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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?

Jun

Beginnings

By Chris 1 Comment

Categories: Family

We had a great evening Friday night! Some of you may not know but Summer and I have been talking with a lot of people since March about starting a new Christian community in South Austin that will evolve into Graceland. It’s been exciting hearing from people who don’t presently have a place of worship but have faith or desire Christian faith and a community to worship with.

So we decided to gather these people together and start the conversation. Friday night was our first time to gather six adults to simply be friends. We ate hamburgers, talked about life, play games, and ended the night asking everyone to join us in a Life Group (our small group). The cool part, due to schedules, we will officially start our group on June 27^th - my birthday. I couldn’t think of a better gift then to see the birth of a community, fellowship, and church on my 31st birthday.

Here is what I imagine we become. A people who desire to retell the story of Christ through our lives. Who seek to adjust our lives around the life, mission, and teachings of Jesus Christ in the hopes that our experience will bring into clear focus this real and living Person to anyone watching. Not a place to go, but a people to belong to–a people who have been called to live out the Good News of God’s Kingdom in every niche of culture. Ultimately, create a unique sort of church where none existed before.

We’ve decide to start a church (i.e. Graceland) and approach it simple - by living out the gospel in our marketplace community and begin to draw a group of people from our local coffee shop, music venues, and markets to discuss what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God. As time passes this group will grow and become much more. This will not be where we go to church. It will be our life, our friends, and the people we are on mission with.

If you’re reading this and live in Austin or feel God leading you to Austin we hope you join us!

Jun

Sunday Rest

By Chris 0 Comments

Categories: Faith, Family, Music and Politics

Sundays growing up meant work, not rest. Every Sunday morning without fail we got up earlier, normally ate cinnamon rolls or cinnamon toast, and made it to church for Sunday school. I hated Sundays as a child because not only did I get up early but I had to wear “Sunday clothes.” Now this was before children’s church so I sat through Sunday school and then the morning message. Okay, so I didn’t sit, I normally slept lying on the pew - but those stained glass windows will forever be engraved in my mind. We normally went to lunch at service with my grandparents and then home for a short nap, because the Sunday night service started at six o’clock sharp. I liked the evening service better because I could wear jeans and play outside unless it was a revival and my mom felt I needed reviving.

I say all this because it wasn’t rest, it was busy. Today my family went to a casual service, afterward Tatum took at nap, and we played in the backyard. I made a homemade Slip n’ Slide in the backyard. And as I lied on my stomach on the wet plastic playing with my daughter I thought - This Is Rest! This is what Sundays were made for and I think I saw Jesus smiling when my daughter giggled.

Summer called it Slip n’ Slide Sunday - I liked to think of it as REST.

Jun

Airlines

By Chris 1 Comment

Categories: Family

Summer’s going on a business trip in July. I wanted to go with her since the hotel and car are free. But it cost so much and now airlines are charging for everything. I found this ad.

This ran as part of a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. Pure brilliance.

Underneath what’s pictured above were these sentences:

No 1st or 2nd Checked Bag Fees

No Change Fees

No Fuel Surcharges

No Snack Fees

No Aisle or Window Seat Fees

No Curbside Checkin Fees

No Phone Reservation Fees

Yes, there are plenty of good reasons why Southwest trounces the competition in customer satisfaction surveys, but this ad sums the main one up nicely. I know what I pay for a ticket is the final price and, to borrow their language, they won’t #$*!% me over.

Now if only they flew to Atlanta…

May

Austin Meets Mom

By Chris 4 Comments

Categories: Family

When two worlds collide strange things happen. Colliding is what happen when the star of Austin (I love this city) and my mom met on 6^thStreet. A few weeks ago she was visiting and these pictures were taken with the most famous Austinite - Leslie.

For those not familiar with Austin and its culture - Leslie is sort of an Austin icon. Leslie is a homeless cross-dresser! Many consider him to be the epitome of the Keep Austin Weird campaign, as demonstrated by his two time run for mayor. Leslie hangs out around 6^th Street, this picture was taken around 6^th and Trinity during the Pecan Street Festival.

I guess you wonder why I would post these pictures (besides embarrassing my mother)? To illustrate how much Austin needs Jesus. Also, to cause you to pray harder for our city. We are loving the people like Jesus (and as you can see my mother) would - we want to turn their hearts toward Him.

