on Father's Day

Father's Day for 2016 is over, and for many fathers across the country they were blessed with handmade cards from their children, breakfast in bed, several hugs and kisses, and even some dads received some cool new "toys" to play with. But, it is important as Father's Day reminds us every year to look at theologically the role that "fathers" play in our lives. So, let's dive in!
1) God is labeled as our Heavenly Father.
Many times in the scriptures God is referred to as our Father. This is important because many people growing up having their earthly fathers either absent or repeatedly disappointing them. The good news is God is the Father that always shows up, always keeps his promises, and never disappoints. All earthly fathers are important, and they are intended to point their families to know and grow closer to their Heavenly Father.

One of the most clear examples of God being our Heavenly Father is found in the opening line of the Lord's prayer. "Our Father who art in Heaven. . ." While sin mars ability to be fully connected with our Heavenly father the day is coming when sin will be no more and we are once again united with Him. God is the perfect Father, and we are all His children. While the Father label is often attributed to God, I do want to say that we serve a God who is far greater than any one label or title. The label mother is used far less than father is used to describe God and is not found in the scriptures (Important note). But, God does tenderly care for the children and people of this earth in similar ways that mothers care for their young ones. Let me conclude this point by saying: I won't refer to God our Mother, but I do recognize that God is greater than just a male pronoun that we so often apply.

2) Fathers teach how to be strong, honest, loving, and humble.
As a father myself I realize the amount of teaching moments at this point in my daughter's and soon to be son's life are immense. However, I fully realize there will come a day when I blink and realize not that my teaching is ever finished but rather it has taken on a different form/style. So, some of the best lessons come from my father come from the word of God.
1) Christians should be strong: (Behold I am sending you out amongst the wolves, be wise as serpents but innocent as doves.) This world is very hard and becoming increasingly more challenging. Teach your children or children you are close to how to be strong and stand up for their beliefs and the word of God.
2) Honest (Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor) One of the best ways to rock this world for Jesus Christ is for all believers to be 100% honest and genuine in the good and bad moments of life.
3) Loving (Love one another as I have loved you) Unconditional love is one of the biggest themes in the entire Bible. Learn how to love people in all circumstances.
4) Humble/Meek (Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth) Martin Luther King Jr. said this amazing quote that everyone can be great because everyone can serve someone else. Serving others takes many forms, and I hope you begin praying, "God bring me someone who I can serve today." But, one piece of advice I was given, "Never be too proud to say, 'I love you,' 'I'm sorry,' 'I forgive you'."

on Church Attendance

We're living in interesting times. I'm sure no one doubts that assessment, information is transmitted much faster, people are living longer, life has become much more convenient (indoor plumbing, electricity, and the list could go on), but as we see life get in some ways easier we look around our churches Sunday mornings and notice a lot of empty pews. There is a lot going on with church attendance. The number of books being written is numerous, and it is an issue that is at the forefront in almost every area of the entire country. Here are a few things to consider:

1) A remnant is always promised.
The American church's success is never promised in the scriptures. The book of Revelation discusses a remnant that will remain, but the American church does not appear there. Should that make us anxious? I don't think so, because we serve a God who always keeps His promises, is always good, and who has been faithful time and time again.

We need to adapt a mind set, where we understand that Jesus is the only eternal reality in this world. Our church is often filled with great memories, does wonderful mission to the community and to the world, many times has vibrant, effective worship, but our church only serves as a means to point people to Jesus. The church even though it has been persecuted, attacked, and many have sought to destroy it has persevered! God is good!

2) Focus more on evangelism than social justice issues.
The church is not the government, and I'm really glad it is not! The government makes laws and changes that affect our society, and while it is important for churches to establish and adapt policies that help their parishioners understand and live into societal changes. The church has to be about more than just debates, squabbles, and people disagreeing on hot button societal issues. The church needs to get back to its lost enthusiasm of reaching the lost, feeding the hungry, and proclaiming the kingdom.

These issues need to be addressed, but they need to be addressed in a spirit of love and grace with the Bible as the final authority. Churches that are thriving are ones that have found a good balance of learning how to live into and discern social justice issues while never losing sight of the great commission. Jesus never told us to resolve all societal issues in the church, but He did tell us to go and make disciples.

