Imagine No Religion

Text for this Sunday's sermon/conversation: Acts 3:1-4:22

I think religion sucks... at least dead religion. But man, it's pandemic around here. Can you imagine no dead religion in God's Church?


God is the living, breathing Creator of life... He is spirit, and - by extension - we too are spiritual beings. Humans are made in God's image... and the primary thing that sets us apart from all the other animals that dwell on this earth is our ability to create beautiful things. Oh, we can teach chimps to use sign language. Whoopty-doo. Can we teach them to engineer a bridge...? or compose a musical score...? or draft a speech like Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"...? or paint something hauntingly beautiful like the Mona Lisa? Nope. Mind you, most of us can't do those things either, but all people possess a creative quality that transcends all other species... period. Humanity is special... unique... specially gifted with the ability to imagine and forecast, and ponder, and dream, and visualize something that goes beyond our ability to see with physical eyes.


But when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ... we so easily get stuck in a rut of religiousity. Rather than beauty and passion, our relationship with the One who loves us is often marked by laziness and mediocrity. Rather than living out the life of Christ with zest and gusto... most of us are merely trying to survive the perils of this world. Rather than being in a constant state of awe that sets our hearts on fire... many so-called Christians treat the gospel like its a burden to carry, or a secret to hide. So many of us find ourselves going through the motions with no real sense of trust that God wants to use His Church to turn the world upside down.


Why? Why are we so determined to keep God at arm's length? Why are we so utterly good at holding our Creator in contempt? Why do we continue to wear masks of hypocrisy, even while knowing it breaks the heart of God? He wants all to come to Him... but not halfway... half-baked... half-hearted... half assed. He wants to reconcile this world to Himself... through us - His ambassadors. But how is that supposed to happen if we don't really believe He's capable?


Peter and John believed Jesus is capable. In fact, they were so convinced He can heal the sick, they touched a beggar who couldn't walk... and God instantly gave him the strength to get up and leap for joy! Funny... but the Bible doesn't say it was his faith that did it. Nope... it was Peter and John's faith that God is powerfully at work through those who believe in Him that healed the guy. Do we have that same belief about God? In the midst of a spiritually crippled world... do we really believe that God can radically change lives for the better? For that matter... do we even believe He can change our lives for the better?


Peter and John not only believed it enough to act by faith... they also told the world about Jesus Christ... regardless of what it might cost them personally. Standing there on the street corner... infused with confidence after watching God perform a miracle in their midst... Peter stood up and boldly announced to anyone who would listen that Jesus is Lord. The same man who denied he knew Christ at one time was now truly willing to live (and die) for His Savior. Peter and John knew it was going to cost them, but they actually dared to believe that God would remain with them... and reveal His glory... regardless of the circumstances they found themselves in. Are we willing to share our faith so boldly... even in the face of persecution?


And when they stood before the Jewish council to answer for their "crimes," Peter and John made no apology for their passionate exaltations... in fact, they completely rejected the threats of punishment as nothing more than a bunch of hot air by mere men. They simply didn't care what the council of rulers and elders and teachers thought, or threatened to do. Their lives had been radically transformed by the One who died and was raised again as Lord and Master... so Peter and John weren't going to let some puffed-up religious bullies try to stifle them from shouting God's glory from the rooftops! Peter and John weren't religious, per se. Nope... God revealed Himself to those two men so clearly... so powerfully... so authentically... that they had something far more than a system of religion... they oozed with eternal life born out by God's Holy Spirit! So how about us? Do we ooze with eternal life too? If not... then why the heck not?


That's what I want for me... for my family... for my church... for my denomination... and for my Christian brothers and sisters in this cold, dark world - that we would stop playing religious games, and get serious about being true disciples of Jesus Christ. He doesn't want our dead religion, people... He wants our heart and soul and mind and strength... He wants ALL of us to be always engaged with His Word, His Spirit, His will, and His love. He wants us - His children - to be the creative, passionate, audacious, fearless, kick-ass disciples of Christ we were intended to be... we were re-born to be! Are you ready to change the world yet? Are you ready to stop playing religious games and start healing the spiritually (and physically) sick in Jesus' name? Then c'mon... let's get off our spiritual butts and live as if we believe it!

A Mighty Wind

Text for this Sunday's sermon/conversation: Acts 1-2 (NLT)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Wow, if there's anything that someone from Ellensburg, Washington should understand... it would be the power, frustration and sheer unpredictability of the wind. Sure, there are things we can observe about the wind that can help us plan our day... for example: this week a long-term hardcore local resident told me that if it's not very windy in the morning, you can be assured a strong wind won't start up late in the afternoon in our valley. I believed him, because frankly, I'm not a terribly observant person. I've lived here a great portion of my life, and I still couldn't tell you if the wind generally blows in from the North, South, East or West. 


