On/Off Relationships

Last night, around midnight, I was outside with no one or nothing else around to distract me. At first I was just enjoying not thinking about anything and began to relax; then I looked up at the sky. Sure, during the day, the sky is cool looking (If your eyes aren't blinded by the sun) and occasionally there are days when it looks really cool; but, at night... When you look into the sky at night, you can't help but to think about something. The vastness of God's creation, so great that our minds can't even comprehend how HUGE our God and this universe really is... Then I began to think about us. How small and insignificant we are to the universe but how great and significant we are to its creator.

From the moment I got outside till the night was over, I couldn't get away from this thought:

No One Wants An On/Off Friendship. I began to think over the years that I've encountered those kinds of people; and, all I could do was think about how much that pissed me off. Now there are plenty of people that I love and am thankful for, but if it wasn't for the Lord, I would probably hate most people, honestly. I hate to say it, but it's true. Whether you've had a great friend who has tried to steal your significant other, who has stolen something from you, who has sold you out, started drama, started rumors, lied, cheated; some one who is a friend when it's convenient for them and will throw you right back in lions den. No one wants an on/off friendship because it can RUIN your chances of ever establishing relationships in the future. If you have been hurt countless times by your "friends" why would you ever be real and open up to anyone again? No one wants an on/off friendship.

The more I thought about this, the more angry I got. It brought up old baggage and repressed memories. Story after story began to play back in my mind but then... Everything stopped. It was then that I realized that this "No one wants an on/off friendship" was just an opening statement to an even more important question...

If no one wants an on/off friendship, then Why Would We Want An On/Off Relationship With Jesus Christ?

My feelings of anger quickly shifted to shame and humility. You see, I am a Christ follower. I Love Jesus and will always love Jesus; however, there are days that I find myself not following and seeking Him with all of my heart. There are many ways that I express my love for Jesus, but music is the way in which I choose in most cases. It might be the same for you or completely different. The ways in which you choose to worship Him are different, but how you worship Him remains the same: You worship Him with your life.

So the question is this: If we don't want an on/off friendship, then why do we continue to have an on/off relationship with Jesus?

Worship is defined by how you live your life; not how you live certain days of your life

Worship Playing vs Band Playing

I recently read an article that compares and contrasts the differences between worship playing and band playing. As I was reading the article It made me think of two things: First, it made me think of the many musicians I've known and played with over the years who are involved in worship for reasons other than solely glorifying God. secondly, it made me think of the worshippers who get distracted by the performance of those musicians and, rather than focusing their attention and worship on encountering Christ, they seem to focus on the musical experience and listen with eyes and ears rather than their heart.

Looking at this from a worship leader's perspective, or looking at someone who leads in worship, it's easy to tell the difference between leading worship and playing in a band. However, many people fail to realize that the musicians playing in a worship band are much more than just hired musicians playing for "the worship leader." Whether it's the drums, bass, guitar etc., playing in a worship band is much more than a performance (Meeting people, making money and getting girls), It's a sacred privilege. A privilege that we have be given to glorify the astounding and magnificent King.

I understand that some of you reading this might be musicians and understand the differences between the two. Some of you may be tone deaf and couldn't hit a good note to save your life (trust me, I've met some of you) and still understand. But the fact is, there are many of us who really don't understand. Regardless, if you do or you don't, this is a good reminder to all, even me, of the one and only reason why we engage in worship through music; to glorify our Creator!

In an attempt to bring perspective, I will scrutinize the two to try and help you comprehend the differences..

WORSHIP PLAYING: Vs BAND PLAYING:

1. The motive is created by Love.
--------- A motive created by musical excellence.

2. It's not about me.
---------It's about me getting famous.

3. Skill is not the prerequisite of success.
--------- Skill is the litmus test for success.

4. You play for an audience of 1.
--------- Playing for an audience of 1 is usually a good indication that you should quit.

5. You don't get paid but you're definitely rewarded.
--------- You sometimes get paid, but the reward is momentary.

6. It's bigger than you.
--------- It rarely gets past the local dive.

7. The purpose is to glorify our Creator.
--------- The purpose is to create great music.

Christians and Drinking.

I recently heard a preacher talk about compromise. His lesson was a good lesson in principle. The basic thrust was taken from the story of Solomon. Solomon was given a promise that if he followed the Lord as his father David did, he would not lack a descendant on the throne of Israel. Yet Solomon compromised by disobeying God’s command and took many wives.

