We had a house full of friends and family with us yesterday and over dinner someone mentioned Tony Campolo's book, "Red Letter Christians." Immediately, one person replied, "communist Christians?" and someone else thought the title referred to the red light district. Funny how the phrase 'red letter' instantly brings up different associations for people!

Well, here's the actual book, for anyone who may be curious and hasn't heard about it:

The term "red letter" is a reference to Bibles where Jesus' words are printed in red ink, so basically it refers to his teachings.

And here's the gist of Red Letter Christians; it's a quote from the inside flap of the book:

I want it to be known that there are millions of us who espouse an evangelical theology, but who reject being classified as part of the Religious Right. We don’t want to make Jesus into a Republican. On the other hand, we want to say loud and clear that we don’t want to make Jesus in a Democrat, either. ...But Jesus refuses to fit into any of our political ideologies.

If you've read it, what did you think? I'd love to hear your take on it.

Read or listen to chapter one from The Constantine Codex by Paul Maier:

Charming, intriguing, colourful and action-packed. 

I enjoyed The Constantine Codex for many little reasons, and a few big reasons too. Let me summarize the highlights:

Mr. Maier wrote a charming story about a husband and wife team who specialize in archaeology and ancient manuscripts.

Their discovery of a clue about the Constantine Codex leads them into a whirlwind adventure and all the while this couple's relationship, much like the story's overall tone, stays charming all the way through.

Meteora, Greece

The plot highlights an intriguing idea: What if a book of the Bible was lost and has yet to be found? Mr. Maier explores this idea as he sends the main characters around the world in search of ancient overlooked Scriptural manuscripts.


Which brings me to the novel's colourful scenes and settings. From an unprecedented, possibly life-threatening religious debate to the stunning countries visited by Maier's protagonists, this novel never ceases to bring colourful images to the reader's mind. Check out the pictures of these places appearing in the book.

Throne room at the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople, Istanbul

And lastly, Maier's plot is action-packed, barely slowing down along the way. He weaves narrative, dialogue and action together well, which is the key to keep a novel moving.

There were a few aspects of the writing I'd suggest to change. Some of the dialogue comes across as if it were being written rather than spoken, making it seem a little unrealistic at times.

Meanwhile, the tender moments between husband and wife lean towards the cheesy side, although still very sweet, and a few of their discoveries seem a little too coincidental. No big deal, though.

The most well-developed character is the protagonist. His wife, who's also a main character, seems like a carbon copy of husband's character, personality, speech and quirks (except for her fear of heights). Even Caesar's speech in the codex sounds like it's being spoken by the main character. In short, too many cast members sound like copies of the protagonist.

Inside the church building at
Great Lavra monastery,
Mount Athos, Greece

It seems important to point these things out, in case the author finds them helpful feedback for writing future stories. I don't want to seem critical, though, because of how much I enjoyed the story and how tender and kind the author seems to be. His personality certainly came through the story loud and clear, which was a delight to discover.

So let me end on a high note: Besides the adventure, mystery and colourful settings, Maier also tackles an extremely sensitive issue, namely that of religion and violent extremism. He's gentle in carving out a thoughtful place where Christian readers may think about different angles on this issue and he uses the story to highlight the fact that every religion has its extremists, moderates and liberals. His perspective seems wise and balanced and I don't think he could've done a better job of conveying his beliefs on this issue. A job well done.

Readers: Whether you enjoy Biblical history and archaeology, or exciting stories that lead you through interesting puzzles and places, you'll enjoy The Constantine Codex.

And don't miss Maier's post: The story behind the Constantine Codex

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and LitFuse Publicity.

I'd like to read "Counterfeit Gospels" (promoted by Moody Publishers) because I'm curious to see if the author has caught that peculiar counterfeit gospel in many evangelical churches where traditions are clung to more tightly than God's Word.

You know, the kind of tradition that isn't questioned in conversation and usually taken as truth from the pulpit. The kind of tradition that gets you shushed with a stern frown when you casually mention that your devotions are leading you to re-think a long-held teaching of the church.

Like the tradition of glossing over 'respectable sins'. Is it okay to gossip? No, but we do share news about each other without permission. That's not gossip, is it?

How about the tradition that dressing in a suit & tie is the only way to worship? Or that drinking alcohol is a sin but gluttony is okay? Or that weekly church attendance is required whether or not we speak to the lonely people sitting beside us in the service?

How about deeper, more sinister traditions, like the idea that it's disrespectful to hold our leaders accountable because they 'speak for God so they must be right'? Or that we never talk about big sins in the church because hiding them 'preserves God's work'? Or that we should not ask our church family for help in times of need because that would mean we're not trusting God?

I'd love to read Counterfeit Gospels, because I'm eager to know if the author, out of love for God and His Bride, has shed light on some of the most deeply-held lies in mainstream evangelical churches. I sure hope he does.

