Book Review: A Conversation with God

A Conversation with God by Alton Gansky is a good read for someone wanting to have a basic overview of theology in easy to understand laymen terms. The book consist of questions in which the author speaks on behalf of God to answer. In general it was not as awkward as I had expected. It some ways I believe this did limit the author. The depth of discussion could have been deeper by allowing the reader to wrestle with varying theological positions within Christendom. The format of the book does not allow for that level of thought. I do recommend it to those that want a basic theological overview. For this reason, I plan to add this book to our church library.

I was disappointed that there was not a chapter on the church. I was hoping that "God" would have a higher view of the church. On page 50 the highest compliment given toward the church was, "Church is a resource that shouldn't be overlooked." Really? The living organism founded by Jesus is treated as an add-on. Unfortunately, this is true for the God most Americans worship. In spite of this I liked the book over-all

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.

Who Is This?

My sermon this week comes from Matthew 21:1-16. Here is the introduction. Feel free to comment. I have been imagining what it would have been like to have been in the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. It must have been a festive event. A great crowd had already gathered to celebrate Passover. People were shouting and cheering as they laid their coats and palm branches on the road before Him. Would I have wondered, “Could this be the promised Messiah, the Son of David? Is this the beginning of a new era, one without Roman occupation and oppression?” Maybe like others in the crowd I would have heard stories about the teaching and healing by this man called Jesus. In the midst of this great fanfare and excitement people began to ask, “Who is this?” This may be the most important question we can ever ask. Who is this man called Jesus? Our answer determines everything. I wonder what I would have thought as events unfolded. Would I have recognized God’s righteousness when He drove money changers and those selling doves out of the temple? Or would I have become angry because I profited from the lucrative business of exploiting those that came to draw close to God as they offered their sacrifices? Would there have been tears in my eyes as the lame and the blind were healed? Keep in mind this is more than a physical healing. Their healing meant that they would have been no longer barred to the court of the Gentiles. Would I have been moved in this great moment as God’s temple was being used properly as a place of prayer and display of God’s healing power? Would I continue to shout with the children, “Hosanna to the Son of David”? One last question: Would I have been one in the crowd that moved from shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David” to a few days later declaring, “Crucify Him” and, “We have no king but Caesar”? I guess it all depends on how I answer the first question. Who is this? Have you ever thought about that question? Maybe you make it a habit to regularly worship God both privately and corporately. Maybe you come to church on Christmas or Easter because you know it makes Mom or your spouse happy. It doesn’t matter where you are I think it is easy to get caught up in the moment of celebration. We may enjoy the singing or the energy from the crowd around us and never answer the question, “Who is this?” Some suggest He was a good man, teacher, leader, prophet, etc. Others consider Him to be the champion of the poor and oppressed. He has been called delusional, a rebel, a pacifist, a demon, and a fraud. The list goes on. Some use His name as if it is a magical incantation. Still others see intellectual assent to His existence as a ticket to the next world. Sometimes our assertions tell us more about each other than they do about Jesus Christ. So, who is He and does it matter?

Roof-Tile Syndrome

At our Wednesday night bible study we learned a new phrase: “Roof-tile Syndrome.” This is a phrase that author and pastor Mark Buchanan thought of when he looked at the way many churches operate. Roof-tile Syndrome is what happens when we and or our practices become barriers to people experiencing the love, hope, healing, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

In Mark chapter 2 we are told about some men that carried their paralytic friend to Jesus in hope that He would heal him. There was a problem. They could not get through the doorway because it was barricaded with people. These men were quite determined so they literally tore the roof off and lowered the man down to Jesus. This must have been quite a show. Jesus was impressed with the faith of these men and He healed and forgave their friend. The really sad part of this story is that in the midst of great faith and a miracle the religious people of the day aren’t found rejoicing afterwards. They engage in a full blown argument.

Truth is we are all a little prone to roof-tile syndrome. Many church-goers today would begin to ask questions. Couldn’t they just wait until the crowds left and go through the door like everyone else? That’s the way I did it, after all. Why should we change for others? That roof has been there for years. Why did we have to move it? Who’s going to pay to fix the roof?

There is nothing in the story to indicate that these men were anything but Godly men that wanted to get their friend to Jesus. I am sure they would repair the roof themselves. They were not concerned with the cost. They saw a way through the obstacles and brought their friend in contact with the living Lord.

