At youth group tonight, we watched a video of Louie Giglio speaking entitled "Indescribable." Louie is the founder and leader of the Passion movement that hosts conferences/worship events for young adults and is well-known for their worship CDs featuring the likes of Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redman and Steve Fee. This particular talk borrows its title from a Chris Tomlin song of the same name.
In it, Louie desribes the vastness of the universe, talking in terms of light years and billions of stars in a galaxy. He effectively uses pictures of various celestial bodies to help convey his message. One of the images is of the earth, taken from Voyager about 20 years ago, at very long distance so that the earth looks like a tiny speck of dust in a stream of sunlight. It was definitely a powerful image of how small we are in comparison to the hugeness of the universe.
One of my favorite things that he said was if the reason that God created the universe was to make our night sky look pretty and to have a place for the earth to be, then God did it too big - something much smaller would have sufficed. But if God created the universe, as the psalms tell us, to declare the glory of God, then it is probably just about the right size!
At the end of his talk, we were reminded that God, the creator of this "ginormous" universe, took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and gave his life because of God's great love for us. That, my friends, is a love that is indeed indescribable!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Facing the Giants
We had a Family Movie Night this evening at church. It was a lot of fun, and really good to get together with no real agenda or business to do and simply enjoy some entertainment together. I think we definitely need more of that!
We watched the movie Facing the Giants, which was put together by Sherwood Pictures, who are the same folks who did Fireproof and Flywheel. It is basically a ministry out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. To be honest, the film was not on par technically with movies from bigger studios: the acting, directing, producing, writing, etc. But, it wasn't awful. In fact, it was good enough that by the end of the movie, it didn't really bother me anymore.
But there were some things about the movie that did bother me. Actually, I suppose it is just one thing when you boil it down. I thought the film portrayed a really poor theology and view of how God works in the world. Now, everyone I talked to after the viewing really enjoyed the movie, so I'm sure not everyone will agree with me, but I do feel like I should put what I thought about it out there.
The movie centers on the character Grant Taylor, who is a high school football coach. Everything is going badly for Grant - his team is not very good, his players are transfering to other schools, his car keeps breaking down, his house needs work done, and his wife has been unable to conceive a child after four years of trying. Grant comes to a breaking point where he blames himself for all of these failings and then prays to God asking for help. God responds and everything changes: his team starts winning, revival breaks out at the school, someone gives him a brand new truck, his house is in good shape, and in the end his wife gets pregnant.
It was a touching, heart-warming, and even inspiring story. I'll be honest, I got choked up a couple of times (I mean, if I can't make it through Rudy without crying, I didn't have much of a chance here). But the message of the movie and the underlying theological assumptions really do trouble me. The movie basically says that if you trust in God and do all that you do to glorify God, then God will bless you and take away your troubles. And I think there are a lot of people out there who believe that and a lot of pastors out there who preach that. But it's simply not true.
I have seen people with great faith and trust in God endure horrible tragedies. Others who just can't seem to catch a break. Many who live in poverty and struggle every day. Some who are persecuted for their faith. I could go on and on, and I think anyone reading this could as well. Faith in God simply does not equate with success in life. It is not true in our experiences, and it certainly isn't true in Scripture. Jesus tells us that we must take up our cross and follow after him - not that we will be rewarded with success. He tells us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first, that the greatest among us must become servants. Looking at Jesus' example, I sometimes wonder why any of us would want to follow after him - he was not welcome in his hometown, he had no place to lay his head, the people in power plotted against him, the crowds demanded much of him, and his ministry and teaching ultimately led to his suffering and death sentence. Quite a difference picture than what the movie paints!
Now, certainly, some people who follow Christ do find success in this life. And some people who don't follow Christ also find success in this life. The Lord makes the sun to shine upon the just and the unjust. Part of what the theology in the movie does, though, is convince us that if we are not successful in life, then that means our faith is not strong enough. And this is just plain wrong, unhealthy, unscriptural, and all around bad! The way God works in the world is not some simplistic transaction that goes something like this: the more you love, serve, and have faith in God, the more good stuff God does for you. One prayer does not equal one blessing. One good deed does not equal one little bit more of success. God's math is much different than ours.
