Thanksgiving Musings
Tomorrow you will be eating loads of turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls, and so on. Maybe you’ll prepare for the big shopping day that Friday usually becomes. As you and I launch into this American holiday may we take time to give thanks to God and remember that this season is still a good one even if the economy and other concerns threaten to rob us of our sanity. The truth is that God is bigger than Wall Street. As we enter a time of rest and take a break from the rush of life may we stop and count what is really important. So eat some turkey! Take a nap! Play with your kids! Take a break!
Blessings,
Derik
Give Thanks- Jesus Really is in Charge
Today (Sunday) is Christ the King Sunday (or Reign of Christ Sunday). It is a day we are to focus on the fact that Jesus is King and the implications of that truth. Even when we pray the Lord’s Prayer we are declaring Jesus as King (thy kingdom done, they will be done- on earth as it is in heaven). Jesus preached and declared that the “Kingdom of God” was at hand. God’s Kingdom broke into the world with Jesus and is still being revealed even now. We are citizens of the KOG as believers in Christ.
The more I study Jesus the more I see him not only as a King but a revolutionary. The Sermon on the Mount is our call to arms. It is a call for us to be in this kingdom and what it means to live in this kingdom. Read Matthew 5-7. It is a tough call but the call to real life.
Jesus is our King! We honestly can’t do it by ourselves. Under our own strength we fail but through the power of Christ all things become possible.
By saying this I don’t mean we sit back and let God do all the work and not worry! Life isn’t easy and we are ‘to take up our cross and follow him.’ Yet knowing we serve a risen King means we are on the ‘winning side.’ We can have conviction and strength because we are empowered by Christ.
Blessings,
Derik
The Call of Abraham- Restoration (Genesis 12)
Our journey in Genesis has shown us that God is at work to bring chaos into order. Each story we looked at showed us the chaos but also the hint of hope within each saga. Now from all the tribes of the world God has called this man to be the means by which restoration can happen. Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai) will go and follow God. Abraham will be the father of many nations (hence new name) and one of those is the Hebrew people. It is from those people that we will follow the journey throughout the OT to the NT and the birth of Christ. From Abraham-Moses-Joshua-Judges-Saul-David-Solomon-and on and on until out of the house of David we find the birth of Christ who brings the real restoration to the chaos that threatens all of creation.
What a message of hope! And Abraham will not only be blessed but be a blessing to others. If we could only understand that God can and will use us if we ‘let go’ of ‘our stuff’ and ‘take on’ the ’stuff of God.’ And so Abraham does. Later in his story God shows him the stars and that his children will be numerous as the stars. One Jewish writer said not only will his children be numerous like the stars but like stars will shine their light in dark places. God is shining light into the dark places of this world to bring hope. And we are a part of the way this happens. We are the means that God can bring hope to the world. If we follow Abraham’s example we can bring light to darkness and hope to the world. We are blessed and can become a means of blessing for others.
Our world is full of violence, sorrow, and misery. Our economy is the pits. We have such division and hatred and so much hurt. We need to accept this call upon our lives and be who we are called to be.
Blessings,
Derik
Momma Don’t Let Your Children Grow Up to Be Pastors!
Great video clip! Check it out!
Our President and Race
Some of you voted for John McCain and others Barack Obama. The race is over and President Elect Obama is preparing for his historic administration. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat we should be thankful that we had a peaceful election and all who wanted to vote could. I hope we have a few weeks before the election of 2012 begins to be a big issue! I am already reading articles on it! Oh my!
As a pastor I want to challenge you in two ways.
Pray for your new President and other elected officials. Whether you voted for him or against him or anyone else who won in other positions I believe that we are called to pray for our leaders. Our country has many challenges and we need to pray for those who lead us. I would say this no matter who won the election. We live in trying times with our economy, terrorism, and two wars.
Confront racism. I am shocked to hear what I am hearing. Many friends are telling me about conversations on the street that are racist. People are making jokes about Obama’s race and using ethnic slurs, comments, and out right racist statements. One person told me that a man in her town said that he would never vote for a (RACIAL SLUR) and was glad his state ‘upheld’ it’s tradition. I would have hoped we had moved past the issue of race in this country. I knew we had not but to hear it so open is shocking. We have many ethnic minorities already in political positions representing both major parties. Under Bush we had two African Americans in a row serve as Secretary of State (Colin Powell then Condleeza Rice).
