Monthly Archive for July, 2009

Calvin on the Lord’s Supper: “And although my mind can think beyond what my tongue can utter, yet even my mind is conquered and overwhelmed by the greatness of the thing.”

Published on July 31, 2009 in Church. 0 Comments

Calvin:

If one may reduce to words so great a mystery which I see that I do not even sufficiently comprehend with my mind. I therefore freely admit that no man should measure its sublimity by the little measure of my childishness. Rather, I urge my readers not to confine their mental interest within these too narrow limits, but to strive to rise much higher than I can lead them. For, whenever this matter is discussed, when I have tried to say all, I feel that I have as yet said little in proportion to its worth. And although my mind can think beyond what my tongue can utter, yet even my mind is conquered and overwhelmed by the greatness of the thing. Therefore, nothing remains but to break forth in wonder at this mystery, which plainly neither the mind is able to conceive nor the tongue to express (Institutes, IV.7.7).

The Case for Early Marriage

Published on July 31, 2009 in Family. 3 Comments

What is the minimum age for marriage?

Mark Regnerus in Christianity Today:

What to do? Intensify the abstinence message even more? No. It won’t work. The message must change, because our preoccupation with sex has unwittingly turned our attention away from the damage that Americans—including evangelicals—are doing to the institution of marriage by discouraging it and delaying it.

And,

Unfortunately, American evangelicals have another demographic concern: The ratio of devoutly Christian young women to men is far from even. Among evangelical churchgoers, there are about three single women for every two single men. This is the elephant in the corner of almost every congregation—a shortage of young Christian men.

Try counting singles in your congregation next Sunday. Evangelicals make much of avoiding being unequally yoked, but the fact that there are far more spiritually mature young women out there than men makes this bit of advice difficult to follow. No congregational program or men’s retreat in the Rocky Mountains will solve this. If she decides to marry, one in three women has no choice but to marry down in terms of Christian maturity. Many of the hopeful ones wait, watching their late 20s and early 30s arrive with no husband. When the persistent longing turns to deep disappointment, some decide that they didn’t really want to marry after all.

Given this unfavorable ratio, and the plain fact that men are, on average, ready for sex earlier in relationships than women are, many young Christian women are being left with a dilemma: either commence a sexual relationship with a decent, marriage-minded man before she would prefer to—almost certainly before marriage—or risk the real possibility that, in holding out for a godly, chaste, uncommon man, she will wait a lot longer than she would like. Plenty will wait so long as to put their fertility in jeopardy.

Read the whole thing here.

A Common Response These Days to the Michigan Fight Song

Published on July 31, 2009 in Sports Links and Stupid Stuff. 1 Comment

This along with saying the words, “Toledo,” or “Appalachian State,” will bring tears all over Michigan.

If nothing else, Todd and Brian will appreciate this one.

 

HT: Amy Scott

Lessons From a Hospice Chaplain

Published on July 31, 2009 in death and suffering. 2 Comments

A pastor friend of mine took a position as a hospice chaplain six months ago.  Recently, he wrote six lessons God has taught him in those first six months.

