Knees

Written by cycleguy on January 26th, 2012

Have you heard the story about the history of Levis?  David Jeremiah in his book Signs of Life tells it (edited for space):

Levi opened a textile mill in SanFran.  One day a gold miner walked into the shop and started in on him: ‘Look at these. I bought these 6 months ago, and they’re full of holes.’   When asked why the miner told him they worked on their knees most of the time.  Levi knew they needed stronger fabric for the knees, so he suggested canvas.  The rest is history, as they say.  Soon miners across the West were wearing Levi Strauss’ jeans.  (p.83)

It is said that James, Jesus’ brother, had the nickname “Camel Knees” because he spent so much time on his knees praying.  William Cowper, a poet and hymn writer , once said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”  All month long I have been focusing on “Transformed by Prayer.”   My sermon this week is on “Worn-out Knees.”   I am not saying this to garner any sighs or pities, but I truly don’t feel adequate in preaching on this subject.  I am very, no make that VERY aware, of my lack in the praying department.  Basketball and age have caught up with me so kneeling long-term is an almost physical impossibility.  But that is not what I am speaking about.  A person doesn’t have to physically kneel to pray; not if he has his heart kneeling.  A person doesn’t have to physically bow his head; not if he has his heart bowed in submission.  What does bother me is not the kneeling part, but the submission part.  And the practicing part…the doing part.

My Scripture for Sunday is Jeremiah 33:1-3.  There are some amazing truths in those 3 short verses.  We would do well to see and apply them.   Hudson Taylor once told a missionary couple who was getting ready to move to China: “You must move forward on your knees.”   That is my prayer for you…for me…for all Christ-followers.  I like the way the Christian rock group, Petra, once put it: “Get on your knees and fight like a man.”

I am showing this lyric video Sunday.   To see the original video that will stir your soul, check it out here.  I pray for a revolution to happen in my life, in the church I pastor, and in your life.  Are you praying that God will move in your heart?  Are you praying that God will do a revolution in your church?  Join me won’t you?

Thanks to Dan for an awesome banner this month.

 

Posted in Church, Prayer, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 30 Responses »

ChurchFuture

Written by cycleguy on January 25th, 2012

I attended the Elephant Room on Wednesday in Louisville, KY and had planned on sharing some thoughts about it in this post.  However, it dawned on me that I would be getting home late Wednesday night and would probably definitely crawl quickly into bed when I got home, so the last thing I will want to do is stay up and write a post.  I will save that for a post or two next week.   So, I thought I would write a post as a PS. of this post from Tuesday by using a quote/section of the narrative to make a point.

To set the stage (without giving too much of it away): Michael, the main character, has just found out where his assignment will be. It was not what/where he thought it was going to be.  As he talked to his sponsor about it, the following conversation ensued:

Michael, the future of our church is in grave doubt.  If there is a future, then you and others like you are that future.  It will be better for you to be on the periphery than at the center because the center is rotting and collapsing. The future of the church is at the edges, and there you’ll find a willingness to abandon what’s dead, to meet the spiritual need, to fearlessly preach the gospel-that is our way to survival. 

There has been a lot of talk lately about research that has been done, and how the young people are leaving the church in droves.  The 15-29 are fed up with “organized religion” and are exiting the church.  Research has also found they are fed up with…are you ready for this?…entertainment and being entertained when they do go.  I about blew what was in my mouth all over my keyboard when I read that. What an indictment against today’s media/entertainment oriented churches that think “give ‘em hype, give ‘em loud music, and they will come.”   Ironically, the article I read also said they were heading  back to churches that preached the Bible and included some hymns in their worship.  (Time for a Gibbs slap here).  Do you mean to tell me that all those who have been saying, “Preach the Bible.  Be true to the Word.  Don’t pander to the masses” may actually be right?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly what I am saying.  Deemed old-fashioned by the “hip dudes,” Biblical preaching is what they are craving.  Connecting with God in worship is what they are looking for.  As Michael’s sponsor was saying, the center (the “in” group) has lost its way.  It is those who maintain biblical integrity, who fearlessly preach the gospel, who are the future of the church.   Even the video that went viral last week missed the point if you look closely.

Perhaps the best way to close this is with the closing of that conversation:

You are a remarkable young man.  You will do great things, Michael, not as the world defines them, but great in the way God defines them.

Well spoken words.  What are your thoughts about the future of the church?  Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?  Feel free to express your thoughts. 