This past election was historic in that we had the oldest man run for office (McCain) and a woman VP (Palin- not the first but if she had one she would have been the first elected) versus an African American candidate (and we almost had a female presidential candidate-Clinton). Whether you supported any of these people should NOT be based on gender, race, etc. America is the land of dreams and all should be able to reach for the stars.
As Christians we need to remember that we can disagree with our leaders and vote for who we wish but we should never base this on RACE. We should not be guilty of the sin of RACISM and we should watch our words and actions carefully.
Blessings,
Derik
Musings on Babylon
In my last article I wrote about ancient Babylon. This week I went to the Baptist General Association of VA (the state meeting for Baptists in Virginia). We were fortunate to have Tony Campolo as our preacher. Campolo is a gifted speaker and sociologist who in very prophetic terms challenges the church today.
Tony spoke about Babylon (which I had preached on just this Sunday) and reminded us that all kingdoms (even the US) are temporary and do not last. While we love this country we are first citizens of God’s Kingdom and that is the only eternal one. This economic crisis may not be the fatal one but one day even this land will not last. Nothing really lasts forever except for Christ’s Kingdom.
While we live in this kingdom we must take seriously the question, “Who is my neighbor?” (This was the theme of the BGAV this year). Tony challenged us to remember the poor, Muslims, illegal aliens, and homosexuals. While affirming the Bible and sharing he is conservative theologically he is a “Red Letter Christian.” RL Christians take the words of Jesus (in particular the Sermon on the Mount) seriously. For example while Tony firmly believes homosexual activity is a sin and takes Romans 1 seriously he believes we must see the gay person as a neighbor and love them and not hate them.
Two quotes Tony gave that spoke volumes.
“We can’t do the Great Commission until we take the Great Commandment seriously.” (Meaning we can’t ‘go unto the nations’ until we love God and our neighbor as ourselves).
When talking about people who say “Love the sinner and hate the sin” he says, “Love the sinner and hate YOUR sin!” We have to deal with our own failures! He spoke much about Biblical marriage itself not being taken seriously.
Tony Campolo reminds me of Karl Barth. Liberals and Fundamentalists equally hate both. That’s a good place to be. Tony pulled no punches this morning as he challenged us in our cultural of affluence and that we must realize that we are living beyond our means and not taking the Gospel seriously.
What a challenge! What a word from God.
Blessings,
Derik
Tower of Babel- I Don’t Think We Can Do It Ourselves (Genesis 11)
Genesis 10 has the “Table of Nations” and we see the diverse people groups listed. Genesis 11 shows us how this division is to have happened. In the ancient world kids like today asked questions. “Why don’t we like snakes?” “Why are there rainbows?” “Why do people speak different languages?” Genesis 11 tells a story that we still discuss today.
Genesis 11 is the last of the “pre-history” passages. With Genesis 12 we will come into the story of Abram (Abraham) and the history of the Hebrews. So let’s look at this final piece of 1-11.
All the people come together and they want unity. But unity without God is impossible. Remember the world is in chaos and only God can bring order. So they build a city and a tower. This tower is like many ancient ones called ziggurats. It’s a pyramid structure with steps leading to a place of worship (the original Stairway to Heaven- take that Robert Plant). And so they do this we are told to leave a name for themselves and perhaps out of fear of scattering (this story will go over well during the exile). And so God has to come down to even see this project! God speaks in the plural (remember Genesis 1) and then confuses their language and now we all have to take high school Spanish.
What is this story telling us?
We can’t do it by ourselves. It’s a lesson of RELIANCE. Who do we rely upon? Do we have self reliance or God reliance? They try to build a stairway to heaven. The word BABEL means confusion but in some ancient languages even may mean ‘doorway/gate to heaven(s).’ They tried to make it to the heavens (literally or now who knows). We still try and do it ourselves. We try and make it and we fail.
