Last week was Rosh Hashannah. I admire Jewish holidays because they are so steeped in tradition and culture. I often wonder why as Christians we don't really celebrate holidays with our Jewish brothers and sisters. As the cliche goes: Jesus was Jewish.
I'm not going to lie, though. I really wanted skip school Wednesday last week, and for a brief, infantile moment, I thought about pretending I celebrate Rosh Hashannah. The thought was not a serious one and quickly passed, as I immediately recognized all the levels of wrong involved with doing something like that. However, it did get me to thinking about how there are so many non-Christians who take off and, in fact, celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Is that right? How is that fair? Shouldn't we "take back" Christmas? Yes, but not in the way Pat Robertson would have us.
It seems every year there is a vocal group of Christians screaming about the desecularization of Christmas. Happy holidays. Holiday trees. Holiday parades. Give Jesus a back seat to his own celebration, will you? It is frustrating, but what should the response be? Some get snarky and spread Jesus' love by abruptly retorting "Merry Christmas" to anyone who says "Happy holidays", using the greeting as less of a blessing and more of a dagger. Instead of truly encouraging someone in honoring our Lord and Savior, we use His birth as a counterpoint; a political statement.
Other times we boycott stores. Sadly, I've fallen prey to this in the past. If a store removes all signs of "Christmas" and expects us to hand over Benjamins, Ulysses, and Andrews, well then I'm sorry I'll take my business elsewhere. But aren't we to give to Caesar what is Caesar's? And isn't this country intended to be free-market? How then can a business be "Christian"? I don't see how we can hold a business accountable for the Gospel. A business has no soul to be redeemed. There is no reason to expect an entity designed on profit-making to adhere to values and beliefs that have been etched into our hearts by our Creator.
So how did we get to this point? Why have we allowed the secular world to hold one of our holiest days captive? After all, people who don't even believe that Jesus was anyone special celebrate. And that's okay. Because we are at fault for the modern interpretation of Christmas, and the modern interpretation is not what we ought to be celebrating.
There are basically two positive responses that we can have towards what Christmas has become. The first is to simply accept what "Christmas" is and let it be. Celebrate with friends and family in meaningful ways and let the corporate Christmas be what it is. Purchase presents, sit on Santa's lap, and watch It's a Wonderful Life. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. You keep the meaning of the holiday and understand that the secular version is what it is.
The second approach is far more radical, and possibly (but not definitely) more redeeming: Reject all, or at least most, aspects of secular Christmas. For starters, if we so strongly dislike the way Jesus' "birth" is being celebrated, why do we create a false idol in Santa Claus? We want our children raised to be thankful for what they have and to know the "true meaning" of Christmas, yet we offer to them an imaginary person who will give them whatever they want...if they are good. Isn't this a hindrance to what we believe? Isn't this exactly what Jesus taught against? We link the "birth" of our redeemer who brutally died on a cross to freely give us undeserving wretches salvation with the false Gospel of works begetting reward. The hypocrisy of condemning a store for not using the word "Christmas" and yet taking the five-year old to the mall to sit on a red-suited stranger's lap and tell him what toys need to be under that tree the morning of December 25th is unnerving. It cannot go both ways.
If we want to be honest with ourselves, so much more needs to be eliminated or at least toned down. Trees-real or fake (although I think Jesus would especially dislike plastic trees)-, lights, presents, and perhaps even music need to be examined. What are their purposes? Is this honoring Jesus? Maybe in some way it is, but know how. Know that these actions aren't just "tradition". Although very meaningful and a way to grow closer with friends and family, traditions cannot become false idols. We cannot begin to worship the way we decorate a pine tree or the arrangement of light bulbs on our gutters.
Perhaps I've attacked a few sacred cows here. Well good. We cannot toss the celebration of Jesus' birth into the fire of secular life, worship what comes out, and then blame the fire for "missing the point." We've created this monster. Yes, we need to take back Christmas. But we need to take it back from ourselves.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Eternal Joy
The pressure slams itself against the seems, weakening their hold
The body wells up with joy that builds and builds and builds…
How long can it stay in?
