An Open Letter to the North American Church:

It is interesting to me that this is the season that we celebrate the birth of The King! Oftentimes we fill the air with debate over whether just saying, "Happy Holidays" is sufficient enough - or if it even warrants boycotting of certain businesses due to their improper Holiday expressions. Offended by the lack of Christ in their salutations we throw temper tantrums and refuse to do business with them. We impose our views on them.

This brings me to this notion of Happy Holidays - really? What's the problem? Holidays after all means - Holy Days...X-mas is short for Christ-mas! (x became the symbol for Christ in the greek because it is the first letter in the name xristos - see John 1.41) Why don't we ever complain that the Catholic Mass has been removed from Christ - Mass? What about those families that are celebrating other things this time of year? Kwanza or Hanukah? Are we that arrogant to believe that everything in culture needs to cater exclusively to Christianity? Then we wonder why everyone hates us?

So you want to put The Christ back in Christmas? Well then let's talk about what that really means! What is it that G_d has in mind? What does Christmas mean to G_d? Do we even know?

Do you think that G_d is concerned that Box Stores don't put the word Christ in their advertisements...or do you think that G_d is more concerned with their environmental practices (pollution) or even moreso their treatment of the poor! Injustices such as sweatshops and environmentally damaging factories built in places that don't have restrictions all for the sake of making a higher profit margin - their behaviors have created a whole new English term - The Working Poor… And we're concerned with their Sunday Paper Advertising Wording?!?!?

That brings me us to another point of contention - do we really believe that G_d even wants His persona associated with consumerism? You know the sense that a holiday that commemorates the life of a man that brought site to the blind, healing to the sick, freedom to the oppressed, and salvation to the whole earth - is celebrated by the distribution of things - stuff...now don't get me wrong as Christians we tend to notice the poor at this time of the year...we become a little more generous with our means to the stranger! We remember the poor and marginalized for a moment in celebration of a man that gave his entire life to taking care of the poor and marginalized - don't get me wrong I am not condemning us for our generosity at this time of year...I am condemning us for our lack of it the rest of the year!

Many of you may be thinking or feeling - How dare give a speak like this at a time of year like this? This is exactly the time of year we need to be reminded of the call that G_d has on His people! To be a light to the world in darkness - to be about Justice and Mercy - to be about Shalom. To love G_d and neighbor! Instead we are filled with self-love...G_d who gave up everything to enter into our suffering is remembered in a manner that is oftentimes a catalyst to greater oppression!

Do we believe that the King of the Universe - The Creator of All Things is worried about marketing ploys or trite arguments over His name being mentioned! Is He that narcissistic? Let's look at what it seems to be is important to Him.

A King whose riches makes Solomon appear that he lived in squalor - puts on flesh...making himself susceptible to poverty, hunger, thirst, pain, rejection, and even death - all of these things we know he faced!

So what is the incarnation about to G_d? Incarnation is the moment that G_d took on flesh and became a man! What was the intention of this action by G_d? Is this something that He had to do? Was He obligated to us? Can we understand His reasoning?

We say that this is a season of hope - well, that is easy for us to say since we've got it pretty good from where we sit! So maybe our idea of hope this season is that we get the best sale price...or that our familial gathering won't be made awkward by Uncle So-and-So...or grandma won't drink too much eggnog again this year! Hope that our children will like the presents we've picked out for them.

Few of us are thinking about the hope of getting out of an abusive relationship...hope that tomorrow will bring us out of slavery...hope that bombs won't destroy our homes - a hope of peace - individually and corporately.

You see Jesus (according to John) is that light in our world - that hope - He IS peace - He IS justice in this world...but what does Jesus say about us… he tells us that we are NOW that light - We are to be ready to discuss the hope that others can see in our life...that we are to be about justice!

G_d sent His son because, "He so loved the world!" G_d left the comforts of His affluence and entered into our destitution and poverty...His desire that, "no one should perish" but that "every knee would bow and every tongue confess" - His hope that we would, "obey all that he had commanded" and if we would do so that, "there would be nobody in need" amongst us.

