Palm Sunday has long been a tradition of the church celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem only to be crucified only five days later. Really though what is the point? I don't think the church has done a good job of teaching the significance of this celebration. Sure, Zechariah will be quoted and this entry will be looked at as a fulfilment of prophecy, but is that really all there is? I don't think so!!
This event is in itself a prophecy, it is both a fulfilment and a prediction at the same time. It is the already not yet all in one event. It is a celebration of the person of Jesus, a proclamation of his identity, and a foretelling of what is to come. Jesus brought peace in a spiritual sense, but much of the Old Testament prophecy tells of a world peace Miss America couldn't even imagine. Even the text of Zechariah seems to intertwine both the near future and the distant future within only a few chapters.
So what is the point of Jesus riding this donkey on coats and palm leaves? My dispensational friends would tell you if the Jews would have simply accepted Jesus as their king he wouldn't have had to die a few days later. That is a short sighted theology in my opinion. Instead I would suggest that it is a foretelling of future hope found in the millennial kingdom. It foretells of a peace that follows the judgement of Israels enemies (Zech. 9:1-8). Jesus preached both a kingdom that is here and a kingdom to come. This makes sense if we truly understand Palm Sunday. The gospel story is not just one of the forgiveness of sins, but one of a coming kingdom where the king is righteous, just, and peaceful.
When we celebrate Palm Sunday this year let's remember it is not only a look back at what happened, but a look forward at what will happen. We should be thankful for both.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Who's on your IPOD?
My IPOD goes everywhere with me. This world of technology we live in is almost addicting. Still I love my IPOD. I can listen to anything in my library any time I want. My calendar, my contacts, my music, everything is right there. My IPOD is personal, if you were to get your hands on my IPOD there is a lot you would learn about me. For example:
- You would learn that I don't only listen to "Christian" music.
- You would find out I love to learn. I subscribe to several pod casts which include preaching from other churches, talk shows that deal with theology, and a lot more.
- You would find out that I love action movies (yes, I have several full length movies on my IPOD including: Gone in 60 seconds, I Robot, Gladiator, Constantine, and a few others.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Am I Raising a Redneck?
I love to watch football, basketball, the UFC, and almost any other sporting event. My son on the other hand is different. I can't even get him to sit still long enough to watch anything. There are only a couple of exceptions. His favorite movie isn't Veggie Tales or Blues Clues ( he will usually only watch about half of one of those movies). He will watch a John Deer movie we have. It isn't animated, and it really isn't even a story. Actually it is basically a documentary about John Deer Tractors. Not only will he sit still long enough to watch it one time, he will watch it multiple times in a row. His second favorite movie is "Cars."
There is really only one other thing he will sit still and watch. It is what we were watching when this picture was taken. It is Nascar. This leads me to question what kind of kid I am raising. Am I raising a Redneck? I guess I don't know the answer for sure. I do know I have become a little bit of a Nascar fan myself.
Redneck or not raising my children has become not just a passion for me, it is almost an obsession. I find myself questioning conventional wisdom when it comes to raising kids. Even many things that come from good, godly people who have raised good, godly kids. I have an 8 year old daughter and 19 month old boy. Every day I fear for their future and wonder what risks I will have to take in order to help them become people after God's own heart? What hard lessons they will have to learn? How many times will I have to watch them be hurt so they can learn the lessons they need to learn?
I wonder if this is how God sees us sometimes?
There is really only one other thing he will sit still and watch. It is what we were watching when this picture was taken. It is Nascar. This leads me to question what kind of kid I am raising. Am I raising a Redneck? I guess I don't know the answer for sure. I do know I have become a little bit of a Nascar fan myself.
Redneck or not raising my children has become not just a passion for me, it is almost an obsession. I find myself questioning conventional wisdom when it comes to raising kids. Even many things that come from good, godly people who have raised good, godly kids. I have an 8 year old daughter and 19 month old boy. Every day I fear for their future and wonder what risks I will have to take in order to help them become people after God's own heart? What hard lessons they will have to learn? How many times will I have to watch them be hurt so they can learn the lessons they need to learn?
I wonder if this is how God sees us sometimes?
Friday, March 16, 2007
You're A Prostitute
Sorry if the title offended you... Actually, I take that back. I'm not sorry, but I would put myself in the same category. I have been preaching through the book of Hosea (we are on chapter 4). I love this book (except for the part where I am like Gomer).
This book has driven home the doctrine of depravity in a way that no other passage in scripture seems to. Every time I read it I begin to feel for Hosea and then quickly realize that Hosea represents God and I (along with Israel and the church) play the part of the prostitute wife. I still struggle with grasping the imagery in this book. It is not like looking at some picture or reading a great piece of literature. This life was actually lived by a prophet of God and in many ways continues to live in the relationship between God and the church today. WOW!!