How long can it be contained?
One stitch snaps apart letting forth a small trickle
The body strains to hold it in, but the fountain continues inside
The slow stream of joy yearns to grow, yearns to be boundlessly set free
Another suture breaks
And now another
Soon this joy has grown from a small creek to gushing river
Stitches break left and right, as the body is bursting at all seems
How can this joy endlessly flow?
How can it have a never-ending source?
Oh, but this well spills forth living water
An eternal spring
Endless joy from an endless love
And our joy reaches all
Covers all
And shares His love
The body wells up with joy that builds and builds and builds…
How long can it stay in?
How long can it be contained?
One stitch snaps apart letting forth a small trickle
The body strains to hold it in, but the fountain continues inside
The slow stream of joy yearns to grow, yearns to be boundlessly set free
Another suture breaks
And now another
Soon this joy has grown from a small creek to gushing river
Stitches break left and right, as the body is bursting at all seems
How can this joy endlessly flow?
How can it have a never-ending source?
Oh, but this well spills forth living water
An eternal spring
Endless joy from an endless love
And our joy reaches all
Covers all
And shares His love
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Dead Season
I interned at a Christian college for the summer. Most of the people I worked with and those on my student staff had amazing hearts for God. They openly shared their walk with Christ; who has influenced them, where they think He is taking them, and struggles they are currently battling. I was also able to engage in conversation about how I came to know Christ, how I try to see the world through Christ's eyes, and even mentored someone close to me about grace and its limitless boundaries. But still, this summer has been a dead season.
I've not read my bible in a couple months. Not legitimately. Sure it's been cracked open while at church, where I sat with a closed heart.
I pray, but it's been the usual stale prayers that have been recited for years..."Thank you God for this food you've provided me..." "Please watch over so-and-so while they do such-and-such..." "God, please give me patience as I wait for the woman you're preparing me for..." No heart in these prayers. No desperation. No desire. No longing. Is there any belief in them?
My Internet struggles continue. I care less, and less, and less. Every battle won equals ten thousand lost. When will it end?
Do not be deceived, Wormwood, I still believe. Oh, yes, I believe. There is a God. His Son died for my sins. And the Holy Spirit exists in me. Where is it, though? Has Satan tempered me through apathy and routine, thus blocking it out? Have I been feeding the Holy Spirit too much lip-service and not enough genuine, heartfelt need.
I feel dead in my faith. Am I not to just die to myself? Die to my longings? My greed? More music, more DVDs, more books, more clothes, more, more, more, more... Die to my lust? Filthy, staining lust...
I want to pick up my cross daily, but it weighs two tons. Or is it two pounds? Am I that weak? Or is it that I've misplaced my cross? Have I left it under the bed? Out of sight, out of mind.
When will this become real again? When will God wipe my tears and tell me everything is okay? Is everything okay?
I've not read my bible in a couple months. Not legitimately. Sure it's been cracked open while at church, where I sat with a closed heart.
I pray, but it's been the usual stale prayers that have been recited for years..."Thank you God for this food you've provided me..." "Please watch over so-and-so while they do such-and-such..." "God, please give me patience as I wait for the woman you're preparing me for..." No heart in these prayers. No desperation. No desire. No longing. Is there any belief in them?
My Internet struggles continue. I care less, and less, and less. Every battle won equals ten thousand lost. When will it end?
Do not be deceived, Wormwood, I still believe. Oh, yes, I believe. There is a God. His Son died for my sins. And the Holy Spirit exists in me. Where is it, though? Has Satan tempered me through apathy and routine, thus blocking it out? Have I been feeding the Holy Spirit too much lip-service and not enough genuine, heartfelt need.
I feel dead in my faith. Am I not to just die to myself? Die to my longings? My greed? More music, more DVDs, more books, more clothes, more, more, more, more... Die to my lust? Filthy, staining lust...
I want to pick up my cross daily, but it weighs two tons. Or is it two pounds? Am I that weak? Or is it that I've misplaced my cross? Have I left it under the bed? Out of sight, out of mind.