In the end, I think the theology of Facing the Giants that is very popular among Christians today is actually quite harmful. It gives Christians a poor understanding of who God is and sets us up to have unrealistic expectations about what it means to follow Jesus Christ. And it turns non-Christians who have any sense about how complicated and complex life can be away from our faith because it is way too simplistic and not at all true to life. But it is easy and sounds nice. May we have the courage to be real rather than easy and nice.
We watched the movie Facing the Giants, which was put together by Sherwood Pictures, who are the same folks who did Fireproof and Flywheel. It is basically a ministry out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. To be honest, the film was not on par technically with movies from bigger studios: the acting, directing, producing, writing, etc. But, it wasn't awful. In fact, it was good enough that by the end of the movie, it didn't really bother me anymore.
But there were some things about the movie that did bother me. Actually, I suppose it is just one thing when you boil it down. I thought the film portrayed a really poor theology and view of how God works in the world. Now, everyone I talked to after the viewing really enjoyed the movie, so I'm sure not everyone will agree with me, but I do feel like I should put what I thought about it out there.
The movie centers on the character Grant Taylor, who is a high school football coach. Everything is going badly for Grant - his team is not very good, his players are transfering to other schools, his car keeps breaking down, his house needs work done, and his wife has been unable to conceive a child after four years of trying. Grant comes to a breaking point where he blames himself for all of these failings and then prays to God asking for help. God responds and everything changes: his team starts winning, revival breaks out at the school, someone gives him a brand new truck, his house is in good shape, and in the end his wife gets pregnant.
It was a touching, heart-warming, and even inspiring story. I'll be honest, I got choked up a couple of times (I mean, if I can't make it through Rudy without crying, I didn't have much of a chance here). But the message of the movie and the underlying theological assumptions really do trouble me. The movie basically says that if you trust in God and do all that you do to glorify God, then God will bless you and take away your troubles. And I think there are a lot of people out there who believe that and a lot of pastors out there who preach that. But it's simply not true.
I have seen people with great faith and trust in God endure horrible tragedies. Others who just can't seem to catch a break. Many who live in poverty and struggle every day. Some who are persecuted for their faith. I could go on and on, and I think anyone reading this could as well. Faith in God simply does not equate with success in life. It is not true in our experiences, and it certainly isn't true in Scripture. Jesus tells us that we must take up our cross and follow after him - not that we will be rewarded with success. He tells us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first, that the greatest among us must become servants. Looking at Jesus' example, I sometimes wonder why any of us would want to follow after him - he was not welcome in his hometown, he had no place to lay his head, the people in power plotted against him, the crowds demanded much of him, and his ministry and teaching ultimately led to his suffering and death sentence. Quite a difference picture than what the movie paints!
Now, certainly, some people who follow Christ do find success in this life. And some people who don't follow Christ also find success in this life. The Lord makes the sun to shine upon the just and the unjust. Part of what the theology in the movie does, though, is convince us that if we are not successful in life, then that means our faith is not strong enough. And this is just plain wrong, unhealthy, unscriptural, and all around bad! The way God works in the world is not some simplistic transaction that goes something like this: the more you love, serve, and have faith in God, the more good stuff God does for you. One prayer does not equal one blessing. One good deed does not equal one little bit more of success. God's math is much different than ours.
In the end, I think the theology of Facing the Giants that is very popular among Christians today is actually quite harmful. It gives Christians a poor understanding of who God is and sets us up to have unrealistic expectations about what it means to follow Jesus Christ. And it turns non-Christians who have any sense about how complicated and complex life can be away from our faith because it is way too simplistic and not at all true to life. But it is easy and sounds nice. May we have the courage to be real rather than easy and nice.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Percy Jackson
Nancy and I were able to go on a date tonight thanks to Ms. Mike's volunteering to hang out with Becca for the evening. We had a wonderful night together going out to eat, seeing a movie, and even getting dessert afterwards. It was so nice to have a few hours to ourselves and to be able to spend some "couple time" together.
We saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. The youth group had gone to see it a couple of Sundays ago and everyone I talked to said it was good, so we thought we would give it a shot. We both enjoyed it. Now, it won't win any Academy Awards for acting, directing, or writing, but it was a fun film.
The basic premise is that Percy Jackson, a present-day teenager, is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and a human mother, making him a demi-god. He is not alone as a demi-god, but there are many others in the world along with various mythical creatures. Someone has stolen the lightning from Zeus, and Percy is accused, so he sets out on a quest to get to the bottom of the mystery and save his kidnapped mother and the world in the process.
One of the elements of ancient Greek and Roman mythology that gets highlighted in the film is the selfish and petty nature of the gods. They get angry and fight with one another not caring what consequences this may bring for the world, they accuse others of wrongdoing, they make rules to spite one another, and they have multiple intimate relationships and neglect their children. In other words, they act very human.
I am struck by the different picture that the Bible paints of God. Sure, there are times when God acts much like we would in the Bible, but there are also many times where it is clear that being God sets God apart from human selfishness and fallenness. God is defined by love, mercy, justice, righteousness, and grace. How many of us truly embody those virtues? I know I don't, but I am thankful that I worship and serve a God who does - a God who isn't as much like me as the gods and goddesses of ancient mythology were.
We saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. The youth group had gone to see it a couple of Sundays ago and everyone I talked to said it was good, so we thought we would give it a shot. We both enjoyed it. Now, it won't win any Academy Awards for acting, directing, or writing, but it was a fun film.
The basic premise is that Percy Jackson, a present-day teenager, is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and a human mother, making him a demi-god. He is not alone as a demi-god, but there are many others in the world along with various mythical creatures. Someone has stolen the lightning from Zeus, and Percy is accused, so he sets out on a quest to get to the bottom of the mystery and save his kidnapped mother and the world in the process.
One of the elements of ancient Greek and Roman mythology that gets highlighted in the film is the selfish and petty nature of the gods. They get angry and fight with one another not caring what consequences this may bring for the world, they accuse others of wrongdoing, they make rules to spite one another, and they have multiple intimate relationships and neglect their children. In other words, they act very human.
I am struck by the different picture that the Bible paints of God. Sure, there are times when God acts much like we would in the Bible, but there are also many times where it is clear that being God sets God apart from human selfishness and fallenness. God is defined by love, mercy, justice, righteousness, and grace. How many of us truly embody those virtues? I know I don't, but I am thankful that I worship and serve a God who does - a God who isn't as much like me as the gods and goddesses of ancient mythology were.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Big 3-0
Today is my 30th birthday. Leading up to today, I thought that I would feel old and maybe even freak out a little bit, but neither has happened. People will sometimes point to birthdays as significant life-markers, and up until now, most of those milestones have been positive. At 13, you are a teenager. At 16, you can get your license. At 18, you can vote. At 21, you can drink (which didn't really impact me, but whatever). At 25, your car insurance premium decreases. But, from now until retirement age, birthdays aren't such positive markers.
As I reflected more on this, I've decided that events in my life are better markers that birthdays. Two of the most significant events in my life happened in my twenties: marrying Nancy and becoming a father to Becca. I am sure, though, that other wonderful things will happen in thirties.
I guess part of the deal with turning 30 is not so much that you are old, but it's that you aren't young any more. There is obviously some debate as to when "middle age" begins, but I would guess a lot of people point to age 30. For me, though, I think it really began when Becca was born. Life really did change for me then. The innocence, freedom, and frivolity of youth gave way to responsibility. And that's not a bad thing, please don't hear me as saying it is bad. It's just different. So, I don't think I left youth behind when I turned 30 today, I left it behind awhile ago when Becca was born (and much longer ago if you use hair loss as your guide).
