Division: Either/Or, Not Both/And

It seems, to me, that the division of the Church has come from - at its core - adherents to two particular ideologies refusing to exist cooperatively. Rather than seeking genuine ecumenism - a schism occurs. The blade that cuts is Traditionalism (adherence to tradition, especially in cultural or religious practice) vs. Innovation (the introduction of new things or methods). In other words - saying "This is how it is, and how it ever shall be" vs. "New things are happening!"

I see God, however, participating in both these acts in Scripture:

Paul admonishes us in Hebrews (13:7-8) to "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith," because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." {emphasis mine}

On the other hand, we hear God speak through the prophet Isaiah (43:18-19): "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing..." {emphasis mine}

It seems there is a unification that comes from remembering the saints before us (imitating the successes of their faith) - firmly established in the unchanging nature of Jesus - mixed with the realization that God acts creatively.

Can tradition and innovation co-exist?

Links:

Refuse to Choose

The Primacy of the Imagination

New Stuff, New Year.

I've been terrible about updating this little hole-in-the-web.

A new idea for the new year. We'll see how it goes.

Check back then (well, around then - January 1st-ish).

Ray LaMontagne - Forever My Friend.

More LaMontagne goodness.

I Like Ray LaMontagne

You should, too.

A New Narcissism?

A very good article that dives into finding what positives and negatives might exist within the realm of online social networking. It is a long read, but very much worth it for any person who currently uses some type of social networking site or wants to understand the draw (and possible negative ramifications) of such places.

Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism

Check-Lists And Bullet-Points.

I've been thinking about freedom lately. What it means to live a life of liberty. Not having to watch my back. Not wondering if the scales are tipping one direction, about to drop me off.

I've also been thinking about the Bible. What is its purpose in our lives? I imagine its here for our benefit - but what is that? Should something happen in our daily(-esque) reading of the Bible? What?

Here's my writings, from my notebook, from this morning:

I've been thinking lately about the amazing, overwhelming amount of freedom that we have in Christ. This morning, as I was thinking about relationships and how best to "do them" (discernment, guidance, etc.) I wondered whether the Bible was ever meant to be a step-by-step "rulebook" or even a concise "guidebook" or if, in reality, God gives us broad statements like "love" and then lets us work out the details by trusting Him, listening to Him, walking with Him, and simply living. In this way, maybe the Bible is meant to introduce us to the person who will speak to us rather than the one who has already spoke all, definitively, for good.

My friend Brad shared a verse with me today, Hebrews 3:15, that I think speaks to this:

// ...[T]oday, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion. //

To those of us who have heard his voice, who have laid aside our causes for rebellion, there now exists a loving call to do, as Paul admonishes in Romans, what is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.

That will is being revealed to us daily - if we would search for it in Scripture and listen to the Spirit who, even now, is speaking.

May the Lord give you wisdom and discernment as you seek to know his will for your life.

A Prayer.

Father,

Give me ears to hear
And eyes to see
The telling of
Your majesty

Then my heart
Will surely be
Joy-filled
To follow Thee

In Jesus, I ask

The Conquering Lion.

Lauryn Hill

// The conquering lion shall break every chain
The conquering lion shall break every chain
Give him the victory again and again and again and again...
The conquering lion he's gonna break all of those chains if you just let him //

Up-Down.

Lord,
Lift me where i fall short.
Humble me where i stand tall.
I don't want balance, though.
I'm looking for abundance.

Vision Of You.

from Shane and Shane - Vision of You

// Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though You're here, God come.
And may the vision of You be the death of me.
And even though You've given everything,
Jesus come. //

Trust.

// noun. assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. //

Looking back on the past three years, I can see many times where God has given me great reason to trust him. In fact, in hindsight, it is a very easy thing to trust the Lord - to see his wisdom, faithfulness, and goodness.

But foresight is a completely different matter altogether.

There are things happening in my life, and coming up, where I completely realize that:

1. Situations are beyond my control.
2. I am powerless to change this fact.
3. I must make a choice.

I can retreat into the darkness of despair, anxiousness, fear, doubt, and self.

