Finding Jesus at a Georgia Truck Stop

Stumbled across this article on CNN and thought I'd post it for you all to read. My uncle has spent his life as a truck driver (and is now a volunteer chaplain in the local jails) and I remember vividly many of his stories and the struggles that the men (and women) face in such a tough job.

Checkout this story about bring Christ to this industry: Finding Jesus at a Georgia Truck Stop

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When We "Christianize" Religion

EDITOR NOTE: Another long (and this time unexpected) absence. I apologize for the delay in posts, but we had a death in the family last week (my wife's grandmother) and so my wife and I traveled to Tennessee to help with arrangements and for the funeral.

I recently stumbled across an article (thanks to Pastor Mark Driscoll via his Twitter posts, @PastorMark) from the USA TODAY that describes an emerging church practice of Christians participating in Ramadan fasting with Muslims. During the fast Christians go through the same fasting rituals as their Muslim counterparts - including prayer, then break the fast after the sun goes down together. The only difference in the ritual is that Christians pray to God through Jesus Christ whereas the Muslims pray to Allah as instructed by the Koran.

This got me thinking: is it okay for Christians to adopt the religious practices of other faiths as long as they Christianize them (pray to the right God)?

There are several instances where Christians take regular worship practices of other faiths and Christianize them (these are but a few):

• YOGA (Hinduism - a form of prayer) is probably one of the biggest, especially since most Americans use it as a form of exercise
• Meditation/Centering Oneself (Buddhism and other eastern religions)
• Fasting for Ramadan (Muslim tradition that celebrates the giving of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed)
• Karma ("someone does something bad to you, don't worry, it'll comeback to them in the end")... Christians instead say, "don't worry God will judge them" (or believe simply that "if you do good, good will happen to you in return - do bad, bad will happen to you in return")
  
• Superstition (that if we do something incorrectly, there will be immediate consequences - break a mirror, walk under a ladder, spill salt, knock on wood, etc.)
• Relativism (or Pluralism depending on the degree of the practice) - blending religious practices from multiple practices/backgrounds

It is one thing for Christians to sincerely approach other religions out of respect, love and humility (something we all ought to do), but it is a completely different venture if we begin to adopt their practices and incorporate them into our own. Three major reasons adoping other practices is dangerous:

1) God has given us all we need, for us to insert new practices or rituals minimizes His Word and role in our lives and completely ignores GRACE! Scripturally, we see such activity in Israel's history as insane or obscene. Over and over again their idolatrous practices (taking religious practices of neighboring countries/religions and blending them into their own) became major stumbling blocks for them. How many times did their doing so lead to their own demise? Every time. Why? Because they got so caught up in the ritual (and false gods associated with them) that they lost sight of God.

2) Christ died to free us from rituals and empty religious practices. Why would we intentionally subject ourselves to ritualistic practices that REQUIRE those rituals as a form of earning favor with their god (or gods)? I believe Pastor Mark Driscoll is absolutely correct (in the article) in saying that observing other religious rituals is completely dishonoring to Jesus Christ.

3) It confuses the world. They see us adopt other religious practices and think that what they are doing to earn favor with God (theirs or ours) must be correct. The Muslim man (Ahmed) confirms this in the article (about Christians participating in Ramadan fasting): "Here is a pastor who wants to understand us, who does not want to convert us, and who is even prepared to walk with us, to fast with us. That is a big gesture."

Anyone who truly knows me knows of my absolute fascination with and respect for truly religious people around the world. I am awed and humbled by their devotion to their faith and practice of faith (though equally brokenhearted by their lostness). As kind, romantic and wonderful a gesture it is for Christians to participate in other religious practices, it is also a dangerous step that is misleading at best and altogether self-centered (dishonoring to God) at worst.

And in closing, while I appreciate Christian's attempts to seek God and grow in their faith, I find that their pursuits that incorporate other religions are typically less about finding God and more about feeling better about themselves or their own spirituality. This, sadly, can have long-lasting and devastating affects to the end goal they had hoped to achieve.

PARENTS: Instead of teaching our children/teens to be hateful toward other religious practices we ought to embrace such knowledge and use what we learn to teach them about the sufficiency of God's love through His Son Jesus Christ. FAMILY ACTIVITY: Research online traditional religious practices, their origins and then compare them with your own practices (those found in Scripture). As a family discuss why we do/embrace certain traditions and reject others.

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A Broken Pastor

I stumbled across this blog article today by a Pastor on sabbatical. In it he describes quite transparently the heart of a Pastor. The high moments... the low moments... the questions... the desperation... the expectations (both of self and external)...

