Message is Up!

Hey everyone,

I know that I didn't answer every lingering question from the text this weekend. This would be a great space for us to dig in a bit more. Several people have asked me some really good questions about how we might practice "tithing" or "generous giving."

To hear the message click here: http://saturdaynightchurch.podomatic.com/ 
or from iTunes click here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/discovery-church-saturday/id362864918

I don't know what to say...so Ill say pieces of everything

***DISCLAIMER***Wow! My first week back and it was meant to be short. I promised I would have it up before Tuesday lunch. I am running behind and just did a quick read and realized that I am all over the place. Please be advised that you are about to enter into a blog of chaos.

Where have I been the last couple weeks? I feel like I have dropped off the face of the world. Getting back into the school year, YL, a sermon, work has been crazy, and I have even spent some time at another temple...partaking in their rituals and traditions ( http://ow.ly/i/3XqQ ). For those of you who don’t know me, I don’t do drugs…especially at the sanctioned drug outlets lining our streets. However, over the last month I have entered into these brothels of scum and partook in their rituals. This is a confession, I let myself down and I apologize if I let you down. I felt set apart for so long, holy if you will, but I succumbed to the temptation.

As a purification method I felt I needed to get back into blogging. I figured that since I have been worshiping at multiple temples; yesterday it was on a golf course and shortly thereafter it was in front of the TV watching Monday night football, that I could talk about how quickly we jump into other forms of worship. Plus, the Holy Spirit convicted me. {either it was the HS or Curtis texting me Saturday Night asking if I was going to blog, then asking me again Sunday (in person), texting me again Sunday night, writing an email to me Monday, texting me again Monday night, which was later followed by a drop by (during my worship time of MNF), and then at 4:55 this morning I get another text, followed by 3 different emails... God works in weird ways and sends persistent servants to knock at your door}.

Curtis started off his message Saturday night stating that we (humans) are worshiping creatures. He didn't really expand on this statement, and more or less said it in passing as a presupposition. However, I feel that this presupposition is something that really needs to be constructed because it is the crux to understanding proper worship.

When Curtis said something along the lines of "we are beings who were created to worship." What he is basically saying, is that humanity is going to worship, it is kind of like breathing. Whether we want to or not, we are all going to do it. We attribute worth, give attention, spend time, place things or people on pedestals. All things designed for God. We find Moses in Deuteronomy telling us that there is a particular way in which Israel was supposed to worship. A correct way if you will. Moses does not want Israel to get side tracked with worshiping the land, the other gods of the existing people, wealth, power, and so forth. Moses commands that above all else and regardless of current events...worship and praise is for God. He gives them commands to bind tefflin or phylacteries around their arms and heads. He tells Israel to write on their door posts, to tell their children. Moses wants the constant reminder and focus to be on God and point their worship in a particular direction.

We are a “now” people. We want everything to be right now. Patience…doesn’t exist in California. When it comes to God our lack of patience carries over. It is hard to worship when we are not presented with constant entertainment or reminders. As Curtis used as an example, we often ask for signs or proof that we should worship God. And God responds “I have! Spend some time in the Bible. Look at where I have been faithful, read my story about me and my people, read about my extraordinary Son.” When I heard this on Saturday night I cringed, not because I disagreed, but because it was a convicting statement. I often take God and what he has done for granted. I don’t read the Bible as often as I should because it is not as entertaining as a sports game or movie. I feel that I often get bored with God, but I believe that I get bored with God because he works slower that then the button on my remote. I think I get bored because I don’t really worship God the way he deserves. Basically, I do not have the proper mindset when it comes to God let alone worshiping him.

I am currently reading The Year of Living Biblically, and in it A.J. Jacobs follows the Bible as literally as possible. Therefore, he follows every law that he can possibly follow. The goal, besides coming up with a book, is to learn how to raise moral and successful children. Anyways, there is a point where he starts to realize how much goes good in a day. He starts to thank God for everything that goes right, he starts to acknowledge God in the little things, he prays to God, and is constantly looking for God in everything (I am sure to try to wrap into his but) but his perception has changed. I have not finished the book, but I want to point out that God is constantly on his mind. Due to the change in the way Jacobs sees the world, he is not the same person he was prior to writing the book. I say this because God is usually an afterthought for me, He doesn’t pre-emanate my entire life. My worship is not constantly directed towards God, let alone my thoughts.

