Short term mission trips are the rage in Christian circles. You could probably go to any evangelical church and find one to join at some point in a given year. If you read Radical by David Platt he goes so far as saying that everyone reading the book should strive to go on one during the year. What is involved in a short term mission trip? It usually is for a week or two, traveling a fair distance from home, usually to a different culture, enduring a certain degree of hardship, and sharing Christ with people. Not only does it have the potential for changing the lives of the missioned but the greatest change is often seen in the missionary. In a sense, Jesus also knew the value of these because He took His disciples on a"short term mission trip" (STMT) in Mark 4,5. If you notice, they were on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, their comfort zone, and Jesus tells them to get in the boat and sail to the east side leaving their comfort and enduring some hardship. They share with one or two people, they get saved, the people on the east side tell them to leave and they sail back to their comfort zone. That is the Reader's Digest version , but now lets look at all the implications of this STMT and what we can learn from God's Word to apply to us today. I'd like to point out 7 principles from these chapters.
#1. Sow (that's to plant - not a pig) (I can see where it could get confusing in this story)
Jesus does a little pre-mission trip teaching (which BTW is a great idea) in Mark 4:26-32 where He gives 2 parables one of which all the other gospels leave out- "the parable of the growing seed". I'm sure that there are multiple interpretations for this and the following "parable of the mustard seed" but what I cant help but notice is that both emphasize seed that gets sown into good soil grows. I am by no means discounting the current Christian buzz word discipleship because I agree that is where it's at. The Great Commission confirms that. Nonetheless, I believe the Bible teaches that a true conversion will grow and persevere. We often are reticent to present the gospel and have people "pray the prayer" if there is no adequate followup. And as we come back and report the number saved, we are quick to report that such and such a church will be calling on them. Once again, I think that followup is great but don't let a lack of followup keep you from giving people the opportunity to be saved or shame you into not claiming victories in the name of Jesus. The demoniac in this story certainly had no discipleship and Jesus felt that was Ok.
#2 Alone Time
Mark 4:34 states that when Jesus was alone with His disciples He taught them the deeper meaning of His parables. I know a lot of Church Mission trips are about fellowship and hanging out with people you love. Maybe you are going with your spouse. Maybe you are hoping to gain a spouse. Don't miss the opportunity STMT's give you to be alone with Jesus! No TV, internet, malls, cell phones - Just Jesus. This was certainly a time when the disciples learned from Jesus. I'm always reminded of the account of Mary and Martha. Mary availed herself to alone time with Jesus, Martha didn't and she was reproved. When you strip everything away just one thing remains -Jesus. Take advantage of that. Study your Bible. Memorize it. Every spare moment. I remember one mission trip someone brought dominoes and suddenly that was the rage. Satan wants to steal your alone time. Don't let him.
#3" Falling into place"
There is a tendency to think that if we are doing something for the Kingdom of God, like something as noble as a STMT, everything should just fall into place and go smoothly. The money should come flowing in, the passports will all arrive in time, no luggage will be confiscated,the flights won't be delayed, noone will get Montezuma's revenge - and then we know God is really "in this". Look what happened here - they almost drowned on their way there and when they got there a couple of crazy people came running down the hill after them, and the people quickly asked them to leave. I wonder if Jonah thought," how convenient, a ship to Tarshish leaving now and I have just the right amount of money." Be sensitive to the Lord's leading. Yes He may be closing a door on you till a later date but also don't discount the possibility of opposition by Satan who knows you are on the way.
#4. A Bigger God
Mission trips, like nothing else, have the ability to give us a new revelation of God, and isn't this what life is all about anyway? There were two major God "explosions" in this passage - Nature took orders from Jesus and so did demons. Both of these displays of the glory of God blew peoples' minds. How do we know? "They were afraid" (4:41, 5:15). If Jesus is "cool" or "all-right" or your BFF, or homeboy, or the key to a good life, Heaven, etc. you really haven't met Him. Jesus doesn't allow a Ho-hum response. When we meet him , like we can anywhere-but especially on mission trips, our response should be nothing less than a Keanu Reeve's "Whoa!" We should enter into what R.C. Sproul or Francis Chan more recently talk about a terror of the Holy. A new found respect awe and love and a new level of trust and obedience resulting from that. God will show himself on STMT's in ways He doesn't in your comfort zone so be looking.
