Michael's Blog

Stop kicking and screaming...

Last Sunday, Ben Ollenburger (Biblical Theology Prof. @ AMBS) was at our church. He was teaching on Isaiah!
One thing he said, that resonated with me, was

"That you are blind and deaf does not mean God has not spoken" - Ben Ollenburger

In my years as a pastor, I have walked with many people who believe that God is not speaking. They experience desolation - those spaces where God seems absent. In times of desolation, God's adversary takes the opportunity to undermine faith. In my experience, the adversary works on a number of different levels.

The adversary undermines self-worth: God doesn't love you, God isn't speaking to you, God isn't present with you because there is something wrong with YOU.

The adversary undermines belief in God: You don't experience God because there is no God.

The adversary undermines God's character: God doesn't love people, God doesn't engage in human affairs, God is aloof and unconcerned, God isn't good, kind, loving...

The adversary undermines God's nature: Maybe God isn't all powerful? Maybe God is trying to speak, but can't? Maybe God wants to show up but God can't.

In times of desolation, we are particularly vulnerable to these accusations from the adversary. However, in times of desolation, it doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with us or God.

The toddler was in the shopping cart. She was kicking her feet, making a loud clanging sound as they struck the metal shopping cart. She had her hands over her ears, blocking out all sound. But it wasn't enough, she closed here eyes tight. She shook her head from side to side, causing her pig tails to fly, as she yelled. Her mom was right there, calmly explaining that while she loved her, she could not have the cookies. They were not healthy.

Was the mom present? Yes, even though the child couldn't see her. Was the mom speaking? Yes, even though the child couldn't hear her. Was the mom loving? Yes, even though the child didn't get her way.

Is it possible that times of desolation are God's subtle reminders that we are kicking our legs, shaking our heads, covering our ears, shutting our eyes and creating so much noise that God - who is present, loving and speaking - cannot be heard?

Instead of turning on ourselves or God, as God's adversary would love, times of desolation are times to invite Jesus to step into our lives, to calm our kicking feet, to remove our hands from our ears, to open our eyes and to encourage our silence so we can hear God!

Bye-bye Twitter!

If you followed me on Twitter, many apologies - I just can't keep up! Today, I deleted my Twitter account. For those of you who are faithful Twitter users, well done! Keep up the good work (even thought I won't know because I'm never going back there)!

I'm a single issue voter!

I confess - when push comes to shove, I'm a single issue voter. That issue is life!

Many people, when they see the word "life" immediately assume I'm talking about abortion. While it is fair to say a candidate's position on abortion falls under the larger heading of "life", that's not what I'm talking about.

The scriptures, from beginning to end, give testimony to God's desire that people experience life! Jesus, when speaking of his own ministry, said, "The thief (God's adversary) comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I came that you may have life, and have life to the full." God's desire for life for his people is complete, meaning more than biological health. In includes relational health, emotional health, mental health, social health. It includes issues like poverty, health care, education, abuse prevention, affordable housing, job training, economic development, etc. It also includes more obvious issues like war, the death penalty, law enforcement, human rights, torture, abortion, etc.

To be consistently pro-life, means to align yourself, as best as you are able, to the ideas, attitudes and actions that produce life for all people. No playing favorites (caring about some people but not others). No being self-centered (supporting candidates that will promise the most cash in my pockets). But seeking to support candidates that are consistently on the side of life (as I have defined it above).

That's the challenge!!! There seem to be no consistently pro-life (as defined above) candidates. In that case, is it OK to vote for the candidate that is closest to this ideal? Or does that kind of compromise simply let the Devil's foot in the door? Do we have to accept a certain amount of "death" to participate in the political process? Should we bow out of the process altogether and be a church that influences from the margins? These are questions on my mind as we continue to move towards the November elections.

Really?

Is it just me, or do President Bush's comments to Russia regarding Georgia ring hollow? Aren't we the country that invaded a sovereign country because we thought (perhaps not) they were a threat to us? Russia may be a bully and they may we out of line in their invasion of Georgia. However, in light of our foreign policy over the last 8 years, I'm not sure we have much credibility on the matter. Help me make sense of this...

Walter Brueggemann @ Mars Hill!

As I was checking out summer messages from Mars Hill Bible Church, looking for the ever popular preaching of Rob Bell, I saw that Walter Brueggemann preached at Mars Hill on July 13, 2008. Click here to go to the page where you can download the message!

He was preaching on Isaiah, and it's incredible! My favorite piece was when he said,

"The future of our society does not depend on the managers of established power and established money. It depends on folks like us, liberals and conservatives, who are gathered around the crucified and risen Jesus, on whom God's Spirit was breathed, to make us enormously dangerous people in the world. God does not need any more cynical, despairing, complacent, indifferent people. God needs dangerous people and has sent God's own Spirit to create more dangerous people. (emphasis added)"

Is it possible to be so "nice" that you are no longer loving?

When did it become OK...

...for followers of Jesus to not talk about Jesus when talking about Jesus might get them in trouble? It seems like the very place we need to be talking about Jesus - in the world - is the place most of us refuse to talk about Jesus. We freely talk about Jesus with other people who also believe in Jesus, but not people who don't know anything about Jesus.

Whenever a follower of Jesus concludes that the cost of speaking the name of Jesus is too great, Satan has won another skirmish in His war against God and the people God loves (which is everyone)! If the Bible is true (and I believe it is) the consequences of remaining silent are far greater then the immediate cost.

Can we recapture the spirit of the first believers when they counted persecution as a sign of a life well lived for Jesus?

