an audience of everyone

There are several people throughout the world, whether they wanted to or not, have become 'Christian celebrities.'  These are people who are either authors, speakers, pastors, evangelists, etc, who are very well known throughout various parts of Christendom.  There are some who seem to welcome and embrace this status while there are some who try to avoid 'celebrity status' at all costs.  While I am at no risk of becoming one of these 'Christian celebrities,' I find myself wrestling with an issue that relates to it.

I can't help it.  When I hear about friends of mine who have been asked to write for certain magazines/books or asked to speak at camps, retreats, conferences, schools, etc, I find myself thinking, "why not me?"  What is it that I lack that I am not sought after for these things? I don't have to think long and hard to realize that there is a deep-rooted pride within me that wants to seen as something and that wants to be known as somebody.  When I am occasionally asked to speak somewhere, why is it that I enjoy it so much when other people find out?  Perhaps it is because there is a large part of my heart that is still trying to seek the approval of others.  God, may my heart seek to give you honor and glory above all others.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts/experiences. 

being real

There is a group of about 8-10 men who meet at my church every Thursday for an hour around lunchtime to gather around God's Word.  Every guy in the room is either retired or works a blue collar job of some sorts.  There is no one in the room who would claim to have any specialized education in the area of theology, ministry, or the scriptures.  While they have been meeting for about three months in a room very close to my office, I had never joined them in their small group despite being invited.  Last Thursday, I decided that I would join the guys for their hour long study/conversation and can I also add that it was one of the most refreshing experiences I have had in awhile.

What was it that I enjoyed so much about this little band of brothers?  The men are quick to confess their utter need and dependence upon Christ.  There is no fluff, no smoke and mirrors that they use to somehow make it look like they have their crap together.  Prayer requests consist of help with meth and alcohol addictions.  I couldn’t help but think that Brennan Manning would thoroughly enjoy a group like this.  There is no ‘scholar’ among them that feels necessary to somehow exalt himself or let it be known that he is the ‘superior Christian’ among the group.

Don’t get me wrong; with a group like this, you will certainly come across some interesting theology and conclusions.  For example, this Thursday we read the entire book of Colossians and discussed its content in one hour… An impossible task.  And this is what I couldn’t help but wonder as the group was coming to a close: what would many of my seminary professors think about what took place in that small group setting?  Would they be disgusted at the lack of proper exegesis?  Would they be disappointed that I did not take more of an authoritative role among the group so I could correct false conclusions?  Would they be able to see that Jesus looks at a group of men like this and is so proud to see his sons seeking his face the only way they know how? 

I have a lot to learn from these men.

"I didn't get much out of worship today"

I overheard someone say that the other day... "I didn't get much out of worship."  I thought about saying something but I am always cautious about coming across as condescending.  This is not the first time that I have heard a statement like this and, in fact, I am sure I have said it at one time or another in my life.  What irks me about a statement like this is the consumeristic nature of the statement... That somehow gathering for worship has become more about gathering to be pampered.  Don't get me wrong, when we come before God in a spirit of worship we will definitely be blessed, but may 'being blessed' never precede our desire and intention to offer up our worship.

And while I may have already beaten the dead horse in previous entries, this is what I find to be a continual pattern in many people's understanding of the worship time, especially in Protestant circles.  We come seeing if the pastor has good insight this week, if the band plays our favorite songs with excellence, if the powerpoint/videos are appealing, and so on.  I wonder if there would be as much 'church hopping' if we ceased to think this way...

A perspective of thanks

I have had a cough for almost a week... one of those coughs where you actually wake yourself up from coughing.  Along with my good friend 'the cough,' I also have a canker sore on the side of my tongue that reminds me of its presence everytime I chew food.  I found myself thinking, "I can't wait until two or three days pass and the cough and the canker sore are gone..."  There is nothing wrong with that sentiment at all.

Then I started thinking about other people, people I know and millions more that I don't, who have many issues I'm sure they wish would go away 'in two or three days' but they will not... People who have terminal illnesses, people who are not able to control their blatter, cancer patients, loneliness, a lack of hope, and so on.  Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy waking up due to a coughing fit or accidently grazing my teeth against the canker sore in my mouth, but may I give thanks that I can walk with my own two feet and go get the 'Oragel.'   May I not forget that I am truly blessed and have much to give thanks for.  Lastly, may it become a pattern of my life to daily give thanks to my God for the simplicities of life... a beating heart, oxygen, a loving wife, and so much more.