By the way: one of the comments asked where I found the stats about young people leaving the church.  You can find that article here:

 

Posted in Church, Doctrine, Just Wondering, Leadership, Preaching | 50 Responses »

Jon(Unchained)

Written by cycleguy on January 24th, 2012

The fourth installment of Unchained is written by fellow blogger, Jon Jacobs, who blogs at Imperfectly Perfect.  When I asked for volunteers to contribute, Jon stepped forward.  I like that in a young man!  It sure beats twisting someone’s arm!  :)   Jon’s story is somewhat different than the other three, which you can read here, and here, and here.   I met Jon by way of blogging and have come to really respect this young man’s thoughts.   He shows a heart for God that I wish I had had when I was his age.  Take your time and read through his thoughts and then feel free to comment after reading.

One of my all time favorite books is Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. Miller is very honest in the way he writes, and even though, our stories are vastly different, I could still relate to his feelings on the church. When Bill asked me to write a post on my own personal experience, I immediately thought of that book.  I had wanted to pull up a quote from the book, but, not surprisingly, I have no idea where my copy of the book is. Funny, how that always seems to happen. Anyways, there is a part in the book, where Miller accounts his own churchgoing experience, and essentially, he states that sometimes a church is not for you.

I’d like to use that same line of thinking with my own personal experience. Also, I’d like to state, that my intention here is not to bad mouth anyone, but rather, shed some perspective on what I believe is a very important issue. Now, when I was thinking about what to exactly write, my mind was going in a thousand different directions. I could go on for pages about this and that, but I’m pretty sure you don’t want to read that, and I don’t really want to write that, either. ;) Yet, one thing, really stood out to me: the youth.

I’m 22 years old, and I believe, one of the most fundamentally important things, about any church, is that there should be an environment that encourages future generations. I believe this aspect was sorely missing from the church that I grew up in. On paper, I guess you could say we had those kinds of things; we had Sunday school, we had monthly “youth” meetings, we had those yearly type celebrations…just to name a few. However, the problem was that, I never felt comfortable in my own skin, and I know I wasn’t the only one.

Our Sunday School felt really tedious; there were grades for different age groups with a curriculum. Obviously, when you’re a little kid, you don’t really know what you’re doing, but the bigger issue, was when I got to the older grades. The classes felt more like a lecture rather than a discussion. We memorized verses, but honestly, I couldn’t even recite half of them to you know (or tell you what they really meant). Also, Jesus isn’t boring, but it sure felt that way. Looking back at that time, I really wish we could actually talk about things that teens dealt with, how those lessons, those verses, could apply to our lives….to my life. But, we didn’t.

That really is the core of the problem that I faced at my home church. We didn’t talk about anything…everything was just swept under the rug. Not only did we not talk about anything, we weren’t really comfortable to talk about pressing issues. Why? Well, because, Sunday after Sunday, we were being told what we should and shouldn’t be doing. TV was bad…you were kind of looked down upon if you did have one. No one should go to the movie theaters because that was bad. Girls shouldn’t wear pants, or makeup, or jewelry. It was just a bunch of rules shoved down our throats.

Now, I don’t know about you, but no one wants to really hear that on a weekly basis, especially if you’re a teen or young adult. The sad thing is that it pushed a lot of the older youth away from the church. As a teen, I saw so many of the older kids leave, or just pretend to care. I knew what was going on; they knew what was going on….everyone was just saving face, playing the Sunday game.

The situation makes me sad because there are a lot of things; I wish I had said back then. Things, I wish I could get off my chest had I felt comfortable enough. Teens go through a whole lot of things, and to just ignore problems, just makes things worse down the road. The thing is, this is the future of the church, and, I truly believe, we should invest in them. Now, I’m not saying, ignore everyone else. What I am saying, is that there needs to be an environment where people don’t feel judged, where they see what the love of God really means. A place that cultivates community and allows people to form deep bonds. That’s what was missing from my home church.

I would also like to add before I wrap things up, that I am very thankful to my parents as well as my college experience. I got to really grow close to God during college; I was able to find a group, and church where I felt God’s presence, and I felt comfortable enough to talk about things. Also, to my parents, because they recognized the flaws with our home church, and were totally fine, when I told them that I’d be looking for another one. There’s a lot more I could say, but I’ll end it now.

Thank you for reading, and thank you, Bill for the opportunity to share a little bit of my story.

