I am what you call a spiritual camel. When my tank runs low, I drink wide and deep from spiritual water sources (watching video sermons, reading books, connecting with old mentors, extra prayer time, extra time in Scripture, etc...). My day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month disciplines, however, leave room for improvement. What I need is a sustainable, spiritual life as a follower of Jesus Christ, a life that visits spiritual oases on a daily basis.
Yes, pastors need to "get a life" (a spiritual one) just as with any other disciples. We like to double-dip from our preparation time for sermons and Bible studies. In other words, we oftentimes count the time we spend preparing a message or lesson for other people as time alone with God. I do not discount that we reap spiritual blessings and insights performing this work for the Church, but I don't think it really counts as personal devotional time with the Lord.
This past week, I have reconnected with old pals in the faith, guys that will pray for and encourage me in my faith and guys that I can pray for and encourage. I am gorging right now on video sermons, and reading theological articles out the wazzoo. The key to an ongoing life of spiritual health for me, though, is continuing these daily and weekly practices once my tank is again full.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the water.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Wrestling with Apostolic Succession
I have struggled with the doctrine of apostolic succession lately. Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians would claim legitimacy as the "One, True Church" simply because the pope can trace his role as the Vicar of Christ all the way back to St. Peter. The "keys of the kingdom," they argue, have been passed down from pope-to-pope -- regardless of how good or corrupt -- throughout the first 2,000 years of the church.
Apostolic succession, rather, seems more about passing along the doctrines of the early church, and the Gospel message itself, from generation to generation.
It is amazing how the message of the Gospel has remained intact for two millennia despite our best efforts to dilute and silence it. The Word of God has remained a bedrock while the world has been led back-and-forth by every wind of teaching.
Like the long line of popes before us, the Church has sometimes proclaimed this message in its fullness; at other times not so much. We sometimes preach the Christian message "in spirit and in truth"; at other times we are absorbed into the culture around us or we swing toward harsh legalism.
To the degree that we receive and pass along the true teachings of the Church -- proclaiming it in word and deed, in spirit and in truth -- we stand in the line of apostolic succession and stand as the One, True Church.
It does not depend upon which tradition or denomination we come from. It does not depend upon how historic our church building is, or if we meet in a shopping center or gymnasium. It does not depend upon whether we worship God with praise music instruments or the organ. It does not depend upon whether we use liturgy in our worship or gravitate toward a bulletin-less service.
Apostolic succession is all about the message that we proclaim (as a community of faith) with our words and our lives.
O Lord, help us to be more apostolic.
Apostolic succession, rather, seems more about passing along the doctrines of the early church, and the Gospel message itself, from generation to generation.
It is amazing how the message of the Gospel has remained intact for two millennia despite our best efforts to dilute and silence it. The Word of God has remained a bedrock while the world has been led back-and-forth by every wind of teaching.
Like the long line of popes before us, the Church has sometimes proclaimed this message in its fullness; at other times not so much. We sometimes preach the Christian message "in spirit and in truth"; at other times we are absorbed into the culture around us or we swing toward harsh legalism.
To the degree that we receive and pass along the true teachings of the Church -- proclaiming it in word and deed, in spirit and in truth -- we stand in the line of apostolic succession and stand as the One, True Church.
It does not depend upon which tradition or denomination we come from. It does not depend upon how historic our church building is, or if we meet in a shopping center or gymnasium. It does not depend upon whether we worship God with praise music instruments or the organ. It does not depend upon whether we use liturgy in our worship or gravitate toward a bulletin-less service.
Apostolic succession is all about the message that we proclaim (as a community of faith) with our words and our lives.
O Lord, help us to be more apostolic.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Taking the Day Off
It's good to know that when I have a Sunday off, the worship of God goes on.
