100,000 miles and a smile

My wife thinks I’m odd.

Those who know me probably aren’t surprised to hear that.

She’s usually right.

Probably no surprise there either…

Our van hit the 100,000 mile mark on Sunday. I took a picture at 99,999 and then at 100,000. It’s not our first vehicle to exceed that mark (and our other car is about 1,000  miles from doing it too!). I just felt like taking the picture. With a digital camera, it didn’t cost anything!

Strangely enough, I started thinking about our “disposable” society. Although the world is “going green,” we still have so much that we readily discard. 

• If there is no recycling bin around, we can either keep the empty water bottle until we find one or just pitch it in a trash can. I confess I don’t always wait.
• We can recycle paper or just pitch it. How many of us want to wait until we get to a paper recycling bin?
• Even if there is a recycling bin, do people pay attention? Having emptied a few bins, I’ve seen food, trash, etc… just randomly tossed in with bottles and cans.

When the economy was strong, most people would have sold their cars before they hit 100,000 miles. Now, we are all willing to drive a bit farther, keep things a bit longer, stitch up a hole instead of getting a new shirt…

Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that we have to think more?

Maybe we should apply those thoughts to other areas of life as well – especially our faith?

• Do we truly value it?
• Do we take time for it only when it is convenient?
• Is it just part of life or part of who we really are?

I’m not sure how we “suddenly” hit 100,000 miles on our van. It seems to have happened overnight.

But it didn’t…

I’m not sure how I got to be this age – not to mention having two kids this old. It seems to have happened overnight.

But it didn’t…

Treasure the blessings you have. Life is not disposable. Enjoy the journey!

Yours in Christ,

Marty

A Mixtape of Biblical Truth – Dug Down Deep book review

If you are going to read one book this year, this has to be the one. You may think I’m kidding or exaggerating, but this is it.

Donald Miller meets J I Packer. Rob Bell meets John MacArthur. Bugs Bunny meets Beatrix Potter.

Dug Down Deep

OK – the last one was a bit of a joke. No insults to anyone intended, but you get the point – lightheartedness blended with good content.

In Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris presents “a mixtape of Biblical Truth” written in language that everyone can understand. (For the non-cassette tape players out there, it’s your iPod playlist.) Harris clearly communicates theology with heart and passion. In his words, “We are all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true.”

[If the word “theology” scares you, don’t worry. The words (jus-ti-fi-ca-shun, sanc-ti-fi-ca-shun, …) are not used as swords but rather as helps. How do those powerful words fit into your life and mine?]

Harris’ purpose in writing the book is clearly spelled out. “Dug Down Deep is my reveling in theology in my own simply way – not too polished, sometimes awkward, less than scholarly, hopefully gracious and faithful.”

What issues does he tackle? A quick, non-comprehensive snapshot in my words:

• God – far away or right here?
• The Bible – rules or food?
• Jesus – did he really have a bellybutton?
• Salvation – “born again” – imagine the guts and goo – not the flowers and balloons
• The Holy Spirit – what’s beyond that one line in the Apostle’s Creed?

That’s enough I hope for you to get the picture. (And I didn’t even mention the atheist summer camp!)

So – looking for a good book? This is it. You will enjoy the content and – prayerfully – find something to enrich your faith walk a bit more. Put this on your reading list for the New Year!

Yours in Christ,

Marty

**Oh – for some odd reason, the FCC wants me to mention that I received a free copy Multnomah / Waterbrook. Seems a bit silly since M / W didn’t pay me to write anything? Job security for someone! :o)

Defining the Indefinable

I’ve been a bit engaged in a discussion with a person about the Trinity. I ran across the expression that states it to the effect of:

The Trinity has been defined as something beyond reason but not against reason.

Personally, I think that is a great way to express it.

The word “Trinity” is not a word found in Scripture. It is a word used to define the “God is One” + the “God the Father / God the Son / God the Holy Spirit relationship” in Scripture. Both 100% Biblical. Both 100% True.

We’ve tossed various Scriptures back and forth. I think I’m right. He thinks he is right. We appear to have hit an impasse.  

Here’s my question for you. Can you accept not knowing?

It is a fairly simple question. Can you accept not knowing?

Or perhaps I should phrase it this way – Can you accept that God is God and you are not?

There will be some things that God will not reveal to you. There will be some things that you will never understand with a limited, finite mind.

I’m okay with that.

I don’t have to know everything because, well, God is God and I am not.

How about you?