Check out Moody Publishers book promo & contest.

*Please read the following post with tongue firmly lodged in cheek.

Here's one 'Christianese' saying I've heard LOTS over the years:

I covet your prayers.

Covet.

That's a sin, right?

I did a keyword search in the New Testament and not one reference to the word "covet" was positive.

So why use one of the sins condemned in the 10 Commandments to tell people how much we want them to pray for us? Won't they take us seriously otherwise?

I guess the simple carefree days of "please pray for me" are over. They're long gone. People need something more dramatic, some sign to prove how serious we are. Now-a-days we need to sin just to get on someone's supplication list.

It's like saying,

I need your prayers so badly I want to steal them.

I idolize your prayers about me.

I'll shun my parents just to show how much I need your prayers.

I'd kill to have you pray for me.

Or better yet...

I will bear false witness against my parents, steal their stuff, kill their parakeet and build an altar to you -- and I'll do it all on the Sabbath -- if only you'll pray for me.

You get the picture.

Carol Kent's book dedication struck me between the eyes. She says:

This book is dedicated to our

"Stretcher Bearers"

and to all of you who take the time
to respond to the needs of others
by answering the question,
"How can I help with tangible encouragement?"

Our "Stretcher Bearers" became the
hands and feet of Jesus to us
when we ran out of resources.

You have modeled a lifestyle of giving

that has forever changed our lives.

Please hold Gene and me accountable

for "finishing well."

Then at the end of chapter 1 Carol Kent poses questions for the reader on issues like "unthinkable circumstances," prayer, and so on. The next question she asks is incredible:

Are you asking for help from other people? If not, what keeps you from asking? (Embarrassment and self-reliance are possibilities.) Carefully consider what might benefit you most right now (and at each stage of your journey through unthinkable circumstances): Professional advice? A shoulder to cry on (literally)? Help running errands or keeping your household or business in order? A weekend away? Financial support? Whom can you ask to help you get what you need?

I find these questions so stunning because of how strongly they go against the grain in some Christian circles. Asking for advice or a cup of sugar is one thing. Asking for someone's time, energy, or significant resources are quite another, especially if the situation makes them feel uncomfortable. Discomfort--that reason alone was enough for my parents' church leaders to defend the members' absence from our lives when we needed support and compassion the most.

In a capitalist and individualistic culture that prizes privacy and self-fulfillment, asking for these things may cost you dearly. You might even lose relationships along the way, even in your family or in your church. And if you ask more than once, you'll receive a stern warning about "depending on God for your needs, not on people." They'll try to give you the idea that asking people for help is shameful--sinful even--because it shows how little you trust God to provide for your needs.

Well, don't believe them.

There are countless examples through the Old and New Testaments showing God's desire for us to take action to help people in need. Here's one story from Scripture that gets little airtime from the pulpit:

Acts 6:1-7
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

The Greek-speaking Jews complained to church leaders because native Jewish widows in their group were getting food, and Greek-speaking widows were not.

Notice what the church leaders did NOT do in response:

• They didn't say, "Well, if the Greek-speaking widows aren't getting food, then it must be God's will."
• They didn't tell the Greek-speaking widows to put their "trust in God, not in man."
• They didn't make the Greek-speaking Jews feel less spiritual for making their complaint.
• They didn't say, "Well, you just have to understand that native Jews are uncomfortable around Greek-speaking Jews."

Notice what the church leaders DID do in response:

• They immediately met with each other to solve the problem.
• They recognized that the teachers among them already had a heavy work load.
• They chose believers from their congregation to fill this specific need.
• In short, they lived out the gospel!

Asking for help is not a sin. Be on your guard in case the spiritual leaders you trust try to tell you otherwise.

Christians ARE the hands and feet of Jesus in each others' lives, if God has given us a resource or skill to give, and IF we're willing to put others ahead of ourselves.

Stretcher Bearers... what a great concept. :)

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12)

I come from a conservative church background, so when I made the eyebrow-raising decision to join a charismatic Vineyard church seven years ago, I was all but renouncing my faith. When Amber*, another lifelong member of my conservative church, left to join the Vineyard church, our former pastor and several of his church members openly speculated about her salvation.

A little while later this same pastor met with Amber, warning her against her choice by making all sorts of claims about the Vineyard movement. By this time, though, she had already met with the Vineyard's pastor to learn about his beliefs, and she got to know the beliefs of her new Vineyard friends as well. So as she sat in this meeting with her former pastor, she already realized that he didn't actually know what he was talking about. Of course the Vineyard wasn't perfect, but he made claims about the Vineyard that came from rumor, not fact, and she--timid but with a clear conscience--corrected his misunderstandings. And she's been a member of the Vineyard church ever since.

