Unusual Affirmations

My grandson is home from school today because he's sick. He was sitting on my lap trying to play a video game that was too difficult for him. He kept asking me to do it for him, but I told him that I knew he would be able to get it if he practiced long enough. 

Finally, exasperated, he threw the controller at me, "Here, Papa, it's your turn."

As I was trying to figure out how to start the game, he hopped out of my lap and said, "You have a nice day, Papa. You make the world a better place."

Did I mention the child is four years old?

I don't know if he knows the world needs to be a better place, if he really believes I'm affecting any change in it, or if he's just repeating what he heard at school this week as they were talking about compassion. What I do know is that I can choose to recognize and accept encouragement in what ever form it appears. How about you?

You have a nice day. You make the world a better place.

Where Never is Heard

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,

And the deer and the antelope play,
Where never is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Tony Needs a Sermon Week is winding down, and I would like to thank everyone who participated. It has been challenging, humbling, discouraging, and uplifting - depending on the attitude of the sermonizer. The main thing I got out of it was a reminder to keep my attitude in check when I'm the one preaching the sermon. I'm not always good at that.

I watch several sermons online each week. On Facebook, someone posted an endorsement of a sermon because of a specific statement the pastor made. I was curious, so I watched the 140 minute service. I never heard the statement. There was a space of a few minutes where the sound was turned down - or some technical issue - or maybe I dozed off. What I did see was a frustrated man. He expressed his frustration with the ushers, the camera operator, and the media person. He came across as controlling and manipulative. I pray that he takes time to rest, that his church supports him, and that they thrive in their mission. 

I have several others that were encouraging and eye-opening for me this week. If you have time, you may want to check these out. 

Tullian Tchividjian Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World.

Chris Whitman The Value of Life

Holly Furtick This Time

Pete Hise No Other Name

Clark Whitten Stop Living in the Shadows

 

Six Things Church Leaders Over 30 Should Do

In the age of Facebook, when everyone is connected to everyone else, it's hard to know what you should do and what you shouldn't do. Apparently. So I want to help you out. If you're a progressive pastor or worship leader or a conservative preacher or song leader and you are over 30 years old, here's what you should do.

1. Stop reading blogs about what you should do.

2. Stop asking people what you should do.

3. Stop caring about what everybody else thinks you should do.

4. Do what your heart told you to do when God first called you into ministry.

5. Do anything you're inspired to do during your prayer time.

6. Do everything in your power to love people and to love God.

That's it.

If you were writing this list, what would you add?

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What Are You Reflecting?

If humans were created in God's image, and I believe we were, that image has certainly been defaced and distorted over time. Sometimes, I wonder if we've retained any of his glory at all. We are so overcome by sin and self that surely he has removed himself from us completely.

Fortunately, he has not, and we have his promise that he never will. In John 10:27, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." He makes this statement to contrast himself with those who claim to be shepherds but are not. "The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it." (verse 12)

Since we are his, as in most families, his children reflect his character, his values, his image. His children carry out his plan, demonstrate his love, and receive his inheritance.

Our challenge is to allow his image to shine. The sinful, decadent life does not reflect the true image of God, nor does the self-focused, hedonistic life. A follower of Jesus bears the fruit of his presence: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, and self-control.

I am convinced that once we can present to the world a crystal clear picture of who Jesus really is they will find him utterly irresistible.

READ:

He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Heb 1:3

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6

Galatians 5:22,23; John 10; Genesis 1:26,27

Depression Awareness

The recent unusual snowstorms we experienced in the South, and the resulting cabin fever, served to remind us that many people face depression during the winter months. 

Maybe someone has recently pointed out that you're in a grumpy mood a lot when you hadn't even noticed it. It could be the result of lack of activity, changing your diet, changing your routine, a lack of sunshine, or a number of other things.

Do you know what triggers your mood swings? Do you notice yourself headed toward depression? You can stop it before it goes too far. You may want to do a little research to see what foods can counter depression, then adjust your diet. You can add outdoor activity to your daily routine, even if it's just a short walk to a mailbox or to a neighbors house. 

Don't isolate yourself. Allow your friends to help you. And don't lose hope, spring is on the way.

The G Word

The greatest theme of the Bible, and the crux of the Gospel, is summed up in the often-sung words, 'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. As rich and as true as this is, there are some ministers who treat the word "grace" as a curse word. 