Yours in Christ,

Marty

“Choosing My Religion”

It’s not just for REM anymore…

A recent article cited that an increasing number of people say they have no religion whatsoever. It is currently at 15% (although only 1.6% of the population claim atheism).

Why does this bother me, you may ask? First of all, the statistical variation set forth almost negates the increase of a whopping .8%. (Sorry for the sarcasm, but if you know how much I look at statistics, you may know why this irritates me…)

BUT beyond the statistics, I believe you really need to dig into the details to get anything useful out of this. And I don’t think it is what the researchers intended!

First of all, I don’t have a religion – I have a relationship. I have been told this is the “mantra” of evangelical Christians. (Yes, I know the irony of someone using this particular word. If you don’t know the origins, look it up. It makes me laugh!) Say what you want, for those of us who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we know the difference. Therefore, a word like “religion” (as defined by many) is not likely to solicit a positive response from me.

Secondly, I’m not surprised there is a decline. In North America, the Truth of the Gospel is watered down. Many churches preach feel-good messages that explain nothing of the culture and context of God’s holy and inerrant Word. Some churches don’t even bother opening the Bible at all! How can people hear the Truth if it isn’t spoken?

The Bible does have application today. It is “living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword.” God doesn’t change. In order to understand an infinite God with a finite mind (impossible), we must begin the process of learning and studying. We must then continue the process.

What does that mean? Keep learning! Even if you’ve read the Bible 100 times, read it again. Study the relationships between the books. Study the culture. Try to keep up to speed on the latest archaeological findings. Learn Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. Use tools. In one word – GROW!

If all of that does not move you out of the realm of spiritual seeker and into the realm of a believer, then pray.

WAIT! What did I just say?

Yes, really. I said pray.

John 1: 4-5 tell us that light is not understood by the darkness.  The only way to understand the light is to come out of the darkness. That is done only through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Ask for discernment.

Caveat – Don’t expect fireworks, bells and whistles or a perfect life. This side of eternity, things will be difficult. Remember – we are finite while God is infinite. You will have doubts. You will have questions.

But there are answers.

I know Jesus is the answer.

Yours in Christ,

Marty

“Structure” or “Freedom”

For pastors, there is a fine balance point between defining structure in the church and allowing freedom for the Holy Spirit to lead.

As always, let’s define terms first. In this usage, “structure” is the arrangement of things in such a way that there is organization or clarity of form. “Freedom” would refer a lack of constraint.

For an answer, we look to Scripture.

The most often cited verse for making a case for structure is probably Jeremiah 29:11. We see God’s foreknowledge of the plans He has for our lives when we call on Him in repentance.  John 8:32 is an example of “freedom” but when we are looking for freedom of being led by the Spirit, perhaps Acts 13:2 or 16:6 are better examples. Both are clear testimonies to this type of freedom and leading of the Holy Spirit needed in life. Note that the first involved the “church” being led to appoint Paul and Barnabas. The latter involved Paul and his companions being led by the Spirit.

I think this is the balance point. In church (and in ministry), we need to have order and structure. It allows us to more carefully plan and walk a path God directs. Obviously, in order to do that, we need to seek God’s Will and not our own. The leadership needs to seek the Holy Spirit as it makes daily decisions. Lives and hearts need to be filled with the Word of God and be continuously in communion with Him. In simple terms:

God gives structure AND freedom through the Holy Spirit.

I think that’s a pretty wonderful blessing of balance.

Yours in Christ,

Marty

What’s Your Priority – Pet or Pleasure?

A friend emailed me a link to the following story:

One in three smokers would kick habit to protect pet

Those who know me well know that I am rather opposed to cancer sticks. When we go to restaurants, we sit as far away as possible from the cancer section. (Seriously, you can’t wait until after dinner to go outside?) Rather than continue down this slippery slope, I’ll extinguish my ire and pack it away for another day….

The one thing that amazed me most from this article is that people don’t care enough about THEMSELVES to quit smoking.

Maybe I just don’t understand how difficult it is to quit? TRUE CONFESSION – Yes, I did smoke briefly in high school. I know how it is to try to quit, come under stress and feel the drifting smoke from someone else. I know the craving.

But come on, smoking is stupid.

It causes cancer. It causes emphysema. It causes heart disease. Bottom line?

SMOKING KILLS!

Now, a message to believers in Jesus Christ, readers of the Bible, those who attempt to follow God’s will – AND YET still smoke.

