Jacob's Limp

This is from Mark Driscoll's book Vintage Jesus... I found it helpful.

2008-03-03T15:48:00.007-06:00

Here he is trying to help us understand why all three roles of Jesus in our lives are important:

"PROPHET + KING - PRIEST = JESUS OF FUNDAMENTALISM
Fundamentalist Christians who are prone to legalism, moralism, and a general lack of love, grace, mercy, or patience are often the product of a deficient understanding of Jesus as priest. The strength of fundamentalism is its keen awareness of Jesus’ prophetic role as bold truth-teller and commander of repentance, along with his role as king who rules and reigns in all authority. However, they are also prone not to appreciate fully the priestly role of Jesus. As a result, God seems primarily cold, distant, stern, harsh, and even cruel. Their Jesus sits on a throne far away and yells at us but never gets off that throne to help. He’s just sitting there, disappointed, waiting for us to mess up. In short, this is a God that we are more prone to run away from than toward in our time of need. The result of this error is either despair or pride, but not worship, humility, or joy. Because God is a boss who yells at us, this form of religion traps us into a cycle where if we think we’re doing well, we get proud, and if we think we’re doing poorly, we get depressed. At no point do we receive loving help because Jesus is not fully valued as a priest.

PROPHET + PRIEST - KING = JESUS OF EVANGELICALISM
The curious fact of modern evangelicalism is that there is both a general assent to basic Christian truths, and a moral life that is virtually indistinguishable from the average non-Christian in areas such as sexual sin. Researchers such as George Barna have built entire ministries quantifying these facts statistically. Why does this happen? Because the role of Jesus as king is apparently diminished or dismissed. In this form of religion, people know that Jesus speaks the truth as their prophet and loves them as their priest. So when they sin, they know that Jesus will forgive them and still love them. But they still rule over their own life. When they need help, they read the Bible or ask Jesus to serve them. Practically, they don’t see Jesus ruling over them, but rather coming alongside them to help them to achieve their objectives. He is only allowed to do so when he is invited. The result is a double-life of hypocrisy in which we call Jesus Lord, call his Word true, and then do whatever we want in some areas of our life because the pants are mine, the money is mine, the web browser is mine, the food is mine, the alcohol is mine, the schedule is mine, the life is mine, and the glory is mine, and I will rule as king over aspects of my own life with Jesus as little more than my trusty assistant.

PRIEST + KING - PROPHET = JESUS OF LIBERALISM
Liberal Christianity is prone to understand Jesus as our priest, who is filled with grace, love, mercy, and tolerant patience, as well as our king, who rules over all peoples and seeks to extend to them grace, love, and mercy. However, the weakness of typical liberal Christianity is that it fails to fully appreciate the hard-edged role of Jesus as prophet. The sad result is that Jesus is seen as someone who would never offend us, raise his voice, hurt our feelings, speak harshly, or command individuals to repent with a sense of urgency because he is only infinitely patient, tolerant, and understanding.
By way of illustration, I recall a conversation I once had with a liberal Christian pastor who was president of a large network of liberal churches. He told me that a pastor should never say anything that would offend anyone because the only way we offend someone is when we speak out of a place of pride. I asked him if Jesus was therefore guilty of the sin of pride because many people were furious with him to the degree that they shouted, “Crucify him!” Seeing he was on the horns of a dilemma, he agreed that Jesus was both the most humble person who has ever lived and did say some things that his hearers considered harsh because of their prophetic edge. Jesus sometimes spoke tenderly as a priest, but he also spoke tersely as a prophet to ensure that the sword of truth was removed from its scabbard and wielded with full force. When Jesus is not seen as prophet, sinful beliefs and behaviors are blessed because to speak the truth and command repentance would require a prophetic voice. Subsequently, liberal Christianity is mired in such things as homosexuality and universalism, as if every sexual practice and every religious belief were acceptable in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus came to the earth to reveal himself to us as our prophet who speaks to us, priest who walks with us, and king who rules over us. Jesus’ ministry continues today and his roles are the same yesterday, today, and forever. For the three offices of Jesus to be of the greatest benefit to us, we must humbly ask God to reveal to us which aspect of Jesus’ ministry we are most likely to misunderstand or even ignore and read Scripture with a humble heart seeking to see Jesus in the fullness of his glory."

