8 years and counting!!!

Well, as of yesterday I have been married 8 years to my beautiful wife. It has been an awesome 8 year ride that will continue for decades more.  To those who have been married 50 years or even only 20 years, 8 may not seem like such a great accomplishment. Unfortunately, in our instant gratification seeking, relativistic culture, marriages that last more than a few years are harder and harder to find.  I could accuse the secular thinking people in the world only; however, the church is experiencing this epidemic also.  The marriage is under attack at every corner of our culture- homosexuals attack the definition, TV shows attack the necessity (Dan Quayle tried to call out Murphy Brown on this), and Hollywood stars very publicly attack the lifetime commitment aspect.

The Bible is clear on all three fronts: Marriage is between a man and woman, a significant purpose of marriage is to procreate, and it is for life.  While the Bible speaks clearly on each of these issues, many today ignore what it has to say. This is truly unfortunate, not just for our culture as a whole, but for the countless individuals who pass up the opportunity to share their lives completely with another in the ways God intended.

Family Man

Here is a song by Andrew Peterson about the rewards of Fatherhood or Motherhood. The song has been around awhile, but I think this video was done recently.  Unfortunately, the only version on YouTube has captions in Portuguese. Oh well, there is no better time than now to start learning another language.

We Be Jammin, Spiritually Speaking

A few days ago some friends (yes, I have a few) came over to the house and we jammed on our respective instruments. We had a guitar, a mandolin, my concertina, recorder and tin whistle. None of us are very accomplished on said instruments, but rather quickly we were able to produce music. Each one of us has spent much time on our own practicing tunes and songs, but as a group we seemed able to do so much more. Had any of us not practiced ahead of time, our contribution to the group would have been minimal, maybe even detrimental to the group (more so than my whistle playing was). Interestingly, no matter how much one of us wanted to play better, we could only play within the limits of our practice. Practice is important, but while playing tunes and practicing alone is enjoyable, I found great satisfaction in being able to create music with others.

 

Our spiritual relationships and communities operate in the same way. Our time spent alone with Jesus and nurturing our relationship to God is vital for us to be able to positively affect our community of believers. We must daily dwell on the things of God through prayer and the reading of His word. If we show up at church having not “practiced” our spiritual walk daily, we will have nothing of value to offer. We can want to benefit the body of believers with all the sincerity in the world, yet our music will not be music at all.

 

Maybe this is why church is so unfulfilling to so many. We try to fill the void with more, more, more church, but the root cause of the need is that we haven’t had enough spiritual “practice”.  I am not implying that you must be a mature, seminary graduate in order to positively influence your community of believers.  My friends and I are but infants at playing our instruments, but we were able to create harmonious music. However, we did have to learn how our respective instruments work, train our fingers where to go and learn some of the same tunes.

 

The Christian life doesn’t just happen. Our relationship with Christ requires effort, nurturing and practice. While some of the most fulfilling times of your life may come through jamming with your community, you can’t jam every day.

Does Your Church have a Pharisite?

Pharisite – An outwardly spiritual person who sucks the life out of a church.

 

In my last post, I made the statement that the church today is full of Pharisees. Could it truly be that even 2000 years later the Pharisee still exists, lurking in the very churches we attend. Unfortunately, I would have to say they do, they always have, and they always will. Well then, if they exist, how can we identify them? What do they look like? I think we can all easily visualize the Pharisees of Bible- Clean robes, finely tailored. Also, we would characterize the Pharisees Jesus encountered by a strict outward adherence to laws and traditions. Obviously, in our day and age of casual church experiences marked by relaxed atmospheres, clothing and content, our modern day Pharisees are not as those of days of old (not that I am against relaxed clothing and atmospheres).

 

Today’s Pharisees are quite different from those in the Bible. The modern day Pharisee is not much concerned with living a certain way or even following a set of Biblically based standards. Regarding standards, we as Christians tend to lay the term legalistic on anything resembling standards these days. Many times, we casually indict others of legalism, while not truly understanding the characteristics or dangers of a legalistic environment. What is the danger you ask? The problem comes, not from living according to standards, but from emphasizing those standards or laws above the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, living a changed and holy life is vital and is what will outwardly set us apart from the world. While I may have just strayed a bit off topic, the point remains that the Pharisees of today must be living a new form of Pharisaicalness (I made this word up, just like my blog’s name and Pharisite) and not realizing it.

