Politics 4: The complexities of clear convictions
I thought I would continue with my thoughts on politics. I don’t think you’d be surprised to hear I am pretty conservative. However, i do have an issue that, to be honest, i’m not sure if most conservatives see. Or maybe they do and they just don’t care. Of coarse, disagreements and thoughts are always welcome. Let’s start with the whole abortion issue. I am against abortion. I am against abortion in all cases. However, in my “against abortion” stance the question that remains is, “Okay, What do you do if a woman decides to not have an abortion?” The easy answer is, “there area lot of options… What about adoption?” While I’m sure there are many couples in America that would adopt babies from parents who decide not to have abortion, would we really be able to guarantee that if Roe v Wade was overturned? Their are close to 1.5 million abortions each year. Granted that some of those are for convenience sake, but either way what if the mother just didn’t want the baby. In 5 years that is 7 million babies…. Are their 7 million families that want to adopt over a 5 year period? Do you know what the national average is each year for families adopting? How’s 120,000 sound to you? That’s about 10% of all abortions. At this point let me say again I AM TOTALLY AGAINST ABORTION. I think it should be overturned and we deal with the issues. Again, what are we going to do about it?What about if the mother wants to keep the baby but can’t afford it? What help can they get? Usually the people who are against abortion are the people who are also against, or it would seem so, welfare of any kind. Here’s when I really saw this problem clearly. A few years ago I watching the Oreilly Factor and he had a segment on should gay couples be able to adopt. He had two people on as guests, one a gay-adoption advocate and the other from a popular Christian family organization. The Christian guy opened up with all of the statistics and how they showed it is in a child’s best interests in every way to grow up in a home with a man as a father and a woman as a mother. He eloquently convinced you by statistic that gay couples should not be able to adopt because of the clear scientific facts. However, here’s where it got interesting. The gay advocate (who by the way wasn’t gay himself), in sad to say a more Christ-like, non threatening way says, “Okay, who’s going to adopt these children?” Great question. To be honest I thought the Christian family guy would fire back at him with all sorts of solutions. Supprisingly, he didn’t. What? You know what he did? He just continued to read the statisitcs and go on about what the facts say. I wish the video was on youtube so you could see it yourself. Oreilly who agreed that a child should be in a married man and woman’s home then said something to the affect of, “Well, if there are no other options than these kids have to go somewhere? Still, no answer. Let me say this to the church and all of us who are against abortion: Are we as passionate to solve the problem as we are in our beliefs that there is a problem? Maybe in our prayers for the turn of Roe v Wade we can also pray that God would begin to do a work of compassion in the church’s heart to be able to meet the need as abortion begins to become a limited option more and more. The book of James tells us true religion is to take care of orphans. I’m going to do a couple of posts on adoption because I find i amazing how many people have wrong ideas about adoption. Ideas such as, if I adopt I don’t think i could love the child like my biological children - it wouldn’t be fair! Anyways, The point: We need not only the strong convictions but also strong compassion.
Check out Nancy Ortberg’s new book if you get a chance.
I’m a big fan of Nancy Ortberg. One of the podcast’s that I listen to regularly is her husband John’s from Menlo Park Church in California. I credit John’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted for taking my spiritual life out of a plateau that I never realized I was in and giving me the tools to go to another level in my reationship with God. One of the weeks of the podcast a couple years ago, Nancy had a couple of teachings on spiritual gifts. I know I blogged about it before, but it was probably the best teaching I ever heard on the subject. That is no exaggeration. For me personally the teaching was a divine moment. Through a weird set of circumstances I was able to invite Nancy to the church and much to my surprise she said she would come. I think anybody who attended the leadership meetings would tell you Nancy just hit it out of the park. She is a great teacher and a great leader. She has quickly become a favorite of mine and I find myself learning so much from her. Anyways she has a new book called Looking for God. I think it is GREAT! It is so refreshing to have a new perspective on how we can interact with God. Her chapters are bold and fresh, and may just have you saying, “can I really do that?” But what you’ll quickly find is Nancy has a revelation that is much needed in the body of Christ and will open you up to the wonder of a God who cant be put into a narrow little box. It personally opened me up to experience God in more ways. I really appreciate Nancy, and if you’ve never heard her speak I encourage you to do so. I invited her to the Generation Conference this year but do to a scheduling conflict she was unable to come. However, we’re hoping here schedule works for 2009. Check out her new book, Im sure you’ll love it. Also, Check out our new video at the Generation Conference website.
