Vision Morgue

Today I cleaned out my office at the church.  Strange in so many ways.  I was glad that I was in such a time crunch.  It kept me from dwelling too much on the past.

Despite the rush, I could not help but be struck by stacks of Vision statements, Mission statements, 5-year plans, and new strategies.  The corpses of good intentions and even some good ideas were sprawled out before me as I opened one file draw after another.

I moved old dreams from file drawers to a waste basket, bits of my heart stuck to each one.

However, as much as I failed at making and keeping well-laid plans, the King's work was unquestionably accomplished.  Sometimes it was the fruit of those strategies and plans, sometimes not.

The point is not to abuse myself for failed plans, or to bag on 5-year plans and mission statements as valuable tools.    The point is... eluding me right now.

Given the chance to do it over again, I probably would both try to be more diligent in sticking to good plans AND remind myself in earnest that the prize is more in the people than the planning.

That's what I think, but what do I know?

Respect or sympathy

It was only a couple of years ago that it really started dawning on me that so often in life we are forced to decide whether we desire sympathy or respect.

This is not to say that you cannot get both.  What I mean is that if you desire sympathy, you will most likely miss out on respect.

Early in my marriage, I'd sometimes choose to desire sympathy.  I'd overplay my ignorance concerning the use of a washing machine, for instance.  The result was some sympathy.  She did the wash for me.  However, she also started viewing me as someone too dumb to work a washer.

You see the price of pursuing sympathy is not worth the sympathy.

I tried to explain this to my nephew recently when his whining would not relent.  When we whine so much we lose out on respect for sure, and often sympathy too.

But what do I know?

you ever notice?

Have you ever noticed Paul's use of the present tense in 1 Timothy 1:15?

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

I am the worst. He does not say he was the worst, simply referring to his days as a hunter of Christians.

I had not really noticed that until this morning. I'm not sure it makes a dramatic change to how I interpret that. But it emphasize all the more the attitude we ought to have about ourselves, especially those of us in church leadership.

Tozer and Accepting Christ

I've been listening through the audio version A. W. Tozer's "Pursuit of God." In it he mentions that the phrase "Accepting Jesus", which is such popular term in modern Christianity, is nowhere found in Scripture.

However, Colossians 2:6 speaks of receiving Christ.

Do you think Tozer is simply mincing words, or is there a significant difference between accepting Christ and receiving Christ?

Btw, Tozer's larger point, that there is so much more to the gospel than the simple, momentary act of accepting (or receiving) Christ, is well-supported by Colossians 2.

I really hope that you are paying close attention to this monumental campaign season. We are at a crossroads of history. And it is our vote that will elect the face of America.

He is the image of the invisible God,

We are talking about the President and the first lady of the biggest super-power of the industrialized world.

the firstborn over all creation.

We must not underestimate the importance the Executive Branch plays in the push and pull balance of our checks and balance system of Federal Government.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

He will probably appoint a judge, approved by the Senate of course. He will veto legislation composed by the House and Senate that could potentially make us less safe or less wealthy.

whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

His leadership will be the stabilizing force for our country.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He is the leader of the free world.

And he is the head of the body, the church;

He is the Commander In Chief of the most powerful military force on earth.

he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

He will speak to the world on our behalf.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him

Our standard of living, the very peace we take for granted is at stake here.

to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

This is simply an attempt to humbly remind us that we are only voting for a President. He will not be, cannot be anything more or less than that. The King Lives! The King reigns! Forever and ever, Amen!

View the alluded Scripture.

Simpsons Contest

Ben Brown has pointed out that you can create Simpons' versions of ourselves here. The contest is to see who can create the most life-like version of themselves, or of anyone else that we all know. Mine is nbot very good. If you can create a Shannon that is better than this, there may be a prize in that too.

Just e-mail me your pictures. Contest ends when July ends. But keep sending in your creations as long as you like.

A bit of selfish activism

I'm a big fan of Pandora. Basically, the only way I'm going to listen to music at all is if I can get access to good music (not what's on the radio) for free (not sold in stores). Pandora has made that possible for me. Now the government is threatening to destroy that. An arbitration committee (heavily lobbied) has tripled the charges to Internet radio sites like Pandora, retroactive for the last year and a half. This would shut most of them down.

So, if you think it is valuable for me, Shannon Caroland, to listen to music, please visit this site and call your Senator/Congressperson to vote on the appropriate bills. Please, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Run DMC, Pedro the Lion, Johnny Cash, and Kirk Franklin, along with all my other favorite Internet Radio musician, beg you to think of ME!

