Dead Is Dead

Is there anything more final than death?
When you are dead, you are dead.
There is not one word after your final breath.
When you are dead, you are dead.

Death is eternal, an endless sleep.
When you are dead, you are done.
You are embalmed and buried six feet deep.
When you are dead you are done.

The grave’s grip will not grow tired.
When you are dead, you are dead.
There’s no rebirth of a life expired.
When you are dead you are dead.

For ages past this point was true;
‘When you are dead, you are done.’
Then Christ came and did something new.
Oh, He was dead, but he was not done.

Mary went to embalm him, because
When you are dead, you are dead.
But two angels there did give her pause:
‘Why look for the living among the dead?’

Through His death He conquered sin.
But though He was dead, He was not done
He conquered Death, He’s Alive Again!
He was dead, but He is the Living One.

So Death no longer holds the final say.
When you’re dead there is yet another song.
You will live again with Him someday.
Because, now, when you’re dead it’s not for long.

En-Theus-iasm

Paul has just given a sermon, the main points of which were; Jesus is the Promised One, He was raised from the dead, and forgiveness is now available. Here is the reaction to that sermon:

Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

"'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; a all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

en·thu·si·asm n.

1. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause.
2. A source or cause of great excitement or interest.
3. Archaic.
A. Ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god.
B. Religious fanaticism.


[Late Latin enthsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein, to be inspired by a god, from entheos, possessed : en-, in; see en-2 + theos, god; see dhs- in Indo-European Roots.]

Word History: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,"” said the very quotable Ralph Waldo Emerson, who also said, "Everywhere the history of religion betrays a tendency to enthusiasm."” These two uses of the word enthusiasm, one positive and one negative both derive from its source in Greek. Enthusiasm first appeared in English in 1603 with the meaning Â"possession by a god." The source of the word is the Greek enthousiasmos, which ultimately comes from the adjective entheos, "“having the god within," formed from en, "“in, within,"” and theos, "god."” (dictionary.com)

The greatness at the beginning of the Acts Church Movement was not just having guys like Peter and Paul leading. I would argue the Holy Spirit played a much larger role than they did. But also we cannot ignore the response of the hearers. They showed an enthusiasm that proved explosive. From their insistence to hear more of what Paul and Barnabbas had to say, to their apparent commitment to continue in the grace of God, to their gladness, their eagerness to invite others (I assume that is how the crowds grew), to their honoring of God's word (let what that means sink in sink in), and their joy even after Paul and Barnabbas got run out of town (walk away from them?) can be attributed to what were told in verse 52. They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit in them. En Theos. Enthusiasm.

For us to capture the explosive power of the Church in those days, we need to find space for him within us. More than strategies, skills, money, or staffing, we need You, Lord. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Sermon in Rhyme

What you will find below is a poorly written retelling of Paul's Acts 13 sermon in rhyme. I did it to force me to think through what was said. I found the exercise both difficult and helpful:

Jacob's sons, hear me and you who love YHWH
Listen to these words and hear what I say.
He chose Abraham's sons to be his faves,
Made them prosper even while Egypt's slaves.
He rescued them from Pharaoh's tight fist,
Restrained himself from destroying them in the wilderness.
He cleared out seven nations to give them space
In just the first 450 years, this all took place.

Then God gave them judges like Samuel to reign.
They wanted a king, he gave Saul the Insane.
He removed him and gave David the throne,
Who loved God's will more than his own.

And God has sent from David's royal line
The promised Savior, Jesus Divine.
Elijah has come, as Malachi foretold,
He was John the Baptist. His message, bold.
"Repent!" He cried preparing these places
Knowing he was not even fit to tie His laces.

We, lovers of YHWH are the ones entrusted with this Saving Word.
Jerusalem rejected him despite fulfilling of all they'd heard.
They pressured Pilot to declare death his doom.
Fulfilling prophecy, they carried his corpse from cross to tomb.
He spent much time with his followers, he, no longer dead.
Teaching them to tell Abe's sons all he'd done and said.