Thanks Jon for sharing your story.  I will be away for the day attending The Elephant Room with some other pastors.  I will okay comments but will not have time to comment.   Jon will keep up with that.  Thanks for reading. Would you like to submit a post for this series?  Email me: pastor (at) ovcf.org.

 

Posted in Cycling, Doctrine, Legalism | 22 Responses »

DancingPriest

Written by cycleguy on January 23rd, 2012

FOUR WORDS I WANT TO SAY TO YOU:

BUY THIS BOOK NOW!

BUY THIS BOOK TODAY!

DO NOT PASS GO!

DO NOT COLLECT $200!

Strong words I know.  I don’t say that about many fiction books, mainly because to many pastors, fiction is a side dish.  For me, it is serves as part of my lifeblood.  It is no secret that I cycle (road bike).  But it is sort of hard to cycle, when ice and snow cover the roads (as they have been).  Temps the past couple of weeks  have been more like the winter weather we expect in Indiana.  Not much snow but cold, blowing wind, and Friday night we had some ice thrown into the mix.  Winter time becomes my hibernation time.  I either work a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle or read fiction books.  My latest was Dancing Priest by fellow blogger, Glynn Young.  Glynn blogs at Faith, Fiction, Friends.  This is his first book, and I certainly hope it won’t be his last.

I am going to speak in riddles for a moment to give you some insight into the book;

This book isn’t “deep,” but it is deep.

This book isn’t meant to be challenging, but it will challenge you.

This book isn’t meant to be a life-changer, but it is life-changing. 

“Okay Bill, explain yourself.”   Thought you’d never ask. :)   Glynn’s book is the story of several people, and the choices they make.  Michael is the main character, and even though he is Anglican (and I am not), I relate mostly to him for several reasons: he becomes a pastor, and he also cycles.  :)   There are several other characters-some major players, and some are sort of “fill in” players (that I hope he will develop in the next book).    I felt some were left unfinished, but maybe that was the plan.  ;)

I found myself with tears in my eyes on several occasions because of some of choices made. I found myself smiling sometimes.  Glynn introduces the bicycle world to the reader, does a better than average job making it understandable, but doesn’t dwell on it or overdo it.   I like that he doesn’t preach at his reader, but does get his point across about the importance of a relationship with Jesus.  It was cool watching him develop some of the skeptical characters (one in particular).  Michael, though not a perfect character (none of us are), has to make some tough decisions along the way.  I like how Glynn develops that process.

I am not a scholar, so I can’t tell you about the nuances of language, etc.  I can tell you that this is a good book, well worth your purchase.  You will be glad you bought it.  You can also get it for your Kindle or Nook.  Personally, I like book in hand.  :)   Well done, Glynn!

I bought this book on my own and this review is totally unsolicited.  That means I get to say what I want.  :P    I say, “Buy it!”


 

Posted in Book Review, Christian living, Cycling | 43 Responses »

Children

Written by cycleguy on January 22nd, 2012

This is going to be a two-pronged post.  Hopefully you will stay with me.  :)

This afternoon (Sunday) I did a memorial service for a couple whose little girl went to be with Jesus 20 minutes after birth.   I mentioned her  birth/death here.  She had actually been born January 4th.   Her brother is still doing well, although he is in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indy.  Being a pastor is sometimes fun. Sometimes it isn’t.  The latter is the case here.  However, it does offer one of the greatest times to give hope.  I have absolutely NO DOUBT where she is right now.  I was able to offer the parents/grandparents/friends that hope this afternoon.

I love that passage in Mark 10:13-16 where Jesus rebukes the disciples for shoving away the little children.  If there is ever a passage that shows the heart of Jesus toward children it is that one.  I have never experienced the loss of a child, so the last thing I would ever think of doing is saying, “I know how you feel.”  Not only is that a bold-faced lie, but unless one has been through that kind of loss, it is best to keep the trap shut.  Know what I mean?  Pastors…or any person…although well-meaning, can do unrepairable damage by pretending.  I would like to ask you to say a prayer for Joe & Erin and baby Joe.  We have prayed each week for them, and Joe told me they would like to come and visit.  Almost their whole day is spent at the hospital, so when Joe gets out (6 more weeks at least), maybe they will.  I sincerely hope so we can continue ministering to them.

****************************

In the interest of space (and word count), I’d like to just give you the Scripture I used for the questions/statements from the message. To see those questions/statements go here.   I will just give the number and the Scripture will follow.