I've read articles by some who almost spew the word with contempt. I refuse to quote them or give them any credibility, but they aren't hard to find. They hold their congregations or followers in the bondage of legalistic expectations. With complete disregard for the clear teaching from scripture, "You are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

I can imagine them standing with their stone tablets held high. Every time the Holy Spirit breathes out the word "grace" to a poor sinner, these modern day Pharisees bang those tablets together, screaming, "Measure up! Straighten up! Get your act together!" All in Christian love, of course. While God offers his grace freely, these self-righteous leaders use the law to stone those who most need grace. 

 

The Apostle Paul recognized that the law brought about self-righteousness. "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:8, 9 NIV)

Jesus looks at those holding tight to their stone tablets and says, "You who are without sin, any of you who has kept every command and have made yourself righteous, you be the first to cast a stone." They would be wise to follow the example of the first century hypocrites who dropped their stones and walked away.

Lessons from the Sea

Tony Moore at Topsail Island 2013

Every year, while at our beach retreat, I think I should write about things I think as I walk the beautiful miles of white sand. And I have never done it.

This year, I came up with a strategy. I'm going to call it my Word of the Day. Each day, I was struck with a different aspect of nature which led me to compare it to its Creator, asking, "How is God reflected in this element of creation?"

So, I have some words with simple thoughts. I would love to hear your thoughts and other words you would use. Here are mine:

VAST - We arrived at Surf City after dark on Sunday evening. I can't be at the beach and just go to bed. I have to go to the water. As I stood in the warm water, I saw a near full moon high in the sky. It was the brightest night I've ever experienced. I looked out on the water - it looked like it went on forever. I looked into the sky. The stars were brilliant. Immediately, I thought, How vast is this universe! And how vast is God's love. Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

MOVEMENT - It was cloudy on Monday, but still warm enough to enjoy the day outside. I noticed that nothing living is always perfectly still. Movement has been built into all of creation. The tides, the wind, running sandpipers, soaring seagulls, diving pelicans, and migrating geese, butterflies, and sharks, the sun racing across the sky while the grass reaches for the sunlight, clouds billowing and dissipating, the blood coursing through my body. That same movement of resurrection life is in followers of Christ. Acts 17:28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

COLOR - The sun was out in full force the rest of the week. No more gray skies and water. The colors were radiant. They were all there, not one hue missing, though I noticed that it's apparent that God and I both favor blues. Throughout the Penteteuch and again in John's Revelation, colors are significant and prominent. God isn't boring. Look around, there's no such thing as white people and black people, we're all shades in between. Wouldn't it be boring if every blade of grass were the same shade of green? 1 Peter 4:10 God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.

What did you come up with? I'll have more next fall.

 

Christianity is...

I'm quite sure that if you asked people to complete the phrase, "Christianity is..." no two answers would be the same. We have taken Jesus' original organic idea and created something more corporate and political than life-giving. Something worldly rather than other-worldly.

We have made it about behaviors and issues, while screaming that it's about a relationship. No, dude, we've made it about anything but relationships. We've picked our favorite topics and decided that if you disagree with us regarding those topics you aren't a Christian. We've taken those topics and created seminars, books, websites, songs, and even specific "ministries" around them - at least, around our idea of a Christian response to them. 

 

I'm not sure if this is just an American phenomenon or a modern manifestation, but I suspect it has been around longer than that and is more widespread. I have hopes that times are changing, divisions are reuniting, cliques are disappearing, arguments are lessened, and that the Bride of Christ is starting to look like a bride. However, it's obvious we aren't there yet.

 

Can you imagine attending a wedding where the bride wore labels on her gown? This is the train - I wish it were a little longer. This is the veil which I didn't really want to wear, but it's making my mother happy. This is the bodice, I hope I'm covered. This is the skirt, does it make my butt look big? This is the ribbon - I wish it were more like the lace hem, but I'll put up with it. No bride would ever do that. Imperfections are unnoticed on the wedding day.

 

Yet, we throw labels all over Jesus' bride. This one's immature, do we have to keep him? This one can't seem to find the truth, can we kick her out? This one smokes like a chimney. *cough cough* Isn't the smoking section reserved for the train to hell? This one is gay. Do we have to let him in? We've already forgiven this one twice. Three times will be my limit!"