Charles Finney on Church Revival part 2
This Charles Finney book I have been reading has had me speechless. There are times when I am reading it that I just put it down and just shake my head. I have been underlining like crazy because he so clearly articulates things that I have been feeling for so long. Charles Finney was most definitely an innovator and encouraged innovation amongst churches for the sake of reaching people far from God. Check out this quote:
It is evident that we must have more arousing preaching, to meet the character and wants of the age. Ministers are generally beginning to find this out. And some of them complain of it, and suppose it to be ‘owing to new measures,’ as they call them. They say that such ministers as our fathers would have been glad to hear, cannot now be heard, cannot get a pastorate, nor secure an audience. And they think that new measures have perverted the taste of the people. But this is not the difficulty. The character of the age is changed, but these men retain the same stiff, dry, prosing style of preaching that answered half a century ago.
I find this quote interesting because although a lot has changed in the last 200 years since Finney wrote this book we as people haven’t really changed that much. The more I’m reading this book I realize the price that Finney paid for the revival he had, and those that fought against him back then are the same that fight against it today. The funny thing is that sometimes we, and I include myself, don’t even realize we do it. I pray that God would help me not limit him to the way things have been done, and not focus on what is being done, but that he would give me a heart for people far from God that would spark innovation to reach that audience. Whatever it takes.
Charles Finney on Church Revival
I just started a book by Charles Finney called Lectures on Revival. Charles Finney is kind of an icon around here becasue of the revivals in Utica/Rome area. Most people believe Finney’s strategy was just pray and go to a meeting and see people fall under the power. There could be nothing further from the truth. Anybody who believes that has obviously never read any of Finney’s own writings. While Finney was a man of the Spirit and prayer he was not opposed to using any means possible to reach people. Charels Finney fans should read his own words and I think they would be surprised by what he says. As I read Finney’s book I cant help but think that Finney would be totally behind the direction of where our church is heading and very proud of the reason we are doing some of the things we are doing. Over the next few days I’d like to share some quotes from the book that may be surprising to some. Here’s Finney in his own words:
“Without new measures it is impossible that the Church should succeed in gaining the attention of the world to religion. There are so many exciting subjects constantly brought before the public mind, such a running to and fro, so many that cry ‘Lo here!’ and ‘Lo there!’ that the Church cannot maintain her ground without sufficient novelty in measures, to get the public ear. The measures of politicians, of infidels, and heretics, the scrambling after wealth, the increase of luxury, and the ten thousand exciting and counteracting influences that bear upon the Church and upon the world, will gain men’s attention, and turn them away from the sanctuary and from the altars of the Lord, unless we increase in wisdom and piety, and wisely adopts such new measures as are calculated to get the attention of men to the Gospel of Christ. I have already said that novelties should be introduced no faster than they are really called for; they should be introduced with the greatest wisdom*, and caution, and prayerfulness, and in a manner calculated to excite as little opposition as possible. But new measures we must have. And may God prevent the Church from settling down in any set of forms, or getting the present or any other edition of her measures stereotyped. ”
Realize this was written in the 1800’s, what kind of competition for man’s attention could they have had? The church has an even more challenging job today with the things that are competing for man’s attention. To be honest, I wish I could post the whole book on my blog so people could see what Finney actually believed about how revival takes place. I have been just in awe as I read his thoughts because they confirm so much of what I fell like we need to implement in our church.
By the way, thanks to my administrative assistant Flo Lowe for typing up this quote an another for me. Applause. Applause. thanks Flo you’re the best
* I put this here to clarify Finney’s earlier statements. Finney believed we must use whatever means at our disposal to reach people for Christ, but he said we must be careful not to get caught up with the means or novelty and always remember the goal - reaching people. As I heard one pastor say, “what God blesses as a supplement he will curse as a substitute.”
