Why...Jesus

    2015 is nearly upon us.  The beginning of a new year is often a time of reflection and self-assessment.  While I'm not in the habit of making resolutions, the new sermon series that we're doing at First Christian has caused me to think a little bit about why I do or believe certain things.  I thought I would reinvigorate this blog and try to commit to writing three or four times a month, beginning with a series of personal reflections on the question of why.  I begin today with the most basic why question; why Jesus Christ.      

     As I think about the question of why I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, the answer that reverberates through my mind is the simple retort, why not.  That's not a good answer, though, so I tried to go a bit deeper.  The starting point for why I choose Jesus is that he first chose me.  "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).  Paul writes, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes"(Ephesians 1:4).  I understand that God chose me.  I was not worthy of being chosen.  I had nothing to offer, but he chose me.  He chose to love me and to send his Son to die for me.  Do you remember what it's like to be chosen? I do.  Have you ever tried out for a team in middle or high school and then hoped that your name was on the list of kids who made it?  I've been on both sides of that.  When your name is there and you've been chosen, there's nothing more exciting.  When your name isn't there (after you've scanned the list three or four times), not much feels worse.  It thrills me to know that in spite of all of my shortcomings, God, through Jesus, chose me.  

     A second reason also comes to mind pretty quickly.  It is through Jesus Christ that I find purpose and meaning.  Paul writes in Ephesians 2 after noting we are saved by grace through faith that "we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10).  Jesus Christ intends for us to use our lives for his purpose and kingdom's sake.  That inspires and challenges me.  I know that I may not always succeed, but all that I do, whether in "paid" ministry or in a "secular" job, can be for his glory and praise. How I teach; what I write; how I interact with people; all of these things, and hundreds more, can be ways in which I promote Jesus.  I don't have to wonder why I'm here or wish I was someplace else.  Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I still have purpose.  I am to bring him glory.     

     Another reason for why Jesus is that in him I find forgiveness, compassion and acceptance that is unequaled in any other relationship.  1 John 1:9 says, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." I can be forgiven.  As the old hymn says, "Though my sins be as scarlet, they can be as white as snow."  I also know that Jesus understands where I'm at.  He knows how things are. "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).  When I'm facing a tough time, a hard decision, temptation, betrayal, or just the "junk" that this life throws at people, I know Jesus understands.  He's faced it, too.   I also know that Jesus accepts me.  He invites me to come to him.  He said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  When others reject or when I feel alone, I know that I'm not.  I can always go to him.   

     I could go on and on about Why Jesus.   When I begin to really think about what Jesus means to me, there are more words and ideas than are appropriate for a blog post.  I hope, in this small way, you've been able to see Why Jesus  for me.  I want to end this with a challenge.  I'd ask all of you who've read this far to ask yourself the same question.  You might not need to write a post or an essay, but as this new year begins, Why Jesus.  How do you answer that question?  

     Thanks for reading.  Have a blessed day.  Next post:  Why the Bible.  

Random Thoughts about "Heaven is for Real"

     The movie Heaven is for Real opens tonight across the country.  I had the opportunity to attend a pre-release screening and enjoyed it very much.  While I think the book is better (that is normal for me), the movie does a wonderful job of capturing the essence and spirit of Colton and Todd Burpo's story.  The movie release has generated a lot of excitement around the country and our church, First Christian, is partnering with our local theater to promote the movie.  We are holding our Easter service at the high school football field and are beginning a three-week series on what the Bible says about heaven.  In our program book we are offering folks a coupon to see the movie at a discount rate.  I think it will be a positive for a lot of people in Franklin County.  I'm excited about the next few days and anticipating a really good Easter celebration. 