Have you ever stopped to ask why? Why are we focused on issues? Jesus commissioned us to preach the gospel, not to solve the problems of a society or to create a group of clones. What if we focused on that commission? We might look and sound less buffoonish and be more effective at increasing the real church. I'm overfed with how-to books. It's not like Jesus made it too complicated for us. He gave clear instructions to his disciples with phrases like go, make disicples, preach the gospel, be my witnesses.

 

Since Christianity is supposed to be based on a relationship, let's create that kind of church - the kind that builds relationships with our neighbors so they can build a relationship with God. The church Jesus died to create was the kind that accepted and included those who were mislabeled by society, those who were homeless and friendless, the ones who wouldn't have turned a head on the street. They all have the full attention of Heaven, but often in church they are treated the same as on the street. Let's be the real church, you know, the place full of disciples that the rest of society might reject.

I Was Lost

We moved a couple of weeks ago, and I don't mind telling you that I have never been so glad to be finished with a task. It wasn't easy losing 700 square feet, and to do so we had the even harder task of separating everything into piles labeled keep, trash, donate, and sell.

We had been in the other house almost 14 years and had accumulated a lot of stuff. Over the past couple of weeks, I've let go of items that I considered treasures until I realized I no longer had room for them.

After a day or two, my "carer" stopped working. I didn't care what was thrown out as long as it got me closer to being finished with deciding what to keep. It was grueling. People who are less sentimental - or those who have no heart - probably won't understand the agony associated with letting go. They will just label me a pack rat and laugh it off. I get it.

In the end, I am so glad we moved. For the past 14 years, I've been lost in my own home. It's probably a disorder for which psychology has a name, but I truly felt lost everytime I drove into the old neighborhood. 

I have a great sense of direction. I don't remember ever being lost. I've even driven through Los Angeles with no map or GPS -Orange County to Santa Ana and back - and felt confident of my direction. For some reason, however, in our former neighborhood I could never even figure out simple east from west. I think it had to do with the circular street layout. It was a feeling that I hated. 

Now that we've moved, our house faces east, and I feel like I've been freed from a maze. It's a strange phenomenon that I probably should research. The lost feeling was sickening and depressing. Now, looking out my front door at a sunrise every morning is refreshing and freeing. 

Two life lessons here:

1) I suspect that each of us is tightly clutching something that we could live without.

2) If you can't shake that sick depression, maybe it's time to leave the maze. 

I once was lost, but now I'm found, 

Was blind but now I see. 

Love God Love People

Some churches teach that all you need is a relationship with Jesus. We've even sung "He's all I need."

That is true regarding my salvation. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is my source of salvation. Jesus, however, said there are TWO great commandments. It would be difficult to call yourself a follower of Christ unless you live by both.

The first one is a bit easier than the second. We can't see God. He's easy to love from a distance. But, people? Now, that's a different story. We actually have to deal with their quirks (and our own) when we engage in relationships.

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27

Can you say that you love God?

What about his people? Do you love them?

You Are Not Alone

It's easy to feel alone when you are taking a walk of faith, but I don't believe God ever gives you a mission just for you. There will always be others who will help you, encourage you, follow you, or need what you offer. Many times, the reason for the mission is so that several, or many others can follow your lead.

You may have read this scripture. Then the Lord answered me and said, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets so that the one who reads it may run with it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:2, 3 NASB)

Habakkuk was encouraged to grasp the vision God was giving him and to pass it on with such clarity that someone else could actually carry out the mission God was giving Habakkuk! See, the mission isn't about you. Don't be a vision-hog. Look for someone that will sign on and commit to be your supporter. 

 

But, what about those other people who will be discouragers and will say you will never accomplish anything? Jon Acuff addressed that today as a guest writer for Michael Hyatt. You can read the entire blog here. In his post, he wrote,

The truth is, you should never waste time trying to turn someone who hates you into someone who likes you. Instead focus on turning people who like your dream into people who love your dream.

So how do you know who a hater is? Simple, someone who hates on something without a solution to make it better is a hater. If they don’t have a fix, an idea, a spark of improvement, they’re just there to hate. That’s one of the main differences between hate and feedback.

