I guess the reason I wrote my last blog is that lately I've just become more sensitive to people and their pain. I was watching the news the other day, and I nearly broke down when I heard just a brief 30 second spot on teenage suicide. It just so grieves me to think that people, teenagers, kids can get to a place of hopelessness. If we've lost hope, we've lost it all. Without hope, there's nothing.
I've had some pretty low points in my life. I might have even repeated Job's words to God, "May the day perish on which I was born…Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?...Why is light given to him who is in misery and life to the bitter of soul who long for death…Your hands have made me and fashioned me…yet you would destroy me…why then have you brought me out of the womb?"
Yes, I've said these words before, BUT never during those times did I think of taking my own life. I have something that others don't have – I've always had hope. At times I may not have had much, but I had some nonetheless. I can't imagine not knowing that there will be light somewhere at the end of the tunnel. There are people without a hint of hope, and that breaks my heart. I may not be able to hug all the hurting people of this world, but I know I can at least touch one. You should try that today – be a lover of people – they are what truly matters.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
church, inc...and ignore my grammar (lack thereof)
Some time back I was having a conversation with some people, let’s call them Jack and Jill. Jack was talking to me about church and having rules in the church for order. Now, if you know me, you know how conversations about ‘church order’ can be music to my ears. This conversation, however, was going in a different direction.
Jack started talking about how people should dress at church. At first, I thought he was going to talk about women’s modesty, but he didn’t go there. Instead, Jack was complaining about how ‘casual’ my generation is in how we dress to go to church. He understood that there are seeker-friendly churches for the ‘newbies,’ and he understood people wearing street clothes to church when they first come. Jack went on to say that people should then begin to dress more appropriately. I asked Jack what he meant by ‘more appropriate.’ He meant wearing slacks, suits, dresses, and skirts. Jack said that it shouldn’t be normal for us to wear jeans to church, especially jeans with holes in them. He said, “…and when you go to someone’s house, you obey their rules. If you come to my house, you obey my rules. So if you go to such and such church, you obey their rules. It’s their house…Besides, people should always wear their best when going to God’s house…”
I understand what Jack was saying. I understand that Jack and I were raised differently so therefore we have different world views and opinions. I agree – when I go to someone’s house, I should follow their rules. So what are my issues? Well, first of all, a church isn’t anyone’s house except God’s. Period. Dot. Secondly, a church building is just that – a building. There’s this thing about me being the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think what that means is that I have the Holy Spirit within me and with me all the time. So if I want to pray, does that mean that I have to put on my ‘best clothes’ and then change into whatever I want to wear the remainder of the day? What I if in the middle of my work day I want to ask God for help as I begin a new project? Does that mean I have to change really quickly into my ‘Sunday best’ then change back to my other clothes 60 seconds later? I mean, if I have to wear my ‘Sunday best’ for God on Sundays, what about other days? If I don’t wear my best for Him on other days, then am I not paying enough homage?
Here’s the deal – my best is what I bring to Him every single day. Whether I’m wearing ‘holy’ jeans (no pun intended) or a suit & tie, I don’t know that it really is a big deal to God. (I’m not going to get into modesty here because that’s another blog.) I really don’t think so. I understand that different churches have different…cultures (for lack of better term). What is culturally accepted in a small-town church in the middle of Kansas may be totally different than what is culturally accepted in a church in downtown…L.A. Now, we shouldn’t culturalize the Gospel, but this isn’t gospel we’re talking about here. I’m not advocating going to church wearing something that will totally distract the service.
I guess what I’m getting to is this – love people. It doesn’t matter if I wear jeans to church or the best suit & tie. The church isn’t supposed to be a fashion show. The church is for fellowship and corporate worship. The focus should be God and people, not ties and jackets.
