by | December 7, 2011 · 10:31 am

Changing Definitions

Recently, I have been working on a paper discussing rise of a subtle danger within the modern church – materialism.  I also preached a message last Sunday evening on the same subject. Some of you might find the following observation a little interesting.

The Earlier Definition

In Christianity Through the Centuries, a text on church history, Earle. E. Cairnes briefly addresses the rise of materialism during the nineteenth century (1800’s).  Even though he describes it as a “viewpoint that threatened the faith” and a threat “more subtle than higher criticism” (p. 422), Cairnes’ definition is limited to “the practice in modern society of emphasizing the material values of a high standard of living.”

In actuality, materialism was an economic and philosophical theory of history primarily developed by Karl Marx. Early on it had little to do with the modern understanding of the materialism with which we associate expensive trips to the mall around Christmas time. However, that is not to say that it did not have an impact on the Church, because it did. But what I am saying is that in the early stages of the word, the meaning was different. It had little to do with flagrant over-spending and $4.00 cups of coffee (which I never buy – except for my daughter – she’s precious).

Here’s what I’m talking about. The following is the definition of materialism in Webster’s 1828 dictionary:

The doctrine of materialists; the opinion of those who maintain that the soul of man is not a spiritual substance distinct from matter, but that it is the result or effect or the organization of matter in the body.

The Later Definition

AS you can see, the 1828 definition of materialism was limited to the philosophical understanding of the word. It had more to do with what an atheist might think, than a Christian. But when you take a look at Webster’s 1913 Dictionary, you can see some marked differences:

  • The doctrine of materialists; materialistic views and tenets.The irregular fears of a future state had been supplanted by thematerialism of Epicurus. Buckminster.
  • The tendency to give undue importance to material interests; devotion to the material nature and its wants [italics added].
  • Material substances in the aggregate; matter.[R. & Obs.] A. Chalmers.

Did you notice the the second point? That was no where to be found in the original definition. That is more of what we understand materialism to be – the love of “stuff.”

Now, just google “define materialism” and you will see that the number one definition is understood to be “A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.” That’s the subtle danger that threatens the faith.

How Do You Define It?

What is your definition? Has the culture changed you from one who never thought much about material possession, to someone who has to have the best that money can buy, or at least what makes others think you have it? Never forget the following words from Jesus, the One Christmas is all about…

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also…Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Mat 6:20-21, 31, 33 KJV

Any “ism” that causes you to focus on stuff, rather than the Creator, is an unprofitable proposition and the definition of materialistic folly.

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by | December 5, 2011 · 12:52 am

Monday Monkey Decorates the Tree (Episode 6)

We just got our Christmas (not holiday) tree, but haven’t decorated it. That will happen sometime today or tomorrow. It’s not something I look forward to, except for the eggnog.

However, while we were out to church, Mr. Monkey decided to decorate the tree all by himself. Bad idea.

You see, just because he is a monkey, he thinks that climbing a tree is no big deal. What he doesn’t take into consideration is the fact that climbing a tree and decorating it with electric lights is complicated. He should have just waited until he could have help.

Sadly, it’s pretty common for people to think they can handle things alone. Their pride makes them think that they are strong enough, smart enough, independent enough, and perfectly capable of anything, even when they’re weak, hurting, and needy. Pride will lead to a fall.

Mr. Monkey’s Bad Idea

And for the record, it takes help to make these little videos. I can’t do them alone. So, a big thanks goes out to Kevin Miller, my old friend, for giving me a hand this time around.

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by | December 2, 2011 · 3:06 pm

Bad Week in Lake Wobegon

Yep, it’s been a rough week, here in Lake Wobegon. It seems that all illusions of self-sufficiency are fading away with the realization that I can’t do everything, only a few things, and not many very well.

Lake Wobegon

Some of you never listen to public radio, therefore you are probably googling the afore-mentioned town to determine its location. Don’t bother – it’s fictitious. It only exists in the mind of Garrison Keillor and the imaginations of Prairie Home Companion listeners.

In Lake Wobegon, “all the women are strong; all the men are good-looking; and all the children are above average.” There, somewhere in Minnesota, Norwegian bachelor farmers make flour for biscuits that are “pure, mostly,” and “give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.” Everything is great there, even when things are tough. People just know how to handle things in Lake Wobegon…and if they don’t, they just eat more Powder Milk Biscuits.

