Visitation

The crowd sits and waits.

Some people talk with one another.

Others sit silently.

Still others read the church bulletin or other literature.

For some, there is anticipation.

For others, the time can not go by quickly enough.

Some are here out of a sense of duty.

Some take their seats hoping to hear a message from God.

Others are busy planning the day's events.

And there are some who circle this day each week longing for the moment to arrive.

Here they all sit together.

So different.

Yet so alike.

And here is where he stands before them.

Well aware of his doubts, faults, and insecurities.

He awaits, as they do, for a message from God.

It will come today, as it always does, through a broken vessel.

And those with open hearts and open minds will witness the power of God.

Today, the extraordinary will intersect with the ordinary.

Those with open eyes will see a miracle.

God has come among us.

Packaged Confession

Package your confession
Music for the masses
Mandatory lessons
Obligatory crosses

Memorize the rites
Practice the penance
Visit the holy sites
Hold the relics until you finish

Your words attempt to invade
The heart of one who thinks not the same
Your rhetoric seeks to assuade
The reluctant pilgrim without a name

One cannot define the center of a person
It is not within his intellect or his right
Doubt is all that remains certain
Faith is all that flickers in the fading light

Atonement

Compose the list
And agonize over each item
Make sure not one offense is missed
Then write it again

Post it on the walls
Tattoo it on your arms
Bury it in your heart
Let the memory raise alarms

Forgiveness is for the weak
Those whose guilt is never satisfied
A new world is what you seek
Though few find it before they die

So now your journey must commence
Each step taken treads on unplowed soil
Carry with you your load of recompense
Save some trouble for all your toil

And when at last you arrive
Make sure to freeze the moment
Then you will no longer fear to ask why
Then, and only then, will you receive the gift of atonement

Silence

You speak a million words
In your silence

You draft resolutions
In your silence

You convey myriad of emotions
In your silence

You wander around
In your silence

You build a theology
In your silence

You craft philosophy
In your silence

You formulate and postulate
In your silence

You seek epiphany
In your silence

The cacophony of voices ring deaf
In your silence

You render love obsolete
In your silence

You destroy the wounded heart
In your silence

Silent voices cry unheeded
In your silence

In your silence
Everything is deafening

Unfazed

When the road turns
And the yellow lines fade from view
When hope burns
And you succeed just to lose

When the light fades into darkness
And your vision is blurred
When faith evolves into nothingness
And the triumphal march gives way to a funeral dirge

When the changes unmercilessly sweep over you
And you are left battered, broken, black and blue
Then you will have a choice
And you will stand at the mountain and give your choice a voice

Steady on
Carry on
Or wave the white flag
Surrender unconditionally

Though unable to name your terms
Rest assured that tomorrow comes unimpeded
That there is a foundation that is firm
And one day you will stand unfazed

Micro-Managing

Putting objects under a microscope does several things:

1) it magnifies an object, thereby allowing for close inspection
2) it enables the researcher to gain a new view

Ask any scientist or medical researcher and he will tell you this is a good thing. Gaining a new view (and hence greater appreciation) of an object can lead to ground-breaking research and possibly uncover answers to previously unanswered questions and dilemmas.

Putting objects under a microscope is beneficial.

However, putting people under a microscope is detrimental.

When we have been offended or betrayed, we either completely break ties with the one who has harmed us, or in a nature of quasi-forgiveness we continue the relationship while studying the person through the lens of a microscope.

When this is done, forgiveness vanishes, and retribution takes over. Some people say this is not about punishment, it is about accountability. After all, when a person has broken trust, then that person must be held accountable. It sounds reasonable on the surface, but it actually smacks of punishment. It is called "micro-managing." The thought is this: "If you mess up, I am here to punish you for your mistakes."

The nature of accountability is not seen in a person monitoring the other in order to render punishment or keep from appearing too naive or trusting. The nature of accountability is to help the person work through the struggles in his life. It is not calling the person and saying, "Hey, I found this. You care to explain it to me? How did that happen?" It is calling the person and saying, "Let's get together. I care about you. How can I help?" One approach elevates the offense to the exclusion of helping the one who has committed the offense. The other approach elevates the person above the offense. When Jesus died on the cross, he elevated us above our offenses (sins). His motivation was love. Does this mean we are not held accountable in the eyes of God? No. What it means is that people matter much more to God than their sins do. It is a question of values.

