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I have been receiving an overwhelming response to my article about “confessing my agenda” to Rosie O’Donnell after her less than positive comments about Christianity. Many of you have written asking for permission to use/print/reproduce those comments. I am blessed that so many of you found that article helpful. Feel free to use it with my blessings. If you reproduce it in a publication simply note the source. If you decide to use it at a website please link it to Crosswalk.com or to my site at Confessions of a Bad Christian. If you use it from the pulpit without accredidation just know that Jesus is watching. For newcomers…I am kidding!

If this post communicates your heart why not forward the “agenda” to your circle of influence? We might as well start a groundswell of Christians committed to this “radical” and “troublesome” brand of faith.

Blessings and joy in the journey,

Dave

 

Note to my tens of loyal readers…the iPod Devotional Series will resume tomorrow.

You never know which weblogs will resonate with readers. I posted my response to the Rosie O’Donnell flap last week and almost immediately began receiving responses…both posted on the website and via emails. Most were overwhelmingly kind and encouraging. A few not so much. Regular readers of these ramblings know that we have some house rules here at Bad Christian Central. No personal attacks. No rude or inflammatory posts. No CYBER SHOUTING. The discourse at this site will remain civil and graceful. Why? Because I am paying for the server. Buy your own site and you can do what you want. Visit mine and those are the groundrules.

Having said that, I am learning that negative responses are often food for thought and opportunities for clarification. That is why I am taking a rare detour to address a couple of less than complimentary responses. While I doubt the original posters will ever read this the opportunity to clarify is important. First up is Ed who took exception with my article about Rosie.

So who gets to decide who is a christian and who isn’t. Apparently you believe this is your job. Everyone is allowed to be a christian in your eyes until they do or say something you disagree with and then you decree that they are not or never were a christian. Convenient for you but not in any way related to the reality of the situation.

Let me make one thing very clear if I haven’t before. God decides who is a Christian and who isn’t. If you can find any example where I wrote that any particular person is not a Christian (who claims to be) I will correct it. Because I don’t know the hearts of other people and for me to attempt to figure out who is really a Christian and who is not is walking on theologically thin ice. But I do think it is Biblically appropriate to evaluate the actions of those who take the name of Christ to see if those actions are consistent with His teachings. I submit myself to this standard willingly. If you find that I am doing something that damages the name of Christ I want to be gracefully but firmly corrected. There are an untold number of Christians who have done something I have disagreed with and I am sure they are still in the faith. As I grow older I am more convinced than ever that we need to focus on who unites us (Jesus) instead of the myriad of issues that divide us.

Here is my argument on the blanket application of the title Christian. There are sects and cults that appropriate the name into activities that violate the law of the land and of God’s Word. If a criminal dons a police uniform and does evil in that uniform he is not a policeman. No one talks about how “policemen” are phony because of actions like this. His actions do not mean that other police officers are bad and, fortunately,  few see it that way. But when someone identified as a Christian does something evil it does seem to tarnish the entire faith to many who hear the news. That is my frustration when I write about the title Christian being used so casually.  I believe it is biblically appropriate to judge actions but not salvation.

Allow me also to respond to what I think my “job” is as a follower of Christ. It is a simple job description. To work out my salvation with fear and trembling, to love the Lord my God with all of my heart and my neighbor as myself, to go and make disciples in the name of the Lord, and to do no damage to the precious name of Jesus. My job performance is inconsistent but slowly improving.

Reader Lisa responded with a couple of interesting observations. She listed a number of people who have discredited the faith with their actions or by taking controversial and/or unbiblical stands.

These are the Christians who unfortunately are front and center.

That is true. Every person that is in Christian leadership or speaks for the faith is accountable to God for their actions and words. And so am I with my itty-bitty little circle of influence that my books and modest blog have generated. Some celebrity Christians are front and center in the media but the reality is that I am front and center in my world. And you, Lisa, are front and center in your world. I can make a difference to those around me. You can do the same. I can love and serve those I come in contact with in the love of Jesus. And so can you. My experience is that when I love people and care and show them Jesus they don’t really care what TV Preacher Foghorn Blowhard said last week. I am accountable for me and I will answer for me on the judgment day. And you will answer for you. Period.

