Okay, so a couple of friends (Rob and Nolan) have already posted about Johari. I thought I would as well.
Click here to help me "see" how others perceive me. It seems like a pretty interesting excercise.
You may want to complete your own test. If so, click here.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
The Forgotten Promise: Part Deux
******WARNING: EXTREME THEOLOGICAL CONTENT******
Let me recap yesterday's blog.
God made three promises to Abraham.
1. His family would be a great nation
2. Land
3. That they would be a blessing to all the earth
The Hebrew people seemed to forget the third promise. Instead, they focused on promises one and two.
Now, what about the church? Through Jesus, we are grafted into Abraham's family. Thus, we are grafted into this promise. How are we doing? I fear that we are forgetting the third promise as well.
1. Great Nation
In the age of the mega church, it is not hard to see how important numbers are to the church as we go about our business. We go to great lengths to grow and to sustain. I'll give you an example. There is always great interest in a list of North America's largest churches. The scandal recently was when Willow Creek dropped from the top spot on that list.
The goal for many of the "successful" churches is to simply take in more members than leave.
What's more, our membership is mostly made of Christians that we have poached from other congregations. We take great pride in wonderful programs at the church. But, they mostly attract folks who are already a part of another church. Instead of doing the difficult work of real evangelism and dealing with folks that may not be as "together" as some of our church goers, we stick with a chase for people who look and act like us.
Plus, I'm not even going to delve into the whole line of thought that is circulating among fundamentalists that America is the "new Israel."
2. Land
We love our land. We love it so much that we close the doors to the building so that it will be safe. We protect our land, just like Israel. If there is a weakness in someone who owns land adjacent to the church, we swoop in to take it over.
I truly believe that there is nothing wrong with nice facilities. The real problem arises when we seek to keep the community out.
3. Blessing to all the earth
The church is about Good News. Yet, it seems that we are much more willing to do the things it takes to build a great nation and protect our land. We have a great opportunity to offer the world, including our own communities, hope and love and forgiveness.
Unfortunately, it seems that we have neglected the third promise as well.
Let me recap yesterday's blog.
God made three promises to Abraham.
1. His family would be a great nation
2. Land
3. That they would be a blessing to all the earth
The Hebrew people seemed to forget the third promise. Instead, they focused on promises one and two.
Now, what about the church? Through Jesus, we are grafted into Abraham's family. Thus, we are grafted into this promise. How are we doing? I fear that we are forgetting the third promise as well.
1. Great Nation
In the age of the mega church, it is not hard to see how important numbers are to the church as we go about our business. We go to great lengths to grow and to sustain. I'll give you an example. There is always great interest in a list of North America's largest churches. The scandal recently was when Willow Creek dropped from the top spot on that list.
The goal for many of the "successful" churches is to simply take in more members than leave.
What's more, our membership is mostly made of Christians that we have poached from other congregations. We take great pride in wonderful programs at the church. But, they mostly attract folks who are already a part of another church. Instead of doing the difficult work of real evangelism and dealing with folks that may not be as "together" as some of our church goers, we stick with a chase for people who look and act like us.
Plus, I'm not even going to delve into the whole line of thought that is circulating among fundamentalists that America is the "new Israel."
2. Land
We love our land. We love it so much that we close the doors to the building so that it will be safe. We protect our land, just like Israel. If there is a weakness in someone who owns land adjacent to the church, we swoop in to take it over.
I truly believe that there is nothing wrong with nice facilities. The real problem arises when we seek to keep the community out.
3. Blessing to all the earth
The church is about Good News. Yet, it seems that we are much more willing to do the things it takes to build a great nation and protect our land. We have a great opportunity to offer the world, including our own communities, hope and love and forgiveness.
Unfortunately, it seems that we have neglected the third promise as well.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Forgotten Promise
*******WARNING: EXTREME THEOLOGICAL CONTENT********
The real foundation of the world's greatest religions is the covenant that God made with Abraham. It is the formation of the Hebrew people and Judaism. It is the covenant that Christians are grafted into. And, it is the covenant that propelled Abraham and Sarah to go to extreme measures in fertility. Thus, Ishmael (and eventually Islam) was born.