Fortunately this book also drives home the faithfulness of God (Even when I am not) in spite of the whoring ways of Israel and the church (for those of you who think I am unfairly applying this to the church see Romans 9:23-26, Paul applies it to the church as well). God's love and mercy towards an ungrateful people bent on disrespect and even hatred toward a God who loves them intensely. You might say like a husband loves a wife, intimately and (hopefully) without fail.
Hosea may be the best story in the Bible other than Jesus himself (James Boice thinks so, and I agree) If you have not taken the time to study this book, please do so now.
By the way, you can listen to our pod casts if you want www.wechurch.com
This book has driven home the doctrine of depravity in a way that no other passage in scripture seems to. Every time I read it I begin to feel for Hosea and then quickly realize that Hosea represents God and I (along with Israel and the church) play the part of the prostitute wife. I still struggle with grasping the imagery in this book. It is not like looking at some picture or reading a great piece of literature. This life was actually lived by a prophet of God and in many ways continues to live in the relationship between God and the church today. WOW!!
Fortunately this book also drives home the faithfulness of God (Even when I am not) in spite of the whoring ways of Israel and the church (for those of you who think I am unfairly applying this to the church see Romans 9:23-26, Paul applies it to the church as well). God's love and mercy towards an ungrateful people bent on disrespect and even hatred toward a God who loves them intensely. You might say like a husband loves a wife, intimately and (hopefully) without fail.
Hosea may be the best story in the Bible other than Jesus himself (James Boice thinks so, and I agree) If you have not taken the time to study this book, please do so now.
By the way, you can listen to our pod casts if you want www.wechurch.com
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I'm Not Against Anything
Today I met with a bunch of pastors in my area. One church has been having revival meetings. Of course revival meetings probably bring all different kinds of thoughts and emotions for people. These meetings are being portrayed as building the body and "unifying" in nature. I am all for revival as long as it doesn't mean I have to go brain dead in the process. Let me explain.
The "Revivalist" ( I was unaware that anyone could actually hold that kind of a title ) came and shared his heart. He was very humble. He seemed like a nice guy who had good motives. Let's be clear. I am going to critique his methods and and the conversation we had with the other pastors. I am not attacking him as a person or even questioning his spirituality. I am qualified to do neither.
First, let me say the among pastors there appears to be many who like to keep the peace, but few who are willing to actually see that we can have some disagreements about things, even strong disagreements. Why is that every time I disagree with another pastor there is always someone there to tell me we are actually saying the same thing? This happened several times today. I was not saying the same thing. Of course I could understand how this mistake could me made since this guy was trying so hard not offend anyone that he was actually doing a good job of offending everyone.
God is not the god of diversity (unless you are talking about skin color or ethnic background, that is what diversity meant in the past). God is not the god of the Muslim, Buddhist, and Jehovah Witness. He is the God of the Christian, the Christ follower. This guy ( I will not mention his name to protect him and myself ) said God is the god of diversity. Though this may be a difference in terminology, it is imperative that we understand diversity doesn't mean what it used to mean.
Being for Jesus is great, but when you are for Jesus and believe in his teachings you are by default against many things. This man said, "I am not against anything, I am just for Jesus!" We had a lively discussion regarding this issue and I appreciate his willingness to have that discussion without taking any kind of personal offense. It turns out, thanks to one of the other pastors there, that him and I agree (sort of). It is true (I think) that we agree that Jesus takes stands against sin in general. It is also true that both of us would rather not offend people unnecessarily. Unfortunately we very much disagree on the method we will use to avoid offending. He would rather avoid the issue all together and I would rather make my stance clear and let people know God loves them and has paid the penalty for their sin on the cross.
Unity does not mean putting doctrine aside. We can be united without worshiping under the same tent. Doctrinal differences can get in the way of some things, but they also serve a purpose. He pointed out that many Pentecostals are willing to participate in events that non-Pentecostals are putting on, but the opposite is not true. He is probably correct in his observation. There is a good reason for this. Sure it looks like it is hypocritical on the surface, but a closer look will reveal that it is not. Those who practice tongues in what I would say is a biblically inappropriate way or slay people in the spirit or use "prayer cloths" or "laugh in the spirit" or "bark in the spirit" can quickly become distractions rather then contributing to anything. This makes (at the very least) a very uncomfortable atmosphere for those who disagree with these practices. In the opposite situation our culture is used to people sitting quietly and listening or doing things like singing in a group (everyone was in choir at one point even if they were terrible). Even if someone doesn't sing it is hardly noticed.
