It amazes me how introspective music can make a man at 2:00 AM.
I was listening to "The Church" by Derek Webb. It is a very moving song about Christ's love for His bride, the church. In the song there is a line that sticks out in my mind. "If you love me, you will love the church."
Now, anyone who reads this blog will know I am the first to stand in line and say that the American church is sick. Most of the time, we're too busy bickering with each other to really make any headway in sharing the Gospel with anyone. And we're either too afraid to be labeled as judgmental, so we allow everything, wrong or not, and at the same time, we don't want to be labeled liberal, so we show everyone how angry we can get at the current government. For those outside looking in, we must look like a sad, pathetic, dysfunctional family.
But I've been convicted about something. As sad as the American church has become...it is still the church. And as angry as I get with some of the professors and students at Seminary who seem to have a "Baptist superiority complex," they are still brothers and sisters in Christ. I find that when I try to imitate Christ, I remember only Him turning over tables in the temple, and too easily forget him writing in the sand when he should be throwing stones. I remember only him yelling "Get thee behind me Satan!" and seem to forget a conversation about love and feeding sheep. In my zeal to reform and change the church, I have at some point lost my love for it. And that is not of God. Perfect or not, effective or not, it is still God's church.
So, for the believers who read this and are frustrated with the church, I understand how you feel. But remember, the church is made of people, and people are never perfect. Yes, we need to change the things that are broken, but its wrong to completely overlook what's not broken. The church is Christ's body. If it is sick, it's our job to heal it, not condemn it. So my challenge to you is to allow the Holy Spirit to transform your frustration to compassion, and your anger to grace. If we are of the Body, then we should love the Body, not judge it.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Something cliche that really shouldn't be...
My friend Sean has been posting devotions and songs leading up to Christmas, trying to remind us all of what Christmas means. He posted the song "O Come O Come Emanuel" by Rosie Thomas. Excellent sound, and it reminded me of something.
During this time of year, Christmas cards and decorations are so abundantly overflowing that we almost become desensitized to them. It's worse at Christian stores, because we look over tons and tons of "Remember the Reason for the Season" cards and decorations. Everyone seems intent on reminding us that Jesus is why Christmas is around, and Santa Claus is just a side show, that it tends to grate on my nerves a little. Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with the sentiment. I just get tired of hearing it over and over again.
But then I heard this song, and it reminded me of something. Christmas isn't a birthday party (although "Happy Birthday Jesus" is a cute song). Jesus didn't come here to get wise men birthday presents and be cute and cuddly. He came here to die, that we might live. He came here to "ransom captive Israel." He's not a cute little baby that needs a birthday party. He's a hero coming to save his beloved, a warrior coming to conquer death...
A Savior coming to redeem His people....
When Isaiah pictured Christ, he didn't see a baby in a manger. He saw a warrior. Read his description:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."--Isaiah 9:6-7
So, I join in with my brothers and sisters in Christ who urge us all to "remember the reason for the season." God lowered himself to that of a man, that he might walk among us and save us from ourselves. He is the fulfillment of a promise to a desperate people yearning for freedom from bondage. He is the reason we have reason to celebrate. When you see the nativity scene, remember that the story of the Christ did not end in a manger. It only started there. And praise be to God, it didn't end at a cross either.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
During this time of year, Christmas cards and decorations are so abundantly overflowing that we almost become desensitized to them. It's worse at Christian stores, because we look over tons and tons of "Remember the Reason for the Season" cards and decorations. Everyone seems intent on reminding us that Jesus is why Christmas is around, and Santa Claus is just a side show, that it tends to grate on my nerves a little. Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with the sentiment. I just get tired of hearing it over and over again.
But then I heard this song, and it reminded me of something. Christmas isn't a birthday party (although "Happy Birthday Jesus" is a cute song). Jesus didn't come here to get wise men birthday presents and be cute and cuddly. He came here to die, that we might live. He came here to "ransom captive Israel." He's not a cute little baby that needs a birthday party. He's a hero coming to save his beloved, a warrior coming to conquer death...
A Savior coming to redeem His people....