     Last night I saw a clip of the Burpo family on a news program and I had a bit of time before going to bed, so I read part of Heaven is for Real again.  I'm always touched reading it, but was especially struck this time by one of the later chapters.  In it, Colton continually tells Todd that Jesus loves children.  He really loves kids.  Todd Burpo remarked in the book that Colton's insistence on getting this message across changed the way they looked at children's ministry.  I thought about that quite a bit.  I'm in a different ministry now than I've been in before.  I'm doing quite a bit of children's and family ministry, more than I've ever specifically done in the past.  Most of my time is spent in planning events, recruiting and motivating staff, and preparing lessons. I'm usually focusing on the "big picture."  However, last Sunday, I filled in as the 9:00 Kindergarten teacher.  It was a rewarding and great time. I was reminded of what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

     Jesus never saw children as a distraction or an annoyance.  He didn't view them as "future people." He accepted them as they were, loved them and announced "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  What did he mean by that?   Commentaries are full of ideas and suggestions and I've tossed in a few thoughts of my own in a sermon or two. 

     A few ideas did occur to me last night.  I don't think he was talking about the "100% goodness of children," because as any parent or teacher can tell you, they aren't 100% good all of the time.  Sometimes they are selfish.  Sometimes they are demanding.  Sometimes they're naughty.  I don't think Jesus was alluding to their inherent goodness.  I also don't think he was alluding to their trusting nature, though I can see where part of that might come in.  Lots of kids do tend to trust instinctively, but I've also noticed, more recently, that kids are maybe less trusting than before (that may have to do with the adults in their lives, but that's another post for another day). 

     So, what is it then?  After re-reading the book, and specifically that chapter, I've concluded that Jesus meant the honest and direct way that kids may look at the world. Those who come to Jesus and simply believe him for who he is, accept his claims, receive his love and follow him are the ones that inherit the kingdom of heaven.

     Why share this today?   I suppose first I want to plug this movie, but deeper than that, I want people to think about Jesus and heaven.  I have questions and I wonder, occasionally, what it will be like and what will we do.  I think it is good, sometimes, to ponder these questions.  The old adage still applies, which says "Don't be so heavenly minded you're no earthly good."  I get that, but I think it's natural and maybe even encouraging to think about what's next.   I also want to put out there a reminder to parents, grandparents and all who work with children.  What you do matters.  Jesus loves children.  Don't forget that.  Maybe this Easter, in the middle of all that you've got going, spend a little time ministering to or caring about a kid.  Talk with them.  Love them.  I think Jesus would like that and so will you. 

     Thank you for reading and have a blessed Easter day celebrating our risen King!

Forgetting a Part of the Journey

     Harry Truman once said, “Washington is a very easy place to forget where you came from and why you got there in the first place.”  Even sixty years later, there’s a lot of truth in that statement.  Politicians today, once exposed to the culture of the capital, can forget where their journey began and just why they came.  This is unfortunate in politics and often leads to a short career as a public servant.  Lately, though, I’ve noticed this tendency, not just in politics, but with Christians.  

     As part of the new ministry I now have, I try to keep up with what’s going on with young parents, children and millennials in general.  To do so, among other things, I read a lot of blogs, posts and articles.  In my reading recently I’ve noticed a trend.  A lot of people, when describing their Christian walk, describe their journey as one in which the church of their childhood was narrow, judgmental, superficial and harsh.  They often detail how they now have a better, broader and more Christ-like view than that they had when they were younger.  

     Before I incur the wrath of several, let me clarify some things.  First, not all people describe their walk this way.  Second, some folks really were victims of “friendly fire” in churches.  Third, there is a lot right with growing, developing and maturing in Christ.  Frankly, we ought to be in a better place spiritually today than we were yesterday.  What bothers me, though, about this trend is that I think it inadvertently slams some well-meaning Godly folks and tends to create a “spiritually arrogant” mindset that believes the church was never what she was intended to be until we got here.  Though I don’t want to get political, I think it is seen in the somewhat narcissistic phrase President Obama promoted at his first election when he said, “We are the change we’ve been waiting for.” 

     I don’t want to be the old cranky guy in the back row of the church, but I want to challenge people today.  I’m excited as quite a few folks are seriously considering spiritual things.  There’s a lot of discussion about what it means to be a “Jesus follower.”  Your relationship with Jesus is personal and all of us have walked a different road and have different backgrounds or stories.  As you think of your journey or your story, don’t just remember the mistakes made by the church of your past.  We’ve all got that.  No church has ever been perfect.  Do something new or fresh.  What’s that?   Remember the Sunday School teacher who taught you “Jesus Loves Me.”  Remember the youth worker who spent time with you when he didn’t have to do it.  Remember the old guy who seemed to always have a stick of gum for the kids.  None of us is where we are in our walk with the Lord without the assistance of someone else.  I think that’s important to acknowledge.  It might even be important enough to send a message to an old Sunday School teacher, minister or VBS leader. 

