A Letter of Apology

Dear Confused,

You have likely seen my "name changes" over the last few days. As you know, when posting a comment, one is required to have some sort of moniker. "Mike" was fine for me - that is, until I saw how many other Mikes there were. I then changed my name to "The Other Mike." Before I was berated by friends in the blogosphere about how corny the new name was, I changed it to "The Crow."

Yeah! That was it. It was an old nickname. The blog is As The Crow Flies. Everything seemed to fit. And then I remembered a dark film called The Crow from the 90s. I've never seen the movie but the photos allude to a "darkness." Is that really what I want my friends to think when they see The Crow respond to their blog? I think not. I've settled on "crowm". Speak now or forever hold your peace. Do you know of a problem with crowm?

Throughout Scripture, a child's name alluded to her/his destiny. The name "Michael" means "one who is like God." Joshua means "a savior of his people." The followers of Jesus were called "Christians" in Antioch - Christian meaning one who is like Christ.

My wife and I thought for several months about our son's name. We settled on Christian. We want him to know what his name means and how important it was for us to give him that name.

So what's the big deal? Does a name "make" or "break" a person? What's in a name?

Sincerely,
Mike, The Crow, crowm

P.S. I apologize to those of you who have felt like I've had some sort of identity crisis. Hopefully, it's over now.

Is it good to grow?

On 4/18, I posted a question that was asked of me. The question: What's holding you back? My close friend inquired due to being concerned about my spiritual growth. I didn't get much response then (okay, no response), so I thought I would ask again.

What's holding you back? Is it poor choices you make? Is it social injustice? Is it something else? What about future generations? Is there a connection between this discussion and how at times we slow our kids down so that others can catch up?

Have you seen this? This, of course, is physical. How much more important is the question when we consider spirituality? Do I slow down so that others can catch up?

What are your thoughts?

A Hodgepodge of Thoughts

* Alright, this is not the time or place to weigh in on the DNC convention. Although I enjoy watching and studying politics, I'll leave my comments for elsewhere.

** I'm approximately halfway through The Shack. Uhhh, interesting. I'll plan on a review by the end of the week.

*** The Blue Parakeet has yet to arrive. I was really looking forward to the review. I guess I didn't make Zondervan's "cut." It looks like I'll have to splurge in November when the book is released.

**** Part of my study for the Romans class has led me to Roger Olson's Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Olson is a Baptist professor at Baylor but a self-proclaimed Arminian. Although I've read it before, it was more of a cursory read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the Arminian/Calvinist discussion.

***** Football season is just around the corner. High School and college teams begin playing this week. The professionals start the following week. Fans will have great aspirations for their teams. For many the aspirations will wane by halftime. For others, their hope will last the entire season. It's what hope does to people.

Don't you hate a hodgepodge of whatever?

Friday Fodder

Friendship has always been a prayer for my life. I don't mean acquantainces or relationships we have that never seem to move from the shallow end of the pool into something a lot more dangerous. The relationships I think of include transparency, honesty, accountability, etc. These are people who laugh with you and cry with you. They know much about you and love you anyway. Most people believe those relationships to be few and far between.

I've even been told those relationships should be counted on one hand. They're that special. A few people mention their relationship with their spouse being this way. They're blessed. My wife and I have a great relationship. We share many things. However, I'm thinking of men challenging men to be spiritual leaders. Relationships that entail women challenging other women to provide spiritual nourishment for the home.

If God created us to encourage and challenge one another, shouldn't this deep relationship be a huge part of our lives? Is this something we should pray for?

The Next Challenge

I'm between blogging on books. Hopefully, McKnight's The Blue Parakeet will arrive soon and I can weigh in. For the time being, I've finally (after much prompting) picked up The Shack and will post a few times about the work.

The next challenge is teaching a small group through the book of Romans. I've been told many times, "If you want everyone to know what you believe, teach Romans. There will be no doubt." I've done this a few times and have been encouraged each and every time. My faith has become stronger and I pray others have grown closer to Christ as well.

So what about it? Some of you have actually studied the letter with me. What's your take? For those of you preparing, what's the apprehension? For the teachers/preachers in the blogosphere, what's your advice?

The Paraclete (Relationship #12)

Sweet leaves the best for last. Traveling toward the crucifixion, Jesus promised His followers of a paraclete - a comforter, helper, and guide. Upon receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 2). Wherever we go, whatever we do, God's presence lives within us.

He guides in the sense of letting our conscience know the difference between right and wrong. He brings conviction when and where its needed. Our prayer should be the same as John. "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

The paraclete also is a friend who comes along side us in life. God has said, "I will never leave you nor will I forsake you" (Dt. 31:6,8; Josh. 1:5). Even though the the Peters, Rhodas, Judas', and Jethros of our lives will let us down, the paraclete (God with us) will never be unfaithful.

Finally, the paraclete is our comforter - not in the sense that He's our slave providing a cold drink, a warm blanket, or a pillow for our weary head. The presence of God in our lives comforts us in that He goes before and behind. He protects us and provides providence. As the Apostle Paul said, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31)

Scripture calls Abraham a friend of God (Is. 41:8). The Gospel is exactly that message. Each one of us can be a friend of God. As Sweet says, "The secret of a happy life is friendship with God" (219).

Too many people believe God to be a standoffish, powerful ogre, just waiting for someone to mess up so that He can make the record straight. When we understand this most important relationship with that of the Paraclete/Holy Spirit, it reidentifies our lives in Christ. God is still all-powerful and holy. That's what makes His offer of being His friend (the Gospel message) so amazing.

Friday Fodder

Etymology is the study of words and how they evolve into meanings different than the original. The meaning of words can also remain constant but how we choose to use them in language might change. For example, does the word "commitment" mean something different than it did fifty years ago? 20 years ago? What about the word "loyalty"? Any change in meaning or how we choose to use that word?

Recently, I've thought much about commitment and loyalty. It seems in present day society, we're only commited to what seems to be convenient for us. One might consider the divorce rate and how the number has seen a sharp incline over recent decates.

Loyalty seems to have changed recently as well. While growing up, I was taught to fulfill your obligations, persevere to the end, and support the small business man who is just trying to make a living. Twenty years later, our society has welcomed commercialization. The small business man has closed shop for the mega store(s).

Many times our attitudes have become "I'll be committed as long as its convenient. I'll persevere until it gets to uncomfortable. I'm loyal until someone or something better comes along." What will societies view of commitment and loyalty look like 20years or 50 years from now? In other words, what are our future generations learning from us today?

When I think about the Bride of Christ, sadly I see no difference than the above. The divorce rate among Christians is similar to that of unbelievers. Church hopping seems to be at an all-time high. Too many believers live with an attitude of "que sara sara - what will be will be". We act like we're in first grade by taking our toys and going home, just because things didn't go our way.

So how 'bout it? Am I making too much of this? Or is something we should be concerned about? Thoughts?