G_d's birth in Nazareth has little to do with exchanging gifts - little to do with cute carols - little to do with Santa Claus - little to do with plastic nativity scenes - little to do with Happy Holidays or Merry Christmases

But it does have everything to do with the redemption and reconciliation of His creation! The ushering in of a kingdom - His Kingdom - that unlike earthly kingdoms is not oppressive...not destructive...not abusive...not a division of the haves and the Have Nots - but a place of peace, mercy, justice, and compassion - a place of Shalom! He attempted this through living a life in poverty - a life in the margins - a life of rejection - a life of a person without hope...and through that life demonstrated a life of wealth - a life that represents what should be our norm - a life of inclusiveness - a life of hope.

That is what we are to celebrate this season - That G_d became flesh - He does not wait for us to ascend to Him, for He has already come down to us! He met us where we are and through grace and love He desires to lift us up. He has asked for us to partner with Him - to be about hope...to be about peace...to be a part of the reason for the season. He does not desire our lip service - He desires us to be about His Father's work - our Father's work. The redemption of all creation!

Not to wish others Peace and Goodwill but to be the Peace and Goodwill to others! Not to critique the vernacular of society - rather for us to become that which is irresistible to our community - a place of love - of peace - of hope!

We should not be concerned about putting "Christ" back in Christmas for He is already there - rather we should be concerned about demonstrating Christ to those who do not know Him. If we want to return Christ to his proper place we should be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, and visiting the prisoner! But please be warned this is not a seasonal event - Jesus doesn't tell us in Matthew 25 - I was hungry at Christmas and you fed me! If we want Christ to be the reason for the season then we should live a life that "lifts him on high" a life that demonstrates the beauty of His life - a life that gives hope - a life that brings peace - a life that is about redemption and reconciliation. If we live our lives like that then there will be no doubt of who we are celebrating - And I would venture to say that the whole world would celebrate with us!!!!

A new king arose... Exodus 1.8

I think that this verse is pretty interesting...If you do the math based on the promise made to Abraham about how long Israel would be in slavery and how long they were actually in Egypt we realize fairly quickly that Joseph would have had to have been alive during some of the slavery! So then what could this passage possibly mean? 

If Joseph was still alive how could a king rise up that did not know Joseph? He saved Egypt from famine! But if we compare the language used here to the language used later in Chapter 5 verse 2 we see that the same thing is said about G_d.

I think that a better understanding of this passage is that a king arose who did not recognize the authority of Joseph and therefore condemned Israel to slavery!

But how could G_d have allowed this to happen? Let me assert that it is Joseph's fault - or maybe we should say Jacob's fault. Israel (the nation not just the man) were supposed to only go to Egypt in order to avoid death by the famine...but they took the fat of the land - became comfortable and instead of using this blessing from G_d as a means to continue moving forward - they stayed! And they stayed too long...Israel was a shepherding people...nomads - yet they got used to what was offered in Egypt and forgot about the Promised Land that G_d was waiting to give them!

Somehow the people believed that this land (Egypt) was a better option than the Promised Land of G_d!

Oh how often I see this in my own life! G_d blesses me to sustain me and help me to keep moving and I confuse that blessing with the place He is trying to move me!

The Greatest Commandment

When Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is from G_d he responds by combining two passages from the Hebrew Text (Old Testament) – Deut. 6.4 and Leviticus 19.18. For many of us we only know this passage from Jesus’ usage of it in the New Testament, but to the believers of Jesus’ day they would have known particularly Deut. 6.4 – you see as a Jew you were to pray this prayer when you lie down and when you arise – This passage is called the She’ma (which means “Hear”) because it begins with, “Hear O Israel, The Lord is your G_d, The lord alone. Love the Lord your G_d with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might…” The imagery here is that of total dedication to G_d. The heart is your will, the soul is your thoughts, your might is your actions. So we could say (loosely) that this verse should read something like, “Love the Lord your G_d with all your will, with all your thoughts, and with all your actions.” Wow! How amazing that would be to live in this manner.

