It should come as no surprise to anyone that Westboro Baptist Church has picketed the Newtown area in light of last week's horrific massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary. These yahoos (who should never be confused with real Baptists or a real church) seem to have the same motive of troubled killers: to make a name for themselves by defaming others in an attention-grabbing stunt.
Based on the few picket signs I could bear to read before nearing a vomitous reaction, the Westboro folks trumpet a clear line of reasoning; a horrible event happened to Newtown, and therefore, God must be judging the town (and America, by extension) for their sin. Sadly, it's a mistaken line of reasoning that many adhere to in a less heinous manner.
I wish Jesus addressed this issue directly somewhere. Oh wait, he did! Luke 13:1-3 recounts this unique encounter,
"There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'"
Here, in this passage, we hear of an event where Pilate "mingled" the blood of some Galileans with that of their sacrifices. In short, he killed them unjustly, just like the Sandy Hook shootings. And yet Jesus asks his audience, "Did this happen because those victims were worse than the rest of you?! Was this God's brutal judgment?" In the words of Westboro's picket sign, did God send the shooter?
Jesus' words are clear and telling for horrible and unjust tragedies like this. "No, I tell you." This did not happen as judgment because the victims were worse than you, or worse than any other survivors. This happened to remind us to always repent, to stay right with God, and to continually check our hearts before the Lord, lest we perish apart from him.
Sorry, Westboro. According to Jesus, the shootings (and other such tragedies) were not God's retribution of hate, but his reminder of love.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Two Types of Worship Songs
Here's a quick little thought on two types of worship songs, both of which are necessary for your worship experience. (BTW, I'm talking about lyrical content and not minor chords, half-time, or reverb. Though I do enjoy a mean delay...)
First, there are songs that we sing primarily about God- who He is and what he has done. In these songs, we sing and recognize theological, doctrinal, and historical truths about God and Christianity. (Generally, hymns focus more deeply on such content.) It is helpful to note that these items are true regardless of our experience, feelings, or passion. I can always sing "Jesus paid it all / all to him I owe / sin had left a crimson stain / he washed it white as snow." This is always objectively true.
Second, there are songs that we sing about our experience, our thoughts, and our feelings about God. These are things that generally should be true of the Christian experience, but depending on the specific lyric they may or may not be at that moment. (Many more modern songs are focused in this direction.) "Falling on my knees in worship / Giving all I am to seek your face / Lord, all I am is Yours." In these songs, we sing about our subjective feelings and professions to God.
A few thoughts on these types of lyrical content in our worship songs. First of all, these aren't mutually exclusive. Some songs mix the two, as they sing deep theological truths and then sing about our experience (How Great Thou Art comes to mind...). Secondly, the Psalms display both focuses in their lyrics, sometimes in the same Psalm (Psalm 145 for example). Lastly, I'm not saying one song type is superior to the other. Just as in the Christian walk, our worship songs need to focus on theological truth AND the experience of that truth in our daily lives. Both are necessary for a healthy life, and therefore, both are necessary for a healthy worship style.
First, there are songs that we sing primarily about God- who He is and what he has done. In these songs, we sing and recognize theological, doctrinal, and historical truths about God and Christianity. (Generally, hymns focus more deeply on such content.) It is helpful to note that these items are true regardless of our experience, feelings, or passion. I can always sing "Jesus paid it all / all to him I owe / sin had left a crimson stain / he washed it white as snow." This is always objectively true.
Second, there are songs that we sing about our experience, our thoughts, and our feelings about God. These are things that generally should be true of the Christian experience, but depending on the specific lyric they may or may not be at that moment. (Many more modern songs are focused in this direction.) "Falling on my knees in worship / Giving all I am to seek your face / Lord, all I am is Yours." In these songs, we sing about our subjective feelings and professions to God.
A few thoughts on these types of lyrical content in our worship songs. First of all, these aren't mutually exclusive. Some songs mix the two, as they sing deep theological truths and then sing about our experience (How Great Thou Art comes to mind...). Secondly, the Psalms display both focuses in their lyrics, sometimes in the same Psalm (Psalm 145 for example). Lastly, I'm not saying one song type is superior to the other. Just as in the Christian walk, our worship songs need to focus on theological truth AND the experience of that truth in our daily lives. Both are necessary for a healthy life, and therefore, both are necessary for a healthy worship style.
