Category: Thursday Thought

As society judges people, Orville was one of the most un-cool guys I’ve ever met.   Most of his teeth were missing. And the few that remained poked up at odd angles in a mouth that was often caked with dried saliva.  A sizeable paunch rendered his physique something other than cool.  His few strands of hair were as wiry as they were wild—definitely not cool.   Truthfully, there was little about Orville’s appearance that suggested he was anything other than a country bumpkin.

Orville was a farmer all his life and I didn’t know much about the man—apart from his appearance—until I observed the 175^th anniversary of the church he attended all his life.  Amid the many tributes that were made, Orville’s name came up several times.

I listened as an older man stood up and recounted the story of his coming to Christ.  It was Orville who had first invited him to a men’s Bible study.  It was Orville who followed up when the man failed to show at the men’s’ group. It was Orville, who helped this frightened new believer work through his first time praying out loud in a group. “You just follow me,” said Orville, who prayed simply and gently and continued to work with his friend.

There were other tributes to Orville. And it all got me to thinking.  Maybe we Christians have been swept up in the world’s notion of coolness.  Of being “really in.”

But as I read the Bible, the one “in” that Jesus is most preoccupied with: being “in” the Lamb’s Book of Life. Helping others get their name in!  And I’m guessing by that standard, Orville’s life must might put mine to shame.

When my wife and I were married, it was Orville who volunteered to clean up the reception.  Cups and plates and napkins…crumbs and spills.  Orville made sure it was all cared for…so we could drive off to our honey moon.  And he did it all with a near toothless smile—and not a single ounce of self-congratulation.

He’s been dead a good fifteen years now.  Yet Orville’s name and reputation and investment in the kingdom of God lives on—as the names of the righteous—always do.

Know any people who are completely uncool?

Is it just me…or is the evangelical subculture on a trajectory toward the outer edge of Christian conduct and lifestyle?  I say yes, it is.

Perhaps it's a reaction to the 60s and 70s when many Christians almost defined themselves by the cultural things they DIDN'T do.  Today's generation appears bent on ramming right up against the outer edges of acceptability.  Statistics show that in general, they drink more, watch more R-rated films, use cruder language, and are much more comfortable than previous generations playing violent or sexually explicit video games.

Now clearly it was a non-biblical world view to define yourself by the stuff you DIDN'T do. No question.  But there's hardly a biblical trophy set aside for most-worldly-cultural absorption.

Conveniently stashed away by many in today's generation—either by ignorance or choice—are biblical commands to be holy—that is set apart.  And if that “set apartness”–that essential call to holiness–does not influence our choices in entertainment or leisure, or speech, then exactly what is it for?  A reminder to show up for Sunday School (providing you're not too tired from the over-night Halo party)?

But if we watch the same sexually explicit films as our unsaved friends, play the same violent video games, use essentially the same salty language, and hoist a sudsy mug with the same frequency as our unsaved friends, exactly how set apart can we claim to be?

To those who disagree, let me ask this simple question: If your Monday through Saturday is loaded with entertainment choices and language choices and leisure choices that are identical to the world, doesn't it seem like you have watered down most any hope of a lifestyle contrast?   Exactly what are you left with—the fact that you go to church on Sunday?

 

I saw a great headline the other day in “The Onion,” a spoof newspaper.  Went like this: “Nation just wants to be safe, happy, rich comfortable, entertained at all times—also healthy,   fulfilled, successful and loved.”

The article went on to quote a supposed Maryland resident, Lena McCarthy who said, “It’s not that complicated.  At the end of the day, all I want from America is a good job, a nice house, romantic fulfillment, beautiful sunny weather during the day, star lit skies at night, low gas prices, independence from foreign oil, free food, free healthcare, free media, everything free.”

At first I laughed.  But the more I thought about it, the more I thought about it.   This is exactly how most Americans feel, deep inside (or maybe not so deep).  We want it all, and we feel entitled to it all, and we want that “all” all the time.   Now that's bad enough for the public at large.  But when Christians grasp at the same things for the same reasons, we have a serious problem on our hands.   And increasingly, that's the case.

Look around and you'll observe that many Christians are as hot and heavy in pursuit of the good life as we are the God life.  The truth is, we've all been sucked in to a lesser or greater extent. I wish I could tell you honestly that I myself haven't wished for the good life.

But such a longing is in direct conflict with the Bible. Scripture calls us to be salt and light in our culture—not consumers of that culture.

Why this doesn't bother us…OUGHT to bother us.

I think we need a daily reminder—I'm serious—that we do not belong here.  Maybe it's a card we stick on the refrigerator.  Maybe it's a graphic we put on our smartphone—or wall paper for our computer.  Whatever you choose, the message ought to be this:  We're here for a season—not for the long haul.  So our ambitions, our affections ought to be—as Paul said, “on things above, not on earthly things.”

So this week, we had the distinct pleasure of taking our two grandchildren to the zoo.  They'd been waiting all summer for us to join them and having crammed the car full of strollers, kids and a picnic lunch, we finally arrived.

Almost immediately, I was struck by a rather odd impression: Where are all the animals?