When will this become real again? When will God wipe my tears and tell me everything is okay? Is everything okay?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Church Under the Bridge - Waco, TX
So I have a summer internship at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. I arrived late May and will be leaving early August. When I accepted the offer, one thing I was especially excited about was checking out some Texas churches. Up in Dallas there's Matt Chandler's Village Church. I've listened to Chandler's podcasts in the past and loved them. To be honest, and it's horrible that I don't know this, but I'm not sure if he's back to preaching or not after having surgery on his brain tumor. Of course, down in Houston is Joel Osteen's church, Lakewood Church. If you know me, you know that I'm not a fan of Joel Osteen. I think he preaches lies through the prosperity gospel. It sickens me to see his books fly off the shelf. Either way, I feel I need to go just to experience it. I'm told that the church meets where the Houston Rockets used to play.
Then there are two churches in Waco I planned on attending. David Crowder's University Baptist Church is one. I think that's where I'll go next weekend. Him and his band perform there for worship most Sundays. The other Waco church I wanted to experience was Church Under the Bridge. I originally heard about it when reading Shane Claiborne's The Irresistible Revolution. They meet under I-35 right next to the campus. Their tagline is: black, white, brown, rich and poor, educated in the streets and in the university, all worshipping the living God, who makes us one. That phrase is so fitting.
First off, let me shoot straight with you: it's hot. Now, we're under the freeway so there's some shade, but the temperature was pushing three digits. But still people streamed in. People from all walks of life. Black, white. Homeless, well-off. Folks in wheelchairs, folks covered in tattoos. People lighting cigarettes and others raising hand in Hallelujah. A dude on stage pretending to play a pink guitar, then walking through the crowd giving high-fives. Gravel is your sandals, sweat down your back, and the love of Christ in your heart. This service was beautiful.
When I arrived the preacher had everyone (estimating 100-150 people...but I'm bad at guessing numbers like that, so it could have been more) get in small groups and read the sermon on the mount. Sadly I did not get into a small group. They started right before I got there, I was taking pictures, and I couldn't find an open folding chair. Admitedly, those are all poor excuses. After that, there was some worship music and announcements. One gentleman came up front and sang some beautiful gospel music. The song must be called something like "Battlefield for the Lord".
Early on I received a handout titled "Personal evaluation of your life in Christ." It had 21 areas of your life, and you were to rank it 1-5, with 1 being excellent, 2 equaling good, 3 representing so-so, 4 being poorly, and 5 stating terrible. The categories ranged from prayer life and Bible reading to encouraging the prisoner and moral purity. Once the pastor started his message he went through each and everyone one and had the worshipers raise hands to whichever number they felt they were. He then briefly talked about how important it is to grow as a Christian. The most ironic moment of the entire morning was when he spoke on taking care of our bodies and the woman next to me lit up her marlboro. Haha, God bless Texas!
We finished up with another song. The morning wasn't over, though. A homeless couple, or perhaps a couple who had met while homeless, were to be wed! Absolutely amazing. I mean, I was in the congregation for a special part of these two lives.
This church is unbelievable. All sorts of God's people worshipping together under a bridge. All I could think about the entire time is that Jesus loves this. This is the kind of congregation he'd stand before and preach. I still plan on attending the other three churches I mentioned, but I have a feeling I'll be at this one a few more times before I head back north.
Pictures to follow...
Then there are two churches in Waco I planned on attending. David Crowder's University Baptist Church is one. I think that's where I'll go next weekend. Him and his band perform there for worship most Sundays. The other Waco church I wanted to experience was Church Under the Bridge. I originally heard about it when reading Shane Claiborne's The Irresistible Revolution. They meet under I-35 right next to the campus. Their tagline is: black, white, brown, rich and poor, educated in the streets and in the university, all worshipping the living God, who makes us one. That phrase is so fitting.
First off, let me shoot straight with you: it's hot. Now, we're under the freeway so there's some shade, but the temperature was pushing three digits. But still people streamed in. People from all walks of life. Black, white. Homeless, well-off. Folks in wheelchairs, folks covered in tattoos. People lighting cigarettes and others raising hand in Hallelujah. A dude on stage pretending to play a pink guitar, then walking through the crowd giving high-fives. Gravel is your sandals, sweat down your back, and the love of Christ in your heart. This service was beautiful.