My experience is that people get upset when the “roof-tiles” are moved around. We like things as they have been. Is it going to cost? If we are going to reach out to people in our community, the answer is yes. The questions we need to answer are: What are the “roof-tiles” in our church? Are we willing to “tear apart” the roof so others can come to Jesus?

Pastor Don

Book Review: The Next Christians

I highly recommend the book "The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America" to all church leaders and Christians who are looking for hope for the church and God's kingdom. As a pastor I am seeking to understand the next generation and world around us. Lyons' book gives great insight to both. He challenges the reader not follow the latest fad but to return living and telling the full Biblical story. He reminds us that the story is not just fall and redemption. The whole story is creation, fall, redemption, restoration, and consummation. He invites Christian to move beyond the idea that they have their "ticket punched" for heaven to joining with God and others in restoration. Some of his examples will make the average Christian uncomfortable. The reality is we have become too comfortable. If you are looking for greater encounter with God and His missional purposes in the world, you will want to read this book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Jay Cutler and Sports Fans

In the world of professional sports Jay Cutler committed the unforgivable sin. He left a game with an injury. Well not just any game. The winner goes to the Super bowl. Unfortunately for Jay he will be judged and vilified by many of us that sit in the comfort of our living rooms. As we snack our way in to greater obesity we complain about Cutler’s heart. “He doesn’t have a compound fracture. He is able to stand and walk without a limp.” As if being able to stand and walk means you can play quarterback in the NFL. Hopefully, for his sake, the MRI will show that he has a severely torn ACL. Anything short of that will be unacceptable. A man who has taken more sacks than anyone else in the NFL this year will be labeled a sissy. A man who has no problem throwing into triple coverage after an interception will be judged for his lack of confidence. A man that has the respect of his teammates and recklessly throws his own body around will be judged to have no heart.
Why would we judge Cutler so harshly? Is it our quest for entertainment at any cost? Is it so we can feel as though we have personally accomplished something great? Or because the team we root for beat another team? Maybe it is the fact that he gets paid millions of dollars. With the cost to have him on the team, we expect him to risk life and limb. We expect him to ignore any conventional wisdom, including the professional medical staff on the side line. No, with that kind of money, nothing short of being carried off on a stretcher is acceptable. As a Bears fan, I hope Jay is on our team next year. If Brian Urlacher and Olin Kreutz say Jay Cutler is a tough player and was too injured to play, I’ll go with them over the guy sitting on his couch eating his potato chips. I do not have enough information to judge his heart or integrity. Those with more in-depth knowledge and different expectations, judge away. It is still a free country.
I do have some thoughts and questions that remain for those of us who call ourselves Christians. One can easily argue that Mr. Cutler and every other professional athlete are ridiculously overpaid. I will agree on that. But I have to ask, did God pay a ridiculous amount to purchase us and our salvation? Revelation 5:9 tells us that it is with Jesus’ blood we have been purchased. If the price paid corresponds to the expectation for the payee, how are we doing?
Reality may show that Cutler could have played and we may question his heart because he should have known the importance of the game. But let’s be consistent. Jesus indicates that we will be judged in the same way we judge others (Matt 7:2). Our churches would radically change the world if we lived up to half the expectations we place on professional athletes. We are involved in something way more important than a football game. We are talking about the kingdom of God and eternity. Seriously, when was the last time you stayed up late studying the game plan (Bible) and preparing (praying) against the enemy’s attacks? Do you play hurt or do you abandon God and his people because some other Christian has offended you? Do you sacrifice for the team (church) or are you an individual player? (i.e. I am Christian but not part of a church)
Jesus Christ didn’t invite people to hang out in a stadium (church building). He didn’t invite them to put on a jersey (place membership in a church). There is nothing wrong with those things. But we have been invited to something greater. Jesus invited people to deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow Him. He said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” He said, “Follow Me, I will give you treasures in Heaven. I will give you a place in the kingdom.” "He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do” “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." In another place he said, “go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” I realize we need to contextualize that, but I am sure whatever it means it is a far cry from how most of us live. Most of us have bought so much we have nothing to give to the poor and, in fact, we are in debt. How are you doing? Are we living up to the standards we place on other people?
At a critical point in the life of Jesus one of his closest friends denies Him. Not once, but three times. Talk about losing heart. Talk about letting the team down. What did Jesus do? If he were a modern day fan he would have traded him off to some other team. After all Jesus paid a high price. He should expect more from this ungrateful person. No. Jesus doesn’t do that. He restores him. He invites him back to a life of purpose and ministry.
Where do you find yourself today? Are you living up to the same standards you place on others? Do you live with the passion you expect them to play with? Do you forget what is important? Are you on the sideline when you should be playing? Wherever we find ourselves, Jesus is there inviting us to get back into His game.

