Throw Out Your Rule Book

Go read the latest from Keith at Blog in My Own Eye. He writes about our obsession with getting it right in Christiandom. And condemning those who don’t. He thinks weve got it all wrong and I think he’s right. There’s a lot of great quotes, but in hoping you go read it in it’s entirety I’ll give you this snippet:

The point, to me, is that a lot of our self-devised rules are pretty arbitrary. They serve to separate, not to unite. They do so by creating castes of “I’m better than you” folks who can live by those rules and look down on those who don’t; who can preach them into hell for their infidelity. They create super-apostles versus lesser believers who can never feel confident of their faith. They foster an “I’m right and you’re wrong” attitude that is totally inconsistent with the truth – that we are all wrong, and only Jesus is right.
You see, I’m not sure that Matthew 18 is entirely about the proper procedures for handling conflict between brothers.
I’m thinking it might also be good tongue-in-cheek advice for how not to impose your fifty-volume perfect-bound personal rule book encyclopedia on someone else: Just leave them alone. Let them struggle through their own challenges, not yours. Because if you love them, you can’t possibly excommunicate them forever, based on your imperfect knowledge and your imperfect judgment.
C’mon. Can you really picture Jesus saying, “… treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” without a hint of a smile playing at the side of His mouth? The One who came from heaven to redeem pagans and to call tax collectors to follow Him?

Jesus came and he overturned more than jsut tables, he flipped the entire way of viewing God and his rules. But we quietly go back after Jesus and place the tables – and our understanding of God – right side up again. We need our rules and regulations, we need to have laws to obey and to be able to identify others who are ‘right’ as well. But that wasn’t Jesus. He assoiated with the wrong people and acted in the wrong ways. He ticked people off because he didn’t fit within their notion of what it was to be Godly. he just wouldn’t paly by the rules.
Are we too afraid to do the same?

[Ephesians] – Chapter 1

As I prepare to read, I want to remember the background. Paul is writing from prison, he’s writing merely to encourage them and to share his heart with them. Having spent 2 years and a few months with them, he cares for them deeply. That is clear as well from the charge he gives their Elders when he meets them on his way to Jerusalem.
These are people who have turned from their old lives, perhaps live steeped in years of superstitious worship of Artemis or another God, to this new offshoot of Judaism. They are trying to follow this new way, a way not familiar at all to them, or to anyone really. Paul had taught them and he is reminding them in this letter of what they should stay true to. I can imagine hearing these words they were reminded of the man who came ans showed them the love and grace of God that had transformed their lives.
I wonder how foreign the words in Ephesians 1:3-10 were to them? Blessed, chosen, predestined, redemption, forgiveness. Grand, lofty, idealistic concepts that Paul is proclaiming as reality.
In Ephesians 1:13-14, after this grand description of what God has given us in Christ, Paul makes a point of reminding them that “In him you also, … “. He did not want this to be just lofty ideas to them, no, “you also … were sealed”.
Ephesians 1:16-17 – You are still on my heart, and I’ve heard of your faith and love and I can’t stop thanking God for it. I image, from Paul’s perspective, that he leaves a place and he wonders if he’s done enough, Will they hold onto what they’ve learned? So when word gets back to him about the strength of the saints in Ephesus, he’s overjoyed and this inspires his letter.
Ephesians 1:15-21 is one of those amazing Pauline run on sentences where he can’t seem to put too many words of praise for who God is and what he has done through Christ. It seems obvious that Paul is enthralled with Jesus and he’s trying to make the Ephesians see what he sees. “Do you get it?” he seems to say, “Do you understand what an amazing God we serve, who has given us all this in Jesus?!?! No, no, really, do you see?!? ‘The eyes of your heart enlightened’, ‘Glorious inheritance’, ‘immeasurable greatness’.
I wonder, is my enthusiasm for God’s working in my life through Christ, the riches he’s given me through my conforming to his will, am I this excited to have this amazing relationship with God? Perhaps I don’t understand it like Paul did. I bet, if he were here, he’d implore me and our churches to ‘get it’.

April Fools

Since some of you were dissapointed that I had nothing for April Fools, go check out ICOCinfo before Tuesday morning when they take down their spoof. UPDATE: The spoof is now here. Here’s the best quote:

SOME KEEP PLANTING With only 19 baptisms in its first 20 days, the newly planted Chicago International Christian Church made room this week for the planting of the Chicago Intercontinental Christian Church. The team, to be sent from Oregon, adopted the now familiar plant-first-then-discuss-co-existence-later strategy:

We along with disciples from Georgia, Kiev, Phoenix and our sister church in Eugene will join a group of even more totally “ultra-mega-sold-out” disciples to plant the Chicago Intercontinental Christian Church. This is not a replanting of the Chicago International Christian Church. We have contacted the leadership of the Chicago International Christian Church to try to set up a meeting to discuss how we can mutually co-exist.

