Recently, I have been pressed by different people as to my stance on two hot-button issues within the larger fellowship of the churches of Christ: the role of the women in the church and instrumental music. I decided to write about my positions for the next two days. Today, it’s the role of women in the church; tomorrow, instrumental music.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul admonishes the Christians in Corinth to follow his example and to hold fast to the things he had taught them. In verse 3, he shares with them this very important insight as it relates to role definition within the church: “But I want you to understand this: the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.” It is clear that Paul draws a line back to the very foundation of creation to distinguish a role definition within the very fabric of creation. In descending order, God the Father is the head of Christ the Son, Christ the Son is the head of man, and man is the head of woman.
Now does that mean that as the ladder descends, worth descends with it? Absolutely not! What Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 11.3 is not a statement about the intrinsic worth of Christ compared to God, or of man compared to Christ, or of woman compared to man. As it relates to male and female, Paul would elsewhere write that “in Christ, there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free person, male and female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3.28).
There is no distinction in the intrinsic worth of human beings created in the image of God. Male and female are equally valuable to God because each gender bares within their makeup and creation the very image of God; an image God longs to redeem through the work of Jesus and transform through the work of the Holy Spirit.
But to say there is no differentiation on the basis of worth does not mean God hasn’t prescribed role differentiation within the church for male and female. For example, it is clear from the language in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 that only males are qualified to serve as Shepherds in the church of God. It is clear from Ephesians 5 that in the home, God has clearly defined roles for the husband/father that differs from the roles designed for the wife/mother.
Does one’s role of headship or leadership undermine the worth of the other? In no way! Rather, God in His sovereignty has determined a distinction of role in the home and in the church and one of those distinctions is that male believers are charged with the spiritual leadership within the home and the church. Just as in the perfect unity of God in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is role distinction in creation and redemption, so also in homes and churches ruled by God, united in God’s love, there is role distinction between male and female.
Here are the words of Dr. Everett Ferguson from a presentation made to the Harding University Institute for Church and Family: “The limitations on women’s public role in the church are based on the created order. Adam was created first and Eve was deceived first (1 Timothy 2.13-14). Women have a function that men do not have, the bearing of children (1 Timothy 2.15). This refers to a capacity, not a requirement; not every woman in fact has children. Neither does every man lead in prayer or teach in the church. But as there is a function peculiar to women, so it seems there is a function reserved for men alone. The unique female function of childbearing is obvious and is a matter of nature. Men’s leadership in church is not something determined biologically, but 1 Timothy (2.11-15) does seem to indicate that the instructions, which may appear to us to be arbitrary, are somehow founded on a distinction that goes back to creation and the natural order instituted by God. Moreover, as a consequence of the fall into sin, certain relationships between men and women have been imposed. This, of course, does not mean that women do not have the capacity to fill the public leadership role in the church; they may do it as well or better than men. That is not the question. As there is a function reserved for women, so there is a function that God for some reason has chosen to reserve for men. Salvation comes from respecting these distinct female and male roles” (The Eye of the Storm: Critical Issues Today, January 26-27, 2001, session 5, page 10).
I realize as I write this position statement on the role distinction between male and female in the home and in the church, it smacks as “old fashioned” in a world that values progressive thinking. But progress, spiritually-speaking, is never earned on the altar of sacrificing the truth of God’s Word!
If God’s Word says it, that settles it…whether I believe it or not. And one of the truths God’s Word has settled is the role distinction inherent within the very fabric of creation for males and females in the home and in the church.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
A proud papa moment. Check out the Marble Falls church website. On the banner where pictures of smiling members rotate, the little curly headed girl on the left with the icing decorating her mouth is Tori!
Friday, April 28, 2006
This is one of those mornings when the double-edged sword of technology is really, really nice. As the girls still sleep, thanks the wireless capability at the brand spanking new Comfort Inn in Early, I can update my blog.
The girls were excited about arriving because our hotel is equipped with an indoor pool. And the only drawback of our entire little journey thus far is the disappointment the girls had when we discovered our arrival was only five minutes before pool closing time.
This afternoon, though, the two little gals are going to be able to swim to their heart's content!
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I teach this morning at 10:30 a.m. on "Pressing On...To the Simple Life." Think about it for a second: would you describe your life as "simple" or "complicated"?
To me, one of the chief sources of complication in our lives is the incessant crush for more we hear in our consumer-driven culture. Leslie Savan has written the average American is exposed to 16,000 commercial advertisements every given day. And the subtle -- or in many cases not-so-subtle -- message of those ads is, "There is a life out there that you don't have! There is fun you're missing out on because you don't have ___________________" and the blank could be filled in with a car, a vacation, an item of clothing, etc.
Emotionally, the press of our consumer-driven culture complicates life. But "God made man simple; his complex problems are of his own devising" (Ecclesiastes 7.29 from The Jerusalem Bible).
Today, I want you to consider how you can simplify your life. What steps can you take to make life more simple? How can you live more in harmony with the way God created you to live?
The girls were excited about arriving because our hotel is equipped with an indoor pool. And the only drawback of our entire little journey thus far is the disappointment the girls had when we discovered our arrival was only five minutes before pool closing time.
This afternoon, though, the two little gals are going to be able to swim to their heart's content!
