The Madison Avenue Gospel August 26, 2016

I am writing this on a Friday night sitting at a window table at the Mudhouse and people watching.  Singles, groups, couples, all walking past enjoying the cool August evening.  The large percentage of people are laughing and smiling.  While I have not conducted a survey, I would profer a guess that the majority of these Friday night revelers do not know Christ as their personal savior.

As I pondered this thought, I began to wonder why would any of these people make any life changes. They have friends, money in their pockets, and an air conditioned place to sleep.  Phones are being checked, Pokemons being hunted, and tasty coffee drinks being ordered.

Do they feel the need for Christ?  Is there that Christ-shaped hole in their heart?  Perhaps life is just good enough they have fooled themselves into a sense of self-sufficiency.  If that is the case, then perhaps our age-old approach to evangelism needs to be updated.

People purchase products for one of two reasons.  First, they make a purchase to fulfill a need.  Food, medicine, housing, etc.  When people recognize a need, they will search for a product to fill that need.

Second, through clever marketing, a desire for the product has been created.  In their song, "Can't Get No Satisfaction" their Rolling Stones sing, "When I'm watchin' my TV, and that man come on to tell me how white my shirts can be but he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me."  Madison Avenue creating a desire.  Manufacturing the "need".

There are several strategies for creating a need or desire for a product.  Not all would apply to the church, but perhaps we could learn from advertising execs.

1.  Pay attention to market research.  How can the church meet society's needs if we don't know those needs?  Fear- present peace.  Loneliness- present fellowship.  Emptiness- present fulfillment.  We must stay true to the Gospel, but Christ is big enough to fill all our needs.  Why not tailor the Message to need those needs?

2.  Feature stellar reviews.  Let the unchurched know how a relationship with Christ has changed our lives.  Don't be afraid to share personal struggles and how God is able to get us through those times.

3.  De-average the customer.  Perhaps in days of yore, a one-size fits all Christianity was all that was needed.  But today people are mired in so many additions, life struggles, and self-delusions that we need to help them see how Christ can meet their individual needs.

The motto of a large Missouri school system is "Engaging.  Relevant.  Personal."  Are we working to make the Gospel message Engaging, Relevant, and Personal?

http://www.fastcompany.com/1777201/six-secrets-demand-creation
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230981

Self-prayer August 25, 2016

With the start of each school year comes late nights, early mornings, and an increased level of anxiety.  Over the years I have learned that the late nights and early mornings are inevitable, but the feelings of anxiety are not.  Prayer may not reduce the length of the workday, but it can greatly decrease the feelings of stress and anxiety.

Two days ago, I read Psalm 94:19, "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (ESV)  I prayed, or started to, for God to "cheer my soul".  But as I did, I began to feel selfish.  With all that is taking place in this world- death, persecution, poverty, wars and rumors of wars, I thought it self-centered to pray for personal peace.  Akin to asking for a Lexus when others don't even own a bicycle.  

It was then I realized that my prayer for a cheerful soul should not be for me, but for all those I come in contact with.  Any request I make of God should be asked with how will it affect others as the first and foremost concern.  A prayer for joy should not be only so that I can feel better, but that joy as a means to draw others to Christ.  

Personal prayer requests should have others in mind.

Joy so that others are drawn to Christ.  Employment so that I have the resources to further God-centered ministries.  Health that will allow me to serve others.

A word of caution:  Be careful not to use others as justification for asking God for foolish things.  A BMW so I can witness to the BMW salesman.  Winning the lottery to enable me to pay off the church debt.  

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed for personal strength and wisdom, but it was not for personal gain.  His over-riding concern was for others. His obedience to God trumped any personal gain.  We would do well to follow his example.

Payback August 17, 2016

³⁸ "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 ESV 

Often this verse is used during capital campaigns.  It may also be a featured verse in the annual (or bi-annual or monthly) steward service.  "You can't out give God." But when the looked at in context, there is no mention of money in the verse itself or those proceeding or following.

I recently found out that it is indeed not just a reference to monetary giving.  

This past weekend I had several projects to complete at school in anticipation of the new school year.  It was tempted to skip church on Sunday morning.  But with some slight reservation, I went ahead and drove out to Republic Road and attended small group Bible study before heading to school to get started on my to-do list.

When I arrived at school and got started, I  was amazed at how smooth both of the major projects went.  There was steps that weren't necessary, supplies that went further than I had planned, and time-shaving shortcuts became readily apparent once I got started.  One of the most amazing examples of how God gave back the time I had given him was when a teacher called me from out of the blue when I was working.  

