The Joplin Tornado – Thinking Out Loud

I’m sure you’ve heard news of the Tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on May 22nd (yesterday, as I’m writing this) that is now officially the deadliest tornado to hit the U.S. since 1953.

I want to be in Joplin.



I have many friends and some family that live in Joplin, which is a little over an hour drive away from my house. They are all okay. In fact, I have yet to hear from anyone I know personally that has lost any physical possessions.

But, I see the pictures and the videos; the destruction, the loss, the hurting.

I want to be in Joplin.

I have friends who are in Joplin to volunteer, friends that are taking supplies.
I am sitting inside watching it pour down rain 80 miles away. And it’s driving me crazy.

In 2 Corinthians Paul affirms that we are given comfort for the purpose of comforting others. In 1 John we’re told that meeting the physical needs of others is a sign that God’s love is alive in us. Jesus himself says we will be held accountable for the times we provided (or didn’t) for those who are hungry, thirsty and need to be clothed (Matt 25). One of John the Baptist’s examples of repentance was for the man with two coats to give one away (Luke 3).

Those are just a few examples that show that having a desire to help those in need is good. And if we don’t feel any such desire, that’s a bad sign of our spiritual state.

But I had another thought.

What if my desire to be there now is more-or-less a drug to treat my own brokenness over the situation? We always feel better when we get to help. Or when we can at least say we tried to help. We don’t feel very good about ourselves when we sit staring out the window at the rain, knowing there are people who have lost their homes…their loved ones. Thinking there are people who are missing and are maybe stuck someplace waiting for someone to hear their cry for help.

If only I could be there… what? I could be the person that saves a life. That has an ear to listen. That has hands to pick up the pieces of something broken.

Maybe.

I could also be the one who causes a traffic problem with my car. Who takes time away from people who are doing something meaningful so they can try to find something for me to do.

I keep checking and the official word is: “don’t come”—unless you’re medical personnel you’ll just get in the way. Wait a day or two and coordinate with officials.

Waiting is hard. It seems wasteful. It leaves me in my brokenness.

I want to be in Joplin.

I looked out at the rain and I thought “I would like to go stand out in the rain.” Just to stand there. Just to get wet.

I asked if others like to do that, to stand in the rain…I forgot some people think its fun. I don’t think its fun. I think it’s a type of suffering. I want to go stand in the rain and think about all those people getting drenched by pain and suffering. They’re soaked simply because it rained and there is nothing they can do about it. I want to get wet and grieve and feel as though I’m right there with them.

But then I’ll go back inside and get tired of being in wet clothes. I’ll take a shower and watch a movie or something, because I’m not really right there with them.

I remember when my son was born and he was flown to the children’s hospital with seizures. I remember driving the 4 hours to the hospital with my wife. We were drenched simply because it had rained, and there was nothing we could do about it.

There were family and friends that were there, and they suffered, too. There were people all over the world that sent us messages, that prayed for us, that stood out in the rain to grieve with us, and I am extremely grateful. But it was not the same.

It took us longer to dry off, to work through why it had rained in the first place. And we heard the voice of God more clearly than any of those who grieved alongside us. And my son is okay.

I grieve with Joplin, but I cannot truly understand the whole of the suffering there. I think that is ok. I think those who are living in homes completely intact probably feel this tension more than I can possibly imagine as they take in their friends and neighbors who have lost everything.

I will probably get to go to Joplin soon, and many times as the rebuilding process begins. But for now I’m left in a tension that forces me to recognize that things don’t depend on me, and that my hope and trust is in a God that is big and is good in all circumstances, a God that loves the people in Joplin more than I possibly could.

(The tension is good.)

Egypt and Religion

So, I want to have some input and discussion around this topic, but I have struggled with the question of whether this was the place to have it.