-------------
I teach this morning at 10:30 a.m. on "Pressing On...To the Simple Life." Think about it for a second: would you describe your life as "simple" or "complicated"?
To me, one of the chief sources of complication in our lives is the incessant crush for more we hear in our consumer-driven culture. Leslie Savan has written the average American is exposed to 16,000 commercial advertisements every given day. And the subtle -- or in many cases not-so-subtle -- message of those ads is, "There is a life out there that you don't have! There is fun you're missing out on because you don't have ___________________" and the blank could be filled in with a car, a vacation, an item of clothing, etc.
Emotionally, the press of our consumer-driven culture complicates life. But "God made man simple; his complex problems are of his own devising" (Ecclesiastes 7.29 from The Jerusalem Bible).
Today, I want you to consider how you can simplify your life. What steps can you take to make life more simple? How can you live more in harmony with the way God created you to live?
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Here’s the dilemma facing Buck Showalter, Mark Connor, Jon Daniels and the rest of the Rangers brass on this off-day on the Rangers schedule: at what point do you consider supplanting Francisco Cordero as the closer?
Cordero blew back-to-back save opportunities on Tuesday and yesterday against Oakland. Tuesday night, his teammates bailed him out with a 9th inning rally. Yesterday, the Rangers lost in the 10th.
As Jamey Newberg astutely pointed out in his column Wednesday, the back end of the Rangers bullpen has been an unquestioned strength of the team for the past 10 years. But now, just 1/8th of the way through the 2006 campaign, that strength is teetering.
Here’s hoping Cordero gets out of his funk soon because the Rangers have begun to hit on all cylinders -- hitting, defense, starting pitching and middle relief – save for the guy who’s job description is to get the last three outs of the game.
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I’m really excited about getting to Brownwood later this evening and being reunited with some good friends. John Wiegand is the editor of the Praise For the Lord hymnal and has become a dear friend. In addition to his work as an attorney in San Francisco, John is a devoted disciple of Jesus, working with various Bay Area churches in general and the Pleasanton church in particular. Additionally, John is a rabid baseball fan –- his knowledge of the game shames me. But for his love for the Mets, we share so much in common.
I’m also excited about seeing my good friend, Kerry Williams, again. For the past three years, Kerry served the Early, Texas church as their Preaching Minister, before accepting the Preaching Ministry position with the Sherrod Avenue church in Florence, Alabama. Five years ago when I first spoke at the Tahoe Family Encampment, Kerry and his family took Mandy and I under their wings, showed us the ropes, and introduced us to a number of people who’ve become very dear friends.
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I have been asked to speak in a keynote session on the theme of “Pressing On…To Greater Service.” The current state of religious life in America is perplexing to me, given the drift in American Christendom from the roots of the first church. What began 2000 years ago as a servant-based mission in the way of Jesus has, in the course of time, degenerated into a more consumer-driven faith where attendees of church subtly see themselves as consumers of religious goods and services, dispensed by “professional” church staff.
Historically, the shift began with the conversion of Constantine, who made Christianity the faith rule throughout his empire. Once endorsed by the political establishment as an accepted part of society with Christians no longer forced to the margins of society by political and peer pressure, the face of Christianity shifted dramatically. No longer was the church based on the synagogue-model of worship and assembly, as was the case for the first 350 years of Christianity’s existence. No, because of Constantine, the church began to take on more of the Temple-model of worship and assembly, complete with elaborate ornamentation and a clearly defined role of “clergy” and “laity.”
Whereas once each Christian saw themselves as a vital part of the on-going mission of Jesus in the world, Constantine’s influence led the church into a spectator-based religion where the “laity” received the goods and services the “clergy” dispensed. The point of worship became not the formation of Christian character but an opportunity to critique and evaluate the performance of the worship leaders. The shift was so dramatic in disengaging the church from being the second incarnation of Jesus that it plunged the church into the 1000 year historical void known as the “Dark Ages.”
That said, even in modern-day America in 2006, Christianity hasn’t fully shaken the effects of the Constantinian fallout. A tension still exists in the modern-day church between whether Christians are consumers or servants.
As I think specifically about calling people to “Press On…To Greater Service” I think primarily about the absolute necessity to see ourselves as Jesus saw himself. If my calling as a disciple of Jesus is to live out the way of Jesus in my world, then I must find my identity and my mission from Him. His mission? “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served (consumer), but to serve (servant), and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10.45). Our calling to greater service can come in no other way than through the way of Jesus: the way of one who washed the feet of those who were undeserving, of dining and fellowshipping with those who were unclean, of upholding the dignity of those who were unlovable, of dying on the cross for those who were unrighteous.
My plea for us in the body of Christ in America in 2006 is a call back to the way of Jesus: to serve the undeserving, to interact with the unclean, to uphold the dignity of the unlovable and to boldly sacrifice for the sake of those who lives are characterized by unrighteousness. When society pushes a person to the margins, the people of Jesus should simply serve rather than analyze the stigma. Rather than judge others, Jesus calls us to serve others. Rather than fruit inspecting the tree on another’s life, Jesus call us to inspect our own hearts and motives so that we might be his hands and his feet of justice and mercy in a world of darkness.
Cordero blew back-to-back save opportunities on Tuesday and yesterday against Oakland. Tuesday night, his teammates bailed him out with a 9th inning rally. Yesterday, the Rangers lost in the 10th.