God does not micro-manage us. Ironic, isn't it? God knows everything about us and is in a position to micro-manage us. Instead, he molds us and shapes us into the image of Jesus. Does that involve discipline? Yes. Does that involve repentance? Yes. Does that involve forgiveness? Yes.

Does it involve micro-managing? No. As the Scriptures say, "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared" (Psalm 130:3).

We fear God, not because he knows our sins, but because he forgives us.

When is the last time you heard a sermon preached on that subject?

Eating Fish with Grandpa

Tonight I had dinner with my Grandfather.

He never was very fond of "eating out." He preferred a nice meal (with plenty of bread) at the house. Although there were a few places he would go. He liked Cracker Barrel (well, he enjoyed flirting with the waitresses).

When it came to fast food, he was hard to please. But there was one "fast food" place where we shared a number of meals. He actually liked Captain D's. I remember one time when we were on our way to Cumberland Gap we stopped at a town along the way and decided to eat at Captain D's. While we were eating, I mentioned to my Grandpa that fish is "brain food." He continued to chew his bite of fish while reflecting on this comment. Then, without skipping a beat, he said, "Well, that must be why I'm so smart."

Recently in the town where I live, a "new" Captain D's opened (actually changed locations). I had not been to Captain D's in a long time so I decided to go tonight --with my Grandpa.

We found a booth next to a window and enjoyed our country style fish dinners. We talked about the number of calves born this spring, and discussed the water level of the pond nearest the house on the farm.

He talked about how hot it was and how he had "never seen it so hot so soon" (Grandpa sometimes exaggerated). He asked me how my book was doing and I gave him the latest update. When I told him the book is going to be used as a textbook for a class at Cincinnati Christian University, he nodded his approval.

The conversation inevitably came to religion and UK basketball. We talked about certain passages, including Romans 8:28 (which he always seemed to ask me about), and then we focused on the dismal season the Wildcats just had, but ended with hopeful comments about next year's team.

After awhile we finished our dinners and it was time to go. I headed to the office to get ready for a meeting and Grandpa returned back to Kentucky.

Maybe we'll get together again to eat fish sometime soon.

Impossible Prayer?

The Gospel of John contains these words from Jesus:

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:20-21).

Looking at the horrible and numerous divisions that mark Christendom makes me think more deeply about this prayer of Jesus. In turn, I am led to ask this question: Did Jesus pray an impossible prayer?

Sectionalized Hermeneutics

Still selling at a steady pace, Torn Asunder is headed for its second printing. It has surprised me how little adherents of the American Restoration Movement know about the major split that was recognized in 1906. Most people seem to recognize (or feign a look of recognition) the names of Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone, and the majority of people you ask will tell you that the major split took place because one side wanted to use instruments in worship.

My thesis in the book is that using instruments in worship was not the cause of the division, rather, it was a symptom of a deeper cause. Two intertwining matters paved the way for division: 1) differences in biblical interpretation, and 2) sectionalism that resulted from the Civil War.

There are some who doubt the sectionalism argument because there are exceptions on both sides of the Ohio River. There were some Northerners who took positions more in line with the most conservative elements of the Movement, while there were some Southerners who welcomed changes in practice and methodology. And then there were some whose inconsistency makes it impossible to pigeon-hole them on one side or the other.

However, the sectionalism argument is not only valid, it is still clearly seen today. In a recent issue of the Christian Chronicle, a graphic was displayed showing where the bulk of acappella Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches are located. Clearly, the Independent Christian Churches are stronger in the North (the biggest one, Southeast Christian Church with a weekend attendance of 20,000+, is located in Louisville, Kentucky, just south of Indiana).

Where the sectionalism most played out was in the matter of biblical interpretation. Southerners were more likely to oppose any type of national organization (such as the American Christian Missionary Society). This is no surprise given the South's insistence on states' rights versus a national government making decisions for states.

