I came across a really interesting blog entry by someone else. Well worth the couple of minutes it takes to read it. Enjoy!
http://www.becomegoodsoil.com/castration-a-case-for-carrying-a-knife/
Showing posts with label calling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calling. Show all posts
Friday, February 21, 2014
Monday, February 18, 2013
Longing for Chivarly
Saturday night I did something that I've never done before. I called the cops. I was sitting at home, watching a DVD on my couch when I heard a "smack" sound, followed by a muffled sound. So I paused the movie and listened. That's when I heard it. It was a much louder "SMACK!" (The distinctive sound of flesh hitting flesh.) followed by a woman's scream, then a woman crying.
I jumped up and ran outside, barefoot in temperatures in the teens, and listened. It was coming from the apartment next door, which I confirmed standing outside the door. I could hear the crying woman saying "I'm sorry! I can't help it." There was a reply from another female voice.
I ran back inside and paced for but a moment, trying to decide whether to go in, or call 911. I finally settled on the latter, though it took every once of restraint to not go over there with a baseball bat or the hatchet I use for camping and try to rescue the person who had just been beaten. I reported in great detail who I was, where I was, and what I had heard. The only thing that kept me still from going over there was fear of cops showing up to find me breaking into an apartment armed.
Here's the really disappointing thing. Two and a half hours later, when I went to bed (I had to work the next morning), no cops had come. No one even came to investigate. What's the point in calling for help if you report that you are an eyewitness (or in my case earwitness) to a crime and they don't even come to investigate. This isn't New York. I don't live in that big of a city. I shouldn't take time to get someone there, especially is a person is in danger.
Maybe that's why chivalry is dead. It is legally inconvenient. If I tried to help, I'd be charged, while the assailant would get away with it. But every instinct, every longing within me, wanted to be the hero, wanted to come to the rescue. Most men want nothing more than to be seen as a hero in the eyes of the woman they love. That's why men love action heroes. John McClain rescues Holly. Kyle Reese gives his life to stop the Terminator and save Sara Conner. James Bond shoots the big bad and gets the girl.
Yet, at the same time, men watch movies and play video games because we're afraid. We're afraid that we're too weak, just like Adam. Most people don't know this about the early chapters of Genesis, but Adam was made first. God told Adam not to eat from the one tree. Then God made Eve. Adam told Eve what God said. When the serpent came around, he asked Eve "Did God really say don't eat that?" She looked at Adam, and he SAID NOTHING. He could have stopped it, but he failed. He was there, and he didn't do anything. It's right there in Genesis 3:6. He was there and did nothing. That's why he got the harsher curse. 1 Timothy 2 explained that Eve was deceived, while Adam sinned willingly. And we (men) all fear that when we are put to the test, that we won't be enough. So in our fear, we hide. We try to avoid the test. In doing so, we fail by our silence, just like Adam did.
So I hope I did the right thing. I did what I legally could do. I wasn't silent. I spoke up, and put my name to it. Still, I wish I could have been a knight in shining armor instead of some guy with a cell phone.
I jumped up and ran outside, barefoot in temperatures in the teens, and listened. It was coming from the apartment next door, which I confirmed standing outside the door. I could hear the crying woman saying "I'm sorry! I can't help it." There was a reply from another female voice.
I ran back inside and paced for but a moment, trying to decide whether to go in, or call 911. I finally settled on the latter, though it took every once of restraint to not go over there with a baseball bat or the hatchet I use for camping and try to rescue the person who had just been beaten. I reported in great detail who I was, where I was, and what I had heard. The only thing that kept me still from going over there was fear of cops showing up to find me breaking into an apartment armed.
Here's the really disappointing thing. Two and a half hours later, when I went to bed (I had to work the next morning), no cops had come. No one even came to investigate. What's the point in calling for help if you report that you are an eyewitness (or in my case earwitness) to a crime and they don't even come to investigate. This isn't New York. I don't live in that big of a city. I shouldn't take time to get someone there, especially is a person is in danger.
Maybe that's why chivalry is dead. It is legally inconvenient. If I tried to help, I'd be charged, while the assailant would get away with it. But every instinct, every longing within me, wanted to be the hero, wanted to come to the rescue. Most men want nothing more than to be seen as a hero in the eyes of the woman they love. That's why men love action heroes. John McClain rescues Holly. Kyle Reese gives his life to stop the Terminator and save Sara Conner. James Bond shoots the big bad and gets the girl.
Yet, at the same time, men watch movies and play video games because we're afraid. We're afraid that we're too weak, just like Adam. Most people don't know this about the early chapters of Genesis, but Adam was made first. God told Adam not to eat from the one tree. Then God made Eve. Adam told Eve what God said. When the serpent came around, he asked Eve "Did God really say don't eat that?" She looked at Adam, and he SAID NOTHING. He could have stopped it, but he failed. He was there, and he didn't do anything. It's right there in Genesis 3:6. He was there and did nothing. That's why he got the harsher curse. 1 Timothy 2 explained that Eve was deceived, while Adam sinned willingly. And we (men) all fear that when we are put to the test, that we won't be enough. So in our fear, we hide. We try to avoid the test. In doing so, we fail by our silence, just like Adam did.