Don't be discouraged. God has a helper - maybe many helpers - for you. It's biblical to leave the haters in the dust, see Matthew 10:14. Let the haters hate, but let those who hear the voice of God and catch a glimpse of his heart run to spread his love to those who need it most.

That's My Church!

Dear Transformers and friends of Transformation House,

Last night, we had the first of two classes for some of our leaders - those who are seen up front each Sunday. The class is called Being Upfront about being Up Front. I led this class, but I want to share a bit of what I got from the class.

I first asked for an evaluation of the service this past Sunday. Those who were up front during the service were Kristen, Tim, Derek, Lisa, Zach, Elena, Anna, Darnell, Amber, Tony, and Chris. I wondered, "To those who were first-time guests, who appeared to be in charge of the service?" The answer was "none of the above." Because everyone knows their role and fills it well, the Holy Spirit, who is truly in charge, can move us in any direction. When He is in charge, not one of us needs to take credit, there is a comfortable flow in the service, and everyone has an encounter with a loving God.

Another question that everyone answered was about their first impression of Transformation House. I asked if their first impression was correct or if they've adjusted what they believe about the church since their first visit.

One person answered, My first impression was that I was getting attention because that's what church folk do. They pay attention to first-timers, then it wears off over time. What I found was that the love they showed me on the first Sunday is the same love they show me now, almost two years later.

Another person said, My first impression was that this was different from any other church I had visited. I saw black, white, gay, straight, old, young, and all were accepted and have a place to belong and serve.

Another answer was, In my previous church, relationships were fake. Here, I feel like I fit in. Rather than just being talked to, I am heard.

I won't go on and on, so the final one I'll share was, When I came, I felt the Holy Spirit in this place - during worship and in interacting with others.

What gets me so pumped about these answers is that these all came from people that I had never met two years ago. At the time we were planning to start Transformation House, we prayed for God to send us to those who felt disenfranchised by the church. We prayed that in this place everyone could feel welcome and experience the presence of God. Every time someone spoke last night, I thought, "That's what we prayed for. That's exactly why we started this church!"

If you're not a part of a church that allows you to serve freely, I'm sorry. I've said it before, so I'll say it again, "If your church won't change, change churches."

Don't Rain On My Parade

Just a couple of weeks ago, I flew to California to participate in the 2013 Exodus Freedom Conference. This was my 11th consecutive annual conference. My involvement with Exodus began in 1999 when I timidly made a call to a local Christian counselor and began meeting with him weekly. I was 40 years old, deeply in love with Jesus and my wife, and for the first time in my life was able to talk about my three big secrets: the ongoing results of being sexually molested as a child, my secret struggle with same-sex attractions, and my addiction to pornography.

That counselor led a local Exodus support ministry for men like me. Men like me? Until I met Dan and he introduced me to that group, I never knew there were any other men like me. Finally, I learned that my experience wasn't as isolated as I had thought. There were many Christian men in church pews every Sunday wearing their cloaks of shame and their masks of perfection. I wasn't the only one who cringed every time a pastor made insensitive gay jokes or, even worse, spoke in an unloving manner about "those perverts" that were unworthy of the love of their families, the church, and even God himself. There were other men who wrestled with scriptural interpretations that left them in the line for hell with no hope of redemption all because of something that they were incapable of changing. In this group, I heard stories of men who had mustered the courage to ask their pastors for help only to be met with "I don't know how to help you." Some were banished from their churches. There were men who had been abandoned by their loved ones and men who literally walked through life with their heads low because of the shame heaped on them by their "friends."

Needless to say, through the counsel I received from Dan and the support of the friends I made in that group, my life changed forever. The greatest thing that they offered was a constant reminder that I was a child of God. My attention was always brought back from my own inclinations toward sin and shame and pointed toward the love of God. Over and over, I heard how I could experience true freedom if I ever could recognize who God had called me to be. I was reluctant to believe that message because my expectation was that somehow God had to miraculously change me from a homosexual to a heterosexual. Since I had been praying for that to happen for most of my life and it hadn't occurred, I had little hope that it would happen now. It wasn't until I changed my prayer and my expectation that I began to experience the freedom I was promised. I began to pray that God would draw me closer to himself, that my life would reflect his life, and that my heart would beat with his. I left behind any expectation of change other than simply, "Lord, change all of me."