The Lake Wobegon Effect

Interestingly, there is actually a syndrome which has been called the Lake Wobegon Effect. People that suffer from this think that everyone in their own group are above average, better able to “do what needs to be done.” It is described as “the human tendency to overestimate one’s achievements and capabilities in relation to others.” The effect has been observed among CEO’s, stock market analysts, college students, etc. [1] I bet it is real common with Christians, too; especially pastors.

I Need More than Biscuits

I am not above average. My middle initial is even “C.” Yet, I have been called to do a work that is far above average: imitate Jesus Christ. Now how in the name of all that is Norwegian am I supposed to do that? I’m not even a great actor, much less one who could play the part of the greatest character in the history of history (and before)! I can’t even do all that an average human needs to do, like be a good husband, father, student, or pastor.

This week, if never before, I had to come to terms with the fact that I do not live in Lake Wobegon. In my own strength everything I touch falls to pieces right before my eyes, that is, if it ever gets built in the first place. What am I supposed to do? Eat make-believe biscuits?

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13

Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it? If we are supposed to live like Christ and do what He calls us to do, having His power and presence in our lives would make all the difference. I wonder why I always stress out when I have so much to do, thinking it can’t be done?

Maybe I’ve been getting too many Powder Milk Biscuits, and not enough Jesus. How about you?

P.S. Your prayers would be appreciated.

 

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by | December 1, 2011 · 5:03 am

Keeping Watch at Night

2Samuel 7:4 “And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan…”

2:30 a.m.

Believe me, I am not one who enjoys getting out of bed before the sun even hits the snooze button on its alarm clock. If it were up to me, I would prefer stumbling to the coffee pot in daylight. But that’s not my life – I’m a school bus driver. 5 o’clock mornings are my norm.

But I am also a pastor. A shepherd. And because I am a shepherd of souls, I sometimes have to do like the shepherds of old, keep watch over my flock by night. That requires being on call all the time, including the dark times. And when I say “dark times,” I mean that literally and figuratively.

The Night

Just like the time mentioned above, sometimes shepherding involves looking out for your sheep while they sleep. In the Christmas story we read of shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks by night.” Why? Because evidently wolves and thieves work third shift, too. It’s in the dark times that pastors and intercessors are needed most.

It was in the night that “the word of the LORD came unto Nathan.” What would have happened if Nathan had refused to wake up? What would have happened had he refused to listen, but instead said, “I have GOT to get some sleep?”

This morning, at 2:30 a.m., the Lord placed a prayer on my heart. He gave me a “vision in the night.” I could have griped, rolled over, looked at the clock, and asked, “Why now?” Instead, I sat up on my elbows and began to intercede for the one God placed on my heart, and for a ministry for which he has given me a burden. What would have happened had Nathan refused the word meant for King David, all because it was after working hours? Would the Temple have been built by God’s design?

Your Call

Have you ever woken up at night with another person on your heart? When that happens, what do you do? You see, dark times come at all times, especially when it’s most inconvenient. As a matter of fact, the “darkness” may even be a difficult time in your own life. It may be in the wee hours of your own “night” that God chooses to speak.

Don’t ignore Him. He wouldn’t call in the middle of the night if it wasn’t important.

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by | November 28, 2011 · 11:32 pm

What Kind of Friend Are You?

Do you consider yourself to be a good friend? What makes a good friend? More than that, what makes a real, true friend? I believe there is a difference.

A Good Friend

Good friends are the ones you have over to watch a ball game, but don’t worry if the house is messy. He’s the type of friend that you don’t mind bringing along to dinner with the family. She’s the one with whom you don’t mind sharing your gripes and complaints, like when your spouse ticks you off, or your co-worker make you jealous.

A good friend is one that remembers to invite you to a birthday party, a movie, or loans you a pick-up truck to move a piano (God bless’em). They’re the type of friends you get along with, even though you may have different tastes or opinions. You care about each other and say things like, “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Job had Good Friends

Job (as in the Bible, not to be confused with Steve) had some good friends. Really, they were not that bad. Just look at how they acted when they saw Job after the tragedies came about.

“And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.” – Job 2:12-13 NKJV

Obviously, his friends cared enough about him to break down into tears at the sight of his brokenness. They were good enough friends to even tear their clothes, sit down with him on the ground, and weep with him for seven days. They even cared enough to keep silent seven days so Job could pour his heart out in grief. They were good friends.

Superficial Friends

If the friends of Job had only been the partying type, do you think they would have come to see him after hearing of his loss? No, if they had only been superficial friends, they would have stayed far away from Job and his problems. They would have said, “Oh, that’s so sad…we should send him a Hallmark card…Honey, where are my keys?…I’m going to be late to the gym.”