 

Alright, so since you have waited, here is my description of modern day Pharisees. Understanding that the Pharisees relied on their works, as opposed to faith and belief for salvation, today’s Pharisees likely focus on getting all they can from church. They may be very involved, or they may be marginally involved.  They may know the Word inside and out and have it memorized. They may give a lot financially to their church and they may sing in the praise band (I wanted to say choir, but how irrelevant is that). They may attend church Sunday, and live no different from the world the rest of the week. The problem arises when you look for true change in their life, you won’t find it. For true change only comes through the Son, not through a community loosely based on common interests. Unfortunately though, too many churches as a whole resemble just that. Understand, I am not bashing church, but instead, I am bashing those who have corrupted church as a result of their unbelief.

The Way of Unbelief

Matt 21:28-32

 

“Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.” (NASB)

 

Jesus told many parables throughout his time on earth. He veiled the truth in stories. His stories were such that the established religious leaders continually choked on the content, unable to swallow their true meaning. Even his disciples struggled to understand them, many times requiring an explanation. In the parable of the two sons, Jesus describes a father who asked his two sons to go and work in his vineyard. The first son says no, feels stung by guilt and go out and works. The second son immediately says he will work, and then does not. Jesus asks the Pharisees, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They answer correctly (show them what they’ve won) that the first son did his father’s will.

 

I find it interesting that in spite of his initial refusal of his father’s request, the first son, likely convicted with guilt goes and works. Anyone who has experienced salvation by grace through faith can immediately relate. Before conversion, each person is like the first son in that we have each rejected our Father’s will. Also, the text references tax collectors and prostitutes; both represent the vilest of sinners of the day. Our sin, that which separates each one of us from the Father, makes us no different than these sinners.

 

In the end, the parable pointed to the pseudo-spirituality of the Pharisees. O the sting the Pharisees felt as they realized Jesus was likening them to the second of the sons! As learned men, I am sure they understood the depth of Jesus’ statement; indicting them of professing obedience only. Are we like the Pharisees in that we know the right answers, but we don’t believe? Are we like the second son, who seemed on the outside willing to do his fathers will, yet his insincerity showed through in the end? The danger for all who desire eternal life is that we profess and know the truth, without believing it.  Romans 10:9, we all know it, requires not only that we confess with the mouth, but also that we believe with the heart. The Pharisees knew the truth both from the Law they studied and Jesus whom they questioned, but they chose the way of unbelief.

 

As an aside, I think I have always tried to excuse the unbelief of the Scribes and Pharisee’s based on the fact that they did not have the completed work of Christ on the cross and in the tomb or the completed, revealed canon of scripture. Any hope I have of excusing their unbelief due to their circumstances falls apart though when I look at our culture of Christianity today. While we live in a country where we have religious freedom and an almost unlimited supply of information, likely now more than ever I believe the church to be full of Pharisees. For in the end, the failure of the Pharisee was not lack of information, it was a lack of faith.

Extreme Makeover of the Heart

Just this week ABC completed another extreme makeover house right here where I live. Well, not where I live but closer to my house than most. A nice family in need received a 5100 sq ft house. I could complain the normal complaints about the show- how they could do so much for many people instead of SO MUCH for a few or how do people pay the increase in utilities and taxes or what prevents all the lowlifes from breaking in and stealing everything… But instead, I am thinking more about how much of an extreme makeover my life is. 

No, I never did drugs or time in jail or anything that bad, I think. The thing is, before I accepted Christ, I was just like the house the family comes running out of the beginning of each episode. I was decrepid, mold filled, no air conditioning and too small or narrow minded to comprehend my full potential. I was only five years old at the time so it may be hard to comprehend that I was that wretched but I was headed straight for eternity separated from God- Hell. Just like the family with no money to fix their house, I was and still would be helpless to fix my problem. I needed an extreme makeover of the heart, and the only place I could find that was through Jesus’ work on the cross. His blood washed away the old house and built a mansion in its place. A life that will continue for eternity.

One final thought about the new house the family received. Due to its size, it likely stands out in the neighborhood. It is much larger than any of the other houses and much nicer.  If you drive down the road it is on, I am sure your attention would be drawn to it immediately. Christians should be like that house. The life that is made over should be like that house. In a world of darkness, my life should shine as a light on a hill.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)

The Audacity of Unbelief (III)

Matt 12:22-29; Luke 11:14-23

 

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man cast out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”

 

In what I think will be the final installment on the responses of unbelief, I will look at Jesus’ healing of blind mute possessed with a demon.  If the man would have also been deaf, I would insert a Helen Keller joke here, but I digress. Apparently this man who was in dire need of a miracle was brought to Jesus by friends, relatives or maybe even the authorities. Not a lot of detail regarding the healing is given in either of the Gospel accounts. That is alright for our purpose because we are chiefly interested in the response of the unbelievers in the crowd.

