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Monday, January 25, 2010
The musical copyright I never knew I had...
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
One thing the Haiti Earthquake unfortunately did not crumble...
Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald headed to Haiti to see how their connections in America could help the evangelical churches rebuild their facilities and helps their neighborhoods. But among the rubble and senseless murders, they found one thing still standing and living - sex slavery.
Here's a blog post from USA Today about Driscoll and MacDonald's quick fact-finding trip and the horrors they encountered.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kate's New "Do": Pop Rebirth
In light of the Sunday sermon here at New Covenant about the "Pull of Culture" in Mark 8:14-16, I thought this was an excellent article by Gordon MacDonald. Culture pulls us in one direction on what it means to "start over," but the Bible has a very different idea of "starting over" in mind.
Friday, January 15, 2010
"God Is Love" Protest - Pictures and Thoughts
Tonight I chose to spend an hour of my time "protesting." I'm not much of an activist, but when Westboro Baptist Church says they are coming to town, I'll take a stand for biblical truth and grace to counter their warped perception of the gospel.
If you are unfamiliar with Westboro Baptist, they have made national headlines for their anti-homosexual protests. They protest anything that even hints of "gay," including military funerals, because soldiers are defending America, which in their opinion accepts gays. Westboro is pastored by Fred Phelps, and hails from Topeka, Kansas, which is my wife's hometown.
Because my wife and I lived in Topeka for a time, I have unfortunately been witness to many of their pickets with their offensive signs. I have driven by their church building with it's upside-down American flag and banners declaring "God Hates America" and "God Hates Fags." I've heard the songs they sing at their pickets, which are sometimes popular tunes with the words rewritten to fit their theology. I've read the twisted logic of Fred Phelps in his Letters to the Editor of the Topeka-Capital Journal. And I've heard the response of media and non-Christians who lump Fred and Westboro in with the rest of the Church.
(By the way, I refuse to link to their multiple websites spewing forth their doctrine of hate, but a quick Google search will bring their ideaologies to your computer monitor if you are that curious.)
With the above in mind, when my friend, Mark Forstrom, told me he heard that Westboro was descending upon Cedar Rapids and had a plan to counter their signs of hate, I decided to join in his plan. In fact, my 12-year-old daughter and a friend of hers chose to attend with me, making glow in the dark signs that said "God is Love (1 John 4:8)".
I wasn't entirely aware that so many groups of people were also planning to picket the picketers (it had apparently been all over Facebook this week, but I managed to miss it), so when I arrived, I was surprised at how many people were in attendance.
As you can see in these pictures, quite a wide variety of people were present. Some were clearly there to defend their belief in gay relationships. Some were there to mock Christianity and the Bible (because Westboro represents those in their minds). Some were there just to be silly. And some were there to represent what they believe Christianity really teaches. (My thoughts on the night after the photos.)
#1. I wish I hadn't gone.
What you don't see in the photos is the Westboro gang. That's because they never showed.
Had I known Fred's followers would have been no-shows, I wouldn't have gone. The only reason I went was to counter the messages Westboro's signs proclaim. But because their message wasn't there, I would have rather shared the truth of the gospel in a different fashion.
Although, I did enjoy hanging out with Tiffanie and Colette and seeing other Christians I knew were there because of their faith and desire to see Christ represented correctly.
#2. I would have changed my sign.
I know many at the protest were there because they believe being gay is not a sin. My "God is Love" sign probably made them believe I affirmed that. What I affirm is their humanity and God's love for them.
However, had they known that I believe God says in His Word that homosexual acts are sin, they might have called me a bigot (as I learned by reading the comments on this blog post) and lumped me in with the Westboro Baptist gang, regardless of what I say. As far as I am concerned, without Christ, I am just as much of a sinner as any gay man or lesbian - I don't see myself as better than them one bit. But what they don't like is my belief that their behavior based on the attractions they have is sin (just as the behavior I exhibited based on my sexual attractions before marriage was sin).