Minus some of the sanctimony in your blog, I wish you would gain a bigger stage. Then maybe us Christians can affect real change that is more consistent with teachings of Christ.

Okay Lisa, I am throwing a flag on that one for unfair use of terms. Dictionary.com defines sanctimony as pretended, affected, or hypocritical religious devotion, righteousness, etc. And frankly, you do not know me well enough to call my words pretended or hypocritical. If that description came from my wife, sons, workmates, or friends I will hit my knees in repentance. With all grace filled respect, you don’t have that knowledge. So…do you still want me to have a bigger stage?

Unfortunately, so-called “Christians” who espouse your views have little to no voice regarding public discourse, nor much power to affect public policy.

Here is the most thought provoking statement of all from Lisa. She is spot on right that I have little to no voice regarding public discourse, nor much power to affect public policy. But does that really matter? Is God looking for people of great influence or people of great obedience? Does He change history through the powerful or the prayerful? Would it make a greater difference to have a Christian legislature and court system or Christians truly living by His teachings?

God could have chosen a “Damascus Road” experience for the powerful politicians of Rome to jumpstart the early church. That would have been my strategy. God could have spoken directory to the influential philosophers and teachers of the era to get out His plan. That would have been my phase 2 marketing approach. But He chose to use the sold out lives of regular people. His plan remains the same. And whether you call it sanctimonious or not, I want to be a part of that plan.

 

When I was younger you knew exactly when a celebrities career had peaked and had begun to spiral slowly downward. That career reversal could be duly noted when a one time big star was booked on the Love Boat. So it is with some reluctance that I address the brouhaha surrounding the comments by talk show host Rosie O’Donnell. I am reluctant to discuss this because I think that Rosie is in the Love Boat phase of her career. To be fair, she has forged a career that garners her national attention. My career has made me a household name only in my household. Nonetheless, her comments conveyed a common misconception (make that lie) about the “agenda” of Christians in this country. Here is what the always genteel Rosie had to say during a recent episode of  The View.

“Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state.”

Perhaps part of the problem is a lack of clarity in definition. Unfortunately the sacred name of Christian has been compromised. People who clearly do not follow the directives of Christ are still reported as Christians in many media stories. And frankly, many have taken the name on themselves who are not representing Christ in their lives or beliefs. So when Rosie throws out the term “radical Christianity” I really don’t know what or who she is talking about. If she is talking about the millions of people in this country who call themselves “born-again” Christians then I believe she is sadly misinformed.

The predictable (and likely hoped for outrage) is happening. Already there are calls from Christian organizations for her removal from the show. Some are demanding that Rosie apologize. Regular readers of these humble ramblings know that I take a different approach to situations like this. I don’t call for boycotts or dismissals. Instead I look to stick my foot in the cultural debate door that situations like this inevitably open to discuss my faith. I was disappointed when The Book of Daniel was removed so quickly because I was having a field day sharing my beliefs with others because of that truly bad television show.

And now, because of this incident, I am willing to totally outline my “agenda” for Rosie O’Donnell. Am I a radical Christian? By my definition I would like to be but I am still trying to get there. My definition of a radical Christian is one who lives everyday trying to become more like Jesus. That makes you pretty darn radical in this self-absorbed and materialistic culture.

I had written an earlier post after I had been outed by an internet blogger as being “apparently religious” in my viewpoints. I was stunned at his intellectual prowess in figuring out that a blog called “Confessions of a Bad Christian” was written from a religious perspective. How did I ever get discovered? I thought my cover was airtight! At that time I wrote about my agenda and those words are appropriate today.

When I became aware that word of my Evangelical Christianity was out I went to the secret underground bunker where we all meet to plan how to advance our agenda.
“I have been Valerie Plumed!” I told the group.
“They know?”, they asked.
“I’m afraid so. Should I come clean?”
They looked horrified. “You mean tell them your agenda?”
“Yes,” I said boldly. “I am going to lay out my entire agenda so there will be no doubt.”

So here it is. I certainly don’t speak for all Evangelical Christians but I think I just might represent a number of them. Rosie, I am coming clean. Here is what I believe and my entire agenda.

