Winning the Prize

We have been watching and enjoying the Winter Olympics. These are sports that most people (including me) don’t follow regularly, but every four years we can get totally engrossed in the competition. And we can become “experts” about things we have never even tried (snowboarding, luge, skiing downhill at 70mph). The games have reminded me of the old Wide World of Sports motto: “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”

They have also reminded me of the words of the Apostle Paul: Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27.

Let’s win the prize, eh?

Le'Go My Ego

Remember the old Toby Keith Song?
I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you you, usually, but occasionally
I wanna talk about meeeeee

This past week I read two articles that had contrasting premises. The topic was preaching and the amount of time preachers spend talking about themselves. One writer suggested that preachers do not talk about themselves enough. Therefore, the congregation rarely gets to hear what is close to its minister’s heart. The other author opined that many preachers talk about themselves far too often. This happens through illustrations, personal anecdotes, and humorous stories. Mark Galli wrote, "The sermon has inadvertently become the showcase of the pastor’s life and faith. Less about the centrality and greatness of Jesus. “

I think Galli is right. I listen to a lot of preaching (via podcasts, CDs, conferences, etc.), and many times I have heard too much about the preacher and too little about Jesus. My wife tells me that I don’t share enough personal stories and illustrations. She might be right, but I would rather leave people wanting to know more, rather than rolling their eyes, saying, “Sigh, here he goes again. What an egomaniac!”

I think it would be better to follow the lead of John the Baptist. He had the proper attitude about Jesus: "He must increase, but I must decrease.”

How about you? What’s your opinion of this issue?

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Senior Pictures

We just got Lindsey's senior pictures. These are a some of my faves.

Amen!

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Passing the Baton

The Bible says that we are to teach the commandments of God to the next generation (Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 2:2). Serious believers must ask themselves how well they are passing the baton of faith to those who will come behind them. This includes not only the Bible, but also the principles of interpreting and practicing the Bible. Historically, the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have promoted what has been called the “Restoration Plea” – a call for people to return the faith and practices of the church in the New Testament.

Not long ago, I read an article that suggested it might be time to rethink or rename the Restoration Movement. The writer gave anecdotal evidence that our plea was becoming increasingly irrelevant to the younger generation. One young leader commented, “I still have a place in my heart for the Christian churches, but my friends ask why I bother. They think the Restoration Movement is dying…” I began to wonder if young people who have been raised in our churches are even aware that they are part of a larger fellowship of believers with a rich history and a tremendous plea. Previous generations spent their lives seeking to model the church and faith after the example given in the New Testament, without many of the creeds and rules of the denominational world. I wanted to test the theory that we might be losing this emphasis, so one night I asked my teenage children, “What do you guys know about the Restoration Movement?” My son responded, “It’s a group of people who are trying to do church like they did it in the Bible.” I was pleased with his answer, but I still had uneasiness in my spirit that perhaps we (church leaders) were not doing enough to educate church members about the principles of the Restoration Movement.

I’m not suggesting that every Christian needs to be able to identify Alexander Campbell or Barton W. Stone. Nor must one be familiar with Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address in order to be saved. I would much rather see people indentifying with Jesus and the apostles, and being familiar with the Word of God. However, our forefathers were on to something when they encouraged people to “take the Bible only, and be called Christians only.” I believe it is a plea that is worth sharing with our children and folks who are new to the faith. Even some who are not part of our movement have noticed this. Evangelical professor and author Scot McKnight writes, “I'm convinced one of the most untapped sources of evangelical theology and ministry today is the Restoration Movement, sometimes called the Stone-Campbell Movement, and known to others as the Christian Churches and the Churches of Christ. My experience confirms to me time and time again that these folks are quietly at work in the gospel.” It was a good reminder to me that our churches and organizations are setting an example for others in the religious world.

Recently I started teaching a class called “Principles of the Restoration Movement.” We are covering a lot of Bible. But the class members (new believers and long-time church members) are embracing these principles. I’m trying to pass the baton. Are you?

Pants on the Ground

For those who haven't see it yet...

Preaching at Lake James

Last night I had the privilege of speaking to several dozen high school students at Lake James Christian Assembly. They are at the camp this weekend for the Winter Retreat. I always enjoy seeing students worship – they do so with sincerity and abandon. The Pulse Band (Cedar Creek’s student praise team) did a great job leading in worship. I preached on the assigned topic of forgiveness. I have wonderful memories of Church Camp from my teen years. I'm glad I was asked to participate in this. Extra Bonus: Both of my kids were there.

Dawson Going to Hall of Fame!

The Hawk gets his due.