Jesus takes it a step further. He says that that is a good way for you to live…but we (being fallible) could make this all about us. G_d has always been about community and relationship – we on the other hand can be self-centered and not desire to be in community with others. Our faith is best lived out in relationship and so Jesus knowing our hearts reminds us at the end that though it is the most important thing – Loving G_d, with your will, thoughts, actions – it must be done in close relationship with the way in which we act toward our neighbors! 

The passage: “Love your neighbor as yourself” comes from Leviticus and it concludes a section of Text that speaks to how we are to treat each other and even more specifically to those who may not have what we have. Earlier in the passage G_d commands us to leave the corners of our field for the poor and the person passing through (Lev.19.9-10). This strikes me because G_d leaves it to us to determine how much of our field to leave. He just says ‘corners’ – we are left to wrestle with what that looks like in our lives. G_d is calling us to radical generosity to those around us. G_d then goes on to express (v. 11-12) that we should not steal, take advantage of, or lie to those around you…you should not profane His name – which means that you should not act in a manner that is not of G_d’s character and represent yourself as being in His character. In other words, don’t do what G_d wouldn’t do and then declare it to be godly. I love the next section of this passage (v. 13 – 14). G_d tells us that we should not curse in the ear of a deaf man – another way of looking at this is that even if a person doesn’t know that the way you are behaving is wrong it IS still wrong. Next He says not to put a stumbling block in the path of a blind man. A stumbling block is something that is done to intentionally trip somebody up. We should have no part of that! G_d then goes on to talk about how we should be about Justice for those around us – not self-serving but true justice! Wouldn’t that be a great day when the church becomes known for its justice and not its judgment? All of this leads up to verse 18 where G_d says, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself…”

When we start to understand what G_d is calling us to and who He is calling us to become we begin to understand how truly great this commandment really is. I pray that each of you would take the time to read Leviticus 19.9-18 and allow that to begin to shape in you what loving our neighbor is supposed to look like. So live a life of radical generosity, Godly character, personal integrity, and protection of the innocent…and you will live out the Greatest Commandment!

Human-doers!?!

In a culture where individuals would be more accurately described as "human-doers" as opposed to human-beings...I believe more than ever that it is time for the church to rescue this world from that oppressive mindset. Unfortunately, the church is in no position to help...for we are the ones more often than not that propagate such an existence. How did the church become so distant from the way of being that G_d desires for us?

As Christians we often spend a lot of time (too much time) talking and contrasting the difference between the Hebrew Text of Laws and the New Covenant and its freedom in grace (alone?)...ironically after we flaunt what we have - we revert back to the very way that we've quickly condemned! First we need to understand that the Torah was not a tool of rules and oppression - after all G_d just rescued the Israelites from slavery and oppression in order to make them a free nation...G_d did not follow this up by creating another oppressive regime to lord (pun intended) over the people! Rather I believe that G_d created a guide for living in freedom and community - that would be healthy and beneficial to everyone within the kingdom. This is why G_d (speaking through the Prophets) often told His people that He does not desire the sacrifices but rather desires their hearts! That doesn't make the Law (Torah is a better way of saying this) bad...just dangerous if misunderstood about its intent for G_d's people.

Grace is the same thing...Grace has always been offered...nobody believed that they could perfectly be obedient to Torah - each individual depended completely upon the grace of G_d for salvation and deliverance. Today we've rejected Torah (the Law) which was designed and delivered by G_d and have replaced it with our law or expectations of how people should live...what they should do...who they should become!

This is the part that is so dangerous - yet people have become so unaware of what we are doing...or is it denial?!? G_d gave us a way to live - Torah - we've rejected it and replaced it with our expectations...the way that we see fit for people to live. G_d's way shapes us into the way of being that He prescribes and desires for us (Shalom) - our way turns us from that and removes us from a way of being and creates in us a way of doing.