#5. Saves people from the power of Satan
The thief comes to steal kill and destroy and we see it clearly in the demoniac. He cut himself, cried out all night long, and his mind was crazed, and we see it dramatically in how the pigs behave once they are possessed - they kill themselves. This is where we go on mission trips - we battle not against flesh and blood but powers and principalities. Quite often this distinction is clearer on STMTs. Here, in our cultured areas where everyone is comfortable, Satan works in more subtle ways. He works behind the scenes making us so enamored with the status quo so that when something real , supernatural, life changing comes around, we say, "Please leave, We don't want you here Jesus." This is just as much Satan but more what one sees at home than on mission trips. Prayer is of utmost importance along with humility as we go into these areas to take on the powers of darkness because we have no more chance against Satan than the sons of Sceva
#6. Cost -effectiveness
A mission trip may not make good financial sense. For example, for the amount of money it may cost me to take my family to Kenya and see sick people for 2 weeks I could probably help put a local Christian Kenyan through medical school and serve Christ for life. OK, first of all, if we are honest, we could probably live so minimallistically here that we save enough money to do both. However, God is the source of all our means and wealth. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. We can't be like Judas and say this perfume should have been sold and given to the poor. God doesn't work that way. The benefits of a STMT can't be quantified. And don't feel bad if you went on the trip where only one got saved - like Jesus' trip. It will still be more than worth it!
#7. Missionary everywhere
As Jesus left, the newfound believer wanted to go with Him and Jesus basically said, "No, you are to be a home missionary. You speak the language, they know you, they can see a change. You can reach these people, we couldn't." When I came back from my first few STMTs, the biggest change in my life was I started sharing the gospel at home with my patients. I thought, "I go overseas to share the gospel in a language I can't speak and I don't do it at home? That's crazy!" And that is just how I would open the discussion with my patients and living in the Bible Belt most appreciated it. If you carry an evangecube or gospel beads with you over there, do it overhere. If you do puppet shows or backyard Bible clubs over there do it over here. Otherwise it is somewhat hypocritical
Please, please please... Go on a short term mission trip. It will change your life and many others!!!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Gimme That Ol' Time Religion - Returning to the Baseline
I've been a Christian now for 52 years and I've been reflecting lately on the changes I've seen. A lot has been precipitating these thoughts - Christian periodicals, downloading messages, listening to Contemporary Christian music, reading current Christian books, talking to other "Christ-followers" (the 2013 version of "Christian") and just in general watching trends in Christianity. Let me share a few thoughts and challenges and see if these resonate with you.
Lets picture it like a basketball court. At one end or baseline you have "Truth". At the other end you have "Error". At half court you have the line at which you cross from truth into error.
TRUTH
ERROR
Now you might rightly say anytime you leave truth you are in error. I would agree with you in principle but the problem is in real life Christianity we are left with a lot of grey (the sign gifts - for today or ceased, predestination vs. free will, what Heaven is like, what Hell is like, home churches vs buildings, end times etc) which won't be answered until we get to Heaven, so in this world, we will define the whole backcourt as truth.
I would label the baseline truth. This is "Old Time Religion" - the kind I grew up with 50 years ago and what my parents believed and their parents believed. This consists of 4 tenents regarding the Bible
#1. The Bible is without error and written by God through men that were inspired by the Holy Spirit
#2. The Bible is the complete all sufficient guide for life. It interprets itself and is relevant always.
#3. The Bible is a reliable scientific and historical document
#4. The Bible is God's word and is Holy. It is to be treasured and revered.
From what I have observed, here is the shift in the baseline
#1. The Bible has some errors because it was written by men but God oversaw it to make sure the message is true.
The buzz word here is story. You see it in books, in sermon series, etc. and the underlying message of this is "don't get bogged down with the minutia of the Bible. What is important and true is the story of redemption." I understand this and agree somewhat but I fear the underlying message of this is - not all the details of the Bible are error free but the underlying message is.
#2. You must understand the culture and times of the books of the Bible, not to mention Greek and Hebrew to rightly interpret the Bible.
In other words don't believe everything you read because what might have been true then may not be true today; or it says something different in Hebrew or Greek. Here is the problem with this - then the Bible truly is not open to the common man, and the common man is the one who Christ appealed to back then and appeals to now. What we are saying is that the educated man has a corner on knowing God. I've been on enough mission trips to know that this philosophy is coming from the tree of knowledge and is saying that you need outside sources to interpret the Bible. This is a very dangerous shift from the baseline. The buzz word here is cultural.
#3. The Bible wasn't meant to speak authoritatively in areas of science and history and you must understand writing style.
The buzz word here is poetry. In other words, if you understand the writing style (same objection as #2) you would see for example that the Genesis creation account was a poem and was never meant to be taken literally.
#4. Worship God not the Bible
OK, but why even say this unless you are apologizing for the Bible. Plus, God and His Word are pretty inseparable if you ask me.
So what I see happening over the last 50 years is a shift in the baseline as seen in the diagram below. Let's say it has gone out beyond the arc out to the white line.
