I really love to write. Preachers are supposed to like to golf - but I never was good enough to justify the the outlay of cash necessary to 'chase the little white ball'.
That's when I discovered blogging. A fun way to write, relax and even read and learn. But then comes comments - yes, actual people visiting one's blog and making comments about what you've written, positive, negative, it mattered not - it was readership! That's when I began to really delve into to the "blogosphere"! As it progressed I discovered a wonderful little idol called a 'counter'. This little device tracks and breaks down every single bit of traffic to your blog in so many ways it makes your head spin - and it's pretty cool. Then I discovered when I write on certain topics that interest me - my counter climbed! Cool! That meant more visitors coming to read what I've written, more comments. That was very cool. At least I thought.
Then it sort of hit me - and a commenter on another blog I think sums up this blog traffic 'high' by this statement they made:
"I have to admit I hadn’t spent too much time at ********** in the past few months, once I realized I was there simply for the “train wreck” appeal of it all. In some articles the prideful part of me would pop up and say, 'I would never do a thing like that!'"
And that is it indeed - the more contentious the topic - the more readers. Don't misunderstand, the topics I write and wrote about are things I am very passionate about, very concerned with and believe with all my heart and still do. And lets face it, not many care to read about my family vacation to Mackinac Island, or my children starting a new school.
The whole blog "gig" became rather intoxicating - and for me, rather wrong.
Here's what the Lord reminded me of yesterday: I am responsible for how people perceive me. I should do everything I can to make sure I am representing Jesus Christ and myself in the most accurate and the most Christ honoring way I can. This nearly led me to deleting this entire blog yesterday - and the reason is I honestly have no desire to argue with or be contentious with brothers in Christ. After being called some unsavory and hurtful things - I realized that how I was being perceived by some wasn't the real me.
The reason why lies in the very nature of electronic communication (blog, email, etc.). There is a very key component in this medium that is missing - TONE.
When one makes strong statements in communicating, tone can be your best friend. When preaching, strong statements come off much better because people can see the smile, see my tears, hear the concern in my voice, hear the humor - and it all makes sense and it is understood what kind of person I am and the spirit in which the message is delivered.
Sadly, people who only 'read' what I say electronically don't get to see or hear the above mentioned tonal qualities, which may lead some to conclusions about me that aren't true. Then some, armed with "Internet muscles" are glad to pull out the sword and use it on someone they've never met because they've rushed to conclusions about my heart and the spirit in which I deliver things that simply aren't true.
The solution? I remember that I'm responsible for how people perceive me - and now in this day and age that includes electronically.
So in that spirit, I back off, apologize to whomever I need to apologize to for coming across in a manner that was not my intent.
I make it a practice to evaluate criticism - if it has any merit, I receive it and repent - for the misguided hurtful criticism that has no merit - it's water off a ducks back.
The final analysis is that I set my face like flint to go after Jesus with more passion and more humility than ever before - I will continue holding my God given convictions and taking my stand for the Lord.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Why Orthodoxy Isn't Enough
(From Humble Orthodoxy - written by Justin Blizzard)
I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because orthodoxy isn’t enough.
Mere orthodoxy, mere correctness of doctrine, mere mental knowledge of biblical truth, isn’t enough to drive what I’m called to do as a man, husband, father, pastor, and missionary to the San Francisco Peninsula. Let me explain.
James 2 gives one of Scripture’s sharpest statements that God wants his people to operate with something more than mere orthodoxy, for even non-Christians, even enemies of God, can be orthodox: “Even the demons believe…” (James 2:19). James 2:19 is our reason why orthodoxy needs an adjective. I suppose we could place many different adjectives in front of the word “orthodoxy” which would help us move beyond the useless “demon orthodoxy” of James 2. Maybe what we need is “obedient” orthodoxy? Maybe what Christ wants from us is a “passionate” orthodoxy? Or “purpose-driven” orthodoxy?
It would seem to me that “humble” is the most appropriate adjective for describing the kind of orthodoxy the Bible calls Christians to cultivate. Though I became a Christian when I was just a young boy, I’ve lived most of my life with an aversion to humility. Until a few years ago, just hearing the word “humble” caused allergic reactions. My pride runs deep. I’m the kind of guy, the kind of Christian, who thinks he has what it takes to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and go out and live with an obedient, passionate, purpose-driven orthodoxy that pleases God, blesses my family, turns heads, converts thousands, and causes others to be really impressed with me…and maybe also with God.
