Are you a fast food Christ-follower?

      Having grown up in the United States, I have continually heard many aspects of our culture voiced and expressed through catchy slogans or trite sayings, that have been present since I can remember. Above all I have heard one theme, put different ways, but ultimately leading me down the same disheartening path; “you can be whatever you want to be” or “if you put your mind to it, you can do it.” While, at first glance, it seems that these platitudes are encouraging, I believe that they are actually leading to a social-identity that is not consistent with what God has intended for our lives; independent, individuality. Paul admonishes us that we, as Christ-followers, are called to be one body; a community of believers (1 Cor. 12:12-14).      
     However, I believe that we are swayed by the common cultural value that our differences are more important than our similarities. Consequently, I see our individuality cutting into our family time, our fellowship time, our worship time, and in every crevice our lives as humans; ultimately we seek the good of ourselves rather than the good of the whole.            
     It is important that I make a distinction here that individuality remains, as it must, in a community of believers. However, the mindset should always be one focused on the good of the whole, rather than part of it. While each of us has our individual talents and spiritual-gifts, it is important that they are not only used for the good of the community of believers, but ultimately to the glory of God.            
     As I see individuality winning, as a valued attribute in the culture of the United States, I believe that this value has permeated into modern worship in ways that look identical to our fast food restaurants; we drive in, place our order, and get out as quick as possible. With so much to do, and our priorities seemingly reversed, it seems that the good of the whole is the last thing on our minds and instead we have become fast food Christ-followers. Wait, but if this is how we are, are we really following Christ at all?            
     I see Christian worship as a Thanksgiving meal, everyone brings a dish (typically their best) to pass, and enjoys the Smörgåsbord of nourishment that the community has set, on one table, for the good of the whole group. So, too, our worship should be to bring the best of ourselves, for the good of the whole, to worship and penultimately to give thanks to God for His providence of grace in our lives. 

Consider a few questions for yourself:

1) How has your individuality helped your community of believers? Harmed?
2) How does your individuality affect others' worship practices?

The Greater Identity in Christ

In Philippians 3:5-7, Paul is illustrating what a life dedicated to the flesh looks like, even one that is seemingly righteous and upright to the Jewish leaders of the day; but he counts it all for loss. Paul is making a point that, in his upright living and his dedication to the Law, he had become an enemy of God. His allegiance was not to Christ, but to his Jewish heritage.

     Paul is not arguing against his Jewish identity, but identifying it as less than his Christian one, that is where qal wahomer (lesser to greater) is a helpful argumentation style. He speaks of the "lesser" (his Jewish identity) as being outweighed by the "greater" (his Christian identity), therefore rendering his Jewish identity dependent upon the Christian one.

     Paul is showing the Gentiles of Philippi that, just as his Jewish identity is the lesser, so too is their Gentile identity. It does not mean that their identity is irrelevant, but is secondary to their life in Christ.

Love is "Imperfect"

So here is the truth, Valentines day brings out a lot of emotions; some of joy, some of pain, and some of apathy. Often, it creates on occasion for husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, grandmas, and grandpas to convey the love they have for one another. But, is a 24-hour period enough time to portray this message? Does it mean more on a specific day? Is it a punctilious occasion?

To me one day doesn't cut it for these actions and words, it must occur over a lifetime. The way I look at it, and experience it for that matter, the only perfected love is that of the God of Heaven, His Son beside Him, and the Holy Spirit among us. My love is far from perfect, more aptly put it is "imperfect" so to speak.

Consider this grammar study of Greek Verbs:

Within the Greek Verb system lies a verb tense known as the imperfect tense, it signifies a continuous, progressive action in past time that has not yet been completed; as if you were close-up to a parade while it is going by (it is unfolding before your eyes). Although the English language doesn't have an imperfect tense, but rather a simple paste tense (i.e. I knew  you), I like to think that the imperfect can still be applied to my language and actions as a husband.

This is how I view my love for my wife Elisabeth, as "imperfect," it is a progression; unfolding before our eyes. I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be and neither is the love that I display to Elisabeth. But, looking at it in this light helps me realize that love is not only an action, but an unfolding one, occurring and progressing over several months, years, and most likely decades. This thinking helps me to be patient and learn the many intricacies and needs in our relationship; it is freeing in a way.

So instead of simply saying I LOVE you, which signifies a punctiliar moment with a beginning and an end. Wake up everyday and tell that special person: "I am loving you" to convey a sympathy and action of progression in your "imperfect" love. Does it sound funny? Yes. Will it fix all the problems that exist? Probably Not. Will it change the way you look at and think about your love? Absolutely.

