Rugged * Refined

Ice Ice Baby

While visiting my brother-in-law in Cleveland, my wife and I attended the church of one of his friends (and now our friend too :-). From the description they gave me I ascertained that the church would be one of those super hip church plants where everyone wore ripped jeans and graphic tees and abondanded traditional church lexicon for an equally confusing, cool church lexicon. (For example, using words like “Jesus-lovin Believers” instead of “Christians”).

And not to my surprise, I was right.

But much to my surprise there was something else too…

We noticed something unique at Momentum Church. Dan Smith, “Pastor Dan”, gave a great message about being a witness. It was funny, filled with sound theology, and quite inspiring. 

Even more than that, he presented it to new and even non-believers in a way they could understand, relating timeless truths to an ever changing audience. With a motto that reads, “A church for people who hate going to church” you can’t exactly pretend that the intentions of the church are to be traditional.

Their calling is, unapologetically, for the non and new Christians. 

I tip my hat to Pastor Dan (aka. White boy DJ). Even though I may think that the cool-factor is a bit much for my taste, it is working. Dan is reaching people, some who I know personally, who may not have been reached in any other way. 

A lesson has been reinforced in me today…

God has equipped a wide array of leaders and willing disciples to reach the lost (as well as the saved) in a variety of ways.

Who are we to judge the efforts of other godly leaders?

After all, even if we are doing things differently, aren’t we all trying to do the same thing? Ultimately, it is about leading people to God through his Son.

Do you think the majority of disagreements in the church are healthy conflict or a waste of time that cause division?

How can the Church at large overcome differences to start really supporting each other’s efforts?

Does ‘Slow and Steady’ Really Win the Race?

Confession: I am terribly impatient. I struggle with being consistent. I much prefer to live my life in “spurts’ of energy and effort. I often miss out on, over do, or generally misalign the opportunities in my life

I am the Hare…

But sometimes I wonder, does slow and steady really win the race?

I have known many “slow and steady” people who often missed opportunities or fell behind because they couldn’t sprint when the needed to. 

I have also known many “fast” people who miss details, lack concentration, and rush through life making quite a few mistakes.

My own life has been punctuated by periods of hard work and “hard” rest. To drive home this point, I have even received a comment from a friend who has known me well that went something like this, “Man, when you are working, you are on, but when you turn off, you really turn off.” 

Wise words eloquently spoken… But he did kind of hit the nail on the head. But I have learned, since then, to be a little more consistent… I hope.

I have always seen my sprinting nature as a detriment, desiring to be more subdued, tranquil, and consistent. And indeed I do need to be more patient and perhaps consistent.

But sometimes I think that it is better to move fast and hard when appropriate and to rest when appropriate.

I would rather work hard for six hours and then stop than to work at a comfortable pace for ten.

All that to say, I am torn.

What do you think is best? Slow and steady? or Fast and abrupt?

Can you provide examples?

What I have learned from being Absent

This summer my wife and I decided that it would be good for her and our three children to visit her mother in Minnesota for the summer. Her mother and step-father are both employed by the Minnesota public education system and thus, have summers off. 

It made sense, why have them stay here in the heat while I worked, when they could be having fun in a great summer climate. I have flexibility to travel to see them a few times and their visit with family would be a nice treat for all. 

I didn’t realize how much I would miss them. And, I am sure, they would miss me. 

However, the silver lining is that I have learned (or re-learned) a few things while living alone for the past few weeks. 

While being absent from my family I have learned that…

• Folding laundry takes an extraordinary large amount of time
• Ironing takes up even more time
• Our dogs don’t like me as much as they like the rest of the family
• By way of dishes, I only produce dirty cups. Maybe because I have a stack of readily available paper plates.
• A quiet house is only a plus for so long
• The house seems to get dirty all on its own
• It really does save money to not have every light in the house on
• The kitchen table makes a great work desk
• The refrigerator of a ‘bachelor’ is depressingly empty
• I have a really big bed…and too many pillows
• Doing “whatever you want” is not as fun as it seems

All that to say that I am looking forward to my family’s return.

Oxen Eat Grass

As you might be able to tell from my post on Tuesday, I have been reading the Psalms. A few days ago I was reading Psalm 106 and a funny verse stuck out.