This is perhaps the most egotistical statement ever written, and yet it is important for a self-centered soul like me to remember. Last night was my wife's office Christmas party and I had a Sunday morning off from the church. No worship leading. No preaching. Just a whole lot of sleeping in on a lazy Sunday morning at The Magnolia, a fancy hotel in downtown Dallas.
It's kind of nice to have a day off, now and then. But what is truly nice is when I called our worship leader, Brandon, at 2 this afternoon to check in on how the service went. It turns out we had several guests who visited. The Spirit of God was moving, he said, and generally speaking, things went just fine!
Just fine?! You mean the worship of God does not depend upon my presence? My leadership? God, do you mean to tell me that you don't need me?
Well, as it turns out, that is a true statement. God does not need me to do his work on Sunday mornings (or on any other day, for that matter), but He chooses to use me. It is a privilege to lead people in the worship of the living God on Sunday mornings and to preach God's Word. But it's so cool that God's work continues on in this little corner of His kingdom even when a pastor gets the day off.
This is perhaps the most egotistical statement ever written, and yet it is important for a self-centered soul like me to remember. Last night was my wife's office Christmas party and I had a Sunday morning off from the church. No worship leading. No preaching. Just a whole lot of sleeping in on a lazy Sunday morning at The Magnolia, a fancy hotel in downtown Dallas.
It's kind of nice to have a day off, now and then. But what is truly nice is when I called our worship leader, Brandon, at 2 this afternoon to check in on how the service went. It turns out we had several guests who visited. The Spirit of God was moving, he said, and generally speaking, things went just fine!
Just fine?! You mean the worship of God does not depend upon my presence? My leadership? God, do you mean to tell me that you don't need me?
Well, as it turns out, that is a true statement. God does not need me to do his work on Sunday mornings (or on any other day, for that matter), but He chooses to use me. It is a privilege to lead people in the worship of the living God on Sunday mornings and to preach God's Word. But it's so cool that God's work continues on in this little corner of His kingdom even when a pastor gets the day off.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Can't Go Back
I just finished up a book that is my life in reverse.
Rome Sweet Rome is the autobiographical account of Scott and Kimberly Hahn and their journey to Roman Catholicism. Scott was a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastor who, after much theological wrestling, found a new home in the Catholic Church. It took his wife years to follow him wholeheartedly along the same path, but she also experienced a seismic, spiritual shift that led her to Rome.
Part of me is seriously drawn to his story. There are times I long for "Mother Church" (the church of my youth). I admire the way Roman Catholics have "stuck to their guns" as our cultural landscape continues to shift (on everything from Pro Life stances to their positions on divorce and sexuality).
My denomination -- in an attempt to be culturally relevant at every turn -- continues to fall away from orthodox, scriptural teachings that have guided the Church for millennia.
You see, I started off as a Roman Catholic, but after accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in college, I landed in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I also spent a few years in the Presbyterian Church in America.
I don't forsee a time when I will land back in the Roman Catholic Church, but it is fun to read about how God worked in a person's life and led them in a completely different direction.
But if the Church is bigger than one denomination or tradition, then maybe we are already a part of the one, true catholic church.
Rome Sweet Rome is the autobiographical account of Scott and Kimberly Hahn and their journey to Roman Catholicism. Scott was a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastor who, after much theological wrestling, found a new home in the Catholic Church. It took his wife years to follow him wholeheartedly along the same path, but she also experienced a seismic, spiritual shift that led her to Rome.
Part of me is seriously drawn to his story. There are times I long for "Mother Church" (the church of my youth). I admire the way Roman Catholics have "stuck to their guns" as our cultural landscape continues to shift (on everything from Pro Life stances to their positions on divorce and sexuality).
My denomination -- in an attempt to be culturally relevant at every turn -- continues to fall away from orthodox, scriptural teachings that have guided the Church for millennia.
You see, I started off as a Roman Catholic, but after accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in college, I landed in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I also spent a few years in the Presbyterian Church in America.
I don't forsee a time when I will land back in the Roman Catholic Church, but it is fun to read about how God worked in a person's life and led them in a completely different direction.
