Radical

"Repentance is incomplete or insincere if it does not resolve to lead a new life. It seeks a true and accurate recollection of misdeeds without false humility. It does not suggest loss of appropriate self-esteem but rather requires a higher valuing of oneself by becoming radically honest before God so as to put one's feet on the way to recovery. It does not imply a diminishing or personal identity but an honoring and clarifying of one's personal identity through candid self-confrontation" (Oden, Classic Christianity, p.568).

Other than being trendy sometime in the 80's, the word "radical" isn't used that often. We are afraid to be radical. We fear stepping out as exceptionally extreme. We shy away from drastic uncompromising behavior, particularly in honesty. In a culture of plastic surgery and rampant dishonesty, what would happen if the church were radically honest before God?

One of my friends at seminary embodies this. Bryan is the most honest person I have ever met in my life. There is no pretense with him. If he doesn't understand something, he asks, without a thought of how it will make him look. He is compelled to disclose the kinds of things that most people would try to hide. For example, in church on Sunday his first response to my noticing he was more dressed up than usual was to show me that he was wearing white socks with dress slacks. That kind of honesty is refreshing. It is radical. Surely we can not appreciate or experience new life without a willingness to be radically honest before the Lord.

I am also interested in this phrase of "higher valuing" of oneself. When we see ourselves truly as who we are in Christ, repentance should be easy. When we compare the treasure of our righteousness in Him to the garbage of our sinfulness why would we continue to indulge ourselves? Giving up sin should be easy. The value difference between the pleasures of the flesh and the joy of salvation directs us toward repentance.

Soundtrack: Jesus Messiah, Chris Tomlin

wanting a king

1 Samuel 8:6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."

We have been discussing in my Old Testament class how this idea of kingship developed for Israel, and the paradox that is found in it. By wanting a king Israel rejects God. They must beseech the very Lord that wants to reign over them as a righteous and good King for the right to have a king. How often do we repeat this grievance? How often do we beg the Lord to give us something that we think will better help us manage our lives, give us order, but in truth he simply wants control over that very thing. If we would simply turn to him we wouldn't need most of the things we beg of him. He makes use of every morsel of ourselves that we give him, and he will participate in the framework in which we allow him present in our lives.

Doesn't the church do this too? How often are we distracted by programs, order, liturgy, committees, and method when the Spirit simply wants to move? Come, great God. Be our King. Do not allow us to reject you. We repent of the way we elevate our plans over your Lordship!

Soundtrack: You are my King, Brian Doerkeson; Wonderful King, David Crowder; King Without a Crown, Matisyahu; and O Worship the King, Chris Tomlin

broken body

A couple of days ago in chapel we took communion. Actually, we take communion a lot around here. I love it, particularly because I still feel a disconnect with the mystery. It may be because I grew up in the church, and it was a part of my regular life. I think I take it for granted, kind of like how I take for granted that I have an affectionate family. I don't ponder how truly awesome it is that I know that I am loved because it is all I've ever known. But, for many, this is a sad reality. Many people my age did not have that assurance and would kill for it. I have never had a supernatural mountain top moment during communion, and somehow that makes the celebration thereof intriguing to me. I paid attention to the songs we sang, and they tended to emphasize the blood poured out. And I began to ponder even further.

When we focus too much attention on the atoning work of the blood we miss the identification with Christ available to us in his brokenness. How can we look at our sin until we have made peace with our suffering? How did we get so preoccupied with the blood? It is significant, yes! The shaming and suffering of Jesus is discussed at length, and yet we rush ahead to the cross, to the blood. We are so uncomfortable with the guilt implication of our sin that we miss how he is also capable of understanding our suffering, our shame. How should we understand his understanding of betrayal and abandonment? How do we process the idea that he didn't just experience suffering like ours, but somehow on the cross he suffered our grief and our suffering?

This points to a bigger issue that I have been pondering a lot lately. Why does the church spend so much time focusing on salvation from hell when salvation from sin is just as significant. People hunger for the power of a joyful life today. They hunger for freedom. They hunger for a kingdom life lived here on earth. But we, church, do not offer that. We fail to preach sanctification.

