As the father of a 9 month old, solid sleep is not really in my vocabulary anymore. I hear this is something that all new parents go through. I don't really like it. I am a person who really likes my sleep and its not that Jonathan is really a bad sleeper- his sleep just doesn't match with when I can sleep (after doing all the things you can't get done when he is awake). Sometimes I think of the bad nights when he gets up crying multiple times because he has a new tooth coming in, when he isn't feeling well, or even when he just decides to be up from 5 AM on and I wonder, if this was taking place in Guantanamo Bay, would I be able to file for torture charges?
The Bible says that children are to be viewed as blessing (and something to do with a quiver of arrows (Psalm 127:4-5 )) and its completely true. As I walk around with bags under my eyes, my third cup of coffee for the day (and its only 11 AM), and I am not sure how I will be able to make it through my afternoon meeting without drooling on my desk, I don't remember the screaming, the poop up to his armpits, or even the food he flung at me during dinner. I do, however, remember the smile he gives me when I come home, the head butt (his idea of a hug), and the way he peacefully (sometimes) falls asleep on my shoulder.
Some may say that forgetfulness is a sign that I may need more sleep. That may be true, but I think in this case, God is giving us all a glimpse as to how he views us. God is out to get us, but not in the negative way many often think. He is out to get us to hold us close, heal our hurts, and to see us fulfilled in Him. These are the ramblings of the sleep deprived.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
a pint for the Irish.
In honor of St. Patricks Day, I am wearing all the green I own (a track jacket and shirt- dont' worry I don't have green pants). This holiday is one of those strange days where everybody thinks that they are Irish (even if they are not) and every once in a while you will here about why St. Patrick was so special. It also makes me want a pint of Guinness.
St. Patrick wasn't the only Irish Saint, there was also this guy, Arthur Guinness. In the mid 1700's, Arthur would walk the streets of Dublin, lamenting at the drunkeness of the Irish people (apparently this stereotype didn't end there). They would be stumbling out of their whisky and gin bars and do all the things that drunk people do. In Arthur's prayers, he felt led to do something that (little did he know) would forever change Ireland and it's people. He felt that he was to make a healthy drink, that people would like, but not get drunk on. His creation was Guinness Beer. The beauty of what Arthur Guinness did was not to create a well crafted beverage, but rather he sought a way to influence a culture (and the world) for more right living, and hopefully, to be able to point them to Christ. His life reflected his faith.
Apparently he passed this faith lifestyle on to his children who were involved in sending Hudson Taylor to China, building a missionary college, and helping to fund a Chrisitan Childrens home. The story can be found at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4752.htm.
So today, as we celebrate the Irish (and what God has done in Ireland), let us raise a pint in thanks to God, and seek ways that we can influence the culture of the Lehigh Valley.
St. Patrick wasn't the only Irish Saint, there was also this guy, Arthur Guinness. In the mid 1700's, Arthur would walk the streets of Dublin, lamenting at the drunkeness of the Irish people (apparently this stereotype didn't end there). They would be stumbling out of their whisky and gin bars and do all the things that drunk people do. In Arthur's prayers, he felt led to do something that (little did he know) would forever change Ireland and it's people. He felt that he was to make a healthy drink, that people would like, but not get drunk on. His creation was Guinness Beer. The beauty of what Arthur Guinness did was not to create a well crafted beverage, but rather he sought a way to influence a culture (and the world) for more right living, and hopefully, to be able to point them to Christ. His life reflected his faith.
Apparently he passed this faith lifestyle on to his children who were involved in sending Hudson Taylor to China, building a missionary college, and helping to fund a Chrisitan Childrens home. The story can be found at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4752.htm.
So today, as we celebrate the Irish (and what God has done in Ireland), let us raise a pint in thanks to God, and seek ways that we can influence the culture of the Lehigh Valley.
Monday, March 9, 2009
losing faith.
The AP put out an article today entitled "More Say They Have No Religion" (http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_survey.6810467mar09,0,6583512.story). It was an interesting, but not surprising article empirically evidencing that the United States is in a "Christian Decline." What was even more interesting though, is the message board postings at the end of the article. The large majority of these individuals making posts are adamant about their convictions that God does not exist, is made up, and that religion is actually the cause of most violence and hate in the world. Wow.
This "evangelical atheism" is really intense. I can't actually say that I have a great answer to all their accusations about the moral imperatives of Heaven and Hell, the "human" influence in the writing of scripture, or the many other tough questions that should be wrestled with, but it does show how tough it is, and will be for believers as we seek to make God known. Ultimately, they are seeking "proof" rather than "relationship." This growing segment of the population is doing all they can to make sure the gospel is not presented to our friends, family, and children. Now is the time to be prepared in and out of season to give a testimony for the hope that you have (II Timothy 4:1-5).