In retrospect, I wish I had been with a group of people holding a variety of signs. One would say "God is Love." Another would have said "Jesus Loves You." Another would say "Jesus died for all sinners (including me)." And another would say "God Loves Fred Phelps."
#3. I wish I could have had some interaction with others.
I wanted to take my daughter because I thought it would be a good experience for her as a middle school student who desires to share her faith in Christ. But the way the crowd was positioned, I did not want to take her into the mass of sign-holders, nor make her and her friend tromp through the snow. So we ended up positioned below the majority of the crowd, which was an excellent spot for sign-holding (we were the first signs cars saw as they came north on 1st Ave.) But this put us far from those who needed to know I stand with them against the hate-doctrine of Westboro, but I stand for the truth of Scripture and the power of the gospel for their lives.
#4. I wish Westboro Baptist really had been there.
As I stated before, I only went to counter the messages I've seen on Westboro's signs. Their presence would have helped me justify my presence there (again, I'm not an activist).
I also had hoped they would be there so that we could run up to Starbucks and buy them all hot chocolate. I wanted to show them I was consistent with my message - God is love, and He loves them, despite their erroneous beliefs and methods. (Plus, I would have liked a hot chocolate for myself to warm my innards!). Handing them a hot chocolate might have opened avenues for dialogue. Of course, I am deeply doubtful they would even begin to listen to anything I would have to say - they've probably heard it all before - but I believe God could use this foolish Iowan to accomplish His purposes to change their hearts if He wanted.
$5. It was amazing to see unity among such diverse people.
No, the crowd wasn't united on the gospel. No, they weren't united on the issue of gay relationships, marriage, or rights. But they were united against the message of hate Westboro has become famous for.
Andrew Marin, through his foundation and book, has been striving to bring these divergent groups together so that they can stop talking past each other and actually understand one another. But what he's been striving towards for ten years was achieved (albeit at a very shallow level) for one hour on a Friday night because of an infamous group known for their animosity for the GLBT community.
Conclusion
All in all, I don't regret going, because I believe I went with the right motives and made a decision based upon what I believed to be true. The GLBT issue is a divisive and important one. It's definitely one the the BIG issues facing the Church and our nation. Personally, I would love to interact with those embracing their gay identity as well as those questioning or wrestling with it. I hope gays and lesbians will know that I, as a pastor, do not hate them. I am nothing like the pastor from Topeka. I would love nothing more than to sit down, hear about their lives, talk about Christ, grace & truth, open the Scriptures together, confess my shortcomings, make a friend, and perhaps welcome them as a brother or sister in Christ. Because, as I said before, I affirm their humanity and God's pure love for them as seen by the cross of Christ.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
"oh, haiti, we weep with you again" (A great blog post by my cousin-in-law, Kami Rice (@KamiTheWriter))
My wife's cousin has travelled the world as a freelance writer, capturing stories from around the world for various organizations (mostly missions agencies). Her travels have included Haiti, which brought forth this blog post in response to the devastating earthquake that wracked the country yesterday.
Please take 3 minutes to read Kami's post, then go to Samaritan's Purse and donate towards the relief efforts that will be needed to help this beautiful country rebuild.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
No BookSneeze for Me (for now)
I LOVE books. Based on the stacks of books in my office, you might say it's an addiction. I don't read them nearly as fast as I want (when my schedule is busy, book reading is one of the things I cut to save time), but I keep buying them nonetheless.
So when I heard Thomas Nelson was launching a book review program where you can get books for free in exchange for a review on your blog, I was excited and planned to sign-up. However, as I think about the stacks of unread books in my office that I still really want to read, I decided I better hold off on acquiring more books.
So I guess I won't be contagious for Thomas Nelson for now. Perhaps I can "sneeze" later (and I agree with a couple of people I saw on Twitter who think the name "BookSneeze" is kind of gross. But it is a memorable name - I'll give Michael Hyatt that!).
