I was recently reading an article in Christianity Today and the author wrote something that was profound and simple in the same breath. He said "The problem with spectacle, especially religious spectacle, is that the steady, repeated, raucous noise will eventually make us hard of hearing. And that will make it impossible to hear God's normal tone of voice." Gods normal tone, the whispering in the wind the subtle movement in the Spirit, that still small voice. Perhaps the voice of God is less about being impressed and more about being listened to. I think about Moses and the burning bush, there have been so many times when I wanted the burning bush, the big loud declarative voice of God to speak in my life. And even though the burning bush was a spectacle it was only seen by one person. One not a thousand , not a video screen not even a good soundtrack , one person and a bush in the middle of a dessert. SO where am I going with this, well to be honest I am not really sure but my thoughts turn towards corporate worship.
I mean on Sunday mornings most of us across the country put on good show, the music is done well, the message is well crafted and inspiring but let me ask this question where is the voice of God speaking. Are the people in our pews becoming hard of hearing due to what they experience every single Sunday. As Pastors are we causing our people to become deaf. We talk all the time,a good video clip or the latest song but where are we making a space for the voice of God. Where are we allowing the voice of God to speak in an unassuming quiet sort of way, in a way that moves people to life change. I am not saying we need to spend all of our time in silence and meditation but what are we modeling for our people, what are we showing ourselves? Where are we allowing the "noise " of life deafen us from the voice of God?

Power of Love

I just read this great quote from the legendary Hendrix that says
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power then the world will know peace"
This just resonates with me because I know it to be true . When I think about my life and the different walls and barriers I have had in various relationships it usually comes down to a question of love. Maybe I should say the lack of love. I want to have my way and the constant tug of war that follows. In essence it comes down to not loving as I should and wanting the upper hand, the power. Personal relationships, the world it all works the same, when we are loving one another it works, when we are not it doesn't. I realize I sound like a 60's throw back but maybe that is what made Jesus' message so radical. Because he believed love could change the world, love that nurtured and cared for the lost and the sick but a love that calls for accountability and mutual respect. It was not a message of power but a message of giving up power, strong when you are weak sort of thing. It is completely upside down thinking perhaps that explains why I am so drawn to it. Better yet perhaps that is why it works in a crazy mixed up world. I realize that what I am sounds a bit adolescent but perhaps this message does not need to be complicated. In fact Jesus put it like this, love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Simple and world changing. Imagine if......

Just A Thought

Well 5 weeks of mission trips behind me and here I am . What an incredible summer from western NC , to the inner city of good ole RVA , to Delbarton WV, and you have no idea where that is. The amazing thing is watching God at work in all of those places and seeing glimpses of the Kingdom in each. So often I think when I show up God will come with me but the truth is God is at work in those places already. Perhaps it is less about what we are going to do and more about what God is already doing. Less about God showing up and more about us showing up and taking part in Gods on going story. God is still busy creating and even though God rested on the seventh day I have a feeling God got back to work and is still working. Still writing the story, still at work in the world. Still waiting for us to show up.

If I learned anything from this summer I learned it is time to show up, it is time to "find my Calcutta " as Shayne puts it, It is time to be busy bringing forth the Kingdom. Stop waiting for permission and stop waiting for someone else to do it. In the movie Shaw Shank redemption there is a great line towards the end of the movie , "Its time to get busy livin or to get busy d.." so lets see what happens when we live the life.

You know it is a good thing God's story continues without me otherwise it ..well lets just say I wouldn't bother to read it otherwise.

