THINK DIFFERENTLY

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up.

Commenter Alex pointed this out in “Praying For a Bailout.” I can’t decide whether this is just well-intentions gone wrong, irony, or full-blown stupidity.

You are looking at a picture of some Christians praying over the Bull outside of the New York Stock Exchange, petitioning God to save the U.S. financial scene. “Save us from financial judgment,” they prayed.

You don’t need to be a Biblical scholar to see some similarities to Exodus 32. As my brother put it, “Didn’t this happen in the Old Testament or something?” Yes brother, yes it did.

One thing’s for sure: I just found a killer sermon illustration for this week. Hands off the Bull! Ack!

Praying For a Bailout.

Government bailouts are a terrible idea. Or so I thought. The idea of “We The People” as co-owners in everything from banking to private residences to the auto industry has never appealed to me. “Is this how capitalism is supposed to work?” was the pervading thought in my head.

With the heads of the “Big Three” (GM, Ford, Chrysler) pandering Capitol Hill for some much needed dough, I thought I had reached a place where I could say, “if they fail, they need to fail.” After all, businesses close all the time (Kate’s in West Glen and Billy Joe’s most recently here in the DSM metro) with little to no help from the government. “What makes the ‘Big Three’ so special?”

The answer to that is a complicated one and outside of my understanding. There are a lot of jobs at stake (some estimates say 2 million); there’s a lot of money at stake (execs are asking for $25 billion); there’s a lot of emotions involved on either side of the struggle.

Bailouts seem to be an easy way to “fix” (and by “fix” I mean temporarily stop the bleeding) a gaping economic head wound. You may not agree with that opinion, and that is perfectly okay. However, I saw something on the news this morning that made me step back and think, “This isn’t as easy as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer” when questioning whether or not to bail out a a struggling industry.

I watched a story on how Detroit churches were “praying for a bailout.” They showed footage from services held in Detroit churches this weekend past where the pastors were fervently leading their congregation in prayers to God asking for Congress to pass the proposed “bridge loan bailout.” Here are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, faithful followers of Jesus, asking God for something that I fundamentally do not agree with. Wow. How’s that for a test of your theological beliefs?

To a single mother of three who lives in Detroit and works at a GM plant putting fenders on cars for a living, this bailout is a very good thing for her family. It will allow her to continue in her job, which provides a salary, which provides her the ability to buy food, shelter, clothing, etc. for her family. Contrast that with someone like me who thinks bailouts are a bad idea. Someone as far removed from this situation as possible, other than the fact that I drive a car and will probably buy one another one in the future. Simply put, I would prefer this bailout to not pass.

It got me thinking about perspective. God’s perspective, more precisely. This whole issue boils down to perspective. If I see God as one who “picks and chooses” what prayers he answers, I will have a strange picture of God. If, for whatever reason, this bailout doesn’t pass, does that mean that God did not answer the prayers of our single mom in Detroit? Does it mean he did answer the prayers of those faithful Christians who are praying against a bailout? Either situation puts one party in an uncomfortable position.

As Americans, we can argue all day long regarding whether or not the bailout is a good idea. But what we cannot do is teetotal a situation as complex as this one is with a blanket of “wholly good” or “wholly bad.” As a Christian, I cannot assume that I possess the knowledge of what God’s sovereign will is with this situation. There’s nothing in the Bible about governments bailouts of giant conglomerate auto manufacturers.

I have to be willing to believe that I could, in fact, be wrong about my beliefs in this situation.

So, to my brothers and sisters in Detroit and to those around the world who will be affected by this decision (either way), I pray that your trust and faith in God will increase, no matter what. That, I believe, is the faithful position to hold.

Different Isn’t Wrong…

I was talking with my friend Mitch this morning and he told me a story that made my head spin. I’ll tell it to you and let’s see if it does the same.

Mitch was on an airplane talking to the guy next to him. It ended up that his travel buddy was a Presbyterian pastor. They got to talking and eventually ended up discussing the movement of the Holy Spirit and what that looked like.