I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, His sinless life, and miracles.  I believe in His atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. I believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

Let me tell you what this particular evangelical Christian does not believe…

I do not believe you have to be a Republican to be a Christian despited accusations to the contrary by some of my critics. Like it or not, heaven will be bipartisan and I am totally fine that there will not be sides of the golden aisles.
I do not believe that God is “judging” America for any particular sin. But if He is judging this country I would suspect it is for the massive squandering of wealth and resources that we have been blessed with while giving back an average of less than three percent.
I do not believe in ranking sins for their offensiveness to a Holy God. Some things are more offensive to us but all sin is equally intolerable to a Holy God.
I do not believe that censorship, boycotts, or politics will redeem this culture…only a spiritual renewal can accomplish such redemption.
I do not believe that it is my place to relish or desire eternal punishment for others. I am willing to leave that to a righteous and just God who sees the real heart and motives for each one of us and Who will judge justly.

And finally, here is my complete agenda.

• To try and see everyone through the eyes of Jesus because my eyes are prejudiced and prideful.


• To try and love them like Jesus because my love is selfish.


• To let them others know that my relationship with Jesus has changed my life, given my life purpose, given me strength to endure tragedy, and real hope for the future.


• To authentically relate how this personal relationship with the living God saved my marriage and made me a better father to my sons.


• To be gentle in relating the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to people in every situation and mired in any sin. My goal is to introduce them to Jesus and let them work out their salvation in fear and trembling.


• To exhibit grace and forgiveness to those who attack me for not sharing their views.


• To be an example of the living Christ to everyone I come in contact so that I can be salt and light to my little circle of influence.


• To be a advocate for those wounded by the church and other Christians. Our lack of unity must grieve the Lord who prayed for unity of the body during His final agonizing hours before His betrayal, mock trial, and crucifixion.


• To try to never be surprised or repulsed by the actions of those who do not have a relationship with Jesus. The Lord Himself was always gentle with sinners and always tough on religious hypocrites. We have reversed his example far too often. We are too tough on sinners and too gentle with the hypocrites.


• To try and give generously of my time and treasure to those who have not been as materially blessed in my neighborhood, my country, and around the world.


• To let people know that I love Jesus and I am not at all ashamed of that fact.

In short, I am praying to be a “troublesome” Christian. It is easy to dismiss the hypocrite. No problem to ignore the angry and judgmental religious types. But I was troubled when I saw some Christians who displayed something different in their lives. I could not dismiss so readily the joy, peace, strength, courage, and love they modeled. They were “troublesome” Christians to me.  I could not ignore them because their lives were authentic and different (different good, not weird). I want to be that kind of Christian. That is my agenda. Sorry if I have disappointed you conspiracy types. But I have come completely clean with you. My entire agenda is to be a “troublesome” Christian because Jesus is transforming my life every day. My prayer for Rosie O’Donnell is that she meets one of these troublesome Christians and then that she encounter Jesus. That’s it. End of agenda. That’s all I’ve got. I am so relieved that you finally know the truth.

 

Welcome to the experiment known as the iPod devotional series. Here is how it works. On the old iPod is a “shuffle songs” feature. You hit the button and the iPod randomly picks a song.  I am writing a blog about whatever song the device selects on that day from the 1,000 plus songs on my iPod. My music list will further confirm my status as a Christian who makes others feel superior. My music goes from Al Green to the Youngbloods. Beatles to U2. Old hymns to modern praise music. Toby Keith to Frank Sinatra. Oldies to the soundtrack from Monty Python’s Spamalot. This could be interesting.

So far in the series we have had songs from the Undisputed Truth, Chris Rice, Toby Keith, Andrew Peterson, Alison Krause and Union Station, The Youngbloods, and Willie Nelson. I would call that blend eclectic. You probably call it weird. Today’s edition of “As the iPod Turns” lands us on a song by Percy Sledge. I loved Motown music as a teen and I still do. My secret desire was to perform as the bass singer with the Temptations. Remember the song “Papa was a Rolling Stone”?  I wanted to be the guy that said “and that ain’t right” in that deep, deep bass voice. But my lack of talent, dancing ability, and the general composition of the group precluded that dream from becoming reality.

The tune that came up today is a classic. “When a Man Loves a Woman” reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts in 1966.