Funny stuff.

[Ephesians] – Introduction

A variety of thoughts from various sources:
Acts 18-20

  • Priscilla and Aquilla were tent makers, Paul worked with them
  • A year and a half in Corinth.
  • Sosthenes – Look where else he turns up.
  • Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (with Priscilla and Aquilla) to Antioch.
  • Priscilla and Aquilla stay in Ephesus?
  • Apollos arrives in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquilla set him straight on baptism.
  • Apollos to Corinth, Paul heads back to Ephesus. The timeline here is less than clear.
  • Acts 19:1-7 – These 12 Ephesians that Paul meets are confused about the Holy Spirit because of their confusion about baptism. Surely these folks were not taught by Priscilla and Aquilla, for they would have taught what Paul taught. Perhaps they were taught be Apollos, prior to their arrival.
  • Over two years in Ephesus, “so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:10, ESV
  • Many miracles, it was here that we learn of Paul’s miraculous hanky and the sons of Sceva who tried to invoke Jesus’ name with no faith in him.
  • Riot – A two hour chant!: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
  • On through Macedonia and into Greece for 3 months. Back through Macedonia to Troas.
  • Headed to Jerusalem, avoiding Ephesus (he does not want to get distracted from getting to Jerusalem, maybe?). Went through Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos and Miletus via ship.
  • Sends for he Ephesian elders from Miletus.
  • Paul warns them to watch out for division

Easton’s Bible Dictionary

  • Written by Paul in Rome about the same time as Colossians. About 4 years after Acts 20 and his charge to the elders.
  • Not written from special circumstances (refuting false doctrine or dealing with a specific problem), but merely out of Paul’s love for them.
  • Paul seems “to set forth the ground, the cause, and the aim and end of the church of the faithful in Christ. He speaks to the Ephesians as a type or sample of the church universal.”

Unger’s Bible Dictionary

  • It seems that this letter was meant to be circulated. The words “To the Ephesians” are not in the more reliable manuscripts.
  • “The apostle’s real object in writing this epistle is to set forth the believer’s union with Christ “

Holman Bible Dictionary

  • “While it is not the longest of the Pauline Epistles, Ephesians is the one which best sets out the basic concepts of the Christian faith. “
  • “the Queen of the Epistles”

This is my first time, except for one chapter books like Jude and Philemon, for me to read an entire book in one sitting. I must say, it was a little tiring and I felt myself getting distracted at times. On the other hand, I was able to piece together a bigger picture theme of the book and better appreciate the flow from one topic to another.
Reading it with the knowledge that Paul was not speaking to refute false doctrine or to correct false teachers, but was instead speaking form his heart to theirs out of his love for them gave the text a little different meaning as well.

The Dialog Begins …

Today the leadership of the church, Evangelist, Deacons and house church leaders, had our first discussion on the Unity Proposal. It was a very fruitful and encouraging time.
I’ll answer your first question right off the bat:
I don’t know if we will sign or not, and it would be inappropriate to speculate at this point, so don’t ask me to.
I will say this, I was very encouraged by the meeting. Not because I thought things will go ‘my way’ (see preceding paragraph), but because of the open, respectful dialog that was present. Not only that, but the plan for moving forward with this decision. The leadership team will have at least two times of discussion on it (including our discussion today), and there will be two additional times for the church to voice their thoughts as well. This will take us through this month, at least. We want to make sure everyone is heard and no one feels left behind.
Our minister has said that the way we make this decision is more important than the decision we reach. I think that is a profound and mature statement and speaks to how far we have come as a church. The days of leading by ‘strength’ and force are over, and humility, respect and love have been put in its place. That is why I am very encouraged. I am very confident in the process that we’ve put in place for this.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still going to be a challenging road. There was a pretty wide range of opinions on the proposal in just the leadership group. There will be plenty of opportunity for hurt and division. However, I think by proceeding carefully, respectfully, openly and prayerfully believe we can avoid those opportunities.
Time will tell, but I believe we are on a very good path. It’s a good thing.

[Ephesians] – A Collaborative Study

My friend Pinakidion and I are going to begin a series on the book of Ephesians. All of our posts will begin with [Ephesians] so the Googlers can find it.
This should call me higher in my Bible study. My typical study involves reading and typing my comments as I go and posting them to the blog as soon as they are done. He’s suggested we follow a more rigorous pattern from the book Reading the Bible for All Its Worth. It will mean I will read it through several times in several versions.
Our first posts, an overview of the book and the context after reading it through in one sitting, will be on Monday. We’ll then be posting roughly a chapter at a time, Thursdays and Mondays from then on out.
We won’t be using any commentaries, but Bible dictionaries and similar reference works are OK. See Pinakidion’s post on this for more info on the process.
You’re welcome to join us, if you feel so inclined. Pinakidion’s friend Scott is planning on it.
It ought to be fun, in a mind expanding sort of way.

