Back to Basics

As I continue to search for greater understanding of God I continue to be distracted by what I like to call static. Unfortunately this static is often promulgated by the church itself. For example there are extra-biblical texts used consistently for teaching and preaching. While there is certainly a place for other books in the church, as long as they encourage Christians to develop spiritual maturity, these books MUST take a back seat to the Word of God. Considering the Church is struggling to be like Christ I would suggest that we get back to the basics of the inerrant Word of God.

Confused Catholic

It was 3am on Monday morning when my wife and I finally went to bed. We had spent the past four hours talking with my mother-in-law Pat about our faith in Jesus Christ. Raised in the Catholic Church Pat had innumerable misconceptions of eternity, grace, and faith. Throughout the conversation she spoke of faith but no foundation on which to build it. She saw the Bible as written by men and imperfect at best. She tossed around concepts of reincarnation and relativism. From Pat's perspective there was no ultimate truth and therefore no assurance of anything. Ironically Pat was sure of one thing. "I know I'm going to hell", she said. She truly believed she had too many bad things and could go nowhere but hell. She had no understanding of the grace of God seen on the Cross of Jesus Christ. I spoke of Christ taking the wrath of God in our place (propitiation) and the complete holiness we receive when we accept the grace Jesus Christ offers us (expiation). My wife and I spoke of the peace offered through Jesus Christ. I'd like to say Pat believed us and agreed that Christ was her only hope but I'd be lying. What I can say is that God the Holy Spirit was moving and was breaking some new ground for Pat. We'll continue to pray for her to be open and that someday God the Holy Spirit will not only convict her of her sin but also open her eyes to how much Christ loves her.

Dark Times

The God of ALL grace continues to prove himself worthy of ALL praise. I continue to be amazed at the sovereign grace of God and his willingness to allow us to go through tough times in order that our faith would be refined and strengthened. To truly use us for His glory we must be crucified and then resurrected by Jesus Christ in the power of The Holy Spirit. He wants our complete dependence on Him and nothing else will result in our victory over sin, the joy for our salvation, and gracious love of the lost. No matter how hard life is, always remember that Jesus went through it. He is there for you and will someday wipe every tear from you face (Revelation 21: 4 but you should really read 1-4). That day cannot come fast enough for me.

The Wrath of God and Peanut Butter Sandwiches

For some reason God has me preaching on His wrath this Sunday. To date it's been the most challenging Bible study I've ever done. We don't like to think about, much less dwell on the wrath of God. We see it as dark and depressing. We would much rather focus on verses like "God is Love". Last night I was feeling overwhelmed by God's holiness and wrath but God took this opportunity to show me His grace. Was it a burning bush? Was is it his audible voice telling me of His love? Did I see the face or Jesus in my pizza? Nope...it was a peanut butter sandwich...yep...comfort food. After I ate that sandwich I felt comforted, loved, and had a greater sense of peace about His wrath. It's amazing how something so simple as a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread can display the glorious, personal grace and love of God! And it was only the Wal-Mart brand. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had used the Skippy.

Child-like Faith

I'm so fickle and closed minded at times. I have all but abandoned "secular" music (i.e. music that never says Jesus' name). Recently I was browsing iTunes and found a string quartet that did tribute albums to Switchfoot and Relient K. I saw their catalogue also included a tribute to Death Cab for Cutie. I had heard of Death Cab somewhere so I checked out their stuff. Wow! That's the stuff I used to listen to when I was avoiding God during my college years. Pixies + XTC + New Order = Death Cab. Good stuff. I'm sold.

The song that first caught my hammer and anvil was No Sunlight. It's got a bouncy beat, strong bass, with flavoring from the piano. It's a perfect Summer tune. You know roll down the window and "Turn it up man!" Being a fan of the hook I paid attention to the lyrics and hear a lament that was pretty depressing...

When I was young lying in the grass
I felt so safe in a warming bath of sunlight
Vast open sky could do no harm Like an embrace of a mother’s arms
In sunlight, In sunlight

With every year that came to pass
More clouds appeared ‘til the sky went black
And there was no sunlight
And there was no sunlight anymore

It disappeared at the same speed
As the idealistic things I believed
When the optimist died inside of me
No sunlight, no sunlight
No sunlight, no sunlight, anymore

Whoa! It immediately brought the story of Jesus and the children to mind. Jesus indignantly tells the disciples, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." I'm only beginning to explore all the implications of that statement.

Welcome to Vintage Church

Church today is seen as judgmental, hypocritical, and irrelevant. Vintage Church has one purpose, point people towards the glory of Jesus Christ to they may be empowered to show the love of Jesus Christ to all others.