Whether for reasons of political correctness, budget cuts, or a trendy understanding of proper zoo etiquette, the place has become much more about habitats and environmental education than about the animals themselves.

Understand that this zoo is Chicago's premiere animal attraction.  Yet they didn't even have one single elephant.  The monkey house—once loaded with primates—is an animal ghost town.

It is as if the zoo is now satisfied to live off the glory—and reputation—of past years, but lacks a real commitment to what is supposed to be their true priority and passion.    The zoo has become something less than a zoo.

In a strange way, our trip to the zoo reminds me of many evangelical churches today.   We celebrate the fact of the Great Commission.  We love to talk about “outreach” and strategize about ways we can be more “missional.”

But so many of our churches have so few honest conversions, we are rather like the zoo: living off the glory of what might have been our past.  And, to mix metaphors here, a lot of our mega churches have seen most of their growth from what my pastor calls “sheep stealing” rather than growth by conversion.  It's the flock that's been found shifting around to other pastures.

Sadly, many of us lack a real commitment to what is supposed to be our true priority and passion.    The church has become something less than a church.

It's time to re-commit ourselves, our resources and our churches to what Jesus has defined as our true priority and passion: making disciples.  And making disciples always begins with lost people.

 

Why are so many Christians living such shallow lives?

In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons is we have sold them eternal fire insurance rather than the real deal.

Let me explain.

For decades now, many—quote unquote–successful evangelical voices  have sold Christianity on a felt-needs basis.  And what need is greater than the need to escape  Hell? 

Who DOESN'T want to avoid the lake of fire, burning with sulphur?  So for generations now, we have sold what I call “eternal fire insurance.”

Plus, Christians often focus exclusively on the promise of Heaven and the guarantees of personal peace and happiness.

But this over simplified sales pitch bypasses the real call of Christ.  Jesus said “Take up your cross daily and follow me.”  That doesn't sound too much like the salvation invitation given by many evangelicals.   Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”

We  OUGHT to expect trials and persecution and pain and loss—and all of this just for acknowledging our stand with Christ.

Our well-intentioned but theologically stunted sales commitment to eternal fire insurance brings with it the unintentional side effect of minimizing Christ's suffering—and ours.

Let's remember–Jesus did not experience a whip without sting, or a cross without nails.  Apparently, the cross has so long been a mere wall decoration in churches, or jewelry on our necklaces, we have sanitized from it all traces of sputum, blood, and shredded human tissue.

The words of Dietrich Bonheoffer come to mind:  "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

It's time to stop selling eternal fire insurance.  It's time we called people to follow Christ in His fullness–wherever that takes us.

Another bombing.

Another killing.

That's what I remember of Ireland as I grew up.

Night after night we saw images of an island in agony.

Indeed, Ireland's history is so violent as to suggest the “Emerald Isle” might better be named the “Blood Red Isle.”

But of course, it wasn't Ireland's violent history that brought us there.  No, my wife and I came to see castles and coastlines and clouds.  We were not disappointed with our anniversary vacation.

The truth is, our trip to Ireland way exceeded our rather lofty hopes.  Everywhere we hiked or drove was a postcard.  It was almost useless to put away your camera, because the moment you did, a new and powerful scene came into view.

But if the beauty of the Emerald Isle overwhelmed us, so did its history.  As our kind hosts, Roger and Carrie, helped unpeel the layers of Ireland's troubled past, I felt a heaviness in my spirit.  So much raw beauty there.  So many miles of unfathomable cliffs and castles.   But at the same time, so much pain.  So many battles fought.  So many lives lost.   Clans fighting clans.  Protestants fighting Catholics.   So much unresolved bitterness and the palpable sense that the next bolt of lightning might ignite a powder keg of new violence somewhere near.

It made me wonder—and wish—for the last violent episode to be over.  Can we please end the bombings and shootings?  Can we not just get to that part of the story where it's all wise kings and gracious queens and happy pageantry?

The answer, of course, is no.

Until the King of Kings has finally come to reign and rule, blood will continue to flow. 

Yet please know: Ireland is no different than YOUR land.

Scripture reminds us “man was born for trouble.”  Still, you can't help wondering.   Maybe the reason it rains so much in Ireland is because God is crying…weeping over Ireland…a land that has few equals in beauty and fewer still in agony.

Utterly Safe—Or Not

Maybe it's the chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett.  Maybe it's the artifacts and surrealistic images brought to the surface by Robert Ballard.  For whatever reason, the world is mesmerized by Titanic.  Still.

Every school child knows the story of the unsinkable ship that sank, drowning more than 1500.  But relatively few can name the port from which the Titanic last departed.  (Hint: if you're thinking somewhere in England, you're off course).

On the southern coast of Ireland is a charming town by the name of Cobh, offering lovely views of the waterways leading out to the Celtic Sea.  Here, Titanic last saw land.   As we sat out on a deck, enjoying lunch with the sound of the waves rolling in, the gulls flying 'round—the same sounds that passengers boarding Titanic would have heard (and we stood at the very place they would have climbed onboard)–the sunshine gave way to grayer skies.  Rain moved in with such speed and intensity we were forced to take our food inside to finish the meal.