But if the Church is bigger than one denomination or tradition, then maybe we are already a part of the one, true catholic church.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Worm experiment ends badly, but lessons still learned
I am a worm killer.
I say this half jokingly, but I also feel horrible!
The 1,500 or so little guys were doing so well in the worm bin in my garage. Temps in my garage remain in the very low 80s, which is an acceptable -- even desirable -- temperature. They were munching so happily on corn shucks, broccoli, strawberries, and all of our organic kitchen scraps. I was even considering harvesting some of the worms and putting them in plastic containers to sell for fishing bait (which, ironically, would have led to their same fate).
But a week ago, after a stretch of 100 degree days in North Texas, the garage started to smell. I thought it was just the casings that needed cleaned out.
Uh-uh. It was a worm massacre.
Did I learn some things about the foods I eat, and our family's waste stream? Absolutely. There is so much we simply do not need to throw out. These little guys can tear apart not only soft food scraps, but paper towels, broccoli stems ... I even threw in part of a cotton sock to see what would happen.
They are incredibly hard workers. Lord only knows what type of business they take care of underground.
I did not save the planet through this project ... didn't even come close. But it was fun! I just wish it didn't have to end so horribly on the part of the worms.
I think vermi-composting is one step above my skill level. My next venture into composting, I think, will be one of those composting tumbler things.
I am excited to start the final project for my doctor of ministry project in late August. I have about eight families who will be designing their own projects (like vermi-composting) that can help them to think about how to live more faithfully in a consumer culture.
I say this half jokingly, but I also feel horrible!
The 1,500 or so little guys were doing so well in the worm bin in my garage. Temps in my garage remain in the very low 80s, which is an acceptable -- even desirable -- temperature. They were munching so happily on corn shucks, broccoli, strawberries, and all of our organic kitchen scraps. I was even considering harvesting some of the worms and putting them in plastic containers to sell for fishing bait (which, ironically, would have led to their same fate).
But a week ago, after a stretch of 100 degree days in North Texas, the garage started to smell. I thought it was just the casings that needed cleaned out.
Uh-uh. It was a worm massacre.
Did I learn some things about the foods I eat, and our family's waste stream? Absolutely. There is so much we simply do not need to throw out. These little guys can tear apart not only soft food scraps, but paper towels, broccoli stems ... I even threw in part of a cotton sock to see what would happen.
They are incredibly hard workers. Lord only knows what type of business they take care of underground.
I did not save the planet through this project ... didn't even come close. But it was fun! I just wish it didn't have to end so horribly on the part of the worms.
I think vermi-composting is one step above my skill level. My next venture into composting, I think, will be one of those composting tumbler things.
I am excited to start the final project for my doctor of ministry project in late August. I have about eight families who will be designing their own projects (like vermi-composting) that can help them to think about how to live more faithfully in a consumer culture.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Closing in on the Goal
I am finally getting closer to my goal weight of 230 pounds.
I had rocketed to as high as 267 pounds since moving to North Texas two years ago, and at last I am closing in my goal. I weighed in at 241 today ... just 11 more pounds to go!
There are several things that have contributed to my last two months of successful calorie-counting. We now live in our own house, Kim has finally found the right job, and the Lord has given me a new desire to "go for it."
It's funny, but I suddenly love the iPhone app, "Lose It!" I hated this app when my desire was not to lose weight, probably because I could not stay under my calorie count. But now for some reason, it has been life-giving to have control over the amount of calories I put into my body, and this app is a great way to log the foods that I eat.
I also have discovered that physical exercise -- even moderate exercise -- has to go hand-in-hand with calorie counting. It's not about getting in tip-top shape as much as it is kick-starting my metabolism, so that it makes efficient use of the calories I do put into my body.
I'm no dietician, but this is what I have learned from personal experience.