When Isaiah pictured Christ, he didn't see a baby in a manger. He saw a warrior. Read his description:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."--Isaiah 9:6-7
So, I join in with my brothers and sisters in Christ who urge us all to "remember the reason for the season." God lowered himself to that of a man, that he might walk among us and save us from ourselves. He is the fulfillment of a promise to a desperate people yearning for freedom from bondage. He is the reason we have reason to celebrate. When you see the nativity scene, remember that the story of the Christ did not end in a manger. It only started there. And praise be to God, it didn't end at a cross either.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Unplowed Ground...
Too often I am a man of extremes, and when those extremes come, I forget who it is that guides me through them. Things become hard, and cry out for relief. And all the while God waits for me to turn to him, but for some reason, he is the last person I go to.
Likewise, when things are going well, I sit high and mighty on the happiness that I have found, smile a smile to all I see, and never bother to turn and acknowledge the God that gave me that happiness.
When times are difficult, the LORD should be the first place we run to you, and when things are happier and easier, he should be the first one we thank.
All this brought on by "Unplowed Ground" by Ross King:
It's drier here than ever I remember,
The fields that once were green and tall are now so bare.
And patience for relief has turned to anger
And joyous praise has been replaced by faithless prayer.
I used to love to tend these fields for hours
And even times of drought would only serve to spur me on.
But now it seems like years without a shower
And somehow my desire to grow has come and gone.
This was the word to Jeremiah, but I think it applies to me right about now...
Break up your unplowed ground, and turn your heart to Me again.
Lay all your idols down; come confess your sin.
I long to ease your pain and bring your fields to life once more,
But I will not send My rain until you make Me Lord.
A vineyard ripe with blessing now surrounds me,
And every harvest so much more than I hoped for.
But as the fruit increases all around me,
I see how fat I am and I'm still wanting more.
This was the word God gave Hosea, but I think it applies to me right about now...
Break up your unplowed ground, have you so soon forgotten Me?
I cannot watch you bow at the altar of prosperity.
I long to shower down and see our love affair restored.
So break up your unplowed ground; it's time to seek the Lord.
Habits turn to cycles turn to seasons,
And seasons turn to years before we know.
And we lay still alive but barely breathing,
And we whisper, "That's just the way it goes..." but the Lord says No.
Break up your unplowed ground and you will find a treasure.
Sell everything you own to buy what can't be measured.
I long to lay you down in richer fields than you have known.
So break up your unplowed ground and make this land your home.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
Likewise, when things are going well, I sit high and mighty on the happiness that I have found, smile a smile to all I see, and never bother to turn and acknowledge the God that gave me that happiness.
When times are difficult, the LORD should be the first place we run to you, and when things are happier and easier, he should be the first one we thank.
All this brought on by "Unplowed Ground" by Ross King:
It's drier here than ever I remember,
The fields that once were green and tall are now so bare.
And patience for relief has turned to anger
And joyous praise has been replaced by faithless prayer.
I used to love to tend these fields for hours
And even times of drought would only serve to spur me on.
But now it seems like years without a shower
And somehow my desire to grow has come and gone.
This was the word to Jeremiah, but I think it applies to me right about now...
Break up your unplowed ground, and turn your heart to Me again.
Lay all your idols down; come confess your sin.
I long to ease your pain and bring your fields to life once more,
But I will not send My rain until you make Me Lord.
A vineyard ripe with blessing now surrounds me,
And every harvest so much more than I hoped for.
But as the fruit increases all around me,
I see how fat I am and I'm still wanting more.
This was the word God gave Hosea, but I think it applies to me right about now...
Break up your unplowed ground, have you so soon forgotten Me?
I cannot watch you bow at the altar of prosperity.
I long to shower down and see our love affair restored.
So break up your unplowed ground; it's time to seek the Lord.
Habits turn to cycles turn to seasons,
And seasons turn to years before we know.
And we lay still alive but barely breathing,
And we whisper, "That's just the way it goes..." but the Lord says No.
Break up your unplowed ground and you will find a treasure.
Sell everything you own to buy what can't be measured.
I long to lay you down in richer fields than you have known.
So break up your unplowed ground and make this land your home.
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I'm always here.
Keep Soaring,
B
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