What The Olympics Don't Tell Us

The Olympics fascinate us.

The Olympics fascinate me. I will sit in front of the TV as long as I can, so that I can watch as much as I can. I get up early to watch events live. I stay up late to watch full recaps of the day. Watching as the mastery which these athletes have over their craft make some of the most difficult things appear to be the easiest. Their skill makes you watch the event, and think "I can do that."

No. No I can't.

Why can't I?

Is it because the sport doesn't ooze from my pores? Is it because my parents didn't train me early enough? Is it because I'm just not naturally gifted in that area?

No. It is none of those reasons. The reason I could not do what these Olympians are doing is that I don't train hard or long enough. This is what the Olympics don't tell us. They might mention it - but never for too long. We only see these athletes at their best. We only see the final product. We do not see the hours and hours of training which these athletes go through. We do not see the blood, sweat, and tears which they pour into their craft; because of this, when we watch the Olympics, we might think something is easy and get easily discouraged when we realize that we are not as gifted or cannot do the same thing in the same manner.

Think of the perseverance it takes for these athletes to train for 4 years, for a sport which (for some) might only give them a couple minutes of recognition. This is what the Olympics don't show us.

This is what we need to see though. The glory, the skill, the mastery does not come without the hard work.

So don't get discouraged when you, in whatever discipline, don't measure up to someone - instead use this as inspiration and motivation to keep at the hard work because that is the only way you will be able to master something. We need to do the same thing with our spiritual walk - there are people who have been training their entire life; so don't get discouraged that they might know more verses, or more historical information, or can quote more commentaries. Instead use this as motivation to get to that stage - you will have to work at it and there will be days when it is difficult but it is only through hard work that you can see the growth that you want.

 It isn't going to just happen - just like you won't wake up one day realizing you have been gifted with Olympic talent - you will have to work at it.

Holy, Holy, Holy

In Isaiah 6 we, with Isaiah, are allowed to peak into the throne room of heaven. What we see, if we think about it, is truly terrifying. Isaiah doesn't actually see God he just feels his presence, his holy presence. This presence is surrounded by seraphim who are covering their face in humility and the rest of their body with reverence - all while singing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the earth is filled with his glory." The entire room was shaking from their voices as they were proclaiming this; not only was the room shaking, it was filled with smoke - a sign of God's distinctness from humanity, his being set apart, his being Holy.

Isaiah did and said the only thing that any of us would say if we were experiencing this - Woe is me!

When we are presented with God is his holiness the only thing that we recognize is that we are not holy. Not only are we not holy, we are far from holy - we see all the things that we have done which do not measure up to God's perfect standard. I work with a guy who taught himself how to sketch, and he is incredible; when I look at his sketches I am instantly reminded/shown the ways that I cannot draw. I am able to draw a stickman, but when you compare that to his sketches - it just doesn't measure up. The same is true when we come face to face with a Holy God, we realize that we don't measure up.

As Isaiah is saying this though a seraphim flew to him and touched his lips with a burning coal from the altar. The altar was what cleansed the Israelites from their sins - this was symbolic of someone cleansing him. Isaiah did nothing - he didn't ask to be cleansed, or have his guilt pushed aside. Once this happened Isaiah boldly answered the Lord's question of who would he send.

We aren't cleansed by a seraphim; our cleansing is better. We have been cleansed by the blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We did nothing to deserve this grace and mercy. We were separated from God and yet he chose to come down and cleanse us through his death and resurrection.

So if we have been cleansed - how much bolder should we be in following God's call? how much louder should we be singing 'Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the earth is filled with his glory." This is the truest thing that we could ever be saying either through our words or our actions. Praising this holy being who through his mercy and grace brings us into His presence as adopted sons and daughter.

What are you saying?

They Told Who?

*Since the Prince of Wales Hotel is closed during the actual Christmas season, we celebrated it July 25th; this is the inspiration for this post*

We all know the story.

Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. There is no room in the inn. Jesus is born. The angels tell the shepherds. The shepherds come and find the baby. A little while later (if you're watching a Christmas production version) the wise men show up...

Wait.

The angels told shepherds?!

This is something that we easily read over. For us shepherds are either Joe Farmer from down the street or it is the little kids wearing their dad's bathrobe - both options aren't bad. However, this is not what a shepherd was - back then shepherds were the lowest of the low. They were known for letting their sheep graze on land they weren't supposed to, they were thieves, they were not religious. They were the outcasts of society. Yet God told them first? This would be like the Queen of England rushing out of the hospital to tell a prostitute, or a junkie, or a homeless man that #royalbaby was born. This just wouldn't happen! Yet it is to these people that God chose to let them know that His son was born.

We are all shepherds. Due to sin, we are all outcasts when it comes to God's holiness - none of us are worthy of this. We are all the lowest of the low - it was for us, shepherds, that God came to bring peace.