Now I have to ask- why the shift? I've come up with 3 basic answers but there may be more. Here are my three.
1. Freedom to sin - This is a common one with youth. As soon as you hear a teen, who can't tell you if the Sermon on the Mount is in the Old or New Testament, pontificating about the cultural differences of then versus now - you know they are either planning on having sex or already have. "That part about not living together - that was the culture back then. What is a piece of paper anyway?"
2. Wanting to fit in - This is especially big in academic cities or Blue states. Who wants to look like a fool, anyways. We all want to look smart, educated, contemporary - not a fundamentalist, Bible thumping Neandrathal. Unfortunately, Jesus warned us a number of times that we aren't going to fit in.
3. To Win the Lost - This is a legitimate , to be commended, yet misguided reason. The thought is that if unbelievers are like metal shavings on the opposite end of the court, the closer we move the magnet to them (without going past half court) the more we are going to bring to our side.
I got a glimpse of this kind of thinking on my flight home last week. I was sitting next to an elderly woman who goes back and forth to Japan and Australia as a missionary. She asked me what denomination I was in. I replied, "Southern Baptist." She then proceeded to tell me how Southern Baptists had hurt evangelistic efforts in her area because they had insisted a few years back that all Baptist missionaries sign a doctrinal belief statement, but in good conscience a number of missionaries could not sign the part about women not being allowed to be pastors so these people left the missionfield. Yet she said she works with a church that ordains homosexuals because "the bottom line is winning people to Christ. Right?"
Is it?? Question- what is wrong with this stement; "The reason I exist is to win people to Christ". ? Answer - Going back to the beginning, take Adam and Eve (if you believe in them).. Did they exist to win people to Christ? How could they - there were no people! They, like us exist(ed) to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Eph. 1:12) Then, once we come into a relationship with God, we live to proclaim His praises. (1Peter 2:9) We can't "win people for Christ". Only the Holy Spirit can do that. We just carry His powerful presence into a lost world and proclaim His greatness and let God to the rest. When Paul came to Corinth he had no cleverly invented schemes, he just came with simple truth and God's power. When the Israelites left Egypt "many others (Ex.12:38) accompanied them." Did the Israelites become more like them to reach them? Far from it; the people saw God in their lives. When Jonah brought revival to Ninevah, did he soften the gospel or become like them? No! A fishy smelling, vitiligous, alopecious, foreigner who probably spoke a different language just said, "repent or you will perish." The power of God swept over them and they were saved. Did Paul change anything to reach the Phillipian jailor or did the disciples become socially acceptable on Pentecost? No; people thought they were nuts! In 1Cor 14:24,25 Paul says that when unbelievers come into your church, they will be won to Christ by the forth telling of the Word and the power of God seen in the believers' presence. We don't need to bring the theological line to them!
But you might say, Paul says, "I've become all things to all men that the gospel may be preached." That is talking about watching NASCAR with an unsaved neighbor even though you hate it. That means going to a shooting range with an unsaved NRA neighbor even though you are a staunch gun-control advocate. That might mean going to Steak and Shake with a lost person even though you are a vegan. It doesn't mean if I teach them Hell isn't literal they might bite. It doesn't mean if I say the flood happened locally 4 billion years ago and man came from monkeys then faith might become palatable. That's not how people were saved in the Bible and that isn't how they are saved today.
Not only that, but how far are you willing to go with the compromise? Eventually there is no way to get around that there is just one way to get to Heaven and that is Jesus and if you reject Him you aren't going. This is untolerable to the natural man. Even in Jesus day, John the Baptist was a tea totaller and purified himself from sinners and they said he was crazy. Jesus went to all the drunken parties to reach sinners and they said He was a lacivious carouser. No matter how far toward error you take truth, it won't be palatable to unbelievers until you cross midcourt.
In conclusion let me make a few closing points.
#1. Those who have shifted the baseline are still believers. Frankly they believe and have accepted the story which is necessary for salvation. Therefore embrace them, love them; let the world see the love we have despite theological differences and say "that is only possible through something supernatural."( John 13:35) That's why I didn't argue with the lady on the plane. The last thing people need to see is Christians fighting. I watched Terminator Salvation on the flight and was thinking that Christians fighting is like human beings fighting and killing each other while they needed everyone to fight against the machines. (OK, only sort of like that)
#2. To those who have shifted the line- why?? You might say" this is the baseline and the Ol' time religion is in error". OK, examine your motives for why you believe as you do. If they are pure, ask, "How much more can I change without shifting into error? Can I deny the virgin birth? Can I deny the miracles? Can I deny the resurrection? Where do I cross the line?" You see, my fear is, if the line has shifted this far in 50 years, will it be across midline in another 50?
