Almost Miss USA

Not that I am a fan of Miss USA pageants, but it was hard to miss the talk about it this week. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, has been the focus of a lot of commentary after her politically incorrect answer to pageant-judge Perez Hilton's question about same-sex marriage. Here's the short version of a big story: He ask her what she thought about it and she told him and he didn't like it. What concerns me most about the issue is a comment that reflects a growing sentiment in our culture in America. Hilton responded to questions this morning on the Today show by saying that Prejean as a Miss USA contestant should answer questions in a way that "will make everyone feel welcome". Notice he didn't say that she should be honest. I'm not concerned at all about who wins Miss USA this year or next year. As I said, I'm not a big fan of pageants. As a follower of Jesus, I believe this issue gives us an opportunity to consider how to answer tough questions. Truth is not always welcome or welcoming. But, that does not relieve us of our convictions. In addition, we have a responsibility to saturate our answers with truth, love and grace.

What's in a name?

Last weekend, Adam Dunn of the Washington Nationals played baseball sporting a uniform minus the "o" in Nationals. Aren't uniforms supposed to be uniform? Even though his jersey was flawed, he was still able to play the game. Sometimes we focus on the outside and forget that it is what's on the inside that matters. Last Sunday morning I talked a little bit about the message of Jesus toward the church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6). According to Jesus the church at Sardis had a reputation (outward appearance) of being alive, but the church was dead on the inside. It's a great message for the church in America today. We cannot continue to be more concerned with whether we give the appearance of life and vitality than we are with heart and character issues. Real life is a heart issue.

Leap of Faith

Theism requires a leap of faith, but it is a leap into the light, not into the Dark.
Dean Overman (A Case for the Existence of God)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

Have you ever wondered why the disciples did not understand important teachings of Jesus until after the resurrection? It may have had something to do with belief. Years after the resurrection of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews explained some things about belief. Belief is a catalyst. It is the initiative that sparks a search to know God and to be near God. But, belief in God is always a leap of faith. It requires us to venture away from our own neat and tidy understanding into a world of knowing that is bigger than us. But, it is not a leap into the dark. It is not a dead end because faith is not the goal. Faith is a bridge. Our leap of faith is a journey a part of our journey to God. If we leap by faith to belive in God, God rewards us. There is Light at the end of our journey. Our faith allows us to know God and see everything differently: in the light of His love.

April Showers

Outside my window is a large pear tree. In the past few weeks I have watched the transformation from winter to spring. It is a reminder to me of the kind of transformation that was a catalyst of faith in the life of Brother Lawrence in the 17th century. Brother Lawrence was looking at barren tree one winter day and his anticipation of leaves, blossoms and fruit gave him a "profound impression of God's providence and power, which never left him". It's a great thought for us in the week after Easter celebrations. God's power brings new life. God's provision sustains life and provides meaning and fruitfulness in life. Brother Lawrence is known for his commitment to "the practice of the presence of God". True contentment is found when we enjoy His presence daily.

Post-Resurrection Living

Jesus is Alive! Churches all over proclaimed the Risen Lord yesterday. Now it's Monday. Jesus is still alive. Is our faith? Is it vibrant, life-changing, decision-altering faith? A couple of decades ago Brennan Manning penned the following:

I can think of no other time in history when the name of Jesus has been so frequently mentioned and content of His life and teaching so thoroughly ignored.

Twenty years later I think Manning's words still hold the same sting. Our belief in a death shattering, living God should have more than a casual occasional impact on our living. Several years ago I shared a message series entitled "The Resurrection, Now What?" It's still a good question.

Good Friday

Early this morning I was picking up some things at the store. My attention was captured by the rows of "Easter Candy". I walked over and contemplated buying Lynn a chocolate bunny. While I was looking over the candy, a chocolate cross caught my eye. I paused at the cross. Here I was, in Walmart, on Good Friday staring at a chocolate cross. Unexpectedly, I was deeply disturbed. I'm not going to rant about the extreme over commercialization of every holiday and celebration. I could go on and on about how we manufacture holidays to fuel our consumer mentality. But, that's not the point. I was disturbed by this image of the cross that is so far from reality. I began this week with a desire to focus on the cross. The day that Jesus was crucified revealed the extreme ugliness of sin and the sufficient extreme love of our God. On the cross, the Holy One became our sin: every murder, every rape, every genocide, every child molestation and abduction, every lie, every jealous thought. Jesus became our sin. Maybe that's why I am fighting back tears as I think about a cross made of chocolate.

Chistian America

There's has been quite a bit in the news about whether America is a "Christian nation" or not. A recent Newsweek article entitled "The End of Christian America" reports the results of the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey. Among the results is a reported increase in the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation (15%). This percentage has nearly doubled since 1990 (8%). My reflections on this article are influenced by the fact that we remember "Holy Week" this week. The Newsweek article has much to say about the interrelationship between Religion, the Government and Christianity. I can't help but reflect on the fact that these same relationships were critical in the events that led to the death of my Savior on the cross. Religious leaders were in the forefront of the charge to crucify Jesus. Read through the Gospel accounts of Jesus death and it's hard to deny the political concerns that influenced Pontius Pilate's treatment of Jesus. Then there were the Christians. Although they were not called "Christians" yet, they were followers of Christ. With a few exceptions, the Christians do not receive a very positive treatment during "Holy Week" in the Gospels. The followers of Christ are among those who deny, betray, abandon and fall asleep at inopportune moments of crisis. What will the future hold for America? Are we entering a "post-Christian" slide? As a follower of Christ, I want to learn from those who were there with Jesus. I want to learn from their mistakes. And I want to learn from Jesus. In the midst of swirling political and religious issues many of His followers were uncertain. Yet, Jesus remained true to His mission. That is my desire.

Think about the Cross

There will be lots of talk about the resurrection this week. There should be. I agree with the Apostle Paul that without our belief in the resurrection we are miserable. Preaching is in vain. New life is not possible. But, I don't want to make a mistake this week by rushing past the cross to view the empty tomb. I want to meditate on the cross. I need to meditate on the cross. As I gaze upon my Savior I think about John's testimony in the fourth gospel. If Jesus is lifted up, He will draw us to Himself. Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified so that we could be drawn to His great love. Not only am I drawn to His great love, I am drawn to His words of forgiveness. It's not possible for me to count the number of times I have read the words. I don't know how many times I have heard them in a sermon. But, they still captivate me and they draw me to Jesus. It's as if He is speaking to me. "Father forgive Him". They take on fresh meaning in my life. How many times have I offended God? How many times have I disappointed Him? How many times has He forgiven me?