Worship Goes Out

Last night I was relaxing and reading the scriptures. After this, I felt some words from God concerning our worship come to me and I now feel the need to share them. I ended up tweeting them so I apologize for the shortness in which they are structured but here they are:

• As we heal from our hurts we must heal others. As we work for justice around us we find it for ourselves. 

• If we don't see our worship including service & solidarity with those around us then we are missing the point of worship.

• Church is not about me. It's about us, all of us, as reconciled & adopted children of God. How can we not reach out worship?

• There comes a time when we no longer focus on our own healing but move into the lives of others. In this we are all built up.

• Many of our apologies will go unknown. This is sad. Thankfully, none are ever unknown to the Creator who restores those we hurt in the past.

• Confess as much as you can. Reconcile as much as you can. In it all, trust the God who makes all things right. He prevails.

God almost meant for his people to be a people who were rooted in love so that they might bring all people to God. It was never about Israel alone. She was supposed to bring other nations into the fold instead of growing an ego. It's not about the Church alone. She is meant to serve the world and not piously escape it. It's not about anything or anyone being alone. It's about reconciling the entire world back to it's Creator. Our worship exists when we love one another throughout the week and as we celebrate on Sundays as well as when we interact with the world around us day to day. 

Colossians 1:19-21 states, "For in him [Jesus Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

How is your worship? Is it selfless? Does it go out beyond yourself? Beyond comfort? Does it bring others into reconciliation? Can you say with confidence each night "I worshipped fully today?"

International Women's Day Thoughts

Today has been International Women's Day. Of course, being the feminist that I am (yes, men can be feminists), I had a few thoughts on women today that I wanted to share.

Below is a sampling of my tweets from today. Before you read them, I should state that I'm an egalitarian (I believe men and women can possess all the same leadership roles in the family and the church) who exists among a majority of complimentarians (and we get along fantastically).  I could be wrong about my theological views regarding women, but I don't think I am. I hope I'm not. If I'm wrong, I think Jesus will be okay with me promoting the notion that women are as blessed as men to teach the gospel message and to lead a family into goodness as a capable leader (hopefully along with their very present husband). I have a hard time seeing Jesus get upset about that because I simply didn't follow "the rules." Let's face it though, he isn't a God of rules. Anyway, let's move on to the tweets.

• In God's kingdom there is neither male nor female. This is about status. We clearly need to live more into this.
• A curse: "Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you". Christ came set captives free. Doesn't this apply to women?
• Adam brought a curse but Christ brings a blessing. How can we think men should still rule over women when there is neither male nor female?!
• We listen to Christ & obey him, no matter the catalyst he chooses, which is often women. Don't believe it? Read the scriptures & see.
• The only reason we'd say women can't teach/lead men is because we've denied it is Christ Himself working in & through them. We follow Him!
• To deny women have equal status & the ability to have Christ's Spirit dwell in them as in men is to rebel against the imago dei.
• We say "No" to the imago dei whenever we oppress women. Thus, when we say "no" to women we say "no" to God, their Creator/Redeemer.
• Christ is born of a woman and obeys her for a his first miracle, yet we say they can't teach men? May we open our eyes. Christ forgive us.
• The word "helper" in Genesis that describes Eve is most often used to describe God in scripture.
• Woman was made by God to meet man’s deficiency. Woman as "helper" points to Adam’s inadequacy, not Eve’s insufficiency.
• All Adam’s nature demanded for its completion, physically, intellectually, socially, was included in this "helper." 
• Woman isn't merely made for man. Woman is made for all creation, for God, for good, for completion. This is why she is not a slave to man.
• Women head 83% of single-parent families. The number of families nurtured by women alone doubled from 1970 to 1995. Leaders!
• 3 out of 4 fatalities of war are women and children.
• About 75% of the refugees and internally displaced in the world are women who have lost their families and their homes.
• We must value women more. If we do not, we will lose our humanity in both quality and quantity. That is, we will be extinct after deformed.
• I believe women can teach/lead in the Church because I believe in the priesthood of ALL believers and not priesthood of all male believers.
• Today we do good by recognizing women as good and confessing we've failed at this as an overall human race for too long.
• Today is a day for men to confess an repent of our mistreatment and devaluing of women. Let us rejoice in our sisters!
• Jesus' resurrection message was first put in the hands of women and they instructed the disciples that they might believe the gospel.

Below are tweets I shared from others.