#3. Teach the Ol' Time Religion to your kids. To those of you who are on the new baseline, is that what you taught your kids? Are they still following Christ? Really? Be honest. You see, if you teach your kids the conservative traditional view of the Bible, if they drift they will only drift to line 2. If you teach them line 2, when they drift they will drift to midcourt or beyond. It is like setting up guardrails well before the ravine. In dating, if you set your limits at holding hands, if you drift you kiss. Big deal. But if you set your line at petting and you drift.... well you get my drift.
Lets picture it like a basketball court. At one end or baseline you have "Truth". At the other end you have "Error". At half court you have the line at which you cross from truth into error.
TRUTH
Now you might rightly say anytime you leave truth you are in error. I would agree with you in principle but the problem is in real life Christianity we are left with a lot of grey (the sign gifts - for today or ceased, predestination vs. free will, what Heaven is like, what Hell is like, home churches vs buildings, end times etc) which won't be answered until we get to Heaven, so in this world, we will define the whole backcourt as truth.
I would label the baseline truth. This is "Old Time Religion" - the kind I grew up with 50 years ago and what my parents believed and their parents believed. This consists of 4 tenents regarding the Bible
#1. The Bible is without error and written by God through men that were inspired by the Holy Spirit
#2. The Bible is the complete all sufficient guide for life. It interprets itself and is relevant always.
#3. The Bible is a reliable scientific and historical document
#4. The Bible is God's word and is Holy. It is to be treasured and revered.
From what I have observed, here is the shift in the baseline
#1. The Bible has some errors because it was written by men but God oversaw it to make sure the message is true.
The buzz word here is story. You see it in books, in sermon series, etc. and the underlying message of this is "don't get bogged down with the minutia of the Bible. What is important and true is the story of redemption." I understand this and agree somewhat but I fear the underlying message of this is - not all the details of the Bible are error free but the underlying message is.
#2. You must understand the culture and times of the books of the Bible, not to mention Greek and Hebrew to rightly interpret the Bible.
In other words don't believe everything you read because what might have been true then may not be true today; or it says something different in Hebrew or Greek. Here is the problem with this - then the Bible truly is not open to the common man, and the common man is the one who Christ appealed to back then and appeals to now. What we are saying is that the educated man has a corner on knowing God. I've been on enough mission trips to know that this philosophy is coming from the tree of knowledge and is saying that you need outside sources to interpret the Bible. This is a very dangerous shift from the baseline. The buzz word here is cultural.
#3. The Bible wasn't meant to speak authoritatively in areas of science and history and you must understand writing style.
The buzz word here is poetry. In other words, if you understand the writing style (same objection as #2) you would see for example that the Genesis creation account was a poem and was never meant to be taken literally.
#4. Worship God not the Bible
OK, but why even say this unless you are apologizing for the Bible. Plus, God and His Word are pretty inseparable if you ask me.
So what I see happening over the last 50 years is a shift in the baseline as seen in the diagram below. Let's say it has gone out beyond the arc out to the white line.
Now I have to ask- why the shift? I've come up with 3 basic answers but there may be more. Here are my three.
1. Freedom to sin - This is a common one with youth. As soon as you hear a teen, who can't tell you if the Sermon on the Mount is in the Old or New Testament, pontificating about the cultural differences of then versus now - you know they are either planning on having sex or already have. "That part about not living together - that was the culture back then. What is a piece of paper anyway?"
2. Wanting to fit in - This is especially big in academic cities or Blue states. Who wants to look like a fool, anyways. We all want to look smart, educated, contemporary - not a fundamentalist, Bible thumping Neandrathal. Unfortunately, Jesus warned us a number of times that we aren't going to fit in.
3. To Win the Lost - This is a legitimate , to be commended, yet misguided reason. The thought is that if unbelievers are like metal shavings on the opposite end of the court, the closer we move the magnet to them (without going past half court) the more we are going to bring to our side.
I got a glimpse of this kind of thinking on my flight home last week. I was sitting next to an elderly woman who goes back and forth to Japan and Australia as a missionary. She asked me what denomination I was in. I replied, "Southern Baptist." She then proceeded to tell me how Southern Baptists had hurt evangelistic efforts in her area because they had insisted a few years back that all Baptist missionaries sign a doctrinal belief statement, but in good conscience a number of missionaries could not sign the part about women not being allowed to be pastors so these people left the missionfield. Yet she said she works with a church that ordains homosexuals because "the bottom line is winning people to Christ. Right?"