Peace from trying to earn our way to salvation. Peace from doubt. Peace from fear. Peace from comparison. Peace from degradation. Peace from judgement. Peace with God. The shepherds marveled at this as they looked at Jesus - here was God's plan to bring them peace, a peace they could already begin to feel. This is what they had been waiting for. This peace was seen when they looked at the face of the baby Jesus in the manger; we can see this peace when we see Jesus hanging on the cross.

The words the angels told the Shepherds told the shepherds still ring true for us - A Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord - and he came to bring you peace because he loves you.

I used to be humble...but now I'm perfect

Pride.

It's a word that we hear and instantly think of other people. We think of examples when other people boasted of their accomplishments or had an arrogant air around them when we talked with them. It's something that he needs to deal with; it's something that she struggles with; it's never something that I deal with.

We all know that last sentence isn't true. There are times when we all are prideful - I make better coffee than ___________, I'm smarter than ____________, I'm prettier than _______________, I'm funnier than ____________...the list can go on and on. C.S. Lewis says that “pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man" (Mere Christianity). If you are anything like me you know that this is true, we are great at comparing ourselves to other people - in fact it might be one of the things that we are all experts at.

The disciples were no different - in fact they debated about who the best disciple was (Luke 9:46). You have to imagine that it was this conversation which was in their heads as they silently watched as Jesus watched their feet. Why were they silent - it wasn't because he was washing their feet, this was a fairly common practice in Palestine because of all the dirt roads. No, this was shocking, because their master had stripped to his boxers, wrapped a towel around himself, and began washing their feet. This task was reserved for a servant, and not an Israelite servant because it was too humiliating! And now here was Jesus taking that upon himself - he was intentionally humiliating himself because he loved his disciples.

And after he finished, he told them to do the same. He tells us to do the same.

He showed a fulfillment of this type of love when he hung on the cross - a humiliating death - because of his great love. This is the type of love that we are called to have when he tells us to wash each other's feet. It is through this love that people will know we are Jesus' disciples - after all that was his signature, Paul gives us a summary in Philippians 2: he took on human flesh (he is God), he took the nature of a servant (he was the teacher/rabbi), he died on the cross (he was innocent of any sin). Jesus washed the disciples feet of physical dirt, he washes us of spiritual dirt - we are no different than the disciples feet. Our feet get dirty, and Christ humiliated himself so that we could be clean.

So the question is not: how humble are you; the question is, are you willing to humiliate yourself so that others will know the love of Christ?

2nd Greatest Love Story Ever Told

People love love stories. There is something about them that draws a person in - whether it is seeing themselves in the characters or remembering their own story or enjoying the feeling it brings up in them. Now this isn't to say that everyone loves every story - some are too sappy, some have unbelievable characters - each person agrees that there is a hierarchy, they just disagree about what that hierarchy is. Everybody has their personal preferences - Sweet Home Alabama, P.S. I Love You, The Notebook, The Lion King - but there are some stories that everyone agrees are timeless - the best example being Romeo & Juliet. The story of star-crossed lovers is near the top of everyone's list - even if it is just because it is Romeo and Juliet.

The story of Ruth is a story that I think should be at the top of everyone's list as well for a couple of reasons. First, it starts with funerals and grief and ends with a wedding and hope. It isn't just one funeral but it is three funerals, and it isn't just a wedding but the marriage of King David's grandparents. Second, it involves sacrifice (Ruth leaving her homeland), chivalry (almost everything Boaz does), a complication (one who is closer) - everything that a good love story needs.

The biggest reason that it deserves to be near the top of the list is because it points us towards the greatest love story ever. The story of Jesus. The story of how he came to earth and performed the greatest act of love the world has ever known and ever will know - dying for those whom He loved. It is this story that the story of Ruth and Boaz points us to.

In the story of Ruth, Boaz is known as the "kinsman-redeemer". A kinsman redeemer is just what it sounds like - "kinsman", it was someone who was a relative, and "redeemer", it was someone who helped purchase something back (whether land, a person from slavery, or a debt). This was special role that was layed out within the law system, which allowed people to retain the land that their family had been given. Not just anyone could be a kinsman-redeemer, there were three qualifications: 1) They had to be a blood relative, 2) They had to be willing to help 3) They had to be able to help. Boaz fit all those requirements.

Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer - He fits the requirements. By coming to earth and living a human life He became a blood relative of the human race. We read in the Gospels that Jesus willingly gave up His life. Jesus being God could pay the unpayable debt that the human race had incurred. He payed this debt by dying the most painful death known to man - the cross (they had to invent a new word - excruciating - to describe the pain that was felt by someone during their torture and death!) - all because He loved us; it wasn't based on anything we did or could do (let's be honest He's God, what could we do to impress him?) but based solely on the fact that He loved us.

