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So, after a lot of discussion and thought, I have come to some conclusions. I am still uncertain if I'm beginning with those, or with the the recent church experiences. Yeah, let's start with those.
We heard that we should try a church that was another 35-40 minutes away. So, we did. We went in the morning. We sat in the back. Another man sat in front of us. He noticed several other people greeting us, and so he turned around to greet us too. He was also a visitor he said. He was the original pastor of the church we were at which he started some several years ago. In the conversation we mentioned we were from MI. I'm assuming that was the reason that he then did something surprising. He recommended another church. He was talking in a whispered voice. More along the humorous tone than a hushed secretive tone. He assumed we were "independent," then went on to say he was part of the Southern Baptist Convention. "Heretics" he said, then chuckled. He was a nice guy. The service was horrible. The preaching was just a mess. The pastor's kid I had seen and recognized from MBBC. He recognized us too. The pastor's wife was a talker...took us a while to get out. It was a mess.
In the evening service, we went to the church recommended by the pastor at the other one. It was better. Preaching was some of the best we had heard in a long while. (Not to say it was great. It wasn't. Just better than some.) The music wasn't bad. Wasn't exactly traditional; wasn't real modern either. The beat was not at all heavy. The melody was fine. The words however were new, and on a screen. I am not opposed to a screen all the time. However, when they are new songs, and there is no music to follow, it makes it very weird. I was not able to take part in the worship. I wanted to sing. I didn't know the tune. The words were on the screen, but I could not sing and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. That was the same tonight. I don't like screens. I like reading music.
The preaching Sunday was ok. Like I said, not great. It was satisfactory for the last Sunday night of the year. It was understandable with much application. But it was not deep. It was not something that would be good if it typified the regular messages at the church. My fear is it did. We will have to wait to find out. Tonight was not good. There are two screens. One behind the pastor; one behind the congregation. The pastor's notes on the screen. Well, tonight he couldn't keep a sentence together without referencing the wall. It interrupted his sentences, and his thought patterns. Now, he did have two funerals today with graveside services. So, he had an exhausting day. So, again, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. That has been our church experience this week.
Now, on to my conclusions regarding churches, and memberships, and all that good stuff that drives a man insane. We have been looking for a long time. Over a year. We have been disgusted, discouraged, and downhearted. We have talked to a lot of people. We have thought this through from many different angles. Different things have appealed to us. We have bent on things we didn't want to.
The question is really, "How important is church attendance and/or membership?" If, attendance is really really really important, than maybe that outweighs the importance of some other doctrine, preference, etc. If membership is important, that changes things too.
The Bible places importance on fellowship and joining to a local church. This importance is not to be neglected nor is it voided by the importance the Bible places on other things.
Important things: (1) If we find a Baptist church, we are less likely to encounter stuff like baby baptizing, or elder rule. (2) If they hold to the KJV then the Word of God will go forth. It never returns void, and so God's Word will accomplish what He wills it to accomplish. (3) Arielle needs to be in church. She needs to get into the habit of being there. She needs to know it is important for her parents to be in church and on time. She needs to know we understand the importance of the Word of God. She won't get a lot of that in the beginning. But she will get the habit. She will learn to sit still and listen. And, by the age of three, she will have some of the habit. (4) It is important for us to be around the saints too. We need it even when we think we don't. Praising God, singing, giving, and hearing the Word preached is something we can't measure in a tangible way. It is amazing how much difference it makes to be in God's house. (5) If we are in church, we can make a difference. We can serve. We can be active. We can be an encouragement to others. We can do those things. The stories I have heard of the Calvinists being the most active witnesses at the church could not have taken place if they had not joined the church where such a thing like that would be noticed. I need to be faithful in the smaller things. I need to go on visitation. I need to go door-to-door. I haven't done that before. I need to be involved. Before, I was thinking I needed to teach, and so I wouldn't join a church where that wouldn't happen. Maybe I shouldn't be starting by asking and telling the stance on Calvinism. Oh well.
Anyway, so there is our decision. Maybe I'll post some of it on facebook, so all the others with some input can read our reasoning.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
friends, pride, family, debate, emotions
Well, its been over a month since I blogged last (again.) What's new? Lots of stuff; and lots is old. Lots are old? "Lots is" does not sound right, but of course, that's because I am skipping words. Much remains the same. There.
I realized recently that I wanted someone to talk to about what was going on. I thought many times of the people I could call, or just see and talk to, and yet, time constraints, and my hesitation prevented me. It is good to talk to friends and family of the events of my life. What I have been hesitant about is that things aren't going so great, and I am not looking for pity. Compassion? maybe. Understanding, and encouragement: definitely.
I have a hard time accepting things from others. People are kind. They are generous. I just have a hard time accepting it. Maybe it is a foolish self-reliance (though, I would admit I am not reliant on myself). In the end, I understand that it is probably my pride, in that I can care and provide for myself. Asking for and accepting help means that I am not capable. Of course, writing/thinking it out, I see the foolishness in it. What difference does it make, if God provides through an extra tutoring session this week, and through my family next week. God is providing either way. But, I can claim some form of involvement in the first. Perhaps that is why my pride gets in the way.
It is Christmas time. I am out of school. I have two weeks off. The librarian walked by today and asked if I was heading to MI. I had to say no. Then I had to think about it. I try to avoid that. I do a pretty good job about it. This year doesn't seem like Christmas is real anyway. I'm trying to snap out of that. No snow. No cold. I'm still wearing shorts and flip-flops. I did wear jeans a few times...but that's not enough. We have done some Christmas shopping, but we were not able to get people as much as we would have liked.
Here is a bah-humbug section. I don't like the exchanging of gifts. Perhaps I don't like it because I can't afford to give something that really shows thought. If the thought is what counts, what thought does it really show to buy a giftcard? I mean, I have some stuff that I would have liked to give people; they probably would have liked it. I couldn't. That frustrates me. We exchange gifts, because it is expected. Now, this isn't everyone. But it isn't because I found THIS and I wanted to give it to you because I thought you would like it.
What do I want for Christmas? I want to be with family and relax, and have fun. I want the people around me to be happy. I don't want some "thing."
This will be my first Christmas I am not with all my family. Well, I am with MY family, but I think you know what I mean. It will be my first Christmas where I am not in MI. I will miss all the people. Everyone knows I would be there if I could. Because we had to come to this conclusion several months ago, it seems odd that it is just getting here now. I have kinda already gone through the disappointment of not being in MI, and now its actually here. . .and I will not be seeing my parents, my brother, my sisters, my cousins. /sigh. God is good.
That brings up more frustrations. Family Christmas just got canceled. I better not blog about it. . . . . .It might be too touchy; but it hurt.
Let me segue from that into something else touchy. Debate and personal feelings. When debating about Scripture, and therefore absolute truth, we are not talking about what hurts your feelings. Just because the Bible teaches election and you are offended because now God is not fair in your eyes, or because now you feel a sense of robotics affecting you. It does not matter how you feel one bit. What matters is truth. So what if you think that God is too loving to not save the "good" [insert denomination here]. Does that matter one bit? I have been in discussions with people where it becomes personal too fast and their view is dictated on their experience. At MBBC, I said something (don't even remember what, sorry) and some kid got very upset (he was the emotional type) because his dad was a pastor and what I said disagreed with something his dad did. It was an immediate abandoning of the Scripture presented. We had to stop the discussion because he was too caught up in it. I didn't understand it.
Obviously, there are things that are hard to discuss. There are things that are hard to deal with, and proper timing is important. But really, I think we are fools if we think we can discuss things without them affecting our lives. It matters where we put our trust. Is our trust in these people? Our dad? Our mom? Our pastor? Our college professor? Our husband? Our wife? If we put our trust in these people, we will be in turmoil if it can be shown that they are wrong. It will destroy our erroneous world view. If our worldview rests on the notion of someone or something being correct and that is not the Scripture, then we are foolish.
Too often however, we think we are resting on Scripture and instead are resting on Scripture plus that other something. I am not talking about our faith, but about what we know of life, and our worldview. It is not enough for me to rest on Scripture and my parents, so why would I do so, or be inclined to do so? (I am not, fyi.) Here is why people feel inclined that way. Well, there may be more than one reason. Here is one.
"In ignorance, people idolize the intelligent." (Yes, once I started that sentence I realized what a point could be made, and would be by many attempting to be neat, when in fact it truly seems lousy to me. I only finished it to be able to point out that hearing stuff like that in a sermon makes me just wish that he would "preach the word.") People look up to their parents and pastor because they have learned all they know from them. These people are like sponges. (By the way, a sponge lacks discernment.) They sit in front of their dad and are wrongfully in awe. They sit in class with their mouths hanging open at the professor's supposed genius. They, like hungry puppies, follow the pastor around the church snatching at every scrap. So, yes, they place undo importance on their teachers. (I shouldn't have to put this disclaimer here, but I do anyway...(that itself bothers me in church, when pastors have to put disclaimers on stuff. . .sad day we are living in.)So, here is the actual disclaimer: I am not saying we shouldn't respect our parents, pastors, professors. Indeed, we owe them much because they have given their time and their knowledge to help us grow. But we are not to come to depend on them. We are to grow, and mature so that we no longer need them in for our every move, but rather as counselors. And the wise will make use of his counselors.)