At the beginning of the blog, I said I wanted to look at the ways in which we worship other things. (I feel that I am taking the long route and have got off topic a little). When I look at my life I am missing the constant worship of God. I don’t thank him for letting me live another day, to take two warm showers a day, enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, drive safely to and from work, have a car to drive, miss a day of work for golf (it was a tournament for our fallen soldiers so don’t criticize), be thankful that no one close to me has died, have a wife willing to give everything for our family, even if it involves sleeping in a toddler bed to appease my 2 year old. These are things to be thankful for, but did I mention that we live in near perfect weather in California, mid 70s for the day and the cool breeze at night. When we look around, God’s beauty is in everything and everywhere. His provision is everywhere. Then to top it off he sent his only Son for us. Yet despite all this, I still want signs or constant proof before I give my worship to God. I am like a junky needing his fix in order to go on…(just realized I got off topic again)

Let’s address one of the things that I worship, probably the biggest thing I see is sports. Sports constantly radiates in my life. I have signed pictures and balls in my office. The first thing out of habit every morning is to pick up the paper and turn to the sports page. I jump at the opportunity to go to a game. I long to jump up and down and cheer on my teams which presently are all horrible. I am not as hard core as some friends who leave at 6am to go to a 1pm football game and don’ return until 9pm. I don’t engage in all the cultic practices and rituals… but overall sports is another god taking my worship away from the one true God. Not that sports in and of itself is bad, but the constant bereavement of ESPN.com or SI.com mixed with the promise for immediate pleasure can draw me in quick. To tone done my addiction I didn’t play fantasy football this year because it takes up a lot of time…something I don’t have a lot of. It adds another dimension to this demi-god and demands more worship time. It tries to consume me totally for the next couple months. Each week I am fed and I can’t wait until the next week when I can be fed again. (interesting contrast between this and our weekly taking of the Eucharist…we are what we eat)

Currently, I am thinking about my trip this weekend to Chicago. My wife and I are taking to go on our 5 year wedding anniversary. I just happened to plan our trip around being able to see a Cubs game at Wrigley, and to catch a game at Notre Dame. In addition I will probably take a picture in front of touchdown Jesus (this is not a cleaver example I am illustrating but an actual mural check it out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_Stadium#.22Touchdown_Jesus.22 or look at the one in Ohio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Kings_(statue) – a bit more intense ) Sports coliseums are like trips to Mecca or the Holy Land. I have friends who live in California and have season tickets to a sports team in Seattle. Do you consider my actions or my friends actions a thing or worship? Do I need to address how much sports is an issue? Let’s look at this from another angle…

A couple months ago for the World Cup, a bunch of us got together to watch the US play Algeria (three of the people attending were missing work, as did millions of other people around the world, FYI -when England plays the entire country shuts down) When Landon Donovan made the winning goal in stoppage time after a come from behind 1st half we went crazy. Think of Michael Jordan hitting a three point play at the buzzer for the NBA finals. Take the 49ers come back to tie the Saints last night, only magnified! (If you want to watch http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/23/landon-donovan-goal-video_n_622538.html ) We all jumped up and down screaming not believing that we just witnessed history. Curtis didn’t move off the coach and just shrugged his shoulders. We couldn’t believe what just happened, and Curtis acted like nothing had happened. We thought he might be so stunned he couldn’t speak, but when we resuscitated him from his trance he responded with something that he had been convicted of recently. He said, "why would I act this way when I don’t get this excited when somebody is baptized and meets Jesus for the first time"……………WOW! What a kick in the balls! (soccer pun) Needless to say we didn’t invite him back for the Ghana game.

Curtis acknowledged something. We misplace worship. We worship all kinds of things. My thing is sports. I went to Curtis to a Raider game on Sunday and I think I could say that he worships the Raiders (this is a pitiful thing to worship). Some people worship Celebrities. We watch their shows, we buy their clothing brands, we go to their movies, we buy magazines with them in it, and we want to become them. So we go on their approved diets and buy the acne cream. We idolize them; we let them dictate what is cool and worship the ground they walk on. Some people worship food; certain tastes, cultural delicacies, exotic meals, or maybe just food in general. Obesity is the new leading issue in America. It kills more people than tobacco. We love food so much that we over eat until death. Constantly thinking about our next meal (I didn’t have breakfast and now I am thinking about where I can get some food.) We go to the place of worship, whether that is a restaurant or our refrigerator. Some people worship our bodies. Spending countless hours in a gym lifting weights, running on treadmills, swimming laps, all the while surrounded by mirrors. To show those who are faithful that their worship is making a difference. To remind the not so faithful that they do not have the correct priorities. All the while we pay to become sweaty, dirty, to endure pain, so that if we miss two weeks everything we worked for over the last year can disappear. If you want to contrast those who worship food (obesity) and those who worship the gym please consult the fat map of America. http://calorielab.com/news/categories/obesity-statistics/ Please note that the gym worshipers are a minority crowd.

