Gentlemen, Put Down Your Swords!

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion." (1 Timothy 1:5-6)

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:14-16)

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9)

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I know of a church in which there is a great debate raging over words. These aren't words of traditional doctrine, mind you, but words of theology -- systematic theology. This church is in the midst of a self-imposed crisis, though its congregants have no idea that there is a theological controversy raging at the top. The debate is not over the Gospel message. All are in agreement over the simple message of forgiveness in Christ. The debate is not over the mission of the church, for all agree that the church exists to preach the Gospel, build up believers, and shine the light of Christ in this dark world.

The debate is over how to communicate to people that their church is vastly different from all the other churches around. It is a debate over the distinctiveness of this church's theology. And the debate is not very healthy. Pastor challenges pastor. Elder disagrees with pastor. Elder disagrees with elder. The debate concerns a system of theology that no man can completely define (and I will not attempt it here).

But within this one system of theology there are "sub-systems." Theologians argue over the commands of the apostles, the issue of confession, and the motivation for living the Christian life, among other things. And there are so many sub-systems within the main theology that arguments have even erupted inside this church between proponents of those sub-systems! There is so much hair splitting going on that the church leadership is at odds. Again, a self-imposed crisis.

It doesn't have to be that way.

What concerns me most about that church is I fear the message of the Gospel has been neglected in the midst of theological nit-picking. Paul wrote to Timothy in Ephesus that he should put an end to fruitless discussion among the overseers there. Their problem was not a theological system but the principle still applies today. It's time to refocus on spreading the message of the Gospel and lovingly building up believers in Christ. The goal of Paul's instruction was not arguments and debate over systematic theology but love with purity and a sincere faith. He said in his second letter that Timothy should charge the elders to stop wrestling over words. Paul told Titus to tell the Cretan church to avoid foolish controversies.

I believe most "sub-system" controversies are foolish controversies that usually distract churches. It is dividing the leaders of this particular church and I firmly believe their debate is hurting the whole church. Internal strife never produces growth, just as a fever is always a warning sign. Godly overseers need to refocus on the purity of the Gospel message and seek to share it with their community. The longer they wrangle over words, the more they hinder their mission. Forget about splitting hairs. Defend the Gospel. Defend your points of doctrine.

I believe Jesus would say, "Gentlemen, put down your swords and love one another!"

Quick Hits

I wanted to somehow keep the blog posts shorter than they've been recently (which was my intention when I stared TTS) so I'll periodically throw out there quick thoughts that have popped into my head during a week or two. Recently, here's what's been going through my mind...

1. I went to my local Kroger and saw the latest book by super-pastor Joel Osteen called, "Become a Better You." My first thought was, "I don't want to become a better me!" In fact, I don't want to be me at all. Not in a spiritual sense. Jesus did not say, "Accept yourself, sing about the cross and watch me." He said "DENY yourself, PICK up your cross, and FOLLOW Me." Paul would say we are not being transformed into better people. No, we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. I want to become like Jesus, not like John.

2. Over the past two weeks my intention was to avoid watching or reading about both political conventions that took place here in the U.S. But (due to some female persuasion) I ended up sitting through the speeches of the two top Republican nominees, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Watching those speeches reminded me of how much I hate election season and convention speeches. The negativity was deep. The demonization of the other party and nominees was deep. (I'm sure it was for the other party, too). Why do we wish to cut down those we disagree with? Why do we draw such joy and satisfaction from labeling another human (and Christian) "evil" and "demonic" and "wicked"? I'll never understand this. Truly God's party is neither Republican nor Democrat.

3. I'm thinking that Derek Webb was so right when he wrote and sang: "my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man / my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood / it's to a king & a kingdom." How often do we Christians forget that the Kingdom of Heaven and its King are real and demand "our soul, our life, our all." I wish we would remember that God is not rooting for a party. He's rooting for people, like you and me.

4. I'm thinking that I haven't heard a Derek Webb song that has not challenged the church or the individual in some way. He speaks for my generation's longing for transparency in the church (and its leaders), social responsibility (feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.), and the desire to reclaim the purity of the Gospel message, in his songs. His outspoken challenge of the church with biblical truth is a prophetic gift, in my opinion.