Easter Services: WOW!
Just got the counts from our weekend services Here’s the email numbers:
Saturday night - 155
Sunday (Rome) - 127
Sunday (Utica) - 917
Sunday (Albany) - 400 +
Grand Total of 1572 and all I can I say is WOW!!!! There is definitely a new momentum at Mount Zion. Children’s wing and construction has begun and should be done the end of April. We are looking at another service at our Utica campus which provides another added challenge to a full plate. God send laborers! We need more volunteers. I went to get a haircut on Friday at a place down the street from my house. New place, I have been bouncing around since Justina moved to Virginia. I was two minutes into the haircut when someone came up and gave the lady cutting my hair a brochure on “faith based” parenting. Not sure what it was but gave me the opportunity to ask her if she was a christian. She told me she was catholic, but since having children (2 Girls 4 & 1) she has been looking for another church. Why? She said she wanted to have a church that reinforced the values she was trying to teach at home and felt the catholic church has not done that for her. She told me just trying to get her kids to be quiet during the service was a big deal. This woman probably represents a good part of the demographic in the Mohawk Valley and I wonder just how many others are out there just like her. I thought this is a divine appointment and the whole reason I came today. I told her about the children’s wing and our churches commitment to honor the words of Jesus and welcome children as if we were welcoming him. Needless, to see we had a “common ground” moment. It is interesting, If i had my way in the natural I would have focused the resources on the adults first, beefing up our weekend experience for them, but we felt clearly from the Lord the children were to be the first step. My point I really am curious at just how much potential this children’s wing has to reach seekers. If what happens what I think will happen this should be interesting. My prayer is that every weekend has the excitement and intensity as Easter.
Easter Sunday, How “PERFECT” was Jesus sacrifice?
Today I had to speak at our Albany campus. I titled my message Good people don’t go to heaven. That’ll wake up people who visit church once a year :). There was a little girl of about 8 or 9 years on the front row of the church that gasped and looked at her mom when I said the title. Not the typical, read the brutal details of what they did to Jesus message you hear on Easter but nonetheless every bit or more an Easter message. I started with Jesus last words Jesus uttered before he died taken out of the book of John…
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The word finished is the Greek word telios that literally means perfect. Fully understanding the gospel message, I couldn’t agree more - It was and is PERFECT. The funny thing though is most of America and maybe the world, doesn’t really BELIEVE it was perfect. Why do I say that? Because if you were to talk to most people and ask them if they believed they were going to heaven they would probably tell you yes because they believe they are a good person. In other words, besides what Jesus did what is “perfect” to us is working our way into heaven. What is “perfect” to us is somehow making sure that we somehow balance out the bad things we do with more good things. Seems to make sense. Seems to be perfect. I mean we all work on a reward system. We might get incentives a work for good sales, or give our kids treats if they behave. Doesn’t it make sense that the heaven is the ultimate reward for being a good person. It may make sense on the surface, but then we have to ask why did Jesus have to die? The perfection of what Jesus did is hard to grasp sometimes because it is so simple. Believe it or not, even people who go to church sometimes don’t believe it. Believe it or not even those who know the scriptures still sometimes struggle to believe the simplicity of the gospel message. To me, the “perfection” of Christ sacrifice not only reveals the great heart of the Father but also his ultimate wisdom. Think about it. By not letting us in on the basis of our “goodness” it leveled the playing field for everyone so everyone can get in the same way no matter who you are or what you done. For instance, I was talking to a prison guard who worked at the prison where the infamous 1970’s serial killer David Berkowitz was held. I actually was witnessing to this guy and invited him to church. His response? “If i came to church the walls would fall in.” I thought I would explain the gospel message by telling him that David Berkowitz was a christian now. He looked at me…and got very upset. He said, “that guy ain’t going to heaven, not after what he did. Not after what he did to those people and their families.” He couldn’t believe that Jesus could cover Son of Sam’s sin after everything he did. So the next question is did what Jesus did on the cross only cover good or moderately good people? How good is good enough to get that forgiveness? Tell me where the line is? Could Son of Sam really trust God to cover the heinous sins he committed? My answer: YES! Don’t believe me? Did you ever hear about the thief that hung beside Jesus? Just to clarify- I’m certain they didn’t crucify this thief because he stole a loaf of bread. I’m certain there was probably a little more to the story. But he’s there next to Jesus and admits his guilt and says, “Remember me”. The “remember me” statement might not be they typical bow your head close your eye prayer but obviously was a statement in this man’s confidence for Jesus to take care of what he did because Jesus looks at him and say, “Today, you shall be with me in Paradise”. What, No penance? No make up time? A death bed repentance? That’s not fair? Friends, we don’t want fair, trust me! The great thing about “perfection” what Christ did is it covers the gap for everything anybody might have done. So see, the my opening statement Good people don’t go to heaven bad people do is better said this way - Good people don’t go to heaven, forgiven people do.