As Jamey Newberg astutely pointed out in his column Wednesday, the back end of the Rangers bullpen has been an unquestioned strength of the team for the past 10 years. But now, just 1/8th of the way through the 2006 campaign, that strength is teetering.
Here’s hoping Cordero gets out of his funk soon because the Rangers have begun to hit on all cylinders -- hitting, defense, starting pitching and middle relief – save for the guy who’s job description is to get the last three outs of the game.
----------------
I’m really excited about getting to Brownwood later this evening and being reunited with some good friends. John Wiegand is the editor of the Praise For the Lord hymnal and has become a dear friend. In addition to his work as an attorney in San Francisco, John is a devoted disciple of Jesus, working with various Bay Area churches in general and the Pleasanton church in particular. Additionally, John is a rabid baseball fan –- his knowledge of the game shames me. But for his love for the Mets, we share so much in common.
I’m also excited about seeing my good friend, Kerry Williams, again. For the past three years, Kerry served the Early, Texas church as their Preaching Minister, before accepting the Preaching Ministry position with the Sherrod Avenue church in Florence, Alabama. Five years ago when I first spoke at the Tahoe Family Encampment, Kerry and his family took Mandy and I under their wings, showed us the ropes, and introduced us to a number of people who’ve become very dear friends.
--------------------
I have been asked to speak in a keynote session on the theme of “Pressing On…To Greater Service.” The current state of religious life in America is perplexing to me, given the drift in American Christendom from the roots of the first church. What began 2000 years ago as a servant-based mission in the way of Jesus has, in the course of time, degenerated into a more consumer-driven faith where attendees of church subtly see themselves as consumers of religious goods and services, dispensed by “professional” church staff.
Historically, the shift began with the conversion of Constantine, who made Christianity the faith rule throughout his empire. Once endorsed by the political establishment as an accepted part of society with Christians no longer forced to the margins of society by political and peer pressure, the face of Christianity shifted dramatically. No longer was the church based on the synagogue-model of worship and assembly, as was the case for the first 350 years of Christianity’s existence. No, because of Constantine, the church began to take on more of the Temple-model of worship and assembly, complete with elaborate ornamentation and a clearly defined role of “clergy” and “laity.”
Whereas once each Christian saw themselves as a vital part of the on-going mission of Jesus in the world, Constantine’s influence led the church into a spectator-based religion where the “laity” received the goods and services the “clergy” dispensed. The point of worship became not the formation of Christian character but an opportunity to critique and evaluate the performance of the worship leaders. The shift was so dramatic in disengaging the church from being the second incarnation of Jesus that it plunged the church into the 1000 year historical void known as the “Dark Ages.”
That said, even in modern-day America in 2006, Christianity hasn’t fully shaken the effects of the Constantinian fallout. A tension still exists in the modern-day church between whether Christians are consumers or servants.
As I think specifically about calling people to “Press On…To Greater Service” I think primarily about the absolute necessity to see ourselves as Jesus saw himself. If my calling as a disciple of Jesus is to live out the way of Jesus in my world, then I must find my identity and my mission from Him. His mission? “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served (consumer), but to serve (servant), and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10.45). Our calling to greater service can come in no other way than through the way of Jesus: the way of one who washed the feet of those who were undeserving, of dining and fellowshipping with those who were unclean, of upholding the dignity of those who were unlovable, of dying on the cross for those who were unrighteous.
My plea for us in the body of Christ in America in 2006 is a call back to the way of Jesus: to serve the undeserving, to interact with the unclean, to uphold the dignity of the unlovable and to boldly sacrifice for the sake of those who lives are characterized by unrighteousness. When society pushes a person to the margins, the people of Jesus should simply serve rather than analyze the stigma. Rather than judge others, Jesus calls us to serve others. Rather than fruit inspecting the tree on another’s life, Jesus call us to inspect our own hearts and motives so that we might be his hands and his feet of justice and mercy in a world of darkness.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Did Adam and Eve have navels, or a blank spot where it should be?
Do other folks lie awake at night or is it only me?
Thinkin' about the question that plagues all mankind....
Hmmmmmmmm
Belly-button fuzz was a part of creation, how could I be so blind?
I think I'll start a church someday to preach this creed of mine
Cause Adam and Eve had navels and I'll prove it to the end of time,
Sure God loves and Jesus saves, but what about this truth?
I found the answer just last year in 2 John chapter 2.
Seek out the truth and the truth will set you free
Wait upon the LORD in all sincerity
And then you'll reach the highest level of Christianity
When you become a navelist your eyes will finally see
That Adam and Eve had navels; I'm telling you today,
Yeah, I'm splitting hairs for Jesus but that makes it okay
And I am going to take you deeper than your eyes can currently see
I'm splittin' hairs for Jesus for more spirituality.
I shared this truth will all the land and navelism grew
A thousand members going strong cause I preach salvation too.
But now this church is splitting over some technicality,
Did their buttons go in or pop out?
How picky can we be?
Do other folks lie awake at night or is it only me?
Thinkin' about the question that plagues all mankind....
Hmmmmmmmm
Belly-button fuzz was a part of creation, how could I be so blind?
I think I'll start a church someday to preach this creed of mine
Cause Adam and Eve had navels and I'll prove it to the end of time,
Sure God loves and Jesus saves, but what about this truth?
