Nice Transition Day August 31, 2007
Posted by joejames in Snakes, Weather.1 comment so far
Today is a nice day. I am in Stuttgart, AR today visiting my best friend and I just came inside from sitting on the front porch for some time. It isn’t cool, it isn’t hot, it isn’t humid or stuffy. It’s just nice.
It’s the first sign of a transition time from summer to fall. I love that time. My favorite though is about 70 degrees, breezy, partly cloudy (but with plenty of sunshine), beginning of fall kind of day.
Describe your favorite weather!
BTW> I saw a rattlesnake LIVE yesterday here in Stuttgart. I hate snakes! I had nightmares last night.
“Everything” Skit August 29, 2007
Posted by joejames in Lifehouse Skit.2 comments
I stole this great video off of my buddies blog – Chris Clouse.
See if you can venture a guess as to why this skit is called “Everything” – and just tell what you think about it in general.
John 1:19-51 August 28, 2007
Posted by joejames in Gospel of John, Ministry.3 comments
Over the past couple of months, I have been spending some time with John chapter 1 every day (or as often as I can). Today, we had our staff prayer time, and we focused on our youth ministry. I went to the teen room to pray. I sat down and read John 1 in light of Chris and Abbey’s ministry. As I read the “obscure beginnings of all things that have passed on to greatness” (as A.B. Bruce describes the opening chapter of this gospel), I noticed three movements that apply to everyone who considers themselves a minister of God.
1> Ministers know their role in relation to the Messiah. In verses 19-23, we see John approached by a group of religious leaders inquiring about the identity of John. “Who are you?” they ask him. John immediately replies, “I am not the Messiah!” The men keep prodding, “Are you Elijah?” – “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” – “Then, who are you?” —- John’s answer is simple, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!”
John is humble and refuses any special recognition. All he desires is for the Way of Jesus to be cleared for – or (as another translation puts it) prepared for.
2> Ministers keep their focus on Jesus. In verses 29-37, we see the Baptist say twice “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” We know from this text that he is standing with a couple of disciples both times. There is this feeling that he doesn’t say it for their benefit so much as he cannot contain himself – when he sees Jesus, he must testify. And that is our role today as ministers. There is too much focus on the people we minister to and too little focus on Jesus. Example is the greatest way of teaching. If people can experience our being captivated and excited about the presence of God, then they will eventually, “follow Jesus” – as did the two disciples the second time John made his proclamation.
3> Ministers fade away un-noticed. In verses 38 – 51 you see John sort of fade away. Now, I had to read this about twenty times before I recognized it. He did it so quietly, in a stealth sort of fashion. All of the sudden, he is no where to be found. He ahd done his work (at least with those two disciples). Now they had gone over to Jesus. John’s work isn’t done – he quietly and peacefully leaves the two with their “Rabbi” and goes back about his business. He fades.
Living Stones August 27, 2007
Posted by joejames in Church as People, I Peter.add a comment
In our Life Group we are looking closely at I Peter. Last night we studied I Peter 1:22 – 2:10. We spent most of our time talking about the metaphor that Peter uses of God “buliding a spiritual house” using us “living stones” for substance to form the structure.
It got me to thinking about our behavior as Western Christians. We all know that what we truly believe (and not just what we pay lip service to) is modeled in our behaviors. For example: A materialist is someone who believes that “things” are ultimately important. Now, I might pay lip service to the fact that “things” aren’t important. I might say “Only food, water, clothes, and shelter are important – and God.” But when I sacrifice my savings and my offering for a new set of golfclubs, then my behaviors betray what I pay lip service to!
And we Western Christians pay lip service to this: “The Church is not the steeple – it’s the people.” But what do our behaviors say? What do we say when we put on our holy attitudes only on Sunday? What do we say when we are reverent only inside the four walls of the church? What do we say when we sing songs to Jesus on Sunday and ridicule others on Monday? What do we say when we nod our heads in agreement with the Sunday sermon, and shake our heads “no” to someone in need on Thursday? What do we say when we pass by someone on the way to “church” who is stranded, because we “can’t be late!”? What do we really mean when we say “I’m going to church!”?
I think Peter’s appeal is for us to BE a holy nation – for us to BE a royal priesthood – for us to BE God’s chosen people – for us to BE a people who belong to God. And I think his appeal tear’s down our cultural assumptions about church that we cling to nearly 2000 years later!