Or I can embrace joy by trusting the revealed nature and purpose of my God.

One of these is easier, but is also what I consider the wrong choice.

So. I will cast my anxieties upon him, because he cares for me. I will trust him for his daily provision and protection. I will believe what he has told me and shown me.

I will deny myself. I will take up my cross daily and follow him. I will put to death the negative, natural tendencies and embrace the sanctifying, spiritual realities.

I will trust Jesus. So long as he gives me a spirit to do so.

He Tells Me Things.

Like tonight. On my way home. In the lyrics to "O, Porcupine" by mewithoutYou, he says:

// you have a decent ear for notes
but you can't yet appreciate harmony. //

And earlier in the day, through this article, he spoke.

And I can think of countless other times in Scripture where the message has been repeated.

Don't be foolish, child.
I love you, and all that...
but I AM God.
You play a very good game of make-believe.
Sometimes you even listen well.
But that doesn't work well to change much.
I AM still who I AM.
It's a good thing.
I promise.

It's a humorous image for me to see this great God hunched over, speaking lovingly, running after me - a little kid blissfully unaware that my diaper is full or about to fall off (how embarrassing), looking at some toy on the distant horizon, intrigued and determined to get there.

Humorous because it's very weird that the scenario is probably true.
Humorous because God loves me enough (for whatever reason) to be a Father.
Humorous in a wonderful way that makes you feel blessed, to laugh.

It's been a nice past week-or-so getting to know this side of my God.

Response.

My reaction to the movement of God has been a question in my mind recently.

I know the theology: God is good. God is for me. God will (ultimately) be/do good to me.

I trust this. It's not simple. I'm not without fault.

But I wonder.

If I am elated when things are going well. When things seem to be working out. When blessing comes.

Living with a spirit of thankfulness. Prayer. Joy. Celebration.

Does that make me a hypocrite when I become bitter? Saddened? Depressed? Dejected?

When those dark nights of the soul come and I am no longer...

...in a spirit of thankfulness. The same thoughtful, thankful prayer. The joy. The celebration.

Can I be present in this immediate state of blessing? Devouring it. Loving it.

And face tomorrow when it comes?

Is that alright?

Pro-Diggity. No Doubt.

You'll notice a red circle in the image above. Inside that red circle you will see a $25 Flickr logo.

Yes, that's right - I went pro tonight. I figured I would try it out for a year. I currently host all my shots on Flickr - and with at least 45 more pictures being uploaded tonight I thought it a good idea to get the flexibility of showing more than 200 photos (total), with more options for sets, resolutions, etc.

We'll see how it goes.

P.S. [Please Go To My Flickr Page And Say Great Things About My Photos So That The $25 Was Well-Spent] Thanks!

Celebration.Intro

My wonderful friend Will purchased me a copy of Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster for my birthday. I started it this evening, going through the introduction slowly and surely, armed with a pen, underlining text left-and-right. I aim to be slow and methodical with my study of this book, hoping to foster in my life the "classic Disciplines" it speaks of. I will, Lord-willing, feature some sort of post on each portion as I am able to devour it. Below marks some quick notes, as well as my overall reaction to the themes outlined in the Introduction:

. "The finished product is the outcome of wide reading and careful thinking." -- (D. Elton Trueblood)

. "God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings...[therefore] we need not be well advanced in matters of theology to practice the Disciplines...The primary requirement is a longing after God."

. "We simply do not know how to go about exploring the inward life."

. "The life that is pleasing to God is not a series of religious duties."

. "...inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. The needed change within us is God's work, not ours."

. "God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving his grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us." -- He gives us a gift and tells us to use it.

. "The path is fraught with severe difficulties, but also with incredible joys. As we travel on this path, the blessing of God will come upon us and reconstruct us into the image of Jesus Christ."

. "[The Spiritual Disciplines] are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives."