Which takes me to the fate of the Titanic passengers.  Consider that as they shuffled across the gangway boarding the brand new ship, not one of them thought it was their last look at Ireland.  No one thought they would never again see their loved ones.  No one thought they were within hours of the very end of their earthly lives.  But they were.

The scene was all so normal….so utterly safe.

It could be you feel very safe right now.  Very “normal.”  Not the least bit pressed to give the invitation of Jesus to be “born again” any real consideration.

Yet no one lives forever.  And accidents still happen, And Titanics still sink.    Jesus said “Unless a man (or woman) is born again they cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Have you settled—forever—the question of where you will go—after you die?

 

 

 

 

The end of a day is a sobering thing.

As I write this, I’m watching it happen out the window of a jet bound from Tampa, Florida to Chicago.  Having risen at 4am—long before sunrise—in order to fly down to Tampa, I am now tired.  Happy to kick back and do not much of anything.

But as I peered out the window of our 737, I saw the crowning tip of the sun in its last gasp of orange glory. The crest of the glowing ball is now out of view.  I watched it slip away, pondering those last seconds of color and bombast.  All that remains now is a fading backlit sky of near turquoise and burnt orange.

Seeing all this take place in real time has gotten me to thinking.  This day—that has now turned into night—will never be repeated.  Ever.  Whatever moments that might have been—but weren’t—might never be…forever.

The extraordinary potential woven into the DNA strands of this day is now dimmed.  I’m not trying to wax poetic here.  I truly am sobered. Because…

Whatever I MIGHT have said for Jesus Christ today but did not…

Whatever I might have DONE for Jesus Christ but did not…

Whatever kindness I might have shown someone else for Christ’s sake but did not…

…Well let’s just say the opportunity for today has come and gone.

“But,” you say, “Jon, you’re being too hard on yourself.”  Am I? You say, “There’s always tomorrow.”  Yet Scripture says, “Boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day will bring.”

 

Only one life

‘twill soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christ

Will last.

 

Darkness is now all that’s left in my window view from the 737.

One final reminder that the end of a day…is a sobering thing.

4:45am and the taxi finally pulled into my driveway, 15 minutes late. Climbing into the cab, I was confronted with a man in full Muslim dress: white robe, white hat and curly black beard.

Apologizing for the delay, he was friendly and talkative.  So I prayed quietly, asking God to show me how to start a conversation with the man.

When I learned he was from India—and told him I had visited—he asked if my trip was for missionary work.  Responding yes, the conversation was immediately in high gear.

He was in my face right away: “If…peace be upon him…the prophet Jesus is really God, then who was in charge of Heaven when Jesus came to earth?”  This took us to a spirited discussion on the trinity.

I boldly shared that Jesus was not merely the son of God—but equal with God, quoting Christ’s own words: “I and my Father are One.”  The cabbie weaved between cars as he weaved around my Bible verses, clearly still hung up on the Trinity.

As we approached the airport, he told me that Jesus was only for Christians, but—quote—“Islam is for everybody.”  I again quoted Jesus, “For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life.”

Arriving at Midway airport, the conversation ended with the driver encouraging me to read the Koran…and me encouraging him to read the gospels.  I tipped him generously, we shook hands and the door was open and shut.

Or was it?  Perhaps a much more important door than the door to his taxi had just been opened.  In the kindness and mercy of God, I pray that the door of his heart is now open, if only a crack.

Wonder has gone missing.

It’s true.

The problem with most of us is we have lost our wonder of God.

We say we love Him—and I suppose we do.

We say we worship Him—and no doubt we try.

But a sense of His otherness, His transcendence, that gut feeling of awe and mystery and an all-consuming fire…for most of us, that’s not our experience with the Most High God.

But I saw wonder this week in an unexpected place.  I was out on a long walk with one-year-old Caleb Jaeger, our grandson, when we passed by a “splash pad.”  For the uninitiated, a splash pad is a not-quite swimming pool for tiny tots.  Sprinklers and pipes of all shapes shower the little ones, and they absolutely love it.

Once under the sprinkler, one year old Caleb sat there for the longest time letting the water run right over him.  I watched as his pudgy fingers attempted to trace the path of the wet bubbles.  You could see his mouth open and close repeatedly as he tasted the water dribbling off his nose.

The look on his face was one of complete awe.  He was mesmerized. Literally drenched in wonder.  Every single one of his five senses was actively recording data to his one-year-old hard drive.

THIS…is what wonder looks like.  It’s a feeling of sensory overload.  Of marvel and mystery and mystical all converged.

So back to my opening assessment that for most of us, wonder about God has shriveled up like an October tomato left on the vine.

If it’s true we lost it, how do we regain this wonder?  Maybe it’s not unlike the solution for couples whose relationship has gone cold.  It’s simply a choice to notice, to acknowledge greatness in all its forms—little and big.  Global…and local.  Wherever God’s fingerprints are visible.

It’s time to regain our sense of wonder of God.