#642801. 1 copy. For personal use only. All rights reserved. GNPPDF

From Chapter Four of "Vintage Jesus" pp.82-84

I think I can tend towards a fundamentalist evangelical, you?

Me Me

2008-02-21T10:53:00.004-06:00

My sister STUPID HEAD tagged me with this thingy... She will pay dearly.

THE RULES:

(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

1)We called our Grandmother Me Me. She was the sweetest Me Me ever (she always made me 7-up and gumdrop cookies).

2)When I was a kid I would very carefully craft ninja weapons out of anything I could find laying around the house/yard (for instance you can make a throwing star by taping four nails together, each pointing in different directions).

3)I can turn anything into a musical instrument.

4)The flu shot is totally worth it. Even if it were a six inch needle, the diameter of a toothpick, administered by inserting between your toe-nail and toe and having you kick a brick wall... it would still be worth it. (I just realized that this isn't really about me so... I am a Thespian.)

5) I once cooked sweet and sour chicken using cat just to see if the rumors were true. (That cat tastes just like chicken!!!)

6)I share the same appreciation for shock value as STUPID HEAD. (Number 5 is not true)

7)I am breaking rules 4 and 5... I'm a rulebreaker.

Student Life Tour

2008-01-02T19:47:00.000-06:00

I just got back from an incredible three days with 15 great students. I am exhausted!!!

Watch Your Words

2007-12-30T12:26:00.000-06:00

So I had to stop by the store on the way home from church (One where everything is generally a dollar...or two). As I was checking out the two cashiers were conversing about not having groceries because their children eat them out of house and home. One lady's son was older (I know this because she was older and because of what she was about to say.) and she was excited because he had decided to go back to school and try to make something of himself. He was going to get a degree in medical assistance. Then, without missing a beat the other lady chimed in and said that there isn't any money in medical assistance, that she had the same degree, and began to list her reasons why it was a terrible idea. It reminded me of the SNL sketch "Debbie downer" and I couldn't help but wonder how many times I have ruined someones excitement by saying something stupid. Sometimes people aren't asking for advice, they are just telling you something they find exciting. DG lady watch what you say.

Great iPhone pic

2007-12-28T16:13:00.000-06:00

This is a pic of my niece, Charlee, taken with my iPhone. Could the conditions have been any better?

Holiday Mac

2007-12-17T09:35:00.001-06:00

Guitar Villain

2007-12-16T21:05:00.000-06:00

This morning I was honored to play guitar in Grace's Christmas production, "Come Light Your World." I played acoustic for the first half and electric for the second half. Since I do not own an electric (although I wish I did...that would be GREAT) Clayton graciously loaned me his (This is a BIG deal that usually requires a deposit of blood and the promise of your first-born son). This is something I take very seriously for it is a great responsibility to cherish and protect someone else's baby. OK...all that to say that when I was putting it on it's stand this morning I did not check to make sure that it was balanced and as I turned away I saw it begin to fall. Now normally I am very quick to catch a guitar and would even sacrifice my body to protect one from harm but today...today I wounded my friend's guitar. It is an ever so small ding on the neck but I am still sick about it. Throughout the day the scene has been replaying in slow motion. "What could I have done differently?" "Why didn't I double check the stand?" "I should have gotten more sleep last night. Then I would have been able to reflex catch it." It's hopeless...I'm a guitar-aphile. I lured it away from it's owner and I robbed it of it's perfection. I'm guilty of first-degree neck-murder and there is no punishment to fit the crime. Thankfully Clayton was very gracious and saved his tears for the privacy of his own home. He said, "It had to happen sometime." But why did it have to happen to me? I'm sorry Clayton. I'm sorry Fender. I'm sorry Stevie, Jimi, Eric and Phil. I'm sorry world. I do not deserve to bear the name "guitarist."