I found the answer just last year in 2 John chapter 2.
Seek out the truth and the truth will set you free
Wait upon the LORD in all sincerity
And then you'll reach the highest level of Christianity
When you become a navelist your eyes will finally see
That Adam and Eve had navels; I'm telling you today,
Yeah, I'm splitting hairs for Jesus but that makes it okay
And I am going to take you deeper than your eyes can currently see
I'm splittin' hairs for Jesus for more spirituality.
I shared this truth will all the land and navelism grew
A thousand members going strong cause I preach salvation too.
But now this church is splitting over some technicality,
Did their buttons go in or pop out?
How picky can we be?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
This morning, I cease to be amazed at the far-reaching effects blogging can have for ministry. Of course, I do realize some people visit this blog for the sole purpose of parsing the words they read in order to build an argument against the validity of my teaching. But so very many others come here to be stretched, challenged and enriched in their quest for Christlikeness.
So many of you have blessed me in the last month by sending me books from my Amazon Wish List as gifts. From long-time friends and family to completely unexpected sources, your gifts have blessed me and I sincerely, deeply appreciate them all. I hope in some way my personal study and walk with the Lord, as I share it here, will continue to bless you as much as your friendship blesses me.
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Busy day today and tomorrow prep'ing to speak at the Texas Weekend Family Encampment. The TFWE is sponsored by the Early, Texas church and is held each April at Lake Brownwood.
I am excited to spend a couple of days with Mandy and the girls, having fun, meeting people, seeing old friends, and hopefully spreading the good news of the empowering presence of Jesus to help us "Press On!"
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Tom Wiles served a stint as university chaplain at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. A few years ago he picked me up at the Phoenix airport in his new Ford pickup and whisked me away to keynote a leadership conference at the university. Since I was still mourning the trade-in of my Dodge truck, we immediately bonded, sharing truck stories and laughing at the bumper-sticker truism: "Nothing is more beautiful than a man and his truck."
As I climbed into his 2002 Ranger for the ride back to the airport a day later, I noticed two big scrapes by the passenger door. "What happened here?" I asked.
"My neighbor's basketball post fell and left those dents and white scars," Tom replied with a downcast voice.
"You're kidding! How awful," I commiserated. "This truck is so new I can smell it."
"What's even worse is my neighbor doesn't feel responsible for the damage."
Rising to my newfound friend's defense, I said, "Did you contact your insurance company? How are you going to get him to pay for it?"
"This has been a real spiritual journey for me," Tom replied. "After a lot of soul searching and discussions with my wife about hiring an attorney, it came down to this: I can either be in the right or I can be in a relationship with my neighbor. Since my neighbor will probably be with me longer than this truck, I decided that I'd rather be in a relationship than be right. Besides, trucks are meant to be banged up, so I get mine initiated into the real world a bit earlier than I expected."
Tom's wisdom has stayed with me. How many times have I sacrificed bring "in relationship" for the personal satisfaction of being "in the right"? How many times have I won the argument, but lost a friend or damaged a heart? (Leonard Sweet, Out of the Question...Into the Mystery, p.91-92).
So many of you have blessed me in the last month by sending me books from my Amazon Wish List as gifts. From long-time friends and family to completely unexpected sources, your gifts have blessed me and I sincerely, deeply appreciate them all. I hope in some way my personal study and walk with the Lord, as I share it here, will continue to bless you as much as your friendship blesses me.
----------------
Busy day today and tomorrow prep'ing to speak at the Texas Weekend Family Encampment. The TFWE is sponsored by the Early, Texas church and is held each April at Lake Brownwood.
I am excited to spend a couple of days with Mandy and the girls, having fun, meeting people, seeing old friends, and hopefully spreading the good news of the empowering presence of Jesus to help us "Press On!"
-----------------
Tom Wiles served a stint as university chaplain at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. A few years ago he picked me up at the Phoenix airport in his new Ford pickup and whisked me away to keynote a leadership conference at the university. Since I was still mourning the trade-in of my Dodge truck, we immediately bonded, sharing truck stories and laughing at the bumper-sticker truism: "Nothing is more beautiful than a man and his truck."
As I climbed into his 2002 Ranger for the ride back to the airport a day later, I noticed two big scrapes by the passenger door. "What happened here?" I asked.
"My neighbor's basketball post fell and left those dents and white scars," Tom replied with a downcast voice.
"You're kidding! How awful," I commiserated. "This truck is so new I can smell it."
"What's even worse is my neighbor doesn't feel responsible for the damage."
Rising to my newfound friend's defense, I said, "Did you contact your insurance company? How are you going to get him to pay for it?"
"This has been a real spiritual journey for me," Tom replied. "After a lot of soul searching and discussions with my wife about hiring an attorney, it came down to this: I can either be in the right or I can be in a relationship with my neighbor. Since my neighbor will probably be with me longer than this truck, I decided that I'd rather be in a relationship than be right. Besides, trucks are meant to be banged up, so I get mine initiated into the real world a bit earlier than I expected."
Tom's wisdom has stayed with me. How many times have I sacrificed bring "in relationship" for the personal satisfaction of being "in the right"? How many times have I won the argument, but lost a friend or damaged a heart? (Leonard Sweet, Out of the Question...Into the Mystery, p.91-92).