When I heard this story, I wondered how I would feel if someone questioned my salvation simply for changing denominations. I'd probably be upset at whoever was spreading that kind of slander about me. But then I'd realize that the problem is bigger than this one pastor, bigger than his church, and bigger than his denomination even.

I spent six years at that Vineyard church, and I saw a few of them (not their pastor, though) do the same thing--I saw an elder, a youth leader, and another program leader question the salvation of people from other churches, specifically people who fit their definition of legalistic. And their definition was pretty broad too--it included anyone who focuses "too much" on Bible study and theology. (Funny enough, their definition includes Jesus--I don't think they realized just how studious He had been, even as a child!)

Years later I'm still scratching my head over why it's so easy for people to set up their own religion within a religion, like a system of nesting dolls. The biggest doll is Christianity. The next biggest could be evangelicalism. The next, "umbrella groups" with similar views. The next, individual denominations. The next, individual congregations. And the smallest, individual believers within the congregations.

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” (1 Cor. 12:18-21)

These religions within Christianity each have their own idols and sacrifices. They slander people who don't belong, and make false accusations about them. They decide who is and isn't really saved. And they convince themselves just how right they are to be separate from the others in the Body of Christ.

Why are we prone to doing this? Maybe people are afraid of anything that's different and out of their comfort zone. We know that in the end God will join believers of every tribe and tongue and nation, which seems to suggest a little diversity there. But I guess everyone assumes that God will show the others how *our* denomination really had it right, and how in God's wisdom heaven will be structured exactly like our home church. Won't that be divine?!!

On the other hand, maybe the answer is about human pride, and the pride of correct doctrine. We think we've got all our doctrinal ducks in a row, and our denominational chest swells as we gleefully, sheepishly, piously, humbly shine our light of truth so that wayward believers can find their way onto our membership roster. But it isn't just the dogmatic types that can feel pride of correct doctrine. As Jerry Bridges points out in "Respectable Sins" even believers who dispise theology and doctrine can feel pride in their own ideas about faith.

Where do we Christians get our ideas from, I wonder? We assume it comes down to people having different interpretations of God's Word. But thinking over what I've witnessed these last 10 years, I'm realizing the problem goes much deeper: People aren't reading God's Word.

For six years I attended that Vineyard church and I saw people say they wanted guidance from God about one issue or another. The assumption was that they wanted it to come through prayer or a word of knowledge. Either they didn't realize or didn't want to realize that God had often already given the answer in His Word.

One Vineyard church elder and I chatted about Scriptures on the topic of accountability among members of a congregation. This elder used their own reasons to explain away every verse on this subject. This person was so concerned about all the mistakes that believers *might* make in trying to hold each other accountable that they thought it best not to have accountability at all. In blunt terms, this person trusted their own wisdom over God's Word.

On another occasion, a Vineyard youth leader said how uncomfortable they were around deep Bible study because it reminded them of leglism. Bible study leads to legalism, which leads to hypocrisy, arguments and division in the church, they said. Now I want to pause a moment and acknowledge the incredible damage that the Church has suffered because of graceless faith and legalism. The threat is real, and I understand why they would feel this way about Bible studies and theology that sound more dogmatic than life-giving. The problem, though, is when they treat the Bible as though it's contagious and can spread the disease of hypocrisy if you get too close.

This is true for more conservative churches too, because many of the traditions they defend so fiercely are nowhere found in Scripture. Many ideas I was raised with in my conservative tradition, which I thought were just about on par with the Ten Commandments, are based more on human emotion and comfort than on Scripture. Tradition is where some of these believers find their safety and security, and it's why they fight so hard against any ideas to the contrary.

People prefer their own wisdom over God's. No wonder it's so easy for new 'religions' to pop up within the Body of Christ. The Church of the Eyes claims to see truth better than everyone else. The Church of the Nose can smell out the enemy better than anyone else. The Church of the Right Big Toe says "I've always done it this way and so should you" and, well, you get the idea. And everyone decides who's in and who's out, who's saved and who isn't.

So what have I taken away from all this? When it comes to charismatic churches, I've learned to be on my guard. Believers who are well-meaning want to emphasize love and grace and peace and healing, all of which are good and were God's idea to begin with, but they may be trusting in themselves and their methods more than in God's Word. I'm on my guard at conservative churches too: those well-meaning believers want to be sure everyone's on the straight and narrow, but again, they may be trusting in their traditions more than in God's Word--so their version of the straight and narrow might be more like a dark cluttered alley on the wrong side of town.

My advice: If there's ever a question on your heart, some people may tell you to pray about it (which is good) or they might give you the church's traditional answer to it (which may or may not be good). But they might not know that God has already answered your question in the Bible. Worse, they might not encourage you to look for it in Scripture.