. "Jesus Christ has promised to be our ever-present Teacher and Guide. His voice is not hard to hear. His direction is not hard to understand...We can trust his teaching...If we are willing to listen to the Heavenly Monitor, we will receive the instruction we need." -- 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Final Thoughts:

* Our central goal must always be the presence of the Lord - in our hearts, minds, and actions. He is the destination, to which the greatest path (journey) leads. Our focus must always be towards Him. Our affections for Him. Our allegiance to Him. Our success by Him. He is our great centrality.

Portrait.

Here, very recently, I've wanted to try my hand at taking pictures of people. Most of my photography to-date has been devoid of human life. Not that there is anything wrong with either method - but there has been an itch in my viewfinder for a more "personal" aspect. I think people are very interesting...I just didn't think I had the chops to take pictures of them in a way that I considered "artistic" (candids are great...but I don't want to shoot them).

My friend Will was wanting a new picture for his blog and he asked me to snap a shot (or ten). I took advantage of the moment to try my hand at photographing flesh-and-blood. I'll be honest...I'm pleased with the results. (More on Flickr)

A Short Leash.

(Thanks, Will, for continued conversation - and inspiration).

// What is it about me that God takes delight in? //

This may seem readily obvious to most (and I'll admit, I understand it myself in a way) - but if you were to peel back my life, removing layers of doubt, insecurity, hypocrisy, and the like - you would find that my biggest desire when it comes to being a Christian is to be loved. Not just by other people (because that's often difficult to find regardless of what you believe) - but by God. And not just some invisible thing out there in the sky - but by a personal, powerful, life-transforming, giving-each-breath-meaning person. I don't want God to be an idea, or a belief, or a being. I want him to be present. And in that presence I want him to treasure me. Not because I may deserve it, or earn it (due to, in my life, falling short in both cases), but...

...simply because he does.

That is exactly what I found when I first became a Christian. That is what called to me. What seemed beautiful without competition. What was worth becoming a different person. What made me a different person.

And yet I so often lose sight of a love like that. A simple thing, yet so profound.

Falling back into discussing theology. Or working hard. Or serving more. Or believing something different.

All of that good. All of that, at the same time, very distracting.

Now don't get me wrong. I want to please God. I want to love God back. Not because I have to. Or need to. Or am perfectly capable of doing. But because love is a great thing. It is a good gift. And I feel like this God I have an idea about - that I've seen and experienced - that I know (somehow)...he deserves a good gift.

// So...how am I loved (how do I remain in this love)? How do I love? //

Is it simple? Does it really come down to believing a check-list of facts? Does it come through adherence to a bullet-list of rules and regulations?

Or does it just exist?

Permeating all things. Broken and dirty because of this world it currently occupies - but still moving and fighting. Perfect (enough). Outside of myself (independent). Part of me (living, breathing, growing).

I'd like to believe that it is (easy). I see that, faintly - like a rising light on the horizon. Right after you wake from a slumber and your eyes are still masked by sleep. Blurry. Radiant. Understated. Often misunderstood.

Jesus tells me to follow him. I'd like to think I am. I'd like to think he has me on a short leash. For my benefit of course. I've got to be "free" because there's adventure and curiosity raging in my blood and bones. But I've got to be tied because I have no idea where I am going and I'm prone to wander.

Guide this man you Good God. I trust you.

Foolishness.

I am a foolish man. Oft masquerading as the opposite.

The longer I live and the more I learn, the more I realize how very little I know.

It's a good understanding. One worth raising a glass to.

Here's to the realization of foolishness!

(My apologies to anyone who has had to deal with my - probably frustrating - supposed expertise).

Patience And Thankfulness.

(Joshua Harris - thanks for the inspiration...and clarity)

Those who know me well know that I want to get married (eventually). I think marriage is a good thing. I believe it is Biblical. I also imagine myself being an alright husband because I feel God has given me admirable qualities and is working in my life to conform me to the image of his Son (who is the greatest husband of all).

Since I am 23, I think it is alright that I am not married yet. However, it has been a struggle in my personal life to both appreciate the fact that God obviously wants me single (since I am) while understanding, appreciating, and controlling my healthy attraction to the opposite sex and desire for relationship.