Be Loved

I felt that, considering this week celebrates "love," I would post something from an incredibly wise man; Dr. William Thrasher of Moody Theological Seminary.

Dr. Thrasher encourages that we should think rightly about our state of being, and our bodies at large. He continues that we should celebrate the truth of who we are as Christians. Here are some of the ways Dr. Thrasher encourages Christians concerning the Holidays:

"Join me in praying that all of God’s people would feel His love for them in new ways this Valentine’s Day. One of the ways to celebrate this day is to let God’s liberating truth replace any of Satan’s cruel lies. Let me offer a few examples from my book Putting God Back into the Holidays."

What I feel or think about myself	What God says about me as a Christian according to Scripture
“I am unworthy and unacceptable.”	“I accept you.” Rom 15:7
“I am alone.”	“I’ll live in you and you’ll never have to be alone as I had to be when I died on the cross for you.” (Gal. 2:20; Heb. 13:5-6)
“I am not special to anyone or loved/”	“You are a precious person to Me, and I am continually thinking about you.” (Psa. 139:17-18)
“I do not have what it takes to be successful in life.”	“I’m continually devoted to you and will provide all your need to fulfill My purpose for you.” (Rom.  8:31-32, 38-39)

It is so easy to allow today's culture to sway our thoughts about love, self-worth, and success as a whole. But, if we rest in these truths, the ones the Lord found important enough to include in His Word, we'll have a much happier and abundant existence. This perspective encourages us that Christ is the cornerstone of our lives and our love, not the faulty misconceptions of the "fallen" around us. 

Be loved. Truly.

The Gates of Hell shall not prevail...

     I am attempting to get a head-start on reading for Greek II. The chapter's exegetical insight, which occurs at the beginning of every chapter, is talking about the imperfect-indicative verb. This is a past tense verb that shows linear action, and can sometimes portray a repeated attempt at a specific action (I was studying) as in sometimes I am continually studying Greek to no avail. Galatians 1:3, with Paul speaking, says, "For you have heard of my previous ways of life in Judaism, how I violently persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it." Both of the verbs, persecuted and tried to destroy (tried to is included as part of the Greek verb), are imperfect verbs. The first shows that Paul repeatedly, and continually persecuted the church. The second verb, tried to destroy, indicates a continued but failed attempt to destroy the church.

     The Greek language makes it clear that even Paul, an evidently steadfast and determined man, could not destroy the Church of God. It reminds me of Matthew 16:18 which says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

     I am thankful to you God for the perpetuity and continuity of your church, that nothing outside of you can destroy this gathering that you have created. I am thankful for the faithfulness with which you have instituted an ultimately life changing place of fellowship, where believers can meet to learn, worship, love, sharpen, and admonish one another, because of your love. Until you come back father, I pray that your Church will revive, so as to revive and quicken the spirits of all the dead. Truly. 

With a Thankful Heart...

     I would be remiss if I did not begin this post with a prayer of thankfulness to my Lord. Father, Lord, and Omnipotent God; you have loved me even when I have neglected to acknowledge your presence. I am guilty, in so many ways, of treating you impersonally and calling you my God when I don't even acknowledge your existence. I am thankful that your love is not contingent upon my thoughts, philosophies, and attentiveness to you. Rather, you sent your son to die for me even when you knew I would be neglectful, wicked, selfish, and impatient. I am undeserving of all that you have given me, but I take every day, every breath, as a sign that you still have plans to use me in these evil days. I can never quite articulate just how grateful I am, but you know my heart. I ask that you instill in me a heart of gratefulness on days that it is not easy to be thankful, and a heart of humility on days that it is. I thank you for the temptations you place in my life to help me remember that I must lean on you for true strength and guidance, and to remind me that there is blessing and growth just beyond that temptation. Lord, I do not write this prayer as a sign of piety, but one of humility because you called me to be faithful, and to preach your Gospel; my limited ability is nothing compared to the movement of your spirit. Truly, let it be!

     These days, as I approach what I would consider to be an "age of ripeness," I am finding myself much more introspective and thoughtful of all the things for which I have to be grateful. I must give a discourse of gratitude to my parents, who found it of utmost importance to grow me in a Christian home and to raise me with a moral aptitude. Also, I have to thank you Mom for taking the time to answer my questions, on that Wednesday in 1992, when I felt the spirit moving me to make a decision for Christ, and to have Him indwell my heart. Ironically enough mom, you were also there when I was struggling with my call to the ministry, and helped me pray through this time, cried with me, and gave me encouragement when I was discourage, I love you. To my dad, I must say that I am grateful to you for teaching me to be a man, maybe not explicitly because words can be flimsy, but you taught me a lot by example, by treating Mom with loving respect, and by being the leader that Greg and I needed. You are the strongest man I have ever known and, though I fail to tell you enough, I love you.