******************

Here are six things I am learning about the spiritual and physiological aspects of death and dying:
1) Say it while you still can.
Some of our patients are not yet on their “death beds,” but others are. Rarely have I seen such people live out their final days as the movies portray. Most people in this situation are quite motionless and less verbal than I imagined. Their words (for those who can still speak) are . . . few . . . and . . . far . . . between, and thoughts are often incomplete and interrupted by brief periods of sleep.
Although it is possible to hear some final words from a patient before he/she takes a last breath, normality seems to be disconnected words, from a body reserving most of its energy for the few vital organs still working. This may last a few hours, a few days, or a few months.
Fortunately, it seems that such people can understand what others are saying, even when sedated.
2) The skilled nursing home option is an a-moral, not immoral choice.
Before chaplaincy, I found it easy to assume that most nursing facilities were bad and that most families who send their loved ones to such places were worse. Boy was I wrong!
Providing home care for the dying is like raising a 90+ pound infant. It is a dirty, isolated and monotonous job that may breed exhaustion, depression and false guilt. Some have nicknamed it the “36 hour workday.”
Through the chaplaincy, the Lord is teaching me empathy for such people. He is also teaching me to evaluate a nursing facility by its personnel, not its decor. My favorite facility is an old building with an administrator and staff who treat their patients like family and grieve deeply when their patients decline and die.
Dying people need capable caregivers. Sometimes such people are blood relatives, and other times they are paid caregivers, who treat their patients with respect and compassion. Those in skilled nursing facilities are trained to deal with a broad host of issues, while also having 12-16 hours daily to rest. Home caregivers learn as they go, and are always on the clock. Loved ones must ask themselves which type of caregiver is better for the patient, and for themselves.
3) Desperation alone will not soften a hard heart.
Those who are staring death in the face are more receptive to the gospel, right? Not always.
There’s a story in the New Testament about two men facing imminent death. One mocked faith in Christ, while the other repented and believed. These men were not on their death-beds; they were on crosses.
Many people avoid death-related topics while they are healthy, presuming that they’ll ponder such things on their death-beds, but to believe that desperation will change the heart is a false and dangerous assumption.
Although I’m only six months in, I have observed a common trend: dying people tend to meditate most on what was important to them before their decline. If Jesus Christ and an eternity with him was far from their minds when they had a clean bill of health, the death-bed alone won’t change that.
I rejoice that I have had several opportunities to share the gospel with patients, but I’ve also seen people on the edge of death, who have no desire to ponder what awaits them on the other side. Then at their funerals, their families talk about what their loved ones are doing in Heaven, even though such people had no interest in discussing Heaven.
Now, one might assume that I’m a pushy proselytizer, but quite the contrary. Hospice is not the Church, and hospice chaplains are to respect the rights of their patients to believe differently than they. So in such situations, I usually ask a non-threatening question like, “Do you think much about what’s on the other side?” Sometimes the answer is, “no,” especially for those who never attended church.
Jesus said in John 3:5-8: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Sometimes the Spirit “blows” across my chaplaincy conversations, and sometimes He does not.
And so I pray not just for desperation, but also for Spiritual intervention.
4) Dysfunction is par for the course.
One of the benefits of hospice chaplaincy is getting to know families, and one of the most comforting things to discover is that my family is not the only imperfect one.
The more I get to know families, the more I discover different degrees of tragedy and/or conflict within. Weeping with the weeping and helping families seek peacemaking is a big part of the chaplain’s task.
5) They forget my name, but not the Liturgy.
Several of my patients suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, and most of them forget who I am between visits. If they were churched, however, they have keen recollections of hymns and Scripture.
So I do a lot of singing and Scripture-reading to people who can barely utter a sentence, but who will never forget, “Amazing Grace,” Christmas Hymns, The Lord’s Prayer, or Psalm 23. It really is astounding to see how worship repetitions cling to people’s minds, when so many other things have disappeared.
I used to preach that meaningful repetition was an important part of Christian worship. Now I see one reason why.
6) I can still do the verb, though am no Longer the noun.
My good friends often ask me if I miss pastoring and preaching.
I do, but not as much as I would have thought. I miss the people, and I do miss the preaching, but hospice chaplaincy gives me some unique opportunities to shepherd people, many of whom have become disconnected from their churches because of their condition.
Preaching one hour a week was a great privilege, but so is many hours a week showing love and compassion to dying people and their loved ones.
Although I miss the pulpit, I rejoice that Christ is producing in me a heart to come alongside people and love them in a unique way, without the administrative and responsibility pressures (Heb. 13:17) one finds in pastoring a church.

To have fallen into any one of the fads from Gnosticism to Christian Science would indeed have been obvious and tame . . .

Published on July 31, 2009 in Chesterton and Quotes. 0 Comments

. . . But to avoid them all has been one whirling adventure; and in my vision the heavenly chariot flies thundering through the ages, the dull heresies sprawling and prostrate, the will truth reeling but erect.  Chesterton, Orthodoxy, page 103.

How to Respond to a Crisis

Published on July 30, 2009 in Chris Brauns Radio Spots. 0 Comments

One night at dinner my family analyzed the Old Testament story of Jehosheba. The quick summary is that a murderous woman named Athaliah made it her goal to murder all the heirs to the throne. But, for brave Jehosheba she would have been successful.

Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.(2 Ki 11:1-3)."

Jehosheba was heroic. She hid her little nephew and his nurse for six years. Discovery at any time would have meant horrible death.