 

 The Pharisees who were in attendance saw yet another miracle. Who knows how many times these religious ones saw the power of God exhibited in very real personal ways? They could not deny the miracle. The best they could do was to accuse Jesus of working in league with and through the power of Satan. These men of education, logic and reason whose lives were ordered by the Law of the Old Testament and their years of tradition were reduced to false accusations. Remember that in the previously cited examples, unbelief resulted in ridicule and rage.

 

Jesus knew their hearts and their minds. He immediately provides a lesson on logic and quotes Abraham Lincoln by saying, “any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” I realize some of you may be wondering how Jesus could quote Lincoln, ok, I admit that it was the other way around. In the end, Jesus with seemingly little effort exposed the evil, wicked, unbelieving heart.  It is interesting to think that it was the unbelief of these men and others like them that played an enormous role in Jesus’ death on the cross.  For even when the Pharisees, and Satan thought themselves most victorious, Jesus was providing a way for all who believe to have eternal hope and peace through him. 

A Poem on Unbelief

OK, so I have been known to write a poem or two in my life.  I wrote this almost 10 years ago.  It still seems relevant today.

 

Mediations in a Coffeehouse

 

The coffeehouse revived, resuscitated;

Ideas, opinions flow freely from all.

Post-modern age, renaissance imitated;

The classics and new philosophy call.

 

Average beings now thinking they are wise;

Their thoughts are without true meaning.

The blank stare, the despair, the hollow eyes;

Off of the path of Truth they are leaning.

 

What is the purpose of all their babbling?

Contradictory to the Truth at hand,

Down paths of darkness many are trav’ling,

Sinking deep, buried in ideas of man.

The Audacity of Unbelief (II)

Matt 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-5, Luke 6:6-11

 

“But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”

 

Again we find an unpleasant response resulting from unbelief in those who are faced with the Truth. Jesus went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and saw a man whose hand was pretty useless. The religious elite were watching Jesus to see if he would heal the man.  Being that it was the Sabbath, Jesus would most definitely let the man remain crippled another day, would he not? He would not break the law and heal him, would he?  It has occurred to me that Jesus could have saved himself a lot of trouble with the Pharisees if he had just not gone out on the Sabbath. However, His plan and His purpose were greater than the law. It is interesting to see that every chance Jesus had, He purposed to show people the insufficiency of the law. 

 

Jesus also knew the hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees. He knew the depths of their unbelief and He knew that likely no matter what he did or said there that day, they would not believe. So, in the best interest of the lame man, He healed him. Notice that there is no mention of the man’s faith in any of the three passages. This man received a very tangible blessing from Jesus, yet there is no note as to his faith. Could he simply have been a benefactor of the goodness of God so that Jesus could show His power and expose unbelief?

 

The Pharisees saw the miracle and heard the words of The Word, yet the fires of their unbelief were stoked. Anger and wrath well up inside of them and they immediately went out to see how they might destroy him. A hard to comprehend reaction, yet I wonder if much of the church today would react any differently.

 

From mocking and ridicule to rage and anger, the emotional outputs of unbelief are many. Let us be sure that our response to Truth, the Word of God is one of openness, faith and acceptance. May the unbelief that so characterized those learned men of Jesus’ day never enter in to our lives. 

The Audacity of Unbelief

Matt 9:23-26; Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49-56

 “And they began laughing at him.”

 

It is interesting to note the various ways in which unbelief can be expressed.  When faced with undeniable Truth, unbelief exposes itself in ways both illogical and insensitive.  In the passages referenced, an official from the synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus requesting a miracle.  He had a problem.  His daughter was sick and he believed Jesus was the answer to his problem.  He believed this to the point that he was willing to possibly forego the last moments with his only daughter. When Jesus eventually arrived at Jairus’ home, it was too late, she had died. 

 

Apparently she had been dead long enough for the local mourners (everybody loves a party) had already arrived and were worked up into an emotional frenzy of music and tears.  Jesus instructed them to leave because the girl was simply asleep.  The musicians began laughing for they thought Jesus either crazy or at least that He was not very acquainted with death.  Little did they know that He was not only familiar with death, but He was about to exhibit his power over it in a very real way. 

 

Back to the laughter.  It is at this point we get a close up to a shocking example of unbelief exposed. Unbelief is bad enough, however, for the mourners, their unbelief turned to ridicule and mocking. I may be reading into the text a little, but I find it interesting that Jesus made them leave the room before performing this miracle.  I suppose that Jesus had them evacuate because He knew the mourners would likely have not believed even had they seen the girl raised.  I even suppose that later that day when the girl was back to playing outside with her friends, the mourners still lived in unbelief, their empty souls satisfied with rational, logical explanations.

 

When faced with the Truth that is Jesus, do we allow our unbelief to cause us to miss out on the greatest miracle ever performed?  In our attempt to laugh away the truth, are we hardening our hearts to a new, eternal life?