     “Don’t forget where you came from” is pretty sound advice.  Do something about that today.  Send the email, the note or the letter.  Thanks for reading.  

What's Going on in this Crazy World?

    Solomon wrote, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12).  I thought quite a bit about this text over the last few days.  The senseless shooting in Oklahoma has reignited a discussion about how things are in this country and how, if possible, to make things better.   I don't pretend to be an expert on this issue and I certainly don't have all of the answers, but a few things did occur to me and I wrestled with how to put into words what I think is a critical issue.

    To summarize what happened, Christopher Lane was an Australian native who was in Oklahoma City playing baseball for East Central College.  He was killed by three teens who shot him in the back because, in their words, they "were bored and didn't have anything to do, so we killed somebody."   Since that statement was given, reports of threatening tweets by one of the teens arrested in connection with this have come out, so there may be more to it than just being "bored."  However, this statement is troubling at many levels.

      It would be easy, as some are doing, to blame the entertainment industry.  Violent video games, movies and television shows are widespread and desensitize people, especially kids, with respect to death.  Got killed?  Just reboot, start over.  No problem  There was a time, believe it or not, when television shows and movies sought not only to entertain but to reinforce positive messages.  I rediscovered that when I found that  Amazon Instant Download has episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati and Lost in Space available.  I'm sure many kids now would make fun of the Lost in Space show that I watched as a kid, but watching an episode or two last night reminded me that entertainment was different in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  However, is it that simple?  Is the entertainment industry the cause of what's gone wrong?   I don't think so.  If anything, it is a symptom. 

     Some also see this as an offshoot of not valuing life.  Blatant disregard for life and the casual way it can be extinguished seems prevalent throughout every strand of society and mocks our humanity.  We continue the abortion debate that began, in earnest, in the early 1970's.   The horrific practices of Dr. Kermit Gosnell were exposed in the last several months and sickened many. The incredible numbers of those being killed in urban areas of the United States continues to rise.  Life appears to be increasingly disposable. While I believe sowing the seeds of devalued human life has brought about a bitter harvest, I think it, too, is a symptom and not a cause.  

     Some will want to see this and other horrific events as a referendum on the availability of guns.  To me, though, that seems like a faulty argument.  Guns have been available throughout the history of us as a people.  They serve a needed and valued purpose.  Like many other things, when used properly, they are wonderful tools.  When used carelessly or without respect, they can be deadly.  Guns are a thing or an object, not inherently good or evil. I think there is something much deeper that is the cause or issue. 

     So, what is it then?  After five paragraphs I've come to what I believe to be a cause.  We have a spiritual problem.  We have not always understood what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  Many have craved his love without understanding that if you love him, you do what he says.   As a church we've allowed ourselves, in many ways,  to become irrelevant and as a culture we've adopted the motto, "I do what I want."  Biblical living is viewed with skepticism by many.   With regard to the passage in Proverbs that I cited earlier, Matthew Henry, a British theologian wrote, "Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over."

      Families disintegrate because they are not built on a biblical foundation. The deterioration of the family leads to all kinds of other issues that God never intended for us to face. 

     Perverse actions are seen as "indiscretions" and people ignore what used to outrage.  

     A sense of "right and wrong" has been replaced by a more transient "relativism" in which "right and wrong" depend upon circumstances.  

     I'm sure there are more things that could be added to this list, but I think the real question now becomes, "what do we do about it?"    In my view, a "turn around" begins with a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ.  It would be easy to call for a nationwide revival and call out "sinners" to repent.  I don't think that's it, though.  It starts much closer to home.  Let's examine ourselves and rededicate our lives to better service for our Lord.  It is a bit cliché, but our world is changed one life at a time.  I want to rededicate my life to serving the Lord in a more effective manner.  Will you?

     Thanks for reading and God bless....  

Are you willing to get wet?