But even for the most observant person in the world... wind is - and will always be - a mystery that cannot be completely contained, described, or understood. Even the gazillion dollar turbines at the Wild Horse wind farm (Northeast of town) can't begin to harness the immense power of the Ellensburg wind. When it's all said and done, all they can really do is take in a small amount of energy at a time. It's kind of like a child trying to pick up his or her newly build sand castle... inefficient at best!


It's that way with the awesome revelation of God too, don't you think? I mean, He's given us resources in which to capture a glimpse of His eternal power and presence... things like Scripture (the story), prayer (the communication), and the Church (the community). However, none of these ordained resources makes much sense in and of themselves. Stories, prayers, and groups of people are a dime a dozen - but the thing that gives them life is the Wind of God... the breath of God... the Spirit of God. However, let me be clear... the Spirit of God is not a what, but a Who. He is the living, breathing Person of God Who makes something from nothing (creation), Who opens our eyes and reveals the love of God to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (salvation) and Who breathes new life into death (resurrection). He is powerful, He is willing, He is able, He is Awesome... and He is good. But nevertheless, we can observe Him... but the Holy Spirit transcends our ability to wrap God up in a neat little package and domesticate Him. 


In Exodus 3:14, God had this to say:  "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"


He is who he is... He gets to make the rules. He determines what is right and wrong. He alone is able to give and take away life. He is the LORD... and He - through the ministry of Christ - died for you. The Wind of God is willing to give you the gift of eternal life... are you willing to accept it?

The Magic Number

Text for this Sunday's sermon/conversation (NLT): John 21


No, the magic number is not eight... that's the Magic Eight Ball you're thinking of - the world's most profound prognosticator of future truth... or not!


Nope... the magic number is three. Remember a few chapters back in John's gospel story, when Peter made a bold prediction about his unwavering commitment to Jesus? (Peter should have checked the Magic Eight Ball - "Not Likely"). Anyway, in 13:7, our friend Peter proclaimed:

“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”

Hmmm... nice thought, but late that same evening (or early morning) he did exactly what Jesus told him he would do... he denied he had even ever heard of "that man" when the going got tough. How many times did he deny him you ask...? Three. Make a mental note of that. It's important to recognize how thoroughly and completely Peter failed his best friend, mentor, and Lord.

After the trauma and consequential euphoria of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah (who, by the way... after three days in the grave... is RISEN!), Peter and the other disciples - likely in a highly confused stupor - went back to their old lives, trying to figure out what it all meant. Then, one morning the resurrected Jesus showed up at Lake Galilee to reveal himself to the disciples for the third time. Then Jesus turned to our foot-in-the-mouth spokesperson, Peter, and committed one of the most beautiful, grace-filled acts in all of Scripture. Jesus re-commissioned Peter over a fire (of 153 fish). If you were to take a wild guess, how many times do you suppose Jesus asked Peter if he loved him? Ding ding... you are a winner! Yep, three times Jesus gently, yet not-so-subtly rubbed Peter's failure in his face... while simultaneously loving him, forgiving him, and preparing him to be the Apostle of God he was always meant to be.

"Do you love me?" Those are some haunting words in light of our failures, huh? But I don't think Jesus was just making conversation or being rhetorical. Each time he asked the question, it cut into Peter's soul a little deeper... and yet, each time he also commissioned Peter to "Feed his lambs" it breathed new life into his holy calling as shepherd of God's sheep.

C'mon, would God really send out (and entrust His mission) to a guy like Peter who sold him out? Would he really build his church on the "rock" (petra) of this guy's character? Would Jesus really forgive his friend who so miserably failed to follow through on his words? Would he really empower and entrust the guy who pretended he didn't even know him while Roman soldiers tortured him?

Ya... according to this story, he would. Aren't you glad? I don't know about you... but I am sooooo like Peter. I say the dumbest things without thinking. I make promises I don't always keep. I shrink in fear when faced with danger or embarrassment. Speaking of three... I know of at least three people who don't deserve the calling they have received to serve Him and feed His lambs:

Me...

myself...

and I.

And yet, He patiently waits for me to turn to him and trust him with my whole life (not just part of it). He earnestly seeks to pour out his holiness in, over, around, and through me. And though it must frustrate him (as a two year old frustrates his mom) God never seems to grow tired of my oh-so-human ability to tune him out... turn him off... and otherwise deny his lordship.