What he promised to the Fathers to their children has come true!
Good news, as it states back in Psalm 2:
"My Son" That's what Jesus by YHWH was called,
The unconquerable King on Zion Installed.*
He was raised eternal to the throne of David.
Messiah's body saved from the worms of the grave who crave it.
David, though faithful, died, his body buried and is now but bone,
But not Jesus, his body whole, sits on David's throne














And the Living One is now declared the Forgiving One.
Trusting Him produces a righteousness the Law couldn't have done.
Good News! But from the prophets take heed:
Though told, you dont believe I've done this wondrous deed.
You all scoff in pride. Where is your wonder?
The fool who misses Jesus will die in his blunder.

*I inserted some the ideas found in Psalm 2 that are not directly quoted, because I feel Paul was alluding to the whole thing.

Happy Birthday, Eli!

The Literal Linus

Last year I watched the Peanuts Christmas special for the first time since being a kid. I had little interest, but my daughter was finally old enough to care, so we watched it together. The show is about Charlie Brown's struggle to get the "true meaning of Christmas." All his friends argue for the hoopla, and it really gets him stressed and depressed. When Charlie's frustration reaches its peak, Linus stands up to tell everyone the "true meaning of Christmas". He quotes from Luke 2.

I jumped out of my chair and pumped my fists in the air. "YES!" I loved it. Thank you Charles Schultz, and thank God for you.

Awesome, but I'd like to take you a slightly different direction. Let's go with the technically true meaning of "Christmas":

The results of Messiah.

Christos is Greek for Messiah, the one God promised to send to save Israel and the world. Mas is a suffix that we see in other words like charisma, diploma, enigma, and Alabama (okay, not that last one). The suffix means "the results of" or "in relation to".

So, everything that results form Jesus is, technically speaking, the true meaning of Christmas.

I no longer stand condemned. Merry Christmas! I am connected to the loving family of God. Merry Christmas! I am a part of ushering in the Kingdom of God to redeem the world. Merry Christmas!

As I think this through, one of the "Christmas-es" (the results of his coming) is this ornate over-the-top festival at the end of December. If the church did not pump this hol(y)day up as the birth of Jesus, it would have never become this big.

Along with a lot of silliness associated with Christmas is the beauty of gift-giving and family fellowship and giving to charity. All over the world people feel the merry results of his coming.

Okay, since this is really about the results of Jesus, what ought to be the defining features of how we celebrate Christmas?

Ann Gnass

 Today is the funeral of Ann Gnass. Her life, as I knew it, was marked by generosity. I could not recount all of the gifts she has given me and my family. The same could be said by most people in our church. Even now there are a bunch of Christmas gift bags in my office that are to be distributed to children of the church. Those kids are going to have to wait to thank her directly.

Also there are thousands of poor and homeless people in this area, Detroit, Appalachia and elsewhere who have been touched by the grace of God as she administered it. See you later, you will be missed in the mean time.

Just a thought...

A lot of people get upset that Jesus has to share a spotlight with Santa Claus this time of year, however, can you name a time of year when he has more spotlight? You can't turn on the radio without hearing songs about him or go to the store without seeing many artistic recreations of his birth. You might say Easter, but Easter does not take the nation's attention for a month and a half the way Christmas does. My point is, I'm shocked and elated at how much spotlight Jesus draws this time of year. Just a thought...

What are you doing here?

With the celebration of Jesus coming already upon us, I thought it would be good to ask him "Why have you come?"