Jack started talking about how people should dress at church. At first, I thought he was going to talk about women’s modesty, but he didn’t go there. Instead, Jack was complaining about how ‘casual’ my generation is in how we dress to go to church. He understood that there are seeker-friendly churches for the ‘newbies,’ and he understood people wearing street clothes to church when they first come. Jack went on to say that people should then begin to dress more appropriately. I asked Jack what he meant by ‘more appropriate.’ He meant wearing slacks, suits, dresses, and skirts. Jack said that it shouldn’t be normal for us to wear jeans to church, especially jeans with holes in them. He said, “…and when you go to someone’s house, you obey their rules. If you come to my house, you obey my rules. So if you go to such and such church, you obey their rules. It’s their house…Besides, people should always wear their best when going to God’s house…”
I understand what Jack was saying. I understand that Jack and I were raised differently so therefore we have different world views and opinions. I agree – when I go to someone’s house, I should follow their rules. So what are my issues? Well, first of all, a church isn’t anyone’s house except God’s. Period. Dot. Secondly, a church building is just that – a building. There’s this thing about me being the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think what that means is that I have the Holy Spirit within me and with me all the time. So if I want to pray, does that mean that I have to put on my ‘best clothes’ and then change into whatever I want to wear the remainder of the day? What I if in the middle of my work day I want to ask God for help as I begin a new project? Does that mean I have to change really quickly into my ‘Sunday best’ then change back to my other clothes 60 seconds later? I mean, if I have to wear my ‘Sunday best’ for God on Sundays, what about other days? If I don’t wear my best for Him on other days, then am I not paying enough homage?
Here’s the deal – my best is what I bring to Him every single day. Whether I’m wearing ‘holy’ jeans (no pun intended) or a suit & tie, I don’t know that it really is a big deal to God. (I’m not going to get into modesty here because that’s another blog.) I really don’t think so. I understand that different churches have different…cultures (for lack of better term). What is culturally accepted in a small-town church in the middle of Kansas may be totally different than what is culturally accepted in a church in downtown…L.A. Now, we shouldn’t culturalize the Gospel, but this isn’t gospel we’re talking about here. I’m not advocating going to church wearing something that will totally distract the service.
I guess what I’m getting to is this – love people. It doesn’t matter if I wear jeans to church or the best suit & tie. The church isn’t supposed to be a fashion show. The church is for fellowship and corporate worship. The focus should be God and people, not ties and jackets.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
silent no more
vanity, all is vanity. no, i haven't just finished reading ecclesiastes; this is just how it is. i guess i'm just growing more and more tired of this world and what it offers. we get so busy chasing after the things of it, but it's all so meaningless. none of it is worth anything. careers, money, fame, stuff - it's all going to burn one day. when we die, it's really not going to matter that we achieved status quo according to the world's standards. it's not going to matter that i wore really cool clothes today and got a really great haircut and impressed people. nope, it's really not going to matter. my knowledge of the things of this world and any great accomplishments i may think i have will have no meaning. that's all i hear people talk about lately - the temporary. we aren't going to live this life forever. life is but a breath. it's fleeting, so why do we spend so much time on the temporary and insignificant?
accomplishments, clothes, fitness, etc. all have their place. it's all a part of life. it's the obsession and pursuit of these things that is just a waste. it's a waste of time and not just our time, but more importantly - God's time. it's the time He has given us. HIS time. we're given the time to steward. He's graciously given us life and time on earth for HIS purposes. He's also gracious and kind enough to allow us to enjoy it. He creates us for a time and season to accomplish HIS purposes. what's ironic (not really) is that God created us so that we're truly and completely fulfilled accomplishing what HE's called us to do. the reason we go after so much 'stuff' is that we're still looking to fill that void with the 'stuff' that can't fill it.
unfortunately, we quickly lose sight of what really matters and allow our hearts to fall in love with what this world offers. we have become too distracted, and i'm tired of seeing it all around me.
accomplishments, clothes, fitness, etc. all have their place. it's all a part of life. it's the obsession and pursuit of these things that is just a waste. it's a waste of time and not just our time, but more importantly - God's time. it's the time He has given us. HIS time. we're given the time to steward. He's graciously given us life and time on earth for HIS purposes. He's also gracious and kind enough to allow us to enjoy it. He creates us for a time and season to accomplish HIS purposes. what's ironic (not really) is that God created us so that we're truly and completely fulfilled accomplishing what HE's called us to do. the reason we go after so much 'stuff' is that we're still looking to fill that void with the 'stuff' that can't fill it.
unfortunately, we quickly lose sight of what really matters and allow our hearts to fall in love with what this world offers. we have become too distracted, and i'm tired of seeing it all around me.
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