So I hope I did the right thing. I did what I legally could do. I wasn't silent. I spoke up, and put my name to it. Still, I wish I could have been a knight in shining armor instead of some guy with a cell phone.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Vow of the Modern Knight
The Knight
We live in a day when we are in need of knights. We need warriors who are willing to fight for things that truly matter. As a knight for today, I take this oath.
A knight does not serve himself. He serves a king. I surrender myself totally to the King of Kings. I will obey him in every area of my life. I withhold nothing from myself. I completely and totally surrender. I will obey His every command. I will go on every quest, no matter how dangerous, no matter how deadly, no matter the cost to myself.
Isaiah 6:8, Luke 9:23, 12:51, Romans 6:22-23, 12:1, Rev 19:11-16
A knight is a warrior. We live in a world at war. I pledge to fight. I pledge to defend myself from the attacks of Satan, using the armor God has given me. I will use the weapons God has given me, the sword of His Word and prayer. I will not fight alone, but with my King. I was not meant to fight alone, but alongside my fellow knights. I will lead when others will only follow. I will not get caught alone and be an easy target for the Enemy and his minions. I will fight alongside others. I will defend those who cannot defend themselves. I will join the King on His mission to storm the gates of Hell itself and set free those held captive there. I understand that this is a dangerous mission and that many have fallen in the undertaking of it. That is why I will surround myself with prayer, with the armor of the King, and with knights who do the same.
Exodus 15:3, Ephesians 6:10-18, Romans 8:37-39, Rev. 20:10
The Virtues of the Knight
The first virtue of the knight is integrity. Someone once said, “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.” I will strive to be a man of integrity. I will be the same man whether I am being watched or not. Whether I am with my family, with my church, with my friends, or with myself, I will do the right thing. I will live my life built on a foundation of the King of Kings and His Word. I vow have integrity in every area of my life. I will obey the King in every area of my life. No area will be off limits to Him. I will have integrity in even the small things. No exceptions, just obedience.
Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 24:3-5, Psalm 25:21, 41:12, Proverbs 10:9, Titus 2:7-8
A knight will be a man of courage. I will not let fear hold me. I refuse to be imprisoned by its power. Fear is a great weapon of the Enemy. I will not stay a hostage of my fear. The Enemy cannot stand with the power of the King. The servants of the King are far stronger than the minions of the Enemy. The Enemy is already defeated. His tactics are of the weak and desperate. I will not let my fear control me. There is no bravery without fear. I refuse to surrender. I refuse to die. I will be a man of courage.
Proverbs 28:1, Hebrews 13:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Matthew 14:27, 2 Kings 6:16
I will be a knight of compassion. I will seek to truly help the poor, not just give a token dollar to appease guilt. I will fight for justice for those who are oppressed. I will strive for freedom for slaves. I will try to provide food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty. And I will treat those that I meet daily with compassion.
Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 58:6, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 John 3:17-18, James 1:27
As a knight, I will strive for self-control. I will discipline my body, my mind, and my heart. Satan will try to take me out of the fight through self-indulgence. I will fight him through self-discipline. I will read and memorize Scripture. I will read devotional books and books to help me lead others. I will keep my guard up. I will flee temptation. I will control my body and my weight. I vow to discipline myself.
1 Timothy 4:8, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
A knight will speak with honesty. I will not tell a lie, no matter how small it seems. My world will be my bond. I will keep the commitments that I make to the best of my ability. I will in no way deceive anyone for any reason. My “yes” will mean yes and my “no” no. My word will be trustworthy.
Ephesians 4:15,25, Ephesians 6:14, Matthew 5:33-37
As a knight, I will strive for humility. I will remember that I am only a servant of the King. I will think more of others than I do myself. I will give glory to Jesus in all things. Max Lucado wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.”
Matthew 20:25-28, Philippians 2:3, Colossians 3:12, James 3:13, 1Peter 5:5, Psalm 8:3-4,
Proverbs 16:18
As a knight, I will live with purity. I will keep my mind and body pure. I will not allow myself to be diluted by the lusts and desires of the world. Many things in this world are intended to corrupt man and take away the pureness of his heart, mind, and soul but I will fight against these things to keep my purity. I will keep my eyes clean. I will keep my mind pure by memorizing the Word. I will also be pure in my devotion to the One and Only King in Heaven. No other idols will take me captive or break my whole devotion to the King of Kings.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Psalm 119:9, 1 Timothy 4:12, Mark 7:21-23, Matthew 5:48
Another virtue of the knight is perseverance. This world has many hardships. I will joyfully endure them, seeking only to be transformed more into the likeness of the King. No matter the trail, I will seek only to be obedient and to become the man I was meant to be. No matter the battle, I will continue to fight. I will endure and help others to endure. I will seek out relationships that will help me keep to the path.
James 1:2-4, James 1:12, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1, Romans 5:1-5, Matthew 7:24-27
A knight will strive for patience. A knight will show understanding. I will let mistakes go, since I have made my share. I will try to empathize with others, especially in their anger, to see things from their perspective and attempt to root out the deeper issues, knowing that sometimes people just need an ear to listen.
