Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Tiger’s head

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While I did not get a chance to watch Tiger’s latest debacle, I did hear about it through ESPN. He played about as well as the Tampa Bay Rays did (losers of 5 straight), shooting 18 over par (one stroke more than the number of times the Rays struck out on Sunday) this weekend. I’m not a golf coach-though I did get a hold of a plastic golf ball in my front yard while hitting with Connar yesterday and it sailed into the neighboring property only to be lost in the “ruff”-but you have to wonder how much of Tiger’s woes are in his head.

I mean this joker is used to being the best golfer in the world. He’s clearly not anymore, and it looks like he knows it. Never having been a Tiger fan, and never will be for that matter, I’m interested to see if-though probably when-he escapes this funk. I’m always amazed at the power of psychology in sports.

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Christian Sociopaths

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A number of times over the years, I’ve asked a person here or there (how non-specific can you get!) to do something, then made this caveat: but don’t worry or feel guilty if you can’t do it. Several times over the years, I’ve received this response, “Oh don’t worry, I won’t feel guilty. I don’t feel guilty about anything.”
Now in some ways, that’s OK. We need not be motivated by guilt any longer because there is no condemnation in Christ (Rom 8:1). However, I’ve heard this type of response from certain folks, and then thought about it within the context of their lives. Then I begin to wonder if this I-don’t-feel-guilty-about-anything attitude really means that the person really feels no conviction for sin or the Spirit’s leading. No convictions on being in worship, no convictions on parenting, no convictions on selfishness, isolation, hospitality, etc…We should feel conviction for sin regularly, because, well, we regularly sin. Guilt tends to be general, where as conviction is quite specific.
The grace which God has shown us through Christ (which takes away all guilt and punishment of sin) does not take away conviction of sin. In fact I think its just the other way around. Titus 2:11-12 reminds us the affect of this grace:
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…..
Contrary to making us complacent in how we live, it actually moves us toward living godly lives, “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.”  It doesn’t fill our lives with guilt, but grace does point out all the ways in which we try to find life outside of the gospel.
The next time you I hear, “I don’t feel guilty about anything,” it might be worth exploring that a bit further. Do we feel any conviction about not using our spiritual gifts, respecting others, loving our neighbors, not supporting a local church in worship and work, how we work, etc…? If we don’t, then it’s very possible this I-don’t-feel-guilty-about-anything-attitude may really be something as simple, and dangerous, as quenching the Spirit. At the end of the day, it may be nothing more than living as a Christian sociopath under the guise of grace.
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Thoughts on When missionaries get sick: Part III

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This is my final take on “when missionaries get sick” (sounds like something Fox would carry, doesn’t it?).  Again, I’m just trying to provide-and work through for myself-a framework to help me think though the inevitable hardships missionaries and anyone involved in any sort of ministry or local mission work will face.
I just got through listening to Jim Rome’s rant on Yoda, and how this little green guy has become some sort of spiritual guru/inspiration/mascot for the first place San Diego Padres. He blasted Yoda as a coward who simply ran into seclusion in some sort of murky forest planet. Rome claims, in Yoda’s own mantra, he simply “didn’t try, he simply did not.” I think he’s got a good point on Yoda. But I think we are all prone to Yoda moments of giving up, hiding, and waiting for someone else to step up. 
Anyhow it helps me to have a framework of how to think through these types of things, and this is my final contribution: God can and does “do” ministry through us even when we can’t “do” ministry like we would normally think.
Paul landed in the slammer for preaching the gospel, so he really couldn’t continue his missionary journeys nearly as long as he desired. Nevertheless, he was still able to do ministry. Sometimes when people say, “I’m praying for you,” I wonder what that really means. Is that once a month, just before they saw me, daily, once a year, etc…Sometimes, if I’m in a skeptical mood, I don’t even believe its true. Who hasn’t said, “I’ll pray for you,” and forgotten to actually do it?
But when Paul said he was constantly remembering people in prayer (Phil 1:3), I believe it. He had the time;  he had a praying ministry. It wasn’t so much a “hand’s on, going, or preaching” ministry; his was largely a praying ministry. Now of course he ministered to his captors (Phil 1:13), but I don’t know if this was his primary ministry. That joker was always praying for his churches. Prison didn’t stop him. 
Sickness couldn’t stop him. The other day when I got sick, I had a great day of prayer; and I think I am actually feeling the fruit of that prayer now as I’m trying to organize people into teaching positions, nursery, youth ministry, etc…

So when sickness strikes our missionaries, it is good to know that they can still “do ministry” even if they can’t “do” what they thought they were there to “do.” Make sense? Maybe talking about Yoda, has gotten me talking like Yoda.

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Twilight and life sucking power

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Just got back from vacation in sunny FL, and it was, well, quite sunny. Since we didn’t have to worry about health insurance ending or a home loan not getting approved, it was very relaxing.

Anyhow, before we left, we watched a movie I wish had never come to be: Twilight: New Moon. My distaste for the movie and books has arisen primarily because its popularity has popularized the name Amy and I had chosen for our 2nd child: Cullen.