I post this to, hopefully, encourage you all to remember those whom are called to lead you, spiritually.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (Hebrews 13:17)

The life of a Pastor is often one of isolation (sometimes by choice, but usually out of protection). They can easily be in a crowded room and be completely alone (him and his family). They do not usually complain because they know their calling and refuse to waiver. They stand in the gap for us sheep (the Flock - the Church)... they labor in prayer on our behalf... they face temptation... they are ridiculed... they are mocked in the media... they are looked up to in crisis, but down upon in prosperity... their stances (especially against sin) are challenged repeatedly by us who seek only what's best for us.

Some ideas for encouraging your Pastor...

1. PRAY for him and his family! Ask him from time to time how you can pray for them. Teach your children to pray for him and his family, too.

2. LIVE the Gospel... instead of "just trying to make it," seek to LIVE the Gospel that Christ gave His life for and confirmed in returning to the living. Christ lives so that we might have a full life (John 10:10) - one that is for HIS glory and not our own (Col. 1:15-16). Pastors (hopefully/prayerfully) do not seek to achieve self notoriety, but instead to lead people to Him who is the absolute best for everyone's life. There is nothing that brings more joy to a Pastor's heart than to see people with broken hearts turn to Him who heals and molds people in His image.

3. TRUST his vision and calling. Most churches hesitate when it comes to change. They cling to what was/is and not what could be. Praise God if your Pastor has a vision and heart to see lost people saved - follow him! Ask how you might be involved. Churches often seek what's best for their own church (or personal lives/families)... a Pastor's heart is to seek how they might profit the Kingdom!

4. ENCOURAGE other church members in their faith. Call "sin" what it is - sin (not an "oops," but a blatant and conscious act that draws us away from God and offends God), fellowship in Truth together, hold one another accountable, pray for their families and together seek out Pastoral council in how you might be a part of His vision (not your own vision - or one that is self-seeking).

5. LEARN with him! Learn how to love the lost, dying, weak, sick, broken, confused, confrontational, impatient, self-seeking and sinful. Learn how to demonstrate mercy and grace and how to extend it to all (regardless of who they are, where they come from or whether or not they even care). Ask him to challenge you in this endeavor. Ask questions (Pastors are always encouraged to see their people hungry for the Word!). Ask for suggestions in ways you might teach your own family (both in Scripture and living out Scripture).

Pastors are MEN called by God - they are not perfect. They lose focus from time-to-time, they hurt, they are anxious, they question their own calling and leadership, they battle pride and they struggle (spiritually, emotionally, and physically). Just as much as they are called to lead us, we are called to be an encouragement to them and to follow them (trusting that they, who are accountable to God, are leading us toward Him)!

To Pastor Trevor (from the article) - I am praying for you and your family, my Brother. I pray God would illuminate your heart with clarity, vision, wisdom and an unquenchable fire!

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The image I borrowed is actually entitled "The Lonely Photographer", but I found it to be a powerful picture that summed up in many ways what I wrote about regarding the Broken Pastor. Image Credit: bart_azare

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Hijacker is a Messenger from God?

Yesterday, passengers on an Aeromexico jet were taken hostage by Bolivian preacher/Christian musician, Jose Flores (stage name: Josmar). The reason? He was trying to relay a message to the President of Mexico from God: beware an impending earthquake "like none there has ever been." He also reportedly told authorities he had three accomplices: "the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."

Before Christians wheel out the loony wagon, lock him up and throw away the key forever, they would do well to remember that God using prophets to speak to kings (country leaders) and/or whole countries is nothing new. We read and celebrate such instances throughout Scripture: Samuel to King Saul and (future) King David, Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar, Jonah to Ninevah, Paul to Caesar, to name a few. Their messages were all similar: "Repent and turn to God." Some had messages of impending destruction if they did not repent, others reminders of their first love ("don't forget Him who has saved you over and over again - return to Him").

With that said, I do not think what Jose Flores did and the message of the prophets/messengers of Scripture are the same because of the Bible's New Covenant change. When Christ came and died and rose again everything changed. People are called to repent (turn from sin and love/follow God) through the New Testament church. After the Apostles, it was left to the churches to call people to return to God. There is nothing attached to the call to repentance that is not already in Scripture (namely - the judgment unrepentant people will face is before God in the end). Even if there were (which there's not), it is seen over and over again in the Bible where God warns of destruction to those who are unrepentant, but give them a specific plan: there will be destruction IF repentance does not happen.

Being that God is "slow to anger" and a God of mercy He repeatedly gives chances to repent (the Biblical account of Abraham pleading with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:20-33). He also details the destruction and reveals His divine hand working in the midst of the judgment (the Biblical account of the famine in Egypt when Joseph is warned prior and told by God how to protect and preserve the nation during the seven year famine in Genesis 41).