Proverbs 16:32, Ephesians 4:2, Galatians 5:22-23, James 1:19
Another virtue of the knight is loyalty. I swear allegiance to the King. I will let nothing stand between Him and me. I will loyally defend my brothers and sisters in Christ through accountability, transparency, and prayer.
1 Samuel 20:42, Hosea 6:6 (NASB), 1 Chronicles 29:18
A knight will work with excellence. In all things, I will work to please the king, and therefore do my best. Hard work is also a virtue of the knight. I will not flinch. I will not hesitate. I will not leave it for others. I will do the work that needs done. I will be a servant for all. I will work not to earn the love of my King, since I cannot do so, but I will work as my act of gratitude for what the king has done for me.
Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 6:7-8, Matthew 25:14-46, Luke 17:7-10, Revelation 2:2
Relationships of the Knight
The King. I will obey the king in all areas of my life. And I will love the king with everything that I am and everything that I do. I will study His Word and apply it to my life. I will seek daily to build a closer walk with Him.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
The lady. I will treat women with respect, as daughters of the King. I will only seek deeper relationships with those that will help me grow closer to the King. I will seek to do the same for her. I will put her above myself and my work, understanding that the first person I should serve is her. And I will love her with self-sacrifice and undying commitment despite wavering emotions or what I get out of it. I seek not a servant nor a princess, but a partner.
Ephesians 5:25-33
Children. I will disciple my own kids. I will make it my first priority to help them to be loyal to the King. The best way to love them is to love their mother. I will help sons to see their strength and to become warriors. I will help daughters to see their beauty and their value.
Ephesians 6:4
Church. I will lead the church by being a servant. I will stand as a shepherd to guide, and a watchman to protect. It is not my church, but the King’s. I understand that I cannot lead from above; I must be with them. I will feed them. I will make disciples. I will seek others with whom I can walk through life. And I will train up other leaders to serve the King and His church.
Jeremiah 23:1-2, Ezekiel 3:17-19,
The lost. I will follow the King in His mission to seek and save the lost, by whatever means necessary. I will remember that I am not superior to them, but “a fellow beggar showing others where to find bread.”
Matthew 28:18-20, Acts1:8
The World. I will not be swayed, deterred, or distracted by the world and following the crowd. No matter how unpopular, I will obey the King as He leads me. I will not seek the world’s interests or possessions.
Exodus 23:2a, Galatians 1:10, 1 John 2:15-17
The Enemy. I will fight the enemy until all my strength is spent, and then I will rely on the strength of the King. I will seek to storm his strongholds and set free his captives. I know that he has lost the war. I will still fight the battles.
Ephesians 6:10-12, Revelation 20:10
Psalm 119
In adding my name in comment, I take this vow.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Just a quick prayer
I don't normally do this, but I feel the need to write a quick prayer to God.
Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in your followers. Because I rely on His power so much. I can feel Him working as I write and speak. So much of the good that I do is because of His power and not my own. There have been so many times when I was overwhelmed with His presence, because You had something you were wanting to do, and I just happened to be present, little more than a tool in Your hands. That is such an amazing thing, and something so few people get to be a part of. I am in awe that you choose to use a nothing like me, so that your power comes through. I love you. Nothing in life compares to you. So thank you. In the name of your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.
Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in your followers. Because I rely on His power so much. I can feel Him working as I write and speak. So much of the good that I do is because of His power and not my own. There have been so many times when I was overwhelmed with His presence, because You had something you were wanting to do, and I just happened to be present, little more than a tool in Your hands. That is such an amazing thing, and something so few people get to be a part of. I am in awe that you choose to use a nothing like me, so that your power comes through. I love you. Nothing in life compares to you. So thank you. In the name of your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wiggle thinking
This past week, I had a great time. It's all summerized by a few words. "It's Da Wiggles." Wiggles is my neice. And she loves her uncle. We had Wiggle Time every morning. She would giggle and squeal and had a great time.
My normal stoic self cannot help but love this little girl. I nearly cried the morning that I had to leave, because the next time I will see her, she will be a year old. She might be walking and talking. She will be so much bigger. She will see flashes of her uncle. Instead of being a part of her life, I will look through a window and see glances of it.
This got me thinking about my college roommate. He's a Marine. He's an officer. He was in Afghanistan when his daughter was born. And he is overseas once more as his wife prepares to have a son. As hard as it was to leave my neice, why did he leave a wife, daughter, and son?
Because it is his duty. To his country? Maybe. To his family? Yes. To his God? Definately. And he goes to that duty to protect and provide for his family. He goes obediently to what many of us would not do because it is where God led him.
A good friend is in China. He left everything he knew because God led him there.
I have other friends who started their family in West Africa because God led them to a people who don't know Jesus.
A young man could have a very successful career, perhaps in pro baseball, but is going into ministry because that's where God wants him.
I moved to Virginia for little pay because that's where God wants me. Now my story may be small compared to the others, but the point isn't me. The point is God. God might lead you to something big, like the mission field or the Marines. God might lead you to go become friends with your next door neighbor. The point is to go where God leads you. Matthew 28:19 best translated "As you are going, make disciples of all nations." God assumes we are going, and he will lead us. He might lead you to other nations, or your own. The point is GO and follow God.
