Of Revolutionaries and Atheists

http://www.markaelrod.net/2007/12/10/the-irresistible-revolution-comes-to-searcy/

A writer sometimes tours to promote his book. Some writers tour to promote their cause(s). Shane Claiborne is of the later group. If you consider Shane's life, then his recent invitation to the Downtown Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas (home of Harding University) if fairly remarkable. Though perhaps not as incredible as the recent appearance of the friendly atheist at ole HU.

Leaving a Legacy

As I get older, the reality of the ephemeral nature of this life becomes more apparent. We don't much think about it until you get that phone call. "Yeah, Ron and his family just told the church that he has throat cancer. His doctor's are saying it looks like a year or so." Or you come into class and your teacher is out for a "simple" doctor visit and you find out the next year that she's had surgery to remove a cancerous growth. (Twice that happened. Once she made it. Once she didn't.) Or you watch your grandmother slowly slip into eternity.

You can ask my wife. I've always longed to see the reality of my faith, to finally fulfill God's use for my life here, to be absent from the body so I can be present with the Lord. However, I'm now finding the stakes of death are a bit higher than they use to be.

This makes me ask: What legacy will I leave? Christian Psychologist Dr. Paul Faulkner advocates letter writing on an extreme scale: to children and grandchildren (of course), but also to greats and great-greats. Think about it: Would you like to receive a letter one day from a great-great grandparent? Maybe you'd freak out. You'd certainly call mom and ask about him/her. What would you like to know?

More than letter-writing though is the legacy we leave with those who walk with us in life. That legacy consists of the love you pour into their lives. I know Ron's children. They've always shown the rich treasure of love that he and Linda have placed in their hearts. I know because their children have served me and my family. Regardless of his future, his legacy is set. He reflects Christ, he serves his family with humility, and leads those entrusted to him with courage.

So, who has left a legacy in your life? And what would you tell your loved ones before you escape into the arms of God?

I Corinthians 15

Worship - can it be facilitated?

Recently I find myself not being able to study because I have too many songs playing in my head!

This summer I spent my time in Fort Worth visiting the Village Church in Dallas - 1.5 hrs away from my house. Why drive so much? At first, I was just curious about them since I had heard so much from so many people. I kept going back though because I found something very unique... which until just now, I hadn't been able to explain.

After this past Sunday's sermon I think I've figured it out. Sunday morning we had a speaker from Texas here in the UK. Craziness. yes. One of the things he said was basically that worship is not for us to enjoy but for God to enjoy. For us to desire to enjoy worship means that we are concentrating on ourselves and not Christ. This same concept was life changing for me in my first year of undergrad.

Coming at a time when I have truly been missing the songs I can sing so freely, I have had to wonder if perhaps I have strayed away from worshiping God, to desiring to enjoy worship for myself. I don't really know the answer to this question but I do know that certain songs lead me to think deeper about Who I am singing to. Not just think... but also to cry out louder, to sing freer, to feel fuller. Meaning either that certain songs facilitate worship or that I am completely engrossed with myself!

Most of the songs at the Village Church are written by their music pastor, Michael Bleecker. That man has a gift for writing songs that lead me in worship of Christ! I think maybe because the style is more conversational? I would imagine it would be hard to sing these songs and not give glory to Christ. Yet, I can't help but wonder if I just love and feel greater desire to sing because they are more in line with my style.

Anyone have any scripture that might indicated whether or not worship can be facilitated? I am not referring to worship as in just singing... but all of what it entails.

In case you desire to hear these songs I've mentioned, you can check them out on my Odeo link http://odeo.com/channel/263863/view

-Overwhelm Me
-My King
-Who You Are
-Glorious Day
-From the Inside Out

Child Preachers?

When I logged on to Yahoo today, I saw a clip from 20/20 titled "Child Preachers". I can't find the link to it but, if you go on video.yahoo.com, and search child preachers, you will find similar videos. The video starts by showing the 7 year old Baptist preacher from Mississippi.

I believe God uses kids, but something about this is very unsettling. At the end of the clip, the reporter asks him, "what are you saving people from" and the poor kid doesn't know how to answer her! He only knows that the whole world needs to be saved.

I feel this is very sad. This kid is loosing his childhood! He is already taking the role of an adult but in addition to that, probably having to deal with a ton of criticism while he's at it.

How does a kid get to that point? Is it need for attention and desire for parental approval that drives him? Has he been brainwashed? Is he seriously being led by God? Could it be that he is possessed by a demon as was the kid in Mark 9:17? While it might seem like it would not be to the devils advantage to have yet another preacher.. this has in my opinion made a mockery of the Christian faith. Look at the video, the kid does not appear natural... neither kid (african american boy of 9 years)

Anyhow - just thought I'd share about the existence of this video in case yall hadn't see it.

Evelyn

Desperate Faith, Faithful Desperation

I'm not a man of vision per se. That's not my gift. Thus far at least, that's been my wife's forte. So often, new ideas spring to her mind, but the vision to see them through is rarely clear.

My younger daughter has poor eyesight. This wasn't discovered until a few years ago when the school nurse called us. How had eight years passed with this undetected? Answer: she compensated, knew nothing different, and never complained. Today, I will usually set her glasses on the dresser each night after reading before bed.

For me there seem to be stages of vision in ministry, in service:
1) Everything is so cloudy and so difficult, you just want to run.
2) You hear a voice of hope or see a glimmer of possibility and cling to it.
3) God gives you a totally open door (or more than 1) to let you see "the next step".
4) The embracing of the opportunity and the ensuing harsh reality of new murkiness.

With each completed cycle, God has drawn us closer to his heart. We've found new reasons for hope. We are more profoundly passionate about experiencing his kingdom. These are all gifts poured into our life. And He grows in greater and deeper affection within our hearts. We become more willing to be poured out. Trust is more entrenched. And love toward Him flows more freely.

God Grew Tired of Us

I strongly encourage viewing National Geographic's God Grew Tired of Us. The movie follows John Dau and Panther Dior, two of the "Lost Boys of Sudan". Both rediscovered family, but many haven't. Both have preserved their culture; many haven't. Both lived and overcame; most didn't. Both John and Panther are finding ways to help their brothers.

The Gift of a Water Buffalo

"Oh, my God!"

His mercies are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
            Lamentations 3:23