Is it?? Question- what is wrong with this stement; "The reason I exist is to win people to Christ". ? Answer - Going back to the beginning, take Adam and Eve (if you believe in them).. Did they exist to win people to Christ? How could they - there were no people! They, like us exist(ed) to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Eph. 1:12) Then, once we come into a relationship with God, we live to proclaim His praises. (1Peter 2:9) We can't "win people for Christ". Only the Holy Spirit can do that. We just carry His powerful presence into a lost world and proclaim His greatness and let God to the rest. When Paul came to Corinth he had no cleverly invented schemes, he just came with simple truth and God's power. When the Israelites left Egypt "many others (Ex.12:38) accompanied them." Did the Israelites become more like them to reach them? Far from it; the people saw God in their lives. When Jonah brought revival to Ninevah, did he soften the gospel or become like them? No! A fishy smelling, vitiligous, alopecious, foreigner who probably spoke a different language just said, "repent or you will perish." The power of God swept over them and they were saved. Did Paul change anything to reach the Phillipian jailor or did the disciples become socially acceptable on Pentecost? No; people thought they were nuts! In 1Cor 14:24,25 Paul says that when unbelievers come into your church, they will be won to Christ by the forth telling of the Word and the power of God seen in the believers' presence. We don't need to bring the theological line to them!
But you might say, Paul says, "I've become all things to all men that the gospel may be preached." That is talking about watching NASCAR with an unsaved neighbor even though you hate it. That means going to a shooting range with an unsaved NRA neighbor even though you are a staunch gun-control advocate. That might mean going to Steak and Shake with a lost person even though you are a vegan. It doesn't mean if I teach them Hell isn't literal they might bite. It doesn't mean if I say the flood happened locally 4 billion years ago and man came from monkeys then faith might become palatable. That's not how people were saved in the Bible and that isn't how they are saved today.
Not only that, but how far are you willing to go with the compromise? Eventually there is no way to get around that there is just one way to get to Heaven and that is Jesus and if you reject Him you aren't going. This is untolerable to the natural man. Even in Jesus day, John the Baptist was a tea totaller and purified himself from sinners and they said he was crazy. Jesus went to all the drunken parties to reach sinners and they said He was a lacivious carouser. No matter how far toward error you take truth, it won't be palatable to unbelievers until you cross midcourt.
In conclusion let me make a few closing points.
#1. Those who have shifted the baseline are still believers. Frankly they believe and have accepted the story which is necessary for salvation. Therefore embrace them, love them; let the world see the love we have despite theological differences and say "that is only possible through something supernatural."( John 13:35) That's why I didn't argue with the lady on the plane. The last thing people need to see is Christians fighting. I watched Terminator Salvation on the flight and was thinking that Christians fighting is like human beings fighting and killing each other while they needed everyone to fight against the machines. (OK, only sort of like that)
#2. To those who have shifted the line- why?? You might say" this is the baseline and the Ol' time religion is in error". OK, examine your motives for why you believe as you do. If they are pure, ask, "How much more can I change without shifting into error? Can I deny the virgin birth? Can I deny the miracles? Can I deny the resurrection? Where do I cross the line?" You see, my fear is, if the line has shifted this far in 50 years, will it be across midline in another 50?
#3. Teach the Ol' Time Religion to your kids. To those of you who are on the new baseline, is that what you taught your kids? Are they still following Christ? Really? Be honest. You see, if you teach your kids the conservative traditional view of the Bible, if they drift they will only drift to line 2. If you teach them line 2, when they drift they will drift to midcourt or beyond. It is like setting up guardrails well before the ravine. In dating, if you set your limits at holding hands, if you drift you kiss. Big deal. But if you set your line at petting and you drift.... well you get my drift.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Chasing Mavericks - Religion Of
Just flew home from California and on the flight they showed the Movie Chasing Mavericks starring and produced by Gerrard Butler.
This is about a too good to be true kid named Jay who smiles the whole movie despite getting picked on by bullies, betrayed by his best friend, ignored by the love of his life in public because she is embarressed by him but loved by her when they aren't seen by anyone, and deserted by his dad. His mom is irresponsible and he has to wake her up in the morning and get her off to work. He works for a pizza place in hopes to help out the family and make some extra money to buy surfing paraphenalia but his mom borrows his money so he can't get ahead. His best friend is selling drugs but Jay isn't tempted. I guess the reason it is too good to be true is it is a posthumous true story and they didn't want to show anything bad.
After it was over, the lady next to me on the plane (who talked to me even with head phones on and my eyes closed) asked me what I thought of the movie. I must say, it was entertaining and an enjoyable watch until the last 5 minutes because I didn't know that it was a true story or that he died till that point. It was then the blatant non Christian, secular philosophy of life smacked me in the face. I can't quote it exactly but Butler says we come from the sea and return to it so we can celebrate that. What he is saying is that we evolved and therefore live life with gusto and passion and go out the same way you came in without regrets. Whether you live a long life or die an early one, it doesn't matter, just live life to the fullest without fear.