Soundtrack: Sweetly Broken, Jeremy Riddle

iPod, iListen, iBlock Out

Tonight I headed across campus to return a book to the library. I climbed down 2 or 3 steps in the dorm, and I realized that I had forgotten to grab my iPod. Typically I either listen to music when I'm walking around campus or I hang out with someone. I usually listen to music that reflects what I am feeling in the moment or music that reflects what I should be feeling in a moment. Sometimes I will replay songs from chapel. Sometimes I play songs that just make me happy. This piece of technology brings great joy in my life. It gives me access to thousands of songs instantly. With it, I can listen to the sermons of favorite preachers. I learn about screenwriting from podcasts, and I carry around pictures of my dear family. I can watch movies, TV shows, and SNL skits. The opportunities are endless.

Mom always talks about what she will say when her grandchildren come to her and ask her what the most significant invention in her life was. She plans to say the cell phone. I (at this stage in my life) would have to say the MP3 player (but... specifically the iPod). This piece of technology changed my life. It changed the lives of an entire generation. I am ever grateful.

It reminded me of the sermon that Rob Bell preached when we visited Mars Hill. He talked about how technology separates us from God. He suggested that one of the first pieces of technology, the brick, led to a great divide between mankind and God. The brick led to the tower of Babel. Even though I use my iPod in worship daily, could it be a hindrance to my connectedness to the Lord? Rob talked about how by being able to buy a red tomato in Grand Rapids in January, we are separated from the provision of the Creator. Am I missing something by not hearing these songs live? Am I missing the noise of creation? Am I falsifying the soundtrack of my life? Am I infusing a moment with something that shouldn't be there? Are there other pieces of technology in our lives that somehow hinder our relationship with the Lord? Are you missing something organic and simple because you are loading up the backpack of your life with extra junk?

Soundtrack: From Where I'm Standing, Schuyler Fisk

John Adams

John Adams is one of my great friends here, and he is brilliant. I am not the kind of writer that feels like I am in competition with other writers. He keeps a blog that is profound and worthy of your time. I rejoice that God is raising up a generation of people willing to spend time at a computer writing down the things they believe God wants to say to His people. Without a record of where we are now, how will future generations know where they are going?

He has also been lobbying to be the subject of one of my blogs. So, here you go, John. You earned it.


http://tinroofchorus.wordpress.com/

If you like my blog, you'll love his.

Soundtrack: Feel Like Home to Me, Chantal Kreviazuk

Springtime green of new life

I was walking across campus today and I noticed one of the flower beds. We have these circle flower beds that have been brown and dead the entire time I have been here. And today, it was green, teaming with new life. I heard my spirit sing the phrase, "Springtime green of new life" from the Enter the Worship Circle song, Land of the Living. I took note, Creation testifies to resurrection. Every year we see death and new life. Every year we are given opportunity to respond to the cross and resurrection through the simplicity of new life. How fitting that Easter is in Spring. Pause and recognize the mystery of the resurrection in the new green life budding all around you.

Soundtrack: Land of the Living, Enter the Worship Circle

*Note, I think this song has been on the Soundtrack before, but it is worth listening to again.

How Deep the Father's Love

Today in class Dr. Seamands had us stand and worship singing this song. Every time he has us do that I smile. I am continuously reminded what a blessing it is to learn about Jesus from people who love Jesus. I'll never forget the first time I printed out the instructions to my Church History Module and the professor closed with a prayer for us. I was moved to tears in that moment. At that point I had never had a learning experience that was integrated into my faith. I value my intellect, and I always grieved that I had to compartmentalize my faith in my academic studies. Sometimes, I had to fight just to be who I am. I grew immensely at UGA spiritually, but that was never encouraged in the classroom. It happened in the classroom, but it was never encouraged. I was reminded what a blessing it is to rejoice in the goodness of God's love with my professor. These are not dead facts that I am learning. This is the Truth.


How Deep The Father's Love For Us lyrics

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

Soundtrack: How Deep the Father's Love, Phillips Craig & Dean

musical theology

I think that the average church congregant could call themselves solid theologians if they simply paid attention to the language present in the hymns that we sing on Sunday mornings. For instance:

I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today; I know that he is living, whatever foes may say. I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, and just the time I need him, he's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. he lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.

Indeed Christ lives... Salvation to impart.

Soundtrack , He Lives!