Since he did that for us, that means that we are part of the greatest love story ever told. Not only are we a part of it - we are one of the main characters!

Do we live like it? Do we live like the people in movies - full of joy, happiness, and life? Do we acknowledge what he has done for us, or do we just live apathetically? 

Does it Count as Still if the Earth is Moving?

Psalm 46 has one of the most well known verses in the Bible - "Be still and know that I am God". While this verse is one of the most well-known, do we really know it? When I think of this verse my mind is taken back to a painting that I saw in a Christian store - the image has this verse printed in a nice font in front of an amazing picture. The picture had majestic mountains rising out of a serene lake underneath a starry sky. It brought be back to memories of camping, and sitting and looking up at the stars and feeling "still". It is easy to feel still when that is what is surrounding you...

...but that's not what this psalm is about.

A quick look at the words used in the Psalm and it is obvious that this Psalm is anything but peaceful and serene. This Psalm sees the very foundations of the earth (the mountains) falling into chaos (the poetic meaning behind sea). The nations of the world and raging and roaring. This Psalm was written after a time when Jerusalem was under seige, and the nations were rising up against the people of God - there was no hope. Then God worked mightily and saved His people. The Psalm picks up on this to - while the world is being swallowed by a raging and foaming river, the people of God are saved by a small stream; the nations are roaring and raging, and all God has to do is utter his voice and the entire earth melts away. God is in control.

No matter how crazy or chaotic the situation might be, God is in control. In fact when entire earth falls into chaos - God is still more powerful and in control. This is what this Psalm is about. In fact being still and knowing that God is God is not just some nice phrase thrown in there - it is a command from God at the end of this Psalm. After this entire "story" of a raging world still being under the control of God - he reminds those who follow Him and those who were raging against Him that He is God. This is not about sitting in the still places and being still, this is about being still when the world around you is becoming more and more chaotic. This is about the peace that we have in Christ. This is about being still when the world around you is moving.

Are you still?

To My Fellow Exiles

Today is July 1, and that means that it is Canada Day. People are walking around Waterton sporting red and white shirts, bandannas, face paint, and hats. It is a time of celebrating the things that make Canadians unique, and celebrating the freedoms they are allowed to experience because of living here. This act of celebrating your country is not unique - in 3 days the United States is going to celebrate the 4th of July; a day in which they use the same basic principles to celebrate.

Today is also a good day to remember that we are in a foreign land. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that "our citizenship is in heaven". C.S. Lewis defends this when he realizes "if I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world". We live in a world which is controlled by sin and death; we know that we have been freed through the blood of Christ on the cross but he have to wait until this freedom is ultimately realized.

In Jeremiah 29 the Israelites also found themselves in a foreign land - while we are not aware of our slavery (think matrix), the Israelites were very aware of their exile. They had been dragged into Babylon after Jerusalem had fallen to the most powerful commander of the time, King Nebuchadnezzar.  It was to these people that Jeremiah wrote the letter which we find in Jeremiah 29 - the people knew that God was going to bring them out of their exile, but they did not know when. Jeremiah was countering the prophets who were falsely proclaiming that it would be a short exile - instead Jeremiah told them it was going to take a while. 

So while they were waiting he gave them some instructions: 1)build houses and live in them, 2) plant gardens, 3) marry and have children. These first instruction make sense as they take care of their basic needs of food, shelter and a future. His next instruction might have been more surprising - they were to seek the 'shalom' of the city they were living in. Shalom is translated as 'peace' but it means more than that, it is a wholeness or when things the way they are supposed to be. It is that feeling when you come home after a trip as you say "ah...I'm home." They were to seek this feeling for the people they were living with. The final instruction that Jeremiah gave was mind-blowing - he commanded them to pray for them as well. Now for those of us on this side of the cross this is normal (Jesus told us to pray for our enemies after all), but for a Jew this is revolutionary. In fact, this is the first (and only) time in the Old Testament that this command of praying for someone other than an Israelite is given!

We too can follow these instructions. While we look forward to the day when we will be in heaven with our Lord, we need to live in a way that does not neglect our earthly needs. We too need to live in a way that brings 'shalom' to the places that we live in - this can mean organizing large volunteer projects to help with your cities needs (floods in Calgary, tornadoes in Oklahoma, etc) but it also means the small things that might go unnoticed (raking your neighbors lawn, paying for someones meal at the drive-thru, doing the dishes without complaining). Living in this way is not always easy, but it is a way that values people as being made in the image of God. Finally we need to remember to pray for the city that we live in - not in a way that demeans the church but in a way that values it and acknowledges the difficulties that it goes through. This might seems strange at first - to pray for these people who you might not know, or for a city but it is something that needs to be done.