My normal stoic self cannot help but love this little girl. I nearly cried the morning that I had to leave, because the next time I will see her, she will be a year old. She might be walking and talking. She will be so much bigger. She will see flashes of her uncle. Instead of being a part of her life, I will look through a window and see glances of it.
This got me thinking about my college roommate. He's a Marine. He's an officer. He was in Afghanistan when his daughter was born. And he is overseas once more as his wife prepares to have a son. As hard as it was to leave my neice, why did he leave a wife, daughter, and son?
Because it is his duty. To his country? Maybe. To his family? Yes. To his God? Definately. And he goes to that duty to protect and provide for his family. He goes obediently to what many of us would not do because it is where God led him.
A good friend is in China. He left everything he knew because God led him there.
I have other friends who started their family in West Africa because God led them to a people who don't know Jesus.
A young man could have a very successful career, perhaps in pro baseball, but is going into ministry because that's where God wants him.
I moved to Virginia for little pay because that's where God wants me. Now my story may be small compared to the others, but the point isn't me. The point is God. God might lead you to something big, like the mission field or the Marines. God might lead you to go become friends with your next door neighbor. The point is to go where God leads you. Matthew 28:19 best translated "As you are going, make disciples of all nations." God assumes we are going, and he will lead us. He might lead you to other nations, or your own. The point is GO and follow God.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
An interesting read.
Please read this. And share this. You simply have no idea...
http://www.seejenwrite.com/?p=5301
http://www.seejenwrite.com/?p=5301
Monday, October 3, 2011
Woah.
I preached at my church this weekend. I do this a few times a year, but this time I had no idea what to preach on. It was just rough for me. Eventually I preached on Luke 9:57-62. This is a tough teaching from Jesus, and I just struggled. When you teach on a passage like this, most people just tune you out. I just didn't feel this one. That happens as a preacher sometimes.
Funny thing about preaching, some sermons you think "This is good..." and people don't get a word of it. Sometimes, you think "well I laid an egg" and that one just hits some people particularly hard. This one fit the latter category.
Some people were really hit hard. We had something happen that rarely happens. A lady who came to church for the first time came forward to be baptized. Mostly, when someone comes forward, they had a conversation with us at some point before. We know they are coming. Occassionally someone comes forward as a surprise, but never have I had someone come forward that was there for the first time.
That shows me one thing. Even after all this time, I still have no clue when the Holy Spirit will chose to move. God will do what He will despite of my best efforts. Just a simple reminder to me: it's not about me. God is the one who is in control.
Funny thing about preaching, some sermons you think "This is good..." and people don't get a word of it. Sometimes, you think "well I laid an egg" and that one just hits some people particularly hard. This one fit the latter category.
Some people were really hit hard. We had something happen that rarely happens. A lady who came to church for the first time came forward to be baptized. Mostly, when someone comes forward, they had a conversation with us at some point before. We know they are coming. Occassionally someone comes forward as a surprise, but never have I had someone come forward that was there for the first time.
That shows me one thing. Even after all this time, I still have no clue when the Holy Spirit will chose to move. God will do what He will despite of my best efforts. Just a simple reminder to me: it's not about me. God is the one who is in control.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Treasure in Clay Jars
Do you ever think about how strange God is (at least by our feeble minds)? I mean, think about it. If I were an all-knowing, all-powerful God, I wouldn't have created humanity. We treat God like crap. He knew that we would. He knew that we would rebel. He knew that we would betray Him. And He created us and gave us the free will to do it. That's just strange.
And how would you have come to these people? Would you speak to a select few people to speak on your behalf? No, I would have flattened the globe out like a paper wad, then yelled at everyone until the either soiled their shorts or died in fear.
And how would you appear to these people? Would you have sent God the Son as a baby, or as a conqueror? As a peasant or a ruler? As a poor person, or as a king? Would you walk among humanity like one of them, knowing the world would virtually miss it? Would you have died for people that hate you to teach them of your love, or would you have massacred them for talking back to you?
I fear most of you would have done what I would have, which was the opposite of what He did. You know, I have said for years that I don't understand everything about God (or hardly anything for that matter, at least in the grand scheme of things) and that gives me great comfort. If I could understand everything about God, that would mean that He is like me, and that's a scary thought. The more I get to know Him, the more I understand how little I understand of Him.
What got me thinking about this today is how He still chooses to work. Again, if I were Him, I wouldn't send others to work on my behalf. Well, maybe the angels. But I would probably do it myself instead of relying on the most unreliable creatures on earth-us.
I think this astounded the apostle Paul too. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7 says, “Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God… 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
The greatest treasure on earth-the good news that God loves us so much that instead of allowing us to die for our sins, sent Jesus to die for us so that if we will love and trust Him, can live forever with Him in heaven-yeah, that treasure He leaves to us. Is He crazy? Not according to Paul. According to Paul, God is merciful. God choses to work in us and through us. Wow. God is strange. But I love Him for it.
