Papa B
Archive for Churchity Stuff
My wife got hooked up with face book over this weekend and not to be out done, I joined too. After getting over the “What’s the point in this?” part it reminded me of something that I observed a few years back.
During my sophomore year of college my older brother (and roommate) dropped out of school and joined the Navy. In one fell swoop I lost a brother, a roommate, and a friend. Our relationship stalled at that point and our memory of each other was locked in that moment in time. That is to say, I remembered him as guy he was in college with me and as the roommate that I would hang out with. I know that is the same for him.
My brother was stationed on the East Coast where he settled after he finished his time in the Navy. Both he and I had returned to a life of faith (which both of us had turned from in college) but we had done so independent of each other. This became obvious to me years later. On one vist, my brother joined me at a Bible study that I was leading. I realized that the comments he made during the study and afterwards to me were based on the assumption that I was the same person he knew in college. I also realized I was making those same assumptions.
So what does that have to do with Facebook? Well, as I traveled back through time to connect with people in my past I realized that they knew me when I was a different person. Would they make the assumption that I am the same man they used to know? Will they read my blog and be agast at what they find? Or will they realize, as I have, that when you come in contact with God in a meaningful way your life is changed.
The Fool’s Vexation
Prov 12.:16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult. (ESV)
James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger; (20)for the anger of man does not produce the
righteousness of God (ESV)
If I could get these two teaching internalized, I know that my walk with God would be much more enjoyable.
What is church?
Seems a simple enough question but work with me here for a moment. I’ve been struggling lately with the roll of the local congregation in the Body of Christ. What responsibility does the congregation have to its members? What responsibility do the members have to the congregation? What responsibility do both the members and the congregation have to the Body of Christ in their community?
I realized that I had some base assumptions about the rolls of the members and the congregational assembly. I would love some input and insight on this, so ….
What is church?
He had served the purpose of God in his own generation
From time to time I wonder what my great-grandchildren will know about me. Personally, I don’t know anything about what my grandparents were like much less my great-grandparents. Will my children have happy memories of when they were growing up in my house? Will they read my blog post years from now and gain an insight into my love for God? Will the sermons that I preach or the classes that I teach cause others to glorify God? In short, how will I be remembered?
The Apostle Paul had this commentary on King David’s life in Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers…” Acts chapter 13 is Paul’s sermon to the Jews in Antioch concerning how their history was all leading to the redemption through Jesus. Of all the great things Kind David was and did, Paul could have emphasized how David unified the Jewish nation, how he was the greatest king they ever had, or how the promised Messiah was going to come from his line. Paul summarized all the importance of Kind David simply with “he had served the purpose of God”.
I pray that I have the opportunity to do mighty things for God but more than that I hope that I the reflection on my life will be “he served the purpose of God in his own generation.”
Pirahna Principle
Just one can’t kill you
Over the years I’ve developed the concept of the Piranha Principle to explain why in our modern society we feel overwhelmed and defeated despite our obvious wealth and blessing. I’ll use me as the example. I have a great wife (mamakay), five great kids, I don’t carry consumer debt, I have a great career and a job that more than covers our monthly expenses, I’m active in my church, and generally regarded as a good Christian father.
With all that, I still get worn down bit by bit by the slight annoiances of everyday life. The alarm didn’t wake me up in time, the guy in front of me didn’t pull out fast enough, the line in the super market didn’t move, the kids didn’t get the mess cleaned up, and the like. Each little thing taking a bit of me like piranha taking down a water buffalo. One piranha by itself can not kill; it’s jaws are not big enough to inflict enough damage but you let it invite 200 of its friends and then you’ve got trouble. Read on…