It says, “They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a molten image. Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of an ox that eats grass.”

I actually laughed out loud. It just struck me as funny that the Psalmist pointed out that Oxen eat grass. As if to say, “How stupid to worship some dumb animal that eats grass.”

Then I became somber with the thought of how many absurd things I sometimes exchange for the glory of God. Not that I worship them, but maybe… spend a little too much time on them. 

Examples might include: TV, Facebook, planning vacations, or fishing.

These are things that, in and of themselves, like an ox, are not problematic. However, they can be a real glory stealer when we focus on them so much that they might replace our desire for the things of God.

What in your life is an “Ox that eats grass”?

What have you let steal God’s glory in your life?

Love the Precepts

Disclaimer: When I use the word “law” in this post I am not referring to the literal Law of Moses, but rather the more loosely defined Laws of God. That is why I, like the Psalmist, interchange other words such as precepts, decrees, and statutes; to show that we don’t need to get hung up on theology about being free from the “law” but rather that there are principles and commands from God that never fail.

I was reading Psalm 119 the other day; for the first time in forever. I am pretty sure it’s the longest Psalm. Could have been its own book I’m sure. 

Anyway, the whole thing is pretty much a rant about how the Psalmist loves God’s laws, precepts, statues, and decrees. This guy REALLY likes God’s ways. 

I have to admit that I started feeling a little guilty. A thought came into my mind, “Do I love God’s decrees?” Then I quickly realized that, of course, I do. I just love some more than others…

I have often felt a similar feeling for some of God’s laws as I have for the speed limit. It’s as if I know why the law exists, it makes sense. But I still find myself resisting it and maybe even wishing it didn’t exist. 

Then I am struck with the word’s of the Psalmist in 119 who loves ALL God’s laws, decrees, precepts…

And it hits me… I need to come to a place where all of God’s laws, not just the ones that suit me and my culture, are adored and appreciated. As I sift through the myriad laws and precepts of God I start to realize there is so much benefit from even the most mundane.

Take for example the precept of loving your neighbor as yourself; sometimes this can seem like a burden. But when you love it and live it you start to reap rewards of friendship, fulfillment, and loyalty, you begin to appreciate it. 

For what laws, precepts, or decrees of God have you lost appreciation?

How can you get to a place where all of God’s laws, precepts, and decrees are adored, like the Psalmist adores them?

How is it possible to stay in that place?

What I’ve Learned from Mormons

I have known several Mormons quite well. I know their families, their habits, and their testimony. 

I completely disagree with their beliefs about God as they relate to anything taught by Joseph Smith. This opposition to their beliefs has led to many a healthy conversation and debate. But I can’t escape the many wonderful things about Mormons that we would do well to emulate. 

It is not fair to accuse the majority of Mormons, no matter how wrong you find their beliefs, of the gross evils committed by sects in their religion (i.e. polygamists).

Christianity has had plenty to mar the purity of its testimony and I would not want someone tying my God or my beliefs to the Crusades, or to the Inquisition or to the Salem Witch Hunts. 

With the that idea in mind, and the admittance that not everything that all Mormons do is right, or even properly motivated, let’s take a look at what I have learned from my experience with Mormons…

• If you say you believe in something, spread the word
• Commitment to excellence produces good fruit
• Being above reproach provides great credibility
• There is value in setting yourself apart from the culture
• Good family values produce good personal values
• Hard work and dedication pay off
• Good deeds done to others are a virtue
• But, without a true understanding of God and relationship with Him everything else you do is in vain
• And, righteousness comes from our position and identity in Christ through faith in Him, not by our own works

Do you think there is value in what can be learned from Mormons?  

The Irony in Mocking

When I was in Junior High School corduroys were not to be worn and were thoroughly mocked. Just two years later, in High School, corduroys were quite in fashion and I found myself owning several pairs.

When I was in High School and College tight pants, for men, were simply not allowed. No one wore tight pants. Now, much to my chagrin, you can hardly find a young man wearing anything but ‘skinny jeans’. 

When I was younger in my Christianity I would mock speaking in tongues, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts. They were for weirdos. Now, by the grace of God, I learned to understand and appreciate their purpose. 

Why is it that we end up liking or needing the very things we once mocked?

What have you mocked in the past that you now appreciate?