I got to preach ( otherwise known as “I praught” ) this past Sunday on Luke 12:49-59. The topic was “Reconciliation”. In these verses, Jesus actually says “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!”
Check it out to hear how this is still very much a message on reconciliation…
I mentioned the topic of telling stories earlier this month, in response to a message on a youth trip to San Diego. But lately it continues to be on my mind and heart, as my oldest (about to be 4 on Thursday! Yikes!) daughter continually asks me to tell her stories. Thankfully I’ve not only got a collection of stories from years of hearing/telling the stories we have in scripture….God seems to have also given me a mind that can mine the mundane for new tales to spin.
Sure, there’s the bedtime ritual, “daddy, tell me a story” that you never know if it’s a plea for literary genius, or simply a scheme to squeeze a few more minutes of consciousness into that day. But there are plenty of other times where she’ll randomly say the familiar phrase “tell me a story”.
I’m reminded of the concept of “Story” from Donald Miller’s recent book, and how part of parenting is crafting and writing a compelling story for your family. A story that connects them to something larger, and calls them into a character identity, so that they don’t feel the unresolved need to search elsewhere. Which even as a write, I realize could sound very close-minded to a non-believing reader….if I have any at all.
And I suppose I’m okay with that. I will not beat my kids with a “must love Jesus” bat, but growing up in my home I pray they will find themselves characters in a story worth living within. That their identity is both solid/firm, and beautifully/mysteriously open to their creative interaction with the God who gives it and His Universe. To invite them to find their identity in Christ, and to parent in a way that reveals that invitation as foundational Truth, and Hope-bringing to every area of their life.
I work with teens and other people on a regular basis, who are still searching for that compelling story. That character they’ve been called and created to be. That incredible role they’ve been given. It’s sad when we see someone missing out, unaware of the transformational story breaking through even now. The story of Love, Grace, Hope, and New Life that God is writing over a creation that began to write on its’ own.
I hope that’s even a little encouraging. Because I’ll confess, for me, these words come as a needed reminder. To not tire of telling stories. To hear my daughter’s plea for one more story as a testimony to how God has wired my children….they are hungry for Story. And I am a parent. A story teller.
I pray they hear the story God is telling through me, above all the 2 dimensional stories the world tries to throw at them…
(Thanks to Steve for making me aware of this.)
Famous author, Anne Rice, is making waves recently for “Quitting Christianity…in the name of Christ..”. There are all sorts of responses someone or some group can have to an occurrence like this. Anywhere from Catholics biting their thumbs at her (making horrible youtube videos explaining why she’s “going to hell” now), to Vampire Novel fans yelling “Hooray!!!” and then awkwardly quieting when they realize she still loves Jesus, to being accused of all of this being a publicity stunt to sell books (as if she needed one?), to entire denominations creating a website that tries to sell her on joining them instead of the Catholic Church.
I’ll take a brief moment to say, in case she’s reading this (she’s read my blog before…boo yah), Anne – I’m still looking forward to book 3 of your “Christ the Lord” series! Any planned release?
I agree with Anne that sooooo much of what is done and said in “the name of Jesus” does not represent Jesus well at all. It’s easy to point fingers at the Catholic church….very easy, in fact. Which is probably why I’m not Catholic. Not that I’m a hater, either…there have been many wonderful things that have come from Christ-centered people within’ the Catholic Church. But her beef is not with the Catholic church alone, in statements she’s made publicly the focus seems to be how “Anti-______” most Christians in general are.
It will likely cause some people to look more closely at the picket signs they’re raising, and think more about how much they’re living toward the Love of God that desires to make all things New. Unfortunately, it will also cause more than a few who have become disenchanted with organized religion to get hazy stars in their eyes about the ambiguous notion of leaving the local church, and doing “something else” in it’s place…still loving Jesus.
She’s not the first person to hesitate at the label “Christian”, because of how many horrible things are being done by those who also claim the title. It was the same thing C.S. Lewis struggled with. As noted in chapter 8 of his book “Mere Christianity“, Pride and Self-Conceit is something that every human being deals with. Humility in our walk with God, and with fellow humans…MUST be foundational in our love for them.
To quote from Chapter 8, “Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good–above all, that we are better than someone else–I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the devil.”
I’m as guilty as many others, in experiencing this kind of sin. I confess it. I ask God for His forgiveness and redemption from it. But I am thankful for the label “Christian”, not always because of the group of people it connects me to, as much as the Loving Savior it points to communion with. A God who Loves and offers some pretty amazing Grace, but also infinitely compels us to be transformed and calls us to join in offering this New Life and freedom from sin to others. May God be with Anne Rice as she continues to seek Him “in fear and trembling”…and may God use what is being discussed to bring repentance/revival…
words from wick 