The song was number 54 in the 500 best songs of all time in a poll by Rolling Stone Magazine. Anyone who has ever been in love can feel these lyrics deep in your soul. I remember when I fell in love with the stunning Mrs.Burchett. I could have written these lyrics in those halcyon days of young love.

When a man loves a woman
Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else
He’d trade the world
For a good thing he’s found
If she is bad, he can’t see it
She can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best friend If he puts her down

When a man loves a woman
Spend his very last dime
Trying to hold on to what he needs
He’d give up all his comforts
And sleep out in the rain
If she said that’s the way
It ought to be

I give you everything I’ve got (yeah)
Trying to hold on
To your precious love

Could there be a more powerful description of how it feels to be giddy in love? You really can’t think of anything else but your new love. I couldn’t help but reflect about this song in the context of my relationship with God. When I first became a Christian I was so happy, so relieved, and so grateful for forgiveness. I really couldn’t keep my mind on nothin’ else except this new relationship with Jesus. I was so sold out to my relationship with God that I believe I would have traded the whole world for the good thing I’d found. But, much like romantic love, things change over time if you are not aware.

It happened, sadly, with my romantic love. I am not proud to admit that I forgot for a few years how much this man loved his wife. The pursuit of career and status changed how I approached my marriage and it was a rocky time. Fortunately I realized what God had given me and I changed my ways. Thank God we hung tough and I love Joni more today than I did over thirty years ago.

The same thing happens at times with my relationship with God. I say I love Jesus but there are days that I can hardly force myself to think of spiritual things. There are times when talking to God and praying is a burden. And I wonder if I would trade the world now for the good thing I’ve found in Jesus? My pew-litically correct answer is of course I would. Then why can it be so difficult to sacrifice even a little bit of my comfort for others? If I am truly willing to trade the whole world maybe I should have a few less possessions and and a lot more giving. Wouldn’t that be a true indicator of my love for God? Would I give my last dime for Jesus? Or would I be like the rich young man of the Bible and turn away sadly at the cost He demands? Would I give up all my comforts if God called me to do that? Or would I rationalize that I can “do more” where I am? Do I give Him everything I’ve got?

But here is where this love relationship with Jesus is so different from the romantic love that Percy Sledge describes. I don’t have to do those things and give everything I’ve got to try and hold on to His precious love. That is already done.  God’s love is always there. It was signed, sealed, and delivered at Calvary. When I accepted that gift of mercy I no longer had to try to hold on or earn that love. When a man loves God he does so out of gratitude. Because God extended grace to a person who did not deserve it. When a man (or woman) loves God there is nothing you can do to earn that love. But there is much that you can do to show it. “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” That was the insightful quote from Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India. That is true when a man loves a woman. And also when a man loves God.

 

 

Welcome to the experiment known as the iPod devotional series. Here is how it works. On the old iPod is a “shuffle songs” feature. You hit the button and the iPod randomly picks a song.  I am writing a blog about whatever song the device selects on that day from the 1,000 plus songs on my iPod. My music list will further confirm my status as a Christian who makes others feel superior. My music goes from Al Green to the Youngbloods. Beatles to U2. Old hymns to modern praise music. Toby Keith to Frank Sinatra. Oldies to the soundtrack from Monty Python’s Spamalot. This could be interesting.

Okay…this is weird. I mentioned Toby Keith in the intro paragraph and one of his song’s popped up yesterday. I noted The Youngbloods in the alphabetical range of my songlist and their one big hit is the shuffle target for today. I guess I should prepare for Monty Python tomorrow. The song “Get Together” was written in 1963 by a songwriter who went by the stage name of Dino Valente. “Get Together” was recorded by The Kingston Trio and also by We Five (of “You Were on My Mind” fame) in the mid-60’s. The Youngbloods recorded the song in 1967 and it became a minor hit. The song had a major breakthrough after the National Council of Christians and Jews used the song for radio commercials to promote unity. In 1969 the song became a top five hit and one of the quintessential peace songs of the era.