Meanwhile, if we don't know the whole Bible, and know it well, we'll be easily convinced of something that could be totally taken out of context. It's important to know the whole Bible, and to know all of it deeply. And if Scripture doesn't seem clear, then read up on it, far and wide, among theologians who've studied the original languages, whose insight is reliable, who exude an attitude of grace, who aren't afraid to challenge popular trends OR established traditions if they don't line up with Scripture. And if it really is a grey issue, a good theologian will be honest about that too.

God will never disagree with Himself. If it sounds like He's telling you something, or telling somebody else something through prayer or a word of knowledge or church tradition, test it against Scripture. If what people tell you is true, then Scripture will bear it out. And if it isn't true, God's Word will show you that too.

And then He'll show you how to get along with a bunch of believers who seem to bicker about everything. I don't know about you, but sometimes this one makes me want to hide in my own nesting doll on a deserted island in another galaxy! Then He reminds me to just keep studying His Word, build bridges with other believers, and encourage everyone to do the same! :)

*These stories are real, but names have been changed.

Comedian Tim Hawkins

Strange Christmas carols: Do you hear what I hear?





Fast Food





Turning 40





Catch Phrases





Wrong Verse





Super Nanny





Cracker Barrel





Young Love





What's in a name?

This 2006 post came to mind just now as I work on journalling our family's journey. At this time I was visiting my soon-to-be husband in the US, it had been exactly a year since my break-up with a guy who denied that his porn addiction was a problem, and I was just at the point of deciding to leave his church in search of one where I'd feel more embraced. This post was sort of my last attempt to reach out to my church peers before leaving for good. I'm not sure, but the topic might be close to your heart also, which is why I'm pulling it from the archives for you tonight:

August 22, 2006:

Last night I hungrily watched and waited as Scott worked over the gas stove putting the finishing touches on our dinner as it sizzled in the wok. It was a beef stir fry with different spices and veggies, including bamboo, fresh ginger, sweet soy sauce, Indonesian dried hot peppers, and his favourite secret ingredient which I am not at liberty to disclose. Served over jasmine rice it was absolutely fabulous, and I enjoyed every last bit of it with my very own set of brand new re-usable chopsticks.

But during supper I let my mind wander to news I had received from home, and I had to fight the tears. It reminded me of an ongoing struggle that I've had ever since my family left Austria to return to Canada, which is namely the struggle to make lasting friendships with our peers at church. Sometimes we weren't in one place long enough to really make meaningful connections. Other times my brother and I were at the age where our peers were more concerned with popularity than reaching out to a couple pastor's kids. We've always been somewhat reserved, tired of changing church families every few years, sick of the politics and insincerity we've witnessed, and hesitant to reach out again and again only to be laughed at, or ignored, or simply tolerated by our peers.

I was reminded of a similar struggle I have felt in my current church, though now that I'm an adult I don't deal with the same kind of insecurities when making friends that I did as a child/adolescent. This time it's more about trying to break into established groups of friends, 'cliques', who felt complete before I arrived and will feel just as complete after I leave.

When I first began attending my (now ex-)boyfriend's church I was blown away by the love and down-to-earth compassion that I witnessed people giving to each other every Sunday morning. The Bible study group I joined was similar, where the worship was sincere and the desire for growth was strongly shared by everyone. I actually felt like a brand new "baby" Christian who was learning for the first time what it meant to live in Christian community with my fellow church members, where prayer and conversation about faith was not limited to Bible studies and Sunday morning services, but was made evident in all of our interaction with other people at all times. It really changed my outlook and made me realize how much deeper my faith still had to grow so that I lived it out every minute of my life, especially with my friends and family.

Two and a half years later, after my relationship ended, I was hurting terribly but the compassion, prayers and hugs I had seen other people receive on Sunday mornings were just not there for me, even though my entire peer group knew what had happened. I needed their support so badly... Surely, I thought, someone must know that I feel like I'm dying inside.

Then I gradually realized that I was no longer being invited to hang out with the peer group that I had gotten to know over the last 2.5 years. It hurt. I felt alone. So I decided to pour myself into my church community and did the first thing that came to mind - I helped to start a young adults group that would hopefully bring people together. I was looking forward to getting to know my peers, hoping they would get to know me as a single person again - no longer as just their friend's former girlfriend, but as their friend as well. Many showed up at first, but slowly the group began to dwindle. Even so I attended as faithfully as I could, and I still adored the community atmosphere at our Sunday morning church services. I wouldn't miss them for the world. Then one night, several months later, we had planned a potluck to which just a handful of young adults showed up. I later learned that a number of them had planned private party for that same night. My heart broke. The following Sunday, and every Sunday since, I have faced a monumental struggle in finding the motivation to attend church. Yes, they show amazing love and compassion, they pray for and embrace each other at the drop of a hat, but I realized I have to be friends with them before I will be sought out, prayed for, and embraced.