I began to live out the life Jesus offered me when I accepted his gift of salvation. I started opening up to others in my family and church by sharing my story and by being vulnerable with my heart. It wasn't an easy start. In fact, it was like a trip to a bad dentist. It was hard for me to get the words out at first. Then, in time, I found that once I had shared my story, I no longer cared what that person or group thought about me. Once I had shared it with my church without receiving condemnation, I felt more peace about my relationship with them. I could be "me" with them. And each time I shared with another group, my circle of freedom became wider and wider until now I don't base my life or my decisions on what anyone else thinks of me. I am "me" all the time.

That brings me back to the Exodus Freedom Conference that was held last month. For the past 10 years or so, I served on the Exodus conference staff. I made friends from across the country - even around the world - through these annual meetings. Earlier this year, I was elected to the Exodus Board of Directors. I have been part of the ongoing discussion regarding the future of Exodus for some time, then came to the board in time for the final decisions and, ultimately, the vote to close Exodus permanently. It's a chapter of my life that I entered with reluctance, grew to love, and then joyfully ended. It was right to close this chapter at this time in this way.

Since the close of Exodus it seems that everyone has publicly offered their opinions about the reason it closed, the fallout or the success of its closing, or the pain or joy they feel because of it. I've read many but not all of the blogs, news reports, Facebook posts, etc. Many of them even quoted the statement that I made on behalf of the Board of Directors or other statements that I made.

I have two observations about what others are saying:

• I was surprised to learn that when journalists use quotation marks they are not necessarily indicating that what is included is a direct quote. Go figure.
• I was surprised that Christian writers have basically the same integrity (or lack) as non-Christians. The negativity, false accusations, and outright lies that I have read from people who once called me "brother" are sometimes infuriating. I seriously have to leave the internet for time to cool down.

For me, the result of this is not a change of heart about what I believe or about my belief that closing Exodus was the right thing to do. Rather, I rejoice that before I came to this point, I found a place of freedom from emotional dependence on what others think of me. They can't rain on my parade. My life flourishes through trials and hardships. I don't have to hide who I am or what I feel. While I am sometimes angered, I am not distracted by the words of others. Jesus, not any man or woman, is the Lord of my life. I try to offer back to my detractors the same grace I have received.

More than ever, I am determined to invite others into this life of freedom. The more I see the underbelly of legalists and modern Pharisees, the more I am reminded that God didn't call us to a religious system but to a relationship with a living God. Let the legalists spew the law, let the Pharisees spread their leaven, and let the accusers play into the hands of the master accuser. Meanwhile, I'll be talking to people about Jesus and dancing in the rain.

How Do You See Others?

Did you know the Bible actually says this stuff?

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Leviticus 19:32 You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:3 Honor widows who are truly widows.

1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Matthew 23:2-3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

So, it sounds to me that if we're going to live by this book, we should make it our aim to honor everyone all the time - tough as that may be.


Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Living (Out From) Under the Law

I've seen some Christians, pastors, and churches try to legalize morality. It never works in the long run. No human will keep every law - even if you divide the laws into categories. A couple of months ago, I heard a well-known pastor talking about the 3 types of laws in the Bible: Civil, Moral, and Ceremonial. This week, I read about them again in an article. I was not brought up under that teaching. So, I set out on a search for this three-law-types thing. I asked,

• Are they differentiated in the Bible? No. I couldn't find any support for the three kinds of laws in the Bible itself. Anywhere.
• Are they listed elsewhere? No. Oh, sure, the categories themselves are listed in plenty of writings over the years, but there's no concensus on which laws go in which category. Often, the writer will point to one example. For instance, "Thou shalt not bear false witness" is a moral law because it reflects an unchanging character trait of God. Well, who decides that? Sure, God is trustworthy, He never lies, and Jesus is the truth. Those are characteristics of God, for sure. But what about all the instances in the Bible when God condoned, blessed, or even instigated a lie? Perhaps this would be a good Bible study for you. I'm not advocating lying, I'm just saying that categorizing Biblical laws does not work. There is no agreement on what is legal or illegal for those who follow Christ. And, don't get me started on "Thou shalt not kill."
• Does the Bible argue against categories, or is it just silent on the issue? I was taught that all Biblical laws were the same, and if you break one, you've broken them all. That actually IS in the Bible (James 2:10), so to me, the Bible is not silent.

