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Jesus, Augustus, and Ricky Bobby...

Most of the time, sermon preparation is an enjoyable and quick thing for me.  Every now and then though, I seem to dive into it and not be able to come up for air.  This week I feel like I am drowning a bit.

Here is why.

The sermon is on Luke 2:1-20.  A very familiar text for people already associated with specific memories and ideas.  But the associations are often dead wrong, or at least a far cry from what Luke is trying to get across and not in sync with what the angels say and what the shepherds feel.

So I am spending a large amount of time trying to make it clear why it matters that we deepen or change what Christmas means to us.  Exegetically the case is easy to make - we just want to be true to the story we actually have.  It is the application I am getting hung up on. 

Why does it change our behavior that there are two "saviors" now dueling it out for supremecy and we have a choice?

What does that choice look like? 

How do you make your own little kingdom look more like Jesus Kingdom and less like Augustus empire?

The following quote is one of several places I am going to explain how Luke is setting up two Kingdoms in confrontation with each other:

Providence has brought our life to the climax of perfection in giving to us Augustus, whom Providence filled with virtue for the welfare of men, and who , being sent to us and our descendants as a Savior, has put an end to war and has set all things in order; Caesar has fulfilled all the hopes of earlier times in surpassing all those who came before him, and finally the birthday of the god Augustus has been for the whole world the beginning of good news (gospel) concerning him, therefore let a new era begin. (OGIS 2, no. 458)

Good news?...unless you were 9 months pregnant and forced to do a 4 day journey on donkey.  Good news?...unless you were part of the majority living in the shadow side of Rome's might.  Good news?...unless you wanted to have a full belly instead of another palace for King Herod.

Anyway...all of the above needs to come together in one more day (supposed to be a day off) and I have a tragic little funeral to officiate at Sat AM.  Would appreciate your prayers.

Oh yeah, and I also have to incorporate the first 1:30 (where would you cut it off?) of this for Saturday night (deemed too much for the Sunday AM crowd):

 

 

 

 

You don't have to believe things which are not true.

This post is brought about by nothing specific, but rather by a running theme over the last year or so.  At this stage in my life, one of the difficult areas to navigate is deciding who is worth listening to.  Personally, I have made two different mistakes at different times in my life.

There was a time when this was very easy - I simply listened to no one.  Some very humbling experiences, relational damage, and the Holy Spirit highlighting some very specific parts of Scripture have changed this for me. I realized I had the deserved label "arrogant" stamped on my forehead and have tried very hard to shed it.  I realized too that I was incredibly ineffective leadership wise being so hard headed.  No one follows a stubborn know-it-all.  I further realized I was often wrong.  

Except now I think the pendulum may have swung too far.  

In the last few years, the temptation has not been an unwillingness to listen, rather, I find myself listening to everyone - no matter how out to lunch they may or may not be.  In fact, I sometimes forget to think, "is what I am hearing actually true?", instead I am busy trying to dignify what they are saying in a way I imagine to be pastorally empathetic.  My goal being to have them like me at the end of the conversation.  

This by itself is not too bad, except for what can follow. 

Helping Kids Make Smart Media Choices.

One of the more interesting conversations I have with people is regarding what media they will allow their children to watch, read, or surf.

In the next few days I'll share some of the best guideline I have come across as I have listened, read, and reflected on this topic which is close to the heart of parents.

Guideline #1: Teach how to see the STORY not the SCENE.

The story is what comes in through the back door when you have the front door barricaded and secure.  Doesn't mean the story is bad - just means it is the real message being communicated and you cannot disarm it. 

The scene is two ridiculously strong men wrestling violently in a ring.

The story is about the acceptence of perpetual adolesence and a 'win at all costs' mentality.

The scene is three cartoon children finding their way home.

The story is about how ridiculous and bumbling adult authority figures are.

The scene is an athlete jumping into the arms of fans after a touchdown.

The story is some people are worth a whole lot more than others.

The scene is about women not being able to teach in public.