Butler taught Jay the 4 pillars, the last of which was faith and when he lost his wife and was without faith, Jay told him that he was Gerrards faith. In other words, God, if there is one, can't be relied on or trusted as much as your friends can be.
I recently saw a movie The Grey with Liam Nielsen which taught the same philosophy. Both died in worlds where God was "absent" and the greatest thing we can do is live life boldly and face death without fear.
Hollywood is spinning a subtle world view that says we can "live like Jay" and be heroes. The problem is the true Hero in this world is Jesus who not only created us but then died for us so that we could by faith live forever with Him in Heaven. He didn't pursue his own passions or pleasures but gave Himself up by coming to Earth as a poor lowly peasant, though He was King of the universe and did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45, Phil 2). I think it's time we "Live like Jesus".
This is about a too good to be true kid named Jay who smiles the whole movie despite getting picked on by bullies, betrayed by his best friend, ignored by the love of his life in public because she is embarressed by him but loved by her when they aren't seen by anyone, and deserted by his dad. His mom is irresponsible and he has to wake her up in the morning and get her off to work. He works for a pizza place in hopes to help out the family and make some extra money to buy surfing paraphenalia but his mom borrows his money so he can't get ahead. His best friend is selling drugs but Jay isn't tempted. I guess the reason it is too good to be true is it is a posthumous true story and they didn't want to show anything bad.
After it was over, the lady next to me on the plane (who talked to me even with head phones on and my eyes closed) asked me what I thought of the movie. I must say, it was entertaining and an enjoyable watch until the last 5 minutes because I didn't know that it was a true story or that he died till that point. It was then the blatant non Christian, secular philosophy of life smacked me in the face. I can't quote it exactly but Butler says we come from the sea and return to it so we can celebrate that. What he is saying is that we evolved and therefore live life with gusto and passion and go out the same way you came in without regrets. Whether you live a long life or die an early one, it doesn't matter, just live life to the fullest without fear.
Butler taught Jay the 4 pillars, the last of which was faith and when he lost his wife and was without faith, Jay told him that he was Gerrards faith. In other words, God, if there is one, can't be relied on or trusted as much as your friends can be.
I recently saw a movie The Grey with Liam Nielsen which taught the same philosophy. Both died in worlds where God was "absent" and the greatest thing we can do is live life boldly and face death without fear.
Hollywood is spinning a subtle world view that says we can "live like Jay" and be heroes. The problem is the true Hero in this world is Jesus who not only created us but then died for us so that we could by faith live forever with Him in Heaven. He didn't pursue his own passions or pleasures but gave Himself up by coming to Earth as a poor lowly peasant, though He was King of the universe and did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45, Phil 2). I think it's time we "Live like Jesus".
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Kid's Devotion - What Makes You Happy...Forever
1. Watch the Doug video
2. Doug trivia - What is the name of the lake in Bluffington?
3. What did Mr. Dink think would really make him happy? What happened when he decided he would never reach that goal? When he did reach that goal how did he feel? What became his new goal?
4. What makes you happy? Do you think you would get tired of it eventually?
5. Watch the following link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HeLYQaZQW0 . What did Tom Brady think would make him happy forever? Did it?
6. Read the following verse and memorize it http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+16:11&version=NIV1984 . What does David say will give us pleasure forever? When does eternal life start? http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5:24&version=NIV1984 .
Note to parents; In this video Mr. Dink (Bud) thinks that finally catching Chester will make him happy. He invests a lot of time and money and when it seems impossible he loses hope and becomes depressed. Then when he does catch Chester, not only does he realize he is smaller than imagined but it didn't satisfy him and he let the fish go. As soon as he does that, he gets mad at Chester again and sets his goals on catching him. What a picture of life living for this world; nothing satisfies even supermodel girlfriends, good looks, millions of dollars, fame, success, and 3 superbowl rings. But, if we are saved, we start living forever the moment Christ comes into our hearts. He gives joy and contentment that the things of this world can't give us. And then, we get to live with Him forever in Heaven where there are pleasures forever. Are you focusing your kids attention on the things that give eternal or temporary pleasure?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Top Milwaukee Brewer Prospects 2013
After the 2012 minor league season I'm going to pick my most hopeful prospects at each position, a team of 25. Most of these I have never seen play so these picks are based completely on hitting stats.