I'll no longer be using this blog. You can still catch my writing at ChiRhoLive. Thanks for reading.

The rest of the Questions

Here are the final questions I have received. I am excited about taking a crack at these.

They are in a random order right now with some silly questions mixed in with profoundly serious ones. Part of the work this afternoon, will be giving them a more appropriate arrangement.

1. Why would God take my first born, at three months when there was not sin taken or given?

2. Are all sins equal? Is a lie equal to killing someone in god’s eyes? Is there the same forgiveness? Or is our own guilt what makes some sin worse that others?

3. How do we know we are saved? If we are saved, accepted Christ but continue in our old, sinful ways, can we lose our salvation?

4. Why do Christians believe that other religions’ ways of celebrating God are wrong, that the Christians’ way is the only right way?

5. How can we know Christianity is not just one choice among many religions that claim they are the truth?

6. Can we really know for sure that Jesus was raised from the dead and is alive today?

7. Why were all the trouble makers in the Bible red-heads?

8. How can I know I have the Holy spirit? Must I speak in tongues or do miracles like the Apostles?

9. Why you got to be so sexy?

10. Understanding that many woes are the effect of poor choices, why do we have things like cancer which are so hurtful but may not be linked to bad or sinful choices?

Good Friday Funeral

I wrote the following play for our Good Friday service (except for Mary's eulogy which was written by Cindie's sister). Please, feel free to steal, change, critique it in any way you like.

Song: Sweet Hour of Prayer

Officiate: It is good that you are here. The mother and brothers of Jesus son of Joseph are bereft with grief. Your presence is a comfort of great value to them in this time.

Let me introduce myself. I am Zachary, Priest of the tribe of Levi. I have been sent by Caiaphas, the High Priest to officiate this funeral service for Jesus of Nazareth.

Let me begin by reading from the Psalmist: 39:4-5 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.”

And Psalm 23 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Though, I myself am not among those who would have counted himself a disciple of this man, I know that there was some goodness that followed him. And instead of going on and on about what was wrong with him, I thought it would be some comfort to his friends and family if some of you would like to share the good things this man did, what a good man he was Anyone?

Woman At The Well: I know that it is not conventional for a woman, much less a Samaritan to be amongst or speak to you. But I had to be here to tell you what Jesus did for me, [turning to the Priest] what a good man he was.

He saw me and recognized me for what I am. He saw that I was a woman, a Samaritan woman, yes, but he saw more than that.

He was able to see what a wreck I was. He knew what I a wreck I had been. He knew of all my failed marriages. He knew about the guy I was with at the time. He knew everything about me.

And there by that well, he saw me, he knew and he offered his love to me, his “living water” he called it.

If I knew who he was, he said, I'd be asking him for living water. (Again looking to the Priest) A good man… yeah.

So, not only is he a man who would willingly speak to a woman in public, not only is he a Jew who is willing to speak to a Samaritan, but he is some kind of prophet of God who could peer into my heart, who was willing to knowingly associate with someone who had so thoroughly soiled her life. Someone like me.

He had me freaked out, to tell you the truth. My mind was spinning. This is one different kind of guy. I started asking him theological questions just to change the subject.

I had asked him something about the coming Messiah, the one promised to make all things new, when he drops this on me. “I am the Messiah.” And you know what's even crazier, I believed him. I believed that the Messiah of the Lord wanted me to draw him water. I believed that the Promised One had offered me Living Water that would cause me to never thirst again, that he saw me for all that I was and still left the invitation open. I believed that...

And you know what? I still believe it.

Officiate: Look, he was a nice man. A kind man. I appreciate that. But how could the Promised One of God be hung on a tree, a curse, a sign of powerlessness. You all saw it. Anyone else want to give it a shot?

Legion: Hello. I too am a foreigner. I am a Gerasene, from across the sea of Galilee. And I'll never forget my encounter with Jesus. No one from my village will. [A little bit of nervous laughter]

Jesus once said that if any of us were going to follow him, that they have to take up a cross. I would have happily done so, just to be with him. When he stepped into my life, everything changed. I mean, everything.

I was not always the composed gentlemen you see before you today. I was... possessed by a demon. Well, actually not just one demon. By many demons. By a “Pack of a Thousand Demons”.

When Jesus found me, I was living in tombs. I had enough strength to snap chains and irons like tissue paper, but not enough sense to where clothes. I had for a long time been naked and cutting myself with stones.

And with a word, Jesus freed me. He freed me from a thousand demons. I could have snapped any chain a person threw on me, but only Jesus could free me from what really held me. Jesus changed everything for me. Jesus clothed me, and sat with me. We talked.