I don't want to fail to mention the exceptions - and there almost always are exceptions. One friend of mine who's been there since the beginning has made an effort to go out of her way to keep in touch with me, and she knows who she is. :) If it weren't for her I know that I would have left that church a while ago already. Then there's another friend I'm still just getting to know who arrived on the scene after I was already single and beginning to think about helping to organize the young adults group. She also knows who she is, and I appreciate her kindness very much as well!! There are a couple others, two very wise and more mature church members who make a point of connecting with me on Sunday mornings too, one of whom also reads this blog. ;) Thank you!!

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but sincere gestures to reach out mean the world to me. I'm a former pastor's kid who's had to jump from one church to the next, who's had to fight shyness and loneliness over the years, deal with insincere attention from others because of my Dad's job, put up with petty popularity games among my Christian peers, say good-bye over and over again to the few real friends I was able to make then try to reach out again at yet another new church... I think it would be understandable that 19 years of this has left me somewhat emotionally exhausted. I am an introvert, I'm not bubbly, I'm not the life of the party, I'm not the kind of magnetic personality who attracts people to me very easily, yet I love people! And I wish that there was a way to get the average Christian church community to understand how important it is to reach out and genuinely welcome newcomers into their established friendship groups. I don't want to be seen as a ministry. I want to be surrounded by folks who see me as an equal and actually care to get to know me.

So after supper last night I was lost in thought about all of this. Scott was a comfort to me, but I also wished I could have been back home to offer my hugs and support to a friend who was struggling with the same loneliness...

A couple Christian writers forecast the end of "Christian America" and the benefits that can come from it. The writer of this article is one of them, and the other is Gabe Lyons who wrote "The Next Christians." I find these ideas a little unnerving but exciting too.

Article: The coming evangelical collapse

Sub-title: An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin. But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.

Link: http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html

Before I get into my response to this audio book, I thought it might help you to know the angle I'm coming from: Firstly, I'm not a trained theologian or minister or an expert in ecclesiology (theology of the Church). But I guess you could call me a hobbyist, and my interest in these things is sincere, so by all means, speak up and share your ideas about this stuff, whatever they might be. :-)

Secondly, as a pastor's kid I've heard of revivals, scandals, trends and dangers within Christendom for more than 20 years. So I have to admit, there is a small, exasperated voice in my head saying, "What new twist is someone putting on my faith this time?" But that isn't the only thing bouncing around in my head when I meet a new book about the Church. The other voice, which is much more compelling (and friendlier!), reminds me to stay curious, humble, and open to whatever God might want to teach me. And it reminds me that I've had my own doubts about Church and western Christianity over the years, and just maybe this author will help shed some light on what I've already felt in my gut about the problems I've witnessed.

That being said, the waters were a little rough for me in the first few chapters of The Next Christians, where Gabe Lyons summarizes the state of American (this could apply to Canadian Christians too, so I'll just say "NA", short for North American) Christianity. He describes the many sub-groups of Christians by the way they relate with secular society, but these descriptions seem over-simplified. While he mentions their strengths, he ends up casting each group in a rather negative light in an effort to contrast them with what he calls the "next Christians." So that's the main hiccup I ran into as I digested this book.

Moving right along, I was fascinated by his idea that over the last few decades (or the last century, even) NA Christians have put the gospel message out of balance, focusing on salvation but minimizing the other half of the story: the restorative piece of God's work. God's end goal is not just for us to be saved, but He also restores our souls, minds, hearts, and relationships in the process, and He will bring restoration to the world at the end of time as well.

Bringing restoration back into focus alongside the message of salvation, Lyons says, helps regular Christians (like me!) finally understand our natural impulse to create things that are beautiful and to fix things that are broken, like our neighborhoods, homes, workplaces, hobbies, (Facebook pages?), and anything we can get our hands on to beautify. This point really hit home for me, especially because I still carry a little bit of the shame of being thought of as 'liberal' (in the sense that people want to spit after saying it) because of my relentless drive to preserve that which is beautiful (like nature) and speak up for people who are down on their luck or oppressed. So in my case, it's refreshing to be reminded that God created us to enjoy and want to do these things, because by doing so we're reflecting His nature; we were made in His image, after all!

The rest of the book delves into the many different attitudes and activities these "next Christians" engage in. His stories inspire me and they've got me brainstorming about changes I might make to my own life. Gabe also narrated the audio version of his book, which added a personal touch.

Now obviously, I can't summarize all the angles or the depth of the author's points in the confines of my short review, so you'll just have to pick up a copy for yourself to see exactly what Lyons is trying to say. ;-)

Many thanks to christianaudio for providing a free audio download of this book for review.

I just realized the irony of posting a quote about gluttony on Thanksgiving weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving, that is). Trust me, this wasn't planned!