3) A spirit of love and grace need to rule the day.
People primarily don't go to church to hear good preaching or fantastic music. While those help bringing people in, you can always hear great preaching Sunday morning on the TV, pop in a Chris Tomlin CD and hear some wonderful music, so they aren't the main factors. Churches that are filled with people who desire friendship are kind and loving are ones that have attracted and continue to grow. I firmly believe that church members are either agents for or against a spirit of love and grace in their community. So, the question I have is are you for or against that culture in your own church? 

on the Cincinnati Zoo

I will say I'm thrilled I spelled Cincinnati right on the first try. This is a big story that has been dominating headlines for the past four days. Animal Rights advocates want the woman charged and justice for Harambe. Folks on the right are saying for all to relax because the boy is okay, and there are many people in the middle who can see the tension that this whole situation has created. Part of the beauty of the body of Christ is that we can agree to disagree and still be in fellowship with each other. Here are a few things to consider in this situation.

1) There were no great alternatives to what the zoo did.
For people who disagree with the zoo's decision, and I will say this you have every right to do so, it was a lose/lose situation. It is tragic that a beautiful creature was shot and killed, and I know many who have frequented the zoo have fond memories watching Harambe the gorilla. I would stop the finger pointing, stop the name calling, and mourn for this great creature, as I know God does for all of His beautiful creation when a prized member dies. The question I kept considering was, "If my child or one of my family members was down there with the gorilla, what would I want to happen?" It's not an easy answer, and I think the zoo made a tough but right decision.

2) Don't condemn the poor mother.
We are really good in our society at condemning people, casting shame on them, and belittling the failure and mistakes other people make. However, we are told not to judge others especially if our life is riddled with sin, failures, and mistakes. In John 8:1-11 Jesus meets a group of religious leaders who want him to throw the first stone to stone this adulterous woman. This woman had made many mistakes in her life, had been condemned verbally many times, and now is about to be physically destroyed, but Jesus doesn't do that. He shows us in just a few sentences the power of forgiveness. The power of reaching people where they're at in their shortcomings and offering them hope and healing instead of more condemnation.

I have heard all sorts of awful things about this mother's parenting skills in the last four days. Trust me if you haven't people can be very nasty. But, I've heard very few people say that we as followers of Jesus should pray for her and her family during these days? The word forgive has rarely been used, and I think that stems from our culture of condemnation. Learn how to rise above it.

3) See the theology behind this situation.
All life is sacred to God, but human life more so. I know that idea and thought can make some people mad and I get this from many places in Genesis 1:27 it reads that God created humanity in his own image. The list can go on and on. But, we as a culture need to learn from this. We need to address strong feelings and ask why are really feeling this way on either side of the issue. This world is not how it is supposed to be, the fact that a beautiful gorilla lost his life proves that, but we have the hope and the knowledge that God's promises are sure. God is calling His church. Learn to be counter-cultural and how you discuss the Cincinnati Zoo in the next few days.

on Woodlawn

Last night in youth group we were blessed to watch the Pure Flix movie, "Woodlawn." This movie highlights the true story of racial tension at racially integrated, Woodlawn High school. The movie begins with many moments of high tension as both white and black students were very verbal about their disapproval of their school being a place where both black and white students could come to learn. Things aren't much better for the football team as team mates argue, quarrel, scream, and fight each other Coach Gerelds sees his team spinning out of control. He fears this may be the end of his time as coach at Woodlawn High if something can't be done. As almost a gift from God, Hank, an enthusiastic sport's chaplain asks the coach to speak to the team about Jesus. Seeing he has nothing to lose coach Gerelds reluctantly agrees. He is amazed at his team's response over Hank's message of love and acceptance. The movie continues with the rise of Woodlawn's star running back, Touchdown Tony Nathan, and it serves as a reminder that Jesus can make a huge difference if we truly make room for him. If you enjoy football/sports movie it is a really enjoyable flick, fairly well acted, and has a pretty entertaining story line.