So as we celebrate the great countries that we live in, let us celebrate in a way that reflects the blessings that we have received by living where we do and live in a way which seeks the well-being of that city. Let us not forget, we are ambassadors from another kingdom and we need to live in a way the represents that kingdom.

Your Word is a What to My Path?

One of the most quoted verses of the Bible might be Psalm 119:105 - "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path". What's sad about his is it might be one of the most misunderstood verses as well. A typical explanation of this verse to people involves a flashlight, and the example is you're walking in the dark but you have a flashlight - so you can see where you're going.

While this is true of the Bible, it helps us see where we are going, this interpretation misses the larger scope that the author is attempting to portray. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and the author organizes it in such a way that he is practically screaming how great God's Word is. Not only does he go from A to Z (or Aleph to Tav) but he organizes the entire psalm by the number 8 as well - 8 sections to each letter, 8 names for God's Word, 8 symbols for God's Word, and 8 responses to God's Word. In Hebrew letters are associated with various ideas, and the number 8 is associated with the idea of overabundance. God's Word is more than you need.

So knowing this structure the idea that God's Word is a flashlight just doesn't make sense anymore. The word that is used for light actually refers to something like the light of the sun. That God's Word is a light which makes everything visible. It is the greatest light that we know, and it is by it that we see everything else clearly.

Now many sermons have been written which portray how God's Word should be used as a guide, as a light is a guide to the path. Instead I want to talk about what happens when people are holding or using a light. If it is dark outside and someone has a flashlight people naturally will want to walk near them; does the person with the flashlight put away their flashlight for fear of people judging them? No, that's ridiculous. Does the person point out that they do not have a flashlight and use their own flashlight to point out all the places they failed? No, that would be moronic, because then they could not see where they were going.

How are you using God's Word? Like a flashlight or like the sun?
Are you using it in a way that draws people closer or makes people want to leave?

Amber Waves of Grain, Purple Mountains Majesty, and All That Good Stuff

I write this from potentially one of the most beautiful places on earth – Waterton, Alberta, Canada. I am living on a hill which is bordered by a glacier made lake, and is surrounded by mountains. While I share this hill with my other employees at the Prince of Wales Hotel - I also share this hill with several ground hogs, a pack of deer, a herd of big horned sheep, and a fox. Every day I climb a steep hill to reach the hotel, which is at the top, – before I reach the hotel though I always turn and look to my right. I do this because at 6:30am the lake is serene and almost glass-like, the base of the mountains are peaking out of the misty fog which envelopes them like a blanket, and because it is here that I can’t help but praise God.

It is here in this environment that the words of Psalm 19 come to life. You can hear the heavens declaring the glory of God, and as you gaze at the sky which is proclaiming his handiwork you can’t help but lower your gaze a little and as it comes to rest on the peaks of the mountains you add your voice to theirs as they go out through all the earth. Here it’s easy to do that – every day is different, and every day is awesome. A group of us went for a hike up one of the shorter mountains, and as we get to the top my roommate summed up what we were all thinking when he exclaimed in a reverent whisper “this…is…breath-taking!”

It is true that this place is breath-taking but what do we do though if we live in the flat lands of the Mid-West, where in some places the most exciting thing we see is a wind turbine (I would know, I drove through South Dakota and left with at least 5 pictures of various wind turbines!)? Or we live in the city where we struggle to even find the brightest stars at night? Well for all of us we can read the second half of Psalm 19.

As David is contemplating how the heat of the sun touches everywhere on earth (it is interesting to note that he says the heat, and not the light), he is drawn towards God’s Law and it’s similar all-encompassing nature. As we begin to contemplate the God which nature is constantly imploring us to worship, we begin to consider his acts and what he has done. For David God’s greatest blessing was the giving of the law, because it was through the law that he was able to follow God. For Christians, we look to the cross to see God’s greatest blessing.

It is here before the cross that we all can join together in singing the praises of God's acts. It is here that the  mountains, the wildlife, and the lake begin fade in comparison to the wonder and majesty of what God has done and continues to do in people’s lives. The conversations that I have had with Christians  here  where we share what God has done in our life – whether money showing up in the bank so we could continue education or a cool breeze on a hot day – are more awe inspiring then standing on the peak of a mountain.

Why?

When we are looking at the mountain we are only watching praise rise to God, but when we join in the praising we are brought into the universal voice  - a voice which there is no nation or tongue which does not understand it. Are you ready to join in?

McDevotions

Fast food is something that has come to define our generation. This generation has been nicknamed "Generation Now" - if it involves waiting it probably is not worth it. We want things done as fast as possible whether it be internet , microwave dinners, or even our devotions. Not only do we want things done quickly, we want them done our way. While this desire of speed and personalization is best seen in fast food restaurants - it can also be seen in the way that we do our devotions.