Well, I have strayed from the path, but in this case, the path was not absolute, and so no harm was done. One of my friends in seminary shared some of his notes with me. It was great to read them. Made me miss it. I often do, when I read the issues of deep doctrine. Some people do not need to know. Others do not want to know. I crave it.
On that note, I have been reminded often lately of how we are all to crave it. We are to crave God's Word. I'm not saying we should all love to try to figure out what logical order there was to four of God's decrees (creation, fall, salvation, election). No, not for everyone, but we should all desire the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow thereby. It is a huge encouragement to me when I read, or hear others talking about Scripture. When I see application of it. I see it in my life, and it helps seeing it in others. Not to say I'm perfect, or anywhere near it. There are just some things I do because I should.
Continuing, it is interesting to see how my generation has turned out. Some I talk to and hear about God working in their lives. I see and hear the struggles they are going through, and the blessings they encounter. Others, I know little. It is when you know little that the mind can be most dangerous. Of those that I know little, I generally, being the cynic I am, do not think good without reason. It doesn't necessarily mean I think bad, BUT its much easier to get a reason to think bad. I have to be careful.
I am looking at getting my teaching certificate. I have to take some general knowledge test where I have to answer questions and write an essay. Then I have to take some Math test to be able to teach math 6th-12th. I'm guessing it isn't too hard. The only cost I've seen so far is fingerprinting, which I have already done, so that's good. But, I will probably have to pay something when it is actually time to take the tests.
I won KOTOR twice. Once as dark, once as light. Dark was more fun. I found a cheating mod where I could edit my gear, stats, skills, feats, powers, etc. Made the second game a bit easier, but also it may have made it boring...or that could have been me playing the same thing I had a week back. I've been thinking of getting Kingdom hearts 2, mostly because I was wanting a game. That kinda died though. A game doesn't sound too appealing right now. Maybe I just need a better game. I heard assassin's creed was pretty good. I haven't played any of the neverwinter night, oblivion, elder scrolls stuff. (I don't even know if those are the same games, or related or what.) We were really thinking of getting an xbox/wii for christmas. That was when we thought we could afford something more.
I really want to get a piano. Kaylynn would like to play, and I would like to hear her. I also have been wishing for a musical instrument lately, and if we have to buy one, it might as well be something we can both play (at least a little for me).
I have been thinking of writing a book again. Yes, I do that regularly. This time, I kept thinking about it and thinking about it. Finally, a story came to me. Then I get online to see what money we might be talking about. Probably a penny an hour. Writers don't get much, unless they sell huge. Harry Potter, and Twilight made those ladies rich. I can't write to a crowd that I can't really appreciate though. And I can't appreciate twilight, and the writing of HP just seemed childish (well, duh! It was for kids).
Anyway, most writers get paid twice a year. From what I saw, it might be reasonable to expect $1 a book for every hardcover book that sells. And it might be reasonable to expect $.40 for every softcover. If I want to live on that, I'm going to have to sell a LOT of books. Of course, there are billions of people and if only 60,000 want my book, I could live with that. HA! Anyway, I know I don't have what Tolkien had. I don't have what Jordan had. I don't think I even have close to Rothfuss. I don't know about Martin. Could never make it through the beginning of his series.
The other problem I have is knowledge base. Rothfuss said in one of his early interviews that he has read around 10,000 novels. I was not an English major, nor did I teach English, nor work with literature for a living. I have read WoT, NotW, and LotR. Go me? I think not. I've read more I'm sure, but not in the non-sci-fi fantasy genre. Every bookstore and library has shelf after shelf of fantasy. I don't even know where to start for fear of being disappointed. I'm not going to pay $8 to read something that I'm going to regret. That's why I wait for Matt to tell me to read something.
Regardless, it has been an outlet for my mind the last two days to continue to build this story. To work around the pitfalls. I try to think of what I would want to happen were I reading the book, then I plan conflict before that can happen. I don't like the way things work out luckily. But I want the protagonist to get the break he needs. Kvothe met Abenthy early on, but that was not considered too lucky since the conflict had not yet begun. Further, the next noticable break that he gets (that I recall) is when his loot gets broken and he gets a lot of money from Ambrose. Anyway, I am working on some stuff.
I need to go, this has been long and my wife has been far too patient. Since it is unlikely I will blog again, Merry Christmas to all, and a Ho Ho Ho!!
I realized recently that I wanted someone to talk to about what was going on. I thought many times of the people I could call, or just see and talk to, and yet, time constraints, and my hesitation prevented me. It is good to talk to friends and family of the events of my life. What I have been hesitant about is that things aren't going so great, and I am not looking for pity. Compassion? maybe. Understanding, and encouragement: definitely.
I have a hard time accepting things from others. People are kind. They are generous. I just have a hard time accepting it. Maybe it is a foolish self-reliance (though, I would admit I am not reliant on myself). In the end, I understand that it is probably my pride, in that I can care and provide for myself. Asking for and accepting help means that I am not capable. Of course, writing/thinking it out, I see the foolishness in it. What difference does it make, if God provides through an extra tutoring session this week, and through my family next week. God is providing either way. But, I can claim some form of involvement in the first. Perhaps that is why my pride gets in the way.
It is Christmas time. I am out of school. I have two weeks off. The librarian walked by today and asked if I was heading to MI. I had to say no. Then I had to think about it. I try to avoid that. I do a pretty good job about it. This year doesn't seem like Christmas is real anyway. I'm trying to snap out of that. No snow. No cold. I'm still wearing shorts and flip-flops. I did wear jeans a few times...but that's not enough. We have done some Christmas shopping, but we were not able to get people as much as we would have liked.
Here is a bah-humbug section. I don't like the exchanging of gifts. Perhaps I don't like it because I can't afford to give something that really shows thought. If the thought is what counts, what thought does it really show to buy a giftcard? I mean, I have some stuff that I would have liked to give people; they probably would have liked it. I couldn't. That frustrates me. We exchange gifts, because it is expected. Now, this isn't everyone. But it isn't because I found THIS and I wanted to give it to you because I thought you would like it.
What do I want for Christmas? I want to be with family and relax, and have fun. I want the people around me to be happy. I don't want some "thing."
This will be my first Christmas I am not with all my family. Well, I am with MY family, but I think you know what I mean. It will be my first Christmas where I am not in MI. I will miss all the people. Everyone knows I would be there if I could. Because we had to come to this conclusion several months ago, it seems odd that it is just getting here now. I have kinda already gone through the disappointment of not being in MI, and now its actually here. . .and I will not be seeing my parents, my brother, my sisters, my cousins. /sigh. God is good.
That brings up more frustrations. Family Christmas just got canceled. I better not blog about it. . . . . .It might be too touchy; but it hurt.
Let me segue from that into something else touchy. Debate and personal feelings. When debating about Scripture, and therefore absolute truth, we are not talking about what hurts your feelings. Just because the Bible teaches election and you are offended because now God is not fair in your eyes, or because now you feel a sense of robotics affecting you. It does not matter how you feel one bit. What matters is truth. So what if you think that God is too loving to not save the "good" [insert denomination here]. Does that matter one bit? I have been in discussions with people where it becomes personal too fast and their view is dictated on their experience. At MBBC, I said something (don't even remember what, sorry) and some kid got very upset (he was the emotional type) because his dad was a pastor and what I said disagreed with something his dad did. It was an immediate abandoning of the Scripture presented. We had to stop the discussion because he was too caught up in it. I didn't understand it.
Obviously, there are things that are hard to discuss. There are things that are hard to deal with, and proper timing is important. But really, I think we are fools if we think we can discuss things without them affecting our lives. It matters where we put our trust. Is our trust in these people? Our dad? Our mom? Our pastor? Our college professor? Our husband? Our wife? If we put our trust in these people, we will be in turmoil if it can be shown that they are wrong. It will destroy our erroneous world view. If our worldview rests on the notion of someone or something being correct and that is not the Scripture, then we are foolish.
Too often however, we think we are resting on Scripture and instead are resting on Scripture plus that other something. I am not talking about our faith, but about what we know of life, and our worldview. It is not enough for me to rest on Scripture and my parents, so why would I do so, or be inclined to do so? (I am not, fyi.) Here is why people feel inclined that way. Well, there may be more than one reason. Here is one.
"In ignorance, people idolize the intelligent." (Yes, once I started that sentence I realized what a point could be made, and would be by many attempting to be neat, when in fact it truly seems lousy to me. I only finished it to be able to point out that hearing stuff like that in a sermon makes me just wish that he would "preach the word.") People look up to their parents and pastor because they have learned all they know from them. These people are like sponges. (By the way, a sponge lacks discernment.) They sit in front of their dad and are wrongfully in awe. They sit in class with their mouths hanging open at the professor's supposed genius. They, like hungry puppies, follow the pastor around the church snatching at every scrap. So, yes, they place undo importance on their teachers. (I shouldn't have to put this disclaimer here, but I do anyway...(that itself bothers me in church, when pastors have to put disclaimers on stuff. . .sad day we are living in.)So, here is the actual disclaimer: I am not saying we shouldn't respect our parents, pastors, professors. Indeed, we owe them much because they have given their time and their knowledge to help us grow. But we are not to come to depend on them. We are to grow, and mature so that we no longer need them in for our every move, but rather as counselors. And the wise will make use of his counselors.)