Psalm 131

2007-12-11T13:44:00.000-06:00

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me

A Diamond is Forever

2007-12-11T07:35:00.000-06:00

If you are anything like me, you discover new music via commercials, tv, and movies quite often. The new diamond commercial (when the husband and wife are sitting in the car and he drops the journey diamond pendant in her hand) is a great example. So for any of you who were wondering what song is playing in the background: Landon Pigg, Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop.

You can here it here:
Landon's Myspace

or download it from iTunes.

Andrew Peterson

2007-12-10T22:08:00.000-06:00

Andrew is a man that I have mad respect for as a singer/songwriter. His lyrics love to swim into the deep waters of God's truth and at the same time embrace you like an old (at times extremely funny) friend. Here is a track off of his Christmas album that has been beating in rhythm with my heart this Advent. Enjoy:

Deliver Us
from "Behold the Lamb of God"
Words and music by Andrew Peterson
Lyrics:

Our enemy, our captor is no pharaoh on the Nile
Our toil is neither mud nor brick nor sand
Our ankles bear no calluses from chains, yet Lord, we're bound
Imprisoned here, we dwell in our own land

Deliver us, deliver us
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry
And gather us beneath your wings tonight

Our sins they are more numerous than all the lambs we slay
These shackles they were made with our own hands
Our toil is our atonement and our freedom yours to give
So Yahweh, break your silence if you can

Chorus

'Jerusalem, Jerusalem
How often I have longed
To gather you beneath my gentle wings'

©2004 Andrew Peterson

Glory's cute hat

2007-12-03T19:59:00.001-06:00

Advent Poem

2007-12-03T19:32:00.000-06:00

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Poems/ByDate/2523_Nicodemus_Part_1/

ESV Daily Reading Bible

2007-11-29T21:22:00.000-06:00

Here is a blog that you should know about:

ESV Daily Reading Bible

Obey your Parents

2007-11-28T21:34:00.000-06:00

That's what I taught tonight. Col 3:20. This got me to thinking... How do you define parent these days? All the divorce and separation in our culture makes me really sad. Here is a great blog that I read on divorce: http://www.challies.com/archives/guest-bloggers/tears-at-thanksgiving.php
I found it very thoughtful and tasteful.

Redefining Love

2007-11-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

I had the privilege to teach at my church, Grace Baptist, Sunday morning. The idea of the talk that how we think of love in American culture is in stark contrast with the way Jesus loves. It was a sweet time where I felt that the Holy Spirit was at work (I pray He was) and I am thankful to the church and my Pastor for affording me the opportunity. I hate the way I sound recorded, which sadly is probably much like what other people hear naturally, but if you want to, you can listen to it here:Redefining Love

Blogging

2007-11-26T15:50:00.000-06:00

I have decided to step up my game here in the Blogging world. I've gone too long without any blogging and I am ashamed of myself. Stay tuned for a more consistent blogging experience.

P.S. I still intend to comment on the Emergent Church Movement but have been too swamped to finish reading the book. I will get right on that.

Apologies

2007-11-03T21:17:00.000-05:00

I feel that I will be very good at apologizing by the time I am old. It seems that I am constantly struggling to say things just the right way so that I will not hurt the ones I love, but sometimes that struggle is in vain. I wish I could go through life never being misunderstood but it seems more times than not my words come out akwardly and I spend the rest of the conversation trying to clear up misunderstandings. Or worse, I just say stupid and hurtful things on purpose. Either way, I definitely do not live up to James 1: 19 (quick to hear, slow to speak) and sometimes the people that get hurt are the closest to my heart. My hope is that in those times to most meaningful words that come out of my mouth are "I'm sorry."

Harvest Festival

2007-11-01T11:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Glory's first Halloween. I'm not a huge fan of holidays in general but she was extremely cute in her Snow White costume (Thanks Michelle). Halloween was great because I am on a great staff at a great church and we had a great harvest festival (with great weather). I am so thankful to God for bringing me to Grace. Here are some photos:

emergence part 2

2007-10-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

The main point of the emergence conference was to further discuss the themes found in the Zondervan book, Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Church. We were given the book at the conference and I haven't had the chance to read it. I have decided to read the book to further understand the viewpoints given as a couple of the contributors to the book were on the panel of the conference. It will probably take a few days to read and process and then I will give my estimation of the emergent movement and talk further about some of the ideas discussed at emergence. Stay tuned.

