Christmas and Easter Faith are the same

Oddly, the good news that sets men free often entangles them in an old covenant paradigm as they begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Because God loved you when you were a sinner, you receive Him and the power of transformation. Then, instead of passing the love to other sinners, you begin to dispise them for their bondage and believe they are cut off from God's love because they behave badly. Spiritual pride begins to repel those whom God desires to attract. The good news becomes only an offer and God's tranforming presence becomes your badge of achievement. For you, God loves those who love Him, which is exactly the thing Jesus came to reverse in the gospel.

Settled in my heart and sort of in my mind

The Internet Monk is a blog I enjoy. A lifelong frustrated Southern Baptist, his wife of 30 years has converted to Catholicism. It has been difficult for him, as he has shared with his blogging audience. He recently mentioned that most Catholics just accept the teachings of the church without much questioning. They have a massive catechism that lays out the church position on all major and minor issues of faith and life.

Protestants on the other hand have inherited a varied set of tensions which one is left to accept or refine if he or she is so inclined. This fluid structure of theology leads to diversity and dissagreeent, but to the possibility that their are better ways to tell the story of the gospel to our generation.

Being of inquisitive mind, I have tested all things and held fast to that which is true, at least to the degree that I am able to discern. All the things that need balanced between law and gospel, justice and mercy, time and eternity...are juxtiposing nicely. Some tensions and unanswered questions obviously will remain, but I love walking in love and living in a spirit of reconciliation. This place is a place of peace....hope I can live here for a while.

Communion is a by product of observation

Last evening after a night out with friends I attached the camera to the tripod to try to lasso the moon. It was the fullest of the year and I waited as the clouds were too thick for an appearance. I took some reflections of lights around my street and walk a few streets I normally drive without thinking. Though I failed to get a good shot I slipped into a quiet peace as I observed God's consistent infrastructure. The clouds lit by the moon and the moon playing dress up with the clouds was so beautiful. The earth is full of His glory. The Heavens declare His handiwork.

Wow

I laughed, and joined in the celebration, but there was an uneasy feeling that I am trying to discern. Am I just being a fuddy duddy or was the huge presentation doing more to enculturate the church to make it acceptable to unbelievers?

It took 18 years but I finally took 56 friends to the Christmas Extravaganza at Phoenix First Assembly of God last evening. It was their 29th year. Human Christmas tree, lasar lights, shadow posing, camels, tiger, zebra, elephant, 40 person full orchestra, singing, dancing, rap, hip hop dancing, Miley Cyrus and Jonas brothers clones, six flying angels at a time, comedy, many many dancing children, two high flying sheet climbing acrobatic performers, an offering and an altar call, a story to hold it all together, an loud and unruly rabble of people filling the huge auditorium. When worship becomes entertainment we begin to have problems. I forgot to mention flying beds, drum solos with the drummer suspended halway to the ceiling, tons of dry ice effects, dogs doing tricks, .....and me.....a little bewildered at the cast of 600 and the 1500 it takes to put this on.....and the pinnacle of attractional theology making me wander if anyone will want to come sing hymns and hear preaching after all this??????????

Books that blessed

Two recent books have expanded my understanding of the Gospel. Kevin Beck has written This Book Will Change Your World, about the worldview of transmillenial theology. Very excellent. A fellow Seminary grad named Baxter Kruger wrote The Great Dance, about Trinitarian Theology. I met Kevin this summer and felt a deep kinship to his understanding of the gospel and life.

This family has it completely covered

This is an example of a secular themed Christmas decorated home not far from us. There is even a full sized dancing and singing Santa in the driveway. The tree at the top is new this year. Its truly amazing to see and I make no judgments on the motivations of folks to undertake this level of entertainment. Click on the picture to enjoy the detail. My new camera did an awesome job of catching these images.

Shannon is now nine

We enjoyed two days celebrating Shannons birthday. We watched Prince Caspian, collected the last six state quarters from friends, enjoyed the Chandler Symphony Christmas concert featuring the Christmas portion of Handels Messiah. I am so moved by the music of Europe three centuries ago. What level of beauty they reached in the praise of God! I am also impressed by the level of composing talent in this mostly volunteer orchestra, and the talented musicians who learn so much music each year and play for the joy of performing. Our Worship service was especially blessed with great music and a Signing performance of Silent Night. Shannon used her Birthday money for a journal, a cross necklace,and the classic of my youth, the Etch A Sketch. I loved mine.