And how would you have come to these people? Would you speak to a select few people to speak on your behalf? No, I would have flattened the globe out like a paper wad, then yelled at everyone until the either soiled their shorts or died in fear.
And how would you appear to these people? Would you have sent God the Son as a baby, or as a conqueror? As a peasant or a ruler? As a poor person, or as a king? Would you walk among humanity like one of them, knowing the world would virtually miss it? Would you have died for people that hate you to teach them of your love, or would you have massacred them for talking back to you?
I fear most of you would have done what I would have, which was the opposite of what He did. You know, I have said for years that I don't understand everything about God (or hardly anything for that matter, at least in the grand scheme of things) and that gives me great comfort. If I could understand everything about God, that would mean that He is like me, and that's a scary thought. The more I get to know Him, the more I understand how little I understand of Him.
What got me thinking about this today is how He still chooses to work. Again, if I were Him, I wouldn't send others to work on my behalf. Well, maybe the angels. But I would probably do it myself instead of relying on the most unreliable creatures on earth-us.
I think this astounded the apostle Paul too. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7 says, “Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God… 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
The greatest treasure on earth-the good news that God loves us so much that instead of allowing us to die for our sins, sent Jesus to die for us so that if we will love and trust Him, can live forever with Him in heaven-yeah, that treasure He leaves to us. Is He crazy? Not according to Paul. According to Paul, God is merciful. God choses to work in us and through us. Wow. God is strange. But I love Him for it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Stupid
Got another one on the list. A guy at church today implied that his wife thinks I'm a homosexual. Why? Because I'm 26 and single. Isn't that great? I hate stupidity. Ignore the fact that he's on his second marriage, and his daughter from his first marriage won't speak to him.
How about we look at Matthew 19:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 7:8-9,27. Both Paul and JESUS say it is better to be single. So why am I harassed and abused for being single? I like many singles, am sick of the way that I am treated for following God's will for my life. I hear about it constantly, especially from the two guys that I work with who both got married straight out of college. Every week has turned into harass the single guy. It is becoming a bone of contention between me and two men that I respect and consider good friends.
If you are single, know that you aren't alone. If you are married, encourage a single you know. And no, "you will find the right person someday" does not count as encouragement. You aren't God. You don't get to make a plan for them.
How about we look at Matthew 19:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 7:8-9,27. Both Paul and JESUS say it is better to be single. So why am I harassed and abused for being single? I like many singles, am sick of the way that I am treated for following God's will for my life. I hear about it constantly, especially from the two guys that I work with who both got married straight out of college. Every week has turned into harass the single guy. It is becoming a bone of contention between me and two men that I respect and consider good friends.
If you are single, know that you aren't alone. If you are married, encourage a single you know. And no, "you will find the right person someday" does not count as encouragement. You aren't God. You don't get to make a plan for them.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What NCIS Taught Me About Preaching
Lately, I've been trying to explain to my Senior Minister, an older man, how I preach. We younger generations have a new way of preaching, deviating from the old three-point sermon. I tried to explain that I write less like a research paper and more like writing a story. I finally found a particular style of story that helps illustrate story in a way that is easier to match in a style that applies to preaching: NCIS.
An episode of NCIS or any other crime drama follows a basic formula, usually divided by commercial breaks. In trying to write a sermon like a story in a way that younger generations understand, I think this formula is useful.
Introduction
This introduction in a crime drama, it usually includes discovering the body. It usually includes some people doing something that doesn’t necessarily relate to the overall story. It is only an introduction that grabs the attention and sets up the overall narrative. This can often be done through a humorous story, but can also be a video clip or even a special song.
Credits
NCIS, staring Mark Harmon. Ok, that doesn’t quite apply. What usually comes here is me first telling people where to turn in their Bibles, and describing what the series is.
“Grab your gear.”
When this order comes in NCIS, the team heads to the scene. This is where you actually take a first look at the text and start the investigation.
The suspects
The team starts to interview people that knew the victim and witnesses, which serve as the usual suspects. Often those friends and witnesses turn into suspects. As this applies to preaching, this often means looking at the world’s perspective. As we know, the world’s perspective is often that of Jesus and those who follow him. This focuses on the ways that we want to be apart from God, and also the things that keep us from following God.
Continued investigation
Gibbs heads to talk to Abby and Ducky. In preaching, we look deeper at the text. This often includes things that you have gleaned from Commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, and other sources. This is where background information helps reveal more depth in the text, and this is also where I usually use quotes from others who have written or spoken on the text.
Busted
This ends with a suspect in the Interrogation Room, who someone on the team gets to confess. This is where you really shut the door on the world’s perspective and show God’s true perspective. It is that this point that they have the choice: the world or God. This involves challenging your hearers to specifically apply the text to their lives, which also may include a testimony of how you applying it to your life if relevant.
End
The team usually sits around the office talking about the case. In many cases, one or more of the team members had some type of change or development throughout the episode. In every text, there is some type of what has been called an “evangelistic nugget.” There is something in that text that points directly to who God is: His grace, His forgiveness, the cross itself. Use this evangelistic nugget to lead people to the cross, and offer an invitation based directly upon that nugget.