Here are a few take aways from the flick....
1) We don't always win with Jesus.
It is true with Jesus we have beaten death and the forces of wickedness, but sometimes in this life time we do lose. Woodlawn played their rival school, Banks, for the division title twice in the movie, and I won't spoil too much but early on Tony's junior season they did lose. One big disservice Christian movies can do is to paint a reality that with Jesus we win all of our earthly battles. We as Christians do win some but not all. God doesn't call us to be winners as Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:7 that he has fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. We are called to be faithful.

2) Live for Jesus and people will notice.
Coach Gerelds in the movie was very skeptical about Hank and his message to the team. He was very skeptical about his team's response, and he just had doubts that anyone in Birmingham, AL could relate and interact well with someone of the opposite skin color. He was amazed at how his team began supporting each other, looking out for each other, and how well they began playing. Coach Gerelds came to know Jesus not because of some compelling preacher, but he came to know Jesus because other people lived out their faith in real and powerful ways.

3) Racism is still alive today.
The sad truth is we live in a world where we don't do very well with people who are different than us. Most of our friends, colleagues, and acquaintances are all people just like us. I'm not saying that in and of itself is a terrible thing. But, I wonder, "Are we missing out on all the fullness and richness of life God has to offer if we only associate with people just like us?" I don't fully know how to answer that, but I know the Kingdom of Heaven is going to be filled with many beautiful people from all over the world, and many of them will not look like white Americans.

Racism takes many forms. Some of those forms are overt and some are subtle. But, I encourage you to recognize it and to pray that God would use you to help put a stop to it. Allow your home, your place of work, and your church to be a place where all feel welcome. Be open and willing for God to use you in might ways, and you will be surprised what he is capable of doing.

on Changing the World

As we embark on our First Change the World Day this Saturday May 14th, it is important to really grasp the implications of what we as Christians are called to do in the grand scheme of the Great Commission. So, as we dive into this incredible idea of changing the world, let's strive not to forget a few important things.
1) Jesus has already forever changed the world. John 1:14, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us."
  Let's face it the greatest thing ever to happen to this world is Jesus. Nothing better has come before, and I will remind you nothing better is coming. As you read this I really hope that isn't a let down, but rather an incredible joy that the God of the universe is so invested and so loves this world that He wanted to be a part of it. All of our service, all of our energy, all of our missions while great and many times very meaningful will fail in comparison to Jesus entering into, speaking truth into, and saving the world.
  The goal is for you to read this and not to say, "Oh, why should I do mission if what I do fails in comparison. . ." But, rather for you to say, "God has called me to an incredible role in his story of bringing the entire world into a loving, saving relationship with him, and I accept this role humbly."
2) We should never divorce the mission from Jesus.
  This area is really tricky. I will be the first to tell you that people believe many different ideas about this. I don't remember if you recall the homeless man who walked into Chic-Fil-A a few months ago asked for a meal and the employee brought the owner out to meet the man, the owner prayed for the man, and then gave him his dinner. Should the owner have given the man the meal and not prayed? Was the owner right in praying with the man first? There are many questions to consider here, and my opinions on this are still evolving. However, here is what I can tell you.
  1) Be and very patient with people. We rarely know someone's entire story, people are very hesitant to let you into their struggles and pain. My best advice be kind, be patient, and know that God uses your efforts even if it doesn't seem so.
  2) Be inviting with Jesus, but be willing and open to hearing no.
  It is so powerful to ask to pray with people, to ask to tell people about Jesus, but my advice is to always give them a choice. Be okay and be comfortable if someone says no. God will continue to work that person in many, many ways long after you've gone. Be good, be faithful, be inviting, but most importantly be humble and understand that God saves people not us.

3) Allow service to become your energy.
  One of the big problems today is that many of us see serving the Lord and living our faith as a burden. Nehimiah 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. One of the big things I see missing in many of us, now I didn't say all of us, but it is joy and energy. We seem tired, over busy, over worked, and for many of us it seems to be going through the motions. My advice, simplify your life, take on less, say no more, and make it a really amazing experience when you say yes. God can use you, no matter what, but our witness is most effective when we are energized, joyful, and prepared rather than tired and overworked. Learn how to balance your life with rest, service, worship, obligations, work, and more. Understand that almost always when you say no, it is God preparing you for a greater "yes" opportunity that is coming your way. Together we can change the world.