• International Women's Day: may it begin as 24 hrs, extend into a month, then century, till celebrating women is a normal part of life. -@wagebeauty
• Women birth 100% of the world's population, do 66% of work, produce 50% of food but earn 10% of income & own 1% of the property. -Eugene Cho
• As men, we have to acknowledge that we have privilege and must ask: "What do we do with that (male) privilege?" -Eugene Cho (http://eugenecho.com/2011/06/09/thank-god-that-i-am-a-man-and-not-a-woman/).
• "By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to...Jesus." ~ Mother Teresa (tweeted by Eugene Cho)

And here are some fun resources provided by my fellow Seminarian and brother John Lussier.

• A teaching on women by Frank Viola in Chile. http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/
• Wendell Berry on the importance of place and time in proving that the sexes are indispensible to one another - https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/pdf/060-08-12.pdf
• An academic look at Women in the NT by Kenneth E. Bailey - http://www.cbeinternational.org/files/u1/free-art/women-in-new-testament.pdf
• Rebecca Groothius's on the Bible and Gender Equality - http://www.cbeinternational.org/files/u1/resources/14-groothius-pdf.pdf

If you haven't yet expressed your appreciation for the wonderful women in your life then take some time to do that. After all, you wouldn't be here without one of them! Whether you agree with some of my views or not we can all agree that all women are to be rejoiced over and have been oppressed for far too long and it is time we, as men (and humanity), begin to change that. We can do that first by listening to the ladies around us. Be blessed!

Birth Control for Christians Part 1

I am currently reading Birth Control for Christians; Making Wise Choices by Jenell Williams Paris.

Why? 1) I find it to be an interesting topic. 2) Birth control is heavily embraced in our society and throughout Christian history this is not an accepted tradition. 3) I’m not sure where I stand on the issue or the various methods and I’ve been curious for a good amount of time. 4) I’m not all that educated on the various methods and would like to know what’s out there. 5) I am part of a congregation that is predominantly made up of young families in their 40s, 30s, and 20s.*

Going into the book I have some leanings that would be wise to share (because they may change). 

I tend to believe that a person should be willing to be a parent if they are willing to be a spouse because the two have traditionally gone together throughout human history. Naturally speaking, sex leads to babies. I’ve always maintained that if a person is going to choose to have sex then they are also choosing to possibly become a parent.  Life is made up of causes and effects and also of choices. I stayed a virgin as a nonChristian because I didn’t want to raise a child at age 16. I knew, even with birth control, the option was always there. Since this cause and effect was created by God and intended to be a blessing to fulfill his commands I see more merit in accepting it and abiding by the natural cause and effect than by fighting against it.

I’m not against most birth control methods. Abortion (of all kinds) is out of the question. I firmly believe there is no getting around that scripturally (nor would I want to get around it). But the pill, condoms, diaphrams, etc. have never been to much a burden upon my conscience. However, for several years I’ve known that I could probably be easily swayed in my thinking and brought to the anti-contraceptive camp. I suppose the argument presented above is a part of that (paired with my ignorance of course).

When it comes to ethics I tend to believe that there are universal standards for the Christian. I have a difficult time entertaining the idea that there are “different strokes for different folks” when it comes to how the Christian ought to live in the world. Sure, there are different spiritual gifts, callings, etc. However, how we live sexually should be more or less uniform (even if there are options such as sex in marriage, celibacy outside of marriage, etc.). The idea that contraceptives might be right for some and not others is one I am wary of but I readily admit that this is a leaning that often leads in a wrong direction. The fact is, however, that I do tend to see the ethical expectations of God for his people to be more or less uniform and I approach this study with that belief.

To be perfectly clear, I seek to have my mind changed in a myriad of ways during this small study. I don’t seek to prove anything wrong or right. I seek to learn and be challenged. If I end up in an extreme position or in accepting that the matter is an entirely gray one then that’s fine. I expect little. My destination is unknown. I readily admit that my ignorant conclusions of the present are not solidified or even able to be properly backed by myself. In as much humility as I can muster, I want to approach this subject because I desire for God’s Spirit to form me to who I must be for him, myself, and others.

Going into this small study I should admit that I used to desire to be celibate, or to only adopt. Since those days (5 years ago) I’ve learned that I desire to raise children as a father, be they my biological children or not. I imagine having 2 children (maybe 3 at most). I recognize that this flies in the face of my notion that trying to control or reproduction is unnatural and probably destructive when done through various available methods (and I mean destructive in many different ways here). I am certain that what I desire for my future will change through this study. Whether I become open to having 8 kids or not is beyond me (and that’s a horrifying thought for me). Regardless, I am willing to accept that my conclusions may lead me into submitting to the unavoidable applications contained within them, desirable or not. I find obedience to be a great evidence for love of God.

So let’s jump in!

*I’m one of less than a handful of single men in our congregation. It may seem strange that I find this a valuable study given my life circumstance but it is exactly because of my circumstance that I find my study to be of importance. Since I am seeking to become a married man and father I believe it would be of value to have the ability to discuss these matters with folks who are living our the family life already as married couples or married couples with children.