Oh, how I wanted to go with him. I begged him to let me come. He told me to stay, to remind everyone about the new life he gave me. So here I am. Thank you Jesus.

Mary: Hello, I'm Jesus' mother. Today I feel anguish so deep within me, my very soul is aching. This pain I cannot put into words. Today I lost my son. The baby who I carried for nine months. Our miracle.

When I first saw his tiny hands I knew they would serve and touch people in the most gentle of ways. I knew they would heal, but I could never imagine them being pierced with nails.

His tiny head, his precious face that shown a light of hope and gave strength to the weary, today bled with piercing thorns.

His feet that I touched to my face and softly kissed for I knew how many miles he would travel to do His Fathers will, to save His people… Oh the pain He must have felt... (As Mary becomes emotional, John comes up to console and support)

His first cry was so precious when he was born; it was the sweetest sound giving such promise. It was the same voice today that cried out “Forgive them for they know not what they do”.

Today I lost my son, my toddler who would stretch out his arms not to be hung on the cross, but to hug me. He would hold my finger in his small palm as we would walk.

My young boy who was so good and so wise beyond His years.

My teenager who hungered to learn- to teach.

My young man who loved with the deepest of love, who cared so for the poor, the sick, and the dying. Who fed the hungry and had grace on those who mocked Him.

This same man with a heart as pure as the day he was born, with a smile that would warm my heart from my worry and fear was crucified before my eyes! Why?! Because of YOU..and because of me. The most pain that He felt today was the weight of our sin upon his shoulders.

Never forget this day! Don’t let it become a distant memory, or merely a story you once heard.

God’s own son died for you, so that you may live. Jesus, precious Jesus. He is not only a son He is my Savior, our Savior.

John: [whispers to Mary, making sure she is okay, and then ushers her off before he starts singing]

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I'm John. I am one of his disciples. He was my closest friend. You might even say that we were brothers. While Jesus was on the cross... [the thought of it causes him to pause and regain his composure] he asked me to take care of his mother. So, I guess that makes us brothers.

That's classic Jesus. Bleeding, broken, barely able to breathe, he makes sure that someone else will be cared for.

He used to say that he came to serve, and for him, those were not just words. I remember him giving up some much needed sleep because we were afraid, or struggling, or because some sick person wanted to be healed. Just last night he was washing my feet.

I've never known anyone like him. One moment calming storms with a word, the next moment taking a little child on his lap. One moment standing on water, the next standing with prostitutes and tax collectors. That’s Jesus. While he's hanging on a cross, he's taking care of his mom, he's blessing a the criminal hung next to him, and he's asking God to forgive those who hung him and yelled curses.

Slurs and curses. Fists and mockery. Torture and death. Why would he so willingly go through that? Hung naked on a tree. Beaten, spat upon, mocked… Why did he do it?

Don’t tell me that this was done to him. I know him too well to believe that. I’ve seen demons flee at his command. I’ve seen him easily waltz through angry mobs. I saw the arresting guards collapse to the ground in fear at the sound of his voice. I’ve heard the voice of God speak on his behalf. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” God said.

So, don’t tell me that this was done to him. I was there when he was arrested. He refused to fight. He actually healed one of his arrestors. Don’t tell me he could not have done them harm.

But why didn’t he? Why did he walk right into Jerusalem? Why did he hand himself over to that traitor? Why did offer no defense for himself? Why did he pray for our forgiveness, and then just give up his Spirit like that? Why? Why did he have to die?

I know his answer. Thursday night we celebrated Passover Seder together. When he broke the flatbread, he said that it was his body, that it was broken for us. When he took the cup of wine, he said it was his blood which was being poured out for the forgiveness of our sins.

He was pierced for our transgressions. His death means our forgiveness. This why it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet,
Though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Officiate: Well, I really did not want to speak this way at his funeral. I did not want to have to be derogatory in front of a grieving mother, but you all have left little choice.

I thought we could celebrate the good things he did without all this talk about him being some kind of prophet or Messiah. I thought that after having watched him die, after laying his corpse in a tomb, you all would come to your senses.

He’s dead. And so is his revolution, or will you follow a dead man to the same pitiful end? What good is a dead man to you?

So, he claimed he could forgive sins. He claimed a lot of things, didn't he? He claimed to be the son of God. Yet, he was stripped, beaten, mocked and killed by Gentiles. Are you trying to tell me that the Son of God would allow himself to go through that? Preposterous! Why would he ever do such a thing? [Boos from our actors]

Fine, follow your leader. You know where that path leads. Follow him. He’s no good to you dead. There is nothing in that tomb, but a body that is ceremonially unclean. But praise your lifeless Messiah. Worship your god in a tomb!