on Anger

Let's face it we live in an angry world. Our world is filled with much noise, shouting, bullying, and at many times it even seems down right chaotic. The sad truth is our world is very angry and at the moment uncompromising or willing to change. For followers of Jesus this can be very tricky and difficult, because many people in our families, neighborhoods, churches, and schools fall at many different places on the political spectrum and many people readily accept labels for themselves such as conservative, liberal, moderate, etc, but they readily reject those who have different beliefs. The sad reality is this problem is this problem is not going away, but we can do something about it. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

1) Always be willing to listen. James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."
One great step you can take toward bringing about the Kingdom of God on this earth is to become a better listener. Learn not just to stop talking but also really focus on what the other person is saying. One very important truth is you don't always have to agree with them, but as a common courtesy and as a gesture of kindness you should listen to them. My mother would always tell me, "Brian, you have two ears and only one mouth. You should listen twice as much as you talk."

The same is true about our relationship with God. How many times do we dominate the conversation in our prayers and even during worship? Begin praying more often that the Holy Spirit would speak to you and you'd have the humility to listen.

2) Share your story first, then your ideas second. Acts 22:1-22. . .
We live in a society where people share their ideas and beliefs all the time! Even if you don't want to hear them, people are still telling you who to vote for, what to support, who's a racist, who's a crook, who's right, and who is wrong. This sharing does have value, but it often leaves very little room for the Holy Spirit to work. Many people have their minds made up on key beliefs and ideas at this point. However, your story of how God is working in your life has immense value, learn to share it. Learn to post things on social media that don't degrade other people but rather lift God up. Learn to pray for those who you disagree with, and above all don't be silent on your story. God should and needs to be working in your life, and in a world that is filled with anger, hurt, and confusion people need to be drawn to the goodness of God.

3) Don't be content just with what you know. . . Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine according to the power that is at work within us. . ." Don't just settle or be satisfied to hear what you know in worship, study, meditation, or in conversation. Seek to learn more about God, seek to grow in your faith, seek to serve more than you seek to complain, and above all never stop learning. Our Christian walk is a marathon. God is ready to take you deeper every step of the way, but never stop learning about who God is. Make Sunday school, worship, service, and Bible study a priority in your life. You'll be amazed at how your anger at things that don't matter seems to cool when this happens.

A conversation for you to have with your loved ones: "What should we as followers of Jesus Christ be angry about?"

on Humility

This has been something God has really been hitting me over the head with recently. Pride is easy to adapt, easy to live into, but has very little place in the Kingdom of God. Time and time again in all four gospels we hear Jesus putting prideful people in their places. Jesus has moments when he tells the Rich Young Ruler to sell all of his possessions (Matthew 19:16-22), he instructed dinner guests to sit at the foot of the table and not the head (Luke 14), and he even voluntarily washed his disciples feet (John 13), a task not even slaves during 1st century Israel were required to preform.

Jesus is very intentional about spreading his message of being humble and willing to serve and also condemning those who demonstrate prideful behavior. Because he knows and saw in his earthly ministry time and time again just how destructive prideful behavior can be. So, in this overarching message what are a few things we can learn about humility? Here are a few. . .

1) Anybody can practice it.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Martin Luther King Jr. he said that anybody can be great because anybody can serve someone else. What a powerful reminder that servanthood is not based on talent, income, or intellectual ability! My charge to you is look to serve. Look to go above and beyond without being asked or without getting anything in return. You very well could lead someone to want to know the God you worship.

2) Jesus first served us.
Servanthood and humility does require you to give up something. It often requires you to give up being first, being comfortable, and often it requires you to give up your time. But, what you get in return is so much greater than what you gave up. You get the joy of blessing someone with your love and service, and there is also the reminder that whenever we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, etc. we did it to Jesus as well. (Matthew 25, Parable of the Sheep and the Goats).

3) Habits become a lifestyle.
Let's face it most of enjoy being served. We like someone bringing us a drink so we don't have to get up from the couch, we enjoy someone volunteering to watch our kids, clean our house, etc. But, when you begin to walk humbly, thank people regularly, and look to serve your church, neighborhood, family, and community these habits will become a part of who you are. It will be one of the biggest blessings and adventures of your life!