The story is about the liberation of all people to be who God made them to be.

Maturity is the ability to focus on the story not the scene.

Practically, this means parents need to begin having conversations about "what the whole thing" is about (story) instead of focusing on different parts of the whole (scene). 

Question:  What "story" do Christian radio stations tell?  The "scenes" are inoffensive but what "story" comes in through the back door.?

Jesus is the Beer Guy.

In my hockey league, captains choose players each league in a draft at the beginning of the year.  This happened for 09/10 last Thursday.

The best players don't always go first.  There is a type of player who is drafted early whose skill level isn't that great.  He is the "BEER GUY".  This guy takes care of all he beer funds, supplies the cooler, and even brings food from time to time. Get a good Beer Guy and your set.  Everyone loves a good Beer Guy.  

Read John 2 and see if Jesus doesn't kind of seem like a Beer Guy?

At any rate, officiated at a wedding today where a good chunk of the people are scared to death of God.  Lightning striking them at the door of the church. Judgement, wrath, and wringing of arms up behind their backs until they smarten up.

I told them the story of John 2.  Told them to stop being so scared and think of Jesus as the Beer Guy.

When not to pause in a speech.

Officiated at a really enjoyable wedding this weekend.  Lots of highlights - this was the funniest moment though.

Groom (ESL) is thanking his #2 groomsman and reminiscing about old times and says,

"I think my favorite memory is when we screwed..."

Then pauses for way too long (unintentionally so) and everyone starts giggling and the poor groomsmen is seeing his chances with the bridesmaids shot to heck.

Turns out he was talking about fixing some engine or something but it didn't matter.  

"Quiet Harold the young pastor is talking about sex......" - use your grandpa Simpson voice.

Feel the need to update the blog but also have to keep collecting my thoughts for up coming teaching in Bolivia  - figure I'll do both here.

One of the sessions I am a part of engages the question, "Why Can't Victims Just 'Get Over' Sexual Abuse?"  Some of the discussion focuses on emotional or physical reasons. my part has to do with the spiritual.  

I am going to answer the question by answering a few more questions.

1. Why were we made to be sexual in the first place?

2. What sort of wounds cut the deepest?

3. When do human beings most powerfully recapture the image of God?

The following are not the answers but they are what I am mulling over. I generally mull at the most theological level the ol' brain can handle and then distill it down to practice, challenge, or affirmation.

1. Sexuality is the sense of something missing together with the quest for wholeness that provides an impulse towards bonding (Stan Grenz - interestingly enough Rob Bell in "SEX GOD" uses a very similar definition but there is no indication in his footnotes he has read Grenz).  As such, it is the term we give the following dilemma.  Our dilemma is we are individual beings made in the image of a relational God.  Of course there is something missing (as per Grenz). We were made, and are driven, to possess what God possesses in the Trinity.  We do what we do to recapture the image.

2. Wounds which hurt the most are the ones which compromise us as relational image bearers the most.  This is why the most painful wounds in our lives will always be relational because they cut to the core of who we are.  Our relational nerves are crucial and sensitive and when they get stomped on or severed - we feel it.  In the same way we feel unparalleled, some might say "orgasmic" joy when relationships are good. 

If sexual expression is the height of relational bonding the damage done when this expression is not "relational" cuts deep.  Still working on a metaphor here to help flesh this out.

3. When do humans look most like a God who is 3 in 1?  When do humans engage in a free flowing dance of love?  When do we mutually create space for each other?  When is there a mutual interpenetration and indwelling in another person?

A common answer (and important answer given celibacy and singleness are encouraged / affirmed biblical approached to life) is: "When we participate in community."

An answer worth wrestling with is:  "When we have sex."

Further to the trip, I was saying to my Tamara.  While I am not a sexual degenerate...and go ahead and imagine me saying this to Tamara..."Tamara, I am not a sexual degenerate..."