     "Maybe being loved wasn't enough; maybe there was something else you needed not to get in trouble."  This line is spoken by Drew in Walter Dean Myers' book Game and it has stuck with me ever since I finished reading the book.  In the context of the story, Drew makes this statement about a young man in his Harlem neighborhood who has been arrested and is facing trial for murder.  There is some discussion in Drew's house about how awful this is for the young man's mother and how much she loved him.   "Maybe there was something else you needed to not get in trouble."  

     I had a lot of time to think yesterday and I thought a little about what is that something else besides being loved that would prevent someone from trouble.  Because, let's face it, almost everyone that has ever been in some kind of trouble is loved by someone.  All we have to do is watch a little cable television news to see that almost all of those who find themselves in some kind of predicament have someone willing to tell others how much they love them.   Though I know it is not a scientific survey, I'm pretty sure most of the guys I see at the juvenile correctional facility and even a few I've seen at the county jail in Columbus can talk about someone who loved them.  

     Let's take it one step further.  Bill's View has always been a forum for me to discuss how I see the world and I am unapologetic about the fact that I see it through a Christian lens.  So, having established that, it is a theological fact that God loves all people.  He loves them unconditionally and was willing to put "skin" on that love in the person of his son Jesus Christ.  Romans 8:32 and Romans 5:6-8 among other Scriptures explain that God's love and Jesus' atonement are universal.  However, again, theologically speaking, the fact that God loves all and Jesus died for all doesn't, by itself, keep people from "trouble."  

     That brings us right back to the question "What is that something else?"  I don't know if I am qualified to give a definitive answer, but one did occur to me.  I was riding the shuttle bus at the Columbus airport out to the green parking lot.  I was the only passenger on the bus, so I had a chance to chat a bit with the driver.   He was telling me about how much rain Columbus had in just a short time.  It was pretty bad for a few hours.  I told him, in passing, how tough it must have been to be working during that rain.  He smiled and said, "It was no problem.  It doesn't mess with you if you aren't out in it."    

     Later, on my drive home, I thought about that a little.  What he was saying was unless you were in the rain itself and getting wet, the storm didn't have much of an effect.  I'm going to ask you to stay with me here as I extend this metaphor, so here goes.  Unless you are taking in that love (getting wet, if you will) and allowing it to saturate who you are and to direct your actions, then being loved has no effect either.  That fact that God loves you; that Jesus loves you makes no difference until you take it in and it begins to take hold of you.  The fact that your mother, father, wife, husband, children love you doesn't make a difference until you allow that fact to penetrate into who you are and direct your actions.  Only when love is received, internalized and allowed to guide and direct does it make a difference. 

     I think this is Paul's point in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.  Christ's love compelled Paul and his companions to minister, to teach and to preach.  His greatest desire is for all people to be reconciled to God.  If I can summarize this challenging passage, I think it may come down to this.  Because Paul knows the love of Jesus Christ, he wants all people, who are also loved by Christ, to be affected enough by that love to give their lives to him and for him.  

     That "something else" may be the difference between watching the storm, thinking about the rain and being out in it, getting soaked.  If I can stay on that analogy, I'm for folks getting wet.  What about you? 

     Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...

Thoughts on this generation and things of faith

   "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV).  These verses speak of Paul's desire for Timothy to continue living a Godly life in the presence of those who do not.  In them he describes how Timothy will be able to do so:  "continue is what you have learned" and be in "the Scriptures" which can make you "wise for salvation."   I've been preaching through 2 Timothy for the last few weeks and have thought about how this letter is Paul's last.  It's his "final words" to a young Christian, telling him what matters and what's important.  As I've been looking at it, I've also been thinking about how the "church" can and/or ought to reach this generation.  What are people in their twenties and thirties thinking about and looking for with respect to spiritual things?   What are the young people I coach in Bible Bowl thinking about in connection with faith?  How can I, or maybe even more importantly, how can the church reach out to these folks in a meaningful way?  

     I've tried to do some reading on the attitudes and interests of different groups of people.  I am not an expert in any way on this topic, but I thought I'd share a few observations that I'm working through.