When I arrived the preacher had everyone (estimating 100-150 people...but I'm bad at guessing numbers like that, so it could have been more) get in small groups and read the sermon on the mount. Sadly I did not get into a small group. They started right before I got there, I was taking pictures, and I couldn't find an open folding chair. Admitedly, those are all poor excuses. After that, there was some worship music and announcements. One gentleman came up front and sang some beautiful gospel music. The song must be called something like "Battlefield for the Lord".
Early on I received a handout titled "Personal evaluation of your life in Christ." It had 21 areas of your life, and you were to rank it 1-5, with 1 being excellent, 2 equaling good, 3 representing so-so, 4 being poorly, and 5 stating terrible. The categories ranged from prayer life and Bible reading to encouraging the prisoner and moral purity. Once the pastor started his message he went through each and everyone one and had the worshipers raise hands to whichever number they felt they were. He then briefly talked about how important it is to grow as a Christian. The most ironic moment of the entire morning was when he spoke on taking care of our bodies and the woman next to me lit up her marlboro. Haha, God bless Texas!
We finished up with another song. The morning wasn't over, though. A homeless couple, or perhaps a couple who had met while homeless, were to be wed! Absolutely amazing. I mean, I was in the congregation for a special part of these two lives.
This church is unbelievable. All sorts of God's people worshipping together under a bridge. All I could think about the entire time is that Jesus loves this. This is the kind of congregation he'd stand before and preach. I still plan on attending the other three churches I mentioned, but I have a feeling I'll be at this one a few more times before I head back north.
Pictures to follow...
Monday, May 17, 2010
Pro-Life Demonstration on Campus PART II: My Take
I didn't plan on writing this half three weeks later, but apparently that's what is happening...
The student reaction to this event was mostly over-the-top. Basically, there were three reactions:
1) Agreement
2) Ambivalence
3) Bitter disagreement
Those who agreed did so rather peacefully. They were the once who were talking to those who set up the display. That's it. Discussion. The rowdiest these people got were writing on the "free-speech" board that stood nearby. The idea of this board was to allow anyone the opportunity to say whatever they wanted. Which, as you'll see shortly, may not have been the greatest idea. Anyway, the pro-lifers basically posted things like "What if Jesus was aborted" and gave information and statistics about how abortions have hurt the mothers.
Students who did not care one way or the other made signs saying "free hugs" and wore viking helmets. Yes, you read that right. Some also showed up with guitars and sung about planet earth, since it was, in fact, Earth Day. They were fun, although kinda annoying. On the one hand, thanks for coming and trying to keep things mellow. On the other hand, there are giant pictures of aborted fetus and dead bodies from genocide 15 feet from you. Their free-speech board comments were along the lines of "come see Footloose" as such and such a date. They crossed the line, though with things such as: "they look like gummy bears" (referring to the aborted babies) and "Mary was only a virgin if you don't count anal." Really, at this point, you probably don't deserve free-speech. I'm not saying it should be taken from you, but you don't value it and really aren't responsible enough to deserve such a wonderful thing.
Finally, we come to the pro-choice folk. Their free-speech board comments were mostly profanity-laced, but at least had a point. The vocal pro-choicers, though, just seemed incredibly unintelligent. One comment (read with ditzy valley girl accent): "I'm okay if they call it murder, but not genocide. That's just offensive." Okay, let's go through a little lesson here. If you're okay with murder, you need to be okay with genocide. Genocide is "the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group" (dictionary.com). Abortion is absolutely deliberate and, since you've already acknowledged that it's murder, it's certainly an extermination. Obviously it's not a national, racial, or political group, but let's look at the definitions of culture: "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or AGE GROUP." Culture can refer to an age group. Abortion is directed to those who are unborn, which is technically an age group. Therefore, genocide is completely an accurate term for abortion.