Our Guns & Our Salvation

When the shooting in Colorado happened I wrote an article on the importance of honest and reasonable discussion when we talk about gun control and our relationship with firearms. (especially assault weapons). This time I want to address a line of thinking I've seen in those I call brothers and sisters in Christ that I find is very damaging.

One thing that breaks my heart is to see people approach evil action with a philosophy that says "fight fire with fire" or "tit for tat." That's an old way of doing things, a pre-Christ sense of legalistic justice that doesn't give us fulness of life. There is a mentality in many of us that sees our own strength and power as a true salvation. We think our weapons will save us and make this a better world. We think that the answer is more guns. If only we had more firepower, then we'd be safe, we'd have peace and protection (we see the U.S. as a nation holding this belief simply by looking at our budget).

I'm not going to sit here and say that pacifism is the only way to follow Christ faithfully, but I will say that anytime we allow ourselves to put our trust in anything outside of and above Jesus then we commit idolatry and cease to follow Christ faithfully. When we think we need to save ourselves from evil we build a house on poor foundation that won't make it through the storms. We only find destruction on that foundation. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once stated, "To believe the promise of Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face our enemies unarmed and defenseless, preferring to incur injustice rather than to do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way."

Whether that's the narrow way of Christ or not is debatable but one thing is certain, it's definitely a narrow way.  If we are living in fear without our weapons by our side, hidden in our console, and in our purses then we don't have a full faith in Christ's Lordship, promises, justice, coming judgment, or resurrection and we have too heavy a reliance upon the weapons of the flesh. We may be convinced of the old law or our pagan ideologies. 

I'm not saying to give up your guns. I'm not saying guns are evil. I'm not against fighting evil or protecting yourself and others with force. I'm simply talking about dependance and obsessive loyalty to weapons that we don't truly need if we know the truth of Jesus Christ who loves enemies and lays down his life for them. If we have a God who can deliver his people from severe violence through nonviolent means if it be his will then we never need to have any reliance upon weapons. We have only have need to be reliant upon God when it comes to salvation.

If we are convinced in our mind and heart that the only thing that stops a "bad guy" with a gun is a "good guy" with a gun then we are truly deceived by Satan's lies that aggression and violence is our true deliverer. The myth of redemptive violence is solidified within our hearts at that point and we need to repent from it. The fact is that the only thing that stops a bad guy is a good guy and the only good guy that has ever lived is Jesus Christ of Nazareth and he let the bad guys kill him with their weapons... and then he forgave them and showed them by defeating death and the sin of their violent ways that the peace he brings is theirs should they desire it. He has the victory and it doesn't always look like skin staying intact.  That's a hard concept for us. It's not an easy pill to swallow because it sounds upside down. Yet, that's the gospel. Christ died and rose that we may share in his death and resurrection. He promised we'll suffer if we live the life he lived. 1 Peter reminds of that loving conduct may very well end in massacre.  

Can someone who isn't a mass murderer stop a mass murderer with a gun? Yes. Does that mean that killing a killer makes someone a praiseworthy good guy? No. It makes them a killer because they killed. Does that make them a bad guy? No. It makes them a human being who lives by the gun. That doesn't nullify someone's intentions either. People kill other people for what look like good intentions all the time. Whether they are right or wrong is God's decision. I'm not going to pretend that violence doesn't stop possible future violence, but it certainly doesn't stop violence all together, rather it perpetuates it. That's an unavoidable fact. But back to the point...

I will say that those who live by the gun will die by the gun. Those who trust in the horse, chariot, and bow (or tank, nuke, and drone) shall find their trust to be wasted for God alone is our strength and salvation. So pack your heat if you like but if you find that you're too afraid or uncomfortable to be without it then know that you have an idol on your hip, in your purse, in the closet, in the console. Know that, at that point, your god is the gun and it owns you. At that point you need to repent and change your ways because you don't believe in the words of our scriptures. 

Psalm 44:4-8 - "You are my King, O God ordain salvation for Jacob! Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually and we will give thanks to your name forever."

The very sad fact is that many of us in the United States have allowed our guns to be idols. Too many of us cling to our weapons more fiercely than our prayers and scriptures. Instead of having a hope in Christ we've replaced it with a fear in death and reliance on man-made inventions that can make easier the killing process. We think we need guns in the way we need water, food, shelter, and oxygen. We think it'd be wrong and evil to not have them. We couldn't bear to live without these contraptions. Some of us feel that way. That's not okay. 

This isn't a call to total nonviolence. This is a call to look within ourselves and ask what we truly find our rescue in, what we trust, and what we think we need. It's a call to rely upon Jesus and nothing less. If we find that we're worshipping our guns then it's a call to leave the gun and cling to Christ Jesus who dies for us when all we wanted to do was kill him.