But I want to end this thought today with a question – one that I myself am unable to adequately answer right now (which is why I ask you – for help!) Why is it that we cling to the idea of “church as place” rather than “church as people?” Why is it so hard for us to let go of this?
God’s Warriors & A Prayer of Depression August 24, 2007
Posted by joejames in God's Warriors, Prayer, Psalm 13.5 comments
Last night, Christiane Amanpour concluded her 6 hour special on “God’s Warriors” with a 2 hour look at “God’s Christian Warriors.” She tackled issues like culture wars, Christian Zionism, and the marriage of politics and faith. I have been so excited to see this documentary, however “excited” was the last word I could use to describe my attitude after the 2 hour show.
After the show was over, my general attitude was one of depression.
I am depressed because I feel hopeless that true Christianity will win out over radical extremism in our country. I am depressed that so many Christians in our country are so concerned with the morality of a secular society that they would go to war with it. I am depressed to see a man brainwashing tens of thousands of teens into having a public dispute on the streets of San Francisco with homosexuals. I am depressed to see a man standing in the pulpit and screaming at the top of his lungs “To not vote is a sin!” I am depressed to see people labeling and persecuting a preacher for teaching his congregation to take care of planet earth – because this is “dodging the real issues.” I am depressed to see Christians say that government has “removed God from the public square.” (Who can “remove” the Almighty God from anywhere?) I am depressed to see so many Christians proclaim that being Republican is a prerequisite to being accepted by God. I am depressed to see such a huge divide between secular society (the ones we’re supposed to love) and Christians (the ones secular society now hates). I am, in general, depressed.
What’s more – I am ashamed today of the name I wear – Christian (that’s right – ashamed). Because people think that is what I stand for – and it’s not. So, at least for today I go by “disciple” and not Christian (just a quick reference – the word “Christian” is only found 3 times in the New Testament – “Disciple” is found 269 times – see Dallas Willard)
Here is my prayer today – a prayer of depression at what I see around me from my brothers and sisters who proclaim to wear the name “Christian”.
Lord,
How long will you be, O Lord? How long will you be? Where did your love go? Where is compassion and love? Why do we bear the name of your Son, but deny him by our actions. Why do we pledge allegience to your Kingdom, but serve America more? Why do we hate women who abort babies? Why do we hate politicians who don’t understand our vantage point on the sanctity of life? Why do we hate? Why are we incapable of loving homosexuals? Why can’t we see clearly to remove the speck of sawdust from our brother’s eye? Is it for the plank in our own? Why do we elevate one sin over another and say it is worse? Why do we concern ourselves with two issues and ignore the thousands of others? Why do we strip away our brother’s freedoms for the sake of morality? Why do fight for prayer in schools, instead of just praying in school? Why do we battle for the freedom to pray publicly, when you called us to do it privately? Why do so many Christians wave the pro-war banner? Why do they insist that killing is the way? Why did “Christians” bomb abortion clinics in Georgia in the name of Jesus Christ? Why do we look at the “ends” and say “whatever means necessary” to accomplish your will? Why do so many Christians seek politcal power to enforce your law or accomplich your will? Why don’t they seek first, the power of your Spirit? Why do they suppose you need political power? Why do we even think that WE can accomplish YOUR will? Why did I hear a pastor say on national TV last night that we should bomb Iran pre-emptively? Why doesn’t that pastor love his enemies? Does your law only apply when it’s convenient? Where did your love go? Why? How? How long must we wait on your return – on your justice? How long must we wait for you to silence those who proclaim you with their lips, but hate you with their lives? How long must we wait in patience? How long must we wait in silence? How long must we wait in love of enemy? How long must we wait in opression? How long must we see this “Christian Nation” make a mockery of your law of love? How long will you be, O Lord? How long will you be?
Amen.
If you question my integrity in pouring my heart out this way, then please, read Psalm 13 today. It is my inspiration, motivation, and friend today (and likely in days to come).
Take Time to Be Holy August 22, 2007
Posted by joejames in Holiness, Hymns, I Peter.add a comment
I Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy; because I am holy.”
“I am holy”
God is holy. So… be holy.
Does anyone else besides me struggle with what to do with this statement?
Sometimes I read it and it makes perfect sense… other times, it makes no sense at all.