I needed some extra hooks for one part of a project.  It appeared that I was going to have to lose 30 minutes of time driving out to Lowe's.  But almost before I had loaded up and headed out, a teacher called and was at Lowe's.  Knowing I had the projects to finish that weekend, she asked me if I needed anything from Lowe's.  I send her a pic of what I needed, she and her husband picked up the necessary hooks, and dropped them off when they came up to school work on her room.  I was able to complete that project without the time-consuming trip to Lowe's on a crowded Sunday afternoon.

Coincident?  Not all.  It was one of the many examples of how God will honor and reward our gifts to him.  We truly can't out give God.  Not with our money.  Not with our talents.  Not with our time.

Just Don't Buy It August 16, 2018

Not sure what verses to tie into today's entry, but I heard a story on NPR today that seemed to sum up a lot of today's societal woes.

The Gallup Research Corporation had conducted a survey in which the results determined that cell phone manufactures were releasing new phones too frequently.  Consumers reported they wanted a longer period of time between their current phone and the release of the next generation.  I thought to myself that it should not matter how often a new model is released if you are happy with what you have.

The only reason I could think of for this consumer wish was the compelling "need" they felt to get the next model within days or hours of its release.  Newer means better.  Next is superior to present.  But obviously consumers kept purchasing the next best thing or the market system would have created a longer lag between new phone releases.

Rather than have self-control and contentment, the average consumer felt the need to purchase new, even though the current device served their needs.  They hoped the cell phone providers would step in and be their self-control.  Apple would be their conscience.  Samsung their budget manager.

This cell phone dilemma is but one example of a lack of contentment that is rampant.  Different car.  New phone.  Younger spouse.  Bigger house.  Stuff will never satisfy.

God fulfills.  God completes.  God satisfies.

August 14, 2016

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 
Revelation 3:20 ESV

Throughout the Bible, eating together was significant.  Meals were prepared as a sign of friendship, as a bridge between strangers, as a way to bring people together, and to strengthen the bond between people.  There are a plethora of verses that include a reference to eating.

At the most basic level, our very lives depend on eating, but food can be so much more than that.

We eat at weddings to celebrate.  We share a meal after a funeral to sympathize.  Shared meals are occasion for friends to share, laugh, and support each other.  Eating together is an accepted way to get to know someone better.  Meals are a time to come together as a family and escape the cares and struggles of the day-to-day.    

I love the imagery in today's verse.  If we allow God into our lives, he comes in and breaks bread with our spirit.  He celebrates with us.  He mourns with us.  He provides our sustenance.  The gap is bridged.  Our relationship strengthened.  We laugh and cry together.  We can share our hopes, hurts, and struggles with him.

Whether is it breakfast, brunch, lunch, lupper, supper, or dinner God is waiting to share a meal with us.  We just have to let him in.  He is knocking.  Will we open the door?    

August 10, 2016

Smash Some Doors! August 9, 2016

The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.

1 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

The 23rd Psalm.  Memorized by many.  Quoted in movies.  Printed on sympathy cards.  One of the most secularly recognized set of verses.  Because of the high visibility of this Psalm, there is the danger of missing out on the power and strength and, by extension, the comfort contained in these six short verses.

Many times when this Psalm is read on a television show or in a movie, it is by a preacher or priest at a funeral.  The friends and family standing around the casket, dressed in black with red-rimmed eyes.  The ever suspicious police lieutenant standing a few feet away looking for suspects.  A light mist creating an ominous atmosphere.  

But this Psalm is for the living.  It is a comfort for us in this ever-changing world.  And it is not a passive, milquetoast set of verses.

The imagery is of a person who is guaranteed sustenance:  "I shall not want."  No maybes, no mights.  A definitive.  Definiteness.  We WILL be provided for by JEHOVAH-JIREH, The Lord our Provider, the see'r and Provider of our Needs.

God "leads" and "guides".  He does not suggest or hint.  He is JEHOVAY-TSID-KENU or Faithful Guide.  He accompanies us as a leader and guide.  He is not that big-box store employee who points vaguely to an aisle in the back corner when we ask about the pesto.  God goes before us.  He walks beside us.   

He carries a big stick.  He is JEHOVAH-SABAOTH, The Lord of Hosts, our Protector.  His staff cannot only pull us out of the ditch, but also destroy the evil Satan wishes will harm us.

I love the attitude in verse five.  God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemy.  

David Wilkerson wrote about this in a blog post.  "Meanwhile, as God is preparing and serving your feast, he makes  your enemies sit on the outer fringe of the scene and watch everything unfold.  They see the Lord himself spreading your table with food, escorting you to your seat and waiting on you.  They they watch as you fill up your soul with heaven's delightful fare.  What an incredible scene.  Your enemies are in shock.  They were sure God was going to strike you down for your failures.  They were prepared to stand over you gloating, as you fell into destruction.  Yet now they have been ordered to watch as you feast on food served by God himself.  They are forces to observe how the Lord serves you, feeds you, and anoints you with the oil of joy and gladness."