Will You Pray and Fast With Us?

Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 29th) has been designated as a day of fasting and prayer for unity by the brothers who drafted the unity proposal (PDF link). Here’s a confession: Being the sinful, cynical, prideful soul I am, I had originally not given that much consideration. Shame on me. I think this is an important moment in our fellowship of churches. Not so much whether this document gets signed or not, but what happens after all the dust this settles. Signatures or not, will we move forward in greater unity or less? Will we let this divide us or determine to unite regardless of the number of signatures on the page at the end of the day?
That being said, I think that a bunch of prayer and fasting is in order. So, if you are so moved, would you pray and perhaps fast with us? Even if you find yourself here many days later, we could likely still use a prayer or two to be unified.
Pray that we might come through this more united than before.
Pray that God’s desire for us to be one as he and Jesus were one would be realized.
Pray that Satan’s desire to make this an opportunity for him to divide us would be thwarted.
Pray that I would be humble, trusting and gracious. (I really could use that.)
Thank you.

Sometimes I Wish I Could Just Lie

I still have the Escort. I’ve offered it for free to anyone who needs a car here. I’ve even offered to put the clutch in and replace the brakes, if the recipient will buy the parts. I’ve had 3 folks say they were interested and then back out. There is a brother who has said if no one else wants it, he’ll take it. He’s a mechanic and plans on putting the clutch in and then being able to sell his truck and get rid of a monthly payment.
So, although I have a ‘buyer’, I haven’t actually ‘sold’ it yet, it’s sitting in my driveway. So when the nice lady at the DMV asked if I’d sold the old car so I can transfer the plates, I replied no. Well, then, no-can-do on the plate transfer. Here’s how the conversation went:

“I can’t do the transfer if you still own the car.”
“But I’m not driving it, I intend to give it away, but no one seems to want it.”
“Sorry, we can’t have the plates registered to two vehicles.”
“And transfering doesn’t un-register it from the old car?”
“Nope.”
“What if the person I sign it to doesn’t register it right away?” (A real possibility since it isn’t really drivable.)
“Doesn’t matter, as long it’s not in your name.”
“So, if I had lied and said it was sold, that would have been OK with you?” (I asked it pretty much just like that)
“Yeah, you just need to say that it’s sold.”
“[Grumble grumble] Well, I can’t lie to you, so I guess I’ll come back.”

For her part, I’ve got to respect the lady at the DMV. She doesn’t make the rules, but she’s gotta follow them. She could have said, “Well, I know you’re going to sell it and you’re not driving it, so I’ll go ahead and pretend you said that you sold it.” But she didn’t. She stood her ground on a rule that seemed to frustrate her too. She seemed to want to bend the rules for me, but didn’t.
So tonight I’ll dig up my title, sign it and get it notarized. Then I can go back in and honestly say that it’s no longer mine. It’ll still be in my driveway, but it won’t be ‘mine’. It won’t be his either as the title will still be in my possession, but I can honestly say that I’ve signed the title over.
This is one of those rare situations where, if I had lied, absolutely no harm would have been done. I would not have been cheating the system even temporarily by having two cars that I’m driving with one tag. Leaving and coming makes no real difference except that I can honestly say that the car has been signed away. If I had lied, no one would have even known, except me & God. But God said I should not lie, not that I should only lie in situations where it was clear that no harm would be done. So I do it God’s way and it costs me a little time and effort.
Anyway, I’mnot trying to toot my own horn here, just venting I guess. I’m also a little frustrated that my government has set this up so that being dis-honest, even if harmless, is so attractive and easy, but that’s another topic entirely (and shouldn’t surprise me either).

