Created for Relationship

We all know independent people. Shae is one of those people. When it comes to changing the oil in the truck, she can do it. When something needs to be done, give her enough time and its accomplished. You've been warned not to challenge her with, "That can't be done!" She will prove you wrong. She will either do it or find someone who will. I have to admit, when I try to do some of those things, I screw it up worse than it was. Eventually, it's time to find someone else to fix the problem.

For the most part, independence is a good thing. But more importantly, we need those we can count on to encourage us to live to our highest potential. We get to the point where we can't accomplish tasks on our own. Even the most independent people eventually need other resources. I need you and you need me.

Fact is: Mankind was created for community. Consider the examples of the Trinity, Adam and Eve, God and the Israelites, Jesus and the Church, marriage, the nuclear family, and _____________(add your own example here).

Americana has led us to believe "To accept, or worse yet, to request help signifies a weakness." How wrong we are when we buy into this idea. Christian pollster George Barna found 1 out of 6 believers has no accountability relationship with another believer.

It's just another way we've allowed society to infiltrate the Church.

Expelled!

The wife and I took our annual trip to the "cinema house" this afternoon. After seeing the trailer and reading the reviews of Ben Stein's "Expelled," I had to see for myself.

The Mrs. is not a Ben Stein fan. Needless to say, I was happy the film wasn't as dry as it could have been. Stein does a great job with a serious topic, while making me chuckle from time to time.

This is a movie everyone should see! I'll make you a deal. You buy the popcorn and I'll buy your ticket. Nah, I really don't need the popcorn. But I'll STILL buy your ticket. Go see it!

Respond?

Being reconciled to God is an amazing thing. I've been saved through faith, and this is not my own doing; it is the the gift of God (Eph 2:8).

What will I do with the gift?

The Sovereignty of God

Some of you know I meet with some "Senior Saints" on Wednesday afternoons. Our conversations tend to be passionate about what they've been taught for many years, biases (theirs and mine) and how might those things be or not be a reflection of Christ. Yesterday was no exception.

We were discussing tragedy and the conversation turned to the Sovereignty of God. The discussion seemed to center on one important question. "Does God cause tragedies or does He allow them to happen?" Among those that were most vocal, there seemed to be an even split as to how many held each belief.

On the one hand, God's Sovereignty was defined as God being the creator and originator of all things. In other words, God is responsible for all we see so that He will be glorified. On the other hand, the argument was "God allows man free choice." In other words, God's creation was perfect, but because of man's free choice, God allowed man to "mess it up."

I take the latter view. I believe wholeheartedly that God gives man free choice to accept or reject His grace and love. I believe Adam and Eve came to a "fork in the road", when tempted by the serpent. Life was found on one path (obedience to God); death waited for them on the other (disobedience). After choosing the wrong path and experiencing the consequences, mankind has been incapable of life as it was intended. It's for that reason that man needs a Savior.

I understand my "Sovereigntists" friends would disagree. I hear them saying, "Allowing man a choice is existential or humanistic." I respectfully respond, "In allowing man to choose, God doesn't forfeit His sovereignty. He's still God and God alone. It's when man is given a choice and makes the right decision (obedience to God) that God is glorified all the more.

Take your blood pressure medication and let me hear your "beef".

Amazing Love

A small group I'm involved in has been studying the book of Hosea. Today, we look at the restoration of Israel. The restoration is based on nothing but God's grace and love. Considering that Israel continued to turn their "back" on God, it's amazing that He continues to love them.

You've probably noticed I've been reading through Ezekiel during my time alone with God. The similarities with Hosea are numerous. God points to life. Israel rebels and does her own thing. The consequences are harsh but deserving. Israel is restored in chapter 36.

I'm currently preaching through some of the Psalms. I was led to Psalm 90 for this week. The Psalmist declares God and His prominence, power, and providence. The people of God have been unfaithful and see God as the faithful One. The Psalm is concluded by praying for God's deliverance.