Even the last word of Psalm kicks down some doors.  FOREVER!  Not "for a long time".  No lease to be renewed.  Forever.  Eternity.  An incomprehensible, never-ending dwelling with the Alpha and Omega.

Such strength in these six verses.  Power.  Brawn.  Muscularity.  No, the 23rd Psalm was not meant to be relegated to wrote recitation in some Hollywood production.  Use it to kick down the door of fear.  Allow it to be a sledgehammer that smashes anxiety.  It is only after recognizing God's strength can we fully rest in his peace. 

Peace I Leave With You August 8, 2016

For years pastors and priests have emphasized the benefit of salvation as the main selling point of Christianity.  Come on down to the alter and avoid the lake of fire!  Recite the believers' prayer and get to spend eternity on streets of gold!  I am not belittling this approach to Christianity and most certainly not minimizing the importance of eternity with God.  In fact, at the end of the day, it is this heavenly forever that is the ultimate reward of a life given to Jesus Christ.  However, in today's world that may not be enough to keep Christianity relevant and appealing to the masses.

 
Delta Says Flights Grounded Nationwide
American Boldly Calls out Russian "Cheater"
Iran is Ready to Attack Israel
Macedonia Hit by Torrential Rain and Flooding
Video of Silicon Valley Mogul Kicking  His Girlfriend 117 Times Could Sent Him To Jail

These are just some of the headlines on today's Yahoo News webpages.  Not a very uplifting way to start the week.  The world is spiraling out of control.  Wars and rumors of wars are as common as mice in a grain silo.  Terrorist attacks and hateful politicians dominate the news.  It is easy to feel powerless and despondent.  And in many ways, we are powerless to stop the world's steady march to self-destruction.  But Christianity offers on option to how we can cope with the headlines.

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  
John 14:27 ESV

^{28 "}Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV  

Yes, where we spend eternity is the ultimate personal value of Christianity, but that hope so often is not what we need to get us through today.  It is the peace, the comfort, the guidance we can access each moment of each day that makes a personal relationship with Christ relevant in the here and now.  Unbelievers need peace.  They need comfort.  They need hope.  Jesus gives those in abundance.  Perhaps that is the message the world needs to hear first.

Can't Have It Both Ways August 3, 2016

²¹ Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22 ESV 

Unlimited forgiveness.  Unending exoneration.  Absolution without termination.  Jesus is telling Peter that we are to forgive our brother's sin against us as often as is needed.  Scripture does not tell us of Peter's reaction, but I can imagine a slight eye roll and then perhaps a mental inventory of those who were a constant thorn in Peter's side.

When we think of the level of forgiveness Jesus taught, it can be daunting.  But perhaps it is easier if we self-reflect on the countless number of times we need forgiveness from our heavenly Father each day.  Often for the same sin we have confessed multiple times in the past.  For most of us repetition is the word of the day when it comes to sin.  Not intentional.  Not with relish.  But those habitual, almost unconscious sin that even with prayer and supplication continue to be a part of our lives.  We see improvement, but not extinction.

If we expect to be forgiven for our continual sin life, which we are if we are a Christian in the true sense of the word, how presumptuous of us it would be not to offer that same 7x77 forgiveness to those who sin against us.  
  
God doesn't deal in double standards.  We must be willing to give what we expect to get.

Vertical Success, Horizontal Glory August 1, 2016

⁹ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
1 Kings 3:9 ESV


⁵⁹ Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, ⁶⁰ that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.
1 Kings 8:59-60 ESV 

Interesting contrast between these two prayers of Solomon.  The first was at the beginning of his monarchy and the second comes after several years and many battles when the kingdom of Israel is in a time of peace.

Both of his prayers have an outward focus: first is for personal wisdom to govern effectively, the second is for national success as a testament to God's greatness.  But neither prayer focuses on personal gain for Solomon himself.

Do our prayers follow Solomon's example?  When we pray for personal situations is our goal to benefit ourselves or to further God's kingdom?

I wonder how different my prayers would sound if each one was truly offered with the mindset of bringing glory to our heavenly Father, as a witness to His love, grace, and mercy.  Success for that project at work so we can give Him workplace thanks.  A good deal on that new home so the large basement can host a Life Group.  Personal healing that will enable a more passionate dedication to missions.

Scripture is replete with prayers for self, but the ultimate goal should be obedience to God and the furtherance of His kingdom.