Cutting to the chase: God's judgment is always clear and concise. There is never ambiguity to it and when in the midst of it whole nations know what it happening. There was little offered by Flores, outside of his highly personal God-experience, that leads me to believe his vision or message was of God (not to mention his method of informing the masses was highly unbiblical, ungodly and altogether wrong).

Messages from God are always a funny thing in Christianity. First, they are absolutely real and should not be mocked (1 Thes. 5:20). Second, they are second to the already revealed Word of God (in other words, He is not going to reveal something that goes against what He revealed before in Scripture). Third, revelations from God are confirmed BY GOD (messengers never wander around aimlessly asking "was that God that spoke to me or did I just experience some sort of post-60's head-trip?").

In closing, what happened to the passengers on that flight (and their families at home worrying and the family of Jose Flores) is sad. Sadder, yet, is the damage it does to the reputation of God's messengers (His church) who truly do have a Word from God to share with the masses. Christians are told by God to be aware of what is to come so they can be prepared, but Christians also ought to be wary of sign-watching and being consumed by the latest vision. God has delivered us a SURE Word (the Bible) and nothing in that Word has or will change. It is His promised Word. We ought to be less consumed with a "new" message (which there will not be) and more consumed in loving and worshipping Him, turning from sin and loving and serving those around us (in preparation for what is to come).

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Image borrowed from Yahoo News
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"Til (In)Convenience Do Us Part"

"Divorce Expert" Jill Brooke recently wrote an article entitled "For Those Getting Married: Banish 'Til Death Do Us Part'". Citing a 50% divorce rate she claims that the idea of death as the only reason for divorce encourages laziness within marriage, thus leading to the crumbling of half of marriages.

I agree with Mrs. Brooke in her conclusion, but not her premise. I think her claim that marriages collapse because of the phrasing "til death do us part" in their wedding vows is absurd. I think it would have probably been more wise of her to cite couples' failure to uphold the previous portion of traditional vows ("in sickness, in health, for richer, for poorer...") since that is the conclusion she ultimately draws. It is not the death part of the vow that cripples marriages, but (as she correctly states) their failure to serve, pursue, court, romance and live for one another. Instead spouses put themselves at the center of their own universe and leave their beloved spouse behind as they pursue selfish pursuits.

FOR THOSE GETTING MARRIED: EMBRACE 'TIL DEATH DO US PART'

The solution to the divorce problem isn't banishing the pledge of commitment or rewording it. It is fulfilling it and fighting to ensure its success. Here are a few reasons why banishing the phrase is a bad idea (and a proverbial straw man):

1. The problem isn't the phrase - it's the failure to honor it.

2. Banishing the phrase is banishing Him who created marriage - God. Marriage is a covenant relationship between man and wife and God. Before God, man and wife covenant (unending promise) with God to become one flesh together and to live for one another as they both live for God. Biblically, the only thing that ends a covenant is death.

3. Removing the phrase does not promote accountability to the marriage relationship (as Mrs. Brooke states), it removes trust and confidence in the union. The new vow will be "I commit to you until you are no longer committed to me or our union is no longer convenient." If a couple wants to remain accountable to their vow then they ought to: (1) read together what the Author of marriage says about real love, marriage and commitment/covenant, (2) check-in with one another regularly and ask "how am I doing loving, serving, pursuing and ministering to you spiritually? Do I demonstrate to you and those around us that you are valuable to me?"

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As always, feel free to email Christian the Christian at christianthechristian.c2@gmail.com.

Pic borrowed from here.
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"To Thine Own Self Be True": Not Truth At All

William Shakespeare penned the famous line "to thine own self be true" in his work "Hamlet." Since then it (and even prior to it) that ideology has taken on many forms and been placed on many bumper stickers, t-shirts and used in many cheesy Oprah-esque "Book of the Month" books or movies. Its latest incarnation came in the form of an article (blog post) written by Emily Gordon called "I Was in a Coma (and I'm Not a Better Person Because of It)".

In the article she concludes (after an obviously horrifying ordeal) that the meaning of life is to "[live life] to the fullest." Outside of it being highly cliche, her point is noted and not altogether unreasonable. However, then she continues... "but I think we get stuck on what "the fullest" actually means. It isn't something you see in Lifetime movies, where somebody gets sick and spends the rest of her time "touching the lives" of every person she meets. It means seeking fulfillment in all its many forms. All of them -- even fries, Prince movies, celebrity gossip -- are more essential to your being than anything you'd list on a résumé."

The heartbeat of her article and Shakespeare's phrase is: focus on yourself - YOU are the central character of YOUR life story.