Following in His Footsteps
There’s a curious story in Matthew 14. Jesus has been up on the hillside praying during the night while His disciples are traveling to the other side of the lake by boat. In the middle of the night Jesus comes walking on the water towards them. Needless to say, the disciples were seized with fear seeing a figure moving across the surface of the water in the middle of a storm.Jesus tells them to calm down, it’s just Him. But then Peter calls back, “If it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” What would possess Peter to say such a thing?Rob Bell points out in the 8th Nooma film Dust that the goal of a disciple was not just to know what the rabbi knew, but to be just like the rabbi. Ray Vander Laan points the same thing out on his website excellent
followtherabbi.com. If this is true, suddenly you understand why Peter would make such a ridiculous request. If Jesus, Peter’s rabbi, could walk on water, Peter wanted to be just like his rabbi and follow in His footsteps. So Peter jumps out of the boat when Jesus says “come.”Being a Disciple in the 21st Century
If you have been “born again” as John 3:3 says, then Jesus calls you to be His disciple. This means you are to not just know about Jesus, or even know some of the things Jesus knows. You are called to be like Him!So what are you doing to be like your rabbi? Are you getting to know Him better everyday through His Scripture and prayer? Are you showing compassion like He did? Are you obeying His call to follow Him in every area of your life?For me, I know I follow Jesus extremely imperfectly. But if there is to be any hope for my son Salem, then I’ve got to be like Jesus, because right now my 4-year-old’s eyes are on me. And whether you realize it or not, someone has their eyes on you. It might not be your son, but it could be a co-worker who is curious about your faith, a neighbor who finds your church attendance a little bit odd, a friend who has spiritual questions, a family member who is still trying to figure out this Jesus thing you’ve aligned yourself with, or simply a friend in your small group.So are you treading about life leaving your own footprints, or are you following in the footsteps of your rabbi, showing others the path to follow?
Friday, January 08, 2010
Living for More than Me
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
So if you are supposed to be like Jesus, let me ask you: Where are you serving? Who are you serving? For who are you giving your life in order to help others connect with God?If you are serving, whether in your church or the community, then thank you. Keep doing what you are doing.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Bible Reading Plans and Tips
- Engage Scripture is a great reading plan put together by a church in the St. Louis area: http://tr.im/Is95 Includes catch-up days!
- YouVersion.com has 20+ reading plans to choose from. Keep track online. They even have mobile apps so you can stay current with your reading plan on your phone!
- Heartlight.org has 5 different reading plans in PDF form available to download, print, and put in your Bible. The plans can be found at http://tr.im/Is8e .
- The Navigators have three tried-and-true Bible reading plans in PDF form available for download: http://tr.im/Iscm
- Set a consistent time (morning, lunch hour, before your workout, before bed, etc.)
- Pick a specific place you can consistently read in without much disturbance (a favorite chair, your car, your office, the bedroom, etc.)
- Choose a faithful translation that you can understand. The New International (NIV), English Standard (ESV), New Living (NLT), or the NET Bible (bible.org) are a few good readable translations.
- Recruit someone to do it with you! This provides accountability and someone to share the things God is teaching you.
- If you get behind, don’t fret! The most important goal is allowing God to impact you with His Holy Words, not just get through a certain amount of text.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
The Connection Newsletter (Issue 8 - Winter 2010) is now available online
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Late Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Birds
T (age 3): Loves Cars the movie, football, baseball, & wrestling w/Dad. Enjoys singing, talking, running, toys, joking, & playing w/his siblings.
S (age 6): LOVES Kindergarten! Reads, enjoys math, & wants “to know how everything works!” His grin currently sports his first missing tooth.
M (age 9): In 4th grade. Part of a kid-led worship team @ church. Still loves to draw. Taking piano from Dad. Reading “Fellowship of the Ring” w/Dad.
K (age 12): In 7th grade. Lots of music: piano w/Dad, oboe @ school, composing @ computer. Went on a local summer mission trip w/her church youth group.
LeAnn: Enjoys one kid @ home (yet life is STILL full!). Volunteers @ school. Likes connecting w/other women. Assists w/the newcomers’ class @ church.
Erin: 7+ yrs as young adult pastor @ New Covenant Bible Church. Weddings, counseling, leading, creating, meetings, & more create a full schedule.