Ever have one of those weeks where it seems that if it can go wrong it will?  Well, welcome to my week.  It’s like attending a cow pie skeet-shoot and everyone yells “pull” at the same time and you’re left without an umbrella (get the picture?).  I’m talking about situations that range from the usual daily drama to the legitimately justified crisis all the way to the “you’ve got to be kidding me” ridiculous scenarios that can only be resolved by pharmaceutical intervention (and no, I don’t mean me). 

I certainly don’t want to make light of legitimate situations that are truly unavoidable and unintentional, it’s just the things that are unnecessary and can be prevented that are most challenging.  But these things do happen and believe it or not, they have a purpose. 

A few weeks ago, I felt that God was telling me to get ready for some stormy days ahead.  Not exactly what I typically like to hear.  But I realized that He was telling me so that I could focus and not become distracted.  As I was considering all of this, I was reminded of the potential benefits that storms can bring (I realize I’m changing metaphors but this is a little . . . ahem . . . less delicate to work around). 

Sometimes storms leave behind damage and destruction along with heavy rain.  In the midst and aftermath of a storm, you can feel disoriented, confused, and depending on the situation, a sense of loss.  However have you also noticed how clean the air is afterwards and how months of filth and dirt that have accumulated have been washed away?  You often see on the evening news how, in the midst of wreckage and debris, people begin to come together to provide relief and assistance.  There is a sense of unity that begins to form between people who were once strangers.  There is a common purpose that moves beyond people’s preferences and provides an opportunity for their character to be revealed.  It is during the rescue and rebuilding that heroes are made or discovered.  Challenging situations that seem insurmountable can give us some of our greatest stories of faithfulness, loyalty, provision and friendship.  No one likes going through a storm and having to wait it out.  But you have to remember, they don’t last forever.  They can just seem like they do.  Next time you see storm clouds on the horizon, just remember that they can also bring great opportunities with them. 

And as for things hitting the fan, . . . well . . . I’ll just leave it at that.

On Tuesday, after much controversy, Rick Warren gave his invocation for President Obama’s inauguration (for a transcipt of the prayer, click here).  I thought he did an excellent job and delivered it with uncompromised conviction. (I thought the four different references to the name of Jesus was brilliant.)  However, it seems that everyone wasn’t pleased.  There were complaints that he used Jesus’ name and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.  A professor of American religious history at Columbia University who claims to be a friend of Warren says “To lead the nation in saying the Lord’s Prayer, which is so particularly Christian was a mistake.” (click here for reference)

Huh?

You’ve got to be kidding. 

I understand being sensitive and diplomatic in order to respect others from different cultures, religions, and points of view.  I just find it interesting that all religious and socio-political expressions outside of a biblical worldview seem to come under a special protected class in our culture and find safe harbor in the name of diversity.  But when a biblical world-view is presented, it is considered intolerant, prejudiced, and antiquated.  It seems that when it comes to Christianity, everyone wants to use the mute button.  This is a battle I’m afraid so many are all too familiar with. 

So I wonder what would have been acceptable for this event.  I know it’s a little campy, but maybe something like this would have been more palatable: 

“Our existential one whom we acknowledge as a higher power,

Politically correct be your name,

Your rule at bay,

Our will be done,

On earth, as it is in our personal concept of heaven

Give us this day what we desire,

And forgive those who sin against us

By imposing the oppressive notion of sin

And lead us into opportunities for the gratification of our proclivities and passionate indulgences

For this is our kingdom, power, and glory.  Amen.”

I think I may try this one out on Sunday morning.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

This is a commentary I wrote for Ministry Today, January 20, 2009. 

 

Ted Haggard is using an upcoming HBO documentary to chastise the church for how it handled his sex-and-drugs scandal in 2006. Read one pastor’s take on why he may have a point.