But since everyone and their mother (literally in many cases) has seen the movies or read the books, I figured it would be beneficial to see what “itch” was really being scratched. There is a reason a movie or a book is popular. And getting to the bottom of it, can really help you understand your culture, as well as those to whom you will minister.

The first movie in the series was fairly entertaining, but Twilight: New Moon left me bored and wishing I were continuing the Arrested Development series instead.

Aside from being bored, one take-away from the flick, was the affect this supposed “true love” left on a teenager. She was willing to turn into a vampire, and actually give up her eternal soul just to be with her vampire boyfriend. When he unceremoniously jilted her, she simply moped around for months and didn’t eat much. She didn’t spend time with friends either.

One thing which makes this movie so popular is what makes it so sadly dangerous. Teens, and their parents-who more often than not live vicariously through their teen’s dating relationships because their marriages are lousy-forget most teen romances end up in heartbreak, loss of virginity, pregnancy, bitterness, alienation from friends, etc…

More often than not the high schooler (and most folks for that matter) mistake possessiveness and worship (finding true life in another) for love. They simply use the other person to make them feel good, which obviously lasts only for a period of time. Ironically they end up becoming a vampire themselves, sucking the life out of their partner. Sadly, this ends up destroying both parties, because there is only so much “blood” to sustain the relationship. None of us were created to be worshiped.

Twilight doesn’t introduce this theme, or teach people to think this way; it only reinforces what we’re all prone to do since the Fall.

I think this could be a great discussion movie though, and hopefully we can get one going here eventually at Redeemer. I know I’ll end up “net-flixing” Twilight: Eclipse when it comes around, but hope this time, it doesn’t suck the life out of me.

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More Graham’s and fewer Haynesworth’s

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Two seasons ago Albert Haynesworth was one the most sought after free agents in the NFL. He played defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans but sensed an opportunity to leave and really get paid. Like nearly 100 million dollars. 
The Tampa Bay Bucs courted this huge beast of a man, but he later decided to sign with the Washington Redskins because Tampa’s fan base wasn’t as good (at least that was one of his stated reasons). However a year into the deal, Washington has to wonder whether or not they really got their money’s worth. First of all, they ended up picking just one slot behind the Bucs in the 2010 draft-which means they were almost as bad.
Now, he’s disgruntled because the team has a new defense, and is asking him to play a different position. He doesn’t want to, and has made that as clear as Pepsi (remember that clear stuff in the 80’s).
Compare him with Earnest Graham for the Tampa Bay Bucs. After playing on the practice for a number of years, he broke out one season as a respectable starting running back. Now due to injuries, contract situations, and a crowded backfield, he’s content to be the Full-back. He’s content to be the one who blocks, the vital position for a good running game, but one which nobody notices. 
I talked with a friend yesterday who will be helping out the church serving by serving in an area of need. Its not his first, second, or third choice, but for a time he’s willing to help the “team.” 
Now I understand that having people serve in places they don’t have a passion/primary gifting for can be harmful down the road. They will burn out eventually. That’s why I ask people to dream about how they might be able to serve, and try to match the two up. 
Nevertheless, that dream cannot trump the church’s immediate needs. The local church benefits when individuals (like my friend and others here at Redeemer) adopt a more Earnest Graham mentality, and lay aside their “dream” for a season to meet the immediate need.
When the Buc’s running backs get hurt this year, Earnest Graham will most likely get his chance. But for this season, he’s willing to serve in areas of need, even before areas he’d desire. What an example.

 

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From Barney to Cars

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Today my 2 year old Connar woke up around 6:30 am, as he does from time to time without much rhyme or reason. Usually when he wakes up that early, we employ the services of Barney. Barney is about the only thing which will make this active little boy stay seated, or for that matter pay attention, for any length of time. And when you’re 3/4’s asleep already, it only makes sense to go the bullpen and call in the big “right-hander.” The only problem with Barney is that he’s a bit on the annoying side, and his songs stick in your head for a while. 
Since Amy used to teach kindergarten for a number of years, we both knew that Barney would eventually lose his coolness. Kids that age like something else. What they like, I don’t know; but its not Barney.
Yet I still wondered how we could wean him off Barney and on to something a bit, well, cooler. Then we introduced Cars the movie. Now when he wakes up, or finishes his shower, Cars is all he wants to watch. He found something better than Barney, something far more joyful than Barney.
What Connar experienced is similar to what Thomas Chalmer’s calls The expulsive power of a new affection. In order to get our eyes off our sin struggles (but I think the same is true when dealing with our present condition, circumstances, or predicament), we must see someone greater. Otherwise, how will we really change? That’s why in every sermon at Redeemer our goal is to preach the person and work of Christ. 
When we fail to see Jesus as more glorious than our families, our jobs, our ambitions, our relationships, our wealth, we will get stuck in a world controlled by all of the above. In order to not be controlled by all of the above, we’ve got to take a page out of Connar’s playbook. It’s not quite as easy as putting on a video like Cars, but it takes every bit as much intentionality.
Intentionally listening to Christ being preached, intentionally reading more about how wonderful He is, intentionally comparing Him with what we hold dear, intentionally praying He would show Himself more beautiful, intentionally telling and hearing from others about Him. These are just a few of the many ways we can see Christ more beautiful, and be smitten by someone greater.
Instead of waking up to Barney, we can begin waking up to and longing for Cars.
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The Timer