I could probably go on, but I won't. Unity is over rated when it means I have to give up much of what I believe to be true just to get along. I would rather have clarity and have enemies than have a bunch of friends who have no idea what I believe.
The "Revivalist" ( I was unaware that anyone could actually hold that kind of a title ) came and shared his heart. He was very humble. He seemed like a nice guy who had good motives. Let's be clear. I am going to critique his methods and and the conversation we had with the other pastors. I am not attacking him as a person or even questioning his spirituality. I am qualified to do neither.
First, let me say the among pastors there appears to be many who like to keep the peace, but few who are willing to actually see that we can have some disagreements about things, even strong disagreements. Why is that every time I disagree with another pastor there is always someone there to tell me we are actually saying the same thing? This happened several times today. I was not saying the same thing. Of course I could understand how this mistake could me made since this guy was trying so hard not offend anyone that he was actually doing a good job of offending everyone.
God is not the god of diversity (unless you are talking about skin color or ethnic background, that is what diversity meant in the past). God is not the god of the Muslim, Buddhist, and Jehovah Witness. He is the God of the Christian, the Christ follower. This guy ( I will not mention his name to protect him and myself ) said God is the god of diversity. Though this may be a difference in terminology, it is imperative that we understand diversity doesn't mean what it used to mean.
Being for Jesus is great, but when you are for Jesus and believe in his teachings you are by default against many things. This man said, "I am not against anything, I am just for Jesus!" We had a lively discussion regarding this issue and I appreciate his willingness to have that discussion without taking any kind of personal offense. It turns out, thanks to one of the other pastors there, that him and I agree (sort of). It is true (I think) that we agree that Jesus takes stands against sin in general. It is also true that both of us would rather not offend people unnecessarily. Unfortunately we very much disagree on the method we will use to avoid offending. He would rather avoid the issue all together and I would rather make my stance clear and let people know God loves them and has paid the penalty for their sin on the cross.
Unity does not mean putting doctrine aside. We can be united without worshiping under the same tent. Doctrinal differences can get in the way of some things, but they also serve a purpose. He pointed out that many Pentecostals are willing to participate in events that non-Pentecostals are putting on, but the opposite is not true. He is probably correct in his observation. There is a good reason for this. Sure it looks like it is hypocritical on the surface, but a closer look will reveal that it is not. Those who practice tongues in what I would say is a biblically inappropriate way or slay people in the spirit or use "prayer cloths" or "laugh in the spirit" or "bark in the spirit" can quickly become distractions rather then contributing to anything. This makes (at the very least) a very uncomfortable atmosphere for those who disagree with these practices. In the opposite situation our culture is used to people sitting quietly and listening or doing things like singing in a group (everyone was in choir at one point even if they were terrible). Even if someone doesn't sing it is hardly noticed.
I could probably go on, but I won't. Unity is over rated when it means I have to give up much of what I believe to be true just to get along. I would rather have clarity and have enemies than have a bunch of friends who have no idea what I believe.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The Dissillusioned Unchurched
I love Jesus, and I grew up with him. My life growing up was hard for a variety of reasons, but Jesus was always there. I can honestly say I don't really know much about life without him. It is for that reason I need some help.
I work (Caribou Coffee) with a lady in her mid 20's. She is primarily conservative in most of her beliefs (The Christian Right might even be proud), but she has no place for church in her life. Though she is conservative she doesn't like talking about politics (because of the name calling and all that jazz) she doesn't seem to want to talk about church or God either. She doesn't think church is really necessary (this may be true in some sense, but church is clearly important to God) and certainly doesn't think it is relevant (again this may be true in some cases).
My question is simple. How do I reach her? I have taught classes on evangelism and I am very capable of talking to people who either attend church (of some kind) but don't understand the gospel or they don't attend church at all but don't mind talking about God, church, Jesus, or whatever. I would love to hear your thoughts, leave a response.
I work (Caribou Coffee) with a lady in her mid 20's. She is primarily conservative in most of her beliefs (The Christian Right might even be proud), but she has no place for church in her life. Though she is conservative she doesn't like talking about politics (because of the name calling and all that jazz) she doesn't seem to want to talk about church or God either. She doesn't think church is really necessary (this may be true in some sense, but church is clearly important to God) and certainly doesn't think it is relevant (again this may be true in some cases).
My question is simple. How do I reach her? I have taught classes on evangelism and I am very capable of talking to people who either attend church (of some kind) but don't understand the gospel or they don't attend church at all but don't mind talking about God, church, Jesus, or whatever. I would love to hear your thoughts, leave a response.
The Book Is Done
A while ago I took some time off from the blog world to work on a couple of other projects. One of them was a Youth Ministry book called Youth Ministry Lemonade. The book is finished. I was one of ten authors including Kent Julian (The C&MA National Youth Director) and a bunch of great youth ministry veterans.