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Ted Haggard is at it again. The former pastor of a Colorado mega church who admitted to a sexual relationship with a male escort in 2006, is now sharing his story in a documentary called The Trials of Ted Haggard. On January 29, the film premieres on HBO and will re-examine the scandal that rocked the evangelical world. For many, this film will reopen old wounds and stir up feelings thought to be dead and buried.

I question why Haggard chose this particular outlet to voice the pain and frustration of his private journey. While I can only imagine the suffering Haggard has endured over the past two years, I cannot excuse some of his choices. And now, once again, it seems the church will have to deal with another reminder of those choices. But maybe there are some things worth being reminded of.

In recent news reports, Ted Haggard chastised church leaders for missing an opportunity to use his scandal to “communicate the gospel worldwide.” Despite how we may feel about the circumstances surrounding Haggard, I believe we have the responsibility to ask: Is he right? Did we, the global Christian church, somehow miss an opportunity to respond to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction with the gospel of truth? While these are valid questions that demand our attention, I believe there is another question that addresses an issue just as important, if not far greater:

What if Ted had told the truth? (click here for the entire article)

Christian Network Helping Homosexuals Find Freedom Doubles in Size
Ministry Will Expand Efforts to Help Churches in 2009

Orlando, FL- Churches in denominations troubled over homosexuality such as the Anglican and Presbyterian churches are experiencing growing concern over the issue and have turned to Exodus International for help. As a result, the world’s largest Christian ministry to those seeking freedom from homosexuality has doubled in size.

For over 30 years, Exodus International has helped those affected by unwanted same-sex attraction to live a life congruent with the Christian faith. In the last six years, the organization has grown from 117 member agencies in 2003 to 234 by 2009. Half of those member agencies are churches that have recently joined the Exodus network and have committed to assist church members affected by homosexuality. The remainder of the network is comprised of professional counselors and local parachurch ministries.

Helping pastors and churches know how to address the topic of homosexuality with biblical truth and compassion is a primary goal for Exodus International. In 2008, the organization held six conferences across the nation that provided practical resources and information to hundreds of pastors.

In 2009, Exodus plans to improve upon this initiative by offering a variety of web-based resources and educational DVDs to churches across the country. In addition, a new book, written by Exodus President Alan Chambers, will help pastors and church members alike to understand practical steps towards leaving a gay-identified life and pursuing God-centered living. The book, published by Harvest House Publishers, is set to be released this summer.

“Though the world is getting spiritually darker, the future of the global Christian church has never been brighter,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International. “We have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate grace and bold love to a generation longing for real, life-giving truth. We are excited about the opportunities that 2009 holds to do just that.”

Exodus reaches more than 305,000 individuals with a message of hope and freedom through conference events and personal communication with those who call the organization for help each year.

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Founded in 1976, Exodus International is the largest Christian organization dealing with homosexual issues in the world today. With over 200 affiliates in its network, Exodus is a dynamic outreach ministry dedicated to sharing the hope of freedom through the power of Jesus Christ.

Christian Network Helping Homosexuals Find Freedom Doubles in Size

I been away for a couple of days so I just found out about Michael Guglielmucci’s deception surrounding his terminal illness.  This, to me, is a devastating situation.  This not only affects Micheal, his family, his church, but also the entire Body of Christ at large.  While Ted Haggard’s fall significantly impacted Christians around the world, there is something about this that cuts deeper.  His actions were incredibly intentional, planned, methodically deceptive, and predatory.  Having lost a brother and a father to terminal cancer, I can sympathize with the thousands of people who found hope in Michael’s circumstances and now feel incredibly betrayed.  I must confess, I am angry.  Not in a way that wishes vengeance or is void of compassion for Michael and his family.  Rather, it is a righteous anger that is appropriate for this degree of violation.  Forgiveness is given.  However, the Body of Christ must handle this with integrity and consistency.  I’m encouraged by what I’ve read so far regarding how his church is holding him accountable for his actions and exercising compassionate discipline.  