Sunday, April 23, 2006
It has been a great Sunday in Marble Falls! Today was Friends Day and a wonderful opportunity to worship alongside friends and neighbors who visited with us. We had a wonderful, catered luncheon at the Highland Lakes Elementary School cafeteria following worship and the dessert table was, well, overwhelming!
Yet, with the fresh memories of a wonderful Lord's Day still in my heart, I can't seem to get the "Rio Trio" out of mind.
Last week, I was blessed to be invited by Dan Burdett to join him and Todd Lewis on Dan's ranch near Childress, Texas for some turkey hunting. The ranch encompasses about 12,000 acres and is spectacular, teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
I was able to harvest a nice gobbler on Thursday. The gobbler sported a 10" beard and 1" spurs. It was the second Rio I've ever bagged.
But the real action heated up hot and heavy on Friday morning. On Thursday evening, Dan, Todd and I spotted a flock of 33 turkeys feeding in a field. So, after an uneventful hunt at daybreak on Friday morning, we decided to make our way over to the field where we saw the turkeys the evening before. We arrived at a bluff overlooking the field at about 8:30 a.m. and through the bincoluars, spotted 17 turkeys one field over from where we saw them on Thursday. There were at least three gobblers strutting for the feeding hens.
I told Dan and Todd I would call like crazy in the hopes of coaxing the gobblers away from the hens. A daunting task? Absolutely! The turkeys were about 400 yards away, with nothing but open fields between us and them. I laid the calling on hot and heavy and they answered nearly every call but seem initally disinterested in making the long jaunt across the fields.
We placed a jake and hen decoy on the edge of the field and set up just into the woods. We continued peering through the binoculars and noticed the mood of the gobblers begin to change. They began making their way toward us. I continued to call very aggressively and excitedly and each gobble was more vocal and loud -- a sure sign the gobblers were heading our way.
I eased back about 25 yards behind Dan and Todd, just out of sight to the amazing action that was about to unfold. The last time I called, I could tell the gobblers were just out of sight. Then, within a matter of seconds, Todd shot, dropping the two gobblers in the lead. The gobbler in the rear, the dominant bird with sharp 1" spurs, gobbled immediately, startled by the blast of Todd's shotgun. Dan fired, dropping the bird in his tracks, giving us a harvest of three turkeys.
The Rio Trio looked to be composed of a 2 year-old, a 3 year-old, and a 4-year old. Each tom sported a 10" beard.
It was a fabulous way to cap off a great three day time of rest, relaxation, fellowship and pure hunting fun! The Burdett Ranch, two good friends, and the memory of the "Rio Trio" is a memory I will savor the rest of my life.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Later today, I'll be heading to West Texas with two friends, Dan Burdett and Todd Lewis, for a couple of days of Rio turkey hunting on Dan's ranch in Childress, Texas. The weather here has been unbearable -- according to Kevin Thompson, a whopping 103 degrees yesterday afternoon at the Escondido Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay. Thankfully, a cool front is supposed to pass through this evening, dropping the temps back down into the 70's and 80's.
The lawn, the water bill, and the hunting comfort stand in desperate need of that cool front ASAP.
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When you take the Lord's Supper, do you remember the death of Jesus or the life of Jesus? Is the memory with which you partake one of the dead, lifeless body of Jesus hanging on the cross or the vibrant, living body of Jesus ministering to the hurting and the helpless?
As we remember Jesus each Sunday in the supper, we are called first to discern his body in the taking of the bread. Scripture never says a word about the "broken body" of Jesus in connection to the Supper.
Was his body broken? Absolutely. But is the memory of his body broken the sole call of the supper? Absolutely not.
There are so many pictures in Scripture of the body of Jesus -- the incarnation of God -- ministering to the hurting and the helpless. In the Supper, I often reflect in my mind upon the body of Jesus blessing little children. The body of Jesus walking on the water. The body of Jesus on the mountaintop, alone with the Father.
And what about the cup, in memory of "the new covenant in my blood" (1 Corinthians 11.25)? Is the cup simply a reminder of the spilt blood of Jesus at Calvary?
Paul ties the blood of Jesus and the new covenant together, in much the same way that the writer of Leviticus shows how blood is the source of life (see Leviticus 17.11). Blood was the source of Jesus's life, enabling his body to minister to the helpless and hurting. And his blood is the source of life in the New Covenant, strengthening us to live redemptively, ministering in the way of Jesus to the helpless and hurting.
The more I think of it, the more I come to realize that the Lord's Supper calls us to the memory of a living Savior, not a dead one. To a ministering Savior, not a mutilated one. Why? Because a dead Savior can't save anybody (1 Corinthians 15.17; John 11.25) and the memory of a ministering Savior is the living color picture we need to live redemptively in our time.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Romans 8.11).
Easter 2006 is about over. It's been a great day! We had a wonderful assembly this morning with 427 in attendance. Two couples new to our area placed their membership with us today. Trae and Tori looked beautiful today in their Easter dresses -- and their mom didn't look too bad herself!
But maybe the highlight of the day was listening to Trae pray tonight as I tucked her in bed. Her prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus coming back to life was so innocent. So sincere. It made this daddy's heart flutter with joy knowing, in some small way, my little girl is "getting it." Those little flickers of enlightenment from my daughter give me so much energy to keep going. Something tells me if she is getting it, others are getting it too!