My view of the Mosaic law comes from the Bible (from both Testaments). In Jeremiah 31, God says through His prophet, "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

 

This same verse is quoted in Hebrews 8 where the writer states, "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another," and "By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."

 

These verses state that the true, permanent law of God is a heart issue, the law of love. I don't cheat on my wife, because I love her. I honor my parents, because I love them. I give, because I love my fellow earth dwellers. I spend time with God and His people, because I love Him - and them. I'm not trying to stay out of hell or trying to get into Heaven by keeping a law, I'm following my Jesus-filled heart.

 

At this point, I've concluded that there can be 50 categories of laws if someone wants to make a list, but if we truly understand what Jesus offers us we will live in freedom - freedom from the law, freedom from sin, freedom from the opinions of man, freedom from our past, freedom indeed. This is so clearly explained in Galatians. Why are we still tripping over the law and stumbling in our walk with Jesus. Shake off the old. Stand up strong in the new. Take a breath of air as if you've just been released from a prison, because you have.

 

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Let 'em In

Paul McCartney wrote and sang,
"Someone's knockin' at the door,
Somebody's ringin' the bell
Do me a favor, Open the door, and let 'em in."

I'm thinking about this in terms of the American church cloistering in holy huddles behind stained glass windows. 

Frankly, I don't care if one more freshly-showered Christian leaves their church and comes to mine. In fact, if they're coming expecting recognition or position, they're coming to the wrong place. Our focus is always going to be on Jesus and on getting people to him. 

Truthfully, I would love to have a church full of people who are just knocking on the door but haven't fully stepped in. A man who can hardly stand and still smells from his Saturday night at the bar next door. The guy who can't stay awake because he spent the night on his computer trying to satisfy an emptiness. The woman who doesn't want to come in because she constantly hears voices saying she's no good. The mother who left her children overnight and can't tell you the name of the guy she woke with. The child who only hears screams and put downs all week. 

Jesus is for them. Transformation House is for them. 

Do me a favor, and let 'em in.

You're not Jesus

I can put up with most people - their pettiness, awkwardness, and idiosyncrasies, etc. I have friends of all stripes. However, the one that rubs me the wrong way (here we go) is the religious person who sets himself/herself up as superior to everyone else or anyone else. It's obvious to me because it's how I lived for much of my life. Because I abstained from all the big sins, I considered myself morally superior - thus, more acceptable to God than those who were guilty. I even remember those in my circle who could heap guilt with a glance on any poor sinner than happened to "slip" in their presence.

It was not unusual for a member of any church I attended to call out another person's "sin" publicly, with great disdain of course. Don't dare let a four-letter word pass your lips, or let them walk up on your in a restaurant while you were having a glass of wine, or smoking, or smiling. Ok, maybe it wasn't quite that bad.

Still, in what chapter of the Bible did Jesus say that we're to loathe our neighbor? I'm pretty sure the word was love, not loathe.

I still remember when the Holy Spirit made it perfectly clear to me that all my abstaining from certain sins did not balance out the hidden sin in my heart, and it never would. There was only one remedy for my sin - His grace. At first, I wasn't pleased that I was being offered the same deal as the people I had mentally condemned. It wasn't fair. I had been GOOD! That's the attitude I still see that rubs me the wrong way. Those who look at sinners as if they are filthy and untouchable, well, they look at ME as if I'm filthy and untouchable. There they stand with their purity, apart from the rest of us because we dare to let a little dirt show. When in fact, when God looks at goodness and badness he doesn't compare it to anyone else's. He compares it to his holiness, and it never measures up. So he says, "Forget your goodness. Forget your holy acts. Just take mine. I have enough for you."

There are so many stories in the Bible that bear this out. One in particular is of two men who went to the temple to pray. One stood vocally grateful that he was so good, the other knelt recognizing his need for mercy. The latter is the one who went home justified, according to Jesus. (Luke 18:14)

Let's get real and lay down our self-centered pride. I know our religious pride is threatened when we choose to identify with "sinners." Still, Jesus gave us the example of how to do it. Isaiah wrote that "he was numbered with the transgressors," and Paul wrote that he "made of himself no reputation." It's time to renounce the religious hierarchy system. It's been said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross, so why do we try to exalt ourselves above others?