5. I'm thinking that relationships are way too complicated and the emotions of the human heart cannot truly be compartmentalized. There was a time in the American church when emotions were seen in a negative light and those who exercised emotion were thought of as "weak." A lie. Emotions were created by God, are used by God, and can glorify God when used properly by people. And emotions cannot be compartmentalized. They cross over to affect everything we do. And sometimes they get so complicated that they paralyze. I hate it when that happens.

6. I picked my best watermelon last week and licked my lips in anticipation of some watery goodness. The melon looked and sounded ripe (a good thump). It came off the vine easily. But when I sliced it open it was green inside with the exception of four small pink areas. I laughed. The melon reminded me of how some people can seem to be ripe and mature on the outside but are really green and undeveloped on the inside. More lessons from my garden...

Voting for Jesus

While I consider myself to be largely an evangelical, theologically, I can't help but be amazed at how many times evangelicals miss the biblical boat in their geo-social-political views. There was an article in the USA Today about how many Christians believe they have an obligation to vote in national elections like the one we're wrapped up in this summer. Some folks quoted in the article said Christians MUST vote this fall and vote only for candidates who support certain views 100-percent. Interestingly, there are some Christian groups that believe their followers should abstain from voting in all political elections. And one group of young "emergent church" believers is crossing the country to call Christians back to putting Jesus first and not politics. Fascinating.

And even though I lean towards the evangelical side on most issues, the best and most biblical quote of the whole article comes from a Catholic. The least biblical quote comes from an evengelical politician I happen to like a bunch. Lately, it seems that I've found quite a bit of truth from the Orthodox side and error from my fellow evangelicals. Maybe that's why I find the most biblical truth in the middle ground. If only we could head towards a new orthodoxy...

Anyway, click the article link to read and react.

Be God's.

Tales from the Garden: Part 2

Cucumber (Top) and Watermelon

Well... the cucumber plants are officially out of control. I planted one seedling and a bunch of seeds back in late March and now they are growing like weeds on a mission.

Just the other day I noticed that my cucumber plants (vines) had grabbed a hold of the bell pepper plant with their snaky grabbers. I was horrified. I only have one bell pepper plant and I'd like to see it produce a few peppers before it dies. But the bell pepper plant was only the tip of the iceberg. The cucumber vines had also grabbed the jalapeño plants, okra, and watermelon vines. I nearly passed out! (OK, I didn't nearly pass out but I need some drama for this post!) The cucumber vines were threatening to strangle the rest of my garden.

I had to act. And act fast.

So I started breaking the vine of its vice grip on my garden. Quickly. Gently. I didn't want to harm the cucumber vine yet I wanted to save my other plants. So I broke tentacle after tentacle until my garden was free.

A lot of Christians are like my cucumber vines -- they come to faith in Christ and grow wild. They just take off like a rocket in every direction, soaking up every bit of information they receive -- good AND bad. Sometimes in their exuberance they end up strangling other believers around them. Their intention is good. They just want to grow and serve. But they run over their brothers and sisters in the process. I've seen it happen in newer believers young and old.

So how do you deal with an overly excited brother or sister? Just like those cucumber vines, you correct them gently. Everyone needs to be sober and self-controlled. Don't hurt them. Instead, guide them. You don't want them to lose their excitement over their new life in Christ. But you also need to watch out for other believers and their spiritual lives. So correct gently. Just like I had to do with my cucumber vines.

Be God's.

Tales from the Garden: Part 1

Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. (Matthew 21:18-21)

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I almost cursed my watermelon plant last month. I came close so many times. It would have been a shame, too.

You see, last March, the Sunday after Easter, I planted a variety of plants in my small garden. I planted some okra seeds, bell pepper seeds, mild jalapeño seeds, parsley seeds, and several young seedlings, including a watermelon plant. The tag that came with the watermelon plant (I only planted one) said the fruit would mature in 80 days from the date of the plant's first sprout. March 30 was the day I planted the seedling, so I naturally anticipated the watermelons would come sometime around mid June. Sounds right, right?