Observation 1-  To reach people today, faith must be real and tangible.  I think people are wanting something that is meaningful.  They want to know where to look and to whom to turn when things get really hard.  I also think there is a desire for people to be able to demonstrate what they believe.  I think this is one of  the reasons for the rise of mission trips and the resurgence of interest in missions.  

Observation 2-  People today are not as tied to history and tradition as maybe they once were.  People don't necessarily attend the church or type of church that their parents did.  Other factors weigh more heavily in that decision.

Observation 3-  The "worship experience" is very important to this generation.  It may have been in the past, too, but it is even more so now as I see it.  

     These are not all that remarkable and you've probably seen them listed and explained better than what they are here.  There are, too, some things about our faith that don't change.

1.  Jesus Christ is always God's Son and the only way to heaven.
2.  The Bible is always the inerrant Word of God.
3.  God's desire, throughout the pages of history, is for his people to be holy.  

     The challenge, I think, comes in trying to balance how we change our approach without changing the things that can't be altered.   Can we present the unchanging Jesus in ways that are fresh, relevant and meaningful?   Can we be more honest in our pursuit of Christ?  Does the word "transparent" have anything to do with this?   Can we present ways to serve Christ and display faith that are genuine and make a difference?    Can we issue the call to be holy without seeming to be judgmental?   

     I ask these questions knowing that  I am asking them to myself before I ask them to you.   I think these questions and probably countless others are worth thinking about as we try to "tell the old, old story" to a continually changing generation.   I hope to get to some answers.  It is my desire that the church I serve maintain relevancy in the years to come.  I want ministries like Bible Bowl and others to continue to challenge and inspire kids years from now.  I want mission trips and a zeal to tell and show others the love of Christ to continue to grow.  I would by not telling the truth if I were to say to you that I'm not concerned about that.  I think if we make wrong decisions or don't consider these questions, we may very well limit the effectiveness of these activities. This is not to say God becomes irrelevant,  it is simply an indictment on how effective his church might become.    

     This is a different kind of post in "Bill's View," but one I hope you'll think about.  Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...

Doing Good...

     Paul writes, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10 NIV).  We find this verse in the context of Paul challenging the believers throughout Galatia to carry each other's burdens, to be humble and to be responsible for one's own work or pack.  He follows that by telling them that God is not mocked.  Whatever a man sows, that's what he'll reap.  In the ninth verse he warns them not to become weary in doing good and notes the promise of a harvest for those who do not give up.  Clearly, the admonition here is to continue to good to all, especially to other Christians.  

     I thought about the idea of "doing good to others" quite a bit while cutting the grass at the church and parsonage today.  The world in which we live is not to concerned with "doing good" to others.  However, there are a few little reminders of "good" out there. 

     ---Someone held the door for a couple of people to leave the convenience store today.

     ---A person gave up their spot to another who was in a hurry at the gas station.

     ---A guy jump-started a car for a lady whose battery had died. 

     These are not "big" things and none of them will make USA Today or The Columbus Post Dispatch.  I noticed them, though.  I think maybe God did, too. 

     Doing "good" to others, however, is not the entire message of that passage.  We are to do good, "especially to those who belong to the family of believers."   As hard as it is to understand why,  I think this may be more difficult than simply doing good to others.   I suppose there are a couple of reasons why I think this.  First, I think many times we get impatient, frustrated and angry with those with whom we are the closest.  We may expect them to do more or better than just the average person and when they don't we're apt to criticize.  Also, we may think they don't need any particular encouragement or "good treatment."   The second reason is a bit more harsh, but I think it is true, too.  Sometimes we just don't like our brothers or sisters in Christ, so we, at best, ignore them or, at worst, fight with them.   I can already hear what some of you are thinking.  Wait a minute, Thomas.  I don't have to like everyone.  I love them, but I don't have to like them.   I guess that's true, but here's a simple question.  Have you really tried liking them?  Have you forgiven as you want to be forgiven so you can begin again?   Have you tried to find that which Jesus Christ put in them that makes them unique and good for service in the Kingdom?    It's true that we may not like everyone.  I don't think that's possible.  It might be good, though, for us to like more and follow that by doing good.   Think about it. 

     Thanks for reading and have a blessed day...