Religious Friends

Anyone who goes to church has these. Religious friends are the ones who always have a smile and a warm handshake, but never really want to hear about your life. These type of people give a bad name to church folk. Have you ever met any? If you have, you know. They ask, “How are you doing today?” Then, just as you start to give a response they say, “Great, great…love your heart…well, I’ll be praying for you, honey, don’t you worry.” Riiight.

User Friends

This is not a scientific assessment of friendship types, but sometimes I think most friends are only users. When you stop and think about it, how many friends would you have if you had nothing to offer? At least Job’s friends weren’t users. They came around when Job had nothing to offer but tears. They came to offer him something – if only judgmental advice.

True Friends

This may only be my definition, but I think it is a good one:  A real, true friend is one who lets you cuss, spit, and even question God when times are tough. A real, true friend is one who will not only cry with you when you hurt, but stand there by your side as you kick the furniture, throw the dishes, slam the door, or even ask, “Why?!”

The truest test of real friendship is how he/she responds when you say things you may regret. This is where Job’s friends fell behind.

Job came to the point where he “cursed the day he was born,” and asked God, “What have I done to you? Why have you made me a target?” Job literally became suicidal and terribly depressed as he struggled with trying to understand the reason for his troubles. But instead of keeping quite, or simply saying, “It will be OK, Job,” his friends started accusing him of wrongdoing. They blamed him for the trouble he was enduring, even though they had no proof. All they could do was pour salt on his wounds.

When Job cussed and spit, these friends said things like, “How long will you speak these things, and the words of your mouth be like a bunch of wind (Job 8:2)?” They called his painful rants “empty talk” and “vain words” which proved he deserved God’s judgment.

A real friend will let you expose your pain in ugly ways, with ugly words. Job’s friends should have understood that his words were spoken in grief. They should have understood that sometimes we say things we don’t mean when we are hurting, but need to say them, anyway. A real friend would have taken it, listened, and given only kind words of encouragement.

“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – Job 6:14 NKJV

If you know someone who is going through a tough time, don’t be judgmental – just love them. Even if they say things that are wrong, even vulgar, let God be the Judge – you just love them.

Job had to answer to God for the things he said, but the only ones who incurred the wrath of God were Eliphaz and his cohorts (42:7). As I see it, God understood Job, but He found no excuse for the response of his self-righteous friends.

Don’t just be a good friend – be a real friend. You may wish you had one, someday.

Related articles
  • Friends (anotherchristianblog.org)

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by | November 28, 2011 · 6:31 am

Monday Rain (Episode 5)

Rain and Mondays go hand in hand (or is that drop in hand?). And since it is raining here, as Ray Charles might say, “I think it’s rainin’ all over the world.”

If it is raining where you are, don’t waste the opportunity. For instance…

– When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

– When life gives you oranges, you make orange juice.

– When life gives you weird relatives, you either pretend they don’t exist and return their party invitations, or make funny videos of them for TV. Make the most of what you have, people!

When a little rain doth fall, go out and sing in it!

Just make sure you do it in the back yard if you have a monkey puppet in a rain coat on your hand.

Monkey In the Rain

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by | November 26, 2011 · 12:04 pm

The Season Begins

So, Thanksgiving is behind us. All the cooking and Pilgrim costumes are a thing of the past. Of course, there are still plenty of leftovers to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late visitors, desert, bedtime snacks, brunch, and dog treats.

Now, all we have to do is look forward to the holiday renowned for peace (clearing throat in a sarcastic way).

Black Friday

For the first time ever, I actually went shopping in the early-morning hours of Black Friday. I could not convince my wife to stay in bed until the crowds were finished assaulting each other after waiting hours in the cold for the stores to open. No, we had to get up and stand in line for something they had only 50 of, even though we were 150th in line.

Eventually, after whining enough, my wife agrees to drag us to the mall. There, the stores had already been open since 4am, so the stampedes were essentially over. Everyone had a pleasant, cheerful attitude. The rest were already being booked at the county jail.

I have an idea for next year. We need to go stand in line where the first 50 customers get a new iPad3 for $25 and do some witnessing. I bet if we do our best Ray Comfort/Kirk Cameron impressions for a few hours, we’d either have a whole new congregation of believers, or we would be martyred for our faith. If not that, we would be sure to move up in line.

Recording Friday

I heard on the news that yesterday actually set some records. How ironic is that? I made a record (well, I recorded something).

