God is Hilarious June 29, 2007
Posted by joejames in Hearing God, Humor, Prayer.1 comment so far
Some people argue that God does not speak except through the word today. This is dispensationalism, which is basically that the Spirit was diminished slowly over time since the first-century church until finally He no longer dwells on earth. I cannot understand, from scripture, where they get this. Now I could go into a scriptural debate – show you how this is boarderline blasphemy – and try to convince you that way. However, I will just tell you a story of God speaking. Then you can think back over your life, and see if God has ever tried to tell you something.
My best friend, Josh Allison, is a baseball coach in Stuttgart, AR. His summer league team is “aweful!” Yesterday as he was about to get ready to go coach yet another tough game, he offered God a rather selfish prayer. He said, “Lord, please make it rain today… we’re so aweful. It’s just miserable!” After this he got up and got dressed to go to the field. As soon as he walked out of the house (almost immediately after praying) he saw that it was raining. It was that weird rain where it’s raining kind of hard, but the sun is still shining. He said it rained just hard enough to make him wet. Now, we’re not talking a good rain, not even minutes really. We’re talking about a tiny cloud that seems to be all alone in an otherwise clear sky. As Josh got into his car he realized that God had just spoken to Him. He had said, “Josh, I’m not on call for burned-out baseball coaches, but here’s your rain you asked for!”
Josh, in the words of Kelso… “BURN!”
“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face…”
– I Kings 19:11-13a
The Ringing Bell June 28, 2007
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.add a comment
Everyone needs to check out Derek Webb’s new album “The Ringing Bell”
He also wrote a graphic novel by the same title to go with it.
I haven’t purchased the novel yet, but the album is awesome as usual. Click on the Derek Webb link on my links list to purchase a cheaper copy.
———————————————————————————————
I wanted to give you a sneak preview of a song called “This too shall be made right”
People love you the most for the things you hate,
and hate you for loving the things you cant keep straight.
People Judge you on a curve,
and tell you you’re getting what you deserve -
And this too shall be made right
Children cannot learn when children cannot eat.
Stack them like lumber and children cannot sleep.
Children dream of wishing wells,
whose waters quench all the fires of hell -
And this too shall be made right
The earth and the sky and the sea are all holding their breath.
Wars and abuses have nature groaning with death.
We say were just trying to stay alive,
but it looks so much more like a way to die -
And this too shall be made right
There’s a time for peace there is a time for war.
There’s a time to forgive and a time to settle the score.
A time for babies to lose their lives,
A time for hunger and genocide -
And this too shall be made right
I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door.
I join the opressors of those I choose to ignore.
I’m trading comfort for human life,
and that’s not just murder it’s suicide -
And this too shall be made right
Oh this too shall be made right
Finishing Acts June 27, 2007
Posted by joejames in Acts of the Apostles, Persecution, Prayer.1 comment so far
I have been reading the book of Acts with a friend of mine. We’ve had a lot of fun discussing it too! Especially enjoyed trying to figure out what Peter and Cornelius must have talked about for “a few days” after Cornelius’ conversion.
As I read the book that shares the stories of the development of the first century church, I noticed some areas we need to grow in as the twenty-first century church – 2 thousand years later.
PRAYER — Go to the Renovare website (use my links list) and read Richard Foster’s Pastoral letter from May 2007. We need to pray. And it’s not that we need to pray “more often” so much as it is we need to pray without ceasing. The early church spent time in prayer, pouring out their hearts for the church, the lost, the hurting, the poor, the imprisoned, the widowed, and so much more. There is this pervasive / over-arching theme of prayer in the book of Acts. As many “wonders and mircaculous signs” as there are in the narrative, there is that much more prayer. Two passages come to my mind that show the vigor, relentlessness, boldness, and ceaselessness of the first century church’s prayer life – Acts 4:23-31 & Acts 7:59-60
SERVICE — The early church did not exist to preserve itself. They left that up to God. Instead, it existed to preserve those God was seeking to make holy (or as we so bluntly put it today – the lost). They sought out ways to serve those in need. They created service teams of righteous men to feed widows. They divided their possessions among themselves and gave freely to those who were in need. They considered their talents as rightfully Gods talents and gave them to him on the altar of service. They found their identity in Christ, and not what they were doing. And this freed them to serve in any capacity at any time and in any way necessary to advance the cause of Christ. Of course Acts 2:42-47 comes to mind.