"What Would You Like?"
This is often the first thing that a person hears when they walk into a fast food restaurant. The restaurant is your domain and you are it's "Burger King" or "Dairy Queen". Here, unlike at home, you can decide exactly what you would like to eat - after all, you as the customer are always right. You want fries with that? Done. You want to substitute fries for a salad? Done. You want lettuce, tomato, red onion, black olives, and jalapeno peppers on your sub? Done. It doesn't matter what the other people with you are getting, you are allowed to get what you want. You eat your meal, and the people you are with eat their meals - you might share some parts of it, but you are individuals eating different things.

This is something that we can see in how we do our devotions - we do them by ourselves. We keep our devotions to ourselves, and only share if we are prodded. Instead of using our devotions communally to build up the body, we keep our devotions private and secret. It is what God has to say to me, not to we. If asked about my devotional life, I will tell you that I did devotions, not what my devotions were about or what I learned. I might give you a more substantial answer here and there, but the majority of my spiritual walk is kept to myself. Just as fast food has caused a meal to no longer be a fully communal event, our devotions have gone from the realm of community to the realm of the private.

"Do You Want to Supersize That?"
Another "benefit" of fast food is that we are allowed to emphasize what we like best. You like fries? Supersize it! You want more Sprite? Supersize it! You like fries and Sprite? Make a combo...and then supersize it! This is about maximizing what you like, because your meal just wouldn't be the same without a larger mound of fries. Not only are we allowed to maximize what we enjoy, we view this as a right. I have the right to choose what and how much I want to eat.

This sense of entitlement is seen in how we do devotions as well. We can pick and choose what we want to do for our devotions - what do I want to emphasize? My devotions become more about what I want God to say to me, as opposed to what God wants to say to me. I buy a book or set up a program that emphasizes what I like - the Psalms, academic learning, "man" stories. This is not to belittle, make light of, or deny the benefit of doing devotional programs like this - I am only wanting to raise the question, does this help you grow? Are you stretched? Do your devotions challenge you to grow in your faith, or do they just give you what you want to hear?

"How Long is the Line?"
This is the ultimate question that a person asks when they pull into the parking lot. The answer to this question determines whether or not you eat inside, go through the drive-thru, or choose another restaurant. Afterall, if I have to wait for it then it isn't worth it.

This is the biggest way that fast food has impacted the way that we do devotions. If there is too long of a line of things to do, then we decide that it is better to not do them. I want instant gratification - and if my devotions will not provide this, then maybe I should wait until they will. If the devotional involves any hard work then it is not worth it. This devalues our devotions - instead of them being something that our day is build on, they become something that is an added feature that really makes no difference in our life. As if we can tell the God of the Universe, that we found something more important than spending time with Him!

We are told in the Bible (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2*, Psalm 119:97) to meditate on the Word of God - this is not something that just happens, but is something which involves effort. We do not want to put the effort that our spiritual lives require - devotions are like the exercise for our soul, so why are we lazy? Do we really think that having our "devotions-to-go" is the best option? If we view devotions as a part of our conversation with God, what does it say about us whenwe spend 30 minutes, at most, being  aware of Him?

Don't treat your devotions like your do fast food. Instead, treat it like you would a home cooked meal - you are sharing everything in community, you are taking the time to prepare a meal and eat it, and you are eating a balanced meal which will help you grow. Don't quickly scarf down your devotions, but rather take your time to chew it, meditate on it, enjoy it, and grow from it.


*For a good blog on this Psalm check out http://michealfisk.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/worship-is-study/

March Madness

Last night, while working in KidZone (my church's children's program), the kids were asked how they knew that it was Spring Time?

"I saw a Robin" shouted one kid.

"Snow is melting" yelled another.

"I like bacon" said another (there's one in everycrowd)

"It's almost Spring Break" a first grader eagerly exclaimed.

"It's March Madness" I confidently thought.

March Madness. That is a good way to describe it; not the craziness that happens in the actual tournament - buzzer beaters, upsets, cinderella teams - but the craziness that seems to infect the general public. For the next few weeks weekends will be taken up with basketball games, people's emotions will be manipulated by a bracket they filled out using the scientific methods of gut feeling and coin flips, and work will take a back seat to the ability to watch games live online. We truly have gone mad.

Now I'm not condemning this, in fact I love this time of year. 

I am just wondering what would happen if we gave this much attention to other areas of our life - especially our spiritual life. 

What if we poured the same devotion that we give to our bracket to our Bible? 

What if we dedicated ourselves to watching our spiritual walk like we watch a Cinderella teams?

What if our Bible studies were filled with as much life as our watch parties?