Well, I have strayed from the path, but in this case, the path was not absolute, and so no harm was done. One of my friends in seminary shared some of his notes with me. It was great to read them. Made me miss it. I often do, when I read the issues of deep doctrine. Some people do not need to know. Others do not want to know. I crave it.
On that note, I have been reminded often lately of how we are all to crave it. We are to crave God's Word. I'm not saying we should all love to try to figure out what logical order there was to four of God's decrees (creation, fall, salvation, election). No, not for everyone, but we should all desire the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow thereby. It is a huge encouragement to me when I read, or hear others talking about Scripture. When I see application of it. I see it in my life, and it helps seeing it in others. Not to say I'm perfect, or anywhere near it. There are just some things I do because I should.
Continuing, it is interesting to see how my generation has turned out. Some I talk to and hear about God working in their lives. I see and hear the struggles they are going through, and the blessings they encounter. Others, I know little. It is when you know little that the mind can be most dangerous. Of those that I know little, I generally, being the cynic I am, do not think good without reason. It doesn't necessarily mean I think bad, BUT its much easier to get a reason to think bad. I have to be careful.
I am looking at getting my teaching certificate. I have to take some general knowledge test where I have to answer questions and write an essay. Then I have to take some Math test to be able to teach math 6th-12th. I'm guessing it isn't too hard. The only cost I've seen so far is fingerprinting, which I have already done, so that's good. But, I will probably have to pay something when it is actually time to take the tests.
I won KOTOR twice. Once as dark, once as light. Dark was more fun. I found a cheating mod where I could edit my gear, stats, skills, feats, powers, etc. Made the second game a bit easier, but also it may have made it boring...or that could have been me playing the same thing I had a week back. I've been thinking of getting Kingdom hearts 2, mostly because I was wanting a game. That kinda died though. A game doesn't sound too appealing right now. Maybe I just need a better game. I heard assassin's creed was pretty good. I haven't played any of the neverwinter night, oblivion, elder scrolls stuff. (I don't even know if those are the same games, or related or what.) We were really thinking of getting an xbox/wii for christmas. That was when we thought we could afford something more.
I really want to get a piano. Kaylynn would like to play, and I would like to hear her. I also have been wishing for a musical instrument lately, and if we have to buy one, it might as well be something we can both play (at least a little for me).
I have been thinking of writing a book again. Yes, I do that regularly. This time, I kept thinking about it and thinking about it. Finally, a story came to me. Then I get online to see what money we might be talking about. Probably a penny an hour. Writers don't get much, unless they sell huge. Harry Potter, and Twilight made those ladies rich. I can't write to a crowd that I can't really appreciate though. And I can't appreciate twilight, and the writing of HP just seemed childish (well, duh! It was for kids).
Anyway, most writers get paid twice a year. From what I saw, it might be reasonable to expect $1 a book for every hardcover book that sells. And it might be reasonable to expect $.40 for every softcover. If I want to live on that, I'm going to have to sell a LOT of books. Of course, there are billions of people and if only 60,000 want my book, I could live with that. HA! Anyway, I know I don't have what Tolkien had. I don't have what Jordan had. I don't think I even have close to Rothfuss. I don't know about Martin. Could never make it through the beginning of his series.
The other problem I have is knowledge base. Rothfuss said in one of his early interviews that he has read around 10,000 novels. I was not an English major, nor did I teach English, nor work with literature for a living. I have read WoT, NotW, and LotR. Go me? I think not. I've read more I'm sure, but not in the non-sci-fi fantasy genre. Every bookstore and library has shelf after shelf of fantasy. I don't even know where to start for fear of being disappointed. I'm not going to pay $8 to read something that I'm going to regret. That's why I wait for Matt to tell me to read something.
Regardless, it has been an outlet for my mind the last two days to continue to build this story. To work around the pitfalls. I try to think of what I would want to happen were I reading the book, then I plan conflict before that can happen. I don't like the way things work out luckily. But I want the protagonist to get the break he needs. Kvothe met Abenthy early on, but that was not considered too lucky since the conflict had not yet begun. Further, the next noticable break that he gets (that I recall) is when his loot gets broken and he gets a lot of money from Ambrose. Anyway, I am working on some stuff.
I need to go, this has been long and my wife has been far too patient. Since it is unlikely I will blog again, Merry Christmas to all, and a Ho Ho Ho!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
backlogged
So, its been a week and a half since I've been back. Enough time to finish my left over grading, to do something many teachers do, but take the other side and get yelled at, to start a tutoring session four times a week, to start a computer programming club, and to head up a group of teachers trying to get some consistency brought to the uniform rules. Busy week.
Yes, I am tutoring a student 1v1 at school, during my free 8th period. She missed almost the entire first quarter, and needed to catch up. I was asked, and couldn't really turn it down when I'm going to be at school anyway, and now I'm getting paid for those 4 hours twice. I do lose my free 8th period.
Then, I began to setup for a computer club. I was asked, by students, prior to going to MI, and I was happy to start. Then I was asked about the tutoring, so the conclusion then, is that during one 8th period, probably Tuesday, I will be doing the computer club, which means that on that day, my tutoring will move to 3rd period, so I lose 1 3rd period a week too. My time is slipping away from me.
Yes, I got in trouble. I should have probably known better, but at the same time I was not the only one, just that when I did it, it was "inflammatory." /shrug. Its over and I will just be more careful in the future.
In addition, I've been doing more thinking about everything previously blogged. While in MI I heard a Sunday school lesson that was very applicable to this stuff. 1 Cor. 7 and Romans 14. "Knowledge puffeth up." "Charity edifieth." "All things are lawful." "All things are not expedient."
So, let's go hypothetical for a bit. I have knowledge that I can eat meat, but that is not what matters. The other guy has knowledge that eating meat offered to idols is not expedient. Now, they both have knowledge and I think we as fundamentalists have capitalized on the "knowledge" that we have and made rules out of it. Let me go on.
It is not wrong to play poker, or to smoke a cigar. Yes, it is lawful, and within my Christian rights, I may do that. However, it is often not expedient. [Is this the Galatians dilemma, liberty vs. license? We have liberty to do whatever (within the context here...we are not talking liberty to steal, etc.)] It is not expedient. That is, it does not further the Gospel as other things would do. It does not glorify Christ in the best manner possible. When we talk expedient or not, we are talking best or not. So, yes, old time fundamentalists took these things they were sure were the expedients and instead of teaching "Charity edifieth," they made and taught rules.
Why? Do we blame them? Not really. You can teach rules. You CAN'T teach charity. Charity comes from a relationship with Christ. Charity comes from spending TIME, lots and lots of time in the Word of God and talking to God.
Anecdotal experience. I've been working out regularly for a while now. I was convinced however, my first year at MBBC that I could hit 300 by Christmas of my second year. I took too many breaks to know if I actually could have or not, but now that I am regular at it, and have been for almost a year, I realize I was probably wrong. I am making progress. I can lift more than ever before; I look better; but I am not huge, nor can I bench 300 (that I know of).
Back to charity and a relationship. And then, the other thing I have been considering for a long time: being God's friend. Abraham was God's friend. God's friend. It wasn't that God was Abraham's friend. God is the friend to many. But how many are God's friend? Think about it. How do you become God's friend?
When I was told I could not talk to my wife (back before she was) I drove out to WI to explain to her dad that our relationship could not move forward without spending time together and communicating. The same applies to God and us. We need time and communication with Him. Well, I really shouldn't lecture about it. Especially since nothing can be done about it.
That is another thing. It was my turn to do faculty devos last week. I debated for some time what do to, but I ended up talking for just a couple minutes and then reading all of Psalms 9. The fact is, I am nothing, and my words are nothing; but I had God's Word, so I used that.
Nothing we say can do anything. The only thing that changes anything is the Word of God. This is why every chapel lecture, every devotional, every message, every Bible study, is worthless without Scripture. It does no good for me to lecture people on doing right, without including the words of Holy God. My words are not alive. My words are not transcendent. My words are not sharper than a two-edged sword. They do not discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only God's word does that. If we dare try to assume that our words will be ok; that our words can approximate what God's words do; that our words could in someway move the heart; we have then made ourselves God. That really is just what Satan did. . .people don't like it when I draw analogies like that.
Anyway, the music thing can probably fall into something like this. Maybe they had it right back before and the modern is all wrong, but knowledge puffeth up, and charity edifieth. Maybe, they have it right now; knowledge puffeth up and charity edifieth. Lastly, all things are lawful, but all things are not expedient.
On to something else about worship and being in awe of God. We aren't often in awe of God as we should be. Think about Isaiah. Ezekiel. Jesus in the garden. "Jesus saith unto them, I am he. . .As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." With the brief glimpse of who Christ was, whatever He showed them at that time, they fell to the ground. When Isaiah beheld God's glory, he did not jump up and down and wave his hands, he fell to his face and said "Woe is me." The elders in Heaven do continually bow before the throne. Do we ever prostrate ourselves before Him? We have become too comfortable with a "god" that we do not need to stand in awe and fear of. God is referenced as the "fear of Isaac." Yes, we have lost Godly fear.