Kneel at the cross, there is room for all.

I Stll Get Nervous

You may not believe this, but I have always had stage fright. My first stage appearance was a month after I turned three years old. There I was being pushed onto the stage of my parents' little church to recite my Christmas poem - in a diaper! I will let you make up your own story about that, but you can believe what really happened was probably worse that what you imagine.

All through school, from first grade through college, I hated having to speak in front of an audience. Then, I went into ministry where I have stood before a congregation nearly every week for the past 32 years.

It doesn't matter if I'm speaking to a handful of people or thousands, I still get nervous if I am in a new environment. My hands grow numb and cold, my heart rate increases, I get short of breath, and feel like I could faint dead on the spot! Every time I feel that anxiety begin, I use it for an opportunity for prayer while reminding myself that it's not about me. I am weak, God is strong. I am insufficient, He is all-sufficient.

Yesterday, was one of those days. I was driving across town to speak at a Christian school's weekly chapel service. While researching the school a bit online, I had come across a statistic for South Carolina's private schools and found that I was on my way to speak at the state's largest private school (school's entrance is pictured above). I assure you that no pride rose up in me at that point, only fear. So, as I drove, I prayed asking God for peace in my heart and mind, for clarity of thought, and mostly that he would speak to the students through me. As I flipped on the radio hoping for some soothing Christian music, they were in the middle of a break from music and I had to endure several minutes of blah, blah, blah. This church is having the event, this other church wants you to come hear this singer, on and on.

Finally, a song came on, and tears came as Matthew West started singing a song that I had only vaguely heard before. Oh, I knew that catchy hook lines, but had never actually listened to the song all the way through. He sang,

You must, You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me, Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do on my own.

I couldn't believe they were playing what my heart was crying!

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up, I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be strong enough, strong enough
For the both of us

Then I realized this wasn't just a "right now" song, this was really the song of my life. Matthew and my heart kept singing.

Cause I'm broken, down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God, and you are strong when I am weak

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be strong enough.

I suspect that the next time I stand in front of a new crowd, I will still feel weak and less than able. But, I'm ok with that. The only reason I am ever standing on two feet is because Jesus is holding me up. Works for me.

The Real Gay Marriage Issue

Did you hear that the Supreme Court is hearing a case regarding gay marriage? Well, of course you did, unless you've enjoyed the luxury of a secluded island for the past month. The arguments, confrontations, protests, sermons, passive aggressive Facebook posts, condescending lectures, and bumper stickers have been non-stop loud and proud - from both sides of the debate.

I've generally avoided becoming involved publicly, but I guess today that changes. Here I am writing about it.

 

I have very dear friends who have strong opinions about making gay marriages legal and other very dear friends who say they staunchly oppose any marriage other than one man to one woman for life. Those who are against it have polished their arguments, found scriptures to support their view, and are poised to convince the world that they are right. Those who are for it, have polished their arguments, found scriptures to support their view, and are poised to convince the world they are right. Here's the overwhelming problem I see with this whole debate: everyone is focused on the issue of gay marriage. Meanwhile, the people involved (on both sides) are hostile toward each other, killing each other with their words, and are starving their own spirits. Where is the life in this argument?

 

This is Passion Week for Christians. The week that remembers the week prior to Jesus' resurrection. I cannot believe that Jesus endured what he did over an issue - any issue. He endured beatings, mockings, betrayal, agony, and even death for PEOPLE, not for issues. I personally couldn't care less if my gay friends marry. I have a single daughter that I would love to see in a loving marriage, but more than her finding a husband I want her to experience a fulfilling life in Christ. Marriage - gay or straight - is not what Jesus is about, it's not what His church is about, it's not what my life is about. This Easter weekend reminds us of what Jesus and his church IS about - connecting people to God and His plan for them.

 

I hear some of my church friends saying, "But you're compromising the word of God." Jesus said this, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:36,37) Don't waste your time searching for a biblical prop for your argument. You can surely find it, but so can those you oppose. Instead, search the scripture to find the life Jesus offers, then, get your nose out of the book and get involved with people around you. Get to know someone that has an opinion that is different from yours. Start a civil conversation. Jesus doesn't live in issues, he lives in us. That's the kind of Jesus people will want to know.

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You Don't Have to Be a People-pleaser