*I should also point out that as the sermon progresses, especially moving from "the suspects" forward, it should start far away, and draw closer and closer to God's standard until you meet God Himself. In other words, the world's standard, usually the churchy compromise, and then how we should be.
An episode of NCIS or any other crime drama follows a basic formula, usually divided by commercial breaks. In trying to write a sermon like a story in a way that younger generations understand, I think this formula is useful.
Introduction
This introduction in a crime drama, it usually includes discovering the body. It usually includes some people doing something that doesn’t necessarily relate to the overall story. It is only an introduction that grabs the attention and sets up the overall narrative. This can often be done through a humorous story, but can also be a video clip or even a special song.
Credits
NCIS, staring Mark Harmon. Ok, that doesn’t quite apply. What usually comes here is me first telling people where to turn in their Bibles, and describing what the series is.
“Grab your gear.”
When this order comes in NCIS, the team heads to the scene. This is where you actually take a first look at the text and start the investigation.
The suspects
The team starts to interview people that knew the victim and witnesses, which serve as the usual suspects. Often those friends and witnesses turn into suspects. As this applies to preaching, this often means looking at the world’s perspective. As we know, the world’s perspective is often that of Jesus and those who follow him. This focuses on the ways that we want to be apart from God, and also the things that keep us from following God.
Continued investigation
Gibbs heads to talk to Abby and Ducky. In preaching, we look deeper at the text. This often includes things that you have gleaned from Commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, and other sources. This is where background information helps reveal more depth in the text, and this is also where I usually use quotes from others who have written or spoken on the text.
Busted
This ends with a suspect in the Interrogation Room, who someone on the team gets to confess. This is where you really shut the door on the world’s perspective and show God’s true perspective. It is that this point that they have the choice: the world or God. This involves challenging your hearers to specifically apply the text to their lives, which also may include a testimony of how you applying it to your life if relevant.
End
The team usually sits around the office talking about the case. In many cases, one or more of the team members had some type of change or development throughout the episode. In every text, there is some type of what has been called an “evangelistic nugget.” There is something in that text that points directly to who God is: His grace, His forgiveness, the cross itself. Use this evangelistic nugget to lead people to the cross, and offer an invitation based directly upon that nugget.
*I should also point out that as the sermon progresses, especially moving from "the suspects" forward, it should start far away, and draw closer and closer to God's standard until you meet God Himself. In other words, the world's standard, usually the churchy compromise, and then how we should be.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ministry is painful
When I started this blog, my intention was to write this blog as a genuine Christian. There is a lot of people who claim to be Christians who say and do a lot of evil things and misquote the Bible to justify themselves. They quote where Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people persecute you" to say that they must be doing the right thing when people hate them because they are jerks. It has nothing to do with Jesus, but when people hate them.
There is only one problem. I am a minister. As a minister, I am considered fake. Because I'm paid to care, they say. And they have good evidence. I've been this way since high school, an outspoken Christian who tried to just be different from what they always seen. I had one kid who walked up to me one day and stated, "You know why I'm not a Christian? My preacher died in a casino gambling away money he stole from the church." This happens, so I wanted to avoid those preconceptions.
Maybe I should take the opposite approach. Maybe I should write to ministers.
Ministry sucks. I recently heard a preacher say "Doing the work of God can destroy the work of God in you." This is true, especially because of church people. I hesitate to calm them Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Church people can be awful. A prof told us if we stayed in ministry long enough, some woman would try to get us to have an affair with her. Then you have church people that stroke your ego, try to be your buddy just to advance their own agenda. Actually the woman who propositioned many ministers may fall in this category or the next, the needy. By this, I don't mean those with real needs, but the guy who stops in twice a week when you're trying to work, because every snide comment his wife make brings him to tears, even if she was just teasing. They want attention, and seem to make up little things to be upset about to get it. They can solve no problems on their own, and listening to or advising them only enables their need.
And this brings us to the last and worst category that I deal with, because they are the ones that I actually deal with: the hyper critical. Some people complain about everything. Absolutely everything. It's too cold. It's too hot. They don't like my shirt. They don't like my shoes. The music was too loud, or too quiet (on the same Sunday). The sermon was too long. The communion devotion was too short. We should do more fellowship dinners. They don't like surving in the nursery once a month, but they were mad at those visitors whose baby cried last Sunday. Someone had coffee in the Sanctuary (but fellowship dinners are ok?). Everything has to be their way, even though their way only matters to them, everyone else hates their way, and it is selfish and anti-biblical.
This week a lady posted on facebook complaining about not doing enough Christmas music, because that is the only way to praise Jesus. Apparently we don't worship Him the other 11 months, just the one leading to Christmas. Because Jesus never grew up, never performed miracles, never died for the sins of the world, or raised from the dead. Nope, he's just a baby that Santa gave presents to. Nope. Just a baby. That's why church is about what they want, and everyone else can go to Hell.
Is it a wonder that Jesus turned over temple tables and drove people out with whips? Is it a wonder Paul wrote scathing letters that make up most of the New Testament? Ministry can be great. You can tell people about Jesus and salvation. You can help those truly in need, like those in need of food and clothing. You can change people's lives, teaching them to care about others needs and what they can do about it. You can ignite people's passion and help them feel truly alive and free as Jesus promised. You are also available to minister to people who were just diagnosed with cancer or who just lost a loved one.
