Monday, April 21

The Sacrifice

In the Old Testament God chose one nation for Himself.  That nation was Israel. Whenever the people of Israel sinned, God commanded a sacrifice be offered by the priest.  The sacrifice, often a lamb, was killed.  Its blood "covered over" the sin of the people.  This brought the people into a right standing before God.  Without the sacrificial shedding of blood, there was no forgiveness of sin. (Hebrews 9.22)  But with the sacrificial shedding of blood there was forgiveness ... at least for God's chosen people, Israel.  If the sacrifices described in the Old Testament foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of  Jesus Christ (and they do), for whom does His blood atone?  For all?  Or only for His chosen people, those He has called to Himself.       

Sunday, April 20

Nail Shop Church

Yesterday I had my nails done.  I know, its a splurge.   Since my natural nails are weak, chipped and generally unsightly, I've decided to go see the professionals.  As I sat there, I wondered if going to church offered a similar experience.

I walk into the nail shop, which always looks the same, no matter which state its in.  After signing in, I'm escorted to a chair.  The nail tech sits across from me and asks why I am there.  Sometimes I ask him his name, but rarely does he ask for mine. As he works, he talks very little with me but extensively with his co-worker in some language I don't understand.  They laugh.   Scenes of Seinfeld's Elaine as the "American Princess" go through my mind.  As our hour together nears an end, he tells me to go wash my hands.  Then I pull out my wallet and give him some cash.  He says he'll see me again in two weeks.

I wonder what people experience as they come into our church.  Does it look like, feel like, smell like every other church on the corner? Do they sense we are genuinely interested in them?  Or are they just a name on a visitor card?  Are we speaking some sort of Christian language they just don't understand?  Are we so busy enjoying ourselves that they feel not only left out but actually uncomfortable?  Do  we insist they participate in some sort of ritual before we ask for money and send them on their way?  Are we so superficial that all they get from us is "see you next time"?   

Just asking.

Thursday, April 17

The Word ...


Luke 24.45 "Then he (Jesus) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."

A good friend e-mailed me this picture today.  The first time I looked at this picture, I saw only two horses.   I came back to it a little while later and saw three.  The next time I saw five.  And it occurred to me that the same thing happens when I get into the Word of God.  As I spend time reading Scripture, Jesus opens my mind to see more and more Truth.  Just yesterday, I read a very familiar passage and saw something I'd never seen before!  So I'll keep spending time in the Word in hopes of seeing more Truth ... and keep looking for the other two horses in the picture!

Wednesday, April 16

Stuck in the middle with ... me

I's right in the middle of sin.  Now, before you start e-mailing me about my grammar, let me explain.  I'm talking about "I" ... the letter ... and the pronoun.  If we could somehow compile a comprehensive list cataloging each and every sin known to man, at the center of each one would be a great big "I".  I as in "I will make my own choices in life".  I as in "I will do what I want to do, and I don't care how it affects you."  I as in "I want to be well thought of, so I lie about my income."  I as in "I gave you my word, but whatever I promised just isn't convenient ... for me."  I as in "I want this, so I will take it."    At the root of every sinful thought, action, word is ... selfishness.  

Eve was thinking of herself when she took the bait, Abraham thought of saving his own skin when he told Sarah to lie about about  being his wife;  King David was looking to satisfy his own appetite as he pursued another man's wife; and Judas was looking to line his own pocket when he sold Jesus out .  There is evidence peppered throughout Scripture that selfishness is at the root of sin, and honestly, I can see the same thing by examining my own life.   Jesus was never selfish, though!  As Jesus, God  became completely self-less so that we would have a human example to follow.  Jesus set aside everything to which He was entitled in order to serve God and those around Him.  There is no "I" in Jesus.


Sunday, April 13

Light and Depth ...

A friend of ours, Brian, is a gifted individual.  He’s the musician-photographer-computer genius-theologian type, if such a type exists.  Recently, I ran across a blog in which Brian critiqued a photo he’d taken.  

The subject of the impressive photograph was a wedding cake.   Simple yet elegant, the smoothly iced confection was adorned only with a few roses.  The camera lens captured this masterpiece so accurately and so beautifully that it actually looked real enough to eat.  According to Brian, two main elements contributed to creating this breathtaking image:  light and depth.   Spiritual parallels abound.

Brian noted lighting as a crucial element in all good photography.  In his words, good lighting is key to creating depth.  No light … no depth.   Depth is critical because depth is what makes the photo come across as real, believable.  In the Bible, Jesus referred to Himself as “the light of the world”. John adds that Jesus is “the true light that gives light to every man.”  Isn’t it interesting that just as proper lighting is necessary to form depth in a photograph, The Light is necessary to form depth in our lives?  A personal relationship with Jesus sheds light on all aspects of our lives, revealing those areas that are pleasing to God, as well as those facets where improvement is needed.  We see the work God has already done in our lives and, most likely, are humbled by the fact that His work in us is not yet finished. This ongoing illumination brings true depth to our character, resulting in an amazingly effective authenticity that speaks volumes to a world searching for something … anything… that is real. 

The other component that contributes to the realism of the image in the photograph is the lack of distractions.  The subject of the photo is most notably the cake, and nothing lures our eyes away from its beauty.  Can we say this about our own lives?  When others look at our lives do they clearly see the character of Christ?  Do our words and actions draw people to Christ or distract them from our witness?  Do they distract us?  

I’ll end my writing where Brian ended his, looking for more lighting scenarios. 

Check out the actual photo at www.thisistheslam.blogspot.com  then scroll down to the "More Great Light" entry.

Thursday, April 10

Theology of the Water Bottle...


"... and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1.7

We buy bottled water.  Not the trendy kind in the blue bottle that you see hip  people on TV drinking, just plain bottled water.  Nothing fancy, just clean water. Pure water, perfect taste ... at least according to the label.  Unfortunately, it's not free water.  Purity has its price.  And I, for one, am glad to pay it.  As I look at my own life in light of the Word of God, I realize that my purity also has a price.  It cost Jesus, and it costs me.  Jesus gave His very life so that I could be spotless,  free from the pollution of sin.  For me, the cost of purity comes as I daily die to thoughts, desires and actions that would not only taint me but keep me from maturity.

Wednesday, April 9

NOVA Visit...

Sophia & I just got back from a visit to one of our favorite places in the entire world ... Northern Virginia.  The weather was rainy and cold but the people were as warm as ever!  We were there to celebrate the second birthday of Image, our church home.  It was GREAT ... the music was incredibly worshipful, and (Preacher) Chris' sermon really spoke to me on a personal level.  You can check it out at www.thisisimage.com or on itunes! I had a wonderful time catching up with friends, and Sophia had some major girl time with Courtney & Kaitlyn.  The trip went by too fast.