Year: 2015

Is God’s Word Enough For You?

This morning I witnessed something very interesting. My father, who is also the pastor of my church, read the letter to the Colossians. That’s it. He said a few words before and a few words after, but the whole of the message was the simple reading of the letter.

As I watched the reactions of the various people, I noticed that many followed along for a few verses. Most, however, simply began to listen to the reading. I think many were surprised by the fact that nothing was added to the actual reading. There was no commentary, no explanation, no illustrations, or applications. The Word spoke for itself.

bible-reading

I have become an advocate of reading the Bible the way it was written. Instead of trying to study what other people have said, I have taught people to read the Word of God and engage in it as if it were a conversation. A dialogue with God, using the words on the page to serve as the other side of the exchange.

I think the funniest reaction occurred when, after our early service, I walked out and asked some of those attending, “Is the scripture not enough?” Most of the people laughed at the thought, but I have to wonder if there is something to this. Have we trained our members to rely on the pastors preaching to sustain them? Have we, somehow, drawn people away from God and his Word by not teaching them how to engage and interact with the scriptures?

I guess the question that I have to ask myself is this: Have we become so accustomed to the extra words of the preacher that we are not satisfied with the Words of God? There is no doubt that people are become far more biblically illiterate. Many who come and sit in churches each week do not see the Bible as something they can handle on their own.

I think about the privilege we are afforded to have access to the scriptures in our own language. I think of the many who sacrificed over the centuries to make this opportunity possible.

This morning I was given a real life example. We all must remember that God’s word is the only thing we have to sustain and instruct us on this journey of faith. It really must be enough.

The Father of Jesus Christ

My church will begin a study of the book of Colossians this weekend. We will be working through the book over the next several weeks (something I am looking forward to). Even though I have read the letter many times, we were all encouraged to read the letter again as a way of preparing for the messages and discussion during our LifeGroup meetings.

One of the benefits of reading a book of the bible several times in a short amount of time is the way different ideas, thoughts, and peculiarities seems to come to the forefront. One of these ideas is found in verse 3 of chapter 1. Paul is commending the church Colossae for their hospitality and kindness toward other saints. As he does so he makes this simple statement, identifying who he is giving thanks to. He writes, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

While there are many things that we could discuss about this description, the one that came to mind this time around is the relational reality of God’s connection to Jesus. Paul describes God as the Father of Jesus. Is there something that we have missed in the kind of relationship that exists between God and Jesus. We have grown so accustomed to the speaking of Jesus’ divinity we forget that while he walked upon this earth he did not relate to Jesus upon this aspect of who he was.

Jesus was a man in the full meaning and implications of what that means. To dismiss this is to negate a critically important part of who Jesus is. Even though Jesus had and has an eternal relationship with the Father, Jesus lived for himself the kind of life we can experience with the Father. When we were adopted into the family of God we were given access and permission to call God our father as well.

God’s Power and the Gospel

The apostle Paul tells us that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This idea has captured my imagination for a couple of reason. First, there is a direct link between the Gospel and salvation. While this may appear obvious on the surface, I get the impression that many people no longer see this link. The Gospel, the good news of Jesus’ life and ministry, is essential to redemption. Without the Gospel there can be no salvation. The church has lost some of its urgency regarding this reality. Continue reading “God’s Power and the Gospel”

I Felt the Waters Again

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith is tied to the sacraments of the church. Depending on which church you attend there may be a variance in how many sacraments are observed and practiced. But, regardless of what church you attend two have remained central and essential to all–Communion and Baptism. I would like to talk about this second one today. Continue reading “I Felt the Waters Again”

My marriage is a preteen… how did that happen?

On January 11, 2003, I walked down the aisle and married an amazing woman. At that moment I never imagined what the next twelve years would hold. I was having a hard enough time looking beyond the day, let alone imagining what the next dozen years would have looked like. I would imagine there are many couples who have been together over a decade who have experienced this. Continue reading “My marriage is a preteen… how did that happen?”

Reading as Conversation: Learning to Hear the Voice of God Today (Pt. 1)

If you believe in God, then you have asked yourself some variation of this question: How can I know what God wants for or from me?

Another way the question has been asked is, “Is it possible for me to hear God’s voice today?” The implication being that God no longer speaks with people like he seemingly did in the Bible. I think the short answer to the question is this, God does speak today. We are just don’t know how to hear him.

One of the issues we have when reading the Bible is that we lose the sense of time. The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years. God was not “talking” every day. This is one of the misconceptions we have to get rid of if we are going to hear from God in our own lives. God’s use of audible declarations were rare occurrences. The problem is not whether God speaks, it’s figuring out if we are tuning into the right station. Some of the assumptions we have about how God communicates have to change if we are going to gain clarity in discerning his presence and will for our lives.
Continue reading “Reading as Conversation: Learning to Hear the Voice of God Today (Pt. 1)”

You are a New Creation: In Search of a Stronger Theology of Spiritual Formation (Part 2)

In Part 1 of our search we discussed how spiritual formation should be holistic. What this means, at least for me, is that we talk about human nature and the human experience in a more biblical manner. The Bible assumes the physical and spiritual realities of humanity in a unified, indivisible way; seeing no contradiction between the two. What is even more interesting to me is that in the person of Jesus we are confronted with a divine person who took on flesh and became like created man. The mystery and profundity of this could take an eternity to explore.
Continue reading “You are a New Creation: In Search of a Stronger Theology of Spiritual Formation (Part 2)”

Getting Committed

Every year we are encouraged, and maybe even motivated, to make some changes in the new year. There is something almost mystical and the process of preparing to finish one year of our lives and begin another one. Many of us make resolutions about areas of our lives we want to improve or change. I am no different. I am just wondering if I will follow through on those things I want to see happen.

There are some things I would like to change this next year. However, I am afraid of falling into the same old traps of these kinds of resolutions. If I am being honest, I am not really all that resolute when I write these wants and desires down. I almost feel obligated to do something because that is what you are supposed to do at the start of the year. Right?

It may be the word itself, I am not sure. How many people really know what it means to resolve to do something? And even though I feel pretty sure I do, these resolutions are more reminders of what is wrong with my life and what I failed to do in the past year. I do not want to make resolutions about this year about things I half-heartedly wanted to do anyway. I guess I am just tired of doing things because I can’t think of anything else to do.

That’s why I have decided to make New Year’s commitments. I want to do somethings this year that I know I can do and I want to do. This list of commitments is rather short, mainly because I am lazy, but more importantly because it is not about trying to impress anybody. I want to commit to these things because I feel strongly about doing them.

So, what are my commitments? I want to read more, write more, play more and love more.

I want to read more. There are some books that have been gathering dust for far too long on my shelves. I love books, but I am not the best at reading the books I get. I want to change that.

I want to write more. There are a few subjects that I really enjoy thinking about and would like to put them down. I may or may not blow anybody away with what I write, but it is a discipline I want to develop.

I want to play my guitar more. I pick up the guitar seven years ago. I am okay. I can play songs and figure somethings out, but I want to become more proficient. I am not trying to be famous, I just want to be better.

I want to love more. I have a great family. A beautiful wife who loves me and puts up with my craziness. And two great girls who love me better than I deserve. I want to be more intentional about making memories with them. I will have to enlist some help with these, but that is part of the journey.

What are some of your commitments for this year?

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