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'."
Monday, June 20, 2016
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
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?
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?
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
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.
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.
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