As a minister, I wish I had more time to do ministry, and less time for church people. If you are not a minister by trade, do me a favor. Don't be one of these people. Give a crap that people are in pain and dying and you can do something about that. Don't hold the attitude that we work for you. We don't. We work alongside you. We just have the time to learn about leading and the Bible and other things that you don't. This doesn't make us better. But we do need your trust and partnership. Give us a break, help us out, and stop chucking spears at us.
There is only one problem. I am a minister. As a minister, I am considered fake. Because I'm paid to care, they say. And they have good evidence. I've been this way since high school, an outspoken Christian who tried to just be different from what they always seen. I had one kid who walked up to me one day and stated, "You know why I'm not a Christian? My preacher died in a casino gambling away money he stole from the church." This happens, so I wanted to avoid those preconceptions.
Maybe I should take the opposite approach. Maybe I should write to ministers.
Ministry sucks. I recently heard a preacher say "Doing the work of God can destroy the work of God in you." This is true, especially because of church people. I hesitate to calm them Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Church people can be awful. A prof told us if we stayed in ministry long enough, some woman would try to get us to have an affair with her. Then you have church people that stroke your ego, try to be your buddy just to advance their own agenda. Actually the woman who propositioned many ministers may fall in this category or the next, the needy. By this, I don't mean those with real needs, but the guy who stops in twice a week when you're trying to work, because every snide comment his wife make brings him to tears, even if she was just teasing. They want attention, and seem to make up little things to be upset about to get it. They can solve no problems on their own, and listening to or advising them only enables their need.
And this brings us to the last and worst category that I deal with, because they are the ones that I actually deal with: the hyper critical. Some people complain about everything. Absolutely everything. It's too cold. It's too hot. They don't like my shirt. They don't like my shoes. The music was too loud, or too quiet (on the same Sunday). The sermon was too long. The communion devotion was too short. We should do more fellowship dinners. They don't like surving in the nursery once a month, but they were mad at those visitors whose baby cried last Sunday. Someone had coffee in the Sanctuary (but fellowship dinners are ok?). Everything has to be their way, even though their way only matters to them, everyone else hates their way, and it is selfish and anti-biblical.
This week a lady posted on facebook complaining about not doing enough Christmas music, because that is the only way to praise Jesus. Apparently we don't worship Him the other 11 months, just the one leading to Christmas. Because Jesus never grew up, never performed miracles, never died for the sins of the world, or raised from the dead. Nope, he's just a baby that Santa gave presents to. Nope. Just a baby. That's why church is about what they want, and everyone else can go to Hell.
Is it a wonder that Jesus turned over temple tables and drove people out with whips? Is it a wonder Paul wrote scathing letters that make up most of the New Testament? Ministry can be great. You can tell people about Jesus and salvation. You can help those truly in need, like those in need of food and clothing. You can change people's lives, teaching them to care about others needs and what they can do about it. You can ignite people's passion and help them feel truly alive and free as Jesus promised. You are also available to minister to people who were just diagnosed with cancer or who just lost a loved one.
As a minister, I wish I had more time to do ministry, and less time for church people. If you are not a minister by trade, do me a favor. Don't be one of these people. Give a crap that people are in pain and dying and you can do something about that. Don't hold the attitude that we work for you. We don't. We work alongside you. We just have the time to learn about leading and the Bible and other things that you don't. This doesn't make us better. But we do need your trust and partnership. Give us a break, help us out, and stop chucking spears at us.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Job, A Calling
How do you like you job? Most people hate theirs, but they have to pay the morgage? I have once heard some ask, "If you could do anything, with money not being an issue, what would it be?"
I love my job. I speak on behalf of a non-profit organization. We raise money to help needy kids and their families. This month we're partnering with an organization who helps women. They try to give those considering abortion to see that there is hope. They can keep the child. Moreover, it helps those who decide to keep the child. For those that do not, they provide group counciling for those overwhelmed with grief and guilt.
We've collected school supplies for needy kids, and collected food for other things. We've given heaters to Social Services for the neediest in our community. Weekly I read to a boy who has trouble. We also organize family activities. Recently, we hired a new staff member to work with kids in areas of education. Volunteers spent the last two weeks fixing up the house they were moving into. It involved way too much of my time, and was a big pain, but it's over now.
Point is, I like my job. It's fulfilling and I make a difference. If you hate your job, consider a change. If you won't, find a place to get involved. Boys and Girls Club is one that I have partnered with that makes a real, genuine difference.
I love my job. I speak on behalf of a non-profit organization. We raise money to help needy kids and their families. This month we're partnering with an organization who helps women. They try to give those considering abortion to see that there is hope. They can keep the child. Moreover, it helps those who decide to keep the child. For those that do not, they provide group counciling for those overwhelmed with grief and guilt.
We've collected school supplies for needy kids, and collected food for other things. We've given heaters to Social Services for the neediest in our community. Weekly I read to a boy who has trouble. We also organize family activities. Recently, we hired a new staff member to work with kids in areas of education. Volunteers spent the last two weeks fixing up the house they were moving into. It involved way too much of my time, and was a big pain, but it's over now.