The Olympics

I confess that I have really enjoyed watching the Olympics. I think they are torturing the word "amateur" to refer to these athletes because it is clear there is big money in the Olympics. Not only is their big money, but national pride is also a prized commodity - especially China's.

Is that what led them to substitute a more "cute" 7 year old, who lip synced a tune in the opening ceremony?

You see, as I have watched the Olympics, I have also wondered what life is like for the people of China. We've all heard they have a terrible record concerning human rights. What has the Olympics meant for the people of China? How many "ugly" things are kept off camera to give the illusion of a progressive and forward moving China? I'm not sure, but I wish that piece of the story was also told.

At the same time, what talents are lurking off camera in China as well? That 7 year-old girl, crooked teeth and all, could really sing. She wasn't up front, but we enjoyed her talents none the less. How are the followers of Jesus in the illegal house churches across China also making China a more beautiful place, even though we don't see them. How is the Spirit of God moving and working in the hearts and lives of the Chinese people, bringing new life? God is there (you can't lock God in a registered church)!

Some things to think about as you watch the Olympics!

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

Gregory Boyd's review was deep...check it out. Mine is not, I liked it. It was a good movie. I found the Joker a bit creepy in the first couple of scenes, but Heath Ledger did an excellent job of being menacing while having elements of humor (or insanity)!

The theme that I am continuing to think about is the Joker's contention that people will embrace lawlessness if it suits their ends. In the end, the film said "No they won't", but I'm not as certain. In the world around us, it seems to me like people are willing to embrace a certain amount of violence as long as it is directed at their "enemies" for a purpose like their own personal wealth or safety. We get around the "lawlessness" piece by making sure that those in power, who decide who is wearing the white hats and who is wearing the black hats, are on the same page as they are.

Batman represents the ultimate superman of utilitarian ethics. He is willing to do whatever is needed for the common good. If that means retiring, fine. If that means becoming the villain, fine. He will do it. Even when the people turn on him, he does what he needs to do. In some ways, the people's response to Batman actually proves the Joker's point. When Batman's actions protect them he is a hero. When he can't seem to protect them, they turn on him. It's OK for Batman to act outside the law if it works. When it seems like it is doing more harm then good, then it's wrong. People can be fickle.

The questions raised in the movie are good questions. Are we so self-centered that we will jettison morality for self-preservation? Are we willing to fudge the rules if doing so benefits us? If we are in a life and death situation will we always choose life for ourselves, even if it requires death for the other? Is there a nonviolent alternative to both the Joker and Batman?

Book Review: Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren

For much of my life as a follower of Jesus, I've regarded spiritual disciplines as legalistic to-do lists. They were other opportunities for me to fail -- I don't pray enough, I don't read my Bible enough, I don't fast (ever really), I don't... I used to think the problem was with spiritual disciplines themselves, but I have come to learn that my challenge was the lens through which I viewed spiritual disciplines. Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren was a big help in pushing me over the edge to embrace spiritual practices!

Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices is the introductory book in a new series of books called The Ancient Practices Series. It is published by Thomas Nelson. The general editor is Phyllis Tickle.

I found the book to be very well written and easy to read. I grew up in a low-church faith tradition, so the only spiritual practices I came in contact with were prayer and Bible reading. This work expanded my understanding of spiritual practices and helped me discover more spiritual practices. The most helpful thing for me was how Brian McLaren provided a framework for understanding the process of spiritual growth and how spiritual practices fit into that. The following diagram illustrates what I learned from Brian.

As a follower of Jesus, my aim is to become more like Jesus in everything I say and do (seems like a long road some days). Becoming like Jesus involves engaging in three essential tasks, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. One task is soul cleaning, and it's just like cleaning up a home that has been neglected to make it a suitable place to live. Another task is illumination or taking in the light of Jesus. Once the house is cleaned up, you fill it with light which chases out the darkness. A final task is becoming one with God. I don't mean that in a metaphysical, kind of new agey, way. The more time you spend in God's presence, casting off the sin that so easily entangles and Son-bathing in the light of Jesus, you begin to see what God see, love what God loves, break over what breaks God's heart...you become more and more like Jesus. Spiritual practices are tools that the Holy Spirit uses in this process of spiritual formation. The cool thing is, we don't have to be passive recipients of the Holy Spirit's work. As we take it upon ourselves to engage in spiritual practices, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. To be clear, I don't believe we are "working" our way into Christ-likeness - No, it is God who causes growth. What we are doing is putting ourselves in a place where it is easier for the Holy Spirit to work. Spiritual practices are our invitation to God to clean us up, fill us up and use us to God's glory.

McLaren then groups spiritual practices into three categories. Contemplative practices, communal practices and missional practices. I'll let you read the book to find out what these are. They will also be the subjects of the other books in the series. There will be 7 more books in the series. The titles are:
- In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson
-Sabbath by Dan B. Allender (2009)
- Fasting by Scott McKnight (2009)
- The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher (2009)
- The Pilgrimage by Diana Butler Bass (2009)
- The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister (2010)
- Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc (2010)

I recommend Finding Our Way Again, especially to people who grew up in church traditions where ancient spiritual practices were not taught or observed by the congregation OR you were taught spiritual practices in the context of should/ought/guilt/shame. It is an excellent place to start! The lens through which McLaren views the practices is very winsome, encouraging and life-giving.

The Dark Night and Greg Boyd

Greg Boyd has a new website, which is pretty cool and loaded with good stuff. The first post I read on the new sight was his insight on the new Batman flick The Dark Knight. Read it by clicking here. I haven't seen the movie yet, but after reading Greg's thoughts, I can't wait.