Believe it or not, an open blog on the internet and a facebook note are not always the best places to open things up for discussion. Just peruse the comment section of any blog or article worth talking about (or not) and you'll find all sorts of people posting junk and either being offensive purposely or as a result of ignorance. I try to avoid getting caught up in those discussions and I also don't like the idea of people associating me with some poorly made comment that someone else made in an area it would seem I have some control over. I also have a fear of being misunderstood or creating misunderstanding that would harm someone, and thus often refrain from publishing many thoughts and opinions that run around my head (another big reason being that I often find my thoughts and opinions changing and evolving over time, and once something is said it's hard to take back).

However, there are times and situations that rise above and are of some import to be worthwhile discussing openly, and this might be one.

I was very intrigued and moved by an image I saw recently:

It is a picture of a group of Egyptian Christians acting as human shields for their fellow Egyptians who are Muslim and are in prayer during the protests (You can read the article by following the link http://goo.gl/G9dBk). Apparently, some Muslims also stood outside services to protect Christians while they worshiped as there were people who purposed to attack the worshipers while they were more vulnerable.

Some have said it is an example of the human spirit transcending petty differences, but I heartily disagree. I love my friends who are Muslim, but I think we would agree that there is a gap that separates those of the Muslim faith and those of the Christian faith that goes beyond "petty differences".

Since many of my friends and colleagues are Christians and thinkers, I would inquire of you (and anyone else who cares to share) as to whether you see this as an act of living out the gospel with love, or if you think it a mistake to validate religious practices you would disagree with?

I feel led to perceive the action certain ways when lined up with scripture, but rather than just out-right stating those, I'd like to be part of a discussion. And if no one reads or responds, then my thoughts don't need to be put down anyway :)

Please do be gracious and compassionate in your responses.

A Christmas Confession

I have a confession.

I am a Christmas scrooge. While hearing that first Christmas song on the radio brings a smile and joy into the hearts of some, it has the polar (ha) opposite effect on me. If I wasn’t married to a wonderful woman who loves Christmas, and if I didn’t have kids that would be disappointed, I wouldn’t have a Christmas tree, I wouldn’t have lights, and “Christmas music” would only tickle my ears between the dates of December 24^th and 25^th.

But that’s all superficial. When I see the rampant consumerism that is “Christmas” it kind of makes me sick—especially when I take time to recognize that I’ve bought into it myself.

And then there is my utter disgust and frustration with certain groups (such as the AFA) that like to rally well-meaning people around a misguided cause under the banner of Christianity, and then asks for donations to help them continue their “Godly” crusade. I’m sorry (not really), but using the name of Jesus to market products should be what is offensive, not someone’s use of the word “holiday”. And if I really want people to know who Jesus is, I’m not going to wear pins or put bumper stickers on my car that tell people they are evil or stupid because they are trying to deny Jesus by writing ‘X-mas’ on their ‘holiday’ cards (by the way, the use of the letter ‘X’ to reference Christ goes back to at least the 16^th century).

Lately, I’ve even become annoyed with the way the nativity is most often represented…

But that is not my confession. Many people could have told you I’m a scrooge, and my wife certainly could tell you about my annoyance and frustration with the things Christians seem to get caught up in around Christmas.

My confession is that I have let all of this become a distraction away from what really matters in remembering the birth of the Christ, Jesus.

More about the nativity. I don’t know why, but I had never really taken time to consider the reality of the whole of the nativity scenario before. Let me describe it to you in a way that recently occurred to me: Imagine walking/riding a donkey for 90 miles on dusty roads (9 months pregnant, no less), only to find out there was no decently clean room for you to rest in when you arrive. Instead, you find yourself in a dirty stable, smelling of animals and manure—and then you start to give birth. For those who have experienced it, you know that process involved in giving birth is not a neat and clean one even when you are in a clean and sterile hospital environment—I don’t think I will need to elaborate, but you can think about that for a moment…

And then a bunch of shepherds show up and there’s no one to tell them it’s not visitation time. Now, I know there was probably some clean-up done, but they came within the day Jesus was born, and it was still a stable. What I’m getting at is that it is not a picture that would inspire me to write poetry and beautiful music. Actually, I would probably feel a little uncomfortable and sad.

However, there is something about it that brings amazing, unspeakable joy, and that is hard even now to grasp.

God.