As great as a buzzer-beater to upset a top seed is, or as amazing a perfect bracket is (especially this year) they fade in comparison to the wonder that is the Gospel. For in the Gospel we find an underdog being given the greatest gift of all - life; while this gift is offered freely, it did come at a price - the death of the Son of God. Jesus, God's Son, took the sin of the world upon himself, was killed in the most brutal fashion the world has ever seen, and three days later rose from the dead. This is a lot more inspiring, awesome, and wonderful than any basketball play we have seen or ever will see. This should be what infects our speech and orders our lives...

...or maybe I'm just crazy.

If Video Killed the Radio Star...

...did social media kill the everyday star?

I was recently talking to someone about how there are no real "superheros" anymore. Now before you point out that there are a plethora of superhero movies that have come out - Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, Thor, The Avengers...to name only a few. This is not the type of hero that we are lamenting the death of.

We initially started by discussing the loss of sports stars - gone are the days when you are allowed to cheer for a person based on their play on the field. Instead we must weigh their play on the court with their personal lives. While I am a Lakers fan, I will use a more recent example -- Ray Lewis. On the field Ray Lewis is a beast, quite possibly one of the greatest linebackers of all time. Yet most people when they heard that I was cheering for the Ravens in the Super Bowl would say "Yeah...but wasn't Ray Lewis convicted of murder?" (Which the correct response is 'no').

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying that we should not look into their personal lives - not like that of a creepy stalker, which sports networks at times can be accused of doing. While we can aspire to be like a sports star on the field, sometimes their off field lives should not be followed or emulated; but, a part of me also wants to ask, who are we aspiring to be like then? If we are no longer to be inspired by real people, and try to follow their "example" (in a superhero like sense, this would involve only the good aspects that we could see - hard work, determination, sportsmanship, selflessness, etc.) who are we inspired by and told to mirror?

Fictional Characters.

Characters whose lives are so perfect that only Hollywood could (and did) write that script. Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to emulate characteristics found within these characters; but when a person begins to try and emulate the character him/herself that is where the problems begin. Yet, we are constantly bombarded with these perfect stories, to the point where we begin to wish that our life were different or more exciting or more...anything. We live in this double standard - we are not allowed to be fans of people just for their good qualities, yet there are people that we are fans of who only seem to have good qualities or lives (where bad things are very few and far between but in the end are better for them in the short run, and even then they aren't so bad)

What if we compare these stories to the stories of people we see in the Bible?

We see messed up people. We see a man who was king who (in one chapter) committed adultery, murdered someone, lied, stole, and cheated - yet he was used as the measurement for holy kings. We see a man who was a chronic lier and swindler, who pulled con after con - and God used him to father the nation of Israel. We see women with shady pasts in the lineage of Jesus. We see a man who is quick to make rash decisions being told the church will be built on him. We also see the person who these people were trying to mirror - Jesus.

Throughout the Bible we are shown that God is in the business of working with and using broken people. We are told mimic Christ's attitude (Phil 2), and this mimicking does not have to be perfect - because it never will be, this side of heaven.

So instead of condemning people because they are broken, and do not live up to the idealized standards that society has set for us (which we believe and follow) we should embrace this as our identity. We are broken people and that's OK. Should we accept our brokenness and not work towards 'fixing' it? No. Should we accept it as the starting place from which our journey begins? Yes.

Hi, my name is Philip VanderWindt and I am a broken person.

Is It Just Black Friday?

I recently took part in Black Friday for the first time - it was an experience. As soon as the excitement of 50-60% off wore off (about after an hour of standing in line), it became a lot of cranky soccer moms, thrifty college students, and early Christmas shoppers all trying to navigate the early morning hours.

In what can only be described as an ironic twist, these people who hours earlier had sat down at a table and told everyone (truthfully) that they were thankful for the little things in life - sunshine on a cloudy day, the smell of fresh baked bread, spending time with family and friends - are now putting all of that satisfaction behind them and placing it in material objects and are no longer satisfied by sunshine. This irony has been identified on the internet by meme makers.

Now before you, like a high schooler looking to pick a fight after an intro class, declare me to be a hypocrite since I too went Black Friday shopping I want to state that this is not what my post is about and that I am including myself in this observation.

As ironic as it is, I find it even more interesting that we believe that it only lasts on Friday (or the weekend, as most store now have their sales lasting that long). This "me-centric" ideology continues for the next month - Black Friday is like the pep rally to the big game of Christmas. We spend one day (Thanksgiving) being thankful for the many blessings that we have been given, then a month thinking about material things that would make us happy until on Christmas we are once again shown that it isn't the things that come wrapped in string but the people who gave them to us that matter most.

So here is my challenge, during this next month that leads up to Christmas don't lose sight of what truly matters. There is nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy that latest design, or toy, or gadget - but don't let that distract you from the things that you should truly be thankful for. It will be difficult - if you need proof just look at the people who fought outside the local mall until being pepper sprayed just hours after telling their family that if they had nothing it would be ok because they had each other - but don't let that discourage you.