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Thankfully today also saw the resurrection of the Rangers offense. The Rangers' pitching thus far has been stellar but the offense has been out of sync. Today, the Rangers busted out in the 9th with 4 runs off Oakland closer, Huston Street, to win the series over the A's with today's 5-3 win. It's off to Seattle now for a three-game set that commences on Tuesday.
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What an awesome morning on Friday. I was invited out to the Wenmohs Ranch by Lance for my first-ever try at Rio turkey hunting. Call it beginner's luck but the morning and the success of the hunt couldn't have gone any better.
Lance and I set up about 35 yards apart, with Lance to my right. We were set up on the edge of a small field that the turkeys on the ranch had been frequenting. Lance told me, "I'm not going to take a shot unless it is a really good gobbler -- at least a 10 inch beard."
We heard a couple of turkeys gobbling from the roost early and down hill from the elevated field. I told Lance I would call about every 15 minutes in the hopes the birds were making their way toward the field.
On the second series of calls, a tom gobbled back to my call, just out of view of our setup. Within seconds, the Rio tom came into view, in full strut. We had a hen and jake decoy setup nearer to Lance's setup. The tom obviously saw the decoys, but seemed a little skittish. After strutting for a moment, he walked back into the trees and out of view.
I called. He gobbled.
Directly, a hen appeared with the gobbler. The hen, spotting the decoys, came directly toward the decoys. After pecking around for a moment near the decoys, the hen began moving across the field, directly in front of my setup. Fearing his hen leaving him, the gobbler reappeared. He walked toward the decoys and broke into a full strut. It was a perfect, open, easy shot for Lance but he didn't take it. Directly, the gobbler broke strut and began walking briskly across the field, trailing the hen. I had to putt on my mouth call to get him to pause long enough to get a shot.
The shot was at 48 yards, with Winchester Extended Range #4's. He dropped immediately. The bird sported a 10" beard, 7/8" spurs and weighed in at 19 pounds.
Easter 2006 is about over. It's been a great day! We had a wonderful assembly this morning with 427 in attendance. Two couples new to our area placed their membership with us today. Trae and Tori looked beautiful today in their Easter dresses -- and their mom didn't look too bad herself!
But maybe the highlight of the day was listening to Trae pray tonight as I tucked her in bed. Her prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus coming back to life was so innocent. So sincere. It made this daddy's heart flutter with joy knowing, in some small way, my little girl is "getting it." Those little flickers of enlightenment from my daughter give me so much energy to keep going. Something tells me if she is getting it, others are getting it too!
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Thankfully today also saw the resurrection of the Rangers offense. The Rangers' pitching thus far has been stellar but the offense has been out of sync. Today, the Rangers busted out in the 9th with 4 runs off Oakland closer, Huston Street, to win the series over the A's with today's 5-3 win. It's off to Seattle now for a three-game set that commences on Tuesday.
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What an awesome morning on Friday. I was invited out to the Wenmohs Ranch by Lance for my first-ever try at Rio turkey hunting. Call it beginner's luck but the morning and the success of the hunt couldn't have gone any better.
Lance and I set up about 35 yards apart, with Lance to my right. We were set up on the edge of a small field that the turkeys on the ranch had been frequenting. Lance told me, "I'm not going to take a shot unless it is a really good gobbler -- at least a 10 inch beard."
We heard a couple of turkeys gobbling from the roost early and down hill from the elevated field. I told Lance I would call about every 15 minutes in the hopes the birds were making their way toward the field.
On the second series of calls, a tom gobbled back to my call, just out of view of our setup. Within seconds, the Rio tom came into view, in full strut. We had a hen and jake decoy setup nearer to Lance's setup. The tom obviously saw the decoys, but seemed a little skittish. After strutting for a moment, he walked back into the trees and out of view.
I called. He gobbled.
Directly, a hen appeared with the gobbler. The hen, spotting the decoys, came directly toward the decoys. After pecking around for a moment near the decoys, the hen began moving across the field, directly in front of my setup. Fearing his hen leaving him, the gobbler reappeared. He walked toward the decoys and broke into a full strut. It was a perfect, open, easy shot for Lance but he didn't take it. Directly, the gobbler broke strut and began walking briskly across the field, trailing the hen. I had to putt on my mouth call to get him to pause long enough to get a shot.
The shot was at 48 yards, with Winchester Extended Range #4's. He dropped immediately. The bird sported a 10" beard, 7/8" spurs and weighed in at 19 pounds.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
What a great time -- except for the lack of hunting success -- I had while back in Arkansas. I was able to listen to all the tapes of the Tulsa Workshop on the drive up and back. I was able to do a lot of reading during the down times. But most of all, I was able to spend time with some really special people.
What makes life memorable and fulfilling is not what we do but the relationships we foster along the way.
One of those special relationships for me is the relationship I have with my dad. Turkey hunting is a part of my heritage; it is in the blood of the men on my dad's side of the family. My dad and I were able to spend some real, quality time together, reminiscing on the past, sharing and discussing our present challenges, and dreaming of the future. I treasure those times with my dad and, even though we weren't able to bag a turkey -- that is another story for another time -- just being with my dad made the trip more than worth it!