New Year's Resolution

I like this time of the year. We have just celebrated the birth of Christ. We are now preparing for the New Year. In some ways, the New Year is a fresh start. If the old year was hard, there is always the hope that the next year will be better and more promising. Unfortunately, we often allow the previous year to define what can be accomplished in the New Year. I wonder if history repeats itself. Or does human nature expect nothing different?

I was reminded of this during our Christmas play. There is something prophetic in the repeated line of “nothing ever happens here.” Where is the hope? Where is the expectation? The people seemed doomed to living a life of low expectation with nothing new or exciting. If we are not careful, we can miss what is really happening and what God wants to do.

As we look at the events leading up to the birth and early ministry of Jesus, we see a pattern. It starts with Zacharias. When an angel speaks to him about the birth of his son he asks, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Keep in mind he is talking to an angel that just delivered exciting news. Maybe that alone should be enough evidence. After his son is born, no one wants him to be named John because, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” Talk about a “we have never done it this way before” attitude. Then when Jesus is born, the Magi do not show up in Bethlehem. This is a city of little importance. They showed up where the action should be - in Jerusalem. Years later, when Jesus comes out of Nazareth, Nathanael asks “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” It is as if the past dictates the future. We seem to struggle with the idea of God doing something different. What if God actually wants to accomplish great things through us in the next year? What if He wishes to do things greater than we believe possible or probable?

I am not suggesting that we should be unrealistic about the future, but we need to be open to God. Recognize, as we prepare for a New Year, our future is not determined by our past, location, or abilities. Our future is dependent on our openness to the working of God in our lives. Do we believe that God can do great things in our lives in the next year? Are you ready for whatever HE wants to do?

Keep Christ in Christmas

Most likely this post will not be what you expected. It may actually irritate you. Hopefully, it will cause Christians to think.
For years I have been frustrated by what Christmas has become. The commercialism and secularism of the holiday certainly poses a challenge to the serious follower of Jesus Christ. Every year Christians seem to fight back with our slogans. “Keep Christ in Christmas.” “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” We don’t like that someone may sell “holiday” trees or say “Season’s greetings.” After all, for Christians we are celebrating the incarnation of Jesus Christ the hope of all generations. How can anyone not honor the one who has come to set us free and make all things new? So we demand, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
Keep Christ in Christmas sounds like a good message. Or is it? I think it depends. Who is the recipient? Are we talking to Christians? Great message! Certainly keep Christ in everything you do. Make sure that following Christ is a way of life and not just the appropriate name to be used in your greetings and in the title of your tree. Christ invited us to be His disciples. A disciple is someone who follows and becomes like His teacher. We can keep Christ in Christmas by doing the things He did. This isn’t done by demanding that those who aren’t his followers honor Him. Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Do I think it is silly that people sell “holiday” trees? I do. No one is fooled by calling a Menorah a holiday candle holder. We know what it is when we see it. But, me calling it a Menorah doesn’t make me Jewish. Honestly, what do I care if my neighbor, who doesn’t follow Christ chooses to have a holiday tree and greets me with “Season’s greeting.” My demand that he recognizes Christ doesn’t make him Christian. It may actually make him resent me. I become just another Christian that insist non-Christians live like or at least talk like Christians. We can become modern day Pharisees. We can have all the right traditions and yet forget weightier matters. I am not suggesting that all beliefs are equal. I am suggesting that we could win the wrong battle and lose the opportunity and privilege to share the hope of the Gospel. If I care for my neighbor I will treat him as Christ would. This is a great time to be in prayer discovering how we can best show the love of God to those around us. As a Christian, how can YOU keep Christ in Christmas?