure of opportunity, but what is the measure of success? Each week as “@ the Rock Shop” is uploaded to the Internet via ActofGraceRadio.net there’s a resemblance to shoving a bunch of bird seed into a cannon and firing it into the air…oh yes, opportunity indeed, but how would one measure it’s effectiveness? Which brings to mind a whole other parable that Jesus taught, but not necessarily my point.
I don’t know why so many more people go to church only on Christmas and Easter. Why is being a CEO sufficient? I don’t know if the messages or the music they hear on these two occasions are sufficient to tie them over until their next visit…but something’s definitely not all that appealing when they darken the doors of these bored-rooms. A church is the one place in town that’s intended purpose is to be a refuge from the slings and arrows the world at large is prone to pelt at an individual. Isn’t a church supposed to be a house of worship and prayer? Isn’t a church supposed to be a good deal more reflective of the Savior they proclaim?
As those CEO’s leave their church services this weekend, having performed what I can only imagine they must think is their “Christian duty” what will they really take away from the experience? I think this is the question that any church leadership would be better inclined toward finding an answer to than just looking at the numbers and counting what came in the collection plate. If “church” isn’t any more impacting on a world in desperate need of knowing the love of Jesus Christ than two days out of a year then how do we rationalize keeping these things open the other three hundred sixty-three (or three hundred sixty-four this year)?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, March 14, 2008
Toots - eek!
I’ve read there was actually a point to having a horn on automobiles a couple of centuries ago. But like many ideas from that far back, this is one that seems to have outlived its usefulness. Nevertheless the modern lack of etiquette (i.e. common courtesy) demonstrated in the standard use of these electronic klaxon devices is, to my thinking, representative of - or a significant contributing factor to - many of society’s ills. (After all, what level comes next in life's game when honking a horn is your idea of stress relief - ARMED ROAD RAGE?)
I don’t even remember the last time I actually honked a car horn, but it definitely wasn't intended and hasn’t been perpetrated on my present vehicle…or the one before that, either. I’m not even sure I know where they mount horn buttons on cars any more. Are they still in the center of a steering wheel?
Living in a major metropolitan area means I hear auto horns way, way, way too much. My opinion is that only the most insipid of imbeciles would even resort to touching one of these, especially in this environment, in the first place. (I'm convinced this is how cooties get spread, and even if it isn't, I couldn’t care less what another yokel's impression is of my derelict driving techniques.) Plus, I also want to know what buffoon thought using horns as alarm devices to scare off anybody was an idea whose time had come? As such, I long, long, long ago began paying little to no attention to honking horns at all. I hardly think I'm alone in this opinion, so what good are they anyway? And have you noticed any correlation among pick-up truck driver’s having a particularly noteworthy abusive tactile love affair with these horrendous devices?
Furthermore, I’ve also lived in rural regions where when you heard a car’s horn it meant somebody you knew was waving at you through a windshield. When I lived in a mountainous region of South America the rule of thumb was if your brakes and your horn both went out on your car at the same time you’d have to get your horn fixed first…mainly because nobody there used headlights at night – it was a weird culture. But, in that same part of the world, it was also humanly impossible to make any move forward after a stop light changed without everyone behind you laying into their horns. I'm not at all sure there a point to any of that either...but it always happened.
Oh please, now I’m no proponent for any stricter legislation regarding using a car’s horn. After all people where I live don’t even observe speed limits. (This may very well have a direct correlation in an increase of horn honking enthusiasts, but I can't say that for certain.) No, I’d just as soon horns became an incredibly expensive add-on option in the purchase of a vehicle - if you could even get one at all. Maybe people would think twice then as to whether they really needed to have one at all, but some people just have more money than they know what to do with. But, by all means, horns must cease being included as standard equipment. And finally, why should any of these new fangled, environmentally and fuel friendly contraptions promised for the future come equipped with one of those noise polluting pieces of paraphernalia?
Got thoughts?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
I don’t even remember the last time I actually honked a car horn, but it definitely wasn't intended and hasn’t been perpetrated on my present vehicle…or the one before that, either. I’m not even sure I know where they mount horn buttons on cars any more. Are they still in the center of a steering wheel?
Living in a major metropolitan area means I hear auto horns way, way, way too much. My opinion is that only the most insipid of imbeciles would even resort to touching one of these, especially in this environment, in the first place. (I'm convinced this is how cooties get spread, and even if it isn't, I couldn’t care less what another yokel's impression is of my derelict driving techniques.) Plus, I also want to know what buffoon thought using horns as alarm devices to scare off anybody was an idea whose time had come? As such, I long, long, long ago began paying little to no attention to honking horns at all. I hardly think I'm alone in this opinion, so what good are they anyway? And have you noticed any correlation among pick-up truck driver’s having a particularly noteworthy abusive tactile love affair with these horrendous devices?
Furthermore, I’ve also lived in rural regions where when you heard a car’s horn it meant somebody you knew was waving at you through a windshield. When I lived in a mountainous region of South America the rule of thumb was if your brakes and your horn both went out on your car at the same time you’d have to get your horn fixed first…mainly because nobody there used headlights at night – it was a weird culture. But, in that same part of the world, it was also humanly impossible to make any move forward after a stop light changed without everyone behind you laying into their horns. I'm not at all sure there a point to any of that either...but it always happened.
Oh please, now I’m no proponent for any stricter legislation regarding using a car’s horn. After all people where I live don’t even observe speed limits. (This may very well have a direct correlation in an increase of horn honking enthusiasts, but I can't say that for certain.) No, I’d just as soon horns became an incredibly expensive add-on option in the purchase of a vehicle - if you could even get one at all. Maybe people would think twice then as to whether they really needed to have one at all, but some people just have more money than they know what to do with. But, by all means, horns must cease being included as standard equipment. And finally, why should any of these new fangled, environmentally and fuel friendly contraptions promised for the future come equipped with one of those noise polluting pieces of paraphernalia?