Friday, July 13, 2012
My Sermons from ONE28's Youth Retreat
I had the privilege to speak at ONE28 Ministry's recent summer retreat. (ONE28 is the youth ministry of Foothill Bible Church.) We had the chance to look at the theme "Nothing Compares" from 3 passages in Philippians. I have the audio of each message below, for your and my mom's enjoyment.
Audio (Click on the link to listen! CTRL + click to open in new tab)
Nothing Compares with Joyful Service- Philippians 1:19-26
Nothing Compares with Humble Community- Philippians 2:1-11
Nothing Compares with Knowing Jesus- Philippians 3:1-11
Scripture Passages
Philippians 1:19-26
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 3:1-11
Enjoy!
Audio (Click on the link to listen! CTRL + click to open in new tab)
Nothing Compares with Joyful Service- Philippians 1:19-26
Nothing Compares with Humble Community- Philippians 2:1-11
Nothing Compares with Knowing Jesus- Philippians 3:1-11
Scripture Passages
Philippians 1:19-26
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 3:1-11
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Bible is a Big Deal
Notes from Sunday's Refuel study...
THE WORD OF GOD is SPOKEN by God.
Many times, we want God to “speak to us” and tell us
something new and amazing about how to live our lives, or what purposes He has
for us. We need to realize that he speaks to us daily through his Word, the
Bible- as long as we open it.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21- “Knowing this first of all, that no
prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy
was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16- “All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
THE WORD OF GOD gives INSTRUCTION to live a new life.
Through his Word, God instructs us on truth about himself,
the world, and ourselves. Through his word, God gives us power to live a new
life that pleases Him.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17- “All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work.”
- Hebrews 4:12-13- “For the word of God is living and
active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and
of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and
exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
“Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives.” (Howard Hendricks)
“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from
this book.” (John Owen)
There are ETERNAL REWARDS for following God’s Word.
Psalm 19:7-11- “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the
soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts
of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is
pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired
are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings
of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them
there is great reward.”
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
God's Notifications
If you're anything like me, you have a love/hate relationship with notifications. You know what I'm talking about. The red number in the corner of your Facebook page; the blinking LED light on your phone; the bold number in your email inbox. When I see these notifications, I have to click on them. I hate seeing unread emails or unchecked social media notifications, and I therefore compulsively check these things to make sure I receive all the notifications.
My (somewhat pathetic) eagerness in this area led me to question my heart recently. How eager am I to check the invitations, alerts, and notifications that God is giving me? When I see the blinking LED light indicating a new tweet or text message, I immediately check it. Yet, how often does God reach out to my heart through his Spirit or his Word with an alert, a notification, a conviction or message? And how often do I delay in responding to his message? Do I check God's communication with me as eagerly and passionately as I check my smartphone? Or do I ignore God and pay him little attention?
Read the verses below. They (along with the rest of Scripture) clearly show that God reaches out to us, to get our attention and call us into relationship with himself. Be honest with yourself. Like those who rejected God in the verses below, do we "resist the Holy Spirit" and pay God "no attention" because we are "not willing"? Or do we eagerly wait for God's alerts and notifications in our lives?
Acts 7:51- “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."
Luke 13:34- "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Matthew 22:4-6- "Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them."
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
God wants to redeem all of you...
Walking with Jesus has many seasons. Many peaks, and many valleys. Sins that were struggled with yesterday may not even tempt you today. Sins you never thought you'd struggle with may be what weighs you down most today. And so, I want to offer us a quick, encouraging reminder as you battle with a sin, temptation or struggle: think big picture. Jesus doesn't want to cure you of one struggle. Your walk with Him is not exclusively defined by one sin, by one battle. Jesus wants to redeem all of you.
Let me explain. Many go through a time of sexual struggle, and allow their failures or victories with that struggle to completely define them as a Christian. Many do the same with a struggle with speech. Many struggle financially, and we feel loved by God and closer to Him when he provides materially, and possibly less so when he doesn't. So remember, as you battle a specific sin or test in life, that Jesus doesn't just want to make you pure sexually, or conquer your potty mouth, pride issues, envy, etc. Nor does he just want to provide for you materially. What he wants is to redeem all of you, and make you completely like him in every way.