God Almighty, the creator of the universe, the mustard seed, and of the human race is there. He humbled himself to not just show up in the world in the image of the created, but to enter into the world the same way every single other human being has entered into the world—and in a situation that I can look at and honestly call disgusting.

THAT makes me want to sing “JOY to the World!”

Most all of Jesus’ ministry was done among the “least of these”; the outcasts, the crippled and diseased. The majority of those in prominent positions were opposed and turned off by Jesus. His entry into the world was no different: born in a dirty, stinky animal stable and celebrated by shepherds (pretty low on the societal totem-pole)…then when some of apparent prominence did show up a few years later (the wise men), they were foreigners, representing ungodly peoples. Nothing about Jesus appears to be worth celebrating, and certainly his position is not one that would naturally lead many people to admire, let alone worship him.

But yet, here is our God. The one by whom and for whom all things were created (Colossians 1), the great “I am” (John 8:58), the fullness of God in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). He not only came to minister to the “least,” he humbly came among least, proclaiming with authority freedom and reconciliation (Luke 4:18-21), and offering the right to become children of God (John 1).

Is that what the Shepherds saw when they entered the filth of the stable and gazed upon the infant only a few hours old? In as much as they could understand, I think so. They did have the benefit of a host of angels appearing to them immediately prior.

Is that what I see when the kids get dressed up in cute little angel and sheep costumes, and a shy blonde-haired girl holds a cabbage patch doll in a cardboard manger?

It’s sad that the birth of Jesus is relegated as a topic of remembrance for a single time of year (try telling the story in July and see how many people ask you why you’re talking about Christmas in July), but the reality of God incarnate is a joyous realization any time of the year.

So, in light of this confession, my repentance (change in mind & direction) is this: to be less scrooge-like and less focused on the things that distract from the Good News, and to allow myself to be overwhelmed by the beauty and mystery of God entering the world in such a low state to reveal the fullness of himself to all people.

Praise God!

Are You a Minister or Entertainer?

I had saved a copy of this article on my computer after I first saw it several years ago. Then I burned it onto a disc. We had a garage sale this weekend which prompted me to go through a bunch of stuff that I hadn't looked at in a while, including going through all my old CD-Rs to see if there was anything of relevance to be found on them.

There was.

I re-read the article and was able to find it posted online (it's from 2002 originally). I recommend it, it's a good read and it's written by a guy who knows what he's talking about - Steve Taylor.

Enjoy:

http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/are-you-a-minister-or-entertainer/

Who is Jesus, pt 2

This is a follow up to yesterday’s post (two in a row…woohoo!).

So, I realize that if you are a Christian who is part of the church in the US, you probably fit into one of three categories in regards to what I posted yesterday:

1. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Most likely you have experienced it first hand and are able to recognize it. Perhaps you are familiar with people who have been talking or writing about the issue (there are several).

2. You are intrigued. You’re not quite sure you buy it, but for some reason it piques your interest.

3. You really have no idea what I’m talking about. You either feel completely lost as to what my point is, or else you think it is way off-base.

For the record my story goes in the following order: 3, 2, 1. This has been my personal experience, and I have conversations almost weekly with people who have grown up in the church and struggle with who Jesus is.

I have been at every stage, and for the record this is NOT a commentary on “who are the ‘real Christians’”. I do hope that everyone who considers themselves a Christian will be able to eventually recognize what I’m writing about, but if it doesn’t make sense at this point, that’s okay. In all honesty these posts are written for people who find themselves at #2.

The struggle is to keep these posts short and still make sense of it all. Also, I hope to ask questions that might challenge us to be more open to the work of the Spirit of God in our lives, questions that might lead to God opening our eyes a little wider to see more of who He is. I want to ask questions more than give answers, but if you want to know something, just ask.

That being said, the short thought for today has to do with the Life of Jesus. At one point in my journey I openly said to myself: “why Jesus? Jesus doesn’t make sense.” Recently I was conversing with someone (a Christian)who said the exact same thing, and that is what prompted me to write.