#1:  Psalm 8:3-4;  139:13-18

#2: Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:28-29; Eccl. 3:11

#3: Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8  Jesus taught these two parables to teach men not to be discouraged in their prayer lives, not to bug God until He gets upset enough to finally grant our request.

#4: Romans 8:26-27; Jn.14:26-27

#5:  no Scripture directly.  I did say this: sometimes being a follower of Jesus puts us under greater trial so we can be a tribute to Him, so we can bring glory to His Name. 

#6: James 1:5-8  God wants us to ask Him, not for Him, but for us!

#7: No specific Scripture but two questions to consider: 1) Are you listening to God; and 2) Are you harboring anything against anyone?

To say I am a little spacy would be an understatement, to be honest.  :)    I look forward to putting my head on my pillow tonight.  :)   Thanks for your prayers for Joe & Erin.  Thanks for your prayers for me.  Say a prayer for Jason & Andrea as they are  in Japan adopting a little boy.  Keep praying for Dan, Ashley and Logan Black.  Anyone else you want to add to that list? 

 

Posted in Prayer, Sunday Meanderings | 37 Responses »

Answers

Written by cycleguy on January 20th, 2012

Where do you go when you have a question?  Better yet, where do you go when you have a question AND need an answer?   I think we can be honest and admit that we all have questions.  Some are easy to answer, like “Daddy, who made God?”  You know…easy ones like that.  :P   Then there are the hard ones like, “Daddy, where do babies come from?”  The answer to that one is simple: “Go ask your mom.”

Just kidding, of course.  Tough questions are a parent’s worst nightmare… from the simple ones like “Who made God?” (Answer: I don’t know); to the really hard ones that test a parent’s moxie.  Jenn recently posted about a tough question Shiloh asked here, but I believe she answered it correctly.  How about this one: “Daddy/mommy, I heard “this word.”  What does it mean?”   What parent alive hasn’t had those uncomfortable moments?

I recently posed a challenge to the people of the church I pastor.  I also posed that same challenge to my readers here.  In case you are unable to do the “link thingy,” I asked the folks at the church (and you) to write down any question about prayer they/you may have for a sermon I was preparing for January.  This week is that sermon.   To be totally honest, I don’t fashion myself as some “Question Answer Man.”  I am a student myself with a ton of questions.  But I have taken the questions/statements and worked hard to answer them.  Here they are:

#1: I am too insignificant for God to even spend His time listening to me.

#2: The answer will be something I don’t want to hear or am not prepared to hear.

#3: I’ve prayed for this before and I think God is tired of hearing about it, or He’ll be mad that I keep asking.

#4: I don’t pray because sometimes I don’t know the words to say.

#5: It is easy to pray when things seem to be beyond my control, and I need to look to God for help and guidance.  We sometimes forget to pray when everything appears to be going well.

#6: God already knows what I am going to say; He already knows my needs; why should I pray?

#7: I am praying but it seems like either I am not getting an answer or God simply isn’t listening.

Whew!  Makes me sweat just typing them.  :)   Of course, you realize there are a ton more I could deal with.  I took the easy ones.  ;)   I am not naive enough to think I will be able to answer these questions to everyone’s satisfaction, but it is a start.  Hopefully it will be a start for dialogue and some good old-fashioned digging into the Word.

I’ll let you know Monday how it turned out.  Or you can listen to the podcast and let me know what you think.  Seriously, please pray for me.  It is a whole new approach for me.  Thanks ahead of time.  Do you have any questions about prayer? 

 

Posted in Doctrine, Prayer, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 44 Responses »

IAMSECOND

Written by cycleguy on January 18th, 2012

STOP.  RIGHT.  NOW! 

DON’T.  READ.  ANOTHER.  WORD. BEFORE.  YOU.  ANSWER.  THIS.  QUESTION:

WHO IS NUMBER ONE IN YOUR LIFE? 

WHO IS NUMBER TWO IN YOUR LIFE?  Better yet, who is second?

Please look to the right of this post.  Look at the Badges section.  You will see I AM SECOND in a big, bold rectangle.   I suspect that is hardly new to most of you.  I Am Second has been around for several years now and has been making an impact in the lives of many people.  They are making that impact because of Whom they represent and what they represent.  It features athletes, musicians, artists, adulterers, divorced, and (fill in the blank).  Some are household names; some are not.  You will find people from all races; all walks of life.  Some are young; some are old(er).  But no matter who they are…they all have one thing in common: they are second.  Second because Jesus is first.

