Archive for August, 2008

27
Aug

Can you picture me without reducing me?

By Chris 2 Comments
Categories: Church Plant and Faith

We are more than our parts.  I’m more than a husband, I’m a father; more a lover of people; I’m a lover of God.  As much as you can describe me as spiritual, I’m a follower of the way of Jesus.  It’s hard to squarely fit anyone into a box.

I remember when I got engaged.  I called close friends and family and told them I had met the woman of my dreams.  Among the nice exchanges they would often ask me to tell them about Summer.  It was easy to list off the endless attributes that made her so desirable, but I often felt the picture conveyed somehow reduced her, because she was so much more then her features, qualities, and reputation.

We have a close friend who introduced a Mexican holiday to us a few years ago called, “The Day of The Dead.” Yeah, I was a little apprehensive about the holiday too, until we attended. It was a night more about life then death.  It was about remembering those who made tremendous influence on our life.  Often you find pictures, clothing, art that reminded people of their loved one.  Even then the pictures couldn’t communicate the depth of these people.  The framed pictures were icons for more.  Ask anyone about their item (picture, art, etc) and you see their countenance change.  You eyes light up, voices change, and stories begin to explain who the person in the picture was – much more then the sum of the parts.

God spoke through a prophet named Isaiah about people taking up idols because they needed something visual to connect with God.  Throughout scripture we find God illusive to images, because He is more than a statue, wood cravings, and symbols.  Recently, I have wrestled with a question from God in Isaiah 46.5 which reads, “…Can you picture me without reducing me?” God is love and love is beyond images, words, icons.  Like the love I have for my wife, she is more than I can communicate.  Like a picture of a loved one, it’s not the picture, but what the picture represents. 

One of lives biggest problems is God doesn’t show up in person and reveal himself.  Even when He did, it was as human and required faith, not evidence.  Many people demand, “God, just show me your real and I’ll believe.”  Throughout the gospel Jesus testified that He has and we still didn’t believe – and won’t.  Why? Because God cared enough to not take away the wonder of whom He is with magic tricks and superhero stunts.  He continues to put that responsibility in our hands.  We are to reflect His image, live out his kingdom of love, and be evangelist of hope. 

Can you picture God without reducing Him?

19
Aug

What is Marriage?

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Ethics, Faith and Family

Paul said it was better to be single (1 Cor 7.7-8), Jesus said if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it. 

I live in Texas.  There is an act called “Common-Law Marriage” that allows two consisting adults to call themselves married if they show evidence that they publicly recognize each other as wife/husband.  Other people can also testify to the same effect. Another way is with legal documents (i.e. leases signed as husband and wife, tax returns filed jointly as a married couple, and insurance policies listing one person as the other person’s spouse).

What defines marriage? Does a certificate make you married? Can two people who live together, committed to each other for life, be considered married?  Is marriage a private issue between two people or calls on the support of the whole community?

The disciples in reaction to Jesus’ view of marriage and divorce were shocked and responded by saying, “If those are the terms of marriage, we’re stuck.  Why get married? (Matt 19.10)” Those are pretty strong words for followers of Christ.  But you have to consider their worldview of marriage.  Moses permitted divorce and Jews practiced divorce.  God viewed marriage for a lifetime, divorced provided a way out. 

Jesus’ view of marriage was different and He called people to return to its original purpose.  Husband and wife become one flesh in marriage – no longer two bodies but one.  Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate His art by cutting them apart.  The only exception was where the spouse committed adultery.  It was this view of marriage that caused the disciples’ response.

Jesus said in Matthew 19.11-12, “Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked-or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”

What classifies marriage?  How should we identify marriage? Every culture is different – marriage is as simple as a piece of paper and a state seal in some places, while others involve a week long celebration calling on the community’s participation. 

This week Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi got married in Beverly Hills.  Most twenty something live with their partner before taking marriage vows.  Professing Christians have a higher rate of divorce then unchristians.  Somewhere we lost the meaning of marriage. 

I believe Jesus had a deeper view of love, sex, marriage, even family than we do.  Can we grow into the largeness of marriage?  I mean cultivate a culture where marriage is more than paper and people.  The early Christians viewed marriage as “marry then love”, not “love then marry.”  Marriage was a choice for life before feelings had anything do with it.  One didn’t test drive the relationship or chose a partner based of emotions. Love can fade, Lust deceives, and Life changes.

Marriage is a commitment to stay when you don’t feel loving, give more then you receive, and disregard the option of divorce when life changes.  If you need a piece of paper (and you do in most places) to demonstrate your vow then so be it.  The really question is: can you capable of growing into the largeness of marriage?

18
Aug

Recognize

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Church Plant

Everyone likes to be recognized. We like the feeling of being seen, heard, known – remembered.  It’s satisfying to be acknowledged as having merit.  We want to be the hero of the story.  Recognition is an expression of appreciation and we like to feel valuable.

We also like recognition because it makes us feel something of valid or entitled; truly who we think we are (or should be). The problem comes when we cherish recognition from people more than from God.  It also surfaces in the shadows when we accept credit that should be given God. 

Recently, I have entertained the shadows.  But God has a way of offering steadiness to our unbalance.  The story reads in Isaiah 37 of Hezekiah praying to God to rescue Israel in the face of Assyria.  Hezekiah is quick to acknowledge God as maker of heaven and earth, the only true God, and God of all kingdoms of the earth.  Rightfully so, but a little late!  It’s amusing how we recognize God as supreme when we need Him and identify ourselves honorable when we feel deserving.

In Hezekiah’s contempt (Is 37.21-25), God reprimands him for bragging (something we do when we feel entitled).  Hezekiah, pride to march to his own drum, claimed how he climbed high mountains, reached far lands, conquered peaks, explored depths, find water and drank his fill, and emptied rivers with one kick of his foot.  God responds by say “I’ve been behind this all along….this is a longstanding plan of mine and I’m just now making it happen…”(Is 37.26-27). I think John the Baptist put it best; I must decrease so He can increase. 

Summer and I sat in front of five men last week with confidence they would see “super church planters” – recognize us. We walked away with regret, not because they turned us down, but because we felt they didn’t admit our abilities, experience, and talents.  I realize later that I wanted them to recognize me as a church planter – because I already defined myself as much.  “My long resume of church planting should be enough, gentlemen!”  Haha. I didn’t claim to do all Hezekiah did but I shared the same misplaced recognition.

God is the source of my abilities, experience, and talents.  He is the only person I need remembering, but then again His been behind everything. He called me along time ago and it’s been a longstanding plan of His and He is just now making it happen.  I’m glad He is allowing me to play a role.

Confession is good for the soul.