Play the final song! [He leaves in a huff]

John: We are going to do a prayer vigil in memory of Jesus and what he has done. I invite you to come up, take and candle and light it. Then circle around the sanctuary and we will close with this final song, “Above All”.

Song: ABOVE ALL

[As song nears the end, Lazarus interrupts]

Lazarus: [timidly] Can I say something?

I hadn’t planned to say anything, but I feel like I have to.

Jesus was a friend of mine. Friend? I don’t if that is right word. Is there a stronger word than friend… If it were not for Jesus. I would not be here right now… Well, actually, I would. My tomb is right around the corner over there.

My name is Lazarus. I was dead. I was in the tomb for four days. Dead. But I’m not dead anymore.

He called me from my tomb… and life replaced death. Rotting flesh was rejuvenated. I was brought from death to life. Many of you were there. You are witnesses of this.

And I was thinking, maybe if he could do that for me… you know just maybe…

Stay Empty

These are the most challenging lyrics I have heard in a long time:


Stay Empty
by Aaron Niequist

My life is cracked in ways that I don’t understand,
And there are holes inside I never planned.
But this roller-coaster,
Is how You pull me closer.
And I trust that You are who You made me for –

And I will stay empty,
I will keep waiting;
I will stay empty,
Until You fill me up and I
I will stay empty,
I will keep waiting,
Until You fill me up with You.


It may come soon,
And maybe it won’t.
I want to run,
But I know You don’t.
I give You my heart,
And trust You in faith.
And cling to the blessings
I anticipate!


And I will stay empty,
I will keep waiting;
I will stay empty,
Until You fill me up and I
And I will stay empty,
I will keep waiting;
I will stay empty,
I will keep waiting,
Until You fill me up with You.

Changed

I'm really loving a song called Changed by Aaron Niequist. here are the lyrics:

In Jesus’ name I’ve been changed, I’ve been filled,
I’ve been found, I’ve been freed, I’ve been saved!

In Jesus’ blood I’ve been loved, I’ve been cleansed,
And redeemed, and released, rearranged

But how can I show You that I’m grateful?
You’ve been so generous to me.
How can I worship more than singing?
And live out Redemption’s melody.

I have been blessed – now I want to be a blessing
I have been loved – now I want to bring love
I’ve been invited – I want to share the invitation
I have been changed – to bring change, to bring change

In Jesus’ name we are changed, we are called,
We are chosen, adopted, and named!

In Jesus’ blood we are loved, we are healed,
We’re forgiven and free of our shame!

We want to show You that we’re thankful
Flooding Your world with hope and peace
Help us to worship more than singing
Giving Redemption hands and feet

We have been blessed – now we’re going to be a blessing
We have been loved – now we’re going to bring love
We’ve been invited – we’re going to share the invitation
We have been changed – to bring change, to bring change
We have been changed – to bring change, to bring change

Thank You for this new life, thank You for the invitation!
God, we want to live it loud enough to shake the nations " in Your name!

We have been saved – we’re going to shout about the Savior
We have been found – we’re going to turn over every stone
We’ve been empowered – to love the world to Heaven
We have been changed – to bring change, to bring change
We have been changed – to bring change, to bring change
We have been changed – to bring change, to bring change

©2003 AARONieq Music

Got questions- I'm all ears

Here is a new batch. I'm keeping them in the language, I received them. There are some questions that I do not understand, so I'm seeking more infor from those who submitted them.

But here they are in the raw:

1. Where did Cain's wife come from? Or was it okay to commit incest after the fall but then not okay @ Moses?

2. If God created the earth, how did God get there?

3. Why did God destroy humanity in the flood just to have them start sinning all over again?

4. Was the flood regional or global or were the continents in Pangaea. If the Pangaea split at the flood, then how did animals re-disperse from Mt. Ararat?

5. If God destroyed humanity due to the angels "knowing the daughters of men" can this still happen and were the Nephalim some kind of hybrid as the "mighty men of old."

6. Or did he destroy humanity in order to not continue to strive with the generations that were living at the time to be hundreds of years old?

7. If God is the creator of all things did he create evil? If he did not, then did Satan create it? If Satan created it does he have some limited creative power?

There you go. I'm officically getting excited about this.

Again, readers questions and insights are welcomed (desired even).

Questions

Recently, I invited the church to submit questions about the faith. I am looking primarily to address doubts that people struggle I will address as many questions as I can the Sunday after Easter (April 15th).

I invite anyone who might read this to also submit questions. I cannot promise that I am always right, but I will address every question I get. I will study, and I will be honest.

