My Part of the Conversation

Preparing to re-begin my work for our yearly calendar, I was convicted of something.

I guess this is confession time.

In a year’s time, I’ve taught a lot of lessons. Easily around 100. Some in series, some using videos, some just as textual studies of specific passages. But, in a year, I’ve taught 100 lessons.

I was looking at some of the things I taught during camp. Lessons on silence, sitting in God’s presence, meditating on His Word, praying more meaningfully. Being still to know He is God. I’ve taught it, but do I understand it? I understand it, but do I really get it?

[As I finished that last paragraph, I finished my Mountain Dew and threw away the bottle. I know that carbonated drinks are bad for me. I also know that I could probably recycle that bottle at home. ]

It’s almost as if the lessons I teach are not life-changing confrontations with God’s Word. They’re items to cross off my ministry checklist.

Intellectual understanding doesn’t make us better Christians, not by itself. I want to cry some weeks when we talk about particularly difficult challenges for Christians, things like sharing your faith or a calling to greater purity in what you watch or listen to. I want to cry when we talk about not being ashamed of your faith or reaching out to those who are difficult to reach out to. I want to cry because I know they’ll all sit around and make bold statements that show understanding but it’s not in their lives now and it won’t be when the study is over.

I want to cry, because I can’t say anything. I’m just as guilty.

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices.” I heard someone once say that the problem with living sacrifices is they keep trying to crawl off the altar.

Our duty. Our challenge. Heck, even our adventure is daily pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps and getting back on that altar.

Maybe for me, today, it’ll start with that Mountain Dew bottle…

God, give me the passion to stay up on that altar when I want to crawl off. Give me the insight to know when I’ve crawled off, when I’ll crawl even further off without your help. I pray that the lessons I learn and teach will not be solely intellectual, but will be constantly changing me and reshaping me in your image, making me the man you always intended for me to be. In Jesus, Amen.

May you let God change your life, not just your mind.

In HIM,
Blaine

A while back, I posted that I wanted to begin reading more. I asked for some recommendations, and got some great ones. I started with a few books that were given to me by people who said they were really influenced by the writing.

Matt sent me a copy of “Blue Like Jazz“. He had been going on and on about how great it is. He was definately right. I found a lot of truth in what Donald Miller says about Christianity. The book is about a desire to have a deep, meaningful relationship with God despite the Church. That’s not to say that he advocates not being part of a church, just that so many unhealthy churches have tainted our view of what “church” is supposed to be. The writer simply shares about his coming to faith, even though he grew up in the church. He writes about reaching out to the unchurched and loving them as they are. Probably the best chapter deals with selfishn pride that keeps us from accepting God’s love for us. It’s one of those books that you read and are processing for weeks later. I might write more on this book soon, but I don’t want to feel like you don’t need to read it. Cause you do.

My dad gave me a copy of “Why Men Hate Going to Church“. It’s a book on which their church (Christ’s Church of the Valley) bases a lot of their approach to ministry. I’m about 6 chapters in, and have found it very enlightening. The author makes a strong case that we have “feminized” church over the years, connecting with the intristic values of women and left those of men out. Men don’t want safety, security, or personal relationships. The want risk, challenge, and adventure. Jesus showed those qualities. The apostles showed those qualities. But, is the average church-goer given the challenge to show those qualities? I’ll write more on this book when I finish it.

I’m off today, and am going to spend some time with the family.

Blaine

My job has taken a challenging twist in recent days. Part of what I have been called upon to do for the Hurricane relief our church is doing is basically head up the finances for the donations we have received. There are just so many needs out there by so many people, it’s hard to decide what direction to go. It was easy when we were talking about food and water, but now we are trying to help people get their lives on track, and there are so many more needs- apartments, jobs, home repairs, cars- the list goes on and on. And the needs get more expensive. Pray for me that I can make wise decisions. I don’t make all the decisions about what we do- there are a number of people that work together on that- but I serve as the focal point and need to be diplomatic, sensitive, and a responsible steward. Like I said, pray for me.

_________________

On another note, this blog is coming together. Any ideas on things I should do with it? One of the teens in the youth group said it was great, I just needed more links that say “Click here for a FREE IPOD!!!”. Personally, I just don’t think so. But a free XBOX 360….

Blaine

Today, our church had an EXTREMELY short service. Because of the hurricane, the power was knocked out at the church building, and wasn’t back up for church this morning. We were able to rig up a way to get a few lights, but no AC. Instead of pack everyone into hot, dark rooms to have classes, or suffer through a sermon in the auditorium, they decided to have 3 separate, short (20-30 min) services. All these were at times people would be showing up for either one of our services or class.

I know it’s not a huge deal, but I am really proud of our church. So many places would have tried to force their way through the normal routine in fear of breaking with tradition or cheating God. We Christians can often have a Pharisaical view of Sunday morning worship. The decision of our church showed it is confident in its relationship with God and freedom we have in Christ, and that we are senstive to the concerns of people.

The decision seemed to be a small one, but it spoke volumes to me.

In HIM,
Blaine

I just lost a long, well written post.

Figures.

Anyway, as I write, I can hear the rain pattering outside my window. I can’t believe this is all happening again. Just when we thought we could see daylight, the clouds rolled in (literally), and another storm began to form. We were out of the way of the storm this time, but we still got some wind and even more rain than last time. I heard just a little while ago that the levies broke again in New Orleans. I talk with people, hear their stories, and am trying to help them with their needs. But, I have not idea what they’re going through. It’ll be another 2-3 weeks before they can get the water out and people can return to start re-rebuilding their homes.

I don’t think God made this happen to teach us a lesson. He could if He wanted to, and He’s done it before. I think we make a huge mistake if we miss the lesson that’s right before our eyes: “This world is not our home. We’re just a-passin’ through.” Our homes, jobs, possessions are all temporary. They can be gone in an instant. But, there are things even in this world that cannont be destroyed by any storm, hurricane, tornado, terrorist attack, Pauly Shore movie, tempest, or earthquake. Those things are hope, faith, love, and peace. In fact, the worse things get, the more those lights shine through people. While the media has been squabling over who to blame for all the mess, I’ve watched as countless people have dedicated themselves to helping those in need. So many, in fact, I can’t even relate to what they’re talking about. God’s people truly have risen up in all this. Our church has even seen 4 baptisms.

At the house behind us our church uses for group functions is a group from Rochester College that came down to help with the shelter at the Rivercenter. All 32 of them are packed in. The power went out and it is on well water. They are real troopers. Consequently, 3 of the girls that were in the youth group I worked with at Church in the Falls in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio are there. It was a great surprise to see them.

Because He Lives In Us,
Blaine