Then, lastly, what is worship? How do we define worship? Is worship reading the Bible? Is worship always corporate? Is worship praying? Can you read the Bible, and pray without it being worship? I mean actually talking to God and building a relationship, but not worshiping? Or is it worship? How would you define it? Something that my wife and I were discussing tonight.
Anyway, its late so I should go. We have found Bones an interesting show lately.
Yes, I am tutoring a student 1v1 at school, during my free 8th period. She missed almost the entire first quarter, and needed to catch up. I was asked, and couldn't really turn it down when I'm going to be at school anyway, and now I'm getting paid for those 4 hours twice. I do lose my free 8th period.
Then, I began to setup for a computer club. I was asked, by students, prior to going to MI, and I was happy to start. Then I was asked about the tutoring, so the conclusion then, is that during one 8th period, probably Tuesday, I will be doing the computer club, which means that on that day, my tutoring will move to 3rd period, so I lose 1 3rd period a week too. My time is slipping away from me.
Yes, I got in trouble. I should have probably known better, but at the same time I was not the only one, just that when I did it, it was "inflammatory." /shrug. Its over and I will just be more careful in the future.
In addition, I've been doing more thinking about everything previously blogged. While in MI I heard a Sunday school lesson that was very applicable to this stuff. 1 Cor. 7 and Romans 14. "Knowledge puffeth up." "Charity edifieth." "All things are lawful." "All things are not expedient."
So, let's go hypothetical for a bit. I have knowledge that I can eat meat, but that is not what matters. The other guy has knowledge that eating meat offered to idols is not expedient. Now, they both have knowledge and I think we as fundamentalists have capitalized on the "knowledge" that we have and made rules out of it. Let me go on.
It is not wrong to play poker, or to smoke a cigar. Yes, it is lawful, and within my Christian rights, I may do that. However, it is often not expedient. [Is this the Galatians dilemma, liberty vs. license? We have liberty to do whatever (within the context here...we are not talking liberty to steal, etc.)] It is not expedient. That is, it does not further the Gospel as other things would do. It does not glorify Christ in the best manner possible. When we talk expedient or not, we are talking best or not. So, yes, old time fundamentalists took these things they were sure were the expedients and instead of teaching "Charity edifieth," they made and taught rules.
Why? Do we blame them? Not really. You can teach rules. You CAN'T teach charity. Charity comes from a relationship with Christ. Charity comes from spending TIME, lots and lots of time in the Word of God and talking to God.
Anecdotal experience. I've been working out regularly for a while now. I was convinced however, my first year at MBBC that I could hit 300 by Christmas of my second year. I took too many breaks to know if I actually could have or not, but now that I am regular at it, and have been for almost a year, I realize I was probably wrong. I am making progress. I can lift more than ever before; I look better; but I am not huge, nor can I bench 300 (that I know of).
Back to charity and a relationship. And then, the other thing I have been considering for a long time: being God's friend. Abraham was God's friend. God's friend. It wasn't that God was Abraham's friend. God is the friend to many. But how many are God's friend? Think about it. How do you become God's friend?
When I was told I could not talk to my wife (back before she was) I drove out to WI to explain to her dad that our relationship could not move forward without spending time together and communicating. The same applies to God and us. We need time and communication with Him. Well, I really shouldn't lecture about it. Especially since nothing can be done about it.
That is another thing. It was my turn to do faculty devos last week. I debated for some time what do to, but I ended up talking for just a couple minutes and then reading all of Psalms 9. The fact is, I am nothing, and my words are nothing; but I had God's Word, so I used that.
Nothing we say can do anything. The only thing that changes anything is the Word of God. This is why every chapel lecture, every devotional, every message, every Bible study, is worthless without Scripture. It does no good for me to lecture people on doing right, without including the words of Holy God. My words are not alive. My words are not transcendent. My words are not sharper than a two-edged sword. They do not discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only God's word does that. If we dare try to assume that our words will be ok; that our words can approximate what God's words do; that our words could in someway move the heart; we have then made ourselves God. That really is just what Satan did. . .people don't like it when I draw analogies like that.
Anyway, the music thing can probably fall into something like this. Maybe they had it right back before and the modern is all wrong, but knowledge puffeth up, and charity edifieth. Maybe, they have it right now; knowledge puffeth up and charity edifieth. Lastly, all things are lawful, but all things are not expedient.
On to something else about worship and being in awe of God. We aren't often in awe of God as we should be. Think about Isaiah. Ezekiel. Jesus in the garden. "Jesus saith unto them, I am he. . .As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." With the brief glimpse of who Christ was, whatever He showed them at that time, they fell to the ground. When Isaiah beheld God's glory, he did not jump up and down and wave his hands, he fell to his face and said "Woe is me." The elders in Heaven do continually bow before the throne. Do we ever prostrate ourselves before Him? We have become too comfortable with a "god" that we do not need to stand in awe and fear of. God is referenced as the "fear of Isaac." Yes, we have lost Godly fear.
Then, lastly, what is worship? How do we define worship? Is worship reading the Bible? Is worship always corporate? Is worship praying? Can you read the Bible, and pray without it being worship? I mean actually talking to God and building a relationship, but not worshiping? Or is it worship? How would you define it? Something that my wife and I were discussing tonight.
Anyway, its late so I should go. We have found Bones an interesting show lately.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
part 3. . .
So, I have had a bit of interest in this topic. Obviously.
I made my conclusion and then the church we attended today had different music. Music different than I would hear up north. Different than what I hear in chapel. Different than all of that. It had a beat. It was not hugely obvious. They played canned music. But the beat was not the focal point. It was not wrong.
Then I started thinking, maybe it would be wrong in some churches. One song would have driven some people crazy. The piano played a nice offertory but it was backed with canned music that was different. The question that would be asked by many is, "Why add that to that beautiful song?" Does that make it wrong? To add that? I can't say it does. But, if that song was played up north, then the purpose would have driven many to question the purpose, and they would not have been driven to worship or glorify God. Does that mean that in the right setting it is "ok" and in others it isn't? Is the fact that we can't appreciate the music a problem on our part? Are we not eating meat that we could be eating?
On to other things. I'm a chicken. I sat at a table listening to people talking about stuff and said very little. I don't know how to interact with people. It isn't that I'm really chicken. It is more that I honestly am not sure when to start talking when someone else is. They sit there and say something and someone else says something and they say something again, and it goes back and forth and I just don't pipe up unless I have an obvious space. It bothers me. What is the difference between that setting and sitting in the basement arguing anything? I feel more comfortable to say what I want? Maybe.
It also bothers me that I seem to be dumbfounded when I hear some things. I am good at arguing the intricacies of our doctrines, but the bigger picture I'm finding myself just quiet. This guy at work argues things I would never have imagined hearing, and I find I'm unsure how to respond. It makes me feel slow. I hate that.
I read a verse the other day that seemed to fit very well with some conversations I have been having. A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump. A little false doctrine or a few poor choices can ruin all the worship. Every false step in any systematic lends itself to a heretical doctrine down the road.
I've been reading Galatians a lot lately. I have been studying it as if I was going to preach through it. I figured I needed to study something Bible related in addition to just reading something Bible related. So, I've been spending time reading Galatians with that mind set. I hope to start writing on it soon. But one thing that keeps occuring to me as I read it is that Paul pronounces cursing on any that preaches any other Gospel. We want to ignore those things and go with them to conferences. We want to think that those Methodists, Lutherans, non-denominationalists, Catholics, etc, are just a little misinformed. Not cursed. Well, Paul says it twice, just in case someone thinks he might be exaggerating. Hes not. Then he says the leaven thing.
We fight with these two principles. We are to love the brethren. We are to strive for unity. We are to bear others' burdens. We are to separate ourselves from heresy. Doctrine is divisive. Because these things can be hard decisions, we must be close to the Lord. We must walk with God if we are to make the right decision in each instance.
If you are a Calvinist, say it. It just means you believe those 5 points. If you are a Baptist, say it. Don't hide behind bland labels. Biblicist. Non-denominational. What are these things? I don't get it. I want you to tell me what you believe. These labels tell me you are too chicken to name what you believe; OR, you really have no stance on some of this and you need to start reading your Bible and come to decisions on what it says.
I was talking to someone else this week and I mentioned that I love reading God's Word and studying it and he said, "You know that every believer should be able to say that?" He's right. Every believer should be able to say that. They should mean it with all of their hearts that they desire and long for God's Word and love spending time in it.
My wife cheers for the Steelers. I cheer for the Vikings. Next week they play. The Vikings are undefeated. Go them. Still don't like Favre though.
I made my conclusion and then the church we attended today had different music. Music different than I would hear up north. Different than what I hear in chapel. Different than all of that. It had a beat. It was not hugely obvious. They played canned music. But the beat was not the focal point. It was not wrong.