My family and I talked about what had to be true of Jehosheba in order for her to save the life of her baby nephew. We concluded that in a time of crisis Jehosheba combined:

  • clear thinking,
  • faithful courage,
  • and decisive action.

Our situations are rarely as dramatic as Jehosheba’s. But, you never know. Sometime soon you may find yourself in a tight spot. If you do, remember, that such moments call for courage, clear thinking, and decisive acting. Proverbs says, If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength (Prov 24:10). If you find yourself in a precarious position, whether physical or spiritual or emotional, some place that seems impossibly hard, then turn to Christ.

Think clearly,

put your faith in Christ,

and take action.

The Bible says that Christians are not of those who shrink back. We do not wilt in difficult times. We press on, persevere, move forward. Christ has given us all that we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him. You can do it, however difficult it seems.

On the Suicide of Vincent van Gogh

Published on July 29, 2009 in Depression and Recommended Links. 0 Comments

image Fred Sanders has written a reflection on van Gogh that will forever cause me to think differently about van Gogh’s painting, A Starry Night.  Indeed, Sanders makes me want to visit the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Fred Sanders:

Today (July 29) is the day in 1890 when Vincent van Gogh died from a gunshot wound he had inflicted on himself two days earlier, leaving behind many questions.

That van Gogh was mentally tormented throughout his life is widely known. It is an unavoidable subject for biographers, but also an irresistible subject for anybody who has ever stood in front of a van Gogh painting and had one of those embarassingly strong physiological responses his art can induce: the lump in the throat, the tear in the eye, the bottom dropping out of the stomach, the head reeling, the giddiness, the speeding pulse. Or there is the most common of the strong responses to his work: a feeling of overwhelming joy and delirious well-being. The question is inevitable: How could a man capable of seeing so penetratingly into the joy of being, of capturing it on canvas, of stimulating a like response in others, have been so comfortless in life and so despairing in death?

These questions lurk in the back of the mind of anybody who has encountered van Gogh’s paintings. But even if you didn’t know the scraps of his biography that are common knowledge (he was a failed missionary, he cut off his own ear, he was committed to an asylum, he took his own life), and didn’t wonder about the contradiction between life and art, the art itself would pose intractable enough questions: How did van Gogh make paintings that can hit people in the gut so hard? Is it the way that, even in the smallest paintings, he constructed a phenomenological space, a space that is more like the way space feels than the way it looks? Is it the uncanny color choices, about which he theorized at such length in his letters? Is it the wildness of the brush-work, which lets us see exactly how the image was crafted in the studio?

A last set of questions: How did van Gogh’s Christian faith inform his work and shape his later life?

Read the rest here.

A Time to Use the “SW” Word

Published on July 29, 2009 in Chris Brauns Radio Spots and Proverbs. 1 Comment

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19).”

About two months into kindergarten, our daughter Allison gravely told her mother and me that someone had swore on the bus.  Had Allison been given the burden of disclosing the news of original sin, she would not have been any more somber.

As Allison’s father, I knew that we needed to process this with her, so I asked, “What exactly what was said?”

Allison said, “Well, I am not going to say the word, because it is a bad word; it was the ‘sw’ word.”

I racked my brain to figure out what the “sw” word was. I grew up on a farm and farmers can be pretty colorful in expressing themselves when loading livestock or getting a tractor unstuck. But, I couldn’t for the life of me think what the “sw” word might be.  I did wonder if the word was one frequently used in livestock contexts.  That was my best guess.

Finally, I just said, “Allison tell me what the ‘sw’ word is.” She whispered. “’Shut up.’ I was singing on the bus today and a kid told me to shut up.”  She shared this only reluctantly and as though she expected a bolt of lightning to strike our house after she said it.

(We never have gotten to the bottom of why “shut-up” was the “sw” word.  Keep in mind she was in kindergarten).

Jamie and I were relieved that it hadn’t been worse. We were also pleased that “shut-up” was a phrase Allison considered out of bounds, so we nodded solemnly, agreeing with our daughter that, even if one lived only in the company of sailors, “shut-up” should be considered unsuitable language.