Though I probably still woke up this morning with that same default, prideful frame of mind, humility has become attractive to me. The aversion has melted. I now hear the adjective “humble” and I’m drawn in. I want this word to mark my life. There are two reasons for this: failure and Jesus. I’ve come to realize that left to myself, I’m not much better than the demons. I can fill my mind with orthodox thoughts about God, yet live a life unchanged. As obedient, passionate, and purpose-driven as I aim to be in my orthodoxy, I fail: I don’t enjoy and glorify God, serve my wife, love my son, pastor my sheep, or love my lost neighbors here in the un-churched San Francisco Bay Area as the Bible calls for me to do. I can’t do it. I need help. I need a Savior.
I’ve come to see that I need Jesus my Savior every single day of my Christian life. That’s the heart of orthodoxy, the heart of the Bible, the heart of the gospel: living this Christian life that brings glory to God and redemption to the world requires, pivots upon, the Savior. And that’s true not just for day one, but for every single day of the Christian life. I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because humble orthodoxy highlights my Savior. And without a humble, daily reliance upon Jesus, I can’t be orthodox. It’s taken me a long time to realize this. It’s going to take the rest of my life to apply this. By the grace of God, game on.
I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because orthodoxy isn’t enough.
Mere orthodoxy, mere correctness of doctrine, mere mental knowledge of biblical truth, isn’t enough to drive what I’m called to do as a man, husband, father, pastor, and missionary to the San Francisco Peninsula. Let me explain.
James 2 gives one of Scripture’s sharpest statements that God wants his people to operate with something more than mere orthodoxy, for even non-Christians, even enemies of God, can be orthodox: “Even the demons believe…” (James 2:19). James 2:19 is our reason why orthodoxy needs an adjective. I suppose we could place many different adjectives in front of the word “orthodoxy” which would help us move beyond the useless “demon orthodoxy” of James 2. Maybe what we need is “obedient” orthodoxy? Maybe what Christ wants from us is a “passionate” orthodoxy? Or “purpose-driven” orthodoxy?
It would seem to me that “humble” is the most appropriate adjective for describing the kind of orthodoxy the Bible calls Christians to cultivate. Though I became a Christian when I was just a young boy, I’ve lived most of my life with an aversion to humility. Until a few years ago, just hearing the word “humble” caused allergic reactions. My pride runs deep. I’m the kind of guy, the kind of Christian, who thinks he has what it takes to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and go out and live with an obedient, passionate, purpose-driven orthodoxy that pleases God, blesses my family, turns heads, converts thousands, and causes others to be really impressed with me…and maybe also with God.
Though I probably still woke up this morning with that same default, prideful frame of mind, humility has become attractive to me. The aversion has melted. I now hear the adjective “humble” and I’m drawn in. I want this word to mark my life. There are two reasons for this: failure and Jesus. I’ve come to realize that left to myself, I’m not much better than the demons. I can fill my mind with orthodox thoughts about God, yet live a life unchanged. As obedient, passionate, and purpose-driven as I aim to be in my orthodoxy, I fail: I don’t enjoy and glorify God, serve my wife, love my son, pastor my sheep, or love my lost neighbors here in the un-churched San Francisco Bay Area as the Bible calls for me to do. I can’t do it. I need help. I need a Savior.
I’ve come to see that I need Jesus my Savior every single day of my Christian life. That’s the heart of orthodoxy, the heart of the Bible, the heart of the gospel: living this Christian life that brings glory to God and redemption to the world requires, pivots upon, the Savior. And that’s true not just for day one, but for every single day of the Christian life. I’m committed to humble orthodoxy because humble orthodoxy highlights my Savior. And without a humble, daily reliance upon Jesus, I can’t be orthodox. It’s taken me a long time to realize this. It’s going to take the rest of my life to apply this. By the grace of God, game on.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Do Apostles Exist Today?
We're having some great discussion on this topic over here. I'm going to repost some thoughts on this topic:
Here are some common misconceptions of what an apostle is (via Anton Bosch):
-Apostles run denominations.
