“The New Face of Church in America: A Tool of Satan?”
I’m reading Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz. Now I know that I’m an old geezer at 43, but some of Donald Miller’s book sounds like “I’m writing this because I want you to know how cool I am.” I may be way off-base, but that’s the way some of it reads to me.

Having said all that, there is some pretty good stuff in the book. I just finished reading this passage, on page 111:

“A friend of mine, a young pastor who recently started a church, talks to me from time to time about the new face of church in America – about the postmodern church. He says the new church will be different from the old one, that we will be relevant to culture and the human struggle. I don’t think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel.”

Now, look at his next couple of sentences…

“If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing.”

Passionate about nothing. Passionate about nothing? Passionate about nothing! We talk a good game, when we talk about our passion. Our passion for reaching the culture. Our passion for being relevant. Our passion for making a difference. Our passion for whatever….

Does our – does my – passion lead me to be passionate about the things Jesus is passionate about? Is my passion full of action that really costs me something? Or is my passion empty words and clanging cymbals?

“The New Face of Church in America: A Tool of Satan?”

I’m reading Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz. Now I know that I’m an old geezer at 43, but some of Donald Miller’s book sounds like “I’m writing this because I want you to know how cool I am.” I may be way off-base, but that’s the way some of it reads to me.

Having said all that, there is some pretty good stuff in the book. I just finished reading this passage, on page 111:

“A friend of mine, a young pastor who recently started a church, talks to me from time to time about the new face of church in America – about the postmodern church. He says the new church will be different from the old one, that we will be relevant to culture and the human struggle. I don’t think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel.”

Now, look at his next couple of sentences…

“If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing.”

Passionate about nothing. Passionate about nothing? Passionate about nothing! We talk a good game, when we talk about our passion. Our passion for reaching the culture. Our passion for being relevant. Our passion for making a difference. Our passion for whatever….

Does our – does my – passion lead me to be passionate about the things Jesus is passionate about? Is my passion full of action that really costs me something? Or is my passion empty words and clanging cymbals?

Graphic Grace: Quick Notes on “The Passion of the Christ”
Just got back from taking our students to see the Mel Gibson movie. A couple of thoughts…

Graphic violence? Yes. Intense? Definitely. Distracting? Nope. No matter what you’ve read in the media, the film does not go as far graphically as it could have. I guess seeing it in pictures is more graphic than reading about it in the Bible, but the Bible’s words are much more brutal and graphic – especially when you factor some of the prophetic passages.

More striking to me than the graphic violence was the “graphic” grace! Especially in the scene with Malchus in Gethsemane, Mary Magadlene’s “flashback,” and the thief on the cross. Also, Simon of Cyrene’s scenes are pictures of Jesus’ grace and mercy.

Most impactful of all? To me, the sheer willingness and determination of Jesus to complete the task of redemption!

Oh, and I was pleasantly – and powerfully surprised with the resurrection at the end, since I had not heard that the film went beyond the crucifixion.

A couple of things…the “subtle” inclusion of icons (like the Shroud of Turin, for instance), and that weird “demon child/old man” that the Satan character (masterfully portrayed by a woman, BTW…OK, OK, nothing inferred or implied by that!) carried toward the end of the crucifixion scene…what was up with that?

All in all, a powerful presentation, from my vantage point. Your mileage may vary…

Graphic Grace: Quick Notes on “The Passion of the Christ”

Just got back from taking our students to see the Mel Gibson movie. A couple of thoughts…

Graphic violence? Yes. Intense? Definitely. Distracting? Nope. No matter what you’ve read in the media, the film does not go as far graphically as it could have. I guess seeing it in pictures is more graphic than reading about it in the Bible, but the Bible’s words are much more brutal and graphic – especially when you factor some of the prophetic passages.

More striking to me than the graphic violence was the “graphic” grace! Especially in the scene with Malchus in Gethsemane, Mary Magadlene’s “flashback,” and the thief on the cross. Also, Simon of Cyrene’s scenes are pictures of Jesus’ grace and mercy.

