Can you handle the truth?

Proverbs 27.17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling about Andy White. Unfortunately, neither of us are getting rich from our constant outlinks to each other’s blogs.

You’ve got to stop by, however, and read his post and watch the accompanying video clip from A Few Good Men. That is, if you can handle the truth…

I’m Older than God, Part 2

Before you get started with this entry, here are some related ones where I mention Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.

• A New Kind of Christian
• I’m Older than God, Part 1

Chesteron. Thank God for him. A self-described (and nearly brilliant) pagan at age 12, he was a full-fledged agnostic by 16. However, his journey led him into philosophy, and as he observed and spoke and wrote about life, he came to what at first was a discomforting conclusion: Christianity explained the realities of life. In 1908 at age 25, this truly brilliant Brit wrote of his unfolding spiritual discovery and how it led him to orthodox faith in Christ in a book called Othodoxy.

I had just dropped off our Connecticut mission trip team Saturday a.m. I headed to Mardel’s in Little Rock with a friend. I almost bought a book about philosophy. I can’t remember the title, but it was on clearance – only $4. I may regret it, but as I opened it and perused its innards, two thoughts capsized my bargain-induced impulse. First, my head immediately started hurting as my eyes crossed on a plethora of words that I had to do phonics to even pronounce. Secondly, I realized that while I could probably plow through the book like a sweaty farmer, I wouldn’t necessarily enjoy or even be able to apply much of it. So I sadly put it back and walked out empty-handed (a rarity for me at a bookstore).

Tonight, I did choose another book on philosophy – Chesteron’s  Orthodoxy. I normally can’t stand dry, philosophical tomes, and since his isn’t, I am actually relishing the turn of every page, the digestion of each paragraph. It reads like a philosopher-linebacker. He’s donned pads and isn’t afraid of getting in your face. You never know when you’ll get knocked down with a brutal, but amazing observation about life. And it’s extremely applicable.

Take for instance, some of his conclusions about the impotency of philosophy itself in his chapter Eternal Revolution.  He explains in disquieting rationality that the reason his generation of England seemed to stall in its “progress” was just that – they became more focused on progress and evolution (of ideas, institutions, etc.) than they were committed to reform. You’ve heard that “change for change’s sake” is not good. Chesterton puts it like this:

“Reform  implies form. It implies that we are trying to shape the world in a particular image; to make it something that we see already in our minds. Evolution is a metaphor from mere automatic unrolling. Progress is a metaphor from merely walking along a road – very likely the wrong road. But reform is a metaphor for reasonable and determined men; it means that we see a certain thing out of shape and we mean to put it into shape. And we know what shape.”

He explains that during his day (hauntingly similar to ours) philosophies and competing worldviews had pretty much resulted in the stalemate of reform. Nothing was changed because there were so many competing ideas of the times. It was almost like societal constipation.

He said, “The modern young man will never change his environment because he will always change his mind.”

That is what struck me the most. For it was almost 18 years ago, while a college student, that I devoted my life to a principle regarding faith. It goes something like this: a love relationship with God is vitally more important than a religion with God. I have devoted, in one way or another, the rest of my life to communicating and living that principle, which I believe is truth. Jesus said, If you love me, you will obey my commands.”

Find something you’re willing to die for. Reform will come. Today’s young man (or woman) “will never change his environment because he will always change his mind.” It’s not a recommendation to be unyielding in personal conversation and preference. It’s an injunction against pursuing every trend and philosophy, embracing every new thing  that comes along. Root yourself in timeless truth. Then grow like an oak.

I remember being told one time that becoming a campus collegiate minister in Arkansas was not even a lateral move… as if one’s being called to a new ministry or location necessitated a larger ministry and accompanying benefits. This was said by someone I greatly respect and still do, but I believe was said in one of those conversations that flow much like diarrhea. You can’t really control what comes out. (no, I don’t know why there are already two references to bowel problems here) I believe and hope that he either immediately forgot the idiocy of the moment or that he later regretted and hoped that I forgot it or forgave it. I didn’t; I did.

The reason that conversation has stayed with me is because I eventually made the decision to come to Monticello based on my belief that my love relationship with God was more important than a religious system and its benefits. I knew that God was calling me (an intensely relational experience) to Monticello, Arkansas. Yes, it was a pay cut, and yes, it probably in many ways took me out of the loop of the megachurch and potential opportunities and recognition. However, at the time it was as simple as this: I loved the Lord and wanted to go where He was calling me. Period.

That was in 1995. It has been a blessed, though not untroubled, faith walk ever since. My encouragement to all of you who like to read, digest, and deliberate (as I often do as well) about what’s hot and what’s not is to remember that true reform does not come from much talk, but from – and I steal the phrase unashamedly from Eugene Peterson here – a long obedience in the same direction.

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails?given by one Shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. (Ecclesiastes 12.11-12)

Awwww, shucks…

Boy, was I excited when I saw in my Bloglines window that Andy had two new posts over a liveabiglife.com. Imagine my surprise to discover one of them was about me and Notes, as well as ignorantprotestant.com. I felt like I’d walked unawares into a party, preparing to observe and interact with friends, only to discover that I was the reason for the party. How cool is that?!

I’ve already mentioned just how much I’ve enjoyed his writing here, but if you still haven’t stopped by, please look over there while I sneakily tape a “Kick Me” sign on your back. Perhaps the bruising will remind you to stop by.

And Andy, thanks… really.

Down another trail…
Consider this quote from Richard Pool over at The View from Here:

I’ve always found holiness to rather like a bar of soap in the shower. The more tightly you try to grip it, the more likely it is to slip out of your hand. Sometimes it seems that the more you try to define holiness, the more it eludes you and you drift towards legalism as a solution.