I mention these as a group for a reason. Regarding the similarities, I don't believe it's a coincidence. God's grace is made new to me everyday. Even though I continue to choose my ways over God's ways, God restores that which is lost. Even though I'm undeserving, God continues to provide life. Wow! It seems so simple to say, "What an amazing love."

More New Christians

One of the critiques of the Emergent Movement is "Because they're for everything, they don't stand for anything." Chapter 4 of The New Christians is about theology and specifically how theology should play a part in the world.

Jones attempts to argue Emergents believe theology is constantly changing. In other words, the failure to constantly filter theology through the context one finds himself in is harmful to he and the church as a whole. An example Jones gives is the Left Behind novels. How many people developed at least a part of their theology based upon what they read?

I know of people in churches that read the latest and greatest on the best seller list at the local Christian bookstore. Sadly, they're not sure how to filter what they read. Does it really add up to what Scripture teaches? And for that reason, their theology (as fragile as it is) is affected.

I'm with Jones in this chapter: "Good theology begets beautiful Christianity. Bad theology begets ugly Christianity."

Check'em Out!

A couple of people have enjoyed the blog (or so they say). I'm glad you check it out and try to understand what's bouncing around in my head.

Let me also attempt to get you to check out a couple of my favorite blogs.

Brent Bullock has several blogs. I follow www.knowtheblessing.blogspot.com

Brandon Groome (a good friend who pastors Town West Church in Taylor) is now blogging. It looks like the intent is to give the church a "heads up" on what they'll be discussing. But he also has posts that make you think. Check it out at www.crossexamined.wordpress.com

Jesus Creed is a blog that deals with theology, life, and the church in general. The author is Scot McKnight, a professor in the Chicago area. Needless to say, I spend alot of time here. www.jesuscreed.com

For your convenience, all three are listed on the "Blogroll" on the upper left hand corner of As The Crow Flies. Enjoy!

More "Fodder"

Here's something to chew on:

I was recently asked by a close friend, "What's holding you back?" It was, of course, in the context of becoming more like Christ? After thinking about it for a few days and being brutally honest with myself and God, I'll leave it with you.

What's holding you back?

Miguel we have a problem!

During a small group yesterday, we looked at the accounts of The Rich Young Man (Mt. 19:16-30; cf. Mk. 10 and Lk. 18) and the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37). We talked specifically about how both accounts deal with simple obedience. Jesus tells the young man to "Keep the commandments" and the lawyer "Do this (love God and love others) and you will live."

Both men want more. They're not satisfied with how Jesus answers the question. He's telling them the secret to life is simple obedience - trouble is, they wanted to do something.

It's not until we understand there's nothing we can do that we can experience true life. Paul says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).

Just like the two men we discussed yesterday, I need to understand salvation includes being saved from myself. In other words, I have to recognize the problem is me.

"The Church is dead!"

Jones argues that the conventional way of doing church dissolved with pay phones. He maintains the biggest issue for the church is one of identity. Those on the left have become so accepting of everything, they've sold even foundational doctrines. Those on the right are so fundamental they scare off those who aren't legalists.

Jones says the Emergent movement is somewhere in the middle of the two. Because the left and right have become so rabid about their views, the divide has deeply hurt any chance for the Church to have a voice in society. For that reason, the emergents want to be seen as inclusivists.

Is he on to something?

Emergent

I've been reading Tony Jones' The New Christians the last few days. To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've read blogs by emergents like Jones, Bryan McClaren, and Doug Pagitt. But comparing blogs to a book is like comparing the "kiddie pool" to the 16 foot high dive. I hope to post some of Jones' ideas here and get your thoughts over the next few weeks.

Friday Fodder

Every Friday, I've decided to post a little "fodder." Fodder, for those of you who don't know, is food (most of the time coarse food for livestock). The idea is to provide questions for you to chew on. In other words, why do we do what we do? Why do you believe what you believe? How does it affect your life? So...here goes.