Anyway, (let's try this again) I am feeling a bit like someone with an eating disorder who is asked to teach at a symposium on nutrition.  Don't get me wrong - I am not surfing porn online or fantasizing my nights away - but there are plenty of reasons in my past and current life to be pretty darn humble about teaching on this topic.  Not sure how to work this in to my first talk.  I like the stance of a wounded healer more than the expert from afar - seems more honest but I don't know which is wise.

After the sermon (and read to the end please!)

You just finished the sermon, you wander off the stage, and there are people wanting to talk with you.  Here my friends, is what you will find.

1. The Inspired.

This person has just had their world rocked by what you said, or else there was way too much caffeine in the espresso.  They proclaim how everything has changed because of the last 20 minutes and you, yes YOU, are truly God's great gift to them.  They are fired up and ready to go; they often trip on a chair or knock someone over as they head out of the church to start a new life.

2. The Confused.

This person is also inspired, but with a twist.  They are also ready to go, but where they are wanting to go has nothing to do with what you just said.  They are proclaiming how they want to be baptized immediately like an Ethiopian eunuch.  While you appreciate this, your sermon was about Solomon and his massive harem.

3. The Insider. 

This person and you have an inside joke going and it baffles those around you. I had a guy in my old youth group who, if he thought the sermon was good would say, "You really screwed the pooch up there Weselake." then he would walk away.  This was usually loud enough for others to hear.  He would offer other variations such as, "The bitch is whimpering, Weselake."  It was so wrong and so funny - I loved it.

4. The Jock.

This person will use some sort of athletic metaphor to communicate how they felt about it.  Usually baseball based.  ie - "That was a real home run.", "You knocked it out of the park.", "You swung hard but didn't connect.", "You charged the mound after getting beaned and laid a sweet sweet lickin' on the pitcher." (Ok, I've never heard the last one but I hope to tomorrow.)

5. The Ambiguous.

This person will nod solemnly at you from across the room.  Sometimes nodding "yes", sometimes nodding "no", but always intently and solemnly and always leaving me wondering what the heck they are trying to communicate. This ambiguity could be cleared up by being paired with a simple hand gesture.  Either extend a thumb up, or slowly draw your finger across your neck and it shall ensure we are on the same page.

Another form of the ambiguous is verbal.  Usually such comments as, "I have never heard it put that way before." or, "Boy, after that one I am really thinking twice about my life."  

6. The Different Planet.

This person will come up to you and make a random comment.  I mean really random.  Like - "My sister in law is a really amazing badminton player."

7. The Well Intentioned Comparison.

This person is wanting so badly to give you a compliment and figure the ticket is to compare you to a person they are also impressed with.  But, the person they compare you to either a) Drives you nuts, or b) Is actually nuts.  

My personal favorite, at least half a dozen times I have been the recipient of a teeth grinding and troubling comparison to Joel Osteen.

Now before everyone thinks I am an arrogant jerk.  Read the following.

I remember going up to Rob Bell  7 years ago at Willow Creek and blubbering excitedly, although I didn't say "The bitch is whimpering", I probably made as much sense as if I had.  I was trying to tell him what he said changed my life.   7 years later, I can say it did. Until that point, I had given people recycled sermons of other people - my take on others thoughts.  I had left my own ideas, interpretations, educational background, and personality at home and regurgitated John Ortberg and others I admired while preaching.  His message freed me to use my own intelligence and humor in my preaching.

I am pretty sure he would have put me in Category #1 or #2 - but I was deadly sincere.  Don't know where I would be without that talk.

Last spring, after listening to Bruce Hindmarsh in Vancouver, I knew God had used his words to do some serious messing around in my life.  There was about a 10 minute stretch of listening where it felt I couldn't breath. I didn't go up and tell him because I felt I would get labelled in one of my above categories.

It would have been better for me, and probably him, if I had risked it and said something.  I wish I had.

Both of these experiences taught me something: 

First, every now and then God probably does use what I say on a Sunday AM to do some real and powerful good in the lives of people, and I should truly appreciate every person who comes up to tell me so, no matter what category I may be tempted to place them in.  I am grateful for every attempt someone makes to say "thanks", and I take it at face value.

