Christmas Shopping

Sorry it's been a few days. We were gone for Thanksgiving and then with my birthday on a Sunday, it was a busy weekend.

But over the weekend I noticed something. Black Friday. The holy day of shopping. Lorie's family always does the same thing, they buy the $4 paper with 2000 ads (how many trees do we kill for this) and find the best deals.

And all these deals worked. There were people out shopping in the wee hours of the morning (my father-in-law was up at 2:00). And they shopped. But something I've picked up from talking with people. A lot of people were not shopping for others. The computer and TV deals were not for gifts, they were for themselves.

Think we're losing a bit of the spirit behind Christmas? First it was present over Jesus, now it seems to be me over others. I hope it's not a trend...

T

Afterthoughts Of Religion

Tonight I was watching a great TV show. I know it sounds weird, but I basically judge a show on its willingness to kill main characters, it lets me know the story is more important than an actors contract. But I digress.

In said show someone died, someone important, and it was hinted that at the funeral they played "Amazing Grace". And I started thinking. Unfortunately, being in ministry I've been to a few funerals, and at almost every single one they have played that song.

But why? Why that song? I know it's pretty and all, but it's a song of life. A song of hope. But then it struck me. Because we've done to this amazing hymn what we've done to so many things in Christendom. It's a religious afterthought.

I'll explain. There are many people who say they are Christian. They don't live like it, they don't even really believe it, but for some reason, upbringing, heritage, even just being American, they feel they are "Christian". But deep down inside they know they are not. And the problem with death is it's final. There's no turning back. And I think the people around them know this too. So what do you do? Try to cram as much religion into the last moments and memories of their life so we feel they at least did something. Last rights, last prayers, sing amazing grace, a eulogy that mentions Jesus, something, anything.

The problem is following Christ cannot be an afterthought. You can't wait until the last minute (or later) and try to influence God or others about where you stand. Playing Amazing Grace at your funeral doesn't make up for all the times you should have been exercising Amazing Grace to others, or even accepting that Amazing Grace for yourself.

Let's not wait until the last minute for God. Let's not try to cram as much Jesus into the last moments of our lives to somehow make up for all the years before. Many times Jesus tried to explain that God is the God of the living, not the dead. So let's give Him our lives, not our deaths.

T

Sheep And Goats

Last night I was reading the section from Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats. I don't know what it is about this section, but I feel in the last couple of months I've heard it so much I've memorized it (I actually had to slow myself down and read it, I found myself wanting to skim).

But it really makes me think if we view strangers as God. How would we treat people if we thought they were going to give a direct report to Jesus on how we acted around them? Even people at church, if they have a relationship with Jesus the Holy Spirit dwells within them, how would we act towards them if we saw it as a direct action towards the Holy Spirit Himself?

Just pondering. And I know, it applies to me too :)

T

The Circle Of Weight

I read this today, it just made me laugh.

In 2002 Jenny Craig, the weight-loss company, was bought out... by Nestle. So a weight-loss company is owned by a chocolate company.

I guess it makes good business sense. You sell one product and someone gains weight, so you can sell them another product to help them lose weight, but it tastes bad so you sell the chocolate again... but isn't there some moral dilemma here?

T

Remembrance / Veterans Day

It kind of makes me sad how little we remember war and those who fought here. On one hand it seems a little over-the-top to me how Americans are so uber-patriotic and how war and the armed forces are promoted. But at the same time, how did we honor our veterans today? The high schools got to sleep in. That's the only thing I noticed.

It made me think back to growing up in Canada. In my little town there was a parade, we were all taken out of school and had to stand downtown in the cold (it is November in Canada), everyone was wearing a poppy to represent Flander's Field, and those who served in war for our country walked proudly downtown while everyone stood silently and reverently.

Everywhere I've lived in Canada did something like that. Maybe downtown Indy's too far to go for us in Fishers but when I went to one of the high schools for lunch (I didn't get to stay, no other youth pastor showed up) you would never have known what today was. It reminded me of the George Santayana quote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Not many signs of remembering while American troops are in how many wars at the moment...?

Something to ponder.

T

Hollow Noise

Again, sorry it's been so long, but I should be back in routine now... hopefully...

Lorie and I are finally moved out of the parsonage. We had everything out before, but we wanted to go back and clean properly (it was a little hard to do at 2:30 in the morning) so we did it the other day.

While there I noticed something. It started in the garage, but it was also in the entire house. There was an echo. There was a hollow sound. It seemed like everywhere in the house you were in a cave. Now I hadn't noticed that while all our stuff was there, the physics reason being the sound was being absorbed by furniture and the like. But it made me think a little. Emptiness sounds hollow.