In The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges reminds us:

20th century Christians, especially those in the Western world, have generally been found wanting in the area of holiness of body. Gluttony and laziness, ...for example, were regarded by earlier Christians as sin. Today we may look on these as weaknesses of the will but certainly not sin. We even joke about our overeating and other indulgences instead of crying out to God in confession and repentance.

How has the western Church come to this point where we wink at things God has told us clearly are sins?

This is just one example showing the reason doubters and critics and 'revolutionaries' within the Church deserve our attention these days. The Church is complacent, too many patriarchs and matriarchs of the faith subordinate voices of concern and dissonance in their midst. More often than not, I think, the Holy Spirit is the drive behind those voices, and in the Church's complacency we don't recognize His voice anymore.

It's all too easy, but we can't let ourselves slip into the same complacency we're seeing all around us in Christianity these days. It's far too easy to go with the flow than it is to swim against it, but sometimes general consensus, the status quo, popular opinion, whatever you want to call it, can be rebellious and unholy, yes, even in the Church.

If you're concerned about the Body of Christ and feel God leading you to say something about it, don't let yourself be shamed or discouraged for doing so. If He calls you to shine a light on some of these neglected, unseemly sins that seem to be staring you in the face, then don't lose heart: Keep following His lead, keep listening to His voice, and keep shining that light. You're not alone.

The evangelical Church: Can't live with it, can't live without it. But lately it seems major shifts are happening that should make it just a little easier to live with.

The Hearts & Minds blogger explains.

Finally, the root of all theological confusion is revealed, and it comes down to this: Why didn't the Christian cross the road?

If you're searching for the perfect evidence with which to smite your enemy understanding to admonish your brother/sister in the Lord, search no more. This list will answer all your questions. We will learn about Evangelicals, Emergers, Reformed Theologians, Dispensationalists, and Arminians. And most importantly, take it with grain of salt and enjoy.

Many thanks to Parchment & Pen for illuminating the Church with these timely insights, and thanks to my friend who spread the word on her blog. ;)


~*~

Top Eleven Reasons the Arminian Did Not Cross the Road

11. He is the one who is in charge. No one is going to make him do anything.

10. We are not sure if he will cross or not. No one knows. Not even God.

9. He has felt the draw of the other side of the road and has resisted thus far.

8. He heard someone yell at someone on the other side calling him a dork. He thought he said “Dordt.” It scared him.

7. Two guys named John and Ed were on the other side. It was too big of a risk (and they looked mean).

6. He will cross the road. But it won’t happen until just before he dies. Insurance. What if he did it early and changed his mind? Smart thinking.

5. Finney and Pelagius just crossed. Everyone already thinks he follows them. To cross now would just confirm their suspicions.

4. He shipwrecked on his way across therefore he never made it.

3. God cast a vote for him to cross. Satan cast a vote for him not to cross. He holds the deciding vote.

2. He did cross the road. In fact, he has crossed it over a dozen times. He just keep backsliding.

1. He did cross the road but stopped half way. One side was Geneva and the other side was Rome.


~*~

Top Ten Reasons Why the Emerger Did Not Cross the Road?

I know. They don’t go by the name emerger anymore. But the attitude is still out there and they need representation on this issue.

10. Because he did not want to be labeled.

9. Because he was not absolutely certain that he could cross since in order to get to the other side, you would have to go half way, and in order to go half way, you would have to go half way to the half way, and in order to go half way to the half way, you would have to go half way, ad infinitum.

8. Because it was not a labyrinth shaped road.

7. Because only arrogant people cross roads.

6. He was afriad it was the “Romans Road.”

5. Because they don’t ordain women or homosexuals to street preaching on the other side.

4. Because everyone crosses the road. It must be wrong.

3. Because to cross the road you have to go West.

2. Because it was a one-way street.

1. Because he did not want to be accused of J-Mac-ing.


~*~

Top Eleven Reasons Why the Reformed Theologian Did not Cross the Road

11. A woman already crossed. We don’t follow women.

10. We don’t believe the road is safe. It wasn’t built between 1500-1700 A.D.

9. We believe that “road crossing” ceased with the death of the last Apostle or the completion of the New Testament.

8. The crossing guard was only helping people cross from one side to the other, so we are suspicious. Is this a denial of double pre-destination?

7. Neither Romans 9 or John 6 say anything about crossing roads. Therefore, it is unbiblical.

6. The “Walk” sign was gender neutral. It made us mad.

5. The road was called Tiber Ave.

4. John Wesley said that God’s prevenient grace would pave the way, but we have to take the steps ourselves. What a load!

