Confession: I like Katy Perry.
I know she's some kind of she-devil, but Katy Perry is good looking, and her music is fun. I know I'm supposed to be all up in arms because she sang "I Kissed A Girl" (and she liked it!), but, um, I kissed a girl--and I liked it, too. Did you know that Katy Perry is a pastor's daughter, and that before she started her career as "Katy Perry" she was a Christian artist under her real name, Katy Hudson? Yeah...she's all kinds of messed up now. Still, even though she kissed a girl and she thinks ur so gay, I like a lot of what she has to say.
As an ultra-conservative Christian, I'm supposed to be repulsed by that video somehow. I mean, there's like homo love and a fat girl in her undies. I'm not. Granted, I don't really want to see homo loving (I don't really want to see hetero loving, either. Most people just aren't attractive enough to make the view enjoyable), nor do I really want to see big folk in their skivvies.
The thing is, we're supposed to love people. Even if you think, for example, that homosexuality is a sin, shouldn't we be still be more offended when they are made to feel isolated, rejected, and unloved than when they act on what is in their heart anyway? Seriously, is this how Jesus would treat people? If they feel isolated, rejected, and unloved, then they are in the same position (just unhappy). The real difference is in us--we are the ones doing wrong.
There's pretty much no denying, if I think someone is gay, I'll probably be the first to say so, and if I think someone is fat, I'll probably be the first to admit that, too. There's no value statement attached there. People are still valuable, regardless.
What Katy Perry is singing about in "Firework" is really what the life of Jesus is all about. God has this incredibly high view of who we can be--who we should be. Each of us is unique. Each of us hold the potential to be great. Through God, we can reach that unique potential. Jesus came to get us there.
If we cannot manage to love one another, can we really call ourselves followers of Jesus?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Christianity
I am increasingly aware that the key to being a happy Christian is learning to laugh at all the other churchy people.
Please don't make me explain it.
Please don't make me explain it.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Shut Your Mouth
I know "Shut Your Mouth" isn't a title anyone expected in the title of one of my churchy blogs, but I said it. I also know that probably most of my readers will think I am being funny or dramatic or something, but I am not.
I am increasingly tired of a culture that wants to tear everyone down. We wrap it up as "good clean fun" and "friendly teasing" and all that. I call bull-crap. There is nothing good or clean or fun or friendly about it. It's mean and nasty and I'm done with it. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I am going to give you all permission to hold me accountable and set me straight. And if you can't handle controlling yourselves, I have one simple message:
Shut your mouth and read 1 Thessalonians 5.
Be self-controlled (verse 8). Encourage one another and build each other up (11). Respect those who work hard among you (12). Hold them in the highest regard. Live in peace (13). Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone (14). Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else (15). Be joyful always (16). Pray continually (17). Give thanks in all circumstances (18). Avoid every kind of evil (22).
Is that too tough? Can't manage that? Then just shut your mouth.
I am increasingly tired of a culture that wants to tear everyone down. We wrap it up as "good clean fun" and "friendly teasing" and all that. I call bull-crap. There is nothing good or clean or fun or friendly about it. It's mean and nasty and I'm done with it. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I am going to give you all permission to hold me accountable and set me straight. And if you can't handle controlling yourselves, I have one simple message:
Shut your mouth and read 1 Thessalonians 5.
Be self-controlled (verse 8). Encourage one another and build each other up (11). Respect those who work hard among you (12). Hold them in the highest regard. Live in peace (13). Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone (14). Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else (15). Be joyful always (16). Pray continually (17). Give thanks in all circumstances (18). Avoid every kind of evil (22).
Is that too tough? Can't manage that? Then just shut your mouth.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Seven Things I Hate About Church
I have absolutely no reason to submit this post now, which makes it a great time to do it. This is something I wrote quite a while ago when discussing why so many men in America dislike going to church. Enjoy! -mike
In all honesy, I am a man that does not really like church. (I have been known to say things like, "I love Jesus, but I am no fan of his leprous bride.") I cannot speak for everyone, obviously, but here are some things that I do not like about church:
1. People pretend to care. I do not honestly mind if they care about me or not, but the fraud bothers me.
2. I am asked personal questions by people I barely know.
3. People assume that I am a hugger just because they are.
4. We sing songs that have no value in either the music or the lyrics. These songs are just lousy music, and only a Christian could love them (because they are vaguely spiritual).
5. "Testimonies" are offered that are not really testimonies at all. Sometimes this comes in the form of someone who talks for minutes about how terrible their life is and then conclude with something spiritual, such as, "but I know God will bring me through" or something, which would be a lot more meaningful if the person had not first convinced us that their problems are the focus of their life. Others are incoherent altogether. Some are merely some person who for whatever reason want to share the lonely thought that has ventured into their head before it dies of loneliness. I am embarrassed for the person giving the "testimony" and I am embarrassed for myself for having listened to it.
6. Too many sermons are focused on proving the preacher's eloquence or academic skills, rather than on delivering the Word of God with authority.
7. If you allow yourself to be open to people in the church, often times those good Christian people will take the opportunity to hurt you in ways you would have never imagined.
Emphasis on number seven.
In all honesy, I am a man that does not really like church. (I have been known to say things like, "I love Jesus, but I am no fan of his leprous bride.") I cannot speak for everyone, obviously, but here are some things that I do not like about church:
1. People pretend to care. I do not honestly mind if they care about me or not, but the fraud bothers me.
2. I am asked personal questions by people I barely know.
3. People assume that I am a hugger just because they are.
4. We sing songs that have no value in either the music or the lyrics. These songs are just lousy music, and only a Christian could love them (because they are vaguely spiritual).