In addition, there was a small group of girls who will never have to worry about getting an abortion who began to cheer when the display started to be deconstructed. You know, as if they had something to do with it.
The next week I was walking to class with three friends, all of whom are liberal, and all of whom know I'm conservative. One looked over to where the display had been and said, "isn't it nice walking to class without having to look at dead babies." One of my friends (probably the one who is most cognizant of me being the only true conservative among our class) looked for my reaction, which was probably just eye-rolling. But this was genuinely the overall feel of a large section of students: I don't want to see this. Well guess what, if you are pro-choice, you need to see this. This is what that choice is. The choice to abort involves fetus ending up in pieces. The choice to abort results in ending a life. I don't exactly wake up in the morning hoping to see the destruction of human life, but you know what? We are a visual society and to fully comprehend something we often need to see what is going on.
If nothing else, I think The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform reached its mission, which was to get people talking. It certainly did that. I don't know if my method of discussing this topic would mirror theirs, but I do see a place for it, and I'm glad they were on campus.
The student reaction to this event was mostly over-the-top. Basically, there were three reactions:
1) Agreement
2) Ambivalence
3) Bitter disagreement
Those who agreed did so rather peacefully. They were the once who were talking to those who set up the display. That's it. Discussion. The rowdiest these people got were writing on the "free-speech" board that stood nearby. The idea of this board was to allow anyone the opportunity to say whatever they wanted. Which, as you'll see shortly, may not have been the greatest idea. Anyway, the pro-lifers basically posted things like "What if Jesus was aborted" and gave information and statistics about how abortions have hurt the mothers.
Students who did not care one way or the other made signs saying "free hugs" and wore viking helmets. Yes, you read that right. Some also showed up with guitars and sung about planet earth, since it was, in fact, Earth Day. They were fun, although kinda annoying. On the one hand, thanks for coming and trying to keep things mellow. On the other hand, there are giant pictures of aborted fetus and dead bodies from genocide 15 feet from you. Their free-speech board comments were along the lines of "come see Footloose" as such and such a date. They crossed the line, though with things such as: "they look like gummy bears" (referring to the aborted babies) and "Mary was only a virgin if you don't count anal." Really, at this point, you probably don't deserve free-speech. I'm not saying it should be taken from you, but you don't value it and really aren't responsible enough to deserve such a wonderful thing.
Finally, we come to the pro-choice folk. Their free-speech board comments were mostly profanity-laced, but at least had a point. The vocal pro-choicers, though, just seemed incredibly unintelligent. One comment (read with ditzy valley girl accent): "I'm okay if they call it murder, but not genocide. That's just offensive." Okay, let's go through a little lesson here. If you're okay with murder, you need to be okay with genocide. Genocide is "the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group" (dictionary.com). Abortion is absolutely deliberate and, since you've already acknowledged that it's murder, it's certainly an extermination. Obviously it's not a national, racial, or political group, but let's look at the definitions of culture: "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or AGE GROUP." Culture can refer to an age group. Abortion is directed to those who are unborn, which is technically an age group. Therefore, genocide is completely an accurate term for abortion.
In addition, there was a small group of girls who will never have to worry about getting an abortion who began to cheer when the display started to be deconstructed. You know, as if they had something to do with it.
The next week I was walking to class with three friends, all of whom are liberal, and all of whom know I'm conservative. One looked over to where the display had been and said, "isn't it nice walking to class without having to look at dead babies." One of my friends (probably the one who is most cognizant of me being the only true conservative among our class) looked for my reaction, which was probably just eye-rolling. But this was genuinely the overall feel of a large section of students: I don't want to see this. Well guess what, if you are pro-choice, you need to see this. This is what that choice is. The choice to abort involves fetus ending up in pieces. The choice to abort results in ending a life. I don't exactly wake up in the morning hoping to see the destruction of human life, but you know what? We are a visual society and to fully comprehend something we often need to see what is going on.
If nothing else, I think The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform reached its mission, which was to get people talking. It certainly did that. I don't know if my method of discussing this topic would mirror theirs, but I do see a place for it, and I'm glad they were on campus.
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