3. We were not elected to cross before the foundation of the road.

2. Piper said that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied on our side of the road.

1. The pub is on this side of the road.


~*~

Top Ten Reasons the Evangelical Did Not Cross the Road

10. Because there was not a tea party on the other side of the road.

9. Because he was not sure WWJD in any given road crossing situation.

8. He wanted to avoid the man begging for money on the other side. He just needs to get a job.

7. The road was named after Bill Clinton.

6. He did not read anything about crossing the road in Purpose Driven Life.

5. On the other side of the road there was a guy who was the friend of a friend of a friend who voted for Obama.

4. Their church was watch the movie “The Road” on Sunday mornings instead of listening to a sermon. He wanted to wait until it was over to see what to do.

3. There were Fundamentalists on one side and liberals on the other side. He wanted to mediate so he went to the middle of the road.

2. Because he was waiting for the guy from the golf-cart ministry to pick him up.

1. While the main campus of his church was on the other side of the road, he had a satellite campus on his. Why cross?


~*~

Top Ten Reason the Dispensationalist Did Not Cross the Road

10. By taking a consistently literal approach, we thought that “cross the road” meant something about the crucifixion.

9. We thought that the other side was for Israel and this side was for the church.

8. Charles Ryrie was still on this side of the road, why cross?

7. It is pointless since Jesus is just going to bring us back after 7 years.

6. Like the OT prophets and the church age, we were unable to see the other side.

5. We counted and it would take 18 steps. That divided by 3 is 6. 666. Therefore, it would be taking the mark of the beast.

4. We were not a part of the ‘crossing’ dispensation.

3. Dallas Theological Seminary has yet published anything telling us how to do it.

2. It was crossing from HWY 69 to HWY 70. That road is meant only for Israel.

1. We thought we would be raptured before we got there anyway.

 Let me share a joke I just heard, about burden-bearing:

A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly. It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."

I'm quite discouraged. Another long-time member of my parents' church recently (just last week) referred to helping my Dad as "babysitting". I wonder if that's the predominant attitude about all this, as though Dad's heart, mind and soul are already lost, and it's just a crazy man who can't be by himself.

I'm just at the point where I don't know what to think anymore. So often it seems that we fit right into the James 2:15-16/1 John 3:17 scenario. So many people tell us they'll pray for us, but I wonder whether they actually do pray, and what they *really* think about my parents and our situation. And regardless of all that, their prayers are not backed up with tangible support anyway.

And I'm not talking about people who are burdened down with their own major struggles, but about those I've seen who do have the time to help but choose to spend it on watching television, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, playing video games, and so on. I just don't see how this is compatible with the Christian's calling in Romans 12 (v. 10-16). It's like the Christian life can so easily be compartmentalized... being spiritual and prayerful at church gatherings is fine, but then holding onto our "right" to fun, leisure and entertainment is also acceptable - even celebrated, because "God created fun" and we "deserve" it. How can the Body of Christ carry on this way without first making sure all of our members are cared for (1 Cor. 12:22-26/Gal. 6:9-10)?

I have no problem admitting that I used to be that way before my parents fell into this mess. Our struggle to find help revealed much selfishness and darkness in my own heart. But now that I've woken up to this in my own life, how do I live out Hebrews 10:24? I just wish the mature believers in our churches would realize it in themselves too, take that step of faith, turn their lives around and *truly* die to themselves every day the way Christ calls us to. Not just for my parents' sake, but for the sake of their relationship with God, and for all of the other people who could potentially be comforted and supported if only more of us Christians lived out the "always" in 1 Thess. 5:15.

How many of us praying, well-intentioned Christians are cross-eyed bears, and how many of us actually bear one another's burdens? How many of us truly bear the cross?

This is just my ongoing frustration with the culture of Christianity in North America as a whole. We're a long way off from Acts 2:44-47 these days, and I wish I knew how to help change that somehow.

I've realized a major change God has been working in my heart over the last couple years: Through my family's situation of need my eyes have been opened--literally for the first time--to Scripture passages about God's instructions to us about helping those in need. I've realized, and confirmed with a few theologians in personal conversations, that Scripture does lay out a clear path for us:

1) Give tangible help to those in our immediate and extended family who are vulnerable and needy

2) Give tangible help to members of our local congregation who are vulnerable and needy

3) Give tangible help to our family of believers who are spread around the world who are vulnerable and needy

4) Give tangible help to our unbelieving neighbours (locally and globally) who are also vulnerable and needy

The change that happened in me is a total reversal of my values. I used to be a lot more self-absorbed, into entertainment, spending a lot of time in my imagination, and tons of time doing goofy things with friends. Although these things are not intrinsically bad, I know that one day, after I'm no longer needed by my parents, I'm going to spend my free time helping others a great deal more than I will on the pursuit of happiness, diversions, entertainment, and so on. I know this because of how I feel these days when other people give up their leisure time to help my parents. They are an answer to our prayers, and one day I want to be the answer to many other peoples' prayers too.