As a Christian, I believe that "Jesus is the reason for the season" so let's not commit treason this season by giving glory to someone other than the one who came to earth as a man and died so that we might have life. That is the greatest gift of all, and you are not going to find that in a brochure or advertisement. It's not going to go on sale at midnight (b/c it's free!) nor is it going to be in a buy one get one sale (b/c it is all you need!). Let's not forget this amidst the snow and lights and festive music, but let us enjoy these things through Jesus for it is by doing this that we shall truly be thankful.

The Election

Unless you are living under a rock (in which case I ask, how did you get reception down there? b/c I go into a basement of a building and I get nothing) you know that there was an election in the US recently. Also, unless you were living under a rock you probably were on social media at least once, and have seen the way that they exploded in response to Obama being reelected. Tweets/Status updates like the following appeared like a red light when you're late for work:

"I'm moving to Canada"
"America is going down the drain"
"What have we done?!"

then about a half hour later a new breed of "Christian" updates arrived:

"America needs Jesus. My hope is in him!"
"Let's pray for the president"
"Good thing my citizenship isn't of this world!"

Now while these last updates can be Christian and are good things to remember - that we need to pray for those in authority, we need to be missional, and we need to not be of the world - this is not how they were presented. It was only after our human attempts to "save" America (because was all know that Jesus was a Republican...) were thwarted, that we turned to God. We did not turn to God because we were seeking his will, and desiring his will to be done - we were turning to God because we had not gotten our way. (Before I continue, I want to give props to those people who put status' which stated that they voted, and that they were now praying for the process and whoever might win)

Now this isn't meant to be a political rant, nor is it supposed to be something that makes you angry. We complain about how all of a sudden politicians are religious every time they need to be elected - yet we only remember that God has calls us to remember those in authority and pray for them after our candidate does not make it. When we do this our prayers are not true prayers, but are prayers laced with toxins. We do not pray that God might be with our leaders and that he give them wisdom to lead our country in a wise and honorable way - we pray that God might be with our leader (because he really needs help) and that he be given wisdom (because my candidate would have been better) to lead our country in a wise and honorable way (because we all know that he intends to do none of these things, but is secretly a <insert favorite villain here> whose only goal is to ruin everything).

Let's pray for those who are in authority, regardless of their political affiliation. Let's show them a true respect, not one dripping with sarcasm. What sets us apart if we don't honor those in authority?

Do we need God in America again? Yes.
Is God a Democrat? No.
Is God a Republican? No.
Are we called to honor those in authority over us whether they are Republican or Democrat or a tyrannical ruler who is using the bodies of Christians to light his garden (yep...Obama doesn't look so bad now does he...)? Yes.

So let's pray for those who we have elected, not because "they" need God but because we all need God and we are called to do it.

Do You Have the Time?

Time.

Time is money.

Time is ticking away.

Time is always moving.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

How much time do we actually use in the day?

I know for me one of my favorite sayings while I was in college, and even still while I'm in seminary is "When I have time I'll...". This phrase is the 'Get Out of Jail Free Card' of the Christian walk. Now before you assume that I am saying that I am preaching a) a Gospel without works b) that Christians shouldn't plan ahead c) that Christians should never say no d)whatever you might be thinking, let me explain.

Whenever someone would recommend a book to read, a sermon to listen to, a video to watch (educational), or a Bible Study to go to - I would often respond "when I have time..." or "if I had time...". Now sometimes it was true, I didn't have to time to do that, I had other responsibilities that needed to get done. However, the amount of times that I would say that and then find myself staring at facebook, or watching youtube videos, or looking up sports stats/stories far outnumbered the times that I would be doing homework. This became my habit: Putting something on the "To Do Later" list and never actually looking at that list, but favoring the vices of out current generation (video games, the internet, etc). There is nothing inherently wrong in any of those things, however when they become the priority there is something wrong.

Side Note: Another Christian line that we use so well is "I'll pray for you." I don't know about you, but I will admit (and apologize for doing this) that there are times when I say this and then never actually pray for the person. So instead I have made it a habit that when I know that I might forget the prayer request that I give a short prayer in my head for them after our conversation is done.

I could go into a Don't Waste Your Life speel now, but I feel like John Piper and Lecrae have done an adequate job, and all I would be doing is repeating what they have said. So instead I will send you to them, and make sure that I don't accidentally get credit for something they have said. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh1wmPQA0QA - Piper; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbQyQavqqMI - Lecrae)

I could try to convince you to live your life to the (Christian) fullest. I could put up lists about how much time we waste on facebook, twitter, pinterest, playing video games, youtube - but that would only be a temporary guilt trip. I cannot make you use all your time wisely, that has to come from you. You have to put in the effort - you are not going to wake up one morning and all of a sudden have this urge (and if you do, congratulations). If you need someone to tell you to get off the internet here it is - GET OFF! CLICK THE EXIT BUTTON! (I mean it, stop reading what I have that comes after this isn't as important as you starting to use your time wisely.)