-Apostles receive supernatural extra Biblical revelation like Paul did.
-Apostles have authority that supersedes scripture.
-Apostles succeed one another -(as in a continuous line since Peter).
-Apostles are the highest authority in the church.
-Apostles are inward (churchward) while Evangelists are outward.
A good working definition of Apostle: Quoting from Thayer's the word apostle literally means: "a delegate, messenger, on sent forth with orders."
Apostles are literally those who have been sent out on a mission - from this concept we get the word "missionary".
So to the question - "Do Apostles exist today?"
The truth is, being an 'apostle' is a calling just like being a 'pastor'. What makes one a pastor? A title? A position? A degree from a Seminary or Bible College? I believe most pastors will answer 'none of the above' - what makes one a pastor is the Divine call on your life that you felt at some point in your history and continues burning brightly today. An apostle is called in the same way.
The problem we face today in believing apostles exist - is this "mystical" view of what an apostle is. We've gotten into our minds that if you're an apostle, then your shadow must be healing people. This is simply not the case.
Apostles today are some of the people you might know - church planters, missionaries, movers and shakers that are called of God to be such. Some might also pastor a church like Paul did for a time.
Biblically apostles are those:
-Who are sent out to preach the gospel.
-They establish churches.
-They confirm and establish the churches they start through follow-up visits.
-They appoint elders and pastors to oversee the local churches.
I don't know how other movements work, but this describes several missionaries that I know personally in the A/G. That's not to say every missionary is an apostle - because that wouldn't be accurate. By the same token I also believe every man behind a pulpit isn't necessarily gifted to be a pastor even though he (or she) may carry that title.
These apostles I know do things that I couldn't do - go places I can't, establish things I couldn't, endure things that make me cringe. They are undoubtedly gifted as Biblical apostles.
We have not lost apostles today, we simply cease to identify them for what they are.
Usually the guys that have it on their business cards - ARE NOT IT! God didn't call us to be legends in our own minds - but humble, broken servants of Christ that would gladly die for the cause of Christ. THESE are the type men that I know and call apostles.
Here are some common misconceptions of what an apostle is (via Anton Bosch):
-Apostles run denominations.
-Apostles receive supernatural extra Biblical revelation like Paul did.
-Apostles have authority that supersedes scripture.
-Apostles succeed one another -(as in a continuous line since Peter).
-Apostles are the highest authority in the church.
-Apostles are inward (churchward) while Evangelists are outward.
A good working definition of Apostle: Quoting from Thayer's the word apostle literally means: "a delegate, messenger, on sent forth with orders."
Apostles are literally those who have been sent out on a mission - from this concept we get the word "missionary".
So to the question - "Do Apostles exist today?"
The truth is, being an 'apostle' is a calling just like being a 'pastor'. What makes one a pastor? A title? A position? A degree from a Seminary or Bible College? I believe most pastors will answer 'none of the above' - what makes one a pastor is the Divine call on your life that you felt at some point in your history and continues burning brightly today. An apostle is called in the same way.
The problem we face today in believing apostles exist - is this "mystical" view of what an apostle is. We've gotten into our minds that if you're an apostle, then your shadow must be healing people. This is simply not the case.
Apostles today are some of the people you might know - church planters, missionaries, movers and shakers that are called of God to be such. Some might also pastor a church like Paul did for a time.
Biblically apostles are those:
-Who are sent out to preach the gospel.
-They establish churches.
-They confirm and establish the churches they start through follow-up visits.
-They appoint elders and pastors to oversee the local churches.
I don't know how other movements work, but this describes several missionaries that I know personally in the A/G. That's not to say every missionary is an apostle - because that wouldn't be accurate. By the same token I also believe every man behind a pulpit isn't necessarily gifted to be a pastor even though he (or she) may carry that title.
These apostles I know do things that I couldn't do - go places I can't, establish things I couldn't, endure things that make me cringe. They are undoubtedly gifted as Biblical apostles.
We have not lost apostles today, we simply cease to identify them for what they are.
Usually the guys that have it on their business cards - ARE NOT IT! God didn't call us to be legends in our own minds - but humble, broken servants of Christ that would gladly die for the cause of Christ. THESE are the type men that I know and call apostles.
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