I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. (Matt 5:17)
I have not come to bring peace tot he earth. (Matt 10:34)
I have not come to be served. (Matt 10:28)
I have not come to judge the world. (John 12:47)
I have not come to call the righteous. (Matt 9:13)

I came so that my sheep may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
I came to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
I came to be a light for those in darkness. (John 12:46)
I came to save the world. (John 12:47)
I came for judgment, that the blind will see and those who see will be blind. (John 9:39)
I came to do God’s will, bringing eternal life to those who look to me. (John 6:38)
I came to preach. (Mark 1:38)
I came to bring a sword and fire, turning families against one another. (Matt 10:34, Luke 12:49)
I came to fulfill the Law and Prophets. (Matt 5:17)
I came to serve. (Matt 20:28)
I came for THE hour. (John 12:47)
I came to ransom my life for yours. (Matt 20:28)
I came to be king. (John 18:37)

I hope I didn't miss any.

Innocence

This is my favorite picture. In this moment, they both seem perfect.

However, I have been taught that biblically, the term perfect refers more to completeness or full maturity than it does to sinlessness (thought that would be part of the the completeness). If that's true, and I believe that it is, is it true that babies are perfect?

We often say that they are. They have not yet soiled themselves with lewd thoughts and hurtful behavior. But if perfection is completeness or full maturity, then babies are about as as imperfect as they come. They have long way to go to get to perfection. This is obvious in the physical, emotional and mental aspect, but they certainly have a long way to go spiritually as well.

If perfection or completeness is defined by the pure and selfless love of Jesus, as I contend it should be, then again babies probably have longest to go. As much as I adore my children and many, many other children, I have to concede that they are selfish. I love my ten month old son with all my heart, but I admit that for the thousands of tears that he has already shed, not one have been for anyone but him. I very much doubt that he has any concept of how his mom or dad feel or what they're going through. Of course, I would never hold that against him. I don't expect anything different. I don't expect the same level of perfection (maturity) from him as I would an adult.

These are some things that have been running through my head that have been altering how I approach spiritual growth. Jesus asks us to be perfect. If it were just about sinlessness, I could point to the cross and declare, "Done!" But it's about full maturity too (which is also a gift of grace by the constant work of the Holy Spirit, but requires me to be in concert with him).

It changes my approach to parenting too. I must be equally concerned with teaching them to love selflessly as I am about enforcing my list of "Thou shalt not's".

And it alters the way I view many other things. For instance, the excuse "I was born this way" loses all steam when we realize we were born as imperfect as possible.

What do you think?

A Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of our wedding. We spent the day celebrating one of the finest blessings the good Lord has ever given. One of my surprises for her included carving this pumpkin. Cindie put together one of our wedding pictures with our vows. It was awesome.

Selecting an Audience

When I read Rick Warren's "Purpose-Driven Church", one of the things that made me squirm was the picture of Saddleback Sam. Warren was talking about how his church had determined to define in detail who their audience was. For them it was a male, young urban professional. They wrapped up everything they knew about this demographic into one symbolic and fictional character they called Saddleback Sam. They even have a picture of this prototypical guy in the book
(The picture above is not the same picture, though it is close).

This made me very uneasy. I think it stemmed from the misunderstanding that this is the only type of person they were open to or interested in reaching. I've since learned that is not the case, but he is their primary target.

I'm not trying to proof-text, but it does seem that Paul and Barnabas had a primary target. Acts 13:5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. Often they started with a focus on those who already understood who YHWH was. Perhaps it had to do with some lingering questions about the Gentiles place in all of this. Perhaps the Jews were just typically more receptive... I don't know.

However, the Holy Spirit redirected them and sent them to testify before the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus.

I think, then it comes to this: Using worldy marketing methods, such as defining your audience, are not necessarily bad. But we should not hold so devoutly to them when the Spirit leads in other directions. Where there is revelation obey. Where there is no revelation, use wisdom.

incorrigible

Acts 12:24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

Despite the persecution that drove every Christian except for the Apostles from Jerusalem, despite the arrest and execution of James so of Zebedee, despite Simon Peter's imprisonment, despite the need to go underground, the word of God continued to increase and spread.

We have a heritage and a history of being unstoppable, unflappable, insuppressible, and unrelenting.

Erwin McManus has commented that people ask him, "What is it today that keeps the church from realizing her full potential?"