Now it has just come out that Michael has been addicted to porn since the age of 12.  His family and church are left ravaged by the revelation of so many years of a double-life.  I can only imagine how much of a tortured soul Michael must have been over these years.  I do not look at this situation with contempt but rather I see it as a wake-up call for all leaders in the Body of Christ.  All of us can put ourselves in a position to become vulnerable through compromise, isolation, and placing our trust in anything or anyone other than God.  This certainly is making me take inventory of my life to see if there is anything that could potentially undermine my integrity, values, and commitment to Christ.  However, I need to remind myself that it shouldn’t take a tragic situation such as this to motivate such scrutiny. 

I had someone stop by my office to ask me if I thought the song “Healer” really was authentic and God inspired in light of the circumstances.  My response was “truth is truth”.  The message of that song is, without question, inspired by the truth of scripture.  We must make the distinction between the veracity of the message and veracity of the messenger.  Unfortunately, we can so taint the message through our sinful actions that people may never be able to break free of associating the compromise with the truth.  The truth has not changed but the lens through which people view it has been dramatically altered.  This is how souls are lost and lives are destroyed.  

Michael is part of the Body of Christ and therefore, we must choose to respond with righteousness, compassion, and authenticity.  My prayer at this time is this:

1.  Complete revelation of the truth and everything brought into the light.

2.  Wisdom, discernment, and grace for the church leaders directly involved.

3.  Wisdom, discernment, and grace for the legal authorities involved.

4.  Peace, compassion, and strength for Michael’s wife, family, parents and friends and that they would grieve with a Godly sorrow and be protected from hopelessness and depression.

5.  Provision for Michael’s family in the coming weeks and months.

5.  Hope, peace, and protection for Edge Church International during this vulnerable season.  

6.  A new revelation of hope for all who were inspired to believe for healing through the message of Michael’s song and ministry.  

7.  Finally, that Michael may truly discover the Healer and find healing and restoration in mind, body, and spirit.

AdelaideNow… Fake illness preacher Michael Guglielmucci told to go to police.

Disgraced pastor Michael Guglielmucci a porn addict | The Australian.

Ravi Zacharias Video Link

Ravi Zacharias is one of my favorite teachers.  While his response did not directly address the question “is it possible for a man or a woman to live a sincere Christian life as a homosexual?”, he makes several excellent points.   I would love to hear him present an extended teaching on the issue.  In his remarks about Henry Nouwen, he stated that in his final book, Nouwen revealed that he was dispositionally homosexual.  While I understand the intent behind the term “dispositionally homosexual,” I’m not comfortable with the inferred label.  I appreciated his turn on the question by asking “Can a person live a sincere Christian life as a polygamist?”  Websters defines “sincere” as “free from dissumulation or free from adulteration.”  The question is; can a person live a sincere Christian life practicing (actively engaged in a specified way of life) anything that is contrary to the heart of God and the obedience to His Word?

I don’t know what it is about mountain communities, but there is something that I’ve always felt a connection too.  It’s not necessarily the people with their natural fibers and vegan menus or the women looking like cast members of the Hallmark Channels “Sarah, Plain and Tall.”  I don’t mind their categorical protests to cosmetics and their desire for body hair to grow completely unhindered . . . really. . . I’ve always thought that rubbing a crystal under my armpit would accomplish the exact same effect as a solid stick of Right Guard.  It’s just that I’m very committed to conserving our natural resources so why waste a good crystal? 

 Driving around some of these towns you can see the eclectic mix of architecture as well as retail diversity.  Go into one store where you can peruse a wide assortment of tie-dyed hemp while experiencing incense-induced emphysema, then walk next door into a general store that will transport you back to 1943 with it’s wooden floors, Duncan yo-yos and Glen Miller playing in the background.  For lunch, you can find a meat-and-three or walk down the street and discover fusion cuisine that could only have been conceptualized with one’s head in a narcotic cloud. 