Point is, I like my job. It's fulfilling and I make a difference. If you hate your job, consider a change. If you won't, find a place to get involved. Boys and Girls Club is one that I have partnered with that makes a real, genuine difference.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A calling
I did not intend to ever write this post, but I fell compelled right now. In keeping this blog anonymous, I did not intend to tell specifics about my career. I have said before that I speak on behalf of a non-profit for a living. While that is true, that non-profit organization is a church. I am a minister.
Now in different circles, I hear many different terms used. In the Roman Catholic Church, its a priest. Some churches, its pastor or evangelist, or many other terms. I prefer minister or simply preacher. I work at a somewhat larger church, with multiple ministers on staff. I'm not the senior minister (usually refered to as the preacher), but I still like the terms preacher, even if I don't preach regularly.
Right now, I'm online watching a sermon done over a week ago at Southeast Christian church in Louisville, KY. In the particular sermon I am watching, Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman are discussing their own calls to ministry. A call to ministry is a powerful thing, as I have experienced for myself. I fought the call to ministry, I didn't want to do it, but finally after arguing with God for about six months, I told him that if that was what He wanted, I was in.
Funny thing is, God started to use me as a minister, even in high school. With 9-11 and two wars breaking out during that time, I was often brought into conversations about matters of faith, by both students and faculty. It was amazing how much I enjoyed life once I started following God's direction for it.
Now, after going to Bible college and having several years of ministry under my belt, I still love it. Ministry is hard. If it is only a job, a person cannot make it. But to me, my calling is not about a job. Its a large part of who I am. My boss recently said was discussing salary with out finances commitee and said about me "He would pay us to work here." Its true. I love it.
I love it so much, that it has cost me. I could make more money in a secular field. What I would do, I have no idea, nor do I want to ever have to make that decision. It has also cost me more. I dated a girl who I loved for a year. During that year, I learned that she had no desire for ministry, even to marry into it. That was one of several issues. Suffice it to say, she had built up an idea of who I was and loved that person, but the real me did not match up. It broke my heart and turned me off romance in general for a few years. She could not accept major parts of who I was, with ministry being one of those parts.
The truth is, I would sacrifice more to fulfill the calling my God has given me. I would follow Him to the ends of the earth but for the asking. I have a rare gift. I KNOW what I have been placed on this earth for. I know WHY I am here. That is an opportunity not many have in this life.
I really had to get this off my chest. I had to say how much I love my calling, almost as much as the God who called me. What else will he call me to be? A husband? I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. If I have to give up the prospect of ever getting married, ever having sex in order to keep my calling, I would do that without hesitation. So if God doesn't lead that way, don't be surprised if this knight never claims a lady. In the mean time, I'll stay in the fight, sword and lance.
Now in different circles, I hear many different terms used. In the Roman Catholic Church, its a priest. Some churches, its pastor or evangelist, or many other terms. I prefer minister or simply preacher. I work at a somewhat larger church, with multiple ministers on staff. I'm not the senior minister (usually refered to as the preacher), but I still like the terms preacher, even if I don't preach regularly.
Right now, I'm online watching a sermon done over a week ago at Southeast Christian church in Louisville, KY. In the particular sermon I am watching, Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman are discussing their own calls to ministry. A call to ministry is a powerful thing, as I have experienced for myself. I fought the call to ministry, I didn't want to do it, but finally after arguing with God for about six months, I told him that if that was what He wanted, I was in.
Funny thing is, God started to use me as a minister, even in high school. With 9-11 and two wars breaking out during that time, I was often brought into conversations about matters of faith, by both students and faculty. It was amazing how much I enjoyed life once I started following God's direction for it.
Now, after going to Bible college and having several years of ministry under my belt, I still love it. Ministry is hard. If it is only a job, a person cannot make it. But to me, my calling is not about a job. Its a large part of who I am. My boss recently said was discussing salary with out finances commitee and said about me "He would pay us to work here." Its true. I love it.
I love it so much, that it has cost me. I could make more money in a secular field. What I would do, I have no idea, nor do I want to ever have to make that decision. It has also cost me more. I dated a girl who I loved for a year. During that year, I learned that she had no desire for ministry, even to marry into it. That was one of several issues. Suffice it to say, she had built up an idea of who I was and loved that person, but the real me did not match up. It broke my heart and turned me off romance in general for a few years. She could not accept major parts of who I was, with ministry being one of those parts.
The truth is, I would sacrifice more to fulfill the calling my God has given me. I would follow Him to the ends of the earth but for the asking. I have a rare gift. I KNOW what I have been placed on this earth for. I know WHY I am here. That is an opportunity not many have in this life.
I really had to get this off my chest. I had to say how much I love my calling, almost as much as the God who called me. What else will he call me to be? A husband? I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. If I have to give up the prospect of ever getting married, ever having sex in order to keep my calling, I would do that without hesitation. So if God doesn't lead that way, don't be surprised if this knight never claims a lady. In the mean time, I'll stay in the fight, sword and lance.
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