He just keeps oozing with love... the well of his grace never seems to run dry.

Almost makes me want to take my role as Christian disciple seriously.  :-)

Calvary Sounds So Romantic

Text for this Sunday's Sermon/Discussion: John 19



"They took Jesus away. Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Skull Hill (the name in Hebrew is Golgotha), where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote a sign and had it placed on the cross. It read: 

   'jesus the nazarene
   the king of the jews.'"

Golgotha - it's an ugly word, isn't it? One of those words that sounds exactly like what it describes... a power word that feels like fingernails screeching along a chalkboard... you know, a graphic word like blood, or pus, or diarrhea, or crucifixion, or schmuck. There are many other examples of course... but some of them aren't fit for print in a devotional blog.  :-)


But nobody ever talks about Golgotha. The hymns refer to Calvary, the Latin translation... but I think that sucks (hey, there's another ugly word)! Calvary sounds so beautiful to me... a magical, joyful place like heaven, or Hawaii, or Disneyland - not a dirty, ugly place to be led to your torturous death. John 19 tells us that Golgotha means "Skull Hill," or "Place of the Skull."


As they so often do (in an attempt to help us interpret the mysteries of God's Word)... biblical scholars debate why all four gospel accounts of the crucifixion refer to Golgotha. Some believe it was a hill where people were executed, and their skulls were left there. Others believe the side of the hill actually resembled a skull. Another thought is that a cemetery was nearby, and "Place of the skull" is a reference to the bones buried there.


Either way, one thing is clear. Jesus was forced to carry his cross to "Skull Hill" (though he did all this willingly)... where he was nailed to a cross made of rough-hewn lumber... suffering an agonizingly slow and painful death. The only reason he died before the others was because he was severely beaten beforehand... almost to the point of death before ever being compelled to take up his cross. 


I don't know if this is important to everyone else... but I actually find the term Calvary quite offensive. I love the old hymns, but I really, really hate how they relate such an ugly place with such a beautiful sounding word. The English translations of the Bible consistently use the word Golgotha... and I think it's far more descriptive of the evil and dark place where Jesus was executed, mocked, and humiliated. It may not rhyme with many things... and it may not roll of the tongue very easily, but to me, that's the point. Death and darkness define that horrible hill... and anytime we seek to soften or romanticize it, we are making it about us rather than about him.


But damn we're good at that... aren't we?

Ballroom Dancing

Text for this Sunday's sermon/conversation at The River: John 15

"'Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.'"


Live in me. Wow. Somehow, I've missed that phrase before. I mean, we're all taught that God lives in us, right? We accept Jesus into our life and the Holy Spirit mysteriously comes to dwell inside our heart. Very cut and dried... a bit confusing perhaps, but nevertheless a clear pathway to becoming a Christian.


Okay, in truth I don't really understand how God could truly "live" inside of me... but hey, it's a statement of faith, right? However, when I read this passage about grapes and vines, it kind of changes my presuppositions about how God chooses to "live" in me... because I'm also informed that I need to "live" in Him. That kind of revelation will either cause a complete metaphor meltdown for followers of Jesus... or possibly guide us to better understanding the thoroughly and completely relational nature of our God.


"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you..." Have you ever thought of that before... I mean really thought of it? Jesus isn't giving us some kind of metaphysical formula for salvation here. No, he's inviting us into a partnership of relationship with the Triune God - Father, Spirit and Son. Entering into this partnership is like stepping on the dance floor of a great ballroom, expecting Jesus to lead us... and being willing to go where he guides us. His part is to lead and guide... whereas our part is to trust in his leadership and submit to his breathtakingly beautiful style and grace.


Living in Jesus is far more organic than woodenly mechanical . Faith is not merely blind obedience to someone we cannot see or hear. Heck no! Living in Jesus is a response of our spirit to the One who formed us... who knows our name... who understands our pain... who knows what we've done and failed to do... who continually offers us the opportunity to stop living according to our flesh, and instead place ourselves in His arms and simply dance with Him. To live  in Jesus is to become perfectly in sync with the gorgeous melody of God's will, and His mysterious plan of salvation in and through Christ.


I'm on the dance floor most of the time. In fact, there have been times that the dance has been so awesome I have forgotten where I am for awhile. However, much of my life in Christ, I have been a rather poor dancing partner. Either I step on his toes, or try to choreograph moves of my own (which feel awkward and off time with the music). Heck, sometimes I stop dancing with him altogether. But that's what I love about Jesus... He patiently waits there for me as I thrash about in my paranoid schizophrenic state of mind trying to decide whether or not he's really a good enough dancer to entrust myself to him that much... that thoroughly... that completely.