 Having lived in Boulder, CO for three years, I truly have an appreciation for all of this exaggeration.  The only place I know where you can eat in a Russian Team Room, walk outside to have your tarot cards read, wave at the Buddhist monk as he walks by chanting while banging a drum then grab dessert at Haagen Dazs before buying a pair of khakis at Banana Republic.  I wore the torn jeans with the Birkenstock clogs and was even a vegetarian for a year (a true feat for a carnivorous southern boy).  I love the elevated sense of being in the mountains with its connection to nature and commitment to simplicity.  I think that’s what I like about this culture; the diverse attempts to connect with simplicity in its most original form.  Each expressing their own view of simplicity whether it is through diet, clothing, homes, or business practices.  Each one very creative in their frugal approach to living. 

 However, what I’ve discovered in my journey is that we can’t achieve simplicity through cultural asceticism.  This, to me, is like worshiping the creation rather than the Creator.  Simplicity means “to be free from guile.”  Our attempts at achieving purity through diet, environmental awareness or any other means will not give us our desired results in the end.  There is an innocence that we are always seemingly trying to get back to.  These things that we abstain from or lay down should be for the purpose of seeing God with more clarity and not ourselves.

 I remember watching “Grizzly Adams” as a child (popular 70s TV program for the chronologically challenged).  My favorite part was the opening and closing credits.  There was this incredible view of a man on a mountain top looking into the horizon with John Denveresque theme music in the background (work with me . . . it was the 70s).  There was something free and majestic about him.  But there was something incredibly content as well.  I think that’s what is appealing.  A feeling of being connected to something much bigger than myself in its untainted form.  Pure to its original intent and design or at least to my understanding of it.  A simple appreciation of the value and beauty of something.  Worship. 

 So in the midst of this, I will find myself strangely feeling at home in this peculiar tie-dye, tofu world.  Look for me.  I’ll be the obvious SUV-driving, yuppie, suburbanite visitor looking on in fascination with a Starbucks in hand.

Worship – “to attribute worth to”

        Too often, we attempt to assimilate various attributes of God into all-inclusive concepts that we actually believe we understand.  We, as humans, like to have things defined, identified, labeled, classified, and compartmentalized into comfortable clichés and catch phrases that give us a sense of security and definition.  And so, we have defined worship. 

        But what if one of the many features of worship was that it would define rather than be defined?  Psalm 115:4-8 says this:

        Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have but they do not see;

They have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell;

They have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat.

Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.

The psalmist basically says you will become what you worship.  Why?  What is so ingrained in our nature that instinctively drives us to worship; whether it be God, people, material possessions, culture, or ourselves?  Simply put, we were never intended to be separated from God.  He created us to be eternally connected through relationship with Him.  Worship requires relationship.  It defines us. 

Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that we are created in His image and likeness.  This relationship is mirrored in our earthly families beginning when Adam had a son, Seth, in his own likeness.  We are the reflection of our mother and fathers and our relationship with them often defines our character, behavior, values, personality, etc.  God frequently tells us in His word to seek His face and David repeatedly cried out for God not to hide or turn His face away from him.  What is the significance of being able to see God’s face and why did David seem so alarmed at the very prospect of not seeing God’s face?  Because David knew he would be lost without it! Because it is the reflection of who we are!  When we worship and seek the face of God, we are seeing what God always intended for us.  We become defined!  Worship allows us to see and possess our true identity and our image is restored!  No wonder God hates idolatry!  It keeps us from discovering our destiny and who we are in Christ.  When we put aside the cracked mirror of idols that keeps us bowed and broken and instead assume a posture of true worship, we are standing, looking up, and being revealed in His light.   We are examined and transformed into His likeness! 

We are told to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.  When we do not embrace the call of worship, we become the man that James says observes his natural face in a mirror, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he is.  As we worship, may we embrace and seize the revelation of our intended image and not constrain worship by our narrow definition, but rather become defined through worship by the One who defines us.