CS Lewis puts it best,
"Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
Let me explain. Many go through a time of sexual struggle, and allow their failures or victories with that struggle to completely define them as a Christian. Many do the same with a struggle with speech. Many struggle financially, and we feel loved by God and closer to Him when he provides materially, and possibly less so when he doesn't. So remember, as you battle a specific sin or test in life, that Jesus doesn't just want to make you pure sexually, or conquer your potty mouth, pride issues, envy, etc. Nor does he just want to provide for you materially. What he wants is to redeem all of you, and make you completely like him in every way.
CS Lewis puts it best,
"Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
Friday, May 4, 2012
Why I (kinda) like Christian Hip Hop
I am the least likely candidate to purchase a hip hop album. I'm a pasty Bible Major kid from the suburbs who loves guitars. In all honesty, the 2 most popular genres of music from my semi-agricultural hometown are country and mariachi. You'd have a triple take if you heard bass n' beats sneaking out the cracked window of my Corolla with 3 plastic hubcaps. But recently, I must confess I've purchased a few Christian Hip Hop albums, and to my surprise, I really enjoy them. Not just because of the beats or the auto-tune, but for real, substantial reasons.
1. Hip Hop is declarative. Hip hop generally comes across as confident, brash, maybe even arrogant. The genre encourages bold declaration. While most hip hop seemingly declares accomplishments of money-making, women-winning, and other self-centered items, Christian hip-hoppers use that same confidence to declare truths about God and commitment to his purpose. For example, to hear Trip Lee boldly declare "to die is gain!" uses the confidence of the genre to declare a great truth of the Christian faith. And, you know what, it really works.
2. Hip Hop allows for deep, specific lyrical expression. You've all heard Christian "rock" songs that seemingly repeat themselves, tying one Christian cliche after another. It may sound good or feel good, but there isn't much depth there, right? Contrarily, Christian hip hop is a great vehicle for many words to be spoken, which allows for great specificity and great depth when explaining biblical truths or spiritual applications. I mean, what recent Christian rock song unpacks the value of church commitment the way that Stephen the Levite does in his "Church Membership" track? Or how about a track on the importance of Biblical Theology, like the one Shai Linne provides? Hip hop allows for deep, specific expression of truth that goes perfectly with Christian truths and living in a way that other genres don't.
3. Everyone loves a good beat. There's a reason the pastiest of my pasty friends will download top 40 tracks and be caught tapping a foot or 3 to those said tracks. Everyone loves a good beat. And you know what, I've found that Christian hip-hoppers have come a long way in their production quality. How much sweeter that beat is when Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka and company are declaring gospel truths! Much better than an ode to one's own sexiness, in my opinion :)
1. Hip Hop is declarative. Hip hop generally comes across as confident, brash, maybe even arrogant. The genre encourages bold declaration. While most hip hop seemingly declares accomplishments of money-making, women-winning, and other self-centered items, Christian hip-hoppers use that same confidence to declare truths about God and commitment to his purpose. For example, to hear Trip Lee boldly declare "to die is gain!" uses the confidence of the genre to declare a great truth of the Christian faith. And, you know what, it really works.
2. Hip Hop allows for deep, specific lyrical expression. You've all heard Christian "rock" songs that seemingly repeat themselves, tying one Christian cliche after another. It may sound good or feel good, but there isn't much depth there, right? Contrarily, Christian hip hop is a great vehicle for many words to be spoken, which allows for great specificity and great depth when explaining biblical truths or spiritual applications. I mean, what recent Christian rock song unpacks the value of church commitment the way that Stephen the Levite does in his "Church Membership" track? Or how about a track on the importance of Biblical Theology, like the one Shai Linne provides? Hip hop allows for deep, specific expression of truth that goes perfectly with Christian truths and living in a way that other genres don't.
3. Everyone loves a good beat. There's a reason the pastiest of my pasty friends will download top 40 tracks and be caught tapping a foot or 3 to those said tracks. Everyone loves a good beat. And you know what, I've found that Christian hip-hoppers have come a long way in their production quality. How much sweeter that beat is when Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka and company are declaring gospel truths! Much better than an ode to one's own sexiness, in my opinion :)
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