1B Jason Rogers 24y/o R/R The obvious choice is Hunter Morris, minor league hitter of the year. The problem is he had 27 walks and 117 K's and 2 SB. Jason Rogers had 77BB and 88K. He hit .301 and .405 OBP with 12 SB and 11HR. I just can't help but think if Morris was so great, why didn't we move him up to Nashville and why are we going to sign Corey Hart to a long term deal at 1B? Therefore, I'm not too excited about any of our 1B prospects.
C Clint Coulter 19y/o R/R Our 1st round draft pick hit .301 with a .439 OBP. He had 37 BB and 40K, the best percentage in our system. He also had 5HR in a very short season. I'm excited about this guy!
2B Scooter Gennett 22y/o L/R. Played great in the futures game. Hit .293 but led our minors in hits. At 5'9" it would be nice if he walked more. A very good fielder.
3B Michael Garza 22y/o R/R Hit .282 and moved up quickly
SS Jean Segura Noone else even close
Utility Chris McFarland 19y/o R/R .301/.358/.433/.791 6HR 15SB
PH Hunter Morris 24y/o L/R .303/.357/.563/.927 28HR 113 RBI (OK maybe he should be my 1B)
OF Khris Davis 24y/o R/R .350/.451/.604/ 1.055 15HR in abbreviated season. Another exciting guy for the future
Tyrone Taylor 18 y/o R/R .387/.434/.667/ 1.1 in abbreviated season
Mat Gamel L/R injured reserve all year. Hopefully taking steroids while healing. Don't give up on him yet.
PH Logan Schaefer 26y/o L/L .278/.332/.438/.770 oft injured and subject to slumps, his window is closing
Backup Catcher - who cares, OK I'll take Garfield
Pitchers
Starters 1. Wily Peralta
2. Taylor Jungman
3. Tyler Thornburg
4. Hiram Burgos
5. Mark Rogers - I was at a Huntsville vs. TN game where he threw 5 straight walks to start a game and none of the pitches were close. If he has developed control he is good. I predict a spring DFA.
Long Relief 1. Nick Bucci
2. Andy Moye
3. Gian Rizzo
Relief 1. Jesus Sanchez - Why wasn't he brought up for our playoff stretch
2. Mitch Stetter - ditto
3. Santo Manzanillo
4. Drew Gagnon
5. Eric Marzec
I wrote this up in October and never got around to posting it. Today, I see BA has our top prospects listed. They are
#1. Wily Peralta
#2. Tyler Thornburg
#3. Taylor Jungman
#4. Hunter Morris - Lyle Overbay at best and that is a stretch
#5.Jimmy Nelson -
#6. Johnny Hellwig -
#7. Victor Roache
#8. Scooter Gennett
#9. Clint Coulter
#10. Mitch Haniger
Lets see if Burgos, Sanchez, and Davis can prove they belong in this list.
1B Jason Rogers 24y/o R/R The obvious choice is Hunter Morris, minor league hitter of the year. The problem is he had 27 walks and 117 K's and 2 SB. Jason Rogers had 77BB and 88K. He hit .301 and .405 OBP with 12 SB and 11HR. I just can't help but think if Morris was so great, why didn't we move him up to Nashville and why are we going to sign Corey Hart to a long term deal at 1B? Therefore, I'm not too excited about any of our 1B prospects.
C Clint Coulter 19y/o R/R Our 1st round draft pick hit .301 with a .439 OBP. He had 37 BB and 40K, the best percentage in our system. He also had 5HR in a very short season. I'm excited about this guy!
2B Scooter Gennett 22y/o L/R. Played great in the futures game. Hit .293 but led our minors in hits. At 5'9" it would be nice if he walked more. A very good fielder.
3B Michael Garza 22y/o R/R Hit .282 and moved up quickly
SS Jean Segura Noone else even close
Utility Chris McFarland 19y/o R/R .301/.358/.433/.791 6HR 15SB
PH Hunter Morris 24y/o L/R .303/.357/.563/.927 28HR 113 RBI (OK maybe he should be my 1B)
OF Khris Davis 24y/o R/R .350/.451/.604/ 1.055 15HR in abbreviated season. Another exciting guy for the future
Tyrone Taylor 18 y/o R/R .387/.434/.667/ 1.1 in abbreviated season
Mat Gamel L/R injured reserve all year. Hopefully taking steroids while healing. Don't give up on him yet.
PH Logan Schaefer 26y/o L/L .278/.332/.438/.770 oft injured and subject to slumps, his window is closing
Backup Catcher - who cares, OK I'll take Garfield
Pitchers
Starters 1. Wily Peralta
2. Taylor Jungman
3. Tyler Thornburg
4. Hiram Burgos
5. Mark Rogers - I was at a Huntsville vs. TN game where he threw 5 straight walks to start a game and none of the pitches were close. If he has developed control he is good. I predict a spring DFA.