The devastation caused by the Civil War also made the question of introducing instruments into corporate worship a moot point. Most congregations in the Movement were struggling just to survive. The period of Reconstruction in the South was an incredibly tough time in history for Southerners. They were focused on surviving, not on purchasing incidental items, like organs and large church buildings.

So sectionalism combined with biblical interpretation to create a predominant theology for the Southern congregations in the Movement, which for the most part, are known as acappella Churches of Christ. This explains why leaders such as Lipscomb took the positions they did. In fact, understanding these two central foci enables us to understand the important role that David Lipscomb had in the division (this point is made in Torn Asunder). Ignoring the matters of sectionalism and biblical interpretation forbids any person from correctly reading Lipscomb and understanding what happened in 1906.

When Thoughts Hit the Paper

Anytime you put your thoughts in print (or on a blog) you are bound to be scrutinized by someone. Anytime that someone can read your words over and over, mull them over, and contemplate them you are going to encounter criticism.

My recent book was released March 23. No major promotional campaign has begun as of yet, but so far 570 copies have been sold. Currently, there are plans for a second printing before the summer.

The risk of writing and publishing a book is that there are errors that escape the author and the proofreaders (my book is no exception). Another risk is that someone out there may not like what you have written or agree with your thesis (for non-fiction books).

So far, the response to my book has been positive. It was written to tell the story behind what led to the first major split in the largest indigenous religious movement in the history of the United States.

The book outlines my theory as to why the division occurred, and since this is my opinion (albeit supported by research), there is the guarantee that someone out there may not agree with me (hard to believe, I know).

Recently, my book was debated by a number of history dudes on a web thread. Some agreed. Others agreed partially while making some valid points to the contrary. I do not mind that people do not agree with all my thoughts (sometimes I disagree with myself). What bothers me is the rancor that at times accompanies such disagreement.

Although no one is immune from such criticism (and really I am blessed by the reception the book has received), there is a "proper" way to respond when that criticism comes.

1) remember who you are and be confident of what you do
2) realize that differences of opinion make things fresh and exciting
3) don't be afraid to take risks

I'm sure there are others.

Anyone have any more tips?

Anniversary

One year of blogging.

Let's have a party!

Whose house?

Give It A Shot

Try something different this week.

Actually take a stand.

Stick your neck out.

Risk something.

Walk by faith.

And treasure each moment.

Carpe Diem.

Gone

Enclosed
Enslaved
Entrapped

Insane
Inept
Inane

Explicit
Implicit

Dereliction
Predilection

Affected
Effected
Infected
Suffocated

Gone

On Display for God

History has the potential to captivate us, motivate us, and even paralyze us.

We are captivated by stories of ordinary people rising to heroic heights in desperate situations.

We are motivated by the sacrifice of those in the past to do the right thing regardless of price and/or penalty.

But we are often paralyzed by our personal past. Despite reading stories of others overcoming sins and failures, we doubt that we can do the same.

I have a friend who struggles with his past. He grew up attending "church" but he never heard about grace till recent times. Eventually, he left the "church scene" and made his own way. Now he has returned. And he still struggles with grace.

In his past, misguided people taught him that it was wrong to be confident of your salvation. They heaped a salvation-by-works-theology on him and the result was that guilt, rather than grace took centerstage in his life. When guilt is propelled to such a position it is only a matter of time before a person becomes resentful of others (especially Christ-followers), self, and even God.

The apostle Paul grew up in a similar situation. Yet, he refused to allow his past to enslave him at the expense of embracing freedom in Christ in the present. In fact, he used his past to point others to the forgiveness and freedom found only in Christ.

Consider these poignant words:

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life" (I Timothy 1:15-16).

Maybe God is putting my friend on public display to show the unsurpassing depth of His grace, mercy, and love.

Hmm ... on display for God.

That does not sound so bad.

Monday

Went to the doctor today.

My wife is convinced that I am losing my hearing and my sight.

Other than most of my hair falling out and what I have left showing streaks of grey, I feel pretty good.

Book sales are going well. We have sold more than 500 copies. Still waiting to hear feedback. I'm sure it will come soon enough.

Well, my son and a friend of his are convinced that I am an Uruk-ai (sp?). So, I must do battle with them.

Welcome Back

Hello, April.

Been about a year.

Welcome back.