I know that doesn't seem like a great epiphany, but I started to wonder how it fit into our everyday lives. Have you ever talked with someone whose words just sounded hollow? Or more to the point, have you sounded that way? Just shallow, hollow conversation with no substance (generally about oneself)? Perhaps there's a reason to it, perhaps they are empty on the inside.

Do I mean this in a degrading way? No, not at all. But if someone does not know the true meaning of life they will inevitably try to find some other way to fill the void. All too often, it doesn't work and life sounds hollow. If you know someone who sounds hollow, instead of getting annoyed or even trying to avoid them, what about trying to fill the void? Telling them they are loved for who they are, telling them there is Someone who is willing to love them even more? And if you think it's you, maybe it's time to refocus a little and get priorities back on Who they belong.

After all, John 10:10 tells us that God wants us to have an abundant life, or as some translations put it, life to the full. Let's all do what we can to have a full life, and more importantly, help those who don't know there is a God that loves them be introduced to Him so He can start to fill their lives too.

T

My Apologies

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately. For those that don't know, Lorie and I moved last week and that has taken up the bulk of our time (not to mention finding the things we need in boxes, so much fun). Add to that our Real World Retreat next week, preaching next Sunday and the pumpkin patch and I'm a little behind, so next week I should be back on blogging.

Thanks for your patience!

T

Lessons From Cooking - Part 3

Sorry it's been a few days. Moving + pumpkins = no time...

Anyway, another lesson from cooking. Do it right the first time.

I know that can't always happen, mistakes are just part of living life, but there are times where we choose the cheap/easy/quick path instead of taking the time to do things properly the first time.

The problem with doing that with cooking, generally there are no second chances, either you don't have time to start all over or you don't have extra of every single ingredient. Instead of skimping on an ingredient thinking it's not important then having a bland meal later (or worse, whatever it was sprinkled on top), why not just do it right the first time?

It's kind of like the last one, follow directions, but anyone can follow directions and still do a sloppy job. If we do it right the first time, try our best at least, it makes things go much smoother.

I was reading this morning from a guy who was re-doing his house. This guy is a park planner so he knows about making sure everything is thought of and taken care of. When he got to remodelling part of the house the contractor not only gave him a quote, he gave him a discount! Why? Because he had already thought of everything and had the plan done. The contractor told him stories about people who have a "rough idea" then in the midst of the construction change their mind or try something different (and those same people can't understand why the cost of their project is higher than originally anticipated).

So instead of doing things so-so then trying to do them well after, or worse yet, fix it, just do things right the first time. It works way better in cooking, trust me (I've made a few mistakes).

T

Lessons From Cooking - Part 2

Another valuable life and faith lesson from the Food Network:

Follow directions.

This weekend my brother-in-law Steve and I were doing work around the house, and he made the joke that real men don't use directions. That was until we couldn't get the microwave to fit or the water to the fridge, the wiring for the fan to work, etc. Usually, if for any reason you are given directions, they probably have a purpose.

Cooking is all about directions. Add the right things at the right time in the right amount then cook for the right period of time at the right temperature. If any one of those is off, forget it. You get burnt mush (trust me, I know).

God has given us directions for life. Not just general good ideas, directions. When I'm cooking and it says to add more milk than I usually do for mashed potatoes (which happened the other day), I can either look at that as a suggestion, or as you need to do it even though it doesn't make sense because someone smarter than you wrote it down. Luckily I did it, even though I didn't understand why until 40 minutes later. With the Bible, the rules for living are not suggestions. If you do them, life turns out better because Someone wiser wrote it down for us. He made the recipe for a good life.

There's a verse in Joshua I hear all the time about reading your Bible. But so many people skip the second part:

Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything. ~ Joshua 1:8 (NCV)

We are to study the Bible why? To do what is written in it!

You don't have to follow the directions, but if you don't, be ready to eat some burnt mush...

T

Lessons From Cooking - Part 1

A little while ago Lorie and I moved out of the dark ages and upgraded from our rabbit ears for the TV. Since then one of our favorite networks has been the Food Network. I don't know who likes it more, me, or Lorie because it gets me to cook. But in watching I've learned a few things I wish more people would get about their faith. Like:

A little goes a long way.

I know I've been harping on this for such a long time, but if people would realize just doing a little would help out so much, I think we would be doing more. Like in Hope Lives, our sermon series on World Poverty we just finished, if all the first world people would give $10, world poverty would be gone.