// I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. //

I don't believe Paul is dogging marriage here. If so, I would argue he's bad-mouthing a reflection of Jesus' relationship to us. Rather, I think he is pointing out the blessing of singleness - if that is the place one finds himself when on the journey towards Jesus.

A man, in relationship with a woman, is concerned about her well-being (mentally, physically, spiritually, etc). Rightfully so. This attention, however, often diverts the man's focus from God. Not necessarily in a negative way - because he can still love God and others by loving his wife faithfully; but there is a relinquishing of freedom: time, money, courage, solitude, etc. Again, not necessarily negative "losses" - but definite differences in perspective of singleness.

And so Paul tells men (and women) to seek the Lord in whatever situation they find themselves in - and to cherish that place until moved elsewhere.

// I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife...This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. //

And here Paul asks each person to evaluate where they are in life. Are the times profitable for taking on a spouse? Would it be dangerous? Would it cause unnecessary distress or distraction?

A person should not pursue any type of romantic relationship without the end (marriage) in mind. Commitment. Sacrifice. Service. Selflessness. Love.

Are you financially stable (fiscally-independent)? Are you taking care of your body? Are you growing (bearing fruit) in Christ? Are you taking responsibility for your life? Can you love?

Unless your answer to all of these is a definitive "Yes" - you probably need to be single. Not that the Lord will perfect you in all of these areas before blessing you with a spouse - but he's probably not going to give you charge over his son or daughter if you can't even take care of yourself.

So what is the point?

To trust God.

To be present each day of our life - thankful for breath and patient for the Lord's provision. The promise comes to those who seek him.

And so I am going to personally strive for this patience and thankfulness.

If there is a woman out there who finds herself wanting to marry me (hey, I'm not counting out the possibility), I ask you to search your heart to see what kind of person you are. Then, petition God to see what he has planned for you. Finally, I ask you to be patient while he brings us together (if that's his plan).

I'm getting started on my end of the deal.

Hey. Is Jesus Here?

// Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' //

Larry is 50 years old. He lived in Northern Kentucky almost all his life. He used to install auto-glass. It was stressful. He lived in a nice house, drove a brand-new Jeep, and was married to a wonderful woman. The last five years before he ended up here were a little rough. He started drinking a little; then more; then it was a 12-pack every day of the week. He'd come home, turn on the cable in the basement, and watch and drink until time to go to bed.

He showed up here three years ago. Divorced. Fresh out of jail for a DUI. Going through a homeless-shelter program for recovery. It worked. He graduated, got a job, got an apartment. Things were great. Then he started drinking again. His brother offered help before - but he spent that jaunt back in northern Kentucky drunk. There's not much contact now.

// Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' //

Bobby has an awesome beard. He's much older than Larry - at least he looks it. The world and this life have been, presumably, very rough to him. He's a Vietnam veteran - wounded in action. He tells a story of entering into combat with a buddy of his. There's a grenade. His buddy covers it, dives on it. Bobby loses part of his shoulder.

Bobby and Larry met about a week ago. They've been hanging out since then. He (Larry) is trying to catch a bus to Louisville tomorrow. He's married - but there's a Native American girl up there who is in love with him. He says she wants to marry him, but he's not like that. She'd just be a great help. A great hope - to get off these streets.

// And the King will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' //

People who have lost almost everything will teach you what matters. Things like food, avoiding fights, and a good night's rest. They'll teach you that liberties can just as quickly become curses. That a bottle of water can open the door to conversation.

// A toothbrush and some toothpaste. A $10 McDonald's gift card. A Bible. Socks. First-Aid Kit. Kleenex. Hand Sanitizer. A couple bottles of water. 30-minutes of my time. //

That's what I left with Larry and Bobby. $30 and 30-minutes. I've spent more than that on the pictures that hang on my wall at work. It's very simple to see which is more important when you have a bit of perspective. That perspective comes when you take a moment out of the rush to sit down, give a couple guys some water, and ask their names.

// [Jesus asked] 'Which of these...do you think, proved to be a neighbor...?' [The man answered], 'The one who showed him mercy.' And Jesus said...'You go, and do likewise.' //