Christmas

Good afternoon,  I have not written lately mostly because writing is for me like the tip of the iceberg - the majority of what is underwater is needed so what is above shows - and I have been spending lots of time underwater.  Christmas bugs me in lots of ways.  Its not so much about throwing stones at commercialism, materialism, spiritualism, or any other 'ism.  Its more about my inability to have the discipline to do what I think right at Christmas.  See if I had my way, I would have a bit of all the 'isms'.  I like shopping, a little bit, I like materialism a little bit and spiritual stuff I like a lot.  I like getting gifts for people, and I like getting them.  I like thinking of Jesus and what that means.  But if I was really honest about where I would find myself centered and at peace, it would be a very private place where no one intrudes.  Christmas alone, which I have done for a few years of my life, has been really good.  I didn't set up a tree or decorations, did very little shopping, spent the day alone and found there was a lot more time for God which in the end is what it is about.  I like church (guess that goes without saying since I am a pastor) and I like community, but the best time is just with family with no great plan, not too much food, just quiet.  Makes me wonder what Christians are really like in Canada.  Do we do Christmas different than anyone else?  We need to - we need to do it different because the first Christmas is no longer the core of the holiday.  If we are all about Christ we need to be really different, different enough to be noticed.  To be a Christian today is to be different, odd, out of balance with society - and that is a challenge.  If you are interested in a challenge take a look at Tony Campolo's Red Letter Christians DVD series, or Francis Chan on The Fear of the Lord.  They both ask us to be odd, different - maybe they have something to think about.  Merry Christmas

Church Gatherings - Obsolete yes or no?

This past weekend I was at a church conference in Ontario - topic was the atonement.  I left feeling pretty good about the conference - there was great input and I have a lot to think about.  Some highlights were connecting with people, the plenary sessions which were really challenging, the discussion parts of the conference.  Sometimes it feels like we Menno types shy away from vigorous discussion since it can sound like fighting.  Discussion in love can be a challenge, but I wonder if it gives us the chance to deal with stuff if we air it out rather than hiding behind image. I admit I liked the discussion when people's emotions got involved and there was disagreement.

Getting together as church delegates is a fascinating concept.  It is something we used to do a lot when there was a clear sense of ownership and belonging.  It is less clear what the value is when those dynamics are not so clearly defined.  We made few decisions but we had good discussion, which is good but how does that apply to conference ownership and decisions?  Most church members don't really care about conferences I suspect, which is something to think about.

More later

Death Penalty

Heard on the radio this morning the funeral for someone in Georgia who was executed recently.  So what is my opinion on this.  First thing is setting aside the political agenda - not others agenda but my own.  Its too easy to label others as liberal or conservative or fundamentalist or whatever - the question should not be at that level for a follower of Jesus.  I have been in war zones and know what it takes for soldiers to be part of that - so do not come to this agenda with a theoretical perspective.  Where it comes down to for me are two things.  One, what does it mean to defend the innocent and two what does it mean to be a Christian. On the first question, while I see war as a failure, I can see the logic of defending the innocent.  Some may say that means I see war as just in certain circumstances - justified is not the way I speak of it - I can understand that logic.  The logic does not hold up for executions by the state.  The individual is already in a place where they cannot hurt others, so defense of the innocent does not apply. And there are the innocent who suffer whether or not someone is guilty - their families, others - one death does not balance another.  Christians are followers of Jesus because we are open about being sinners.  The Bible says the wages of sin is death and I believe that is what we are entitled to by the fact we are sinners.  Grace, forgiveness and healing come by accepting the gift of Jesus, and when I accept that gift I then become part of the effort to share that gift with others.  I cannot on that basis see how to support the death penalty - the gift is open to everyone and by pointing my finger at someone else I am saying you are a worse sinner than me - if we are all sinners how does one sinner condemn another?  Any thots?

Cost of Following Jesus

This past Sunday we heard about the cost of following Jesus - adopting a different worldview than what is around us and being willing to give up everything in that following of Jesus.  I was personally challenged by that - what do I not want to give up - investment in a home, close to family, style of dress during the week and on Sunday, issues that are dear to me, things that I think identify me.  Seems like it is the little things that are the hardest to let go - not that Jesus removes them - its letting him make the choice of what should be there.  I have been wondering what that means in my life - last Spring I told the church I was going to try and work from the question "what would Jesus do" and I find that more of a challenge than I thought it would be.

Luke 5-8

What does Jesus call us to exactly?  Its what I am working at for this coming Sunday.  The chapters in Luke for this Sunday have parables and call stories, all of which give us a bit each of what we are called to, but taken individually, not the whole picture.  Take a look at these chapters and let me know what you think we are called to. 

Gospel of Luke 3-4

This past Sunday I said something wrong.  In my hurry to get to the text I said there was nothing of Jesus' childhood in Luke. There is a short story of when Jesus was 11 and he was in the temple.    The point I was getting at was there is very little about his life from birth to the age of 30, which remains a valid point I think.  

DEMANDING OF GOD:  I am really uncomfortable with prayer that demands things of God.  To share with God what I am feeling, to let him know my anger, joy, pain, happiness, etc. that's fine - more than fine - the Psalms do that alot.  To think that if we pray harder and harder we will get what we want is a different thing.  The ultimate in prayer is saying to God your will be done, and not using that as a way of disguising our lack of faith.  The Lord's Prayer starts with your will be done, and for me that is a challenge to say, I know you can do anything, your are all powerful, perfect, God, and whatever you do is what should be, never mind what I think you should do.  Ever been in a situation where people demand of God?  I have, and I didn't like it, didn't feel comfortable.  Thoughts?  

SATAN COMING AFTER YOU:  I am told by many that hell, Satan, judgement - these are things we should be careful of saying because in our society people don't want to hear things like that.  Speak of God's love, and let that work.  God is love, huge and magnificent and beyond my imagination.  I believe that and I know that from personal experience.  I also know from personal experience Satan is real.  If Satan is real than hell is too and so is judgement. Whenever I have felt good about my life with Jesus, when its in a really good space, I have always, without exception, been hit stronger by temptation.  I believe that is Satan getting at me.  I read a quote this morning that said when you are precious to Jesus Satan gets really interested in you.  Thing is, our security, our peace comes from knowing Jesus is stronger, and we don't need to fear.  Don't take Satan lightly, but know Jesus can handle it.  Thoughts?

Intro

Figuring out what God is saying to us is both a personal and a community effort.   There are dangers and strengths in how we work at each.  We need to be open to God's direction to us personally, but careful it is not our own hopes and biases that take the lead.  We need to be open to community discernment, but careful we don't seek compromise to the point it is the lowest common denominator.  This blog is one way of working at both.  It's a space where we can share with each other, respond to each other, and talk about things

 

Sounds like fun, but to prevent it from going 'sideways', some basic rules for entries.  Keep them respectful.  Agreeing or disagreeing is fine.  Dis-respecting others is not.  Some of the entries will come from Jesus followers.  If you are pray about what you write.  Some of the entries will come from those who have questions about Jesus.  Ask your questions.  Some of the entries will come from those who have made the choice to follow something else that Jesus.  We want to hear from you.  Right up front, know I will disagree with you and will do my best to point you to Jesus, so you know where I am coming from already. 

 

Confidentiality will be respected, and we will monitor to make sure entries don't cross the line.  Looking forward to hearing from you.