Beleow is a question that has already been submitted. I am not yet ready to answer it, but here it is anhow:

When you pass away and your soul leaves your body- do you go to heaven right then? And how will I know my family?

So glad she's back

Cindie got back from Mexico last night. Ten days without her was rough. But she has a burning heart for missions, and I am glad that she can find an outlet. She is so beautiful.

It's February, but Easter's Comin'...

I'm really excited already at the thought of Easter. I'll probably use this video:

Amaechi Is Gay. Do You Care?

All the talking heads in the world of sports are talking about ex-NBA player, John Amaechi, coming out of the proverbial closet. Talk show hosts want to hear from from you, America, "Would you care if one of your favorite players admitted to being gay? Would you still root for him?"

Many who use their Christianity to mask their homophobia respond to these calls. "My faith cannot allow me to cheer for someone who would involve themselves in something which is an abomination to God," they might say.

Well. let's think this through. As a sports fan, you will more than likely cheer for some immoral people. The NBA players, for example, are known for sleeping around and doing drugs. There are probably people like that on every team.

Why would I would I single out homosexuality as the sin bad enough for me to turn on a person? Why not breaking marital vows, or having a lot of "casual sex"? Is homosexuality really worse than those things, or does homosexuality just make us more uncomfortable?

I'm not a fan of 'tolerance' since sins hurts the sinner and those around him. Tolerance is not always loving. But it seems to me that a lot more Christians are willing to tolerant of heterosexual sins than homosexual sins. Why is that?

So, are we promoting the sin, if we cheer a basketball player who happens to commit that sin? And, who does leave us to cheer for? Christians only? Sinless people only?

So, if a player says that he is gay, does that mean that you stop rooting for him to do well on the court? I don't think so. What do you think?

How a vow of poverty produced a $3.6 million mansion

Channel 7 news in Detroit did a story about a church that purchased a parsonage worth $3,600,000.00.

A few thoughts:

1. I'm pretty sure Ray Sayah (the reproter of this story) has a bit of a vendetta against preachers, or maybe just against the ones who make money. I once saw him interview Rob Bell. The tease for the story led me to beleive the story would be about what Rob teaches. So, I was a little bit disappointed to find that that Ray focused mostly on Rob's passion for skateboarding, and the idea that a preacher would where sneakers (during the sit down interview, the camera kept panning to his shoes). And then at the end of the interview, he pulled this doozy out of the blue, "What kind of car do you drive?" So, when Iheard there was going to be an exposee about a multi-million dollar parsonage, I figured it would be Ray. I pray that God would surround him with Christian leaders who are the real deal, so that his suspicions would melt.

2. A church can give clergy a house or money for a house and not count it as income. The reason for this, histoprically speaking, is that Catholic priests take vows of poverty. If you tried to tax them on the value of the home that the church supplied, he would have nothing to give. Because they did not want to discriminate against Catholic churches, all clergy get that break.

To think that a church took that bit of mercy from the government and turns it into this is disgusting. nobody needs a home this lavish. And the local government (schools, police, fire dept., etc...) lose out on tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes every year on this home. All in the name of protecting people who were giving their lives to poverty to serve the community.

3. I benefit greatly from that provision. But if they wanted to take it away, I wouldn't fight it. It does not seem fair, especially when you have people abusing it like this. I accept it as mercy, but I wouldn't demand it as justice.

4. In Channel 7's online poll, 75% of people siad they thought it was okay for a church to give multi-million dollar homes to their pastors. How many of those supporters, do you suppose, are members of that church?

bramsvan Again

I've posted bramsvan videos before. Here is probably the funniest one that I have seen.



Funny right? Here are some more funny ones that apparently were used in his church.





>



And thank's to Bob for introducing me to these. They really did make me laugh quite a bit.

However, I do have a problem with these. They are pretentious. The original Mac and PC commercials were pretentious too. It is funny stuff. But it creates an atmosphere where people are going to feel included or excluded on how 'cool' they are.

The "Christian" is uncool, and we are invited to laugh at the guy. The "Christ-follower" is hip.

I agree with what I think (hope) is the intended message. We don't have to wear suits, cover our cars with trite bumper stickers, or have service on Sundays only in order to be obedient followers of Christ.

But there is a subtle message that those who do those things are not as smart or as cool. People watching this might feel like you are saying, agree with us or be mocked.

Do you see how someone could be put off by this?

a great piece of writing

bramsvan has produced some great videos on youtube. Apparently he makes them for a Community Christian Church. He made the spoken word piece I posted earlier. I will review another one of his videos soon.