The preacher used this story wisely to explain the danger of compromise. Like any preacher, he had examples that would take the eternal principle of compromise and contextualize it for our day so that we might see the immediate danger that we face (since most of us don’t have the temptation to take too many wives!). Yet the examples he gave evidenced the misplaced priorities of many in the church to misdirect the application of the principles to acts that in-and-of-themselves did not represent compromise.

Here is the list of examples of compromise he gave and expounded upon for nearly thirty minutes:

1. Going to the movies with an “R” rating.

2. Listening to a dirty joke at work.

3. Accepting a mixed drink at a party.

This preacher focused on the pressure that often comes to participate in these actions. He said that others will think you are a “goody-two-shoes” if you don’t take part, but if you do, you will have crossed the first line compromise which is the most dangerous line to cross. Following up these examples, he encouraged the listeners with these exhortations:

“We must obey God’s word”

“God’s word is not about not having fun”

“God knows best, and if he says don’t do these things, then we obey without question”

While I agree with what this preacher said about compromise, its danger, and about God knowing best, I felt that the examples he gave were irresponsible, representing a legalistic folk-theology which is more destructive than constructive. Not only this, but as I sat there and listened, I found myself thinking, “This guy has compromised by giving these examples without qualification.”

I want to focus on the example of drinking for just a moment to illustrate what I mean. Let me loosely quote how the illustration was laid out:

“If you are at a party and someone tries to give you a mixed drink, what do you do? You say, ‘I am a Christian and I don’t drink.’ But what if the person says come on, just one. You say ‘I really can’t.’ Then the person just tells you to hold the drink and you do. . . This is compromise.”

From the preacher’s point of view, the person crossed a dangerous line of compromise by even holding the drink. Holding the drink will cause you to take a drink and then, as the preacher said, say, “Give me another.”

The assumption behind this illustration is that drinking an alcoholic drink—especially a mixed drink—is the sin that we must avoid at all costs. This is where I think this preacher has compromised himself. He has given in to the temptation of setting up a legalistic standard. He has built a wall of protection around a sinful act and the wall itself has become the object of sin. Drinking an alcoholic drink—even a mixed drink—is not a sinful act (much less holding a drink compromise).

The issue is not drinking, but being controlled by alcohol. Even then, the issue is not simply that God does not like an altered state of consciousness that drinking causes, but it is being out of control.

Ephesian 5:18 “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit [which does not].”

Notice, the emphasis is on the “reckless actions,” not simply an altered state of consciousness. The encouragement of Paul is to be “filled with the Spirit.” This does not refer to an esoteric state of mind, but one of perpetual control being given to God, not something else. The Bible speaks much about drunkenness (i.e. being controlled by alcohol as a lifestyle) because it encourages a state of being where your actions are perpetually in your own control so that you might yield that control to God.

We must balance the warning passages in Scripture with those that speak positively about alcohol. Some encourage its celebratory, medicinal, and emotional purposes and effects.

John 2:1-11: Christ turns water into wine (“the best wine”) so that the marriage celebration could continue. If holding a drink is compromise, how much more so was Christ’s actions? Let’s face it—Christ was a bartender here.

Psalm 104:14-15 14: “He [God] causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart” (emphasis mine). Here, “wine which makes man’s heart glad” is spoken of as a gift from God.

Proverbs 31:6-7: “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (emphasis mine). Here, strong drink and wine are encouraged to be given to those who are in pain.

1 Timothy 5:23: ”Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Paul encourages Timothy to drink wine for his ailing stomach.

Deuteronomy 14:26 “Spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.” The NET Bible translates “strong drink” as “beer.” The NJB translates it “fermented liquor.”

Even Christ was accused of being a drunkard. Why? Because he drank alcohol!

Matt 11:18-19: “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”

The sin of being controlled by alcohol is spoken of in the Scriptures as being very serious and many people are effected—even destroyed—by this in our culture. I understand. Alcohol can cause them to be someone who they are not, thereby dishonoring God and His image which they bear. It can lead to destructive behavior. We must do our best to be in control of ourselves if we are to have a consistent witness. But we have to realize that drinking itself is not the sin. And we should not attempt to build walls around it so that it is.