Then I started thinking, maybe it would be wrong in some churches. One song would have driven some people crazy. The piano played a nice offertory but it was backed with canned music that was different. The question that would be asked by many is, "Why add that to that beautiful song?" Does that make it wrong? To add that? I can't say it does. But, if that song was played up north, then the purpose would have driven many to question the purpose, and they would not have been driven to worship or glorify God. Does that mean that in the right setting it is "ok" and in others it isn't? Is the fact that we can't appreciate the music a problem on our part? Are we not eating meat that we could be eating?
On to other things. I'm a chicken. I sat at a table listening to people talking about stuff and said very little. I don't know how to interact with people. It isn't that I'm really chicken. It is more that I honestly am not sure when to start talking when someone else is. They sit there and say something and someone else says something and they say something again, and it goes back and forth and I just don't pipe up unless I have an obvious space. It bothers me. What is the difference between that setting and sitting in the basement arguing anything? I feel more comfortable to say what I want? Maybe.
It also bothers me that I seem to be dumbfounded when I hear some things. I am good at arguing the intricacies of our doctrines, but the bigger picture I'm finding myself just quiet. This guy at work argues things I would never have imagined hearing, and I find I'm unsure how to respond. It makes me feel slow. I hate that.
I read a verse the other day that seemed to fit very well with some conversations I have been having. A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump. A little false doctrine or a few poor choices can ruin all the worship. Every false step in any systematic lends itself to a heretical doctrine down the road.
I've been reading Galatians a lot lately. I have been studying it as if I was going to preach through it. I figured I needed to study something Bible related in addition to just reading something Bible related. So, I've been spending time reading Galatians with that mind set. I hope to start writing on it soon. But one thing that keeps occuring to me as I read it is that Paul pronounces cursing on any that preaches any other Gospel. We want to ignore those things and go with them to conferences. We want to think that those Methodists, Lutherans, non-denominationalists, Catholics, etc, are just a little misinformed. Not cursed. Well, Paul says it twice, just in case someone thinks he might be exaggerating. Hes not. Then he says the leaven thing.
We fight with these two principles. We are to love the brethren. We are to strive for unity. We are to bear others' burdens. We are to separate ourselves from heresy. Doctrine is divisive. Because these things can be hard decisions, we must be close to the Lord. We must walk with God if we are to make the right decision in each instance.
If you are a Calvinist, say it. It just means you believe those 5 points. If you are a Baptist, say it. Don't hide behind bland labels. Biblicist. Non-denominational. What are these things? I don't get it. I want you to tell me what you believe. These labels tell me you are too chicken to name what you believe; OR, you really have no stance on some of this and you need to start reading your Bible and come to decisions on what it says.
I was talking to someone else this week and I mentioned that I love reading God's Word and studying it and he said, "You know that every believer should be able to say that?" He's right. Every believer should be able to say that. They should mean it with all of their hearts that they desire and long for God's Word and love spending time in it.
My wife cheers for the Steelers. I cheer for the Vikings. Next week they play. The Vikings are undefeated. Go them. Still don't like Favre though.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Stubbornness and ignorance and . . . rhyme?
The young generation is ignorant of the why behind the rules.
We don't know. We weren't taught.
The rules were hammered in, and too often the "why" was left to rot.
And so we throw the rules out, we can't stand to have them, baseless as they are.
And we continue anew, finding our standards now are very few.
We forge ourselves a path hoping it is near the truth.
Our closest counselors, those others of our youth.
The old generation is too stubborn to admit they could be wrong.
When asked the reason "why", they wax long and long.
They tell us to be safe. They tell us it is worldly.
And yet when the principle has left, they still hold those standards strong.
Despite the nonsense they then preach, they still preach it as a jewel.
And when they have young folks to teach, they hammer in the rule.
The middle ground is hard to see, the observer can't be sure.
He hates to ask his friends of glee; he sees their nonsense sure.
He sighs to ask the elderly, he doesn't want a liturgy.
He seeks the Truth unabridged. He wants the principle and rule.
And so he talks to old and young, with the Bible as his tool.
He counts on the Holy Spirit to show him the truth.
Well, there is some more poor rhyme, but I think it kinda expresses my frustrations. Of course, I need the disclaimer that not every young person is like that and not every old person is either. I have heard elderly get sharply harsh because of something that the young person says when that person needs to be guided to the truth instead of force-fed it. At the same time, I have seen young people abandon what they had been taught because of one rule that did not have basis.
I hate to be Rehoboam. It scares me to be one of those "wise" kids that doesn't need to listen to the elderly and all they have. But then I hesitate because sometimes I don't get very Biblical or logical responses. It is more of practiced rhetoric. Both are scary. The young wise kids and the old ones who quote the same thing over and over.
Another poem I wrote at school today. You may not care for the content...I'm not sure what I think about all the content myself. But a lot of it I do. So, here it is for your pleasure or not. For those that read it already, I didn't mean to repeat that one section. . .I got distracted when copying it, so here it is as is should have been.
Out with the Old
The old fashioned is gone
In with the new
We don't need a tie
Or a suit in a pew
A worship team with a screen
We'll clap to the beat
We'll sway back and forth
When Holy God we meet
We'll critique His Word
It isn't quite right
Though we rest upon it
The end of our soul's plight
No more humble awed reverence
We need to fix church to win the lost
The past church had it all wrong
We will fix church whatever the cost.
What will bring that poor soul in?
Surely, not "thees" "thous" and preaching on sin.
No, not old fashioned hymns nor words.
They've lost their fire, their zeal, their "in."
God understands when we edit His plan.
We must be modern to win the modern man.
We don't know. We weren't taught.
The rules were hammered in, and too often the "why" was left to rot.
And so we throw the rules out, we can't stand to have them, baseless as they are.
And we continue anew, finding our standards now are very few.
We forge ourselves a path hoping it is near the truth.
Our closest counselors, those others of our youth.
The old generation is too stubborn to admit they could be wrong.
When asked the reason "why", they wax long and long.
They tell us to be safe. They tell us it is worldly.
And yet when the principle has left, they still hold those standards strong.
Despite the nonsense they then preach, they still preach it as a jewel.
And when they have young folks to teach, they hammer in the rule.
The middle ground is hard to see, the observer can't be sure.
He hates to ask his friends of glee; he sees their nonsense sure.
He sighs to ask the elderly, he doesn't want a liturgy.
He seeks the Truth unabridged. He wants the principle and rule.
And so he talks to old and young, with the Bible as his tool.
He counts on the Holy Spirit to show him the truth.
Well, there is some more poor rhyme, but I think it kinda expresses my frustrations. Of course, I need the disclaimer that not every young person is like that and not every old person is either. I have heard elderly get sharply harsh because of something that the young person says when that person needs to be guided to the truth instead of force-fed it. At the same time, I have seen young people abandon what they had been taught because of one rule that did not have basis.
I hate to be Rehoboam. It scares me to be one of those "wise" kids that doesn't need to listen to the elderly and all they have. But then I hesitate because sometimes I don't get very Biblical or logical responses. It is more of practiced rhetoric. Both are scary. The young wise kids and the old ones who quote the same thing over and over.
Another poem I wrote at school today. You may not care for the content...I'm not sure what I think about all the content myself. But a lot of it I do. So, here it is for your pleasure or not. For those that read it already, I didn't mean to repeat that one section. . .I got distracted when copying it, so here it is as is should have been.
Out with the Old
The old fashioned is gone
In with the new
We don't need a tie
Or a suit in a pew
A worship team with a screen
We'll clap to the beat
We'll sway back and forth
When Holy God we meet
We'll critique His Word
It isn't quite right
Though we rest upon it
The end of our soul's plight
No more humble awed reverence
We need to fix church to win the lost
The past church had it all wrong
We will fix church whatever the cost.
What will bring that poor soul in?
Surely, not "thees" "thous" and preaching on sin.
No, not old fashioned hymns nor words.
They've lost their fire, their zeal, their "in."
God understands when we edit His plan.
We must be modern to win the modern man.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
part 2
More thoughts. And while they all tend one way, the conclusion tends the other.
We think "how sad" that hymns are considered in such low-esteem, and they think it is sad that these non-hymns are considered the same way by us. Is their culture truly wrong? Will we condemn many cultures? The big thing here, is that though they don't use hymns, they don't condemn them either. We do. We condemn everyone and anyone that is not like us. This is part of our fundamentalist nature. I understand being separate. But what are we being separate from? What is the "world"? Is it the Hispanic culture? We can't do that.
Yes, I understand that many chapels are not to be times of worship, but this man that I share an office with truly wants to worship God and encourage the kids to do so. Whether anyone else is, he is trying to worship.
I agree that hymns are sung with enthusiasm and that it ministers and edifies, but that also mimics our music preferences and that of those around us. Because the Hispanic culture, which is everywhere down here, is always more active and involved, our English old fashioned services may not in their minds provide ample opportunity to worship. This is what missionaries come back and tell us. They tell us that in adapting to the culture of the people things that are fine here are not there, and things that are not here are there. It is a part of the culture. America is not just English anymore, with the traditional services. Is God American? We know Hes not. Is this bad, to leave the traditional? I don't know. Of course we must be extremely careful when leaving, yet, it may be necessary to include other things. I'm not talking about a complete abandoning even on this narrow topic, but rather an inclusion of some other things.