Rom. 3:22 We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Thank God for scriptures like that. When Jesus uttered his last words, “it is perfect (finished)”, I wonder if today we all fully grasp just how perfect it was. It took care of the problem of sin in a way that to call genius would be an understatement.
Resurrection Weekend
Let’s take a moment to be grateful for all that Christ did for us…
Good Friday
Today we celebrate the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us. Have a blessed weekend and lets pray that God brings the spring weather!
Generational Curses: part 4, Why are people drawn to the doctrine.
How about this scripture:
Matthew 6:5-12 And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. (The Message)
I love this translation in light of so much that is being peddled as “super spirituality” in Christian culture. The third and last observation is the mistake of looking for a formula or technique that is an instant cure-all. I don’t know if this is an American problem or a human issue. For instance, have you seen the commercial for weight loss pills or infomercial for “ab loungers” and such. They peddle a product that promises and instant relief from your problem. There is never talk of years or even months - it’s always days. And the crazy thing is they continue to sell the product even after people who have tried others and failed. Ever tried a diet pill and didn’t lose weight? Some people need to have a garage sale because they own every infomercial weight loss product that has been on the TV and becasue they don’t work they are sitting in the closet. A couple of years ago the Today show had a woman on who had reviewed weight loss products and machines. She said after reviewing 1000’s of products she said she said what works could have been summed up in one sentence, “eat less and move more.” However, the simplicity one sentence wouldn’t have sold books- Its not sexy enough. What sells is, “the revolutionary breakthrough that hasn’t been discovered until now.” The thing that breaks my heart is the same way infomercial take advantage of people’s insecurities, lack of self worth, and even pride…doctrines such as this, in my humble opinion, fit into the same category. People who have had hard lives, disproportionate personal issues, and emotional problems are the easy prey for these doctrines, teachings, and books. (Clarification: The motivation of that last statement is my heart breaks for people who live for years with the same issue and yet go round and round and are in the same place yet never seem to make any progress) How would you feel if you saw someone who was monetarily poor and was severely over weight and had poor health problems but was spending all they have on “miracle cures” that don’t work. Well, the same is true in the church with people who carry emotional baggage after being beat up by life. Look at this scripture:
1 Timothy 3:6-7 These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn.
I call this Paul’s thoughts on infomercials. Paul pegs the marketing technique employed by infomercial marketers as they think of their demographic. Paul gives a warning as to why these false teachers doctrines in Ephesus are so popular in a certain group. The doctrine is popular because of the emotional state of the person buying it. My Advice: Don’t buy it. The answer: We have God who loves us who isn’t giving us clues for us to put together like a National Treasure movie and when we finally put it all together there is some magical key or “breakthrough” that is equivalent to the cure for cancer. No the answer is as simple as “eat less and move more”, it’s spend time with Jesus just as you are and you will be transformed into more than you can ever hope to be.
Addition: I say all this after much thought, being brutally honest with myself , and seeing the common denominators of those who successfully break free from patterns of sinfulness and live a fruit bearing life.