Now having said that, what I want to tell you today is that there are times when you should use the “sw” word: “shut-up.”  Indeed, you should frequently say, “shut up,” with particular emphasis and gravity.  You might practice spitting it out a few times even as you read this.  You can say it very rapidly.  Or, you can draw it out making each word last several counts.

What is undoubtedly more important than knowing how to say, “shut-up,” is knowing who to say it to.  And, the person to whom you should say direct it is yourself.  So, when you practice saying “shut-up,” use a mirror.  Squint your eyes a bit and say it to yourself.  This is the point.

Proverbs 10:19 says.  “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.(Pr 10:19).”  While, it’s not a good idea to tell others to “shut up.” There is a time to whisper to yourself: “Shut up!”  Or, you can even say it aloud, so long as it is clear to everyone within earshot that you are directing the imperative at yourself.

Or, if you want to be more literally biblical, say to yourself, “hold your tongue.”

Where words are many, sin is not absent.  Note to self: shut-up.

But, don’t stop singing. Even on the school bus.


Mike Wittmer on How Obama, Gates and Others Could Biblically Move Forward

Published on July 28, 2009 in Forgiveness. 0 Comments

Mike Wittmer:

Wouldn’t it be refreshing—and wouldn’t it be the first step toward genuine healing—if Gates, Obama, and even Crowley (if he sinned against Gates in ways that have not yet been substantiated) repented of whatever way they had wronged the other and asked for forgiveness? Their reconciliation would become an enduring symbol and catalyst for the racial reconciliation which everyone says we need in this country. I’d drink to that. [Dear Cornerstone board member, this last sentence is a metaphor and is something I’d never do, even if Jesus asked me to join a toast for the happy reconciliation of the races].

Read the whole thing here.

Struggling to Find Workers at Your Church? Before You Get Discouraged . . .Read Matthew 9:35-38 and Remember:

Published on July 28, 2009 in Church. 5 Comments

It is that time of the year when churches are working to make sure they have slots filled for Fall ministries.  It’s a challenge.  “The workers are few.”  But, before you get discouraged, read Matthew 9:35-38 and remember these points.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”(Mt 9:35-38).

Remember that sign-up lists and bulletin announcements hit about as many line drives as warm up swings in the on deck circle.  Don’t be discouraged about recruiting if all you have done thus far is announce the need from up front.  Bulletin and pulpit announcements are only first attempts, and, honestly, not very good ones.  Take those swings if they help you get loose.  But, recognize that you will only get a few laborers through that method.

Jesus actively sought out his team and painted a vision (“I will make you fishers of men”).  Paul left one of his most trusted lieutenants behind in Crete to appoint elders.  And, then Paul wrote what became the book of Titus to direct him in the process. 

Sign-up lists don’t get it done, nor do bare pleas from the pulpit.

Remember there are children playing on the freeway. 

When Jesus saw the crowds, had a sense of urgency.  He recognized that they were harassed and helpless – - like sheep without a shepherd – - like children playing in the middle of the freeway.

Are you willing to leave children playing in the middle of the interstate without working harder to find staff?

Let’s get it done.

Technical stuff – - In the phrase, “he had compassion for them”  the word translated, “compassion,” would mean his heart “contracted convulsively (NIDNT, 2, 599).”  It is a rare word: it appears only 12x in the New Testament, all in the Synoptic Gospels.  In Matt 14:14, used to describe how Jesus felt about the crowd shortly before the feeding of the 5,000.  It is used to describe how Jesus felt before the feeding of the 4,000 in Matt 15:32.  It is used in the parable of the unmerciful servant to describe the master who released his servant of his debts.  In Matt 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.  Immediately they receive their sight and followed him.  Luke uses it of the Samaritan in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Luke uses it to describe the compassion of the Father in the prodigal. 

Now, here is the great news about this word.  It never appears apart from a corresponding action.  Every time that it appears, the Lord, or the character in a parable representing him has this quality of compassion he acts.  It is the idea of mercy.  “Since seeing and being prepared to help are one, it sets in motion as with Jesus himself, a whole chain of events which together are called eleos . . . Humanity and neighborliness are not qualities but action (NIDNT, 2, 600).”

Remember to wear out the knees of your every day jeans.  Prayer is the center of what needs to be done.  That’s what Jesus said.  If you are struggling to fill key slots, ask yourself this question.  How much have I urgently pleaded with God for this slot to be filled?  What is translated, “pray earnestly,” in Matt 9:35, might also be translated “beg.”  