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The other day I was browsing through the free movies we could watch on Netflix and came across one which sounded somewhat intriguing. So I convinced Amy that The Timer, described as a sci-fi/romantic comedy, might be worth watching. At least the price was right. And both ended up being quite true.
The Timer is a product made to look like something out of an apple store which counts down the seconds until you meet your actual soul mate. Provided your soul mate also gets a computer chip inserted into his/her arm, you can know with 100% certainty when you will meet “the one.” So ultimately it takes the guess work out of dating, and lets “fate” do its thing.
The film explores whether or not this Timer really is a good thing or not. It also raises the questions like: is there really “a One” for you and is a commitment to love someone as certain as a fate-reading device? 
Some characters divorce or refuse to get married because “The Timer” doesn’t confirm their match. Some characters question the validity of having a Timer (not its accuracy), and others are simply faced with the consequences of knowing their true love at a very young age. 
Here are a few of my takes on the idea of such a Timer.
1.) I’m not so sure there really is “The One” out there for you, and that if you don’t marry “The One,” your marriage will not be good. I think it probably causes unnecessary stress in dating and in marriage. I don’t think the idea of there being a “soul mate” or “a one” is a Christian theme at all, but rather quite pagan. That’s really a question with which the main character has to wrestle.
2.) To know the future in such a way, or to have to know the future in such a way is to live without faith. Living without risk is not only tantamount to living without faith; it is tantamount to an ungodly boredom in life. We can have enough certainty in life to relax, but we can’t expect 100% certainty in all things: even in the choice of a spouse. I think the movie does a good job dealing with the idol of certainty. Some love it, some don’t, but at least the idol is out in the open for discussion. 

There may be one or two scenes worth fast-forwarding, and the language at times is foul. However Amy and I found The Timer very unique, thoughtful, slightly humorous, and worthy of discussion. I do recommend it.

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Buster

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Since Amy and I can’t get into So You Think You Can Dance and or America’s Got Talent, and we don’t get Tampa Bay Rays games on TV up in WV, we’ve been taking advantage of Netflix. Arrested Development is the show du jour, and we’ve been enjoying re-watching the series on-line.
If you’ve never seen the show, it’s about an incredibly dysfunctional family, and dysfunctional family business, both of which are held together by actor Jason Bateman. It only lasted three seasons, probably because it was too clever for Fox.
Anyhow, I mentioned my love for the show to our lead pastor Barret earlier this week. He was also a big fan, and then told me one of the main characters, “Buster,” was a fraternity brother of his at Samford. Then to prove it, he took down a picture from his book shelf of he and Tony Hale. Crazy.

Tony Hale is also a Christian, who is honoring God through his art. I’m glad we’ve got some brothers and sisters in Christ who’ve taken up this high but certainly hard calling. Good to see some folks truly being salt to the bland potato that is Hollywood.

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Big Steins and Jesus

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On Tuesday, George Steinbrenner passed away from a heart attack at 80 years of age. There aren’t too many owners of sports franchises which have much name recognition among the general public. But, “Big Steins” (his self-proclaimed nickname on the show Seinfeld) was certainly one of them. He was hated by many baseball fans as the owner of the “Evil Empire” that is the New York Yankees. Although I really don’t see how they are more evil than the Red Sox in my understandably biased opinion because both teams pillage the smaller market teams’ players!
Regardless, Steinbrenner was known for a lot of things. He was known for firing and rehiring both coaches and secretaries, on a number of occasions. He was also known for his generosity in paying for kids’ educations and building wings on hospitals. 
I “knew” (this is getting pretty loose with the language) him personally from the brief sightings I had at Morrison’s Cafeteria and the Tampa Bay Yacht and County Club. 
After his death, one of my friends posted this quote attributed to him: “I’ll put my good acts against those of anybody in the country. Anybody.” 
I don’t know why “Big Steins” felt compelled to say that, but when most people say something like that it is to try to justify themselves as “good” before others. And “Big Steins,” humanly speaking had a good point. He did a lot of good things, and probably many more that we’ll never know of. He would definitely look good before me.
But obviously I’m not the standard of righteousness; Jesus is. Despite all of his money, all of his short temperedness, what really kept him from the seeing the gospel clearly was his damnable good deeds. Our good deeds keep us from Jesus just as much as our bad ones do, as the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:10) reminds us. 
Our temptation is always to compare ourselves with others and find them wanting. Instead it seems more fitting to the gospel to have this quote attributed to us: “I’ll put Jesus’ good acts on my behalf before anybody in the country. Anybody.” If we believe this, we’ll not compare ourselves in pride or resentfulness to others. We won’t even feel the need to. We’ll be able to rest, but also walk confidently in the good acts Jesus has already prepared for us (Eph 2:10).