I remember listening to the static on my AM transister radio while singing along with The Youngbloods in 1969. I was in my junior year in high school and I was sure that my generation could make a difference. We would fix the mess that my parents and grandparents had made. Now my kids dream of repairing the mess my generation has left. We believed peace was possible…we just had to get together. This would be easy enough. Just love one another. Everybody sing now…

Love is but the song we sing,
And fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you need not know why
C’mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev’rybody get together
Try and love one another right now

Nice words. The problem was contained in the last line of lyric above. Try and love one another right now. How is that working out for our peace loving generation? Not so well. It is far easier to sing about loving one another than it is to actually love another. No matter how much I “try” I seem to fail miserably when I determine that I will, in my own strength, love others. It is easy to love some people. But loving the unlovable is the challenge. On that count we have not done so well. Jesus pointed out my hypocrisy on that count.

• If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Matt 5  The Message

As an idealistic teen I believed that more education, communication, and edification would change the world. I believed that the problem was not sin. The problem was a lack of knowledge. I was wrong. The problem is sin. Education and communication certainly help. But real change comes from the inside out. And for me that came from the most amazing revolutionary in history, Jesus Christ. How we have marginalized the powerful teachings of Jesus. He bluntly said that peace was not going to be found in this life.

• “But the time is coming–in fact, it is already here–when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”   John 16 NLT

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would comfort us in times of trouble and that the peace the world advocates would fall short.

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14 NLT

I watch the news and my heart aches. I wish we could have peace on earth but I have come to realize that is not possible through human institutions. I truly wish it were possible. The lyrics continue with an interesting twist.

Some will come and some will go
We shall surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last

I am not sure if the writer of this song really believed that Jesus would return for us at last. Christians (present company included) maintain that Jesus will return as one of our articles of faith. But we don’t really live as if we believe that.

You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both

I believe there is one key to love and fear. But we do not hold the key. We do, however, have the opportunity to respond to the key to love and fear. His name is Jesus. Thirty-seven years ago with trembling hand I asked Him to unlock my heart and enter in. I began changing at that moment. And with each passing year I get a little better learning how to…
Love one another right now
Right now
Right now!

 

Welcome to the experiment known as the iPod devotional series. Here is how it works. On the old iPod is a “shuffle songs” feature. You hit the button and the iPod randomly picks a song.  I am writing a blog about whatever song the device selects on that day from the 1,000 plus songs on my iPod. My music list will further confirm my status as a Christian who makes others feel superior. My music goes from Al Green to the Youngbloods. Beatles to U2. Old hymns to modern praise music. Toby Keith to Frank Sinatra. Oldies to the soundtrack from Monty Python’s Spamalot. This could be interesting.

I mentioned in the introductory paragraph that you might find some Toby Keith on my iPod. The shuffle confirmed that today as a tune from the Oklahoma country singer was the first one called up. Earlier I had expressed some concerns about this series. One of those fears was that the randomly selected song would:

• Offend more conservative readers of these humble ramblings
• Unite the cyber spiritual hall monitors into a self-righteous frenzy of condemnation (a really easy thing to do)
• Confirm and cement the title of this site…Confessions of a Bad Christian

I believe today’s song will accomplish all of the above. It is with great hesitation that I reveal that today’s song is “I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith.  There is a reason why “I Love This Song”. If you will hang with me to the end before launching the email barrage I think you will at least see my point. In my oddly constructed brain I listen to this song and dream of what church should be while realizing what it too often is not.

We got winners, we got losers
Chain smokers and boozers
And we got yuppies, we got bikers
We got thirsty hitchhikers
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got cowboys, we got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers, we got fighters
Early birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

When I listen to the dynamic of that song I can’t help but think of the description of the early church in Acts.

And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity– all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.  Acts 2  NLT

I see that body of believers in Jesus resembling the motley crew that Keith outlines in his lyrics. We were created to be in community. A community of believers that accept and embrace those different from us because of Christ. That is what makes church dynamic to a person who experiences grace and acceptance for the first time. And that is why church can be devastating when the congregation becomes selective, judgemental, and legalistic. When we become “professional Christians” something seems to happen. We lose touch with our former brokenness and sinfulness.  I wrote about my dream of the Sinner Sensitive Church to replace the seeker sensitive approach in When Bad Christians Happen to Good People.     Here is an excerpt from that book.