5. "Testimonies" are offered that are not really testimonies at all. Sometimes this comes in the form of someone who talks for minutes about how terrible their life is and then conclude with something spiritual, such as, "but I know God will bring me through" or something, which would be a lot more meaningful if the person had not first convinced us that their problems are the focus of their life. Others are incoherent altogether. Some are merely some person who for whatever reason want to share the lonely thought that has ventured into their head before it dies of loneliness. I am embarrassed for the person giving the "testimony" and I am embarrassed for myself for having listened to it.
6. Too many sermons are focused on proving the preacher's eloquence or academic skills, rather than on delivering the Word of God with authority.
7. If you allow yourself to be open to people in the church, often times those good Christian people will take the opportunity to hurt you in ways you would have never imagined.
Emphasis on number seven.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Father, Let Me Dedicate
Father let me dedicate all this life to Thee
In whatever worldly state Thou would have me be
Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim
This alone shall be my prayer, glorify Thy name
Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?
Can a father's love refuse all the best to give?
Let my glad heart, while it sings, Thee in all proclaim
And, whate'er the future brings, glorify Thy name
If Thou callest to the cross, and its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss, shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son to His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on, “Glorify Thy Name.”
In whatever worldly state Thou would have me be
Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim
This alone shall be my prayer, glorify Thy name
Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?
Can a father's love refuse all the best to give?
Let my glad heart, while it sings, Thee in all proclaim
And, whate'er the future brings, glorify Thy name
If Thou callest to the cross, and its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss, shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son to His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on, “Glorify Thy Name.”
Sunday, April 18, 2010
First Love
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Luke 18:18-25, NIV
I hate stuff. I think stuff is anti-Christianity. Usually, if I voice any opinion that even remotely suggests this opinion, I am assured that stuff is okay, as long as that stuff doesn't come first in your life. If Jesus is your "first love," they say, all this other stuff is okay, too.
Are you sure?
I think it is worth mentioning that Jesus does not want some casual, half-effort relationship with you. He died for you. He wants that kind of commitment from you. We are not talking about a once-a-month-guys-night-out friendship here. We are talking about a singularly-focused, every-moment-is-about-you relationship.
Is it okay with Jesus if you love your stuff, so long as you love him, too? If Jesus is first, can you have whatever stuff you want? Is your wife okay with your mistress, so long as your wife is still your "first" love?
Oh.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
How Can I Know I Am Saved?
We have tried to make this question the crux of Christianity: how can I know I will go to heaven? The more appropriate question would be: how can I know I am saved?
Either way, if you ask you are likely to get something along the lines of, "Have you ever prayed and accepted Jesus as your Savior?" Maybe a little more or less theological-sounding, but that's essentially what people are looking for. They are trying to remind you of that time when you were six years old and you repeated some prayer after some preacher and declared yourself "saved."
"Saved" isn't quite what it's cut out to be.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'" (Matthew 7:21-22, NIV).
In Hebrew literature, repetition indicates significance and sincerity. When these folks say, "Lord, Lord," it indicates that they have known about and professed Jesus for a long time. It isn't like the kid who is caught climbing on the kitchen counter reaching into the cookie jar when his mom walks into the room and he says, "Hi, Mommy!" as if he isn't doing something wrong. This is the kid who cuts the curtains apart and tries to sew the parts into a dress, and runs out to meet his mom when she gets home from work: "Mommy, Mommy, look what I made for you!" Well, sorta. These folks have been prophesying in Jesus name. They have been driving out demons. They performed miracles. They are certain of their eternal security.
The problem is, their eternity isn't secure at all. Jesus concludes, "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (verse 23). Oh, crud. What went wrong here? What about the prophesy and miracles and whatnot? None of that stuff matters to Jesus. He's not impressed.
Well, if none of that stuff matters, what is Jesus looking for?
First, Jesus precedes this bit of information by drawing an analogy between people and fruit trees. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (verses 18-20). A Christian can be recognized by his or her behavior.
Jesus concludes his reply to those who said, "Lord, Lord..." by saying, "Away from me, you evildoers!" EVILDOERS. If you are still doing evil, you are not following Christ...and probably not going to heaven, either.
Either way, if you ask you are likely to get something along the lines of, "Have you ever prayed and accepted Jesus as your Savior?" Maybe a little more or less theological-sounding, but that's essentially what people are looking for. They are trying to remind you of that time when you were six years old and you repeated some prayer after some preacher and declared yourself "saved."
"Saved" isn't quite what it's cut out to be.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'" (Matthew 7:21-22, NIV).
In Hebrew literature, repetition indicates significance and sincerity. When these folks say, "Lord, Lord," it indicates that they have known about and professed Jesus for a long time. It isn't like the kid who is caught climbing on the kitchen counter reaching into the cookie jar when his mom walks into the room and he says, "Hi, Mommy!" as if he isn't doing something wrong. This is the kid who cuts the curtains apart and tries to sew the parts into a dress, and runs out to meet his mom when she gets home from work: "Mommy, Mommy, look what I made for you!" Well, sorta. These folks have been prophesying in Jesus name. They have been driving out demons. They performed miracles. They are certain of their eternal security.
The problem is, their eternity isn't secure at all. Jesus concludes, "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (verse 23). Oh, crud. What went wrong here? What about the prophesy and miracles and whatnot? None of that stuff matters to Jesus. He's not impressed.
Well, if none of that stuff matters, what is Jesus looking for?
First, Jesus precedes this bit of information by drawing an analogy between people and fruit trees. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (verses 18-20). A Christian can be recognized by his or her behavior.
Jesus concludes his reply to those who said, "Lord, Lord..." by saying, "Away from me, you evildoers!" EVILDOERS. If you are still doing evil, you are not following Christ...and probably not going to heaven, either.
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