Good Stuff At Tent Pegs

Please keep in mind that I’m still having issues with the site. Your comment will likely generate an error page, but it should go through. Please hit back and refresh to check before re-submitting your comment (you might want to compsose your words in another program so they aren’t lost). I’m working on finding a new host, please bear with me. Thanks.
The blog roll at the left is my nearly daily trip through the web. (It needs updating, BTW, which I will do once I switch hosts.) One of the highlights for me is Tent Pegs. Patrick is the preaching minister at the Rochester (MI) COC. Almost makes me want to move back to Michigan (For the record, that’s a comment on Patrick, not my current situation.). I love his insight, his writing style and his honesty and realism.
His last two posts, as many do, really moved me. To encourage you to go read, here are a couple of snippets:
From “Call Me Isaac:”

Confession time: one of the reasons I am a preacher is because of gratitude… but there is another reason. While I am thrilled that God didn’t leave me in a ditch by the side of the road (which would have been His right and no one would have blamed him,least of all me), one of the reasons I work in a church setting is so that I’ll show up on Sunday. You read that right: I am not sure I would attend if I didn’t have to. Church is hard for me. Interaction with God’s people is good for me and I know my soul needs it… but it has never felt natural. I don’t get excited about church events and I struggle to fit in.
…
All of this, perversely, makes me love Jesus even more. If He will let someone like me, who cannot draw closer, work for him, share the good news, and bring his meager talents to the table — what a wonderful savior He is! He even loves people like me: his backward kids, the underachievers, the kid who never makes cover of “Perfectly Adequate Preacher Monthly.” Thanks, God. You’re just what I need. Call me Isaac if you want to, Lord, but keep calling me nonetheless.

Although I am a bit more social (I’m frequently the last to leave church, just ’cause I love to hang around and talk), I can relate to his ‘Isaac’ mindset. Until recently there was precious little Christian music I could tolerate (still not a lot, but more). I rarely have one book on my ‘currently reading’ list, unlike many Christian bloggers & leaders who must read two books at a time, one with the right eye and one with the left, to get through all the books they read. I don’t fit the mold of super-committed Christian leader, reading the Bible through each year plus several non-fiction books. I just love God with all my heart and try to live my best for him.
From “Questions For Your Family:”

Another question: Who needs Jesus? Yes, yes, we all know that everyone needs Jesus but that’s not the point of the question. Let me use a story to illustrate it. If my father goes to Wal-Mart to buy something today he will hesitate before he goes to a check out lane. He will first pray silently, without giving an outward sign: “Lord, who needs encouragement? Who needs something from you?” He will then get in the lane of the person who seems the most tired, harried, or un-blessed, even if that line is the longest (and full of people who plan to use coupons and write out of town checks). Who needs Jesus? And to whom can I be Jesus?
Warning: these questions will lead to bizarre behavior. They will lead people who love one place to live in another. They will lead you to give away your lunch money. They will lead you to stop when everyone else is rushing forward… and ask questions. I — who am the least social person I know — am made to stop and help someone who is struggling with their luggage, or with English, at the airport. And as I leave them and wave off their thanks I have been known to say. “It’s all right. Jesus just wanted you to know he loves you. He wanted to say hi” and then just walk away.

There are three other questions, good question we should be asking ourselves more often. I hope I never get into a checkout line again. I also hope I can have the courage to help someone and say something like that afterwords.
I hope you read Tent Pegs regularly. It’s one of the highlights of my rounds through the blogosphere. Patrick travels a bit, preaching here and there. I’ve been known to get to the Detroit area (very) occasionally too. Hopefully our paths will cross one day. Until then, I’ll just keep reading and learning.

Romans 15-16

Please keep in mind that I’m still having issues with the site. Your comment will likely generate an error page, but it should go through. Please hit back and refresh to check before re-submitting your comment (you might want to compsose your words in another program so they aren’t lost). I’m working on finding a new host, please bear with me. Thanks.
Romans 15:1 – “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” – ESV Do we truly ‘bear with the failings of the weak’? That’s not the standard I see lived out in so much of Christiandom. Harsh criticsm is more the rule. It is my nature to be the same way. I assume everyone should be like me, have my perspective and insight, my understanding, appreciate what I appreciate. When they are not, I have too little grace.
Romans 15:14 – My inability to trust that folks are “able to instruct one another” is discouraging to me. It’s jsut another aspect of y pridefull, critical heart. I think that people need my opinion and insight, or jsut that something should not go forward without my inout. I keep praying that God will deliver me from the curse of my pride and judgemntal nature. Oe day, i do believe that I will look back and realize that he has.
Romans 16::3-16 – I wish we knew the story behind these reationsips. Behind each naem is a connection with Paul and a story, probably many. Epaenetus – the first convert in Asia, Androonicus and Junia – well known to the apostles, why? Apelles is approved, Rufus is chosen adn his Mom was like a Mom to Paul! I want to know these stories!
Romans 16:17 – A warning we would do well to pay more attention to. Avoid those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the gospel. There is plenty of that going around all over, and no, that is not another reference to the unity proposal.
Romans 16;22 – I wonder what it was like to be with Paul and to take down his thoughts as he wrote them. To watch him in his excitement in delivering them adn in his passion for the people they were prepared for.

On This Day

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Categories

Archives

Meta