All I can say is that we should not fill our day with empty things; fill it with things that matter.

My prayer is that when you sit there pondering what to do you would ask yourself and seriously consider, do you have the time?

Rock Bands and Revivals

I recently attended a Rise Against concert (it was great!). One of the things that I like about Rise Against is that their songs have a point. This is not aimless singing to a catchy beat/tune in order to make money. They are singing to create awareness for a cause, or to get a message across. Several times during the concert Tim  McIlrath, the lead singer, would mention to the audience that it didn't matter who we were, or where we came from when we were in that concert venue - we were family. The Rise Against family.

Here I was in the midst of this family. Family is a good way of describing what it was - here we all were crammed in this small area - yet no one complained. People were bumping into each other - but when someone fell down everyone around him was quick to help him to his feet. Complete strangers put their hands over each others shoulders and swayed to the same song. There was a unity that was unexplainable, save for their enjoyment of a band. A band. That's it. Just four guys with guitars, mics, drums and tattoos. That is what was causing this community. That's it. Those guys don't know the names of the people in the crowd - yet the people in the crowd were willing to follow anything they told them.

In the midst of the songs, the sweat, and being offered a beer (which I was informed did not have a "roofie" in it, I still didn't take it) it hit me, why isn't Church like this? I don't mean why don't we hand out drinks, all stand in a circle and have a mosh pit in the center. I mean why don't we unashamedly declare who we are following, or get psyched about a message, or sing loudly, or turn to our neighbor and high five after a good point in the sermon? I know there are times when I go to church and I'm thinking more about the football game that is on afterwards than what the pastor is saying or I am annoyed that the person behind me is singing way out of tune instead of worshiping with them.

As Rise Against began their set, the lead singer asked the crowd how many of us were there for the first time (a large number, whom I was part of, raised our hands); he welcomed us to the family and then told us that we were going to have a fun time tonight. He then turned his attention from those who were new, to those who had already been there - he reminded them of the fun they had in the different venues they had played in Michigan. In one of the songs the band mourned the loss of a punk rock legend, and the crowd mourned with them. They unashamedly told us to stop being cruel to animals, that they thought some wars were unjust, and that even though America thinks it is the best country in the world it is behind in a lot of statistics and it will take major changes to fix that. How often do we celebrate what God has done in the past? How often do we mourn with people, even if we don't know the deceased/sick/hurting? How often do we stand up for our faith?

(Quick aside about that: If a person was to ask me what sports teams I followed (LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, SD Chargers, and ANH Ducks) I would tell him quickly. Depending on what he said I would be willing to defend why I followed them. I can tell you their history. I can bring up names of the greats. Are we willing to do these same things when people ask about our faith?...but that's for another time...)

So in the midst of a concert, plastic cups and sweaty people I began to pray. I began to pray for the people there, for the band, but mostly for myself. That I would live my life in such a way that people who know who I follow. That I would not get bored of church but remember what (and who) I'm there for. That I would not stop seeing revivals in the midst of a rock band.

The Beginning

I told myself I would never start a blog. Then again, I've told myself that I wouldn't do a lot of things (listen to country, watch NASCAR, get a twitter account, tell anyone that my secret identity is batman...)(well almost all of those are true). So why did I decide to start blogging? There are several reasons, I guess - but none of them are really good ones. First, I felt like doing it and I started one. Second, I've been told by people I should have one. Third, I feel like I have some ideas that I want to share. Fourth (and probably biggest), I need to.

Now that might sound strange that I need to blog, because I really don't. What I mean by I need to blog is that it is a way for me to get my thoughts out in a way that is different than journaling (which I would recommend doing). This blog is not meant to be my personal soap box of ranting, raving, and reviewing - as some blogs often are. There might be times when I rant, or when I rave, or when I review; those, however, are not the goal of this blog. The goal is a journey.

"A journey?!" you might say, "Where are you going to go, your power chord can only be so long and you have to run out of battery at some point? " To that I say you're absolutely right. This isn't about a journey I am going to take on Route 66, but rather about a journey I am taking through Route 66. We might get off and stop in some of the places along the way which may be unfamiliar - Canaan, Jerusalem, Rome - or they might be really familiar - your home, your church, your neighborhood. You may have gathered that I am not actually talking about a journey on a physical Route 66, but instead through a Route 66 that is on your shelf, or beside your bed, or in the nightstand at your hotel.

The Christian Life is often described as a journey. This blog is not an all inclusive tour guide to what you will experience and how to get from point A to point B. Instead, think of this as the picture slide-show as I say what I noticed about the different stops I made along the way.

So, with that being said, let's dim the lights and begin.