I hear people often say that they don't know what it is that G_d would have them do. Because we put the expectations of man into the mind of G_d. What if G_d were more interested in the way that we are being His kingdom as opposed to what we are doing? Granted when we begin to be the kingdom of G_d we also start doing kingdom work - but those are two very different ways!

The value of the Image of G_d within each of us is not what we do rather it is who we are - reflecting that Image to those around us.

Judas...Friend...

(A post from Nov. 2006)

In my study time I stumbled across something that has blessed me immensely...

I (right or wrong) am an avid defender of Judas...Kierkegaard says that every generation of Christians can be measured based on how they treat Judas...I think that that is an interesting assertion...for too long the church is quick to condemn him...so here are a few of my thoughts!

Let's begin in Matthew 27 v.3,4:

"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."

Okay...what I find interesting about this passage is that Judas' response to Christ being condemned is guilt for betraying innocence...so is that to mean that Judas had an epiphany at the moment of Christ's conviction? Or could it be (and obviously this is only a hypothesis) that Judas (may I remind you a religious zealot) thought or convinced himself that if he turned Christ over to the Pharisees and Sadducee that during their interegation of him that he would demonstrate to them that he was indeed the Messiah...but what transpired was that Jesus didn't defend himself and he did declare that he was the Son of God and they didn't believe him...Then they condemned him - When Judas saw this he realized that his plan had backfired and now he was guilty of the death of an innocent man - that he never intended to see killed!

Sidebar: Now I know that it says that the devil entered into Judas - but anytime someone does something that is meant to deceive they are referenced as either having the devil possess them or are called sons of the devil or are referred to as the devil himself (think Peter)...this was a way of saying that you are deceiving those around you...and rabbis used this language on a fairly regular basis (some of the Pharisees accused Christ of the same thing)

Now check out John 15 v. 13,14:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.

Okay roll that around for a moment...and now read this verse - picked up at the moment that Judas hands Christ over to the Sanhedrin...

Matthew 26 v. 50:

Jesus replied [to Judas], "Friend, do what you came for."



Read this! From the book of Zechariah!

4 This is what the Lord my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter. 5 Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the Lord, I am rich!’ Their own shepherds do not spare them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the Lord. “I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands.” 
7 So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. 8 In one month I got rid of the three shepherds. 
The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them 9 and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.” 
10 Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. 11 It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the Lord. 
12 I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. 
13 And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter. 
14 Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 
The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Zec 11:4-14.


What are your thoughts? How do you view Judas?

Lame Book!

Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Sanction by Eric Van Lustbader

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a very difficult read - typos, grammatical errors, etc.



I found the story line to be okay (at best) and was at least mildly entertained...but towards the end I was in disbelief at the number of resolutions to plots that came about by coincidental meetings, events, and even a child in Munich (with a British Accent) saying, "...right as rain" - Literally this saved the day! Lame...After the first couple coincidences that resolved tension or a dangerous situation I began to be skeptical that the book would end in any kind of dynamic way...I was right!



Lustbader seemingly tried to put too many plot twists and "interesting" side stories into a book that he was not prepared to write out to any good conclusion...it felt like he was writing and all of a sudden realized that he needed to wrap things up so he had Bourne pull out his lucky rabbits foot to tie all of the loose ends up in a hurry...



Don't waste your time on this book! Very, Very, Very disappointing


View all my reviews.

Discipleship

I think that it is interesting that the church will allow any person who 'wants' to "disciple"...

First of all it isn't like the way that we currently 'do' discipleship is anything like what was meant in the Great Commission...

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

First Century discipleship was done with a rabbi (teacher) and a handful of disciples - similar to Jesus...so that leaves me wrestling with the following questions:

1. Are we all called to be 'Disciplers'? (in this passage Jesus only told the 11 not all 122 disciples that followed him)
2. Are there even any who are qualified - afterall few (if any) have been discipled in the manner of which Jesus is speaking!?!?!!?
3. Is a 'class' in church enough?
4. If we aren't capable of discipling like 1st century rabbis - what should we do?
5. Where does this leave us?

1.