The Zoo

Besides see interesting critters at the zoo you can also overhear really interesting conversations. Or be nosy which ever you prefer. As the girls and I were walking these 2 other moms were talking about buying another house. With the 200,000 profit they made on one house and the other 300,000 they had to put down that would leave them with a monthly mortgage of 3500/month. I am no mathematician but I think this new house must be huge and pricey. Well you may be asking yourself ...Ah so what ..people by expensive homes all the time. This is not the interesting part of the story.
While Casey and Ellie were getting our free snow cones..( yep free snow comes) these 2 same ladies and there girls were beginning to have lunch they prayed for their food and other things ..in Jesus name..Amen.. Have you ever had those moments of being ah that's cool and utter disgust in the same breath. It was cool they were thanking God for their food but they were talking about buying a really expensive house earlier. Obviously I know nothing about these people and perhaps they live a life style that is very simple but how can these 2 conversations happen with the same people. It seems to me a disconnect between a $3400 /month mortgage and being a follower of Jesus. It just does not seem to fit my understanding of the Kingdom view of Jesus and what it means to give to the poor and to love justice. It seems that these things are mutually exclusive of one another. Eat a snow cone and let me know what you think.

Something Funny..Kind of..

I love Chic Fillet probably without question the most enjoyable fast food experience in the world. First you have a perfectly done chicken sandwich not to greasy and seasoned to perfection, next you add the waffle fry. One of God's greatest creation. Who would have thought you could make art out of the potato. Then you have your choice of lemonade ( tart I might add) or the nectar of the gods Diet Dr Pepper. Lastly like a cherry on top they ( the people behind the counter) say "my pleasure". My pleasure, I am happy to serve you . I know they are forced to say it and severely reprimanded if not but what a great use of the English language. I feel like I want to give them my six bucks just because they appreciate me coming to their restaurant. They value my business or if not they make me think they do. Either way I am addicted and you get your food so quickly. It is a win , win.
You would not think saying My pleasure is not such a big deal but I am telling you for me it makes all of the difference in the world. I want to go back there , I want to take my family and our friends, if they would let my dog in. Do you see where I am going with this, I like feeling like I matter. That is what they do so well, they make you feel as if you matter. Often when I go to church I feel like that it does not matter if I am there or not. I don't feel welcomed or valued, I don't feel like people say we are really glad you are here. I think people , myself included are longing for that. To feel as if they matter , that for a brief second they are important to someone.
I long for the day the church is that way, a place that truly values people, The church becomes a place that cares if you are there or not and it is not because you give money but because you are a creation of God and therefore have infinite worth. What would church look like if on Sundays or Fridays or whenever there was a parade for your arrival, or maybe more simply every time someone said to you, "I am really glad you are here". I think it would go a long way.
I think it would help make church something you invited everyone to because you feel so invited, so welcome , so appreciated. Try it and see "my pleasure".

What is evangelism

Yesterday I played golf with a friend, a relatively new friend but friend none the less. For the sake of argument lets call him Jake. During our time together we talked about life and friends. We laughed, smoked cigars and missed some really easy putts. I shot a 77 by the way , not bad for a hack. We really talked about everything including the weather. I have been nurtured in a faith tradition that would put little value in this conversation unless you make the sell but I am leaning to the thought that perhaps this time together was of the utmost importence. I would guess that Jake has known very few "Christians" in fact he was visited by the Jehovah witness earlier that afternoon and asked if that is what all Christians were like. The point is that I experienced a Holy moment on the Golf Course. Even though we never once mentioned God or faith everything we talked about was spiritual.
It seems that we spend a lot of time in church looking for the next best thing, the next great program or thing that will get people in the door but perhaps the point is not getting people in the door but getting us ( the Church) outside of it. In my denomination we have a new new slogan, open hearts , open doors and open minds. It is catchy but probably not that true. As long as you come to us outside we will be those thing but I believe we need to be more of those things on the golf course or basketball court, coffee shop or local pub. The point is for us to be where the people are and to hear the message, we care about you not to make our thing bigger and better but because you are a fellow journeymen in this great adventure called life. I believe that it is possible for God to use those outside the church walls to speak to us a word from God. Church this is what I am really like. It is not about the songs or the words, the message or the nifty graphics we use, it is a bout relationship and listening to the story of someone who just needs to talk , no agenda no hidden plan, just being and hitting a little white ball around. Maybe I should do more church on the golf course. FORE !!