Meet Macbook

2007-10-24T22:32:00.000-05:00

After many years of longing, my church, Grace, graciously bestowed upon me my first Macbook.

Isn't it cute?

emergence part 1

2007-10-20T21:29:00.000-05:00

Clayton (my friend and worship leader) and I just returned from the emergence 2007 conference. I sat a lot and listened a lot and disagreed with a lot and agreed with a lot and I am just too tired to process it yet so I will update you.

Memory Verse

2007-10-15T09:04:00.000-05:00

Every week I memorize a verse or two of scripture from Bethlehem Baptist's (John Piper) scripture memory system. This week's verse: "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." This leads me to two struggles. First, in America, where God in His sovereignty has placed me, I do not suffer for being a follower of Christ. I really do not suffer period. Secondly, it says to glorify God in the name "Christian". I normally shy away from that title because of the gross misunderstandings associated with it, but it seems to me that this passage says to embrace suffering on the account of that name. So here is the first question...could the negative thoughts toward the name Christian be suffering? If so, it sure doesn't seem very hard to suffer because I (and millions of other Americans) have no problem embracing the name. I do not think the name is the heart of the issue.

I am also reading through the last chapter of Piper's book Desiring God which just so happens to be on suffering. He makes the case from scripture that Paul chose a life of suffering to bear the name of Christ and I agree. He also makes a case from scripture that no suffering we could experience on earth can compete with the treasure of being with Christ in heaven...again no argument here. My dilemma comes when I consider my life of little to no suffering. I did not choose suffering to become a Christian. That's the sort of stuff you read about in India or Afghanistan or China, but not in America; America is God's country. You do not suffer for being a Christian in America. In fact, we live in a country where you can smoke pot to ease the pain of cancer (I am not making a judgment, just reinforcing a point.). We hardly suffer for anything in America. How do we choose suffering in American culture Christianity?

I've said all that to say this: I do not believe there is a lack of suffering in our culture; I believe there is a lack of Christians. Maybe it's the fact that you would have to get out a microscope to see my faith. Or maybe it's because I only half-heartedly embrace Jesus although I claim to love Him with my whole heart. Some of my close friends often ask the question, "What does a Christian in America look like?" and truthfully I am not sure I have ever met one. I am so far from where I need to be spiritually that it is sickening. I do not desire and love God above all things. My heart is hard and cold and I do not love like He loves.

My only encouragement in times like these is that the disciples didn't seem to get it until after Jesus' ascension and they walked with Him. He did not lose one of them and they ended up living, suffering, and dying for His glory.

My prayer right now is this: "Lord, give me a heart for you. A heart of passion that will sell everything (American materialism) to follow you. Lord give me a taste of your infinite value so that I will crave nothing else. Jesus I want to know you and the power of your resurrection, and may share in your sufferings, becoming like you in death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

I'll be honest, this prayer both excites and scares me and I am not sure that I truly invite suffering, but I do long to know Jesus. So if that invites suffering may I go on rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer for the name.

My life with Christ and walking with a limp.

2007-10-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Deciding to give blogging a try, I've determined to specifically blog about my struggle to become Christ-like. This is not a new struggle for me...just one I am weary of hiding. I do not find any of Christ's teachings simple or easy and struggle to live like He would have me live. I feel like Jacob most of the time: wrestling with someone who will not fully reveal Himself to me, asking Him to bless me, and winding up walking with a limp. If this doesn't sound like the Christianity you have experienced this may not be the site for you. (Here is one that may be better suited: joelosteen.cc) However, if this resonates in your soul...maybe we could walk (limp) together through this beautiful messed up life trusting in the value of the treasure that we find in Christ when we seek Him with all of our heart. (Who knows...maybe we'll find healing, peace, and love in divine hip dislocation.)