While I've never been in a coma and cannot relate personally to such an ordeal, I do understand the rationale behind her misguided view of life. She (along with Shakespeare, Oprah, Ellen and countless others) is simply reciting the HUMANIST manifesto. Humanism (or Secular Humanism), in a very short summary, is placing people and their existence, needs and desires at the center of the story of life. In other words, the purpose of life: "is to live it" or "be happy" or "find what it means to you".

This way of thinking is wrong in so many ways:

#1 - Life is not about YOU. To think it is, is selfish and narrow-minded. What was the purpose of life before you existed? What will it be after you're dead and gone? Surely you cannot think that your sole purpose for existing is to be all about yourself (and if it is, then why have laws or rules? Why not just do whatever we want without the fear of consequences?). Colossians 1:16-17 declares that we exist because God saw fit to create us and that we are here "for Him" (to worship and love Him).

• Life is HIS story, not ours.
• We are part of HIS story - He is not part of ours.
• We exist for HIM, He does not exist for us.

NOTE: A Great book to read regarding this: "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan

#2 - If Life is not about you, then our attention and desire ought to be bigger than ourselves (and not because it makes us feel better - but because it is a primary part of our purpose in existing). Humanists get the Second Greatest Commandment ("love your neighbor as yourself") backwards, though... instead of truly loving others, they love others when there is reward in it for them (whether it be experiencing happiness from making others happy, actual reward/award in return, fulfillment in life, etc.). When we love ourselves first, above all others, and base our love for them simply in "what's in it for me" we miss the true value of what it is to pour into people selflessly (and forsake our calling to do so).

#3 - God is the best we can ever have. Not heaven, not eternal life, not friends and family in heaven... simply put: GOD IS THE BEST and MOST VALUABLE TREASURE we have. All the other things are blessings (His gifts to us). People fall short, we fall short, money and things provide temporary satisfaction (and in many ways bring more heartache), but God is faithful and true - always has been and always will be. He existed before we did and will continue to once our time is done. He is our greatest treasure.

PARENTS: While much more could be said of this topic, I will stop for now. For you, as parents, however, the conversation is only beginning! Are we raising our kids to think the sun and planets revolve around them (as if THEY are man's greatest treasure)? Do we say with our lips "I love God," but live our lives devoted to our real god (ourselves)? For more on this sort of topic, checkout the following archived blog posts:

What Pours from Your Heart?
Culture and Your Teen/Child
The New Daughter Philosophy: "Your Daughter and What She Deserves"
Mom and Dad - Time to Grow Up!

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Image borrowed from ArtbyChrysti
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True Love

Checkout this remarkable story of love, commitment, and loyalty. I pray my wife and I are able to enjoy this type of love story and endure even longer, together.

Click here to read this beautiful story.

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Would You Still Do It?

September is the beginning of a lot of things: new school year, new church year (for some churches), beginning of fall, the start of the NFL season, and the beginning of Fall Television (new seasons and new shows).

Every year there is a new, highly anticipated television series that a network hopes will bring home the bacon via high ratings. Most of the new shows flounder (such as one of my favorites that only got one season - "Kings"). This September is no different, with a slew of new shows slated to begin in the next couple weeks. One show in particular that has caught my eye is a new one on ABC called Flashforward.

In the show, the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and when they come to many (or all?) got a glimpse of their future and are trying to figure out (1) how their lives got to that point, (2) what caused the blackout. One part in the preview that caught my attention was a woman saying she saw herself with another man, who was not her husband. Watch the preview:



The idea, the suspense, the plot and characters have me intrigued, but the very brief scene with the woman has my mind racing... would we, if could see the consequences of our choices (or evaluate them in light of present joy or standards), would we still follow through with it? Would we, like the woman, be brokenhearted (even before it happens)? Would we work to prevent it from happening?

As my mind stirs about this, Paul's struggle with his sin and his love for God are in the back of my mind. In particular, the part where he says "when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (read about his struggle in Romans 7:14-25). Or the part in Corinthians where Paul reminds believers that we have a choice in pursuing our sinful desires or running from them and toward God (1 Cor. 10:13).

I have no idea what the series has in store or whether or not it is going to be a good piece to discuss sin and consequences, but thus far it certainly catches my attention.

PARENTS: Shows like this that portray sin and consequences are GREAT opportunities to discuss the power of our choices. It is a prime opportunity to discuss choices and their consequences from Scripture (both good and bad): Adam and Eve, Joseph and Potipher's wife, David and Bathsheba, King Asa, Ecclesiastes (Solomon lamenting "chasing the wind"), Peter denying Christ, temptation gives birth to sin which eventually gives birth to death (costs more than we bargained for - James 1:14-15), etc.

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