There are a few things all Christians can tell you about Jesus:

1. He was born of a virgin, Mary

2. He died on the cross for our sins

These two factoids can be found in most church’s/ministry’s Statements of Faith (aka “what we believe”), and we teach them to our children first thing. They are true and they are important (especially the second one, hallelujah!), but they say nothing about the Life of Jesus; what happened between (pardon the phrase) the cradle and the grave.

Think about it for a minute, what was the “point” of the Life Jesus lived? Did He do everything He did for the singular purpose of proving Himself to be the Son of God? Why are there so many interactions with people recorded in the gospels?

For many, it is hard to have a meaningful conversation about the Life of Jesus. Even with “mature,” knowledgeable Christians, it is easier to discus Romans and Galatians, and theological issues like predestination and eternal security, than it is to discuss the Life of Jesus. This might say something about how we think about “maturity” as a Christians within the church, but that’s for another post.

Who is Jesus?

I was reminded once again of a regrettable trend in the contemporary church. Of course I am generalizing when I talk about “the church,” but unfortunately from observation and experience it seems to me that this “thing” is fairly standard, regardless of denominational background or theological bent (I am limiting this, however, to the American church, though perhaps it extends beyond that).

It comes down to this: the church seems to do a decent job of teaching what Jesus DID, but does a horrible job of communicating WHO Jesus is.

Who is Jesus? Anyone who has been exposed to church would of course answer: “the Son of God.” They would be right (Hallelujah!), but simply giving a “right answer” is not what I’m talking about, what we need, or what God desires.

Who is Jesus? What is his character, what did he care about, how did he relate/interact with people?

It matters.

Walking with Jesus defined what it would later mean to live life as a Christian—to live for Jesus—for the disciples. Of course they often didn’t understand everything at the time, but Jesus promised them that everything they had learned and experienced would be made clear through the Holy Spirit after Jesus left and the Spirit came (John 14:26). 1 John 4 says that we “have confidence on the day of judgment because in this world we are like him” (v17 NIV). How can we be “like him” if we do not know what he was like?

Consider Matthew 8 where, after coming down from the sermon on the mount, a leprous man comes amidst the crowd and kneels down at Jesus’ feet (dangerous!). What is Jesus’ reaction? He reaches out and touches the unclean man who had, because of the law, been w/out physical contact from others since he showed signs of the disease. Then Jesus heals him.

First, spend time thinking about what Jesus did. It’s amazing! But don’t stop there.

What does this say about WHO Jesus is? That he would touch the man?

When we begin to understand Who Jesus is, it changes for us what it means for us to be Like him, and our eyes are opened a little more to be able to see the world through the eyes of Jesus.

New "Preacher"

So, the university campus on which I work has a few individuals that like to come stand outside of the student union and "preach" to anyone who will pay attention (and sometimes degrading those who walk by without giving their attention). There is one person in particular who is a regular, and whom becomes somewhat of a sideshow as students gather around to hear some of the ridiculous twisting of scripture he spews.

Today, there is a new "preacher," one I've never seen or heard before. So far, in the 15 minutes I've listened to him, he hasn't wondered from scripture, which is good. However, I can't help but wonder (based on what he has been sharing) if he (like many such "preachers") does not do what he does so much out of hearing a calling from God, and having a love for the students, as he does to somehow "sure up" his salvation. In other words, he preaches not for God, or for the sake of those whom might here, but for himself, reasoning that by doing so he is fulfilling some directive of God and putting himself in better standing.

Such "preaching" does not benefit the kingdom of God, or glorify God, but rather distracts and bears false witness.

This time he had to cease, because the campus police came and apparently he does not have the proper permission. But I'll have to pay close attention when and if he returns.

Why My Kids Will Go Public School

You can read a very well-written article here:

http://burnsidewriters.com/2009/09/17/why-public-school-is-the-bomb/

Some of my favorite quotes/points:

"Christians, sadly, tend to believe more in the negative power of sin than they do in the redemptive power of Christ in the lives of His people."

"does the “bad apple” theory really hold sway over salt-n-light? And if so, is avoidance and disengagement the answer? It points to fatalism and a disbelief that Christ really changes anything in individual lives or society."