But turning 30 is significant to me in one other way. Jesus was 30 when he began his ministry. That was the age that Jewish men in the first century were considered to be full adults, when they would leave behind their apprenticeships and make a life for themselves. And so it was with Jesus. And within a very short amount of time, he was spreading the good news of the reign of God, feeding thousands of people, doing miraculous healings, and calling and equipping disciples who would continue his mission and ministry after he was gone - people who were so dedicated that most of them would lose their lives because of it.
And so I am left wondering, What am I doing now that I am thirty? I know I'm not Jesus, but I am called to imitate and emulate him. Am I really having an impact in the world for Jesus' sake? Or, perhaps a better way to phrase it, is God using me to bear good fruit?
Today, I am thirty years old. May God use me for the work of the Gospel.
As I reflected more on this, I've decided that events in my life are better markers that birthdays. Two of the most significant events in my life happened in my twenties: marrying Nancy and becoming a father to Becca. I am sure, though, that other wonderful things will happen in thirties.
I guess part of the deal with turning 30 is not so much that you are old, but it's that you aren't young any more. There is obviously some debate as to when "middle age" begins, but I would guess a lot of people point to age 30. For me, though, I think it really began when Becca was born. Life really did change for me then. The innocence, freedom, and frivolity of youth gave way to responsibility. And that's not a bad thing, please don't hear me as saying it is bad. It's just different. So, I don't think I left youth behind when I turned 30 today, I left it behind awhile ago when Becca was born (and much longer ago if you use hair loss as your guide).
But turning 30 is significant to me in one other way. Jesus was 30 when he began his ministry. That was the age that Jewish men in the first century were considered to be full adults, when they would leave behind their apprenticeships and make a life for themselves. And so it was with Jesus. And within a very short amount of time, he was spreading the good news of the reign of God, feeding thousands of people, doing miraculous healings, and calling and equipping disciples who would continue his mission and ministry after he was gone - people who were so dedicated that most of them would lose their lives because of it.
And so I am left wondering, What am I doing now that I am thirty? I know I'm not Jesus, but I am called to imitate and emulate him. Am I really having an impact in the world for Jesus' sake? Or, perhaps a better way to phrase it, is God using me to bear good fruit?
Today, I am thirty years old. May God use me for the work of the Gospel.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thankful
Today, I am thankful for my sweet wife Nancy, who has taken care of Becca all day while I have been sick, and even went to the church and did some cleaning and sorting in the nursery with Julie. What a fantastic lady - I am so blessed to be married to her!
And I am thankful for physicians who can identify sinus infections and write prescriptions for medicines that will heal. When you think about it, that is a pretty amazing thing!
And I am thankful right now for chicken nuggets, because Becca is actually eating them for dinner! Our little girl has come a long way with her feeding, especially in the last few weeks with feeding therapy. She now loves to chow down on fresh strawberries and chicken nuggets!
And I am thankful for capable and competent leaders in our church, who can carry out meetings that will push our ministry forward when I am not feeling well enough to attend. Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Psalm 107:1 - O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
And I am thankful for physicians who can identify sinus infections and write prescriptions for medicines that will heal. When you think about it, that is a pretty amazing thing!
And I am thankful right now for chicken nuggets, because Becca is actually eating them for dinner! Our little girl has come a long way with her feeding, especially in the last few weeks with feeding therapy. She now loves to chow down on fresh strawberries and chicken nuggets!
And I am thankful for capable and competent leaders in our church, who can carry out meetings that will push our ministry forward when I am not feeling well enough to attend. Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Psalm 107:1 - O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sick
I feel bleh, which is different than blah. Blah is fairly neutral - not good but not awful. But I feel bleh...not good. I had a fever of 100.6 earlier this afternoon before I took some Tylenol and a nap. I feel achy and have the chills. I am tired and lethargic, but still have an appetite. I've got a little bit of drainage, but nothing major. No cough, really - Becca has a cough but I don't. Any idea what I have? I never did get around to getting my flu shot...may have been a big mistake!