Please keep us in your pryers.

May

Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day?

By Chris 2 Comments

Categories: Faith and Family

Today is both Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day, and I don’t think these two days have ever shared a weekend together? Let me begin by saying how much I love my mother. She is one tuff cookie who has agonized and regretted in life, but has raised and birthed two strong children. My sister and I are both believers and both value prayer and God’s leading because of her. I love her dearly.

She also raised us in church and not any church a Pentecostal church(s). When I was young we attended a Church of God in Memphis. I remember seeing miracles as a child and thought speaking in tongues normal. As a teenager we attended Assembly of God churches and I attended an A/G college after high school. I credit my perspective of God to my mother’s deep faith.

At some point in everyone’s life you have to move away from your parent’s faith and into your own. I made that transition in high school and more in college. But it was after college that what happen on the Day of Pentecost became so much clearer. I have a different outlook on Pentecost now.

First, let me say I believe in speaking in tongues. I believe in the gifts of the Spirit and believe theu are for today. No doubt. But I don’t agree with the current state of the Pentecostal church. I think many Pentecostal churches have taken the blessing of God and made it the object of their pursuit. Let me use a story in 2 Kings 18 as an example of what has happened and what needs to happen.

We see in 2 Kings 18 where Israel (and now Judah too) has once again been in a cycle of obedience and disobedience to God, led by a revolving door of kings. In 2 Kings we meet Hezekiah, a young man who seeks to use his authority to restore Israel to right relationship to God. In order to do that, some housecleaning is in order.

In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah ^[a] daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called ^[b] Nehushtan. ^[c] ) 2 Kings 18.1-4

In Isreal’s past God had instructed Moses to compose a bronze serpent and attach it to the end of his staff (Num 21.4-9). This came in response to a plague of serpents that God sent as judgment on Israel’s rebellious complaining against God and Moses. When they finally repent in the face of this serpentine judgment, it is the bronze serpent raised up that becomes the means of deliverance. However, by the time of Hezekiah this bronze serpent has become more than a totem; it has become an idol that is being worshiped. So Hezekiah has it destroyed. Can you imagine destroying this symbol of God’s past salvation? Yet his was necessary to give Israel the possibility of reengaging with God in the present, according to Hezekiah.

We are constantly faced with temptation to take the blessing of God and make it the object of our pursuit. In the short term it is often easier to do this than to pursue the God who judges us. But God is into reality, which makes the reason the evidence of the Holy Spirit so important.

I know all the reasons for speaking in tongues. It’s evidence of the Holy Spirit (Act 2.4). It edifies the believers (1 Cor 14.4) and reminds us of the indwelling presence (John 14.16-17). Speaking in tongues lines our prayers with His (Rom 8.26) and stimulates our faith (Jude 20). But the most important reason I conclude is to empower us to be His witness (Acts 1.8). I think this final reason, and most important, is what we should pursue as the Pentecostal church. As leaders it’s important we balance between the “blessing” and the “mission.”

May

Do What With the Bible?

By Chris 0 Comments

Categories: Family

I’ve been wrestling recently about discipleship. I think this is the most important aspect of a church and one I’m sorry to say I’ve missed in my previous churches. I think a lot about what a disciple should look like in Austin in 2008. 2010. 2025? I believe discipleship starts by confessing Christ and Bible study plays a large role in their growth, but what role should Graceland play? Jesus said “go and makes disciples,” what does that mean in my context?

So I was reading this week and something a theologian said has me thinking and I don’t know my answer. I wonder if others could chime in and give their thoughts? In his book, Unleashing the Scripture: Freeing the Bible from Captivity to America, Stanley Hauerwas writes:

Most North American Christians assume that they have a right, if not an obligation, to read the Bible. I challenge that assumption. No task is more important than for the Church to take the Bible out of the hands of individual Christians in North America. North American Christians are trained to believe that they are capable of reading the Bible without spiritual and moral transformation. They read the Bible not as Christians, not as a people set apart, but as democratic citizens who think their “common sense” is sufficient to “understanding” the Scripture. They feel no need to stand under a truthful community to be told how to read. Instead they assume that they have all the “religious experience” necessary to know what the Bible is about.

