Hey, I Could’ve Read Those Books!

As rediculous as it may be, the “KJV only” debate is one thing…I’ll have a conversation with someone on the issue (though I don’t believe I know anyone personally who holds such a position)…but this is a bit much: http://www.amazinggracebaptistchurchkjv.com/Download99.html.

Weekend Update

• We are in the process of purchasing a house. Our offer was accepted on Friday - 1518 McCulloh St, two blocks from our current apartment.  It’s in the Marble Hill/Upton neighborhood of Baltimore and I will certainly post updates and pictures as the process unfolds.
• Had a nice gathering this morning and was glad to welcome another first-year Baltimore teacher to The Garden.  I would say the conversation at the doubt forum was intelligent, interesting, and respectful.
• Took a hike this afternoon with a few friends from The Garden.
• My wife makes great lasagna.
• Glad to have friends like GwenCarol and David who have renovated their home and will be a great voice as we show our place (should everything go through) a little TLC.
• Spending a quiet evening with my wife tonight. I should stop blogging and get back to that.

Sunday Morning Reflection

This morning at our Garden gathering is the “doubt forum.” The idea is that we all bring our doubts and questions, throw them on the table and discuss them. Should be interesting.

I find myself, as I have many conversations with folks on various topics of doubt, in total agreement.  It is simply amazing to me how the “church” has done so much to distort the message of Jesus that many questions and problems with the faith are actually problems, not with Jesus, but with the corrupted version of the church.

It’s interesting to look over the history of the 20th century and see the transition away from religious culture. Tim Keller pointed out that if you divide the 20th century into three categories you’ll see that the first part was very religious. A good citizen was a good church-going man. One was looked down upon for having no religion.  Then comes the second portion of the 20th century which is highlighted by John Lennon’s,

Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

The second part of the 20th century freed us from religion. Unlike their parents, this generation began to view religion as a very bad thing which oppresses people.  Religion was dead and never to be revived.

The interesting turn of events, however, was that as the 20th century came to a close people began to rethink spirituality.  Maybe there is something more than what we see?  The whole ’spiritual but not religious’ movement began and we began asking new questions and seeking new (or re-newed) understandings.  Today, nearly a decade into the 21st Century, we live in a world hard to spiritually pinpoint and define. 

On one hand are a large amount of agnostics, the spiritual-but-not-religious types who believe in something out there but certainly won’t begin to define that something.  On the other hand, however, are the Richard Dawkinses who despise agnostic belief as worse than one with religion; the hardcore atheist who believes the world must finally wake up and fully evolve into the reality that there is no God.  On the hand (three hands), are those in our modern era who are discovering new religions which have strict moral or ethical codes and strong belief systems in search of a sense of belonging and identity – whether it be Islam, Judaism, Kabala, Christian Science, Buddhism, etc. 

What a great era in which to live! I believe that the way forward is through dialogue.  There are so many messages out there touting evey belief system and every way of life that our best prophetic voice is one of conversation. Listening and learning. And somehow, in the midst of it all, as Paul did in Athens, begin to explore the wonder that maybe Christ is in someway the fulfillment of all our searching.

People Are Like Trees

I’m often asked, “what is the biggest thing you’ve learned since living and working in the inner city?” My answer is always the same:

Patience.

I had a great conversation with a friend yesterday about ministry and the amount of time it takes to see transformation begin to happen. If we are not willing to develop patience than we might as well pack up and quit. Because it takes a long time. The problem is that we’ve been taught that the Christian life is all about living the good life and making things simpler and easier for us.  Ministry then is getting people “across that line” of spiritual transformation so they can experience the good life as well. As if there is a line drawn in the sand and it is our job they get there.  What further complicates the issue is that, when those of us who are “across that line” realize that Christianity doesn’t really always seem to be the good life and that life is actually harder than ever.The problem is that this view of the gospel is simply false.  Historically, being a Christian sucked – but they followed Jesus anyway.  They saw a greater hope than having an easy go of things, than having all of their problems solved. If we, like the early Christians, begin to see that the gospel is, not a ticket to an easy and physically healthy life, but rather an invitation into community, with God and each other, it changes how we view ministry and we develop patience with all of us who are in the transformation process; patience becomes a way of life. We, like trees, are organic creatures which grow slowly but put us in the right environment with the right nourishment and we will certainly grow, you actually won’t  be able to stop the growth.

I’m rambling on as I remind, not you, but myself.  It’s difficult to work day in and day out alongside people who frequently go to jail, can’t control their sexuality, lose jobs you hook them up with, complain about stupid things, and break their word with you time and time again.  But if you think I’m in a complaining spirit right now, I’m not.