A lot of people get angry at this type of conversation. I wouldn't say that was the reaction that I initially and currently feel. I feel sad. While reading these comments I hurt for these individuals who are so angry at God, so disenfranchised with faith, and living life with such temporal purpose. I worry for them, those that they teach, and their children who won't have the chance to know God, all in the name of "being enlightened." May we stand strong in the faith, speak and act in love, and point all of those around us towards relationship with God.
This "evangelical atheism" is really intense. I can't actually say that I have a great answer to all their accusations about the moral imperatives of Heaven and Hell, the "human" influence in the writing of scripture, or the many other tough questions that should be wrestled with, but it does show how tough it is, and will be for believers as we seek to make God known. Ultimately, they are seeking "proof" rather than "relationship." This growing segment of the population is doing all they can to make sure the gospel is not presented to our friends, family, and children. Now is the time to be prepared in and out of season to give a testimony for the hope that you have (II Timothy 4:1-5).
A lot of people get angry at this type of conversation. I wouldn't say that was the reaction that I initially and currently feel. I feel sad. While reading these comments I hurt for these individuals who are so angry at God, so disenfranchised with faith, and living life with such temporal purpose. I worry for them, those that they teach, and their children who won't have the chance to know God, all in the name of "being enlightened." May we stand strong in the faith, speak and act in love, and point all of those around us towards relationship with God.
Friday, March 6, 2009
i still haven't found what i'm looking for.
In honor of the new U2 album that came out this week, I plagiarized their famous song for my title. But truthfully, it's an interesting concept. Being involved in a new church start up (http://www.riverbendonline.org/), I have had the great opportunity to be a part of God's desire to see his people come together and live out his passions. It is a humbling experience. But one of the things that we always seek to guard against is transplanting Christians vs. building a new community of believers.
Our generation is one where everything is customizable. I think about all the things I have customized to me. Myspace, Facebook, Playlists, my Google Homepage, and a whole bunch of other things. This isn't necessarily bad, being that we are all individuals and we each have strengths, passions, desires and preferences. The problem comes with our societies/generation's drive for focusing on ourselves. When that is our focus, we can have a tough time coming to any decision on choices we have in life.
I was reading a really good article on this concept as it relates to the church (http://www.relevantmagazine.com/columns/church-today/16112-church-shopping) and our ideas about our "perfect" church. There isn't one that is going to match each person exactly. But the point that this article makes is that our choices of churches should not necessarily be "what can this church do for me," but rather, "what ways can I connect into this community." There are times when it is right to leave a church community (lack of scriptural teaching, immorality, etc.) but more so, churches were designed for groups of people to serve and worship God together as a community. This is the basics of this concept, but we can't go deeper until we understand that basic premise.
As we continue to move forward with Riverbend, we pray that God will bring those he desires to be a part of this community. We may do things that are different than other churches, but this is not because we want to attract a niche market of Christians, its because sometimes the lost don't or won't understand the gospel in any other way. May we never be a church that is just "another option," may we be a church that God uses to reach those who still haven't found what they are (truly) looking for.
Our generation is one where everything is customizable. I think about all the things I have customized to me. Myspace, Facebook, Playlists, my Google Homepage, and a whole bunch of other things. This isn't necessarily bad, being that we are all individuals and we each have strengths, passions, desires and preferences. The problem comes with our societies/generation's drive for focusing on ourselves. When that is our focus, we can have a tough time coming to any decision on choices we have in life.
I was reading a really good article on this concept as it relates to the church (http://www.relevantmagazine.com/columns/church-today/16112-church-shopping) and our ideas about our "perfect" church. There isn't one that is going to match each person exactly. But the point that this article makes is that our choices of churches should not necessarily be "what can this church do for me," but rather, "what ways can I connect into this community." There are times when it is right to leave a church community (lack of scriptural teaching, immorality, etc.) but more so, churches were designed for groups of people to serve and worship God together as a community. This is the basics of this concept, but we can't go deeper until we understand that basic premise.
As we continue to move forward with Riverbend, we pray that God will bring those he desires to be a part of this community. We may do things that are different than other churches, but this is not because we want to attract a niche market of Christians, its because sometimes the lost don't or won't understand the gospel in any other way. May we never be a church that is just "another option," may we be a church that God uses to reach those who still haven't found what they are (truly) looking for.
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