Blog explosion among friends…

While I slept, four folks who I like a lot began blogging. Actually, some of them began several days ago, and I’m just now waking up to the realilty. I’ve spent the last 45 minutes reviewing the following new blogs, and I encourage you swing by and check them out:

Fellow Monticellonians:

• Taylor James @ Curly Thoughts
• Jerry James @ This Is That

Former Monticellonians/Current Camdenites (AL):

• Phillip Slaughter @ Desperately Searching (No, this is not a site for singles…
• Rose Slaughter @ The Fountain of Youth

Stop by and check them out. Tell them I sent ya.

Oh, and for all you “mommy bloggers” out there, stop by Terry Heaton’s Pomo Blog and read his entry about you.

Sixteen Blocks

I watched Sixteen Blocks tonight, with Bruce Willis. (He was in the movie, not in my living room.) I’ve got to say for those that like cop flicks, this is a great movie. The ending is absolutely fantastic. If you rent it, you can also watch the alternate ending. Both are good, but I prefer the one that was released to theaters.

People can change. That’s the ultimate message.

Perhaps you’re one of those folks who are just past the point of wanting to change or even feeling like you can. There’s great news. People can change. Or rather, people can be changed. You see, I’m one of those folks who have been changed. I know.

The only earthly way for a life to be transformed is with a heavenly intervention. If you’re needing a change, and you feel like you’re past hope, you’re not. Watch the movie, and learn from Eddie and Jack.

Journeyguy goes private…

I’ve created a Vox blog and a Multiply blog where I’ll be posting more of my personal insights and journey. They’ll be identical in content for a while, but already I’ve got to say that I’m leaning toward Multiply. If you’d like to be able to access those posts, please let me know so I can issue you a friends/family invite. Both offer the ability to privatize your posts for a select audience. See my entry about them here.

Building vs. Planting, Part 5

I wanted to address the next reason why most churches fail to plant new churches:

Failure to understand and connect with their community
This happens to most organizations who have been around for a while. They’ve become “successful” to a certain degree. Their bills are being paid, and their customers/constituents/members are relatively happy with the way things are. Changes are made occasionally – a fresh coat of paint here and there, a new program or two – but the “innards” and ethos of the church remain the same.

What organizations and churches fail to realize is that once they reach critical mass, they spend much more time taking care of who’s there than they do in strategically organizing themselves to reach who’s not. Literally, every spare moment becomes wrapped up in keeping things running and in tending the existing membership. No one can step outside long enough to get perspective and realize that… the community is changing, hurting, and needful of your church’s desperate attention.

Churches fail to understand their community. The plethora of church activities into which church members dive with both feet totally consume their schedule. They don’t have time for community volunteerism or involvement because their Daytimers are waterlogged with church service and involvement. Churches have essentially, in many places, created Christian subcommunities in which their members can be born, live, and die without ever coming into meaningful contact with the broader community at large.

Churches have Family Life Centers with gyms, work-out rooms, craft rooms, daycares, etc. Why go anywhere else? The philosophy for such facilities is for the church members to bring their lost friends, co-workers and family members to this great place, with such great people, and their lives will be changed by it all. However, what happens too often is an initial excitement and magnetism that perhaps reaches a few, but eventually the facilities become “church buildings,” and most folks in town have never stepped inside them, nor would they dream of doing so. It’s not part of their routine.

So, rather than the church being out there – involved with the community in what the community is doing – we’re too often inside our own walls or homes, our lives too busy with church activity to rationally think about anything other than “getting by.” We must connect with our community.

A church doesn’t connect with its community by holding special events, whether evangelistic or otherwise and inviting everyone in the community to come to them. A church can only truly connect with its community when it is serving it. Jesus said that even He did not come “to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.45)

He also told His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5.14-16)

So many others have commented about how these two verses can help us connect with our communities that I will try not to do so at length. Yet, it’s vitally important for us to see the nature of our connection: loving service; the nearness of our connection: “before men;” and the necessity of our connection: “a city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

A primary way that existing churches can experience renewal of their own mission and identity is by planting new churches or groups. As we’ve seen in the previous entries to this article, new churches and groups typically reach new people faster than existing ones. Not all the time, but most of the time.

I would heartily encourage any church to prayerfully and strategically consider planting a new church if they have not done so in the last 10 years. It would be an interesting model to consider planting one new church outside your existing community every 10 years and one new church inside your own community every 15 years. (I actually think this is too long, but it’s a good start.) If your church is more than 50 years old, then you might try making up for lost time. ;)

Only when we truly seek to understand and connect with our communities can we claim to be following in the footsteps of Christ. For He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing. He took on earthly flesh and became obedient – even to the extent of dying, so that we might enjoy the life we were meant to have in Him. (See Philippians 2.5-11) Let us follow in His footsteps, adopting the same ministry pattern and humility that He did in order for our communities to discover the life He freely offers.

Nap Day at the Noble’s…

We spent Thursday-Sunday outside of Smackover, Arkansas (yes, it’s a real place!) at our church’s first annual family camp at Beech Springs Baptist Camp (a great place, incredible food, and awesome facilities!). We had a blast hanging out with friends and enjoyed the relaxed structure of the weekend. You’ll be seeing more pix soon of this experience, I’m sure. However, these pictures were found on my digital camera as I was downloading our pictures from this past weekend. Caro and I got a good laugh out of them and thought you would too.



These were made with a cool little program for the Mac called Comic Life Deluxe. It’s appropriately named for the Noble’s!