You respond, “Oh, I’ve prayed a lot about it.” 

Really?  Are you sure?  Be honest.  How much have you (we) really prayed?

How many times have you pleaded with God on your knees to provide someone for this position? 

Have you gotten together with other leaders explicitly to pray, and then prayed, or do you just encourage each other to pray? 

Have you fasted and prayed? 

So much of the time we talk a lot about praying, and do little of it.  And, then we’re not honest with ourselves about our prayerlessness.  You don’t need the church to organize something major.  Call up a couple of people.  Get on your knees and pray.

Remember to pray in particular that the Lord of the harvest will catapult workers into the church basement. 

“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers” – The word “send out” appears 81x in the NT.  Most of the uses in Matthew (28x) deal with casting out demons or forcibly throwing someone out.  For example, just a few verses before, the same word is used to describe casting out a demon (Matt 9:33). 

Bruner wrote, “Jesus does not say ‘find’ or ‘recruit’ workers.  The idea is this: there are Christian workers already there in this first, and in every subsequent Christian community, and they need to have a fire lit under them to thrust them out of their comforts into the world of need.”

The word is used in the Greek translation (the LXX) of the OT in Genesis 3:24 when the Lord cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden.

Prayer is how fires get lit under potential workers.  We’re looking for people to get catapulted into the AWANA program.

Remember, we won’t solve spiritual problems with administrative solutions.  Churches often seek to solve a shortage of workers by reorganizing, changing the rotation, changing how often people work, etc etc etc.  It may be necessary to reorganize, but it won’t solve a spiritual problem.  It will give you a temporary shot in the arm, and you’ll be back to the struggle again.  Often, CE reorganization is a “long run for a short slide.”

Remember not to resent the challenges of recruiting.  To be involved in the work of the harvest is our great privilege.  It’s God plan that we should pray and cry out to Him and be reminded of the great need.  If you are in the game, you’re in the struggle.  Be thankful.

Remember to practice an elevator speech (something you could say between the first and fourth floors on the elevator) that will paint a vision for why someone would want to serve.  Jesus concisely summarized the need with agricultural terms – the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  How could you describe your need in a compelling way in a few lines.

Why not practice writing out one paragraph of why you would ask someone to fill the slot in question?  Or, practice giving the speech with other members of your team. 

A good elevator speech that envisions with people why they would want to serve, will avoid the error described in the next point.

Remember not to apologize for opportunities to serve, or to act as though you are asking people to do something for you.  I remember a few years ago listening to someone recruit nursery workers for Christmas Eve.  The conversation went something like this, “I hate to ask you to do this.  I apologize for bothering you.  But, I wonder if you could help me out by working in the nursery.” 

That is a recruiting disaster.  How could we apologize to anyone for asking them to hold a baby on CHRISTMAS EVE!  What greater way could there be to honor the Lord’s first advent, then to ask people to rock a baby (in a warm and comfortable nursery rather than a stable)?  What better investment than to allow young parents the opportunity to sing Silent Night? 

It would be so much better to say, “Listen, we have a real opportunity to invest in the Kingdom.  Why not come in as a family and work in the nursery.  If we are really blessed we will have several babies present, and you can rock them, and pray over them, and encourage their parents.  And, who knows what God might do?  Someday you may find that your one evening of service in the church nursery changed everything for this family.  It might be that you would rock the next George Whitfield.  But, even if it isn’t Whitfield – - could anything be more beautiful than caring for babies on Christmas Eve.

While we’re on this topic – - I think it is preferable to say, “I’m thankful for you serving,” rather than, “Thank you.”  It’s not a grave sin to say the latter.  But, I think thanking people implies they’re doing it for us.  Whereas, saying, “We are thankful,” reminds all involved that we are doing this for the King.  And, when we serve in tough settings, Jesus considers it a personal favor (Matt 25:40).

Remember that are not alone in your recruiting challenges.  One of Satan’s schemes is to discourage leaders by whispering in their ears, “Something is wrong with your church.  Other churches are not facing this struggle.” 

It’s a lie. 

There have always been a shortage of workers.  Jesus said it Himself, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”