The sinner-sensitive church (SSC) is my proposal for a new church movement toward making everyone feel welcomed and loved. The SSC would model nonjudgmental attitudes. Issues like having tattoos, body piercings, weird hair, or ugly shoes would not necessarily denote demon possession. The SSC would pledge not to gossip because we would realize that it is only by the grace of God that we are not the current targets. The sinner-sensitive church would value every spiritual, physical, and financial gift, no matter how big or small. This church would appreciate but not elevate the person who built the new wing with the large financial endowment. The SSC would make it a practice to reach out, touch, and care for one another sacrificially because we know that we all fall down in life and in our Christian walk. At the SSC we would have executives holding hands in prayer with laborers and not thinking twice about it. Blacks and whites and Hispanics and others would break bread together because we are all sinners in the eyes of a color-blind God.

The sinner-sensitive church would give freely out of profound gratitude to a God who somehow saw fit to give us an undeserved chance. The sinner-sensitive church would practice the prodigal son ministry, running to welcome those returning from mistakes and bad decisions and sin. Our members would get involved in other people’s lives. We would hold our brothers and sisters accountable to godly standards. Marriage would be cherished. Families would have a community of support during problems and trials. The congregation of the SSC would not be so self-centered that we would demand the undivided attention of the pastor at every little crisis. Other believers would help meet many of those needs that we now prefer to leave to the “professional Christians” on staff. The people of this church would come with hearts ready to be fed but also realizing that God has provided resources beyond any available in history to meet our spiritual hunger. And should we walk out the church doors still needy, we would know we can draw from the marvelous resources of Christian books, music, radio, video, tapes, Internet, and studies to meet our needs. Any one of us could be filled to overflowing if that were our desire.

The sinner-sensitive church would also delight in the company of other spiritual travelers and make it a priority that no one ever felt alone. We would make each other feel valuable but, on occasion, a little uncomfortable. Being comfortable in church is not the primary goal. I am not always comfortable at the dentist’s office. I often arrive in pain because I have neglected to do what I should have done. The staff always makes me feel welcome and even cared for. Then the dentist confronts me with the truth: “You have let this go too long, and I must hurt you (a little) in order to heal you. You will have to pay a financial price and spend time recovering before you are completely well.” Those are the facts of my dental hygiene sin. The sinner-sensitive church would not back off the truth either. Decay in the enamel or soul must be addressed. We will tell one another the truth and explain that the process might be a little painful. We would participate in ongoing preventative maintenance and help one another deal with problems as soon as possible, before they become even more painful and expensive to fix.

The SSC would worship with enthusiasm, whether singing hymns or praise choruses, because God is worthy of that praise. The sinner-sensitive fellowship would have a sense of profound reverence because we have received God’s grace, the most amazing gift ever offered. The sinner-sensitive church would be so excited about this grace that the incredible news of the gospel would be as much a part of who we are as our jobs and our families.

Sinner sensitive was the ministry style of our Lord. He was always available to people who realized their need. Merely being a seeker did not necessarily merit His time. The wealthy young man came to Jesus seeking what he lacked to receive eternal life (Matthew 19:16-22). However, the jarring truth of Christ’s answer to sell his possessions and give to the poor revealed to him that he was not ready to follow Christ. But when sinners came with a humble confession of need and a willingness obey God, Jesus never turned them away. The church of Acts was sinner-sensitive and functioned much in the way I have described above. (I’m not sure about the praise choruses, though.)

Frankly, sometimes we try a little too hard to “attract” the unchurched. A church that functioned like the one described above would be such a societal miracle that you couldn’t keep people away if you barred the doors. And while the majority of my idealism has been beaten out of me, I still believe that such a church will be possible when we finally reach the point of actually wanting it. That will not come until we decide we are willing to pay the price for such a church. The harsh reality is that most of us are afraid to commit to this radical type of fellowship because we aren’t sure what it would require of us. My own natural reaction is “Praise the Lord but keep the Lexus!” I’ll hazard a guess that you are the same.

That is my dream of what church should look like. And that is why Toby Keith’s song resonates with me.

[Chorus:]
I love this bar
It’s my kind of place
Just walkin’ through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain’t too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

Does walking through the front door of your church put a big smile on your face? If not, what is wrong? Is your church come as you are or come cleaned up and acceptable? Why was the TV show Cheers such a big hit? Because all of us want a place where “everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came”. That is the appeal of the local bar or the local overpriced coffee house. We are made for community. The church needs to realize that it is not only a place of teaching and reproach but also a place of refuge. A walk-in clinic for messy Christians and messy seekers.