Yesterday, my daughter and I recorded a radio program to be broadcast this Sunday. It was unusual to have my daughter, Katie, on the program, since it is usually a time for me to preach. Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to interview her and talk about what God had showed her in His word.

While we were in the recording mood, Katie wanted to record a song. Actually, it was a medley – “This is My Father’s World / What a Wonderful World.” I am including it in today’s post. Hope you enjoy it.

This Is My Father’s World Medley

 

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by | November 24, 2011 · 1:28 am

Oh, How They Grow Up!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone has a wonderful day with family and friends, just don’t eat more than a third world country produces in a given year.

Today I just wanted to share a video made last night. My wife filmed my daughter and me playing guitar.

Katie is only 15, but she is growing up so fast. It was only a few months ago that she picked up a guitar and decided to play. She wanted me to teach her, but I never did…she just decided to learn without me. So, like many other things in life, I missed an irreplaceable opportunity. Thankfully, I haven’t missed everything.

The song that she sings in this video is one she sang to a sound track at church. Then, on a whim, she decided to try to play it on the piano. When she did that, she decided to pick up a guitar and learn the chords. That’s all it took.

If I had nothing else to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day, I could be thankful that God has given me the opportunity to bring up some girls that love the Lord and want to praise Him.

Just one last thing…guys, the answer is “NO.” I don’t really care what the question is. Wait till you have a job, a college education, and a reputation for serving God, then we may talk… I said “may.”

Yeah, I’m her dad.

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by | November 21, 2011 · 2:20 am

Monday Monkey is Thankful (Episode 4)

We, Mr. Monkey and I, wish you a happy Thanksgiving holiday. Of course, if you are from another country, then have Turkey and dressing, anyway.

I am looking forward to spending some leisurely time with my family doing absolutely nothing for a few days…RIIIIIIIGGHHHT!

I wish we could go to Hawaii or Disney World for this holiday, but it looks like it’ll be good-ole Tennessee turkey, instead. Maybe next year.

Enjoy this episode, if not for the humor, then for the excellent soundtrack!

Monday Monkey is Thankful

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by | November 17, 2011 · 8:23 pm

God-Centered, or Christ-Filled (Pt. 2)

Continuing from last time, let me conclude my thoughts on the difference between being God-centered and Christ-filled.

The Realization

When contemplated what I had asked of God (to make me characterized by a God-centered life), the mental picture of a wheel came to mind. It was the picture of a wheel with a center hub and spokes, much like a bicycle or wagon wheel. As I thought about this, however, something seemed wrong. Something seemed almost selfish.

You see, when you look at a wheel, especially the kind with spokes and a hub, it may not be obvious at first, but there are parts. In such a wheel I can distinguish the spokes from the hub, and the rim from the spokes. I can even see that there are spaces in between the spokes that are empty and not attatched or filled with anything – just empty. If God is supposed to be represented by the hub, the center of the wheel, then the wheel is not really all about the hub, but the wheel itself.

It’s about Jesus

The Apostle Paul told the Athenians (Acts 17:28) that in Jesus we “live, and move, and have our being.” In a letter to the Galatians he said “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). It would seem to me that Jesus should be more than our “hub.” He should be our “ALL.”

That is when I thought of a different picture. This time I imagined a solid circle – a disk. Unlike the other picture where God was the center of everything, yet separate, here was a picture of wholeness. In this picture, if my life is this type of wheel, people won’t notice anything about me, just Christ.

All of the spokes (my life, my dreams, my habits and hobbies, my talents, and my desires); the empty spaces (the areas of my life that seem irrelevant); and the rim (the total expanse of who I am – my identity, my sphere of influence); each part is now inseparable from the life and power of Christ who lives within me.

May they see Jesus

So, I no longer want to be characterized as a man with a God-centered life. I want to be a man characterized by the life of Christ. When people look at me, I don’t want them to say, “Hey, that guy really knows how to serve God,” or “Hey, that guy really loves the Lord.” Even though there is nothing wrong with those things, how much better would it be if they could say, “Hey, I met this guy… at first I thought he was that man they call Jesus.”

Remember, it was to the Church at Corinth that Paul said, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” There must have been some hearing this letter read who were deceived. Don’t be like them. Make sure your life is in Christ, and He is in you.

May your activities be “God-centered;” but your life “Christ-filled.” May the world see Jesus in you.

For Discussion:

Can you distinguish between a God-centered and a Christ-filled life? What characteristics would you expect to see?

Do you think someone could live a God-centered life and still be unsaved?

Your comments would be appreciated. 

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