I’m sorry, but you need to quit. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This passage is specifically talking about prostitution, but the principle of Scripture is that we need to take care of ourselves. (I’ll let someone else draw fun analogies of prostitution, lust, cigarette companies and money. I’ve already offended enough people…)

So, go ahead and love your pets. Take care of them. Make smart decisions for them. But, for your own sake, put down the cancer stick. Live a little longer and enjoy life a little more.

Yours in Christ,

Marty

Focus versus Form

Continuing on from yesterday…

There are two important distinctions in church ministry vision planning:

FOCUS and FORM

Focus is the point of attention or concentration.

Form is the way that focus is then given shape.

To illustrate, let’s take a quick look at what is commonly called the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28: 19-20. Two distinct focuses (or foci) of this passage are “go” and “make disciples.”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Great Commission

So, if a leadership team is looking for the mission of the church, it is clearly laid out here by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to go into the world. That’s evangelism. We are to make disciples – that is teach what Jesus has taught. That’s equipping. These two foci are crucial to the church. And, this is universal for EVERY church that believes the Bible is God’s Word.

The part that is then unique for each church is found in the discussion of form.

What are some of the forms of evangelism with which you are familiar? Evangelism Explosion (or E.E. taught by D. James Kennedy) is common. Contagious Christianitywas another form brought out by Willow Creek and Bill Hybels. Lifestyle evangelism, servant evangelism, open air preaching, etc… are but a few more of the numerous examples.

As with the different forms of evangelism, discipleship making also has numerous ways through which that focus can be accomplished. The Sunday morning worship service is one. A Sunday school class is another. Small groups, one-on-one discipleship, gender-based groups are a few more.

As you can see, the form depends on the focus for direction – but the form itself is fluid. What is used in one situation may be different in another. That is why it is so important to understand the difference.

As you think about your church and the vision you believe God has given to you, what are the foci of your leadership? What forms do those then take? Do you believe they are the most effective for reaching those who do not know the love, grace and mercy found in Jesus Christ? If so, what can be done to strengthen those efforts? If not, what can be done to change?

Maybe next time we should talk about change?

Yours in Christ,

Marty

**Side note – No where in this process of vision development is the Holy Spirit to be excluded. The leaders must be praying for unity and focus under the headship of Christ. The vision development process is meant to give order to the Body so the movement is as one.

And here is the reason…

For our radio program, I taped a segment to air the day after Thanksgiving (11/28). We played some Christmas music and I read some passages of the birth of Jesus. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a blessing to read through the passages out loud and hear some of the variations.

I thought of that again as I looked at Luke 2:1-7. There are some different aspects that Matthew and Luke share. Being a bit more “Type A,” the historicity and details that Luke provides connect with me a bit more. However, the ‘personal’ side of Matthew (Joseph’s honor and courage) is also such a blessing.

Because I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, I find it wonderful that God allowed these men (writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to ‘tell the story’ from their own perspective.

And, this morning as I think over the past year, I feel so blessed that God has allowed LRM to serve Him for more than five decades. For those of you not familiar with a Celebration (also called: lay renewal, lay witness mission, covenant faith mission, etc…), a team of people from different churches and even states will come to a church and share their faith stories. The bottom line message is always the same – a life changed by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

It’s the telling of the story that is always so different. One person may have heard of Christ through a friend. Another may have been raised in a church and made a profession that way. Sometimes it is a big event – sometimes a one-on-one encounter. Each person then shares what that difference has made in their lives and how they are trying to live out their faith today.

I love that God allows each of us to have our own story. I think it is awesome that He calls us to Him in so many ways.

But then I think about the end of verse seven and, in particular, the words “there was no room.” I’ve met many people who hear the knock, but resolutely refuse to listen or open their hearts. I’ve prayed for those who reject the Message. I’ve wept for those who, like Herod, are so caught up in the trappings of this world, that they fight and scorn those who choose to walk with Him.

But Jesus still came.

Jesus still loves.

Jesus still calls.

This Christmas season, I pray that you will hear the angels singing:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace to men on whom His favor rests.

I pray that you will hear the knock and open to let Him in.

Yours in Christ,
Marty

The end of chapter 1

For those of you who were expecting a post on “the rising sun” prophecy linkage between Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:76-79 and Luke 8:40-50, sorry. I know I said last week I was going to dig in (and I did) but since I finished chapter one today, I wanted to write a bit about verse 80.

[For your edification, I recommend reading Ray Vanderlaan or watching some of the Faith Lessons videos (That the World May Know). It’s incredibly powerful to read and understand the imagery of the Messiah coming with “healing in His wings.” The image of a rabbi with robes (tassles flowing as he walked) = “wings” and the woman reaching out to touch and receive the “healing” in faith is powerful and one to really make you appreciate the linkage of the Testaments!]