The book is great for youth pastors and volunteer staff. Each of these youth ministry veterans gives you a peak into some of the mistakes they have made (The lemons) and the lessons they have learned from them (the sweetener that makes the lemons lemonade). You can purchase this book on my web site: www.pjs-web.net. I will be updating the web site with more info in the near future.
The book is great for youth pastors and volunteer staff. Each of these youth ministry veterans gives you a peak into some of the mistakes they have made (The lemons) and the lessons they have learned from them (the sweetener that makes the lemons lemonade). You can purchase this book on my web site: www.pjs-web.net. I will be updating the web site with more info in the near future.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Free To Hate?
I want to be free to hate. You should be free to hate me (of course I am such a great guy I don't know why you would). Pastor Phelps (Careful his site is hateful) should be able to hate whoever he wants to hate. Since when did it become a crime to hate anyway?
The truth is hate is a word with all kinds of violent connotations. We hear the word "hate" and we immediately think of racism or Pastor Phelps (by name or reputation). As Christian we often say things like, "God loves everyone" or "we should love our neighbor." Both of these statements and others have strong support from God's word. The truth is God does hate, scripture clearly supports that as well. For the record I think Pastor Phelps and his congregation are arrogant jerks who have believed a lot of lies.
The whole idea of legislating hate crimes was a mistake from the beginning. I don't know how, apart, from a persons own confession, hate can be proven. We already punish people for the crime itself, punishing them for what they were thinking or feeling while they commit a crime doesn't make any sense. Still "Hate Crime" laws have been passed over and over again.
Now there may be another one. This one (HR 254) may allow for pastors to be prosecuted for preaching an anti-gay message. I used to think we lived in a free country. I am not so sure anymore. Some pastors in other countries who have adopted similar laws have been prosecuted (including Canada). I don't know if we can stop these laws from eventually being passed (maybe we can stop them for a while). In the United States we have been spoiled, we have practiced Christianity with little to no persecution for most of our countries history. That time may be coming to an end.
Whatever the future holds no law can prevent hate, only the change that takes place in a person's heart because of the cross can stop hate.
The truth is hate is a word with all kinds of violent connotations. We hear the word "hate" and we immediately think of racism or Pastor Phelps (by name or reputation). As Christian we often say things like, "God loves everyone" or "we should love our neighbor." Both of these statements and others have strong support from God's word. The truth is God does hate, scripture clearly supports that as well. For the record I think Pastor Phelps and his congregation are arrogant jerks who have believed a lot of lies.
The whole idea of legislating hate crimes was a mistake from the beginning. I don't know how, apart, from a persons own confession, hate can be proven. We already punish people for the crime itself, punishing them for what they were thinking or feeling while they commit a crime doesn't make any sense. Still "Hate Crime" laws have been passed over and over again.
Now there may be another one. This one (HR 254) may allow for pastors to be prosecuted for preaching an anti-gay message. I used to think we lived in a free country. I am not so sure anymore. Some pastors in other countries who have adopted similar laws have been prosecuted (including Canada). I don't know if we can stop these laws from eventually being passed (maybe we can stop them for a while). In the United States we have been spoiled, we have practiced Christianity with little to no persecution for most of our countries history. That time may be coming to an end.
Whatever the future holds no law can prevent hate, only the change that takes place in a person's heart because of the cross can stop hate.
Monday, March 05, 2007
A New Snow Blower
We have had a lot of snow recently. To be honest it's about time. I love the snow. Snow removal can be a little annoying, but at least I justified the space my snow blower was taking up in the garage. This year I got a new snow blower.
The New one isn't as powerful as the old one, but it will become more powerful the longer I have it. These particular snow blowers tend to become more powerful as time goes on, but a little harder to get started at the same time.
Some of my fondest memories as a kid are the hours spent removing snow with my brothers. Of course those really fond moments included removing the ice with an ice pick to make the driveway nice and clean. Boy I am glad those days are over.
Click Here to see the new snow blower.
The New one isn't as powerful as the old one, but it will become more powerful the longer I have it. These particular snow blowers tend to become more powerful as time goes on, but a little harder to get started at the same time.
Some of my fondest memories as a kid are the hours spent removing snow with my brothers. Of course those really fond moments included removing the ice with an ice pick to make the driveway nice and clean. Boy I am glad those days are over.
Click Here to see the new snow blower.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The Lost Tomb Documentary
This is not something I do a lot of, but after my last post on this topic I thought I should follow it up. The guys over at Stand To Reason have seen the documentary and have given a response. These guys are good thinkers and were smart enough to wait untill they have seen the evidence before they responded.
Click Here
Click Here
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