The pastor said this: “To a Presbyterian, the Holy Spirit is moving when everything lines up in order. When one element of the service flows perfectly into the next with no seams, we feel like the Spirit is at work powerfully. If there is perfect order to a service, we feel exceptionally blessed.“

The pastor continued, “Now, contrast that with a different tradition - let’s say Pentecostal. Pentecostals feel like the Spirit moves when schedules are put aside, the pastor or preacher gives a message that lasts two hours, people are clapping and speaking in tongues and laid out on the floor.“

So, my question to you is, which one is right? Is there a “right”? Can you tell one tradition that the Spirit is not moving in their church because, on the surface, it seems to be at odds with another tradition’s definition of the movement of the Spirit? Could it be both?

I think this situation floored me because we Christians spend so much time judging one another that we can not step back for a minute and ask the question, “Is God big enough to move in different ways in different churches and traditions and still be God?” Nothing bothers me more than when I visit a church that cannot accept faith traditions that express themselves differently than their own.

A relationship with God goes so much deeper than our cultural assumptions and traditions. Plainly speaking, that’s what most of our worship expressions are - traditions that have been passed onto us by the people who have gone before us. This isn’t a bad thing, we just need to be aware of it. Perhaps the tradition that makes you feel most expressive in worship before God is the tradition that makes another Christian feel the most inhibited and uncomfortable before that same God. They aren’t any less faithful, they just aren’t like you.

Different is not wrong. Different is just different.

Careful, This May Blow Your Mind

Careful now … This one could give you whiplash. This completely blew my mind.

The following information has implications on how we do everything. Make no mistake about it.

Teachers: This is the world you’ll teach in.
Pastors: This is the world you’ll minister in.
Parents: This is the world you’ll parent in.
You: This is the world you will exist in.

Buckle up.

HT: Rhett Smith

BeDeviant.com Interviews Anne Jackson Pt. 2

This is the second post in our two-part interview with Anne Jackson of FlowerDust.net. You can read the first part here. Anne’s got a new book out, “Mad Church Disease“, which takes a look at church burn-out and the toll which ministry can take on individuals. Take a second and read from someone who gets the marriage of ministry and social media. Thanks for your words, Anne!

Be Deviant: What are the drawbacks of using social media and technology in ministry?

Anne Jackson: It’s addicting. For me, it’s easy to replace quiet and alone time with God with blogging about spiritual things or even counseling people online. It can be mentally and emotionally exhausting and I have nothing left to give God or my husband at the end of the day. So I’m trying build in more margin by leaving my laptop at the office some nights or leaving my phone home when we go out. It’s can be another distraction to our relationships and ministry rather than something that assists us.

BD: How can younger generations in church leadership who are “tech savvy” bridge the gap to older generations who may not be as digitally fluent? And conversely, how can older generations be open to the newer methods of ministry of a younger generation without sounding “cranky”?

AJ: I think it’s about keeping an open mind. I’ve seen a few people who are in older generations start using things like Facebook and Twitter and it’s been awesome, but it shouldn’t be an expectation those of us who are younger project on them. And in the same vein, older generations should be open to how younger generations are using and innovating in technology. We may have difficulty understanding why each generation is wired differently (no pun intended), but encouraging people to try new things without being forceful or rude would be a good way to begin discussions about technology and how it may help (or hurt) the church.

BD: It’s you and Larry King. You’re live. He asks, “Anne, what excites you most about the future of ministry and the integration of technology?” How do you answer?

I see technology as being the conduit between people who have resources and people who don’t. It is there to educate, to challenge, to call to action, and to support. In ten minutes, you can loan someone in India money to start a business or sponsor a child through Compassion International. You can purchase a pair of shoes for someone in Mexico. It makes generosity easy. Hopefully, it will also help challenge and educate people to be generous.

Are You Having An Affair?

I think I just witnessed two people carrying on an affair.

Let me be clear, I don’t know this for a fact. It’s not like people who are in extramarital affairs run around wearing t-shirts that say, “The choice for me? Adultery!” It’s not that simple. I have no concrete proof for what I’m about to share, just a lot of circumstantial evidence. Bear with me.

The past few weeks after Monday morning coffee with a friend, a young couple has come in to the coffee shop we visit (Amici espresso). They both wear wedding rings. They seem to both work at the same place (same ID badge). They both enjoy their coffee. They like to share intimate details about their lives with one another (I’m not eavesdropping, I promise. It’s a small coffee shop and they literally sit down next to me. They don’t seem to be covert in what they’re discussing either.)