May we adopt mentalities that are based upon truth and faith in Christ. May the Spirit help us discern what the balance looks like as we seek justice in a dark world as ambassadors of God's light. May we be the salt of the earth, enriching it, and doing it according to the way of the heavenly kingdom, whatever that looks like. May we be healers and love one another so that Christ is revealed through our love for each other.

The Music of My 2012

Last year I posted about the albums that helped me through a difficult year. 2012 has been remarkably different from 2011 but I can't help but want to share the art that has affected me this year. A lot of the music this year joined me in my triumphs and some has helped me through the pains. In no particular order these are the albums that have had a big impact on my past year.

The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: This has perhaps been the most powerful album I've come across in a long time. The video for the song Wing$ was a brilliant attack against materialism. Macklemore is unafraid to rap about the things you aren't supposed to rap about in the hip-hop world. While I don't agree with everything he says or the way he says it, I respect his boldness, honesty, courage, and artistic integrity. This album makes me want to keep fighting against the evils I see in this world, to be a better Christian, and to get back on my feet when I fail at both. This album is worth buying and might be my favorite hip-hop album of all time (sorry Kanye).

Gravity by Lecrae: This is one of those albums that just continually brings me back to Christ. The music, flow, lyrics, etc. are all very impressive and the message is uncompromisingly evangelistic while not being corny. It makes me realize that I don't need to listen to albums like the one listed below because there are people in this world who make music I can enjoy and be edified by at the same time, without compromise. This album makes me want to be uncompromisingly bold. Admittedly, I've avoided Lecrae for a long time now due to so many Christians singing his praises and due to having poor experiences with "Christian" hip-hop. However, after hearing this album I immediately went and obtained 2 of his other albums and the albums of some guys in his cohort. 

Camp by Childish Gambino: A lot of people don't know that Troy from Community (on NBC) is also a hip-hop artist. Well, this is one of his newer albums and it's free along with all his music. He's vulgar but he might be making some of the best music in the U.S. right now and he's giving it away. Throughout the album he has lyrics discussing the issue of being black but not black enough for black culture while not being white enough for white culture. In many ways he doesn't fit in anywhere he finds himself. That was something that touched my heart. Like Kanye West, he's one of those artists that has some ugly words with beautiful sound and the muddiness of it intrigues me. Also, his music videos are super impressive. Once I got over the fact that this serious rap artist was the hilarious and goofy character on one of my favorite TV comedies I was able to really appreciate the album. However, I find myself unable to listen to much of the time these days due to the amount of vulgarity.

Some Nights by Fun.: This should be album of the year. Hands down, this is one of the most impressive albums I have encountered. I've loved Fun since before they existed because I adored the Format (who I was introduced to in my college years) and this is just a beautiful album. I didn't know I had been waiting for this album until I heard it. It's creative, dramatic, and unlike any other album I've ever listened to. It's full of passion and was an album I was able to yell out in the car. Before I had the words memorized it had me mesmerized.  It gave me something beautiful during some difficult times. I bonded to a deeper degree with a good friend over this album as well and in that regard it was a great service to me. 

Hymns I, II, III, IV, B-Sides, RE:Hymns Re-Imagined, Lullabies by Page CXVI: I lost a friend this year. It was incredibly sad and came at a rough time. As I drove home after hearing the news I listened to Hymns IV and wept like crazy as the truth of the words reminded me of God's beautiful and loving truths. When I wasn't listening to hip-hop in 2012 I was listening to these albums. The hymns kept me centered. When I need calming it is this music that gets me there. Page CXVI is inventive with the way they re-imagine the way to present classic hymns and I appreciate their artistic spirit and commitment to traditional songs that have been such a huge blessing through time. I will buy every album they ever make.

CTRL by Derek Webb: I didn't listen to this album as much as most of the ones listed above but it challenged me to rethink my relationship with technology in some pretty major ways. Actually, this album came out during a time in which I was seriously re-examining my relationship with technology so the timing was incredibly strange. I wasn't sure how I felt about the album at first but it grew on me because of it's impact. It made me think about my personal health and mortality. This album hit my introspective tendencies in a way Webb always does. It's also an album that brings calmness and relaxation for me but never ceases to leave me without worthwhile thoughts spinning through my mind first.

There was a lot of great music in my ears this year but these are the most frequently listened to albums and the ones my mind immediately thinks of when looking back at 2012. I hate to admit it but the honorable mention goes to the debut album by One Direction. I can't lie, it's incredibly catchy and has a youthful and fun spirit about it. Sure, it's shallow and silly but it's just too poppy to not love.