I really dislike being sick. It's actually one of my least favorite things in the world. And I feel a little guilty about it, because I know that there are many people, in the world that are much sicker than I am. People whose illness is life-threatening, debilitating, and/or extremely painful. And I hate it for those people, I really do. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but as I am not feeling 100%, there's a good chance it might be coming across that way. I apologize for that.
Anyways, being sick. No fun at all. It's funny how when I am sick, it pretty much takes over my life. I'm not really able to think about other things, focus, or accomplish much. All I can do is be sick. And that stinks. John Wesley often used imagery of illness for sin, and I think the metaphor holds true here. When we are stuck in sin, it pretty much consumes our life, especially certain kinds of sin. So I pray for the Great Physician to bring healing into my life and yours - both for our physical sicknesses, but even more importantly for our spiritual disease.
I really dislike being sick. It's actually one of my least favorite things in the world. And I feel a little guilty about it, because I know that there are many people, in the world that are much sicker than I am. People whose illness is life-threatening, debilitating, and/or extremely painful. And I hate it for those people, I really do. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but as I am not feeling 100%, there's a good chance it might be coming across that way. I apologize for that.
Anyways, being sick. No fun at all. It's funny how when I am sick, it pretty much takes over my life. I'm not really able to think about other things, focus, or accomplish much. All I can do is be sick. And that stinks. John Wesley often used imagery of illness for sin, and I think the metaphor holds true here. When we are stuck in sin, it pretty much consumes our life, especially certain kinds of sin. So I pray for the Great Physician to bring healing into my life and yours - both for our physical sicknesses, but even more importantly for our spiritual disease.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Psalm 44
The evening psalm from the Daily Office for today is Psalm 44. You can read it by clicking here. The psalm begins by recalling some of the amazing things that God has done in the past, that the author was told about by his ancestors. The psalmist then laments his present circumstances, declaring in verse 15, "All day long my disgrace is before me and shame has covered my face." Sounds pretty bleak to me. In the end, the cry goes up for God to awaken and come to their rescue.
As I reflected on this psalm, it made me think of our circumstances at Bethpage UMC. Many from the congregation have been quick to think back on days with a previous beloved pastor with great fondness and describe them in idyllic fashion. Laments were offered about the recent past and the present, sometimes suggesting that things should just go back to the way they were. And many of these folks have, sadly, left the church.
I wonder if they missed the last step from this psalm: to cry out for help from God and to wait for it. Because, you know what, help has come to us. There is a new energy, passion, and Spirit at Bethpage UMC. God is on the move, and it is exciting to be part of it. Our worship services have been enlivened, we have some small groups going for Lent that are studying about spiritual gifts, and the rebirth of WOW is just around the corner. God has indeed heard the cry and the prayer of those who have stood firm and stayed with the church through some difficult times. I give thanks for those who would not be swayed by circumstances but remained even though it would have probably been easier to leave. And I believe God is rewarding their faithfulness.
As I reflected on this psalm, it made me think of our circumstances at Bethpage UMC. Many from the congregation have been quick to think back on days with a previous beloved pastor with great fondness and describe them in idyllic fashion. Laments were offered about the recent past and the present, sometimes suggesting that things should just go back to the way they were. And many of these folks have, sadly, left the church.
I wonder if they missed the last step from this psalm: to cry out for help from God and to wait for it. Because, you know what, help has come to us. There is a new energy, passion, and Spirit at Bethpage UMC. God is on the move, and it is exciting to be part of it. Our worship services have been enlivened, we have some small groups going for Lent that are studying about spiritual gifts, and the rebirth of WOW is just around the corner. God has indeed heard the cry and the prayer of those who have stood firm and stayed with the church through some difficult times. I give thanks for those who would not be swayed by circumstances but remained even though it would have probably been easier to leave. And I believe God is rewarding their faithfulness.
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