PERSECUTION — Perhaps the most stark contrast between the first century church and the twenty-first century church (at least in my mind) is the attitude toward persecution. I see the apostles rejoicing for having been flogged. I see people fleeing peacefully to other regions to avoid conflict that might hinder their cause. The only time I see disciples arguing or debating is when they are told not to speak about Christ. Even then, their response isn’t to fight for freedom! They give no thought to the desire for freedom of speech. They simply say “Judge for yourself whether we should obey you or God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” I have been concerned about the American Church for some time now, and our preoccupation with freedom. We want freedom for Christians and unfreedom for pagans. Wouldn’t we better spend our time just speaking about Christ as did the apostles? I have also been concerned about what we call persecution in America and how we deal with it. First of all, people making homosexual marriage legal is not persecution! And secondly, even if it were persecution, we would be handling it wrong – for Christ commanded us to rejoice in the face of persecution, as did the apostles in Acts 5:41. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Furthermore, we see no bitterness toward those doing the persecuting in Acts. Take Stephen for example, who imitated Christ in his own death, saying these words while being stoned to death. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And did this prayer have an affect? YES! Just ask Saul.
We have much to learn from the churches in Acts – much, much more than I have shared here. I have been greatly convicted and blessed by my re-reading of Acts and suggest you tap into the power soon!
Evil & Sin June 26, 2007
Posted by joejames in Evil, Sin.1 comment so far
The discussion that took place after my post on Paris Hilton has really got me thinking.
If you read all the discussion on it from the comments section – you will see a bit of concern for Paris Hilton from Michael, Dave, Lance, and Donna. I understand this concern and love. More than that I admire it, encourage it, and practice it as often as I can.
However, I think that this discussion made me realize something. Actually, I think a lot of events as of late have made me realize something. Some of us have become so jaded by the spirit of judgmentalism in the church, that we have taken “love the sinner, hate the sin” to a new level. That “new level” is more “love the sinner, be indifferent about the sin.”
To put it more clearly, I think our focus has changed. Instead of our primary focus being on transformation – we tend to focus on stearing clear of judgmentalism at all costs. What we need is to understand the role of truth and conviction in transformation. Also we need to understand how judgmentalism hinders the process when abused.
I think we have become reactive. We (this postmodern generation) are reacting against a judgmental modern mindset. We aren’t without a point when we are critical of the modern mindset, but we can’t throw the baby out with the bath-water. Truth is needed in loving relationships.
The Real Question? The real question for me is “What brings about real transformation?”
The answer for me is truth and spirit. The truth? Evil is lurking around seeking to take residence in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. It must be exposed. Exposed as unfulfilling. Exposed as unsatisfying. Exposed as a wretched way. Exposed as a lie. Exposed as Evil. It is the duty of the disciple to expose such evil – so that such evil isn’t entertained in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. When such evil is entertained by the heart, it manifests itself in word and deed as a sin. Therein lies the difference between evil and sin.
The Christian hates sin. Sin comes from evil. Evil comes from Satan. Satan is God’s sworn enemy.
The Christian loves the sinner. The sinner comes from Good. Good comes from God. God is our sworn lover.
Let us not be indifferent about sin in order to not come across as judgmental. We should love people enough to say to them, “Hate what is evil in your life – and cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Eph. 8-11.
“Woe to those who call evil good.” (Isaiah 5:20)
“Avoid every kind of evil” (I Thess. 5:22)
– And above all -
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as servants of God.” (I Pt. 2:16)
Goofy Headlines June 22, 2007
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
These were some headlines in today’s Jonesboro Sun.
“Boy Rescued After Being Pulled From Water”
> Wait – let me get this straight. They pulled him from then water, THEN they rescued him?
“Bono Preparing Annual Fun Day”
> So that’s how many times per year they have fun in Bono!
“John 3:16 Facility Helps Those Who Want To Help Themselves”
> For God so loved the ones who wanted to help themselves that he gave his only Son
“Judge Permits Use of Vehicle In Mudtown Fesival”
> What is a fesival?
“Snack Food Makers Sell Healthier Treats”
> Can something be “healthier?” If I ate two tablespoons of pure lard everyday and you ate five , then I suppose I’d be much “healthier” than you!
“Screenings Set Saturday”
> That’s it? That’s the headline for the story? Screenings for what? Will they be set ON Saturday – or are they set for Saturday? What?
“All Arkansas Firefighters Arrive For Convention in Jonesboro”
> Does anybody want to start a fire in Conway?
Only Gonna Say One Thing Bout It! June 21, 2007
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.7 comments
Okay… I am only gonna say one thing bout it! Then I’ll never mention it again.
Paris Hilton.
What did Paris ever do?
Be born into a rich family?
Hoard riches and bring more poverty to the poor?
Care about no one on planet earth but Paris?
Seriously, show me one good deed (that wasn’t suggested or planned by her publicist)!
So… why do we care?