We aren't Israel. We don't have the straightforward law to tell us how to worship. We have principles. Further, we aren't pulling from the Muslims, or Catholics, etc. This type of music I am speaking from is not a denominational difference as much as it is a cultural difference. Just being down south, I have heard things in independent fundamental baptist churches that I wouldn't hear up there. The social aspect of the south is integrated into the church. God doesn't say that in Jerusalem is the way we ought to worship. He says in spirit and in Truth. We have the southern aspect and then the cross-cultural aspect with the Hispanics.
Then we have the rock bands/culture. And here is the kicker for me. For some reason I wanted to hear/see the song again. So, I remembered the words to a song and a quick google search revealed several different youtube videos of the people who did the song singing it.
What I came up with is that I am far to ignorant about the other cultures, but after a tiny bit of discussion, I realized that what takes place in our chapel with these songs, is not cultural. It is something else. And, that something else I cannot agree with. Now, can I justify condemning it? Well...let's see.
The actions, atmosphere, and attitude (yes, three "a"s; good for me) of the people who "perform" these songs is not what we should be wanting or expecting. Rather, the actions are performance based. The atmosphere is that of the rock-and-roll world. This is an anti-christian world. If you wanted to argue that it is not "anti-" you still could not come to the solid conclusion that it is "pro-". If it is not strong Christianity, than we are conforming to the world, are we not? Are we to live apart from the world? We are not to be "of" the world. Is rock and roll of the world? I'm pretty sure. It is not of the church. It is not "of God." The attitude is not the attitude of solemn, holy, and reverent worship of almighty God. Rather, it is the attitude of a star.
Of course, there are obstacles.
Is all worship supposed to be done in solemnity? I think here, we must be extremely careful with the differences between joy and light-heartedness. The difference between celebrating God's greatness and forgetting God is holy and is only approached through Christ. In much of the music from chapel and the same type, even though the words may talk about God's holiness, that thought is not in mind during the song. We don't see evidence that the song is meant to actually consider God's holiness.
Can we say that Classical or Jazz or Country is "of God?" We would admit that music is "of God." Why is classical ok?
What is the reasoning behind the music appealing to the body over the soul? We know that different music does appeal differently. Do we find Scripture backing up the thought that one is wrong though? God knew that this music debate would come up. He knew that we would be discussing this. What parameters did he leave us with? Psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing and making *melody* in our hearts to the Lord. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Perhaps the emphasis could be on melody? If the beat outweighs the melody, then it should be avoided in the house of God?
Consider another fact. It is a fact that Godly people (generally the older generation) tend to have a problem with rock, rap, metal, etc. Why is this? Is it because they are old? Why is it that Christians who we would say are close to the Lord tend to shun those things?
I recently had a discussion with someone about the Bible issue. We were discussing the self-authentication characteristic and the comparison that I make is that the saints that look into the aspect and are not pushing away from the "rules" of the "old generation" tend to find this chapel music the wrong fit. I don't want to say "The more spiritual recognize that this is bad music." However, there is truth to the fact that those closer to God see their sin and those things that displease God much easier and clearer. Why should we be debating the music in our churches when we aren't doing our devotions regularly, or handing our tracts on a regular basis, or giving to the poor we drive by weekly, etc. Is our worship music really the big debate? I could say the same thing about all sorts of things we debate. Is it really worth discussing?
Well, YES! Let me clarify, that YES it is worth debating. The problem is, that we cannot often see clearly the issues on this stuff because we aren't even walking with God. It is like walking through the woods completely avoiding the path and then trying to argue with three other people in the woods about what to do about the tree in the way. The guy on the path sees that he can just step over it. The other guys think they need to chop it up, or go way around. (Bad analogy? Maybe.)
So, my conclusion as of now, is the same as it has been for years. That is basically that unless we have good and weighing reasons to abandon the standards and principles of our parents and grandparents and the saints before us, then we should instead uphold those. If in upholding those, we come to a place of oppressing the saints then it needs to be evaluated. For this discussion then, those genres that I listed several times should probably not be used in church, or to attempt worship. The logic, and reason behind this is not a simple verse, and bang you are done. Instead we have a long row of questions and complicated issues in order to try to arrive at a simple conclusion.
Compare this to the argument for wearing a suit to church. Why? Does the Bible say to? No. We say that we should wear our best into the house of God. People hear that and say "It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. God doesn't care about the clothes, but about our hearts." Yes, but we respond that it is not a rule. But for me, to enter the house of almighty, holy, God, I should shave, do my hair, and look my best. We do the same for any person of importance. We dress up for special occasions. Anyway, it is a matter of people with a heart attitude desiring to please God. We don't look down on people who don't wear a suit. We just try our best to do right and please God.
I got tons more to say, but blogging while I'm watching Numbers with my wife tends to take more time than I wanted to plan on blogging to begin with. Maybe later.
So much other stuff though...
I am tired of being where I am. I was in a meeting that made me think I wasn't sticking around much longer. Of course, the problem with the meeting was fixed soon after, but I hate being in that spot where it is so bad that that thought occurs to me. Of course, that is misunderstandings, and that is expected.
I talked to Joe. He's frustrated. He told me that we know that several of us all think that we should be doing something bigger, and since we all think that, maybe we should. It obviously isn't coincidence. It is preordained that we are where we are knowledge-wise, positionally, etc. We are all somewhere, and lots of us are wondering why we are where we are. We are wondering where we should go. We are wondering what to do. We don't know what to do, but we want to do more. Much more!! It drives me crazy. I want more than this. I don't know what it is I should do. I don't know what it is God wants for me. Yet, I feel the tug of discontentment. And I am content here. Grandma told me that God uses discontentment to get us to move. To prevent us from settling somewhere for longer than He wants. It was a good reminder.
Mike VK says we don't have time for degrees. He says we don't have time to teach the saints. He says our churches are too full of itching-ears and the wheat and the tares are too close that all we can do is preach. Indeed. I second that. But WHERE!?! I don't have a church. None of us do. What church would take us with our old-fashioned preaching, with our stand on God's sovereignty and man's wickedness, and our believe in the self-authenticating Scriptures? Are there people out there? I was asked that this weekend. I was asked if there are people left. We can't find them. I work at a "Christian" school, and I don't see a lot of Christ-likeness there. I see what I might see anywhere else. People are human. I am torn.
When we come to the end, will I stop going to church? Will I fear what man can do unto me? What will my daughter do? Will she be old enough to understand, or will it come too quickly? Do we have another 60 years where I might see my grandchildren? The state of the world, the country, and the church, and there is nothing worth saving. God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah for 10. 10! How many left does America have? Israel had thousands and yet the famine came. Israel had thousands and yet was rules by wicked leaders who cursed God. Israel was the chosen nation of God. We are heathen. lol, what are our chances? Will God spare America for 100? There have to be 100 true Christians, right? I mean, we should be able to count them if we really try. . .Can I count 100 Christians? I remember at a big family gathering -- don't remember which, but it was a big one -- we counted 80 people. 80. I wish that I could write with 100% certainty that they were all saved. In fact, I would say with most certainty, that apart from God's future working, we should assume some are not saved. That leaves us with -80. Start adding Christian friends from states far and wide, and you start to hope. You start to count families, and see another 5 there, and another 7 there. But, then you wonder -- can you really be sure about them all? Or just the ones you know? How many families seemed all saved and then one, two, or more abandoned the faith? 100. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for 100 souls that belong to Christ. What if we expand, maybe God would spare a state for 100, but the whole country? How about 100 families? 100 families dedicated to God. We know we aren't the only ones. If Elijah teaches us nothing else, it is that even when we feel alone, not only is God present, but God has a remnant. 100 families. Maybe. Maybe there are 100 families. Maybe they love God and will die for him. What about us? The questions isn't even so much do we love Christ? The question is, are we walking so close to Christ that when threatened with death and our families death we would not deny Him? The disciples failed. I don't know if we can do much better. How hard to turn from your family to die at the stake!
One of the saddest things I can ever remember reading was when a husband was going to the stake, his wife was crying and begging him to deny Christ. What could be worse for that man than to hear his wife abandon him during that time? Yes, it was sad and emotional, but when he did the right thing, one of the hardest things a man with a family could do, she begged him to sin.
Often, I have wondered if America would turn that way. I read some Nietzsche today. "Great Philosopher." lol. Supposedly, this stuff is can be so deep that it frustrated the faith of Christians. It was horrible stuff. It really was. But, this is what the world is reading regularly. This is why our scholars in seminary say that you can deny the virgin birth and go to Heaven. They say that God can die. Really. This is where America is. And I'm not talking about mainstream liberal democratic America. I'm talking about the theology of the scholars that teach almost every pastor standing in a pulpit. They are all wack. Currently, I am in direct opposition to degrees. I want nothing to do with them. Here, I see where Baptists went astray in the past. Baptists shunned the false teaching of higher learning. They found the heresy there to be more than they could bear and they exalted the unlearned minister. Ah, the fault there. Fault can be found everywhere.