Well, in watching cooking I've noticed how just a little bit makes a big difference. A little bit of a certain spice. A little less water. Hey, even doing the little things like taking an extra 20 seconds to make a nice design on top of a cake, that little bit goes a long way.

It's the same way with God. A little can go a long way. Do things a little better, a little more prayer, a little more time with God, a little bit more patience, just a little bit can make a huge difference.

Jesus understood this. After all, you only need a little bit of yeast to make bread rise. As long as it permeates the dough...

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and hid in a large tub of flour until it made all the dough rise.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 13:33, NCV)

T

Dogma Breeds Extremism

It's a quote I read today from Pete McGrath, one of the people in charge of show quality standards at Disneyland Paris (what, you don't read books about French theme parks?) Anyway he was talking about how he builds a show for Disney and how flexibility is most important. Without flexibility, you get stuck in doing things the way they've always been done. He even balances it out by saying "One can have extreme thoughts and inspirations if they are tempered with flexibility."

I don't think he was using the term Dogma in a religious sense. The term can also mean "a settled or established opinion, belief or principle." But I think too often we've turned that into religion. Religion sometimes seems to be more about doing it the way it's always been done, not about new and fresh ways to convey the same (or sometimes extreme) message.

Yes new is harder, different, and involves change, all things people say they hate. But generally, once started, it's amazing how often someone finds out there is an easier, better way once they break from the old mold.

So what do you need to do differently to still discover the same God and convey the same message that He loves you to someone?

T

If Dan Brown Had A Youth Pastor...

Dan Brown is the guy who wrote "The Da Vinci Code" and all sorts of other fiction that for some reason causes people to think the Bible isn't true (I mean, after all, if someone writes a fictitious story that goes against the Bible, we should question the Bible and believe the fiction, right?). Anyway, this is a quote from Brown talking to Parade Magazine about how he gravitated away from God.

I was raised Episcopalian, and I was very religious as a kid. Then, in eighth or ninth grade, I studied astronomy, cosmology, and the origins of the universe. I remember saying to a minister, "I don't get it. I read a book that said there was an explosion known as the Big Bang, but here it says God created heaven and Earth and the animals in seven days. Which is right?" Unfortunately, the response I got was, "Nice boys don't ask that question." A light went off, and I said, "The Bible doesn't make sense. Science makes much more sense to me." And I just gravitated away from religion.

Now the questions about creation versus evolution will go on and on simply because we don't know enough about either one (trust me, for some reason it seems that's all I read about the past year), but look at how old Brown was and who he was asking. An eighth/ninth grader asking a pastor who apparently didn't seem to care that much...

I don't know. Maybe youth pastors around the world are inspiring people like Dan Brown to be people who help others embrace Jesus rather than question Him. Food for thought.

T

Faith Can Be Unstoppable

For a while the NHL has been doing commercials showing teams and their players asking the question "Is this the year?" This year there's a new one.



The tagline is what caught me. "Faith can be unstoppable." It's amazing to me how a sports ad agency gets it, but we seem to struggle with that idea in the church. After all, we should have more faith than anyone, and the Source of our faith is greater than anything. So if that's true, what's stopping us?

I know you know it...

"I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." ~ Jesus (Matthew 17:20, NLT)

T

Hidden Dangers

For those that don't know, Lorie and I bought a house. We're excited, but at the same time I'm having way too much fun (sarcastically) because there is a ton to fix up.

Today we had our air vents cleaned. It was necessary, especially with everything else that we've found wrong with the house. But today we got a little wake-up call. The cleaners found mold in our air ducts. Not a little. Not mild, weak mold. There were near toxic levels of mold all through our vents and in our heater. They showed us on a "mold meter", light green being safe, purple not good. We were past the darkest level of purple on the meter...

But it made me think about our souls. I'm working on a series we will be doing in Sr. High in November about slowing down and taking time for our inner being, our soul created to be in communication with Christ. And if we aren't paying attention, if we are too busy rushing around, we won't notice when our soul starts to get in trouble, just like the house vents. And just like the house, it's not something you can see. No one knew about the mold problem, even the inspection was unable to see it. No one can see into your soul. Only the Person who can clean our soul knows, and we need to be in touch with Him so we can have our souls in the best condition possible.

Psalm 31:6b-7 ~ I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

Oh, and get your vents cleaned regularly...

T

Can They Help You?

In the past few weeks we've been doing the "Hope Lives" study at church, a look at global poverty and what we can do to help.