During June I waited eagerly for the sweet taste of melon but none appeared. There were many flowers and many leaves and the plant grew like a weed. The small seedling grew into a wild, aggressive, massive vine system that produced pretty yellow flowers. Leaves grew upon leaves and the vine took over my front yard. It is massive! But, alas, not single fruit grew. June turned into July and early July into mid July. Mid July turned into late July. But the vine grew no fruit. My heart nearly broke. Here was a vine that appeared more-than-healthy and was growing like mad. But it did not do what it was supposed to do. It did not bear fruit. There was no evidence of the fact this was, indeed, a watermelon vine.

So I seriously considered cursing it. Just like Jesus said I could in Matthew 21.

Almost... until I noticed something one day two weeks ago. The calendar had turned into August when I noticed a melon growing near the end of one of the vines. It wasn't small, like I had anticipated. No, it was the size of a tennis ball. "Where did this come from?" I asked myself. "Why now? Why not 80 days from the date of first sprouting? Do you know how much I have anticipated this day?" I asked the plant. Indeed, that melon was the first. Now I have at least six melons growing. Several are the size of water balloons and others the size of walnuts.

There are spiritual analogies embedded everywhere in my watermelon saga. The vine is like many Christians who love to sit in church and soak up information. They eat, sleep and breathe theology and appear -- on the outside -- to have it all together. But they bear no fruit. They are content to listen to exegetical preaching but not to live out what they hear in their daily lives. Indeed, they are watermelon vines with no watermelons. God is waiting for their fruit. He's waiting for their acts of kindness, grace and mercy. He's waiting for them to share the Gospel, whether in word or in deed. He's waiting for them to teach others what they have learned. Indeed, He's waiting for them to come into maturity. Maybe you're one of them. Hopefully not.

In John 15, Jesus said He would prune those branches (or vines) that did not bear fruit. They are regarded as worthless as fruit branches. Abide in Me, Jesus said, and you will bear fruit. Abiding in Christ involves living out His commands and teachings. Otherwise, you are not being a productive Christian.

Just a lesson from my watermelon vine.

Be God's!

Video Blog: An Evening at the Lake

Hiking a Path Unknown: A Lesson in Endurance

Saturday morning a friend and I walked the Northshore Trail on the shores of Grapevine Lake, my watery neighbor to the south. We had planned a cool expedition with photography, exercise, and personal fulfillment, starting with a sunrise over the lake. But what we hadn't planned was the test of endurance that was soon to follow. The hike started off in the "cool" of the Texas summer morning and we had what looked like about two miles to hike along the shoreline of the lake. Five hours later, we were still hiking. In the heat. The blazing, unyielding Texas heat.

It's funny how tests of endurance can suddenly come out of nowhere. Oh, sure, you can plan a 21-day backpacking trip that you know beforehand is going to be tough, but many of the most memorable and effective tests are unexpected trials.

We set out from Rockledge Park to the east and hiked our way towards Murrell Park, about two miles away (as the crow flies). it was all good for a while. The Texas cool was with us, the breeze coming off the water, and the photo opportunities aplenty. But our decision to park one car at the start and one at the end meant we needed to complete the hike. The hike that looked like it would never end. Up hills and down them; over boulders and under fallen trees. We even took a side-hike around the shoreline -- off the beaten path. Our goal was simple -- we wanted to finish the trail before the sun killed us!

It was hot. We were worn down. The water was running out. But we had to endure. And through a few divine blessings (like shade trees) and a water fountain, we pressed on until we finally got to her car and the air conditioning within. It was hot. It was tough. But we had to endure.

The author of Hebrews said something about endurance. He said endurance is something that becomes easier to do when your path is free from obstacles (Heb 12:1). Isn't that so true? When we were hiking today, the last things we wanted to see were fallen trees blocking the trail and long inclines. When you're hot and tired, those things are not in the slightest bit fun. Yet still, you have to endure. But isn't it so much easier when your trail is free and clear? When you have removed stumbling blocks and set your mind to moving forward, the race becomes much easier to run -- the trail much easier to hike.

Here's another slideshow, this time from our hike. Enjoy!