Anyhow, I am motivated to stay the course. In about a month I should reach my goal, and then comes the work of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I probably will always have to log calories, even after reaching the goal.
I had rocketed to as high as 267 pounds since moving to North Texas two years ago, and at last I am closing in my goal. I weighed in at 241 today ... just 11 more pounds to go!
There are several things that have contributed to my last two months of successful calorie-counting. We now live in our own house, Kim has finally found the right job, and the Lord has given me a new desire to "go for it."
It's funny, but I suddenly love the iPhone app, "Lose It!" I hated this app when my desire was not to lose weight, probably because I could not stay under my calorie count. But now for some reason, it has been life-giving to have control over the amount of calories I put into my body, and this app is a great way to log the foods that I eat.
I also have discovered that physical exercise -- even moderate exercise -- has to go hand-in-hand with calorie counting. It's not about getting in tip-top shape as much as it is kick-starting my metabolism, so that it makes efficient use of the calories I do put into my body.
I'm no dietician, but this is what I have learned from personal experience.
Anyhow, I am motivated to stay the course. In about a month I should reach my goal, and then comes the work of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I probably will always have to log calories, even after reaching the goal.
Friday, May 4, 2012
An Afternoon Run With Mr. Negative
I realize somebody may refer me to medication for the following, but here is the kind of crazy conversations I have in my head when it is time for an afternoon run. In keeping with Paul, I am encouraged to "take every thought captive." If I don't replace the negative, unhelpful thoughts with positive, encouraging ones, I go nowhere fast.
This applies to running, parenting, church work, or whatever I do.
Mr. N: "It's too hot for a jog. This is your day off!"
Response: Just because I am "off" doesn't mean I have to sit around in the air-conditioning all day. If I drink enough water, it's a great time for a run. If it is too hot, I'll run in the morning or in the evening.
Mr. N: "There is work to do. You don't have time for a run."
Response: If I do not exercise my body and clear my mind and spirit, I am not nearly as productive or cheery at home or at the church. I can't work without it.
Mr. N: "This incline is too much. Stop and walk the rest of the way."
Response: Make it to the top of the hill and then walk. Push through the hard times and then slow it down. Your heart rate is still going strong, even when you walk.
Mr. N: "Wow. You didn't reach your goal today. Your run was a failure."
Response: Every stride is a glory to God. I do have goals, but every time I make it out of my house and move my body, it is a reason to celebrate.
Mr. N: "There is no way you will ever get back to running 6-8 miles. Your best years are behind you."
Response: I ran 8.5 miles non-stop once in my life. Nobody can take the Dallas Turkey Trot away from me, and it happened only three years ago. With God's blessing, it will happen again.
------------
Prayer: "God, thank you for this day. I will rejoice and be glad in it."
This applies to running, parenting, church work, or whatever I do.
Mr. N: "It's too hot for a jog. This is your day off!"
Response: Just because I am "off" doesn't mean I have to sit around in the air-conditioning all day. If I drink enough water, it's a great time for a run. If it is too hot, I'll run in the morning or in the evening.
Mr. N: "There is work to do. You don't have time for a run."
Response: If I do not exercise my body and clear my mind and spirit, I am not nearly as productive or cheery at home or at the church. I can't work without it.
Mr. N: "This incline is too much. Stop and walk the rest of the way."
Response: Make it to the top of the hill and then walk. Push through the hard times and then slow it down. Your heart rate is still going strong, even when you walk.
Mr. N: "Wow. You didn't reach your goal today. Your run was a failure."
Response: Every stride is a glory to God. I do have goals, but every time I make it out of my house and move my body, it is a reason to celebrate.
Mr. N: "There is no way you will ever get back to running 6-8 miles. Your best years are behind you."
Response: I ran 8.5 miles non-stop once in my life. Nobody can take the Dallas Turkey Trot away from me, and it happened only three years ago. With God's blessing, it will happen again.
------------
Prayer: "God, thank you for this day. I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)