Why don't we study more about the covenant?
I have been struck recently by the promises made in the covenant. It seems that three promises were given. The first two we know well. The third is forgotten.
1. God promised to make Abraham a great nation. (Descendants)
2. God promised to give land for this great nation.
3. God promised that Abraham's family would be a blessing to all the earth.
Much of the violence in the Middle East can be traced back to the first two promises. And, it seems that througout the history of the Hebrew people and Israel, the focus has been on attaining a great nation and land, even at the expense of being a blessing to all nations.
The truth is that God needed Israel to fulfill all of these promises. They were his people set apart for this work of calling all people to himself.
Unfortunately, in this situation, two out of three is bad. It's easy to see how being totally focused on numbers and land could limit Israel's ability to be a blessing.
What would it look like if Israel had fulfilled that promise?
Tomorrow: Has the Church forgotten the promise?
The real foundation of the world's greatest religions is the covenant that God made with Abraham. It is the formation of the Hebrew people and Judaism. It is the covenant that Christians are grafted into. And, it is the covenant that propelled Abraham and Sarah to go to extreme measures in fertility. Thus, Ishmael (and eventually Islam) was born.
Why don't we study more about the covenant?
I have been struck recently by the promises made in the covenant. It seems that three promises were given. The first two we know well. The third is forgotten.
1. God promised to make Abraham a great nation. (Descendants)
2. God promised to give land for this great nation.
3. God promised that Abraham's family would be a blessing to all the earth.
Much of the violence in the Middle East can be traced back to the first two promises. And, it seems that througout the history of the Hebrew people and Israel, the focus has been on attaining a great nation and land, even at the expense of being a blessing to all nations.
The truth is that God needed Israel to fulfill all of these promises. They were his people set apart for this work of calling all people to himself.
Unfortunately, in this situation, two out of three is bad. It's easy to see how being totally focused on numbers and land could limit Israel's ability to be a blessing.
What would it look like if Israel had fulfilled that promise?
Tomorrow: Has the Church forgotten the promise?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Terrorism: Right Here in Alabama
In the past week, nine churches in rural Alabama have been burned by arsonists. Five were burned in Bibb County (south of B'ham) Friday, February 3. Four were burned in the west Alabama counties of Sumter, Greene, and Pickens on Tuesday, February 7. We don't know much about these fires. We don't know why they were started. We don't know if there is any correlation between the two sets of fires. We don't know if there were any racial motivations. Four of the first five churches were predominantly white. All four of Tuesday's rash were predominantly black.
I do know that if this happened in Mobile, we would feal terrorized and fearful. I also know that churches from around the state and region would come to our help, bringing us hope and strength.
Could there be a stronger message than for these nine churches to be rebuilt and resotred, maybe better and stronger than ever? It would tell the terrorists that the Gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't concede to evil. It would also tell people who live in the ashes of burned and broken lives that the church has Good News to share about a God who has the power to heal and make new.
In rural communities, it is often the case that churches are the center of community life. Please pray for these churches, their pastors, and their communities.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Now Playing for Auburn University.....Bryant Miller
I always wanted my name called out over the PA system at Jordan-Hare Stadium. In the next couple of years, if Carl Stephens doesn't enunciate too well, I will get my wish.
Bryant Miller has signed a letter of intent to recieve a scholarship from Auburn University and play football there. There are, of course, some major differences between Brian Miller and Bryant Miller. For example, I hope that he doesn't have four children. Also, Bryant is 6-3, 233. He runs a reported 4.78 in the 40 yard dash. Oh, also, he's African-American. But then again, when I dance, people refer to me as a black man trapped in a white man's body.
Make no mistake. Bryant Miller will be a star for Auburn. I can't wait to see him in Navy and Burnt Orange.
"....at Defensive End, Bri(y)an(t) Miller."
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