Tradition: Good, Bad, or indifferent? Is tradition something that should be a part of the Church? Are there traditions that you participate in but wouldn't "push" on someone else?

Tell me what ya think!

Accountability

This is an area of life where we aren't comfortable. Check out the "Secrets" post at www.KnowtheBlessing.com

Accountability is returning to the way things are supposed to be - transparency, honesty, integrity. That's why it makes fallen man uncomfortable. We really are used to hiding parts of our lives from others.

I ran across the following accountability questions. Are you willing to be this honest?

1. Have you spent time in God's word and in prayer at least 5 times this week?
2. Have you shown your spouse the affection that God asks since last time we met?
3. Have you spent quality time with your children?
4. Have you lost your temper since the last time we met?
5. Have you found yourself lusting after anyone since we last met?
6. Have you looked at porn?
7. Have you honored God with your finances (what you've kept, what you've spent)?
8. Have you eaten healthy? exercised?
9. Have you misrepresented any of your answers?
10. What areas do you need prayer?

Again, are you willing to be this honest? Am I?

John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Dangerous? (3)

Alright already! This is the last post on apathy. I'm not sure I care about it anyway. Just kidding!

"What I really lack is to be clear in my mind what I am to do, not what I am to know...The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do...to find the idea for which I can live and die."
Soren Kierkegaard

A lack of vision leads to apathy. But is vision something we create in ourselves?

I think of Saul on the road to Damascus. He was blinded by a light and met Jesus. He was told, "Get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do." (Acts 9:6 NRSV) We know Paul was changed from that very day and preached the Good News to the Gentiles.

Joshua and Caleb reported the land they had been promised was "an exceedingly good land." Nehemiah prayed and fasted and then said, "Let's rebuild the wall!" Stephen, the first martyr, saw heaven opened and cried, "Lord don't hold this sin against them!"

There are tons of other examples. In each of these situations, it was God who established the vision. Once the vision was established, it was up to those receiving it to see the vision to completion.

It's more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's the difference between living and dying. When God gives the vision, there are no other options. Jesus said we must be willing to die. I believe he means both spiritually and physically.

After all, the vision God gives needs no corrective lenses.

Becoming Like Jesus

I was asked last week, "Why should I confess my sins to someone else? I've already confessed to God. That's all that matters." We discussed the practicality of James when he writes of the "Prayer of Faith" in chapter 5.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:13-16)

James is writing of two different kinds of "sick" - one of physical ailments, the other, being spiritual. It was common among Jews in the ANE to believe all sickness was caused by sin. For this reason, James encourages readers to "come clean" and confess everything that is hindering spiritual growth.

Many Christians like to talk about accountability but the practice of confessing sins is much less popular. Case in point: the conversation last week was between myself and a person who has believed for decades. "I've confessed to God. That's all I need to do."

What's our issues with true accountability? More on this later...

Dangerous? (2)

John Eldredge writes in The Journey of Desire, "The greatest enemy of holiness is not passion; it is apathy." What's behind his comment is the belief that complacency has permeated even those in the Church. In other words, postmodernism has encouraged even believers to become less passionate about the things we used to care immensely about.

We hang pictures in our churches of what we think Jesus looked like. The pictures depict Jesus with docile lambs or children. After all, he's the giver of peace, right? After our own indoctrination, Jesus becomes the peaceloving pacifist always against controversy. We have an allusion of God in the Old Testament being the God of justice and wrath. In the New Testament, God becomes for us the "God of grace and peace." Deep down inside, we think of Jesus lacking any emotion. We glance over the temple narratives where Jesus threw the moneychangers out.

The fact is God showed just as much grace and peace in the Old Testament as He does in the New Testament. God shows as much justice in the New Testament as He did in the Old Testament. God created mankind in His image (Gen. 1:26). He created us with emotions. Psalm 69:9 reads, "It is zeal for your house that has consumed me." In the New Testament, we read, "The Lord is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentence." (2 Pet. 3:9)

Obviously, God in the flesh (Jesus Christ) was and is concerned about what God the Father was and is concerned about - the souls of mankind, the way man lives, and restoring things to the way they should be.