I can’t but overhear their discussion. They young woman will say, “So-and-so did this at the bar this weekend,” the young guy will reply, “Such-and-such is a slob and won’t pick up their stuff.” Normal, everyday stuff that you tell a co-worker on a Monday after a long weekend. Not stuff you would tell a spouse as if you hadn’t seen them in days. If they’re married to each other, they must go days and days without talking, all to catch up on a Monday morning in a coffee shop.

It’s not like what they’re telling each other is illicit, but it’s the way they say it to each other that makes me think they’re having an affair. The context of the conversation is off if they are indeed married to each other. But I don’t think they are. I think they’re married to other people and they’re having an affair with one another. A secret (or not so secret) coffee shop meeting; a rendezvous after work; a weekend trip disguised as a business outing.

There’s an intimacy at work in the way they address each other. An intimacy that needs to be reserved for their spouse and their spouse alone. They are playing with fire and they will get burned … Eventually. I can only imagine the rush of emotion of carrying on an affair: The secrecy, the lust-filled emotions, the emotional high of “pulling a fast one” on people. But I can’t help but wonder, what’s it going to feel like when they get caught?

I asked the question this morning on Twitter as this couple was next to me, “Do you say something to people who are having an affair, even if you don’t know them personally?” As you can imagine, I got quite a few colorful responses. What do you think?

The bottom line is this: If you’re having an affair, stop it. You may think you’re being discreet. You may think you’re being secret. But you’re not. You never know who listening (like a pastor with a blog, for instance). You may think it brings you life. You may think the other person “gets you,” but they don’t. They’re selfish. And so are you. You’ll destroy your life.

The Thanksgiving Day Post.

What am I thankful for?

1. If you’ve been following me on Twitter, I’m thankful for the new relationships I’ve formed. Some of you live where I live (Des Moines, IA); some of you don’t (Australia, New York, Texas, California). It’s been such an encouragement to know that there are other like-minded thinkers out there.
2. If you’ve been reading this blog, I’m thankful for the support in the my new hobby. Your comments on the blog, and in person, brighten my day.
3. I am, of course, thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful for my wife and our journey together the last two years. I am thankful for my job and my church.
4. I’m thankful that I am thankful. Some people live their whole lives wishing for the “next big thing” and never truly being content. I’m thankful that I can be content, but eagerly anticipate the future.
5. I’m thankful for the fact that I’m now, officially, going to be able to start enjoying Christmas music now that the “Thanksgiving Day” boundary.

Lastly, I’m thankful that I’m about to head out the door and stuff my face with Thanksgiving Day goodness with our blessed family.

Peace to you all. Happy Thanksgiving.

“Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

I told a story last week at Immersion that made people gasp. It spoke to the notorious stinginess of those who follow Jesus. I couldn’t tell if the gasps were “agreement gasps” (“Oh no you dih’int!”) or “horrified gasps” (In Sunday School, I once saw a little boy pick his nose and munch on his nasal treasure like it was a crisp, autumnal apple or a fistful of Cheetos. That was a horrified gasp moment). But they were gasps nonetheless.

I told the story of how when I used to work in the service industry, waiting tables, no one ever wanted to work Sunday morning brunch. I could never figure it out. Even the hardiest partier could drag themselves out of bed by 10am and paste on a “server smile”. Right?

“What gives?” I thought.

“It’s the Christians,” was the reply from my co-workers. “The Christians always come in on Sunday mornings for brunch after their church service and they don’t tip. At all. Christians are the worst tippers ever.”

When I heard that, it was like a kick in the gut.

Why?

1. Mostly because it was true. We don’t tip very well. As a matter of fact, we’re pretty cheap. What makes this worse is that we paint “cheap” with a religious sounding veneer and call it “being a good steward.” Nothing like hiding behind the Bible to camouflage your stinginess.
2. Because God is so generous. We are most like God when we are being generous; generous in all things, but especially with our dough!

Las Thursday I laid down the “Fat Tip Challenge.” The FTC asks you to lay down more than your normal tip next time you go out to eat. Usually put 10% down? Try 30%. Are you a 20% tipper? Bump it up to 50%. If you’re feeling really crazy, try a 80, 90, or 100% tip next time you dine out! Make up for all those lousy tips from other Christians throughout the years.

God says, “I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” As children of this great and generous God - the God who owns everything - can’t we afford to part with a few more of those tightly-pinched pennies? God can afford your generosity. So go on, be generous!

Are you a server with a tip (or non-tip) horror story? Let us hear you. C’mon … Let it out .