His response: "Nothing!" Jesus has said that not even the Gates of Hell will be able to overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)

Sure there are trials and tests. But the same things which can serve as friction to slow us down can serve as traction to speed us up.

So, what will slow us? Budget? The lack of resources can make us more dependent on God... Definitely a good thing.

A corrupt culture? It just gives the lost more that they desire freedom from.

independent isolationistic culture? Just makes people hungrier for community.

Only internal things like fear, doubt and apathy can keep us from seeing our full potential, No external circumstances can stop the body of Christ.

But the church...

When Herod put James, one of the Apostles, to death with the sword, his approval ratings went through the roof. So, he went out and got Peter.

But the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

He was guarded by four squads of four soldiers. One prisoner guarder by 16 soldiers.

But the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Peter slept between two soldiers, bound in chains, with guards standing at the entrance.

But the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Peter seemed destined to the same ending as his old fishing buddy.

But the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

That's where the story turns. The events of history turned on that one event. The church earnestly prayed and everything changed. What follows in Acts 12:6-11 is quite possibly the motivation behind the song, "God Will Make a Way". An angel comes. The chains fall off. Gates open. Houdini would be jealous.

Oh, that we could tag this phrase to the end of today's plights.

The sex trade was thriving in Eastern Europe, but the church was earnestly praying to God.
The world closed their eyes to what was happening in Darfur, but the church was earnestly praying to God.

The destruction wrought by Katrina brought chaos and lawlessness to New Orleans, but the church was earnestly praying to God.

Egypt outlawed evangelism under penalty of death, but the church was earnestly praying to God.

Can you imagine?

The First, But Not The Last

Acts 11:26-30
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

These folks would make Barnabas, Saul and the folks at Antioch proud. I think they'd say, "Yeah, that's what it means to be called Christ-ian." That the Acts church continued.

Here are two links that I feel very comfortable recommending as places through which you can do an Antioch-type thing:

IDES
(more to come)

Growing

When I was a junior one of my friends told me that he had some struggles believing that God makes a difference in people's lives, but observing me had been a real boost in his faith that God still works in people's lives. I do not say this to boast. He was spot on to remind me how incredibly pompous I had been in the past. He was not saying that I had become something special, merely something better than I had been. It was sop encouraging to have someone notice the difference.

A week and a half ago 'Frank' asked me to describe how I had changed over the past five years. I wanted to respond quickly, but have struggled to put my finger on what is different. I could say 'I've grown' or 'I've matured', but these things are too vague to be of any value.

I have noticed recently some changes that are not particularly good. I used to be much more outgoing. The school environment played a big part in that. Now, I don't spend near as much time with people outside my family as I used to. I'm becoming more(even too)introverted.


Other things that I would have hoped five years ago would have changed by now have not. I'm still a walking time-management nightmare.

But what good changes have taken place? I've learned to share... My time, my responsibilities, decision-making. The love of the Christ's church has moved from my mind to my hands and then into my heart. I've gone from naive to cynical to trusting (a track I'll probably continue to make laps on).

I've learned that I need to check my ego at the door every day. I've learned not to lionize or envy other pastors. I've learned to embrace reality over fantasy. It's really much better. I learned to cherish older people.


I say all this to bring glory to Jesus Christ who shapes me guides me , transforms me, and recreates me into something a bit more like himself.

Sleeping With the Fishes

Sunday afternoon, Cindie and I were waking Hannah from her afternoon nap when we noticed Dorothy, her fish was lay still on the glass marbles that line the bottom of the fish bowl.

We brought Hannah downstairs while we did a quick brainstorm. What do we do? Swap in a new fish and hope she doesn't know the difference, or introduce her to one of life's most painful truths?

We chose truth. Cindie told her that Dorothy was dead. We were not sure she would even know what that meant. She said she wanted to see. So we went back upstairs with her. When she saw dead Dorothy, she began to sob. "I don't want Dorothy to be dead."