   To my brother, we have not always gotten along (that's just what being a brother is about) but as we have both grown, I have found a friend and mentor in you that I couldn't find anywhere else, because you can see through my BS. I have learned a lot about patience, leadership, and wisdom from you. You've selflessly given of yourself on a number of occasions, and I have failed to tell you how grateful I am to you. Thanks for being a good big brother, and teaching me early about Star Wars and the importance of technology. I love you.

     To my sister-in-law Sarah, you are a wonderful human being! I am grateful for how much you love my brother, and I am grateful for your unquenchable energetic disposition. You have taught me a lot about hard work, and organization (mostly because I am lacking in both of those areas). You have played an integral role in making Elisabeth feel welcomed and comfortable in our family, and I love you for that.

     Elisabeth, I don't have words to truly explain my thankfulness for you. God blessed me with a helpmate in you that I could never have imagined. Already, in the near 6 months that we have been married you have helped me to break down some barriers of pretension that I have held for many years. You have taught me how to love deeper, how to appreciate the oddities of life, and have helped me to appreciate food like never before (I'm never giving up Oreos BTW). You are the sweetest person I know, and deserve to be treated with the utmost delicacy, love and respect; it is likely that I will fail in these areas. But, I promise to you that I will do everything in my power to give you these things, and will rely on God to teach me the rest. I am thankful that you are smarter than me, and continue to stretch my mind, get me out of my own little world, and help me to "stop and smell the roses." You remind me of my grandmother Breckley in certain aspects of your character. I love you with my whole being and am thankful that you are in fact "my favorite."

With a day like today, I have to say thank you to so many people and have so little time to do so. If you are reading this, then know that I am thankful for you more than I could possible express. Here are a few of the people I have to be thankful for, because you have shaped me and my life in a very special form and fashion: Sonny, Kari, Caitlyn, Camryn, Aunt Esther, Uncle John, Johnny, Trisha, Jim (and all those girls), Nic, Cathy, Tony, Kelly, Scott (and your amazing girls), Ken, Amanda, Uncle Steve, Aunt Terry, Dave, Karen, (and your awesome boys), Josh, Oscar, Florence, Craig, Phyllis, Eric, Bill, Dondra, Dave, Kate, Tina, Mike, Tommy, Betty, Margie, Marv, Stacey, Uncle Al, Aunt Peggy, Tony, Rhonda, Jason, and especially my Granfather Harry and Grandmother Doris (you are missed).

I have so much to be thankful for, and can't remember the last time I deserved any of God's goodness. Think. Thank. Love.

The Movement in Context: The Verbs of Your Life

     I have spent a lot of time this semester studying syntax and morphology, learning English grammar in order to learn Greek. Between my Greek and Hermeneutics classes I am sure quickly becoming proficient in understanding where meaning is and where it can be found. My Hermeneutics professor, who wears a bow-tie, says that you have to "dance with the verbs" and in order to help us remember he put on some Michael Bublé and started dancing. He did all this to emphasize our attentiveness to the verbal phrases within a text or passage of text.

     The verse above is from Matthew 25:26, 27, this is a verse we have been working with for a couple of weeks now and will be for the remainder of the semester. If you pay attention to the blue highlighted selection. Now focus on the color boxed words. Those are the parent verbal ideas and they cause the major movement in the text. The yellow highlighted words are words (conjunctions)  on which the verbal ideas hinge. 

 HERE IS MY POINT: 

      I truly believe that God called us to GO and to do His love in action!!!!!!!!! It tells us this at the end of Matthew 28:16-20, but I also think He left us with a manual on how we should go. God showed us how to GO when He presented us with His gospel, throughout you can find thousands of principles by which to live an "in the light" kind of life (1John1:7). Pay attention to the verbs of your life, the goings and comings. What does it say about you, what doesn't it say about you? Where are the verbs of your life taking you? 

      Spiritual growth, spiritual formation, wisdom in the Lord all happen in the verbs of our lives. When you are filling your life with the God honoring, diligent, persevering kind of verbs, God is going to allow His spirit to move through you and overflow into every other part of your life. Try it sincerely, and see what happens!