Good Advice from a Seasoned Veteran

Mark Driscoll posted this on his blog a couple of days ago. I thought it was great:

I was recently visiting a friend who serves another church and he introduced me to an older minister who has encouraged him for many years. This eighty-six-year-old preacher had lots of gas still in his tank, and speculated out loud whether he thought he could take me at racquetball. He was a genuinely happy man filled with joy and still dreaming new dreams for ministry.

At one point in our brief conversation, I asked him what the “secret” was to his lifelong ministry, good health, and joy.

Of course, the old preacher rattled off three points:

1.“Read the Bible every day.” I asked him how many times he had read the Bible, and he said he was finishing up his 358th reading of the entire Bible!

2.“Mumble prayers throughout the day.” He explained that it is vital to pray in the morning to connect with God and confess sin, but that we also need to mumble prayers throughout the day, talking to God about everything.

3.“Refuse to have any enemies.” He said that if you choose to forgive everyone of all their sins, then no matter who or what is against you, your heart will not become hard and bitter because you treat everyone like a friend.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

Partridge in a Pear Tree

Mythbusters: The Final Episode

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

I've written about this before, but it's the time of year for the "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" debate. You have probably received at least one email or Facebook request ("We say 'Merry Christmas'") that bemoans the fact that "Christ is being taken out of Christmas" or some such. Really? Is this the hill we want to die on?

Jon Acuf writes a blog called Stuff Christians Like. I think his take on this issue is excellent:

I wasn’t going to write about this one. ...Until I saw the billboard.

Sunday night, driving home from vacation with my family outside of Atlanta, GA, I saw a new billboard.

On a background of festive red, with big white letters I read a simple message:

I miss you saying “Merry Christmas.” – Jesus

And that’s when, much like the mafia, just when I thought I was out, they dragged me back into the conversation.

I don’t have a problem with that billboard, but there are three things it calls to mind:

1. We invented the phrase “Merry Christmas.”
I’ve only read the Bible from front to back one time. I read it a lot, but from a “read through it straight in 2 years point of view” I’ve only taken one spin. But when I did, I swear I couldn’t find the phrase, “Merry Christmas” anywhere. That billboard kind of makes it seem like Paul said that while he was making tents before he went on his wild missions. “Making tents on Christmas Eve. That is completely bogus. No one even said ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. All these heathen tent makers all say, ‘Happy Holidays.’ So whack.”

2. How do we know Jesus misses that?
Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t. I honestly don’t know. Maybe Jesus would say things like “I miss hearing you say, ‘Let’s play some Frisbee golf’” or “I miss hearing you say that you pre-ordered the ‘Stuff Christians Like’ book.” I’m not certain, but I am certain that the times I’ve misquoted Jesus or put words in his mouth, in my mouth I’ve felt that feeling you get when you chew aluminum foil with metal fillings in your teeth. God isn’t technically striking me with lightning but He’s definitely firing up the lightning bolt 300 for imminent release.

3. We would be upset if someone else quoted Jesus for their cause.
If some other group made a billboard that quoted Jesus and that quote was not solidly based in the Bible, we would go spider monkey crazy. (You might rock out squirrel monkey style, but that’s really a personal preference thing.) If someone, even just for emphasis, quoted Jesus as supporting their cause and it wasn’t straight up Bible, we would be straight up upset.

I will see that billboard everyday during my commute, but I’m at peace with it. And there’s a pretty simple reason – It’s not belligerent. I always get a little weirded out when people aggressively make the distinction between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays.” I completely understand the frustration with a culture that is actively and deliberately removing Christ at every given opportunity, but when we angrily say, “It’s ‘Merry Christmas, not happy holidays!’” we might as well say, “It’s ‘Merry Christmas,’ not happy holidays you jerk!” And that makes people want to celebrate winter solstice instead of whatever those grumpy, fight you on a vernacular level Christians are down with.

I promise.

O Holy Night -- worst rendition ever

I heard this several years ago. It still makes me laugh.

Pfft You Were Gone

Happy Thanksgiving!

"O give thanks to the Lord for He is good." I think Thanksgiving is in the running for my favorite holiday (Christmas is the other contender). I woke up this morning at my parents house with the aroma is turkey in the air. Homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee were on the breakfast table. Lots of family members are coming over later for Thanksgiving dinner. (I'm starting to see a theme here, and it revolves around food).

But I like the intended focus of the day -- thanking the Lord for His blessings(one of my pet peeves is when people call it "Turkey Day" rather than "Thanksgiving" -- I'm not a jerk about it, I just think people are missing the point).

So I encourage you to spend some time reflecting upon the Lord's goodness to you. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!