Please know that I understand the dangers of alcohol. For people who struggle with being an alcoholic, the simple act of holding a drink might be compromised were they attempting to overcome their addiction. However, this compromise would not be unlike the glutton who eyes a chocolate bar, the sex addict who watches a movie with slight sexual provocation, or the person with anger problems owning a gun. If you have a particular bent to certain sins, you must know yourself well enough to act wisely with regards to its provocation. But this does not mean that assumptions must be made about everyone’s ability to handle the same circumstances.

In the end, these things must be dealt with carefully and with much wisdom. We must understand that the possible abuse of something neither makes the abuse necessary or evenlikely. Most importantly, we must recognize that it is a sinful compromise to deem that which is not sinful sinful, due to misapplied folk theology, no matter how good our intentions are. Drinking alcohol is not sinful. Let us get over this legalistic fascination and represent the principle truly and with perspective.

Some may say that it is irresponsible for me to say such things because of how some will take it. It is true. I know some people will take this the wrong way and see it as a license to sin. But how much more wrong is it for me to build walls around the truth in fear that someone will abuse it? I can’t temper my understanding or teaching upon how it might be mishandled and abused. I will leave room for the Holy Spirit.

Love God. Love People.

Analysts place the number of homeless Americans at 3.5 million, with 1.4 million being children. According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, 1 in 50 children are homeless in America today.
This number is growing drastically due to the recession we're currently in. This is such a small statistic compared to the rest of the world, but many of us don't understand that a large portion of America, the richest nation in the world, suffers from hurting, broken people as well.

A few weekends ago, a few days before I moved to Raleigh, NC, I was hanging out with some friends downtown Roanoke, VA. That night, as I was walking down the street, I heard someone call my name. I turned to acknowledge the voice, yet I couldn't place the voice with a face in the crowd of homeless people where it had come from. He called out again. He was a friend of mine from Highschool! I hadn't seen him in years! After exchanging a few words, He told me that he had had some problems with his family and that they had given up on him. It was then that the homeless crowd around him didn't seem so distant and strange. He told me that he had been homeless for about a year and a half now. He had shared a little about how he would go from place to place, sleeping in whatever he can find and roaming the streets for food. After a few minutes of chatting, I told him that I had to go because I was on my way to pick up a cell phone a friend was giving me when he had stopped me. So I left.. 10 minutes hadn't even passed when it hit me. I finally realized what had happen. I quickly made my way back to where we had spoken minutes before, but he was already gone. I got in my truck and searched all over downtown for him, but after about a half an hour of searching, I gave up. I had been given the perfect opportunity to witness and help a friend out who, at the time, had nothing, but I didn't. I was so distracted by what was going on in my life that I couldn't take the time to reach out to a broken heart.

I have always lived by a simple rule. Love God, Love People. After all, the greatest example of Christ is to share his love with others, not point and give the "repent or you're going to burn in hell for eternity" finger. But this time I didn't. I had the perfect opportunity and I blew it. I got distracted..
Sometimes we get distracted of what our purpose in life really is.. Sure, we have families we love, hobbies and blessings we enjoy; but when work, school, sports, music, technology, etc. becomes habitual, we don't have time for anything else. It keeps us from fulfilling our purpose. Anything that becomes a routine, that distracts us from serving the Lord, is a sin; and, habitual sin is what keeps us on satan's leash.

So my challenge is this: Think about Jesus and his time on earth. Think about all the weak, sick, broken, hurting people he extended an arm of love to. Think about his teachings and what he says about Loving others in his word. Now think about the homeless person on the corner, standing in the median with a sign between two busy intersections. Everytime we pass them and do nothing, we might as well slap Jesus in the face. Regardless of what we think, not all homeless people use our money to buy alcohol; and, if we're using that excuse to justify not giving, then we have more problems then they do. Finally, think about that homeless person as someone close to you; a family member, a close friend or just someone you know.. Would you react differently?

The challenge is to love others and extend a helping hand, regardless of how they choose to react to it... It's our turn to live by example.

Pentecostal Clipart (Speaking in Tongues isn't among my spiritual gifts)...

Growing up in a Baptist home, speaking in tongues wasn't something that happened often. We rarely had a congregational applause after a special song, much less someone running repeatedly down the isles, waving their "hankies" around, shaking their entire bodies and screaming, what sounded to me at the time, baby language.