This city is said to have been Babylon and will be a city for some folks that will grow into a mighty empire. Genesis 10 tells us about Nimrod the founder of this city. Many Jewish legends are out there about Nimrod and this tower. But we know this empire would be a center of civilization for 2000 years. The city would twice be the largest city in the world (passing 200,000). It once would hold the ‘hanging garden’ which was one of the ancient wonders of the world. This empire would defeat Judah and burn Jerusalem and destroy God’s Temple built by Solomon. The Hebrews would be in Exile in this kingdom. And while there they would remember this story and it would give them hope. They would be free and come home to rebuild. And one day the mighty Babylon would fall. In fact Babylon becomes a code word for empires. Revelation talks about Rome as a Babylon. All civilizations are Babylon and all think they can do it themselves! All will fall. Even the ones we live in today.
If you go to Bagdad and go south you’ll find the digs for this ancient city. Saddam Hussein wasn’t able to revive it but did mess up some digs there. Talk has gone on about building a mall and shopping center there but basically this empire like all empires is dust.
We just can’t do it by ourselves.
Will we ever learn?
Blessings,
Derik
Election Day Thoughts
It’s Tuesday and it’s election day. I voted early this morning. It was crowded and rainy. I was greeted by people safely outside the zone offering ’sample ballots’ telling me who to vote for. Both parties hit me up. One party had 20 young college students and one party had one lone senior citizen. I declined both. I voted. I will not tell you who I voted for but I do want to share some thoughts.
After 22 months of running for office today is the day we find out. I say that but I remember in 2000 we waited a lot longer for chads to be dealt with and we all know how long that took.
As a Christian and a pastor I will give you a few random thoughts about this day.
*I’m glad it’s finally here. I too am tired of the endless speeches and debates. Yet I’ll be honest I follow politics carefully and am involved in what is gong on.
*I’m glad we can vote. Not everyone can nor does everyone do it but they should. In some countries you don’t have the opportunity we have. I’m so glad we can and give thanks for it.
*I’m saddened by the way some people have behaved. I tire of the negativity but now it has always been there (Lincoln/Douglass debates–hello?). I’m sad by the hype and fear and rumors I hear from emails and citizens. I don’t mind people being upset/passionate about real issues but rumors that are easily debunked by simple fact checking that are spread have made me sad.
*I’m sad by how churches and Christian groups sometimes act. James Dobson used to be a guy who did produce some very helpful resources/books for parents, etc. But he has become so political and partisan I am sad. He has recently released a ‘letter from 2012′ where he paints a picture of the US in 4 years if Obama wins. He says that Christians will be forced to allow gay marriages in our churches, hire gay staff, Israel will wind up bombed by Iran, Christians are jailed, college ministries banned, the pledge is not allowed in schools, terrorism happens in the US and so on. It’s way over the top and dumb. Why would a Christian ministry that is about parenting and family issues be this political and fear mongering? And I’d say the same thing if it was about Ralph Nader or John McCain. I preferred Rick Warren’s approach of conversation and engagement without taking sides.
Christians have a right to have opinions and to share them. We have a right to talk about moral issues. We have a right to talk about social issues and justice. But we must speak the truth with love!!!!!
As a Baptist I also hold to the separation of church and state. Vote but don’t let your preacher tell you who to vote for! I am a pastor and I love my members who vote for McCain and those who vote for Obama and those who don’t vote. I am not working for the DNC or RNC. So talk about issues but don’t push candidates. Whenever the state and church get together everyone losses. We don’t need the state to run the church or the church to run the state.
I was watching a mega church down the road on TV. Thomas Road is no stranger to politics. Founder Jerry Falwell loved to push the issue. His son is now pastor and Sunday he joked about there being an election Sunday then said that it was bring a friend day and he brought a few friends. He had them stand and they were former pows who served with McCain. He had a Republican candidate for another office stand and folks applauded. He then had Governor Huckabee give a word about America. They didn’t official say who to vote for but it was pretty obvious. But inviting one candidate and not the other and then having them stand for a local race doesn’t sound too fair. Jonathan Falwell did a good job though of warning about bad behavior and the recent burning of effigies of Palin and Obama.
Another group has asked pastors to speak overtly for their choice for president and break IRS laws. If a church wants to remain tax exempt they can’t do this.
And people on both sides of the aisle are guilty of using the church to get votes. It isn’t just Republicans but also Democrats. Churches have had Democratic candidates speak and ‘wink wink’ no overt declaration is made (although sometimes it is) but we all know what they are saying.