"But it’s not just about the kids. Adults—teachers, faculty, and parents—have to be an integral part of kingdom-building in public schools...we are trying to find practical ways to reach out to these children and their families. Knowing them, and sharing life together, is the crucial first step."

Thanks for sharing the article, Derek (you know who you are)!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My wife and I have talked about these things for a while. Not just the school issue, but what it means to really be missional and how it involves our children, our family.

The college ministry I work with hands out burgers and hot dogs outside our building on busy Friday nights. We're on the main bar street in town, and by night I mean midnight until 3am or later. We've talked about when it will be appropriate for me to bring my daughter out to 1. observe and 2. help serve. Some people think this is a crazy, bad idea.

For a long time my understanding of God's grace, love and forgiveness was pretty shallow. "God, forgive me for not being good at quiet times," or "God's grace covers me when I've been lustful or watched dirty movies."

But no, God's grace is amazing. It changes people. Really. It CHANGES people. God's forgiveness isn't just for when we slip up or backslide between Sundays...it brings us back from the depths of emptiness and despair, from death to life. These are extremes. It's POWERFUL.

My kids need to know this.

People might worry about my kids seeing drunk, cussing, obnoxious, lewd college students (this is a stereotype...even most drunk students are nice and thankful for free food). But I think about this: they will know many--too many--kids their own age who go home to this life everyday.

Looking back, I know I did.

How do their friends, who live this life, view reality...God? How will my kids be able to understand and relate to their friends who have a completely different idea of what reality is and what life is all about? What if my kid's understanding of God is too small to meet the needs of their friends? TOO SMALL, really?

God is BIG! I want my kids to know God as He is. A BIG God, capable of loving the hardest to love. Able to change lives...really...change...lives.

But then, of course, I have to believe this, too. I have to live it out. I have to be willing to follow Jesus to the tax collector's house for lunch, agree with him in affirming the prostitute in the midst of the pious, and lay my hand on the shoulder of the leper yet to be healed.

Taking my kids to serve food to college students out late on a Friday night, or sending them to public school--these things are really not very good ideas. Unless, of course, they go armed with the Spirit of God.

So, this is my prayer: God, use me. Help me to follow where you lead. Reveal yourself to me, and to my family. Allow us to be witness to the power you have to change lives, to bring life out of death. Fill us up, and send us out.*

*just a note: I was singing Tim Hughes' "God of Justice" in my head when I was writing this. He penned the line "fill us up and send us out"--which is so appropriate

Oh, and if you haven't watched it yet, go back to my earlier post and watch the video of Frances Chan.

It was late when I wrote this, I hope it makes sense and is true to the heart of God.

Do you feel used?

A few weeks ago I was heading to the Union on campus to see whom I might come across (and get some food). Classes had not started yet and there were very few people on the sidewalks. During the walk I started praying for every person I saw; for most people it was a 'generic' prayer, asking God to reveal Himself to them or something along those lines. However, there were a couple of people for whom I felt I knew exactly what to pray about for them. It opened my eyes in many ways and I try to practice praying for people along my journeys regularly.

Today I was reminded of this 'practice' as I walked to the Union. I started praying for people and very quickly became overwhelmed. The sidewalks were packed and I wasn't even able to process one thought before my eyes fell on yet another person. It led me to feel a real need to ask God to show me where He is moving, to bring things and people to my attention.

It's amazing that we have a God who is involved in every person's life that we pass by everyday--whether they know it or not. God is not overwhelmed, in fact He desires to be even more deeply involved in every person's life. He wants to use US, His people, to plant and water seeds--to be involved in people's lives.

Where have you seen God moving today? How does God want to use you?

Some scriptures (NIV text) that have been running laps in my mind over several weeks:

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and `sinners'?"

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:30-32

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

Matt 18:12-14

"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. "

Luke 8:14

""I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. "

John 15:5

""What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Luke 3:10-11

"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Matthew 25:34-37

Watch it:

http://www.worshipcentral.org/video/global-day-usa-francis-chan