Surely, he expects the same from us!

Power Belongs...

Power is a strange thing. It can be used to make changes in one's life. For example, someone who has resources chooses to use them to feed the poor or clothe the naked. On the other hand, power can go to one's head and lead to their demise.

John writes of Jesus standing before Pilate after Jesus has been arrested. The Jews had played a huge part in His arrest but were not "pemitted to put anyone to death" (Jn. 18:31). It was for this reason He was brought to a Roman governor who had been given "power" by man to execute or pardon.

Again and again, Pilate says there seems to be no basis for the charges leveled against Jesus. He tells the Jewish officials to take Jesus and crucify Him themselves. After another objection from the Jews, Pilate questions Jesus about His origination. Jesus chooses to remain silent and an interesting dialogue is recorded.

"Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, 'You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.'"

The prophets speak of the fall and rise of nations. It seems that when man is trusted with power the destruction is swift and fatal. However, when man recognizes true power comes from Yahweh, things go well.

Jesus says things like we must come to God as children, the first must be last, and go and serve. Paul speaks of Jesus laying his power aside (emptying Himself) (Phil. 2:7). Jesus prays prior to the crucifixion, "...yet not my will but yours be done" (Lk. 22:42).

Life entails laying down power so that the One who has true power will be glorified. We can recognize His power now and cry "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty" or we will do so later (Rom. 14:9, Phil. 2:10-11, Is. 45:23).

In a world focused on material posessions, man's definition of success, and the "me" generation(s), it's time to recognize true power and to whom it belongs.

Dangerous?

I've been wondering something. Maybe you can help me out. How dangerous is apathy? Is it more or less dangerous in the church?

Recently, I was reminded of how Satan attacks. Many believers believe Satan to "play fair." To think Satan is on the "up and up" is pretty foolish. Satan rarely attacks from the front. He attacks from the side and the rear more often. Worse yet, if Satan can get believers to think no attack is coming at all, he's close to victory.

I'm convinced that apathy is one of the many ploys Satan uses to attract believers. How many of us are sitting in churches just "going through the motions"? How many of us are sitting in church because that's just what we do? How many of us think church is a building somewhere? How many of us are passionate about hobbies, our favorite sports team, or our families and yet the passion wanes when it comes to a relationship with Christ?

Since Adam and Eve ate from the tree, there's been something missing. The problem is mankind isn't really sure what that something is. We attempt to fill the void with things of the world. When those things don't work, we relegate ourselves to complacency and apathy.

Could it be that apathy is even more dangerous than doing something wrong? Thoughts?

Qualifying the Called

I was on the way home from church Sunday when asked by my four year-old son, "When did Jesus die?" Usually, he's concerned about "Who's playing?" while referring to the football or baseball game on. In other words, I was somewhat surprised when he asked the question. I've included the dialogue here.

Christian: When did Jesus die?

Dad: Oh...about two thousand years ago. A long time ago.

Christian: And then he came alive again?

Dad: That's right. After three days, Jesus was alive again. And he talked to his friends and family.

Christian: Why did those men kill him?

Dad: Because they were mean. They didn't like him. He said he was God.

Christian: Dad, where's Jesus?

Dad: In heaven. And one day he's coming here again.

Christian: Oh. Wanna play football when we get home?
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I was reminded of an old song - maybe by Ray Bolz. Thank you for giving to the Lord. The song talks about the importance of Sunday school teachers, volunteers, etc. It's really a powerful song.
I thank God often for those who had an impact on my life as a child. The foundation they laid (through God of course) was huge! I realize they probably weren't the most comfortable teaching. But they felt called. I'm glad they were obedient.
Now I thank God for my kid's teachers. Those who break down the Gospel so that a four year-old begins to understand. Wow! God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called!