Second, there are probably others who let their fear of being labelled keep them from thanking the people who are speaking into their lives.  I realize my 7 categories may not make it easier, but they were just in jest.  For your sake, and the person who God is using to teach you, go and say thanks.

Can't get to the truth because of Keanu.

Went and saw "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL" with some of my elderly friends last night.  It was horrible.  

It was horrible NOT because of:

- the dreadful acting (Keanu brought the best of his Bill and Ted's self, Jennifer Connelly spent half the time trying to make her eyes as big and doey as possible)

- the predictability (I don't have to worry about any 'spoiler alerts' in this because the movie is spoiled in the first 10 minutes)

- the product placement (GM, LG, Citizen, and McDonalds all ponied up some serious $$$)

- or the dialogue ("You are an alien, you wouldn't understand." or "There is another side to you humans.  I like the good side.")

These things would have just made it unbearable, but still morally neutral. Unless you factor in the 2+ hours you will never get back.

The most upsetting thing is the following:

The movie actually contained some powerful truths.  Truth lost on the audience because the packaging was so painful.  Consider the following phrase, repeated in the movie at least 5 times: 

"It is when they are on the precipice that people change."

Not bad eh?  Whether it is a marriage just about to be lost because she is taking the kids and not coming back.   A candid talk with your business partner about the looming bankruptcy.  The doctor saying you better stop smoking or you will not live to be 55.  Your friend telling you that what has become normal for you is actually incredibly destructive relationally.

Precipices.

And you either change or you fall off - not a bad truth to work a movie around.

Movie could have been so good.  It's a shame when the challenging truth is clouded by the packaging.  After the movie, I found myself thinking of sermons I have heard (or ones I have preached) where the truth is lost because of:

- emotive corniness

- terrible stage presence

- a script that didn't really deserve to have an audience

Not enough to hide behind "His Word will not return empty handed".  It might just cease to be His Word in the ears of whomever is listening if you don't present it as your best offering.   

 

What role does an imminent blizzard play?

Been months since I have been as sure of the life changing potential of a message as I am of the one tomorrow morning.  Its a strong call to receive the gift of clarity and know where you stand with God.  Bunch of people praying about it, asking for the morning to become a real starting point for many to start following Jesus.

And apparently there is a blizzard heading our way.  The kind of blizzard that not only cuts the attendance in half; but might cancel the whole morning all together.  

So what do you do?  

Well - you don't change a thing!  You come in on Saturday and practice preach to the walls until even they are thinking about following Jesus.  You come in early morning Sunday and wander through the empty auditorium and ask for help.  You pray.  You pray the 10 people who God wants to make a choice tomorrow will brave the weather.  You pray that the best memory of their whole life is created tomorrow at about 11:50AM.

You pray the storm misses us.  

Worst sermon introductions ever.

See if you can tell which one was actually mine.

1. You know, there is a lot of crazy s#!t going on in the word...AMEN?

2. I'm not really feeling so good this morning so you'll have to bear with me.  The nature of my sickness is not really that appropriate for discussing.  Lets just say I  would happily trade this podium for 1 or 2 Imodium.

3. When I was first asked to speak to you today, I thought "There is no way I can do this.  God, dude, why me?  I'm just a normal guy.  There is nothing special about me.  I'm not some big fancy pastor or deep spiritual guy.  I'm just me."  

4. Mmmmmm.  Mmmmmm.  God.  I just.  Man.  I just.  No.  No, not me.  You just.  You are just. You are God.  And we are not.  We are not God.  But you are.  God.  Help us this morning to just be PRESENT.  God.  Just PRESENT. Like, fully.  HERE.  Just fully present here.  Mmmmm.  We love you. 

5. God, you know I haven't spent much time getting ready for this, but I know you are powerful enough to take this message of mine and use it.  So take this really poorly prepared message of mine and make it honoring to you.  

All of these I have witnessed, and one of them was me.  Let me know in the comments which one you think it was.