Another special relationship in my life is the friendship I share with Jeff and Michelle Bearden. I was blessed to study with and baptize Jeff and Michelle several years ago. Since then, they have become sterling disciples of Jesus. Their faith in the midst of their present crisis, as Jeff battles cancer, is nothing less than awesome.
I decided to surprise Jeff by shaving my head. He is halfway through his chemo treatments and, from all preliminary reports, the treatments appear to be working. I hope you will join me in becoming a prayer warrior for Jeff in his battle with cancer. He and Michelle are godly parents and great friends. I know today that I am a better man and minister from having spent time with Jeff and Michelle for the nurturing their steadfast faith in the Great Physician provided me.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Beginning tomorrow and for the next nine days, my blogging activity will be sporadic at best. I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Arkansas to turkey hunt with my dad. If we have some good luck, I’ll get on here and post pictures and tell the story of the hunt. Otherwise, my blogging will be pretty sparse for the next week.
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The best part about the opening of baseball season is the standings swing daily. Yesterday, the Rangers were tied for last in the division. Today, on the heels of last night’s 10-4 thumping of the Red Sox, the standings reveal the Rangers tied for first. Vincente Padilla was masterful in his Rangers debut.
Last night, the Rangers softball team – the team Trae plays for and the one I coach – evened its record at 2-2 with a sound 7-2 win over the Rock-Its. The 7-8 year old softball league here in Marble Falls is a coach-pitch league. I was really proud of the girls for their effort last night. They are improving with every game.
I was also really proud of Trae. She hit the ball hard both times up. Our first game saw her strike out all three times. She was losing confidence. But after a couple of hours of BP last week, she has rediscovered her stroke and is enjoying playing again.
One of the really cute things about our team, though, is all the girls on my team love Trae’s little sister, Tori. At the end of each game, when we line up to shake hands with the other team with the obligatory, “Good game” comment, Tori always lines up with us. Then following the cordialities, we run out to the outfield to talk about the game and do our “Go Rangers” yell. Tori always runs to the outfield and does the yell with us.
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My nightly reading right now is taking me through the Heart of the Restoration Series, a series of books written by professors at ACU about the state of the church in its contemporary setting. The series calls for open, honest discussion about unity, the church, Scripture, the lordship of Jesus, and the core of the gospel message.
Last night, while watching the A’s/Yankees game, I finished off the first book in the series The Crux of the Matter: Crisis, Tradition and the Future of the Churches of Christ. The book was thought provoking, scoping both the historical, sociological and theological landscape for insight into the identity, form and function of the church.
Two paragraphs I found especially insightful diagnosed the generational tension that exist within churches today.
“A lot of people who grew up in the first half of the 20th century experienced an education system, a set of values, and a view of church and country quite different from those of children who grew up more recently. The older generations were required to read more when they were young. In general they are more trusting of institutions and authority. They think with a kind of logic that was perfected during 250 years of western Enlightenment. And, in general, they have a difficult time understanding the values and perspectives of the later generations.
The younger generations tend to be less interested in reading, are more globally aware, have a much less stable view of family and institutions of authority, and are more comfortable with change and variety than their predecessors. Clearly there are countless exceptions, but many churches can testify to differences along these lines. Older generations tend to be more interested in content, ideas and doctrine; younger generations tend to be more interested in experience and in practical ministry and community” (236).
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
As Mike Cope says in the opening line of his blog this morning, the Rangers are only one game out of first! Hope springs eternal.
Yesterday's opener was great. The pomp and circumstance of an opener is unlike any other game I've ever experienced. With Tom Hicks's influence over the Rangers, the pregame ceremonies began with lively rendition by the University of Texas band. Darrell Royal and Mack Brown were honored, with Mack throwing out the first pitch. Charlie Pride sang the National Anthem and four F-18's flew over at the close of the anthem.
As for the game, Curt Schilling was dominant. Ian Kinsler got his first major league hit in his first at-bat. Hank Blalock homered in the 7th, setting off the coolest home run celebration in Major League Baseball, complete with the fireworks and the theme song of the Natural. Kevin Millwood, in his Rangers debut, hit the wall in the fifth.
But the best part is the drive to the Palace is now about half what it was before. Jim White, thanks a million for sharing your season tickets with Allan and me. After sitting on the second row yesterday, just behind the Red Sox on-deck circle.
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I was listening to a presentation from the Tulsa Workshop the other day in which Tim Spivey shared how one of the spiritual giants of the past, Thomas a Kempis, overcame a personal struggle with lust through fasting. His reasoning was this: if eating food in the most basic need of my life, and if I can discipline myself regarding that most basic need, then I can surely discipline myself on the other, less basic needs/wants in my life.
How prominent a role does fasting play in your spiritual life?
It is interesting to see the language Jesus uses in his discussion on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. Found in context with a discussion on prayer and giving -- two spiritual disciplines the validity of which no one would question -- Jesus assumes there are times in the lives of his disciples when fasting will be the normal course of action. "When you fast," Jesus begins. Not "if" you fast but "when" you fast. Jesus's opening makes abundantly clear that fasting is not an optional exercise for his disciples.
To fast is to forego the preparation and partaking of physical food in order to seek the will of the Father through focused prayer and meditation.
I want to encourage you today, in times of great indecision, time of personal struggle, times of joy and success, and times of crisis to fast before the Father. The spiritual benefits always outgain the short-term hunger pains, raising your gaze to the Father's will and the Father's ways.