This is just a little note to let you know you're often thought of with gratitude. Many are they who will give grand counsel and goodly advice without forsaking the pedestal of self-esteem. But there are so few, like you, who touch the hearts of anybodies and make them somebodies, who say, "I can feel your pain, may I share it?", who knit their lives to others for that brief time when care is needed most, who when his life path crosses another's, says, "let me help you for the span of time we walk together," forgiving and forgetting with a love that surpasses all but the divine.

For your encouragement and fellowship I will always be deeply grateful.

So ends a letter to my Dad from a gentleman many decades ago. The person he describes is the Dad I've known growing up - always fully and completely giving himself to others in their greatest moments of weakness and grief. Why is it that, after living a life like his and now in his greatest time of need, the majority of Christian acquaintances back out of Dad's life in fear, while those who embrace him with love are the exception? And is it any wonder that those of us who know and love Dad experience indignation when Christian leaders of my parents' church justify their own and their members' distance in their greatest time of need and loneliness?

Dad still has his ups and downs, but with taking less Dilantin per day (that's his seizure medication), his mind is not as foggy as it was before. He has been incredibly articulate at times, and all the normal dreams and hopes that we humans experience are being expressed by Dad clearer and more often these days. He desires to get better, to pick up his former profession of pastoring, to drive a car, to have friends who treat him like a normal human being who is worthy of respect and worth the time to visit. He wants to have adventures, to use his gifts for singing and counselling, to try new things like learning to use a digital camera and an accoustic guitar, to devote time to his interest in music, model trains, history, Scripture, and so on. What he needs are just a few more friends to help him reach up out of the fog and realize some of his ambitions. The possibilities, believe it or not, are numerous and attainable...

There is always more going on here, but I'll have to post about it another day. Thanks for checking in, and remember, your comments (and phone calls!) are always welcome.

Dad and I have been on the go ever since his change in medication! I never dreamt one less pill per day would translate into driving around the countryside, meeting new people, visiting old friends, getting to know my community, learning history, and going on photography jaunts day in and day out! It's pretty striking to see the difference in Dad now that he has less Dilantin clouding his mind. Dad's energy level, ambition, curiosity and rootedness in reality have skyrocketed during this time, which has really kept me on my toes. In the last few weeks Dad and I have frequented historical sites, attended cultural events, visited local tourist sites, and taken in free classical concerts. I have to say, I've really enjoyed myself, and my only major complaint is that I am no longer able to spend my days at home working on my thesis. The cost so far has been $1500, which I've spent on tuition fees just to be enrolled in school, while getting nothing done. What I desperately, desperately need is other people to come over and spend time with Dad a few hours in the morning. I just can't express how badly I need to redeem the rest of my school year. Why is it that so many people just don't seem to realize the cost of caregiving, and how life-changing their long-term help might be to caregivers? It's all good for people to tell me to depend on God, but we all know God isn't going to erase my school debt. Nor is He going to finish my thesis for me.

I've recently connected with Christians from a church my Dad formerly pastored. They actually just survived a much greater trauma than we are currently, so they know just how meaningful it is to have friends share in the task of burden-bearing. One of them has already spent a morning with Dad, and will be returning on a regular basis in order to offer respite to my Mom and me. We are extremely grateful to God for answering our prayers through this man! And the remarkable thing about his visits is that he drives 1.5 hours one way just to get here!

Meanwhile, my Clone and I have been planning dinner parties in order to resurrect my parents' social life and opportunities for meaningful fellowship and friendship. Mom is way too busy and tired to do this herself, but she has also admitted to being painfully lonely this year. So, Clone and I came up with a plan to organize small dinners for my parents and their friends from far and wide, one family at a time. We are thoroughly enjoying our interaction with the folks who've sat at my parents' table so far, and we look forward to many fun dinner parties in the weeks and months to come! We're also grateful for our family who've invited my parents to their place in the last few weeks; this gives us much-needed rest, and gives me snippets of time for my studies.

Speaking of which, I have a research ethics request form to finish. Thanks for dropping by!

[Encouragement] is the opposite of flattery, which uses words to entice and manipulate. The flatterer does not bother to discern the true character of the other person, but says whatever he must say to win the person over to his own designs. The gift of encouragement also differs from a mere pep talk that seeks to prop up the weary with positive generalizations. Instead, it sustains the person by observing his strengths, and affirming them in specific terms. -- From a Hebraic meditation

My family has been made 'weary' through the last several years of disability, unemployment, caregiving, isolation, financial struggles, emotional breakdowns, and physical and mental burnout.

Many people wonder how they can possibly encourage someone who's going through major difficulties, especially the kind that are not easy to identify with. Speaking on behalf of the 'weary', I wanted to share the quote above as a good first step in encouraging people around you who are facing major challenges.