The point I am trying to make is that we will find something to worship. As Curtis and Moses says, “Watch Out!” We need to build healthy guidelines to identify what and who we are worshiping. We need proper orientation. Harping back to Moses…we have to be obedient and be set apart. Even if being set apart means that just like Curtis you are not invited to the next get together with your friends because you are the sour grape.

Latest Message Up

Here is last week's message from Deuteronomy 12-13.

This message deals with a core practice of the Christian Church-congregational worship.

I'm sure much could be said this week in regards to Christian worship. I made some strong statements in this message... Did I go too far? Did I not go far enough?

http://saturdaynightchurch.podomatic.com/

Freak With A Capital "F"

Garrett and I are a bit quirky. And, if you know us..this isn't news to you. :)



But, one of the funniest quirks about Garrett is that he really HATES being called a Christian. He despises it enough that he wants to make up his own name for his faith.



His explanation is that everyone that believes in God (regardless of their actions or lifestyle) labels themselves as a "Christian". Anyone that isn't Buddhist, Muslim, Mormon, etc. that believes that Jesus existed just checks the little box by Christian. But being Christian is supposed to mean so much more. We are supposed to be set apart..actual FOLLOWERS, not observers.



But are we?



I'm just not sure how "Different" Christians (myself included) are from the average, every day, Mr. Nice Guy, non-believer down the street.



That's why Curtis's sermon hit home. We are not called to be common, average or normal. We are called to follow Christ with a reckless abandon. As Curtis put it, maybe we are called to be a little bit insane.



I have been wrestling with turning away from my earthy Idols for the past few months and I admit its not easy. I've been making conscious decisions to not watch shows or listen to music that would not be pleasing to Christ (Hello, True Blood!). It gets especially hard when people ask why I don't do things I did previously. They seriously think I'm a freak with a capital "F"!!! But it sparks some interesting conversations and a chance to give my 2 minute shame-less plug. (Thankfully, if anyone knows me they know that 99.9% of the time, I don't care what people think.)



But, I've got a long way to go in casting out my earthly idols.. I need to take another long, hard look at my life and continue "Taking out the trash."



This is me signing off...I helped coach my baby niece out of the womb and I'm toast.



Shameless, Insane, Jesus-lovin' Toast, That is.

Creed

In light of being called out for being introspective I am wondering why no one else is blogging? I wonder if it is because our pastor, our leader, our Sheppard is putting people down. Calling people out and failing to create an environment that is safe, open, and welcoming? Could this be the reason? I don't know...so I will continue to blog eagerly waiting for the day when someone else joins me. I will try my best to, because obviously I was not doing that before, and blog to the constraints that Curtis has placed on me. On second thought, I will blog in the way the sermon spoke to me because after reviewing Curtis' request for me to blog that is exactly what he said.

Despite being introspective, as if it is a bad thing, this week Curtis left us with a practical application step. There was not a whole lot of room to make the creeds we created introspective. However, everyone made personal creeds (statements of belief that depict truth and action in their life). I don't know if we were supposed to state them daily this week, but if we were I have failed. I just stated mine out loud while alone in my office for the first time since writing it. There is something empowering about talking to yourself when no one is around.

My creed stated that I am answering the call to Listen and Obey Gods Words. I am responding in action through love. I will let God transform me to what he designed me to be as I focus on Him alone. My creed is based out of the belief that truth creates demands on our lives; therefore I cannot make a claim/creed about truth unless it is evident in my life. I guess it would be an axiomatic truth now that I think about it. I am still working on letting my creed become axiomatic, but part of my creed includes transforming me...so I guess I will let it do its work.

That's all I got this week...the blogs are shorter when you can't get super introspective.