I am troubled. I try not to be critical of the people who are members of the church that I work for. I really do enjoy working at the church. I like the people there and the atmosphere of the community. I like working with the youth group and the kids in it.
However, there have been two things that have made me sad. Not because these things only happen in this church but that they happen at all. These are common things in the American church. Most of us don't even realize it until it is pointed out.
The first of which is a music video for a song by Carman. Now, I will admit that other than this song I am completely unfamiliar with the man's music. However, this video have definitely turned me off. In the song/video he claims that 20+ Biblical laws are mentioned by the writers of the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly enough, there is no mention of the Bible, Christianity, or Jesus Christ in the Declaration. Not to mention the fact that the only people who have rights in their minds were people who could own land or (for the most part) white men.
My biggest problem with the video is that it is filled with hate. Hate for people who are not like the American, Caucasian, Christian population. That video should be nowhere near Christianity or the Church.
My other issue is that at the beginning of Vacation Bible School we have pledges. First we do the pledge to the American flag, then the Christian flag, then the Bible. My problem is not with the pledges themselves but rather the order. It's completely backwards. Is our allegiance first to America or to our faith?
I don't feel like I can pledge to the American flag before either of the others.
"My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country or a man.
No, my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood.
It's to a King and a kingdom."
-Derek Webb
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
His Story
If you haven't heard yet, there is this guy named Josh Hamilton. He went to high school at Athens Drive (a local school). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays and was going to have a great career. He got injured, got into drugs, and almost lost his career. After a few years out of baseball, he turned his life around and was signed by the Cincinnati Reds. This past offseason, they reluctantly traded him to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez (a trade that has worked out for both teams). Yesterday, he was chosen as a starter for the AL All Stars. His efforts to turn his life around have paid off. If you get the chance, read his story.
God bless Josh Hamilton for realizing his potential and not settling for less.
God bless Josh Hamilton for realizing his potential and not settling for less.
Friday, June 27, 2008
My Biggest Struggle
I miss blogging. I really do. I'm just glad that school is over now so I can read more for pleasure and write some more blogs. I'm also going to change the way I title the individual blogs as well. I want a more "Scrubsy" feel to this thing. I'll explain why in this post. I might sneak a song quote in here every once in a while though.
The thing I find most interesting about my relationship with Jesus is that just when I feel like I'm comfortable with everything, that comfort is taken away. Shane Claiborne probably says it best when he says that Jesus came to "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" (Irresistible Revolution and Jesus For President). I was cruising along though. Learning new things about my faith and about myself and everything was okay. At least until my fatal flaw was revealed. I think that's why I relate to superheroes so much. They have this power but they always have some flaw that goes along with it. Not that I have special powers or anything...yet.
I'm sure that if either of the individuals I'm talking about reads this, they will try to fix whatever is wrong (I can't spoil it for you yet), but I don't want them to. I don't want an apology. I'm not doing this for one. I just want this out there. This is for me.
I'm not even going to tell the story. I wouldn't even know where to start. I've always longed for a mentor. I think this is why I relate so easily to J.D. from Scrubs. He is always trying to earn the respect of Dr. Cox. He does everything he can. That was me in youth group. I never felt like I got it though. It's so frustrating to see people who are angels in public and completely irrational and hateful in private get the respect that you've worked so diligently for. It's even worse when that person lies to your face about the whole situation.
The crazy thing is that I don't want the respect anymore. I don't. I like the people that I go to for spiritual advice. I think I have a broad spectrum of well educated and understanding friends who help me with any of my concerns about ministry or life in general.
This whole situation just knocked me on my butt though. I made myself sick over it. I guess I finally know why it had to. My biggest struggle is forgiveness. I want to forgive but I don't know if I understand all the implications of that forgiveness. It's not easy to forgive. Especially with a hurt that is so deep. I'm going to forgive. I'm not ready yet though.
Sometimes I wish it were easier to follow Jesus....
The thing I find most interesting about my relationship with Jesus is that just when I feel like I'm comfortable with everything, that comfort is taken away. Shane Claiborne probably says it best when he says that Jesus came to "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" (Irresistible Revolution and Jesus For President). I was cruising along though. Learning new things about my faith and about myself and everything was okay. At least until my fatal flaw was revealed. I think that's why I relate to superheroes so much. They have this power but they always have some flaw that goes along with it. Not that I have special powers or anything...yet.
I'm sure that if either of the individuals I'm talking about reads this, they will try to fix whatever is wrong (I can't spoil it for you yet), but I don't want them to. I don't want an apology. I'm not doing this for one. I just want this out there. This is for me.
I'm not even going to tell the story. I wouldn't even know where to start. I've always longed for a mentor. I think this is why I relate so easily to J.D. from Scrubs. He is always trying to earn the respect of Dr. Cox. He does everything he can. That was me in youth group. I never felt like I got it though. It's so frustrating to see people who are angels in public and completely irrational and hateful in private get the respect that you've worked so diligently for. It's even worse when that person lies to your face about the whole situation.