So anyway – I finished Luke chapter one. That last verse doesn’t look like much, but it is still pretty neat – especially if you look at Luke 2:52 or 1st Samuel 2:26. They both use the word “stature.”

Stature: quality or status gained by growth, development or achievement.

What I find interesting about this word / concept is the element of recognition by others in relationship to growth. Did you notice the “with God and man” element in the other verses? There is an appreciable development of both spiritual and physical growth in these areas. And John?

Let’s remember a few key details:

• John’s parents were old and considered well beyond child-bearing years. Some speculate that they probably died when he was young. (That is speculation, but given what we know, a definite possibility.)
• John’s birth was ‘gossiped’ about throughout the hill country of Judea (Luke 1:65-66). People were wondering “what then is this child going to be?”

How does all that relate? John was being watched with a sense of expectation. During his growth, the NIV states that he became strong in spirit (pneuma). That word is also one translated as “Holy Spirit.” I think that is powerful.

Why? His spiritual maturity was consistent. Even with all sorts of stuff swirling about him, John knew Jesus from the womb (see Luke 1:41 and Psalm 139:13).  

As a dad, this means a lot to me. Life isn’t easy. Stuff is flying at my kids from all sorts of directions. Television? Yikes! Mention “religion” or faith or Jesus in public* schools? Watch out! There’s too much garbage in our world. Life isn’t easy with my son’s Tourette’s (see sidebar header for more on that). It effects the entire family. But – I think we are all growing stronger through it.

[With everything swirling about John, maybe that explains why he lived in the desert?]

In application, I want to see my kids growing in relationship to God. I want them to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I want others to see Christ reflected in them and their actions. I also want to see that in my own.

Maybe that’s the sign of a life well lived – if someone can say about you: I saw Jesus in him.

Wouldn’t that be the memory you’d like to leave behind?

Just another thought as you get ready for Christmas!

Yours in Christ,

Marty

*And – for the record – I applaud ALL teachers, including public school teachers who are able to teach well without trashing faith. My family is incredibly blessed with a great public school in a solid district that has excellent teachers. I ALSO applaud Christians who are teachers in public schools. Thank you for being willing to be “in the world” while not being of the world. As my kids would say – YOU ROCK!

Post Lunch Post

OK – so no coffee at lunch, but I did slug most of a can of Diet Pepsi and crack open Luke. Amazing the difference it can make to open the Word! I’m not “chipper” but at least I’m smiling…

What is prophecy? www.m-w.com defines it as “a prediction of something to come.” That’s an easy thing to understand, isn’t it?

Then why does it cause so many arguments?

I believe the answer is simply because “prophet” is abused so much. In a discussion with a friend a few months ago regarding a “prophet,” our resolution was that a Biblical prophet is someone who is right 100% of the time about 100% of the prophecy. Anyone else is just guessing. I think there is a lot of guessing…

The reason I bring this up is not to make anyone mad. But the passage of Luke I’m looking at begins with Zechariah and a prophecy. It’s important to understand what that word really means here and in Scripture. It is key to an understanding of relationship of the Old and New Testaments.  

Let’s look at how Zechariah prophesied first. Scripture tells us that he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” He wasn’t doing this by himself.

Zechariah begins the prophecy with praise. He praises God for the prophecies of long ago and for the promise of the fulfillment of those prophecies.

He then prophesies that John will be called a prophet of the most High – preparing a way for the Lord. This is an anticipation of the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Malachi 3:1.

Zechariah also eludes to Malachi 4:2 when he mentions the “rising sun.” [I think I’ll jump to Luke 8:40-48 tomorrow because I want to look at a passage there again. I hadn’t noticed this particular phrasing in Luke 1 before!]

Times almost up, so I’ll bring it to a quick point. Scripture is an incredible tapestry. The Old Testament is a foreshadowing of the promise of the Messiah. It is vital that we learn and understand the OT for a proper understanding of the New Testament. It is the prophecies found in the OT  that prove Jesus was the Christ. These prophecies pre-date Jesus’ birth by thousands of years. They were fulfilled in him.

100% right – 100% of the time.

Zechariah’s prophecy therefore had to be correct or it would not be a prophecy. If those things that John shared did not come true, then he would not have been a prophet.

If Jesus did not fulfill the prophecies written ages before He was born, He would not have been the Messiah.

But He did.

And He was.

I think that is worth celebrating this Christmas, don’t you?

Yours in Christ,
Marty