I got off topic. 100 families. That's in America. Think of the rest of the world. I think that this is where I would hope to guess America is. I think from Elijah's point of view that I should be estimating way higher. From Abraham's point of view, I am too high. We see two individuals that estimated the number of saints. Both were off. And both had lessons to learn. Abraham arose and saw the smoke and PRAYED. Prayer still works. Prayer is what we need. And to remember that God is here. God is always here. But, what can we say/do? Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
"Even so come Lord Jesus. Amen."
We think "how sad" that hymns are considered in such low-esteem, and they think it is sad that these non-hymns are considered the same way by us. Is their culture truly wrong? Will we condemn many cultures? The big thing here, is that though they don't use hymns, they don't condemn them either. We do. We condemn everyone and anyone that is not like us. This is part of our fundamentalist nature. I understand being separate. But what are we being separate from? What is the "world"? Is it the Hispanic culture? We can't do that.
Yes, I understand that many chapels are not to be times of worship, but this man that I share an office with truly wants to worship God and encourage the kids to do so. Whether anyone else is, he is trying to worship.
I agree that hymns are sung with enthusiasm and that it ministers and edifies, but that also mimics our music preferences and that of those around us. Because the Hispanic culture, which is everywhere down here, is always more active and involved, our English old fashioned services may not in their minds provide ample opportunity to worship. This is what missionaries come back and tell us. They tell us that in adapting to the culture of the people things that are fine here are not there, and things that are not here are there. It is a part of the culture. America is not just English anymore, with the traditional services. Is God American? We know Hes not. Is this bad, to leave the traditional? I don't know. Of course we must be extremely careful when leaving, yet, it may be necessary to include other things. I'm not talking about a complete abandoning even on this narrow topic, but rather an inclusion of some other things.
We aren't Israel. We don't have the straightforward law to tell us how to worship. We have principles. Further, we aren't pulling from the Muslims, or Catholics, etc. This type of music I am speaking from is not a denominational difference as much as it is a cultural difference. Just being down south, I have heard things in independent fundamental baptist churches that I wouldn't hear up there. The social aspect of the south is integrated into the church. God doesn't say that in Jerusalem is the way we ought to worship. He says in spirit and in Truth. We have the southern aspect and then the cross-cultural aspect with the Hispanics.
Then we have the rock bands/culture. And here is the kicker for me. For some reason I wanted to hear/see the song again. So, I remembered the words to a song and a quick google search revealed several different youtube videos of the people who did the song singing it.
What I came up with is that I am far to ignorant about the other cultures, but after a tiny bit of discussion, I realized that what takes place in our chapel with these songs, is not cultural. It is something else. And, that something else I cannot agree with. Now, can I justify condemning it? Well...let's see.
The actions, atmosphere, and attitude (yes, three "a"s; good for me) of the people who "perform" these songs is not what we should be wanting or expecting. Rather, the actions are performance based. The atmosphere is that of the rock-and-roll world. This is an anti-christian world. If you wanted to argue that it is not "anti-" you still could not come to the solid conclusion that it is "pro-". If it is not strong Christianity, than we are conforming to the world, are we not? Are we to live apart from the world? We are not to be "of" the world. Is rock and roll of the world? I'm pretty sure. It is not of the church. It is not "of God." The attitude is not the attitude of solemn, holy, and reverent worship of almighty God. Rather, it is the attitude of a star.
Of course, there are obstacles.
Is all worship supposed to be done in solemnity? I think here, we must be extremely careful with the differences between joy and light-heartedness. The difference between celebrating God's greatness and forgetting God is holy and is only approached through Christ. In much of the music from chapel and the same type, even though the words may talk about God's holiness, that thought is not in mind during the song. We don't see evidence that the song is meant to actually consider God's holiness.
Can we say that Classical or Jazz or Country is "of God?" We would admit that music is "of God." Why is classical ok?
What is the reasoning behind the music appealing to the body over the soul? We know that different music does appeal differently. Do we find Scripture backing up the thought that one is wrong though? God knew that this music debate would come up. He knew that we would be discussing this. What parameters did he leave us with? Psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing and making *melody* in our hearts to the Lord. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Perhaps the emphasis could be on melody? If the beat outweighs the melody, then it should be avoided in the house of God?
Consider another fact. It is a fact that Godly people (generally the older generation) tend to have a problem with rock, rap, metal, etc. Why is this? Is it because they are old? Why is it that Christians who we would say are close to the Lord tend to shun those things?
I recently had a discussion with someone about the Bible issue. We were discussing the self-authentication characteristic and the comparison that I make is that the saints that look into the aspect and are not pushing away from the "rules" of the "old generation" tend to find this chapel music the wrong fit. I don't want to say "The more spiritual recognize that this is bad music." However, there is truth to the fact that those closer to God see their sin and those things that displease God much easier and clearer. Why should we be debating the music in our churches when we aren't doing our devotions regularly, or handing our tracts on a regular basis, or giving to the poor we drive by weekly, etc. Is our worship music really the big debate? I could say the same thing about all sorts of things we debate. Is it really worth discussing?
Well, YES! Let me clarify, that YES it is worth debating. The problem is, that we cannot often see clearly the issues on this stuff because we aren't even walking with God. It is like walking through the woods completely avoiding the path and then trying to argue with three other people in the woods about what to do about the tree in the way. The guy on the path sees that he can just step over it. The other guys think they need to chop it up, or go way around. (Bad analogy? Maybe.)
So, my conclusion as of now, is the same as it has been for years. That is basically that unless we have good and weighing reasons to abandon the standards and principles of our parents and grandparents and the saints before us, then we should instead uphold those. If in upholding those, we come to a place of oppressing the saints then it needs to be evaluated. For this discussion then, those genres that I listed several times should probably not be used in church, or to attempt worship. The logic, and reason behind this is not a simple verse, and bang you are done. Instead we have a long row of questions and complicated issues in order to try to arrive at a simple conclusion.
Compare this to the argument for wearing a suit to church. Why? Does the Bible say to? No. We say that we should wear our best into the house of God. People hear that and say "It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. God doesn't care about the clothes, but about our hearts." Yes, but we respond that it is not a rule. But for me, to enter the house of almighty, holy, God, I should shave, do my hair, and look my best. We do the same for any person of importance. We dress up for special occasions. Anyway, it is a matter of people with a heart attitude desiring to please God. We don't look down on people who don't wear a suit. We just try our best to do right and please God.
I got tons more to say, but blogging while I'm watching Numbers with my wife tends to take more time than I wanted to plan on blogging to begin with. Maybe later.
So much other stuff though...
I am tired of being where I am. I was in a meeting that made me think I wasn't sticking around much longer. Of course, the problem with the meeting was fixed soon after, but I hate being in that spot where it is so bad that that thought occurs to me. Of course, that is misunderstandings, and that is expected.
I talked to Joe. He's frustrated. He told me that we know that several of us all think that we should be doing something bigger, and since we all think that, maybe we should. It obviously isn't coincidence. It is preordained that we are where we are knowledge-wise, positionally, etc. We are all somewhere, and lots of us are wondering why we are where we are. We are wondering where we should go. We are wondering what to do. We don't know what to do, but we want to do more. Much more!! It drives me crazy. I want more than this. I don't know what it is I should do. I don't know what it is God wants for me. Yet, I feel the tug of discontentment. And I am content here. Grandma told me that God uses discontentment to get us to move. To prevent us from settling somewhere for longer than He wants. It was a good reminder.
Mike VK says we don't have time for degrees. He says we don't have time to teach the saints. He says our churches are too full of itching-ears and the wheat and the tares are too close that all we can do is preach. Indeed. I second that. But WHERE!?! I don't have a church. None of us do. What church would take us with our old-fashioned preaching, with our stand on God's sovereignty and man's wickedness, and our believe in the self-authenticating Scriptures? Are there people out there? I was asked that this weekend. I was asked if there are people left. We can't find them. I work at a "Christian" school, and I don't see a lot of Christ-likeness there. I see what I might see anywhere else. People are human. I am torn.
When we come to the end, will I stop going to church? Will I fear what man can do unto me? What will my daughter do? Will she be old enough to understand, or will it come too quickly? Do we have another 60 years where I might see my grandchildren? The state of the world, the country, and the church, and there is nothing worth saving. God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah for 10. 10! How many left does America have? Israel had thousands and yet the famine came. Israel had thousands and yet was rules by wicked leaders who cursed God. Israel was the chosen nation of God. We are heathen. lol, what are our chances? Will God spare America for 100? There have to be 100 true Christians, right? I mean, we should be able to count them if we really try. . .Can I count 100 Christians? I remember at a big family gathering -- don't remember which, but it was a big one -- we counted 80 people. 80. I wish that I could write with 100% certainty that they were all saved. In fact, I would say with most certainty, that apart from God's future working, we should assume some are not saved. That leaves us with -80. Start adding Christian friends from states far and wide, and you start to hope. You start to count families, and see another 5 there, and another 7 there. But, then you wonder -- can you really be sure about them all? Or just the ones you know? How many families seemed all saved and then one, two, or more abandoned the faith? 100. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for 100 souls that belong to Christ. What if we expand, maybe God would spare a state for 100, but the whole country? How about 100 families? 100 families dedicated to God. We know we aren't the only ones. If Elijah teaches us nothing else, it is that even when we feel alone, not only is God present, but God has a remnant. 100 families. Maybe. Maybe there are 100 families. Maybe they love God and will die for him. What about us? The questions isn't even so much do we love Christ? The question is, are we walking so close to Christ that when threatened with death and our families death we would not deny Him? The disciples failed. I don't know if we can do much better. How hard to turn from your family to die at the stake!