What I have been reminded of and what I’m reminding myself of once again is that there is beauty in all of this. There’s beauty in simply having that relationship with someone who looks you in your face after they’ve screwed up again with tears in their eyes because they know you forgive them and love them.  There’s beauty in being in community with one another – even if it’s messy and seemingly broken.

I recently accepted a dinner invitation into the home of a family in the projects. And while we ate, my friend who was trying to create an environment where he felt I’d be comfortable, played classical music over the radio (because all white people like classical music, right?).   There was such beauty in having this new relationship with this family that it nearly brought me to tears right there as I was eating my BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese. But see, if I was only focusing on getting this family “across that line” I would have completely missed the grace of new friendship and robust life.

So we enter into relationships with one another, relationships we’d otherwise never have if it weren’t for Jesus, and as we live and love together we somehow grow.  We don’t see it happen but we do.  So we’re like trees; you don’t have to develop patience with a tree, you just know it’s going to take a lot of time but will certainly grow. I’m not sure where the rest of this is going so I’ll be done with that thought.

Advent Conspiracy at The Garden

 

Sunday Update

• Heading on a last minute trip to Lancaster, PA.  Amish country baby.  Will be back tomorrow.
• A lot of people are sick - it’s crazy.  At least half, if not more, of our folks were not at our gathering this morning due to illness related reasons.  I hope this stuff passes through quickly.
• I have a terrible (non-contagious) cough that’s driving me crazy. 
• The mother of a good friend of mine/fellow Gardener past away this past week due to swine-flu related causes.  My heart is still heavy and sad for my friend and his family.
• We had a great morning with those that were healthy enough to come worship with The Garden this morning. The focus was resurrection – that’s the core.  What better topic to discuss and preach on?
• I am looking forward to soon beginning the Advent Conspiracy and challenging fellow Gardeners to live prophetically during the month of December.  The Baltimore Sun has caught wind of The Garden’s focus this Christmas and has asked me for an interview this week.  We shall see what comes of it.
• I believe Jess is reading New Moon for the second time.  Are you kidding me?
• I ordered two new books which I’m looking forward to and will blog about - Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision by NT Wright and Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin.
• Eden just said, “Let’s go Daddy.” I think she’s ready to go to Lancaster.  Bye.

NT Wright Nails It

How about one more video for your Saturday night…one which also continues the hell dialogue.

The major difference between this view of hell and the “medieval view” (as Wright argues), is one of relationship.  The, what might be considered, traditional view of hell which many of us who grew up in church were taught, was a picture of a mean God who will send you to burn forever if you don’t make the right choice. So many, then, “followed God” out of, not love, but fear of hell.  They don’t love God and never did, they merely want to secure a nice eternity – how American.  It had nothing to do with relationship. It had nothing to do with abandoning our self, our desires, our comfort and following Christ as the crucified Lord and Savior.  It had to do with a nice mansion in the sky.

On the other hand, a more Biblical understanding of the Gospel drives us to love God, not out of fear of hell but out of…well…love for God.  A pastor I recently met in Waldorf said, “We all say ‘I love God because___’.  It’s only when God takes away all of those ‘becauses’ that we simply begin to love him, period. We don’t love him because____; we just love him.”

Thoughts?

(HT: Sean)

Hollywood Speaks

Playground Appreciation Day

Within the past few months there have been two separate shootings outside the rec. center where we meet for worship and where we serve.  The shootings took place near the playground.  Last March a young man was actually killed right there on that same corner.

This is unacceptable.

Today something happened which has been one of the coolest things The Garden has taken part in since we’ve been here; neighbors (from both sides of “the tracks”), churches, pastors, community leaders, coaches, teachers, school administration, parents, grandparents, and children met at the playground to say “enough is enough.”

And we made our statement through cleaning the grounds, prayer, food, and a lot of fun.

At eleven, the day began with a playground cleanup. Young, old, black, white,  rich, poor; everyone working side-by-side, raking leaves, picking up trash, cleaning together – it was a beautiful site. 

At noon, as we were singing “This Little Light of Mine,” we moved from corner to corner, stopping at each for a time of prayer and declaring this playground as a “safe-place” for children.

Then the celebration began with pit beef (much thanks to some of Matt’s friends from north Baltimore county who had been smoking the cow since six this morning), hotdogs, and cupcakes, jumphouses and a playground full of people who have decided to love each other and love this community.  People gathered who have decided that we’re not only going to pray for peace but we’re going to act on it.

(Pictures will be shared at a later time)

Should “Protestant vs. Catholic” Divide?

Evidently it does so within George Washington University’s InterVarsity Fellowship.

Read article here.