Of course the answer is yes... I mean, really - who makes a better dance partner than the One who created rhythm itself? The One who inspired the Waltz and the Tango and the Foxtrot? The One who formed us together in our mother's womb? Who better to "make our home in" than the One who came to us... and laid down his life for our sake? Duh!

Easter is Coming...

Text for the upcoming sermon/discussion: John 11

"I am, right now, Resurrection and Life."

That Jesus, he's such a good guy, isn't he? I mean, he walks around the Judean countryside healing folks, saying nice things to them, offering peace to all people, singing Kumbaya with his disciples...

No wait... re-wind. He did heal people... he did come (ultimately) to bring peace... he did give those without hope something real and lasting to cling to... but Jesus was no dope-smoking hippie seeking free-love and world peace. He was a radical, extremely outspoken, in-your-face opponent of the religious status-quo. He knew that real love is costly. The Jewish religion had evolved into a human institution with God as nothing more than an excuse to beat people down... and an institutional puppet to establish power and control over the masses. But Jesus was passionately, stubbornly... even violently committed to revealing the truth of God's grace, and power, and compassion, and agape love to the world He created - a world so long stained by the ugly pervasiveness of sin. Only God could fix this... and it was time... whatever the cost.

But how do you convince such a paranoid creature that they are eternally loved and forgiveness is possible? If healing the sick wasn't enough to reveal the Father through the Son... and if power over the weather and nature itself wasn't enough of a "sign" to make people believe... and if his amazing arguments against the Pharisees and teachers of the law (even as an "unlearned" peasant from Nazareth) weren't enough to blow them away... then perhaps this little episode would reveal those who seek to align themselves with God (and those who don't). He raised his friend, Lazarus from the dead. Not someone who died an hour ago... not someone who died yesterday or the day before... no, Lazarus was truly dead. A rotting corpse. After four lifeless days in Israel's desert heat, his physical body was well into the process of deterioration. He wasn't gonna be getting up anytime soon... that is, until Jesus came along and emphatically demonstrated that he and he alone is the "Resurrection and Life." 

"Lazarus, come out!" Do you believe Jesus did that? Do you want to believe he still can do that to our spiritually lifeless bodies? If you are seeking to know the Truth about God (and life), have you decided to put your faith in Jesus yet? or are you still looking for signs that He really is the Most High God? Dude, I'm thinking it doesn't get much clearer than power over death itself.

What do you think?

Smart... yet dumb!

Text: John 10


"I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me."


Well, I finally did it. After carrying around a certified antique for several years now, I stepped into the 21st century. My trusty Motorola that did nothing but make and receive calls (and text at ridiculously slow speeds) has given way to a shiny new smart phone. No, it's not an iPhone, the true techie geek tool of choice... but it is nevertheless a nice phone. So far so good... but geez, what a long learning curve! Anyway... as I'm reading this passage in John's gospel account, I thought about how many ways there are to contact someone these days. Email used to be the "cool" way to communicate, but not so much anymore. Texting isn't bad, but it certainly has space limitations (and thumb keyboards aren't that easy to navigate for us rookies!). These days, many of my friends are Facebookers... now THAT seems to be a popular communication device... cause it networks us together and helps us live life together in a cyber sort of way. Nevertheless, to us old-fashioned types... by far the best way to be comforted than by a friend is - not by reading what they've typed, but - by hearing their actual voice.


As he was apparently talking with his good friends, Jesus told them something strange, and yet something wonderful. He called himself a shepherd... the GOOD shepherd... and referred to them as sheep. Now he was a great rabbi at this point, but I'm sure they wondered why their friend was calling them stupid animals (at least I would have been). But we know the rest of the story. We know that Jesus' voice would be a vitally important thing to the eleven men whose lives were turned upside down after Jesus ascended back to the Father. Now, they may never have "heard" the voice of the good shepherd with their ears, but you can bet they heard him loud and clear with their spiritual ears. Why else would they have subjected themselves to poverty, starvation, and numerous forms of persecution as followers of "The Way" - that ragtag cult of Jesus followers who refused to hail Caesar as Lord. Jesus left them in physical form, but nevertheless, he continued to breathe his grace upon them by his Spirit. One of the names for the Holy Spirit is "Spirit of Revelation..." as in, the very voice of God... the very presence of God... the very power of God, being revealed to His followers, and through them.


Oh, God... reveal Yourself to us as we struggle through this life....


And, oh, God... reveal Yourself to the world THROUGH us, so that your name would be glorified, and lost sheep would find their way home and experience your resurrection. Amen.