One of the saddest things I can ever remember reading was when a husband was going to the stake, his wife was crying and begging him to deny Christ. What could be worse for that man than to hear his wife abandon him during that time? Yes, it was sad and emotional, but when he did the right thing, one of the hardest things a man with a family could do, she begged him to sin.
Often, I have wondered if America would turn that way. I read some Nietzsche today. "Great Philosopher." lol. Supposedly, this stuff is can be so deep that it frustrated the faith of Christians. It was horrible stuff. It really was. But, this is what the world is reading regularly. This is why our scholars in seminary say that you can deny the virgin birth and go to Heaven. They say that God can die. Really. This is where America is. And I'm not talking about mainstream liberal democratic America. I'm talking about the theology of the scholars that teach almost every pastor standing in a pulpit. They are all wack. Currently, I am in direct opposition to degrees. I want nothing to do with them. Here, I see where Baptists went astray in the past. Baptists shunned the false teaching of higher learning. They found the heresy there to be more than they could bear and they exalted the unlearned minister. Ah, the fault there. Fault can be found everywhere.
I got off topic. 100 families. That's in America. Think of the rest of the world. I think that this is where I would hope to guess America is. I think from Elijah's point of view that I should be estimating way higher. From Abraham's point of view, I am too high. We see two individuals that estimated the number of saints. Both were off. And both had lessons to learn. Abraham arose and saw the smoke and PRAYED. Prayer still works. Prayer is what we need. And to remember that God is here. God is always here. But, what can we say/do? Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
"Even so come Lord Jesus. Amen."
Thursday, October 8, 2009
long time ago in a state far far away. . .
I blogged.
I have missed blogging. I have wanted to blog for some time. I have ideas and strands of thoughts throughout the day and yet I cannot remember them when I am home. Blogger is blocked at school for some odd reason, and so my "brilliant" ideas are just lost.
Music has been on my mind for some time. Chapel here is. . .different. We listen to and "sing" music that I grew up calling "bad music." Now, there was nothing morally wrong with it, and I understand that, but I also understand the principle of the music. At the same time, the guy who leads the music would probably find our type of hymns and traditional worship music lacking the energy and the excitement that he currently expresses and wants to express in worship. So, is he wrong? Can I say he is wrong? Back in the (I think I have my dates right here) late 1600's people first started singing in Baptist churches. That was not included in church services. Then, people began singing things that were not the psalms. Imagine the controversy! People writing songs and them being sung in the church. What now? We accept a piano and organ. That is all I grew up with in church. What about a orchestra? Sure, we accept that too. Well, at least some of us. What about a guitar? What makes a guitar different than other stringed instruments? What about drums? I remember church shopping and not even staying for the service because there were drums and the sanctuary was darkened. Maybe there were more reasons...I was young.
So, what music should be in church? Is music one of those things that is determined within a social context? The pronunciation of words and the use of hand/head gestures here and around the world do not mean the same nor have the same offense to each one. Music is different within different cultures. The man who leads the music here also teaches Spanish. He told his class that almost all Spanish music was the same. Dances just changed moves. That was in general, but think about the cultural difference. They always have an upbeat music, and their culture is energetic and more colorful than northern MI. Does this mean it is bad? /shrug What are we looking at to determine "bad" music? And now, when I say "bad" I mean morally wicked music? Is there a music line between home and worship? We listen to some mannheim steamroller, and snoopy jazz at home. Why don't we listen to that to truly good lyrics in church? Why is one right and another not? We (used loosely) we're brought up this way. We listened to different things at home and at church. We were told and taught that once the music in a church goes, so does the Bible and all forms of separation. I can sympathize. That is experiential truth. We have heard about and seen that happen. But is it because of what the music symbolized then? It was rebellious to hear or play rock. Is it still? Isn't the rebellious stuff rap and heavy metal? Or is rock still bad? Why was rock bad? Because of the inherent wickedness in the melodies? Or because of the rebellion that it represented?
What is safe? It is safer to not listen to rock, rap, etc? If it is only safer, then we should not be condemning others for listening to and utilizing it in worship. Are we naive enough to think that David really danced to no beat? That in the worship of God, it is not so much the beat as it is the heart? Of course, it has always been the heart. But does God condemn music with off beats? We aren't told that. We are told to make a joyful noise. Sing. Praise. Songs and Hymns. What defines a hymn? Does the inclusion of the word hymn negate or qualify the word song? I don't think so. What are we left with? Do we have warrant from Scripture to say that this other type of music is bad? What type of music is right? Where are the morals? Where is the chapter and verse?
Practicality. Some music is not meant to be sung by a group(congregational). The song is not written that way. Some songs aren't. We "sing" things in chapel that are really not congregational songs. We don't know where he is going with the song. It is a solo, or band number. That type of thing is not practical. Is it wrong to have that song as a special though? What about music preferences? Everyone has them. I dislike much of the music I hear on TV or radio. It annoys me and I can't stand it. I dislike the music played during chapel. It gets under my skin. It bothers me. It is not my preference. But hymns may not be others preferences. Must they conform? Culture makes a big difference in music taste.
Thoughts...but no conclusion, I apologize. I can't condemn it. I think in practicality that certain types of songs need to be avoided in congregational worship because they do not lend themselves to being sung together. But other than that, I have nothing at the moment.
I have missed blogging. I have wanted to blog for some time. I have ideas and strands of thoughts throughout the day and yet I cannot remember them when I am home. Blogger is blocked at school for some odd reason, and so my "brilliant" ideas are just lost.
Music has been on my mind for some time. Chapel here is. . .different. We listen to and "sing" music that I grew up calling "bad music." Now, there was nothing morally wrong with it, and I understand that, but I also understand the principle of the music. At the same time, the guy who leads the music would probably find our type of hymns and traditional worship music lacking the energy and the excitement that he currently expresses and wants to express in worship. So, is he wrong? Can I say he is wrong? Back in the (I think I have my dates right here) late 1600's people first started singing in Baptist churches. That was not included in church services. Then, people began singing things that were not the psalms. Imagine the controversy! People writing songs and them being sung in the church. What now? We accept a piano and organ. That is all I grew up with in church. What about a orchestra? Sure, we accept that too. Well, at least some of us. What about a guitar? What makes a guitar different than other stringed instruments? What about drums? I remember church shopping and not even staying for the service because there were drums and the sanctuary was darkened. Maybe there were more reasons...I was young.
So, what music should be in church? Is music one of those things that is determined within a social context? The pronunciation of words and the use of hand/head gestures here and around the world do not mean the same nor have the same offense to each one. Music is different within different cultures. The man who leads the music here also teaches Spanish. He told his class that almost all Spanish music was the same. Dances just changed moves. That was in general, but think about the cultural difference. They always have an upbeat music, and their culture is energetic and more colorful than northern MI. Does this mean it is bad? /shrug What are we looking at to determine "bad" music? And now, when I say "bad" I mean morally wicked music? Is there a music line between home and worship? We listen to some mannheim steamroller, and snoopy jazz at home. Why don't we listen to that to truly good lyrics in church? Why is one right and another not? We (used loosely) we're brought up this way. We listened to different things at home and at church. We were told and taught that once the music in a church goes, so does the Bible and all forms of separation. I can sympathize. That is experiential truth. We have heard about and seen that happen. But is it because of what the music symbolized then? It was rebellious to hear or play rock. Is it still? Isn't the rebellious stuff rap and heavy metal? Or is rock still bad? Why was rock bad? Because of the inherent wickedness in the melodies? Or because of the rebellion that it represented?
What is safe? It is safer to not listen to rock, rap, etc? If it is only safer, then we should not be condemning others for listening to and utilizing it in worship. Are we naive enough to think that David really danced to no beat? That in the worship of God, it is not so much the beat as it is the heart? Of course, it has always been the heart. But does God condemn music with off beats? We aren't told that. We are told to make a joyful noise. Sing. Praise. Songs and Hymns. What defines a hymn? Does the inclusion of the word hymn negate or qualify the word song? I don't think so. What are we left with? Do we have warrant from Scripture to say that this other type of music is bad? What type of music is right? Where are the morals? Where is the chapter and verse?
Practicality. Some music is not meant to be sung by a group(congregational). The song is not written that way. Some songs aren't. We "sing" things in chapel that are really not congregational songs. We don't know where he is going with the song. It is a solo, or band number. That type of thing is not practical. Is it wrong to have that song as a special though? What about music preferences? Everyone has them. I dislike much of the music I hear on TV or radio. It annoys me and I can't stand it. I dislike the music played during chapel. It gets under my skin. It bothers me. It is not my preference. But hymns may not be others preferences. Must they conform? Culture makes a big difference in music taste.
Thoughts...but no conclusion, I apologize. I can't condemn it. I think in practicality that certain types of songs need to be avoided in congregational worship because they do not lend themselves to being sung together. But other than that, I have nothing at the moment.
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