Category: Uncategorized

Don’t be too impressed. Although admittedly, I think the newest book by Rob Bell should be read within a much longer, slower, God-filled span of time. I was at Barnes and Noble, and didn’t want to submit to the $35 price tag. So I sat down and read it.

It’s a great book, and I understand the merits of “artistic endeavors” that are a part of it, but I certainly hope a much cheaper edition comes out at some point. That last sentence can also be read, “If you want to buy it for me, go ahead.” One word of caution/opinion – there is a word or two within the book that I think he could have done without. It reduces the potential audience and usage of the book’s powerful message. But that was his choice.

The book is a reminder that God has transformed how we relate to suffering, and the human condition. Not advice on how to “get over it”, or how to “receive God’s gift of removing us from harmful things”, etc. But an actual reminder that within the context of the human lives we find ourselves in…God brings new life.

He uses an illustration of a large crowd. If someone said “everyone here who has endured/experienced cancer, stand up”….many would stand, and an instant bond of community would be felt as they looked around the room. If someone said, “everyone here who has been to Disney World, stand up”…many would stand, but the bond of community would not quite be the same.

Suffering draws us together. Gives us opportunity for response. Opportunity for community.

The early church lost a great leader. Someone who loved them dearly, and whom they loved. Someone they had given up much to follow. He suffered greatly, many of them forced to watch and hear about it. When they saw the symbol of the cross, it was a symbol of a community that had experienced suffering.

It continues to be, for us. God continues to offer us His way of relating to suffering, and the brokenness of creation. May we be a people who do not neglect, nor unhealthily focus on our suffering. May we receive from God new ways to relate to our suffering, and offer that same life and freedom to suffer to those around us. May that lead us to be a people who Love well…

You gotta hand it to FOF, they gotta point here:

“Dear Friend,

By now you’ve likely heard about what’s been called the most controversial ad to appear in the Super Bowl in many years–a Focus on the Family^® spot featuring Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother, sharing a message of “celebrate family, celebrate life.”

For the past two weeks, major television networks, news outlets and even Saturday Night Live have jumped into the dialogue. We’ve been accused by a few organizations of being anti-woman, intolerant, divisive, and spewing hate. But what’s most amazing about these charges is that they’re based entirely on conjecture–none of our critics has yet seen the ad! (Beginning on Sunday, after the game, you can access the ad on FocusOnTheFamily.com.)

In responding to these charges, Focus President Jim Daly has had the chance to share the true message of this ad in interview after national interview–and the sheer volume of coverage for our message of celebrating family and life has been worth far more than the cost of the ad itself.

Besides that, the media, in covering the controversy, has conveyed many more details about the difficulties surrounding Tim’s birth than we’ve been able to put in one 30-second ad. From the beginning, our goal has been to stimulate a discussion about the beauty of life and a mother’s determination to bear that life. Wow, is that conversation ever happening.”

Still unsure. Even if I agree with the message of the ad, human life being precious, and protecting the right of an unborn child to stay alive….do I agree the ad should have been given a spot during the Superbowl? While I’m no feminist, I still question a Christian organization’s desire to throw that much money (2.5 Million) into an ad (no scriptures indicate advertising as a path to religion that’s “Pure & Faultless.”) Then again, maybe it’s just another case of Andy Stanley and the bridge. When you’re that big, even simple things gotta cost a lot of money. Eh?

What do you think?

Recently in a pastoral resourcing day provided by our conference, we spent time some listening to a talk by Andy Stanley. His focus was on “Systems” within churches, and how some are very conducive to ministry and leadership/discipleship/etc., but some actually impede these areas. I thought much of his talk was also very appropriate to the home, and being a parent who pays attention to what “systems” exist in our families.

Toward the beginning of his talk, Stanley said “Talks don’t create behaviors, systems create behaviors.” Not sure this is true 100% of the time, believing in the Holy Spirit to work through words becoming flesh, etc. There are exceptions. But it’s an important reminder that setting up a pattern for disciples to be developed is much more affective than simply saying “let’s make disciples” from the pulpit.

Another quote worth noting came from one of our fellow pastors that day. Pastor Doug Newton said, “We live in a system that does not lead people to follow.” That can also be a true statement. We live in a world that is not set up to encourage “followers”.

Usually the focus is either on becoming such a great leader that tons of people follow you, or energy and excitement levels are diminished to the point where following simply happens as a passive experience. We live in a world that emphasizes the loud, powerful, and entertaining or attractive. And a world where the majority of the general public finds themselves living each day without much thought toward the patterns and systems they find themselves participating in.

How often are we involved in actively following? In purposefully following, and calling others to a participatory experience of following Jesus Christ.

I believe our churches can be such a place. A place where being labeled a “follower” is an okay thing. Where not everyone needs to be a “leader”, even though they may be encouraging others to follow them as they follow Christ.

That same day, some good questions were encouraged to be discussed:

– What values and behaviors are the current systems (in our home and/or church) communicating and promoting? How might God call these to change?

– What are we accidentally rewarding, emphasizing, or undervaluing…and then get upset when it is seen in those we lead/parent?