After leaving the Baptist church I had attended my entire life thus far, my family decided to attend a pentecostal church near our house. After the culture shock wore off, I had quickly identified and noted the pro's and con's of and the differences between the Baptist and the Pentecostal culture. The baptist congregation, as a whole, through their actions anyways, seemed to have gotten the silent game mixed with the Joy of "worshiping the Lord." I don't know how, but they still haven't really figured out the confusion between the two and they still correlate with each other. In contrast, the pentecostal congregation seems to confuse worship with a roadie for a death metal band. It's nice to have people look at you, so close to the band and all; and, listening to the same songs over and over again for months before another one is played, but you always have the popular song, played by demand, that really gets em goin.

That being said, I can recall my first experience with speaking in tongues and would like to tell you my story...

It all started at a Pentecostal Church Camp... I was in my first year of high school when I attended a pentecostal church camp for the first time. During the day, like any camp, we had our fun activities, sports, competitive games, snack stands, pool time etc... But during the night, that's when the magic happened. It was a great start to the week. I Had a great, intimate time of worship, and even learned a new song, and learned that same song again every day after that. However, I began to notice something. During one of three alter calls that normally took place during the message, I noticed that a group of leaders and other students began going to each individual person at the alter and began praying for them. But not only were they praying, they were pushing, waiving, shaking them until they fell to the ground. It was like watching Benny Hinn live. Anyhow, I knew it was only a matter of time before they did the same thing to me. Not knowing what was going on or why it was happening, because I grew up in a different background, I was nervous to worship. After a few days I began to forget about it and went up to pray. Before I knew it, they had pulled one over on me. I was being slapped in the forehead with oil, spit on, yelled at, and shook repeatedly before I knew what was happening. While I was in an almost panic situation, I had remembered that each student that was prayed for spoke in some weird language; and, when they did, the rest would stop bothering them and would go off to the next person. So, with some quick thinking, I began shouting out the only thing I knew that I knew no one would understand. I slowly started speaking Ugandan. I got louder and louder until I was screaming it; only to find that they were now just shaking me harder and caking my face with oil and spit. Then I did the only thing I knew to do, fall on the ground. I fell on the ground and acted like I was passed out. While still a little afraid of what had just happened, I decided to stay in that position until things died down. Turns out I was in that position for almost an hour and ended up falling asleep shortly after.

And the next night, the same thing happened.

I hope I have painted a funny picture in your mind with this story. This story is true and it makes me laugh every time I think about it. However, it is also a constant reminder of something we all do. We tend to see how others react and what others do and follow in their footsteps. Without even thinking, listening or consulting God, we see the crowd and follow the crowd. We do this because we want the experience of a worship service rather than a true encounter with Christ.

We all do dumb things without thinking them through.. So I challenge you; quit living someone Else's relationship with God and take the time to develop and build a personal relationship with him. Just because a large number believers respond one way, doesn't mean it's the smartest road to take..

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. "

Incomprehensible

What does the Spirit do?
His works are ineffable in majesty, and innumerable in quantity.
How can we even pounder what extends beyond the ages?
What did He do before creation began?
How great are the graces He showered over creation?
What power will He wield in the age to come?
He existed; He pre-existed; He co-existed
with the Father and the Son before the ages.
Even if you can imagine anything beyond the ages,
you will discover that the Spirit is even further beyond.

-St. Basil the Great-

I came across this quote a while back and can't seem to get it out of
my head. Every time I read this, I'm even more awestruck by how
magnificent our God is and how enormous His love is for us! All of
His perfect, wonderful and beautiful creations, so effortlessly made,
are so vast beyond anything our minds can and will ever comprehend.

I hope that we, as believers, realize that we don't need to get wrapped
up in trying to understand why Christ loves us and just be satisfied
knowing that He does. I hope that we can focus more on loving others
and giving our Lord glory and praise for what He's done, who He is and
what He says, rather than fighting with our brother over open-ended
questions in His word. I pray that WE can be a body of believers who
worship and fellowship together; who help lift each other up and
encourage one another daily. Isn't this what really matters?
Loving, Obeying and Worshipping; Sharing, Reaching and Forgiving?

I am no great man. I am not a saint nor am I of pure heart.
I am not a preacher or a teacher. I am not perfect nor am I humble...

I am like you, a repeated sinner, saved by the grace of our Lord.
A servant who realizes that God, in all His love, creation, power,
beauty and grace, is more vast than anything we can ever comprehend.

He's simply, Incomprehensible.