What's wrong with God?

Yesterday I re-issued God's question from the book of Jeremiah. God asked his wayward people, "What fault did you find in me?". Today I noticed a short review of Bill Maher's film "Religulous". It's a film that I have no desire to see, but I was interested in the content of the review. "Religulous" is a comedy (and I use the term loosely) that pokes fun of Christians, Jews and Muslims for their faith. In the film Maher travels and interviews followers of each faith. Making fun of religion is nothing new for Maher. He abandoned his faith a long time ago. While making fun of Christians might actually reveal some flaws in followers, does it really identify any flaws in God? Of course, my answer is "no". But, it's an interesting thought. It matters how we represent God, but the failures of His followers will never diminish God's identity. God's love for Bill Maher is abundant. God's plan for Bill Maher is redemption. No matter what Bill has done or said, God wants him to know what it's like to trust in a God who has no faults.

Good Question

Why? That's a common question. Sometimes it's good and healthy to ask, sometimes a real waste of time and energy. What about with regard to a choice to sin? Why sin? I was reading in Jeremiah 2 today. God asks the question in a different manner. It's a sinful time for God's people. That's usually a signal in the Old Testament for a prophet to step up and raise some important questions. The question that caught my eye in Jeremiah comes directly from God. God is speaking to his people through the metaphor of a romantic relationship. He is reflecting on the past. The tone mixes several ingredients: brokenheartedness, heartsickness and anger. God's question cuts through all the emotions. God asks a deeper question than "Why?". Israel has turned away from God and chosen to worship other gods (God points out the fact that these gods are not really gods). Here's God's question: "What fault did your father's find in me?". Great question. It's a little different approach to sin. God doesn't ask about the attractiveness of sin. God asks "What do I lack?" Of course, it is a rhetorical question. God lacks nothing. His love for us is unfailing and immeasurable. Yet, they turned away from God and turned toward ridiculous substitutes. Now it's time to ask the question "Why?".

God leads

The words of Moses in Deuteronomy summarize the journey of the Hebrews. God brought them out of Egypt. He was preparing them to enter into the land that He promised to give them. Moses reminded them that in between "God led them". For the next few weeks I am going to consider how Deuteronomy 8:2 provides a framework for reviewing life. For me, this is a good place to start. How has God led me? That's a question I'm considering this week. There have been obvious times preceding significant decisions where I have diligently sought to be led by God. Other times I was less aware of God's leading, but I am convinced He was leading me. God provided tangible leadership to the Hebrews. They were able to see a cloud and fire as evidence of His leading. There have been times I would have loved to have the same. Yet, my journey has taught me to trust in God's presence and His leading even when it has been less than obvious.

Big Orange Country

This Saturday is a signficant day in Big Orange country. Tennessee plays Florida. Usually it's a game that sets the tone for Tennessee's season. Unfortunately, the tone was set with an early loss to UCLA. So now the Vols have an opportunity to do what UCLA did to them: beat a team that few expect them to beat. Although my faith in victory is slightly smaller than that of a mustard seed, it is interesting to consider the psychological benefit of being an underdog. Sometimes commentators refer to the expected winner as the team that "has everything to lose and nothing to gain". Consequently, the expected loser is the team that "has everything to gain and nothing to lose". Interestingly, last night at our men's group we constrasted "worldliness" and "Christ-likeness". When I think about what the world offers me compared to what Christ brings to my life, I have everything to gain in Christ and nothing to lose by turning to "worldliness". Go Vols.

Deuteronomy today

The news today is dominated by talk about the economy. With the fall of some big financial entities and the crisis with AIG there is quite a bit of finger-pointing and analysis going on. Some of the analysis had a bit of a moral tone that is unusual on the typical news circuit. "Greed" was mentioned several times. Questions were raised about "irresponsibility" and "entitlement". What do our economic woes have to do with my studies in Deuteronomy? You may recall that Deuteronomy is a collection of the "final words" of Moses directed at the Hebrews before they entered into the Promised Land. Among the reminders that Moses provided the people, he shared that the journey through the wilderness was a purposeful journey. The journey humbled them, tested them and revealed what was in their hearts. I can't help but believe that some of our woes in America revealed that this kind of journey has been circumvented. Humility is viewed as a vice rather than a virtue. Our pace is much too fast to waste time on a journey. We just want we want when we want it whether we can afford it or not. The prevailing attitude is "if I can figure out a way to get it now I'm ready for it now". Greed thrives in that kind of environment. Deuteronomy holds many golden principles for us that counter that kind of thinking. I look forward to unpacking some of these for myself in the next few weeks.

Gary's Visit

We had a special gift yesterday.Gary Darcus was passing through Knoxville and stopped by to spend some time with us on his way home to Charlottesville. Gary is very involved with missionaries in Africa through his work with Advancing Native Missions Last night at Heritage we were discussing 1 Corinthians 9. Gary commented how much his missionary friends in Africa would have enjoyed our discussion. As Gary continued to share it was a great reminder of the power and relevance of the principles of Scripture. The cultural differences between believers in Kenya and Oak Ridge, TN are great. We can scarcely imagine the economic and political challenges that they face. However, the internal battle between selfishness and maturity is not so different. The call to live in such a way as to further the reach of the gospel rather than hindering it hits us all.

deuteronomy today

I have been reading in Deuteronomy lately. The application of this great series of messages from Moses has hit me in a strong way. The bulk of Deuteronomy is devoted to some major messages from Moses. He is preparing the Hebrews to enter into the Promised Land. After wandering around in the wilderness and several bouts with major doubt and disobedience, the older Hebrews have died and only the young ones, Caleb and Joshua will be allowed to enter the land. Moses delivers his "final words" to the massive gathering of Hebrew souls. What does he have to say. One word stands out above all the rest, "remember". That's what has captured my attention. How many lessons in life have I forgotten? Why? How? Did I forget them or reject their application? Did they die from a lack of practice? Did I really learn them to begin with? Great questions. Deuteronomy holds some key, divine insight about carrying lessons learned forward. For the next few Sundays, I going to have a good time in Deuteronomy.

I approved this message

By now we are accustomed to hearing those words on a regular basis. As candidates spend millions and millions of dollars to market themselves to the voting public we are practically numb by the time the personal endorsement pops up at the end..."I approved this message". To me it comes across as a personal, albeit lifeless affirmation that the messge of the commercial is consistent with the candidate. Consider this for a moment, what if our lives were viewed as a "commercial" for Christ? What if at the end of my life, Jesus dropped by the cemetery, threw a little dirt on my casket and said of me, I'm Jesus and I approve of the message of Paul's life? While this may sound a little crass, it really is worth considering. Is my life consistent with the message of Jesus? Does He approve of the way I invoke His name? When I call myself a "Christian" is Jesus proud that I am proclaiming his "platform" to those who don't know Him. If the word "commercial" is a little too offensive, think deeply about the message of your life. And by the way, give some thought about whether "attack ads" are effective.

Sharing our Story

I have enjoyed hearing great testimonies from some members of the church family at Heritage in the past few weeks. Roy and Kristin Vella shared this past Sunday about how God ministered to them and their son Nathaniel. If you would like to read the details of that testimony you can link to Kristin's blog. Once you are in the blog click on the "Miracle boy" tab and prepare yourself for a journey of faith.