Wouldn’t we do the world a favor by ignoring news about her?
And don’t get me started on parents that allow their children to idolize her!
Paris Hilton is as unimportant as the next self-absorbed college girl who believes that the most important thing is what purse goes with my “hot” shoes. The only thing that is significant about Paris Hilton is what she symbolizes… The downfall of the American Girl (and Boy too).
There I said it! Never will I say it again!
I Pledge Allegience to the…. June 20, 2007
Posted by joejames in Christianity, Church, Culture, Discipleship.6 comments
I’ve good conversations with at least 5 people about my previous post on pledging allegience to the flag in the assembly. I strongly suggest that you read the blog post from www.preachermike.com that I suggested earlier. The comments left by others in response to Mike’s post are good ideas to listen in on.
Some may say this is unimportant. I disagree. I think there is a serious problem with the direction of Western Christianity. What’s that problem? Comfort. We American Christians seem to be comfortable with “supporting our country”. Beyond that, some seem it is “UnChristian” to NOT “support” your country.
Well… this is a tricky conversation to have because of semantics. Already I have couched the issue in a way that is divisive and destructive to healthy debate. The tendency is to make it an either/or debate, when it is not. “Either, you are pro-war, or you’re against America!” “Either, you are anti-homosexual marriage, or you are a sorry Christian.” “Either, you thank God for America, or you are an ungrateful human and a terrible disciple.”
I think we must be cautious of this kind of language. Because I think you could choose (for example) to take no political stance on the issue of homosexual marriage and still be a dedicated follower of Jesus. More of a both/and kind of deal. In order for us to have a meaningful debate on this or any topic, we must be open to listening to one another (as the did in Acts 15).
Having said all that, let me quickly address the issue at hand and then I’ll turn it back to you so the conversation can continue.
It is my understanding that when Christians assemble, they are together to exalt God, His name, His mission, His Son, & His Spirit above all else in the world. I think there IS a time and a place for such patriotic recognition (although I still have trouble saying the actual words “I Plege allegience to a flag…”) and honor. I think there is a time to consider our fallen soldiers, our fore-fathers, our freedom, and so forth and so on. My only argument at this point is that the assembly isn’t that place.
I also want to add to the discussion that there are more implications than some may realize when we declare our allegience to something (some institution). Here is just one of MANY examples: What does it mean to “pledge your allegience” to a country? Does it mean you are dedicated solely to that nation? If so, is that God’s stance? If not, then what else does it mean? That you exalt that nation as important in your life? How does that fit with Jesus’ imperative in Matthew 6:24?
Just some food for thought… any comments?
Good Reads June 8, 2007
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.5 comments
Okay, sorry about my ranting yesterday… I’ve calmed down.
I have two blog posts you need to read from Mike Cope’s blog.
Go to www.preachermike.com and read the two posts from earlier this month entitled “Pledging Allegiance in the Assembly?” & “The Myth of a Christian Nation”
Also I strongly suggest everyone pick up a copy of N.T. Wright’s book Simply Christian.
I am mad… June 7, 2007
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.2 comments
“God left this place a long time ago.”
– African Citizen
All adults should watch Blood Diamond. For some it will weaken your faith – or else it will demolish what’s left. For others, it will move you to action. For still others, you will begin to develop a sense of world affairs outside America and Iraq – perhaps even care a little. But if your like me, you will wonder out loud, why?
Why is there murder and mass slaughter everyday in regions of Africa such as Sudan that America turns a deaf ear to? Why do we say what’s going on in the middle east is more important than what is going on in Africa? Why does America allow this horrifying hell-on-earth to thrive without any aid from us? (And when I say “aid” I don’t mean 5lb bags of rice mill dropped from a plane).
We (America) has the power to stop the genocide – but we continue to sit on our hands. Why?
1> We are far more interested in self preservation than what is best for all of humanity. We look out for #1 and steam roll anyone who gets in our way.
2> We love money. Africa has none.
3> Our pride will not allow us to move on until we self-destruct or we win the war – as if winning a war produces less terror in the world.
4> The smaller the piece of the pie Africa has, the larger our piece of the pie is.
5> America prefers to keep it’s nose out of Africa’s business since our theft of their people a few hundred years ago.
If I sound mad – I am. Watch Blood Diamond. If you’re not mad after that – then I can’t help you.
God never left Africa – He hasn’t abandoned anyone – His people have. Where are you?
Try this today – Read Isaiah 61:1-8a – and then go to www.savedarfur.org and take action.
“I am not a pacifist – for a passive man accomplishes nothing. I am an activist drawing on the weapons of God to restore hope. His weapons are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The world would have you use more fire to put out the fire. God would have you use living water.