No cover charge, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

That is another message that we have communicated poorly. There is no cover charge to join the body of Christ. Admission has been paid by the Lord Jesus. Come as you are. Really.

With the amazing availability of teaching materials, books, podcasts, and other resources the American Christian doesn’t lack for instruction. What we seem to be missing is the fellowship that Toby Keith describes. A place where you can put a big smile on your face and proclaim that I love this church. And especially a place where you can come as you are. That was the dynamic of the early church. Even though a large portion of my idealism has been beaten out of me by life and experiences…I still believe that is possible. If we are willing to make the radical commitment to such an assembly.

Welcome to the experiment known as the iPod devotional series. Here is how it works. On the old iPod is a “shuffle songs” feature. You hit the button and the iPod randomly picks a song.  I am writing a blog about whatever song the device selects on that day from the 1,000 plus songs on my iPod. My music list will further confirm my status as a Christian who makes others feel superior. My music goes from Al Green to the Youngbloods. Beatles to U2. Old hymns to modern praise music. Toby Keith to Frank Sinatra. Oldies to the soundtrack from Monty Python’s Spamalot. This could be interesting.

Today’s spin of the shuffle wheel pulled up a little tune from Willie Nelson. The song is titled “Funny How Time Slips Away” and it is one of his signature songs. I realize that Willie is, for some, an acquired taste. I do not endorse Willie’s recreational choices but I do like his ability to make lyrics real. In this song he laments the loss of a love.

Well hello there my it’s been a long long time
How am I doin’ oh I guess that I’m doin’ fine
It’s been so long now but it seems now it was only yesterday
Gee ain’t it funny how time slips away

It is not really funny how time slips away. It is scary. I am now past the halfway mark toward becoming a centenarian although I have a much better shot at being a contrarian. It seems like yesterday that I was playing sandlot baseball as a kid. Moments ago I was in high school being ADD before ADD was cool. Just yesterday I met the stunning Joni Banks and somehow conned her into dating me. Couldn’t have been too long ago that I donned the hideous baby blue tux to wed my beloved. Wasn’t it just weeks ago that three adorable baby boys came into our lives? How is it possible that I am now directing the baseball exploits of athletes that were not even born when I started this gig?

Time does slip away. The best line on parenting I have heard is that the days are long but the years are short. Amen. I now am the father of an almost 28 year old, a 25 year old, and a 20 year old. When did that happen? Married 30 years. Are you kidding me?

I have had, if I may borrow the franchise of Frank Capra, a wonderful life. Not devoid of tragedy and trouble to be sure. I have lost a very dear nephew to leukemia, a daughter to terminal birth defects, my father, and many other family members and friends. My bride is battling cancer even now. But we are blessed beyond comprehension. And I believe that is because we have found our reason for being here. Rick Warren summed it up nicely in a recent interview.

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond, In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body – but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillion of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act, the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life: The goal is to grow in character, In Christ-likeness.

If this is the warm-up act for my eternity gig on the main stage then all of this is merely preparation. Football players hate the two-a-day practices in the brutal heat. But they love the exhilaration of victory that the difficult preparation allows for later in the season. Sometimes the two-a-days of life seem cruel and without purpose. But my understanding of the God who made me and His purpose for me allows me to believe there is purpose and design. I don’t always see it. I love being happy and carefree. But if my purpose is preparation for my real gig then I had better be a little more interested in being holy. Paul wrote this in the book of Colossians.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Col 3 NLT

The song continues…

I gotta go now I guess I’ll see you around
Don’t know when though never know when I’ll be back in town
But remember what I tell you in time you’re gonna pay
And it’s surprising how time slips away

The songwriter is correct. In time you’re gonna pay. But not in the sense that the lyric implies. And not in the heavy handed way that too many Christians threaten eternal damnation to those who oppose them. We are created to be in fellowship with our Creator and you will pay a price if you ignore that truth. You will pay a price of less fulfillment, purpose, and joy during this life. Time is slipping away for all of us. Set your sights on eternity and enjoy the journey of preparation.