Before all the comments come posting let me say I don’t know what to think. On one side I disagree, I value the Bible open and translated for my study. I credit my spiritual growth to reading scripture. I like the fact someone can challenge the truth I extract and offer their “opinion” on text. The other side I agree - the Bible isn’t open to democratic voting and “common sense.” Their most be a truth-bearing community to help our spiritual growth and moral transformation. Community is Accountability.

Discipleship:

What role should the Bible play in discipleship today (remember New Testament believers didn’t have a personal copy of the Torah…it was taught to them as boys)?

Who should help the new believer wrestle with scriptures that bring confusion (i.e. pluck out your eye, cut off your hand, etc)?

How much understanding should be left to “common sense” and “religious experience”?

Each person has their own story and experiences. I can’t expect them to look, read, walk, act like me. How do I disciple people to find themselves in Christ so they are Jesus in John Does skin?

May

I Drank Your Gas Pump

By Chris 2 Comments

Categories: Family

You probably recognize the title of this post - or if you replace “pump” with “milk shake” you should. It’s from the movie “There Will Be Blood,” which is an American tale against the backdrop of the southern California oil boom of the late-19^th century, it tells a story of greed and envy of biblical proportions.

This morning I thought about this movie as I pumped my gas at the local Shell station. I noticed as I pumped it was going slow or at least monetarily slow. I noticed that my tank was filling up normal but the price was remaining low. I looked closer and I was getting gas at .36 cent/gallon. I asked others around me and they too were getting the same price - now aware they smiled with greed. I guess the gas attendant forgot to put the extra three in the beginning (3.359 instead of .359). So I filled my Xterra full (17 gallons) for $6.20.

Here is the question I thought before I got in my truck, “Should I go tell them about their mistake?” About two years ago when gas prices were sitting at $2.50/gallon I got gas for $1.50/gallon at a Citgo. I went and told the attendant and he was shocked, wondered who else got gas that cheap, and questioned if he should charge me the difference (I didn’t let him).

What was the right thing to do this morning? I don’t know but by the time my neighbor got there the price was corrected.

May

The Techie Inside Me

By Chris 1 Comment

Categories: Family

Inside each man is the need for toys. I know I shouldn’t force such a general label on a specific people group, and one so broad, but every guy I know loves big TVs, flashy music players, and what has become my death (this week) a trendy mobile phone.

Yes, last week my wife (with the help of a dying old phone) helped me understand the need for a new phone. We have ATT Wireless and were out of contract. I liked the idea of walking away at anytime, but like the thought of a new toy more. Of course Summer didn’t think twice and chose the Blackberry Curve (nice phone). I wrestled thru the afternoon to decide on the Pantech Duo. It looked very cool on the website and I didn’t know anyone with this phone (a plus, right guys?). I hated the Pantech Duo! I couldn’t hear anyone. They could hear me fine, but I asked people to repeat themselves and that doesn’t fly with my wife (I think I naturally have a hearing problem - selective).

So the Pantech Duo was returned and in its place I got the luxury AT&T Tilt, the most feature-packed smart device / PDA available in the United States. Very nice phone and too much under the hood - I will never use everything this phone can do. It’s touch screen and requires a “stick” to do must actions. So I’m thinking of returning it too. I’m giving it a few days (it’s a toy!).

My last choice will be Blackberry Pearl. I would love to get the 8120 because it has WiFi which is awesome in Austin. But that sucker is $200 and I’m working a budget and the last two have been refurbished. I want something to help organize my life. The next few years will be crazy by starting a church and raising a toddler (another reason for a more durable phone).

Does anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions?

Apr

My Wife is a Woman

By Chris 1 Comment

Categories: Family

Until Friday my wife was twentysomething. On April 25th she turned thirty and feels now life begins. I’m not sure what she thinks the last twenty-nine years represented? She had a great weekend with a night with the family listening to live music, to a day at the spa, to dinner with friends (suprised). She keeps telling me it was a good birthday.

I married the most amazing woman. I was pretty lucky she waited twenty-five years for me to get the courage to find and marry her. Werid, but my mother taught me to pray for my wife before I find her. When I was in college I typed up a long list of what I wanted in a wife. I use to pray for “my desirable wife” and that God would form me into the husband she needed. I know it sounds strange, but it worked. I married the person I prayed for - she had everything except the brown eyes. But once you see my wives eyes you realize I couldn’t have prayed for that shade of blue - I didn’t know it existed.

Now my daughters first birthday is next month.