Long Relief 1. Nick Bucci
2. Andy Moye
3. Gian Rizzo
Relief 1. Jesus Sanchez - Why wasn't he brought up for our playoff stretch
2. Mitch Stetter - ditto
3. Santo Manzanillo
4. Drew Gagnon
5. Eric Marzec
I wrote this up in October and never got around to posting it. Today, I see BA has our top prospects listed. They are
#1. Wily Peralta
#2. Tyler Thornburg
#3. Taylor Jungman
#4. Hunter Morris - Lyle Overbay at best and that is a stretch
#5.Jimmy Nelson -
#6. Johnny Hellwig -
#7. Victor Roache
#8. Scooter Gennett
#9. Clint Coulter
#10. Mitch Haniger
Lets see if Burgos, Sanchez, and Davis can prove they belong in this list.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
My Top CCM Songs and Albums of 2012
So here goes my top songs and albums of the year. As usual, I limit it to songs that are clearly Christian (probably wouldn't be played by secular stations because of lyrical content and don't contain concepts lyrics or words contrary to the Bible)
Top albums of the year
#10
#9
A tie. I couldn't leave one out!!
#8
#7
My top 33 songs of 2012
My Best Christian Music of 2012 Rather than list them follow this link to Spotify and listen to them. If you don't have Spotify, why not???? Sign up it's free. Preview all your Christian music before you buy it!! How many rotten CDs have you bought in your lifetime? It should never happen again.
Top albums of the year
#10
#8
#7
#6
#5
(house of heroes - if you can't tell)
#4
#3
#2
#1
My Best Christian Music of 2012 Rather than list them follow this link to Spotify and listen to them. If you don't have Spotify, why not???? Sign up it's free. Preview all your Christian music before you buy it!! How many rotten CDs have you bought in your lifetime? It should never happen again.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Kid's Devotion - What is Love?
1. Watch the following episode of "Doug"
2. Doug Trivia. What is the name of the bowling alley in Bluffington?
3. Does Doug love Patti?
Why do you think he does?
4. Does Patti love Doug?
Why do you think she doesn't?
5. Read the following verse.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
What does this tell you about love?
6. Read the following verse.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Rom. 12:10
What does this tell you about love?
7. Read the following verse.
" Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Rom. 12:15
What does this tell you about love?
8. After reading those verses, how did Doug show love and how did Patti not show love?
Here is a song by Family Force 5 (if you like loud music) on the subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GTMVNftdiA
Note to parents.
"Love" , according to Andrew Murray is - the deep desire to give oneself up for the beloved. Paul says in Ephesians, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. This, along with the other verses implies that love is more than a romantic feeling but it is actually a verb (just thought of another song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRfFuhrdGKM ) where you are honoring others above yourself. Patti had issues with this - all was great between her and Doug until he beat her. She couldn't be happy for him, or rejoice with him, because she was selfish. See how selfishness is the opposite of love rather than hate. Doug on the other hand was willing to step on a rake, have a bike wreck, be coated with mud if it would help Patti succeed over him. He was honoring her above himself. Teach your kids that Jesus loved us so much He left Heaven and died for us so we could go to Heaven. If we are truly Christians and Jesus is living inside us, we need to sacrifice for others and honor them above ourselves.
2. Doug Trivia. What is the name of the bowling alley in Bluffington?
3. Does Doug love Patti?
Why do you think he does?
4. Does Patti love Doug?
Why do you think she doesn't?
5. Read the following verse.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
What does this tell you about love?
6. Read the following verse.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Rom. 12:10
What does this tell you about love?
7. Read the following verse.
" Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Rom. 12:15
What does this tell you about love?
8. After reading those verses, how did Doug show love and how did Patti not show love?
Here is a song by Family Force 5 (if you like loud music) on the subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GTMVNftdiA
Note to parents.
"Love" , according to Andrew Murray is - the deep desire to give oneself up for the beloved. Paul says in Ephesians, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. This, along with the other verses implies that love is more than a romantic feeling but it is actually a verb (just thought of another song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRfFuhrdGKM ) where you are honoring others above yourself. Patti had issues with this - all was great between her and Doug until he beat her. She couldn't be happy for him, or rejoice with him, because she was selfish. See how selfishness is the opposite of love rather than hate. Doug on the other hand was willing to step on a rake, have a bike wreck, be coated with mud if it would help Patti succeed over him. He was honoring her above himself. Teach your kids that Jesus loved us so much He left Heaven and died for us so we could go to Heaven. If we are truly Christians and Jesus is living inside us, we need to sacrifice for others and honor them above ourselves.
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