Several weeks ago I bought I Am Second, but was in the process of reading another book that I needed to finish.  Monday afternoon I started reading it and didn’t stop until I was done (except for supper with Jo). I even stayed up later than normal. :)   I laughed.  I shed tears.  I choked down emotions.  I praised God for lives HE changed.  MLB PlayerJosh Hamilton.  Former KORN guitarist Brian “Head” Welch. “Biggest Loser” Michelle Aguilar. “Porn Again Pastor” Nate Larkin.  Skateboarder Brian Sumner.  Surfer Bethany Hamilton.  NFL Player Sam Bradford.  UFC fighter Vitor Belfort. And more.  The website has a whole list of “I Am Second” people with their video testimony.  The newest is country singer Josh Turner.  Not all the stories are about being strung out on drugs or alcohol.  Some were abused. One was a hater.  One couple divorced after an affair and remarried over 10 years later.  Some overcame fear.  If you are at all like me, you deal with people like this all the time.  You may even be one.   The whole principle of the book and the I Am Second movement can be summed up into 5 words:

JESUS FIRST

I AM SECOND

I don’t have the time to sit down and watch unlimited videos, like I do reading.  For people who don’t like to read, by all means, watch them.  But, for me, this book was the answer.   For sure the videos show the “human” side of the person as they sit in a chair and tell their story.   The book told a little more.  It isn’t heavy reading.  Don’t expect a theological treatise.  But DO EXPECT God to rock your world!  You will not be the same.

Have you read this book yet?  Any thoughts?  If you haven’t I hope I have encouraged you to buy it and read it. 

 

 

Posted in Book Review, Christian living | 41 Responses »

Jenn(Unchained)

Written by cycleguy on January 17th, 2012

Welcome to the third installment of Unchained. The first two are here and here.  I met Jenn, as I have probably most of you, through someone else’s blog.   I liked her “style” and bookmarked it.  Since then we have contributed to the comment section of each other’s blog.  Jenn blogs at Random Thoughts.  While there, make sure you check out the pic of her pride and joy, 6 year old Shiloh.  She is going to be a heart-breaker some day.  :)   Jenn’s Unchained testimony is long but well worth reading.   

When Bill asked me to write about my experiences with legalism, I thought it would be easy, but I have struggled with it more than I expected to. The worst of the legalism that I was a part of happened when I was so young that I really don’t know where to start.

I grew up in a strict home. There are things about the way I was raised that I absolutely appreciate, and there are things that I don’t agree with now that I’m an adult. What I didn’t realize until recently was that I grew up in a very legalist church (and because of that, also a legalistic household).

I knew the church I went to as a child was different. I knew there were problems and that the church split when I was in second grade. I even had memories of my pastor’s picture being in the newspaper, but I was too young to understand why.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that my cousin told me that she was studying about my former church in college, because it was labeled a cult. That made me curious so of course I Googled it. The things that I read brought back memories of from my childhood, and also explained some things to me.

The church I grew up in was founded in the late 60’s, but it started to become very authoritarian around the time I was born (1980), according to what I read. It still amazes me that one man could manipulate three thousand church members enough to destroy their lives, but he did.

The pastor had many rules and he enforced them by encouraging church members to report each other’s faults to him. Church members didn’t celebrate Christmas or Easter (I never celebrated either holiday until I was a teenager and my dad finally allowed it). Certain Christian books and bookstores were bad because they were spreading “false creeds”. Couples were not allowed to become engaged unless the pastor’s wife was informed first. Anyone that had a rebellious attitude was said to be possessed by the demon of rebellion. Visitors to the church were looked at with suspicion and often asked to leave.

The things I’ve mentioned are things I read about the church, but I don’t personally remember because of my age at the time (although I do remember plenty of talk about the demon of this or that). Now I’ll tell you a few of the things that I remember from my childhood, and that I have since learned were because of the church we attended.

To begin with, my brother and sister and I were born at home with the help of a midwife from the church. There is nothing wrong with this exactly, except that along with everything else I’ve learned, it just seems like one more way that the church kept its members separate from the world and even other Christians.