Most impactful of all? To me, the sheer willingness and determination of Jesus to complete the task of redemption!

Oh, and I was pleasantly – and powerfully surprised with the resurrection at the end, since I had not heard that the film went beyond the crucifixion.

A couple of things…the “subtle” inclusion of icons (like the Shroud of Turin, for instance), and that weird “demon child/old man” that the Satan character (masterfully portrayed by a woman, BTW…OK, OK, nothing inferred or implied by that!) carried toward the end of the crucifixion scene…what was up with that?

All in all, a powerful presentation, from my vantage point. Your mileage may vary…

“A Thousand Deaths That No One Can See”
Jordon Cooper is everyone’s favorite Canadian.

Well, at least it seems that way. Just about every blog I read has a link to Jordon’s excellent blog!

Early this morning, I found this powerful piece of punditry over there…

“I tend to lead by assumption that people get the big picture, give a lot of freedom, and let them work it out. The problem is that most people don’t get my assumptions and a couple months later that no one really cared about the ideals that I thought were so important and I don’t like what it has turned in to. Gloria reminded me that idealists are often lonely. Of course we are beause it hurts us each and everytime our ideals are sold in for the pragmatic solutions that undermine them. It’s even worse because it isn’t evil people that sell out your ideas, they are your friends and people you trust. That is what makes it worse. It is easier to withdraw and keep the ideas to yourself than it is to share them and see them die a thousand deaths that no one can see except yourself.”

I know exactly what he’s talking about. Makes you wonder about the clarity of your vision and the power and validity of your call. You hope that, at some point, somebody will “get it,” and you won’t have to keep on knocking yourself out.

“A Thousand Deaths That No One Can See”

Jordon Cooper is everyone’s favorite Canadian.

Well, at least it seems that way. Just about every blog I read has a link to Jordon’s excellent blog!

Early this morning, I found this powerful piece of punditry over there…

“I tend to lead by assumption that people get the big picture, give a lot of freedom, and let them work it out. The problem is that most people don’t get my assumptions and a couple months later that no one really cared about the ideals that I thought were so important and I don’t like what it has turned in to. Gloria reminded me that idealists are often lonely. Of course we are beause it hurts us each and everytime our ideals are sold in for the pragmatic solutions that undermine them. It’s even worse because it isn’t evil people that sell out your ideas, they are your friends and people you trust. That is what makes it worse. It is easier to withdraw and keep the ideas to yourself than it is to share them and see them die a thousand deaths that no one can see except yourself.”

I know exactly what he’s talking about. Makes you wonder about the clarity of your vision and the power and validity of your call. You hope that, at some point, somebody will “get it,” and you won’t have to keep on knocking yourself out.

Note to Self…
No matter how badly your son says he wants bar-b-q, the local stew-n-cue is not the best place to break a flu-induced fast. Just trust me on that one, OK?

Note to Self…

No matter how badly your son says he wants bar-b-q, the local stew-n-cue is not the best place to break a flu-induced fast. Just trust me on that one, OK?

Long Time, No Blog…
Well, the battle with the “creeping crud” (AKA the worst flu bug I’ve had in years!) is hopefully over! I survived, but just barely, it seems! Been fighting the sniffling, coughing part for a while, and “the rest” kicked in about Wednesday night! Bad news!

Anyway, some of you have e-mailed me and I haven’t gotten back to you. I’ll catch up later tonight. Thanks for the comments, thanks for all the good blog stuff that’s been helping me keep some semblance of sanity, and thanks for the long-distance friendships!

Long Time, No Blog…

Well, the battle with the “creeping crud” (AKA the worst flu bug I’ve had in years!) is hopefully over! I survived, but just barely, it seems! Been fighting the sniffling, coughing part for a while, and “the rest” kicked in about Wednesday night! Bad news!

Anyway, some of you have e-mailed me and I haven’t gotten back to you. I’ll catch up later tonight. Thanks for the comments, thanks for all the good blog stuff that’s been helping me keep some semblance of sanity, and thanks for the long-distance friendships!