Yesterday's opener was great. The pomp and circumstance of an opener is unlike any other game I've ever experienced. With Tom Hicks's influence over the Rangers, the pregame ceremonies began with lively rendition by the University of Texas band. Darrell Royal and Mack Brown were honored, with Mack throwing out the first pitch. Charlie Pride sang the National Anthem and four F-18's flew over at the close of the anthem.
As for the game, Curt Schilling was dominant. Ian Kinsler got his first major league hit in his first at-bat. Hank Blalock homered in the 7th, setting off the coolest home run celebration in Major League Baseball, complete with the fireworks and the theme song of the Natural. Kevin Millwood, in his Rangers debut, hit the wall in the fifth.
But the best part is the drive to the Palace is now about half what it was before. Jim White, thanks a million for sharing your season tickets with Allan and me. After sitting on the second row yesterday, just behind the Red Sox on-deck circle.
-----------------
I was listening to a presentation from the Tulsa Workshop the other day in which Tim Spivey shared how one of the spiritual giants of the past, Thomas a Kempis, overcame a personal struggle with lust through fasting. His reasoning was this: if eating food in the most basic need of my life, and if I can discipline myself regarding that most basic need, then I can surely discipline myself on the other, less basic needs/wants in my life.
How prominent a role does fasting play in your spiritual life?
It is interesting to see the language Jesus uses in his discussion on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. Found in context with a discussion on prayer and giving -- two spiritual disciplines the validity of which no one would question -- Jesus assumes there are times in the lives of his disciples when fasting will be the normal course of action. "When you fast," Jesus begins. Not "if" you fast but "when" you fast. Jesus's opening makes abundantly clear that fasting is not an optional exercise for his disciples.
To fast is to forego the preparation and partaking of physical food in order to seek the will of the Father through focused prayer and meditation.
I want to encourage you today, in times of great indecision, time of personal struggle, times of joy and success, and times of crisis to fast before the Father. The spiritual benefits always outgain the short-term hunger pains, raising your gaze to the Father's will and the Father's ways.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Congratulations to my uncle George who, at 8:55 a.m. last Friday from his workstation at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, logged unto this blog, becoming the 10,000th visitor! He will be receiving a special gift and no, it won’t be an “I Bleed Orange” t-shirt!
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By the time many of you read this on Monday, Allan Stanglin and I will be headed north on I-35 for the Metroplex and the Rangers season opener. The Boston Red Sox come to town and the game features a classic pitching match-up: Curt Schilling for the Red Sox and Kevin Millwood for the Rangers.
Tonight, I was all pumped to get home and watch the season opener on ESPN2 between the White Sox and the Indians. Hearing Jon Miller and Joe Morgan call the Sunday evening game, after a full day of teaching, preaching and interacting with people is immensely therapeutic for me.
But alas, after I got my chores done for Mandy who is hosting the girls Bunco group at our house tomorrow night, I turned on the game to discover...a rain delay!
With the opening of baseball season, I’m sure you’ve been waiting with baited breath for my picks. Here goes: AL East – New York Yankees; AL Central – Chicago White Sox; AL West – Oakland Athletics; AL Wild Card – Boston Red Sox; AL Champion – New York Yankees. NL East – New York Mets; NL Central – St. Louis Cardinals; NL West – San Francisco Giants; NL Wild Card – Atlanta Braves; NL Champion – New York Mets.
A Mets/Yankees World Series? As much as it pains me to predict it, that is my gut instinct. Give the ring back to George and the Yankees.
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I just noticed on my desk calendar that opening day for spring turkey season in Arkansas is April 8th, which just happens to be the anniversary of my first ever successful solo turkey hunt. This particular April 8th was before the start of Daylight Savings Time and the two-year old was harvested by 6:00 a.m.
I remember the hunt as if it were yesterday. It was a Friday morning and the previous day, I had hunted with Cody Mabery. When drove back to his truck, we listened attentively to two gobbling toms on a ridge to the south. Work and school prevented us from hunting any longer but we made plans to meet at that spot the next morning and try to hunt one of the birds at daybreak.
I got to the spot where we were to meet but Cody didn’t show. With dawn beginning to break in the Eastern sky, I decided to drive to the top of the ridge and hunt from the top down. With the late start, I hadn’t even had time to tie the laces on my hunting boots. I eased out of my truck, propped my foot up on the back bumper and began to tie the laces on my hunting boots when a gobbler cut loose. He was about 200 yards downhill and slightly to the west of where I’d parked. I made my way down the hill and set up within about 75 yards of where the turkey was gobbling. He gobbled well. I made some soft tree yelps and he answered them all. I heard the turkey fly down and immediately begin shuffling in the leaves. The gobbling slowed but the unmistakable sound of drumming commenced. He was hot and was ready to breed right off the roost.
The gobbler strutted to within about 30 yards, pirouetting and displaying marvelously. I pulled the trigger at 5:58 a.m.
In the excitement of bagging my first tom solo -- without the help of my dad -- I forgot my box call. I had taken it out of my vest and laid it on the ground beside me. What luck that, one week later while hunting on the same ridge, my dad found the call, the tree I was set up on and the place where the turkey had dropped.
I guess my hope is that the good luck of April 8th on springs gone by will be resurrected this spring, Opening Day 2006!
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