Got thoughts?
Ever yours regardlessly,
mike
Friday, March 7, 2008
Am I ever going to change this?
Last night my wife suggested it might be time to write something new for this blog…"Why" I asked, "is leaving the same thing up there for three weeks too long an interval?" "If they’re as wordy as the last few," she retorted, "then no. It may take that long to read one." But she then, in her special way, showed me evidence that there are actually people like you coming here to take a gander at this collective claptrap (i.e. pretentious nonsense). Wwweeeelllll, you can’t imagine my shock, surprise and amazement at that.
As such, you’re probably not going to buy my excuse that I’ve been in mourning at the passing of William F. Buckley Jr. - and have thereby been incapable of amassing any coherent thoughts of late - I won’t try and pawn that one off on you. If you even know who William F. Buckley Jr. was, then you’d be too smart to fall for that anyway.
I think I’m guilty of not realizing what an undertaking regularly contributing to this baby is about. If you don’t feed it it’ll die. But then again, if you do feed it invariably the diapers are going to have to be changed. Better understanding this now, I’ve renewed my intent toward putting a fresh set of nappies on this little bugger regularly. It’s not like I ever run out of thoughts or things to write about…it’s actually more related to a wrestling with an encyclopedic set of self-esteem issues wherein I get to thinking that nobody really gives a rodent's rump about my opinion and apparently that isn’t exactly true.
Plus I really don’t enjoy having my time wasted by anybody or anything. I think that’s called impatience…and isn’t its antithesis deemed the more virtuous? Regardless, my point is I don’t want you to feel your time has been wasted when you come here to peruse my ponderings. Therefore, I’ll try to keep them shorter and more succinct…or only provide snippets of longer meanderings that will hopefully entice you…as the old show business adage suggests, “always leave them wanting more.”
Nevertheless, here are a few of the topics I’m inclined to run on about a bit in the coming days and weeks:
1) I think the addition of a horn to an automobile, and the free license afforded anyone to activate one, is clearly indicative of the majority of society’s ills.
2) It disconcerts me that Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama and John McCain have turned out to be the candidates for president that the United States is deserving of in 2008. b) What’s up with the power-sharing deal in Kenya, c) Dmitri Medvedev in Russia and d) who is it I call now to get anything done in Pakistan?
3) To me the scariest verses in the Bible are Matthew 7:21-23. (And reading it in a red-letter version is particulary frightening.) But there are quite a few others that come close to being almost as scary.
4) I’m of the opinion that Easter is a far more significant holiday than Christmas. So aren't we justified in getting more paid days off from work? Except I will admit a far better job has been done regarding all the trappings for the December observance.
5) If homosexuals don’t reproduce then where does the genetic inclination toward it come from?
Oh yes indeedy, I expect there will be an assortment of many other items that are spawned from these which means you’re going to have to just keep coming back…and in so doing you shall ever hence have my undying gratitude.
So, until the next time, I remain ever yours regardlessly,
mike
As such, you’re probably not going to buy my excuse that I’ve been in mourning at the passing of William F. Buckley Jr. - and have thereby been incapable of amassing any coherent thoughts of late - I won’t try and pawn that one off on you. If you even know who William F. Buckley Jr. was, then you’d be too smart to fall for that anyway.
I think I’m guilty of not realizing what an undertaking regularly contributing to this baby is about. If you don’t feed it it’ll die. But then again, if you do feed it invariably the diapers are going to have to be changed. Better understanding this now, I’ve renewed my intent toward putting a fresh set of nappies on this little bugger regularly. It’s not like I ever run out of thoughts or things to write about…it’s actually more related to a wrestling with an encyclopedic set of self-esteem issues wherein I get to thinking that nobody really gives a rodent's rump about my opinion and apparently that isn’t exactly true.
Plus I really don’t enjoy having my time wasted by anybody or anything. I think that’s called impatience…and isn’t its antithesis deemed the more virtuous? Regardless, my point is I don’t want you to feel your time has been wasted when you come here to peruse my ponderings. Therefore, I’ll try to keep them shorter and more succinct…or only provide snippets of longer meanderings that will hopefully entice you…as the old show business adage suggests, “always leave them wanting more.”
Nevertheless, here are a few of the topics I’m inclined to run on about a bit in the coming days and weeks:
1) I think the addition of a horn to an automobile, and the free license afforded anyone to activate one, is clearly indicative of the majority of society’s ills.
2) It disconcerts me that Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama and John McCain have turned out to be the candidates for president that the United States is deserving of in 2008. b) What’s up with the power-sharing deal in Kenya, c) Dmitri Medvedev in Russia and d) who is it I call now to get anything done in Pakistan?
3) To me the scariest verses in the Bible are Matthew 7:21-23. (And reading it in a red-letter version is particulary frightening.) But there are quite a few others that come close to being almost as scary.
4) I’m of the opinion that Easter is a far more significant holiday than Christmas. So aren't we justified in getting more paid days off from work? Except I will admit a far better job has been done regarding all the trappings for the December observance.
5) If homosexuals don’t reproduce then where does the genetic inclination toward it come from?
Oh yes indeedy, I expect there will be an assortment of many other items that are spawned from these which means you’re going to have to just keep coming back…and in so doing you shall ever hence have my undying gratitude.
So, until the next time, I remain ever yours regardlessly,
mike
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