I was reading last night and came across this quote, which kind of fits in with the series:

“Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.” ~ Ann Landers

It's completely true when it comes to this idea of world poverty. If you choose to help these people, there is probably little to nothing they can actually give to you to help you. But I think that is why it's so important to God to help them. It's a true test of our love for our neighbor, how we can love and help people who can't help us back.

Something to think about...

T

Replacing People With Technology

I've heard this argument before, that in our new technological age we are replacing intimacy and relationships with real people with the Internet. Some have said it's because of time spent alone on the computer, where as I always wondered how that was different from reading a book alone...

But today someone told me something that made me look at this in a new light. Think, what do people do on the Internet? The two most accessed Internet categories - pornography and dating sites.

That kind of tells me two things. We long to be loved, but we don't know how to do it anymore. And let's be honest, which is easier? Risking rejection by asking someone on a date, getting dressed up, spending the night out and paying for dinner... or sitting at a computer... ?

But then again, when has easier ever been better...? T

Take Things Calmly

I didn't know this until the day after, but yesterday (Monday) was the International Day of Peace. Maybe we should try going for an international year, or century...

But anyway, in my reading about peace I learned a little fact today. I had always heard that when someone is angry they are more likely to have a heart attack (or stroke). But did you know it's 14 times more likely?? And that danger zone lasts two hours after your angry as well.

So if you feel angry, try to calm down, not just for the sake of others, but your own as well.

James 1:19-20 ~ My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. (NCV)

T

Living Out Your Purpose

Last week at youth we talked about being free to live your life as God intended. How there are people / things / all sorts of stuff that will stand in your way. It's funny how after talking about that, I came across this quote yesterday:

"The sign said, 'This door to remain closed at all times.' Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of a door?" ~ Danny McCrossan

I wonder how many signs we've put on our lives (or allowed people to put on our lives) that stop us from really living out the purpose God intended for it...

Just a thought.

T

Work Harder

Last night I was reading a little about genetics and behavior, the idea that some of who we are and what we do is designed in our DNA.

Now before I get to into this, I should say all of this is still being worked on. Scientists have not isolated an "anger" gene or anything like that. There's only one way they know to test this and it's very hard; through twins separated at birth and brought up in different families. If two people with the same genetic makeup start to act the same despite living in different surroundings, then it could be because of their genetic make up.

Basically, it's the idea that you are designed to act in a different way. Some people could have a gene that makes them get angry easier. There could be a gene that gives you more (or less) patience. But it could also be bigger. There could be a gene that determines what kind of person you are attracted to, one that pushes you toward crime, one that makes believing in God easier or harder...

The "what if's" are endless. But the person writing what I read is a Christian and he thinks we tread in dangerous water if we get too into this, and so do I. Before we thought it could be genetic, if someone was angry all the time did we just allow them to be angry? No. They simply had to work harder at controlling their anger than others.

We all have traits, good and bad, that are learned, genetic, chosen, whatever. For the good ones we are thankful. For the bad ones, we don't simply act on them with the excuse "it's in my nature". Instead we need to work harder at them to to the right thing. Doing what is right in every circumstance is easy for no one, everyone has areas they need to work on. So how about we start being the best we can be without excuses? Doing the hard work that needs to be done?

That is, if your DNA will let you...

T

Knowing It All

We had an interesting discussion at Downpour (Bible Study) tonight with the Sr. Highs. It focused a lot on the resurrection of Christ, which is always good, but eventually we circled back a little to evangelism and sharing our faith.

Here's the interesting part. Almost everyone who participated in the discussion talked about how they don't really feel comfortable sharing their faith because they don't know what to say if someone asks a question they don't have the answer to. They don't feel comfortable because they don't have all the answers.

Now there's two things that make me think with this. The first is why they feel the answers are important. When asked, none of the people in the room thought the reason they started a relationship with Jesus way back when was because of theology. They didn't have the answers when they started their faith journey, instead they came to see and know Christ through the actions and love of others. So if they didn't need the answers when they started their journey, why would the people they share Christ with be any different?

But also, they have now been following Jesus for quite a while and they still don't have all the answers. And they're still okay with that and they are still following Christ despite that. So if they don't need the answers now years later to believe, why do they think their friends need the answers to start believing?

I don't know, it just seems like for our own faith, we are happy seeing and living it out, but when it comes to sharing our faith, somehow now we need all the answers. Matt told a story about a friend of his who upon coming to know Christ brought 20-30 people to know the same Jesus he just met by simply saying, "I admit I don't know everything, but I know this. He loves me! Let me show you."

I think we need a little more of that than theological head knowledge...

T