When I stand up in preach I know that the gospel is why people are there. People need to hear Christ! Jesus said to give Caesar what is his and God what is his. I’m here to preach the power of Christ and to see lives transformed and the world will be forever changed. This is more powerful than pushing politics. We have a eternal message and not one backed by anyone but God.
So this is not an endorsement for Obama, McCain, or anyone else. But I am asking for us to be civil and if we are Christian to be Christian.
One last thought. No matter who is elected we should pray for them. Pray for all leaders local and national and pray for wisdom and insight. And pray for the way we live in our communities then go and be positive forces in our communities. Live the gospel and share the gospel. That’s the Great Commission.
Peace,
Derik
Noah’s Ark- It Just Got Worse (Genesis 5-9)
The story of Noah’s ark is one that graces nursery walls and we sing cute songs about and yet it is one of violence, hatred, and death.
Got your attention yet?
Read Genesis 5-9 and you see a world falling apart. Cain and Abel is a sad story and the question is, “Can it get any worse?” And of course it got worse. We find the rage of Cain growing. We find a civilization guilty of REJECTION. Sin is rejection. It is rejecting God. There are strange pieces in the Noah account. Genesis 6:1-4 talks about ’sons of God’ and ‘daughters of men’ and these Nephilim. Jewish stories and interpretations points to heavenly angels and women creating a giant race. Others see this as a story about God’s people mingling with the wrong people. Then you come to a discussion about how bad things are. Words like “all”, “full” and “every” remind us that things are bad.
Some point to the fact that God is ready to destroy all of humanity and yet they miss the grief comments. God actually ‘grieves’ and this points to actual pain. Protestant reformers and writers didn’t like this. Calvin and Luther didn’t think God could ‘feel’ pain. Yet modern theologians say this is exactly right. God feels our pain and hurts when we reject him. Now that I’m a dad I see this completely.
Yet there is a bright shining spot in the story- Noah.
Noah is righteous (living right), blameless (not guilty) and ‘walked with God’ (he ‘rubbed shoulders with God’). Noah descends from Enoch (5:21-24) who walked with God and kept walking. Noah has a family and he and his family are saved. The ark story follows (6-8). Rain comes. Flood comes. Destruction comes.
Eventually they come to dry land. The dove leads the way. First thing Noah does is offer a sacrifice to God. The second is to plant a vineyard and get drunk and be found naked (9).
In between worship and shame God makes a covenant with Noah. The rainbow reminds Noah that the world will not be flooded again. In the ancient world lightening bolts were arrows of the gods and this rainbow is the bow of God laid to rest. This covenant is a promise and we do nothing to get it. God says he will not wipe the world away. God hasn’t given up on us. God has covenants later. He promises Abraham that he will be the father of a new nation. He has a covenant with Moses and David and later we who are believers are in a new covenant through Christ. Moses’ covenant is different than the others. The others just are. Moses’ we have to do something. We have to obey to be blessed. The New Covenant we have to accept and is not automatically given to us like Noah’s, Abraham’s, and David’s.
There is much to ponder in this story. The death of people is troubling. Where the children and babies of the drowning people guilty? But again Genesis 1-11 needs to be taken to see what the theme/message is about and not to be distracted about the details. It’s pre-history. Some see it as metaphors and others literal truth. It’s raw and edgy.
Some argue about worldwide vs local floods. People are fascinated by the 25 flood stories found in 25 cultures and civilizations. Yet what is the message?
We see that people reject God.
Yet God wants righteousness (acceptance) not rejection.
And yet God doesn’t give up on us. God provides a way to restore humanity and this message is a road that begins in Genesis and flows throughout the biblical narrative.
Why do we have the epilogue of Noah being drunk, passing out and a son being cursed? Some say to explain how the enemies of the Hebrews came into being (Canaan) but also to show that Noah was a man who followed God but not perfect. I’m glad the Scriptures record the flaws of the people in the text (David, Abraham, etc etc). We too are flawed and God doesn’t expect perfection but hates excuses.
Two symbols of hope.
The dove. We see the dove with an olive branch which is still the universal symbol of peace. God wants peace and will bring peace.
The rainbow. God has a promise. Genesis 8:1 “But God remembered…” God doesn’t forget us. God loves us. God has a plan for us.
Genesis 1-11 takes us from chaos to order back to chaos. Next we’ll see the Tower of Babel and continue this chaotic journey.
Blessings,
Derik
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