And at that I began to cry over $1.29 Meijer-purchased Beta that has always brought me more pain than pleasure.

Numerphobia

This past week, while sorting through the mail at church, I came across an envelope with a hand-written address but no return address. I opened the envelope, and the only thing in it was a "Mega Millions" lottery ticket. The date for the drawing was before the post mark on the envelope. Therefore, I reasoned that the person who sent this had already discovered what it was worth and decided to give it in secret.

Not long ago I was talking to someone and the conversation came up about what we would do if we suddenly had a fortune. This person told me that they would give millions to the church. The conversation made me a touch uncomfortable. First, it seems unhealthy to fantasize about such situations.

Secondly the reality of what likely would happen to the church if we suddenly had millions of dollars scares me. The differing agendas would create intensified conflict. It would be a very difficult test of our unity and character. That kind of money can make people go mad.

So as I checked the numbers on the Mega Millions website, I didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved that the ticket was not a winner.

Mostly, I was just confused. Why did someone send us a losing lottery ticket?

5 years

In April of 2000, I walked into the lower level of the church building with my then-girlfriend-now-wife Cindie.

"You're late." The observation was Gene's, an elder who had formerly been "in the ministry" himself.

In retrospect, I wonder what I must have looked like. A twenty-two year-old college senior, walking in twenty minutes late, with his girlfriend and without a clue. I credit those guys with great courage, though they probably had very little idea what they were getting themselves into.

Insanely, Cindie and I seemed to have many more reservations about trying to lead people two, three, and four times our age into spiritual maturity. We were terrified. There were many long talks and arguments and fights and tears that went into this decision. But when all was said and done, we knew that this is where God wanted us to be.

Of the fifty-some people that voted, there were five who voted 'no'.

Since that time, one word has defined the way this church me, and my family: grace. I have been instructed, corrected, encouraged and supported by the eldership. We have not had to sweat much about money. We have been cared for like family.

Mark Christian once told me that if you play your cards right, the honeymoon period between minister and church can last for decades. The honeymoon has lasted for five years now, but I credit them more than I credit anything I have done.

Acts 2

Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It's more than a little odd to me that so many differing visions for what the church should be have been based off this one text. A2 is a conference put on by the good folks at Willow Creek. They see their ministry as a fulfillment of the Acts 2 passage. So do house churches. So does the church at which I serve.

I guess it just hits us in different ways. Maybe that's God's intention. I am encouraged and inspired by the many different ways I am seeing this vision fleshed out. What do you think the fulfillment of that passage would look like.

Not a Soaker-Oriented Church

A couple of summers ago, a buddy of mine from high school asked me to return to Algonac and conduct his wedding. The wedding was held at the smallest church building I've ever seen. The church there was "Soaker-Oriented". They had little regard for redeeming a broken world. They just came on Sunday's and soaked in the beautiful traditions. It was about them. Guests might be begrudgingly welcome so long as they make no attempt rock the boat. As small as my hometown is, I didn't even know that this church existed until I did this wedding.

As I talked to some of the people belonging to that church, I found that their doors were about to close. Understandably, this was very painful for them. But the way they were dealing with this pain was inexcusable.

"We have all decided that we are not going to another church for at least a year." As one old lady told me this, my blood began to boil. How dare they withhold their resources from the kingdom!? With such a self-centered mindset, it's no wonder their doors closed. Perhaps it was better that their disease be quarantined from the rest of the Church.

This was not an Acts 29 church. They were not a continuation of the practices and attitudes of the Church in Acts.

Acts 11:19-21
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

As a result of persecution, these folks not only had to close the church doors in Jerusalem, they had to leave town. But they did not run off to sit and sulk about what was lost. They became missionaries. Average members became founded churches wherever they went. And they did this despite (or perhaps due to) losing the leadership of the Apostles (8:1).

They understood the Commission is not just for clergy. It was the responsibility of every person who called Jesus "Lord". Far from being Soakers, they were Seekers as Jesus defined the term in Matthew 6:33