My family didn’t have a TV when I was a child, and anyone that did have a TV was “bad”. I can remember standing on my neighbor’s back porch and watching Full House through the glass door because I wasn’t allowed to watch TV. Also, secular music was bad, along with Contemporary Christian music. All I can actually remember listening to were tapes from the church.

The women all had to wear dresses, which is probably why I never wear dresses now. I was a tomboy and I had to wear shorts under my dresses so that I could still climb trees and wrestle with the boys. Oh, and jean skirts were a no-no also. Apparently the women were supposed to be very feminine and wear soft colors and lots of ruffles.

We also had to keep our hair long. I chopped all my hair off when I was eleven (we were not part of the church by then but my dad still followed most of their rules). What can I say? I’m a rebel I guess. My dad told me it was ugly and I cried, but as soon as it started to grow, I cut it again and when he made a comment about it, I didn’t cry.

We also couldn’t eat pork or shellfish. We weren’t Jewish, but for some reason the pastor decided that the foods were “unclean”.

My parents never owned a home until after we left the church. I recently found out that the pastor discouraged members from buying homes. I’m not sure why though.

The church also had a Bible college and elementary school. I don’t have a problem with Christian schools or colleges, but the church condemned people if they chose to send their children to secular schools instead. My brother and sister and I attended the church’s school even though it was expensive and my parents could barely afford it. Also, from what I have read online as an adult, they didn’t accept outsiders into the school. It was just another way to brainwash church members.

There are things that happened in the church before it split that were very strange. I won’t go into all of it simply because this post will go on for days. The things I’m skipping have more to do with the cult side of the church than legalism, although the two probably went hand-in-hand. To quickly sum it up, before the church finally split, there were affairs, divorces, suicides (including my mom’s best friend), a little girl was murdered by her mother “to protect her from the demon of hyperactivity”, several children were sexually abused by high ranking men in the church, and many friendships were destroyed.

Thankfully I was young enough that I wasn’t hurt too much by the things that happened at my former church. Sadly that isn’t the case for most. My dad, for example, has never found another church “that teaches the truth” so he doesn’t attend church.

I can’t explain why people were deceived the way they were by this pastor since I don’t understand it myself. I think that people were probably so involved in the church that they were afraid to leave. The pastor made sure people cut all ties to the outside world. When people rebelled and were “disfellowshipped” they had nowhere to turn.

Learning more about the church I came from has helped me to understand myself a little more. Even though I feel like I wasn’t affected by everything that went on, I know I was on some level. I have always been very skeptical of spiritual things. Not of God or the Bible, but of the things people say and do. I don’t blindly follow a pastor or a church. I question everything.

I have a hard time with people throwing out things like, “You can’t be a Christian if you do _____.” I’m not condoning living a lifestyle contrary to what the Bible teaches, and then calling yourself a Christian (that bothers me too), but some well meaning people come up with some crazy stuff. I’ve heard people say you can’t be a Christian if you’re Republican and I’ve heard others say you’re not a Christian if you’re a Democrat. I’ve also heard someone say that my pastor “destroyed our church” when he sold the old pews (after the church voted and agreed to it) and purchased pew chairs instead. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think the fact that your church had pews is going to get you into Heaven.

I still struggle with the idea of grace. I believe it completely, but I also have to constantly remind myself that my salvation isn’t in a checklist. I think this is probably because things were so legalistic in my home and church when I was a child.

I think that some good came out of my experience. My skeptical nature makes me study and search the scriptures for myself so that I will know if I’m being deceived. And I believe that God is big enough for my questions. I pray for discernment and I am constantly on guard so that I don’t allow myself to put my pastor on a pedestal. (And I also pray for my pastor and the other leaders in the church.) I’m involved in my church – very involved – but I could easily walk away if things got weird. And if I had to leave my church it would not affect my relationship with Jesus or keep me from finding another church.

From Bill: quite a story.  I was privy to the church she was raised in and due to certain reasons, she chose to leave out the name.  Trust me: it was a cult.  The dude even went off and started another one!  Anyway, please feel free to comment.  Jenn’s schedule has her back at school so  she will answer your comments when she has time.  Thanks for coming by.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 63 Responses »

Others

Written by cycleguy on January 16th, 2012

I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT UP FRONT…

THIS.  WILL.  BE.  A.  HARD.  POST.  TO.  WRITE.

I can honestly say that I did not capitalize those letters and “period” them so that it drew you in like a fish on a hook.  In all seriousness, this will be a hard post to write.  All because I read something the other day that got me thinking.  I even wrote it in my Moleskine journal.  But, first some background.