The crazy thing is that I don't want the respect anymore. I don't. I like the people that I go to for spiritual advice. I think I have a broad spectrum of well educated and understanding friends who help me with any of my concerns about ministry or life in general.
This whole situation just knocked me on my butt though. I made myself sick over it. I guess I finally know why it had to. My biggest struggle is forgiveness. I want to forgive but I don't know if I understand all the implications of that forgiveness. It's not easy to forgive. Especially with a hurt that is so deep. I'm going to forgive. I'm not ready yet though.
Sometimes I wish it were easier to follow Jesus....
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
I Pledge Allegiance to a Country without borders, without Politicians...
Surprise! I have no idea who I'm going to vote for. I'm traditionally a Republican (Capitalism ftw), but with the moron that has been selected to represent the party, I have no choice. I also do not think that neither Hilary or Obama are really the candidates that are best for the country. I don't know and I don't really care anymore. People always say that you can't complain if you don't vote. Can I just vote for no one? Do I really have to choose the least of the evils? That doesn't make any sense to me. None at all. I want someone great to step up and fix the country. Someone that will really change things for the better.
One suggestion that I have heard is to write "Jesus Christ" in as my choice for President. I mocked this. I had no choice. I mean, I guess we need a Republican who bleeds red, white, and blue. Come on.
I'll propose something else. Why don't we let the morality of Christ control our lives and not our government? Why can't our conscience be our moral compass? Why do we need to have a "Christian" in office so that our laws line up with our faith? America was created with freedom of religion, so they can't take away our ability to worship God. I don't think they could since 75% of Americans claim to be Christian. It's not like Christianity lines up with Capitalism anyway. Didn't Jesus say to give what we have to the poor? Why isn't that being preached unless the church is building something new? Yeah, give your money to us, not the people who don't have jobs. "They were in prison, it's their fault they made a mistake when they were 18 years old and even though they have cleaned up, their arrest record still prevents them from getting a job so they have to beg on the streets or live in a tiny house. Give your money to us because we need a basketball court." Real Christians are hard to find in America today, yet the Atheists are the ones taking over. I don't think so. I think the dumb Christians are taking over. Why don't we try to stop them? The fake ones. The Christians who don't actually live out their faith. The ones that think showing up on Sunday is good enough.
Maybe it's because there aren't enough of those to teach the rest...
I'm trying. I expect a packed house for Easter. I won't be at a Sunrise service though. Jesus is risen every day. I don't need one day to commemorate it. I celebrate it every day. Happy Easter tomorrow and the day after and the day after....
I pledge allegiance to a country without borders, without politicians
Watching for my sky to get torn apart
We are broken, we are bitter
We're the problem, we're the politicians
Watching for our sky to get torn apart
-Switchfoot
One suggestion that I have heard is to write "Jesus Christ" in as my choice for President. I mocked this. I had no choice. I mean, I guess we need a Republican who bleeds red, white, and blue. Come on.
I'll propose something else. Why don't we let the morality of Christ control our lives and not our government? Why can't our conscience be our moral compass? Why do we need to have a "Christian" in office so that our laws line up with our faith? America was created with freedom of religion, so they can't take away our ability to worship God. I don't think they could since 75% of Americans claim to be Christian. It's not like Christianity lines up with Capitalism anyway. Didn't Jesus say to give what we have to the poor? Why isn't that being preached unless the church is building something new? Yeah, give your money to us, not the people who don't have jobs. "They were in prison, it's their fault they made a mistake when they were 18 years old and even though they have cleaned up, their arrest record still prevents them from getting a job so they have to beg on the streets or live in a tiny house. Give your money to us because we need a basketball court." Real Christians are hard to find in America today, yet the Atheists are the ones taking over. I don't think so. I think the dumb Christians are taking over. Why don't we try to stop them? The fake ones. The Christians who don't actually live out their faith. The ones that think showing up on Sunday is good enough.
Maybe it's because there aren't enough of those to teach the rest...
I'm trying. I expect a packed house for Easter. I won't be at a Sunrise service though. Jesus is risen every day. I don't need one day to commemorate it. I celebrate it every day. Happy Easter tomorrow and the day after and the day after....
I pledge allegiance to a country without borders, without politicians
Watching for my sky to get torn apart
We are broken, we are bitter
We're the problem, we're the politicians
Watching for our sky to get torn apart
-Switchfoot
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Maybe this should be a wake up call...
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/15576902/detail.html
Unfortunately, this man never got the answers he deserved while on earth. I know that what this man did was wrong, but at the same time, I understand his sentiments. I fear that many pastors will use this event as a way to say that the world is evil, but I think the point could be made that maybe Christians are evil. Well, not Christians, but rather "Christians."
Unfortunately, this man never got the answers he deserved while on earth. I know that what this man did was wrong, but at the same time, I understand his sentiments. I fear that many pastors will use this event as a way to say that the world is evil, but I think the point could be made that maybe Christians are evil. Well, not Christians, but rather "Christians."
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