In an effort to understand – I picked up one of our hymnals this morning and read the hymn “Take Time to Be Holy”.
Take time to be holy; Speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, And feed on His word. Make friends of God’s children; Help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessings to seek. Take time to be holy; The world rushes on; Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. Abiding in Jesus, like him thou shalt be, Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul, Each tho’t and each motive beneath his control. Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love, Thou soon shall be fitted For service above.
And now it makes sense again…
Peter’s Potential; and Yours! August 21, 2007
Posted by joejames in Bible Study, Biblical Application, I Peter.add a comment
We have just dove off into a study of I Peter in our Life Group. I have been reading and re-reading the text in preparation for it, and has it ever been beneficial to my soul! This small epistle is a hidden treasure, and if you haven’t tapped into it, then you should spend some time with it!
So far we haven’t ventured very far into the text. We will be looking at 1:22 – 2:10 this next week. This is what I hear Saint Peter saying.
God loves us. He has given us a hope, the salvation of our souls. And this hope will never perish, spoil or fade – it is for now and all times! God gave us this hope because of his overwhelming love for His people, his holy, royal people. We are his children, and he is our father. And we belong one to another. We love one another, because God first loved us. And more than this, we are to be holy, because He is holy. Holy in all we do, say, think and feel. And if we struggle, God will work through his people to sustain and strengthen us!
As I think back on Peter’s interactions with Christ – his letter makes perfect sense.
When Jesus met Peter, he changed his name from Simon to “Cephas” (or Peter) which means “rock”. Jesus saw something in Simon that he didn’t see in himself. And we all know that for a while after that, Peter was anything but a “rock”. He proclaimed Jesus as Messiah one second, and denied him the next. “Rock” is a sign of stability, dependablity, and solid foundations. Early on, Peter possessed very little such facilities. Still yet, Jesus saw the best in Peter and gave him this name. Well, we all know the story! In Acts, we get to see Peter take on the role of the leader, the strong, stable and dependable apostle. (Of course there is still the embarrasing moment in Galatians.) Jesus knew the potential of Peter and called for his best within himself.
Peter sees that in us. He calls us a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” And I am sure, that when you hear this, you feel inadequate to wear such a description. But remember, that God sees something else in you than you may see in yourself. He sees your potential!
We have the potential to be holy. We have the potential to love one another. We have the potential to be self-controlled. We have the potential to be a royal priesthood. We have the potential to be so much more than we are now. We have the potential to be the Church!
Seinfeld – The Movie August 15, 2007
Posted by joejames in Jerry Seinfeld.1 comment so far
I know this isn’t my typical post, but I just thought you had to see this. It is hilarious!
If you are a Jerry Seinfeld fan, like me, then you will love this one. These people have taken random clips from several episodes of Seinfeld and put them together with some tricky editing to make a trailer for a new “Seinfeld Horror Movie” You guys who are fans of the show need to watch this one.
A Great Idea August 14, 2007
Posted by joejames in Labor, Presidential Campaign, SEIU.add a comment
As I was reading through some of the blogs I visit daily, I saw Larry James of the “Larry James Urban Daily” and found a profound idea there.
That idea is the “Walk A Day In My Shoes” campaign started by the SEIU (Services Employees International Union). The idea is that Presidential Candidates shouldn’t expect a vote from blue-collar service employees until they’ve had the “privilege” of spending a day in the shoes of one of these hard-working men or women.
Click here to view Larry’s article, or click the image at the top to visit the SEIU website.
Here is a list of the presidential candidates who have taken action and “walked the talk”
Senator Barack Obama walked in the shoes of home care worker Pauline Beck on August 8th.
Senator Christopher Dodd walked in the shoes of Head Start teacher Colleen Mehaffey on July 26th.
Governor Bill Richardson walked in the shoes of family services worker Mark Fitzgerald on June 7th.
Senator John Edwards walked in the shoes of nursing home worker Elaine Ellis on April 11th.
Senator Hillary Clinton walked in the shoes of Las Vegas nurse Michelle Estrada yesterday.
Senator Joseph Biden and Gov. Mike Huckabee have accepted SEIU’s challenge and will be walking soon.
I like what one great American President said about the value of labor during his “Annual Message to Congress.”
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” (Abraham Lincoln, December 3, 1861 )