I have, in the past, told you about my legalistic bent.  I was doctrinally legalistic.  But I was also culturally legalistic.  Not in the way of dress…not me!  But my biggest problem (and remember the era I come from…the Dark Ages  :) ), is one that is rearing its head today in a big way.   I come from an age where pastors’ conduct was to be exemplary.  Trust me, mine always wasn’t.  But in my most legalistic days, I was very outspoken about several things:  social drinking being one.  I ranted and raved about it.  So much so, that one time a man was heard to threaten me by those who sat around him.  :(

Now, in fairness to me, I have slacked up on the judgmental attitude that precluded those rants. I could rant about something I was not guilty of, but to rant about something I struggled with, well…that was another story.  That being said: I am a tee-totaler.  Always have been.  Lord willing, always will be.  My main concern then was far more judgmental. My main concern now is something else…

AM I BEING OTHER-ORIENTED? 

Here is what has me all out of whack.  Read the Scripture in I Cor.10:23-27.   There are three questions to ask:

1.  Is it helpful?  (v.23a)

2.  Is it constructive? (v.23b)

3.  Is it other-oriented? (v.24)

It is that last question that has me stumped right now.  Here is what I am asking: does my course of action or inaction, seek the good, the betterment, the blessing of my neighbor?  Is what I am doing, or propose to do, going to further the Kingdom and benefit those I have come to be a witness to, or will it be a detriment?  When people have left me to go do other things, will their time with me have been a good thing for the Kingdom, or a bad thing? 

I realize our culture is different today.  What was wrong then is not seen as wrong now.  The Scripture hasn’t changed; our views have.  And I am not saying social drinking is wrong (it is just an example).  But whether we are talking about social drinking, or whatever is questionable (gray), we still must ask the “other-oriented” question.

I’m going to stop there.  I would like to hear your thoughts on this.  Am I all wet?  Am I barking up the wrong tree?  Am I making  a big to-do about nothing?  Feel free to chime in.  I would love to hear what you think.

 

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Leadership, Legalism | 58 Responses »

Power

Written by cycleguy on January 15th, 2012

Two quotes to get you started out right this week.  (Okay so maybe they won’t change a thing about your week, but they will get you to think about this post).  :)

There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality (me: or church) that did not begin with united prayer.  A.T.Pierson

Following on the heels of that quote is this one  by  Bill Hybels:

When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.

Those two quotes got me to thinking: could that be one of the reasons why we are not seeing a “move of God” in our churches today?  I realize there are exceptions to that, so if you know of one or are a part of one, then great!  Perhaps you can add to this discussion at the end.  However, many of us (myself included) often wonder why God’s Spirit is not moving in our churches.  Why do things seem humdrum?  Why are we not experiencing real changed lives?  Why are we not making a difference in our communities, in our churches, in our school?

Could it be…and I am thinking out loud here…that we have been trying to do too much of it on our own and in our own power?  Have we become so enamored by the “bigger is better” mentality (and I am not against large churches), that we have sacrificed passion for position or prestige?   Have we sacrificed prayer for programs?  I can remember once hearing a pastor tell about his visit to another country known for its packed prayer meetings.  He was so overwhelmed he asked the other pastor, “What’s your secret?  If we call a prayer meeting in America, we can meet in a phone booth.”

Maybe prayer will take on a whole new meaning if we realize anew that it is the most intimate time we can have with God.  Prayer is a channel for God’s power.  His power can change lives. His power can change circumstances and relationships.  His power can heal marriages.  His power can help us face daily struggles.  His power can heal psychological and physical problems.   His power can meet financial needs.  The skeptics will say, “Oh, those answers are only coincidences.”  It is amazing how many coincidences occur when a person begins to pray.

I don’t know about you, but if Jesus thought it was important enough to pray (Mark 1:35-39), how in the world can I think differently? 

So, here are some thoughts you can consider for your comments.  Do you agree with what I have said?  Why or why not?  Do you think we have substituted programs for prayer?  Does your church have a prayer ministry?  Do you take part in it?  ‘Course if you want to comment on some other idea this post drudged up, please feel free to do so.  Meanwhile, I am going to close this post and go do what I need to do…pray.  :)

 

Posted in Church, Just Wondering, Prayer, Sermon Series/Topic, Sunday Meanderings | 38 Responses »

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