Jan 26, 2011

Don’t Insult a Man’s Wife

As you consider not going to “church,” you must force yourself to consider the spiritual realities of your disassociation with the body of believers that the New Testament calls the “bride” of Christ. (Revelation 21.2, 9; 22.17). Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom throughout the gospels in parables, but there’s a powerful testimony of John the Baptist in John 3.28-30 where Jesus is clearly called the bridegroom.

“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ[a] but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

Last year, in a span of a week, I performed two weddings. In each, it was remarkable the joy and respect that was given to both the groom and bride. All attention was focused on the happy couples. It is always more meaningful when the two are each deeply committed to Christ. In those cases, it’s not just a ceremony but a celebration.

But consider the worst case scenario in such a moment. At the height of the service, just before the couple is introduced to the guests as “Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So,” someone jumps out of their seat and screams, “But she’s soooo ugly! And she can be so mean! And she has hurt my feelings on a number of occasion!” they splutter and rage.

Imagine the shock and dismay that immediately would descend on the gathering. So many others there do not think what you think. You’re entitled to your opinion, but by being so critical and vocal, of the bride, you have unwittingly invited the scorn of the groom.

In fact, here comes the groom. To knock you out of the room.

In the New Testament, the church is repeatedly symbolized as the bride of Christ (Matthew 25.1, Mark 2.19, John 3.29, Revelation 19.7, 21.2, 9), and in Revelation 22.9, an angel provides the sublime introduction to the apostle John:

Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

As we’ve covered before in this article series on Leaving Your Church, there are good and bad reasons for leaving your church. The intent of this entry is to urge you to watch your mouth as you’re leaving. While it’s good to communicate clearly that you are leaving, it’s wrong to tear down the church as you leave.

You may think it’s your mission to spread light on all the wrongs of the church you’re leaving, but take into consideration that it’s more than just a collection of people. The church you are leaving is also the bride of Christ. Just as will be the church you’ll wind up at. (assuming both preach the gospel and truth of Jesus Christ).

You may have genuine disagreements with procedures, personalities or future purposes of the church you’re leaving. However, there are probably a lot of earnest believers who have chosen to remain at the church because they either don’t see what you see, or they sincerely but lovingly disagree with your conclusions.

At our church, we consistently inform new members that we don’t tolerate negative or critical talk about other churches or ministries in our region. It’s wrong to build up your own church by tearing another down. You may think you’re justified in your judgement of the bride. The groom may object to your observations.

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Jan 25, 2011

Jeff

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Thanks for praying

Again, I thought I’d post about the effect of your prayers.

(1/20/11): For God to move in His people at Northstar this week as we have our “State of the Church” Sunday.

This past Sunday, we had a fantastic turnout at Northstar, but greater than that was our privilege to make much of our great God. I resolved last week as I finalized preparation to focus my proclamation efforts to focus all attention on the God of our church rather than the goals of our church. It’s irresponsible to magnify a church. People are not inspired or touched by church. They’re inspired by discovering a relationship with the Creator of the church.

From the comments about this message, I believe that your prayers and my meager attempts were blessed and answered. Thank you again for praying!

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Jan 20, 2011

Jeff

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Proof of prayer’s effectiveness

I worked on implementing the homepage feature of my blog’s WordPress theme this past week (It’s SimpleFolio by Smashing Magazine). If you have been to the blog at journeyguy.com (many just read it in their RSS feeds or readers), you will have noticed a new feature under the main photos – a personal prayer request.

I know some who read my blog aren’t Christ-followers, but I assume that most are. For those who are, I’m grateful for your intercession for me. I need every ounce of guidance from the Father that I can get. A few days ago (on January 17), as I was motivated to post my first prayer opportunity, I did so with expectation and experimentation.

I wondered whether I would sense or see the fruit of this request being made manifest in my life. I requested prayer for:

A clear mind for planning and acting this week (lots on the burner)

It’s a big week for our church as we head into our annual State of the Church weekend. Since I’m easily distracted and am trying to stop multi-tasking so much (read this great article on the detriments of multitasking), I knew I needed help with focus and productivity. It wasn’t so much that I wanted God’s help with my to-do list as I wanted the Lord’s tangible magnificence to hover over my mind as I worked this week. I craved an awareness of His preciousness and the eternality of my work for Him.

Today, as I reflected on that request and the reality of my week, I’ve found… joy. This post is no empirical proof for God. It’s no convincing argument for the skeptic about a God who listens. It will not bring into undoubtable reality for the unimpressed the proclamation of Isaiah 64:4:

For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!

However, for this little life, I know that God has responded to my desires in the prayers of His people. With just a moment’s reflection on the past few days, there has been deep clarity of thought, productivity and accomplishment for His kingdom. He has stepped in and filled my fingers and feet with progess. But it’s not just been a checked-off list… it’s been the constant, joyful and worshipful awareness of Him and His pleasure as I’ve worked.

Some of the tools that He’s used to continue directing my thoughts this week:

John Piper’s first chapter in Let the Nations Be Glad
Kristian Stanfill’s new CD Mountains Move
Prayer times with Northstar staff
Dinner times with my family

You’ll just have to trust me. Your prayers have been effective as God has graciously responded to them. Thank you. Thank Him. And keep praying for me, those around you and His glory… pray in confidence that the Lord is acting.

Finally,if you would like to give me an opportunity to share in God’s work in your life by prayer, use the contact form on the site to describe your need, and I’ll be honored to pray for you – whether you currently believe in prayer’s effectiveness or not. Ask yourself, “What can it hurt?” I’m here to promise you that He listens.

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. (1 Sam 12.23-24)

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Jan 16, 2011

Jeff

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Spiritual journeying together

It’s mid-January. Do you know where your priorities are? It’s never too late to begin something today that will make regular deposits into your life all year. Wouldn’t it be nice to pause in December 2011, look back over this year and realize how much you’ve grown personally, spiritually?

You’ll need to begin somewhere.

I saw where Amy and some others are Backpacking Through Joshua. That’s the sixth book of the Bible, and it’s an exciting place for anyone to pick up in God’s story. What do you do when the person you’ve followed, who has “always been there” and has been a huge encouragement and spiritual influence in your life is, well, no longer there? The Israelites will face this question after Moses dies. It’s a time of upheaval, transition, and conquest. It’s a time of deciding for themselves if God’s promises will morph into reality as they obey.

The River Jordan, the city Jericho. All are walked through by the Israelites as they follow the leadership of a holy God.

This group of bloggers are embarking on a spiritual journey together over the next few months. They have determined to grow together. It’s such a wonderful idea that I’d like to throw it there for you to chew on as well. Who will you grow together with this year as you seek the God of All Promises?

I challenge you to grab a backpack and trail along with the others in Joshua. Get your feet sandy as you travel. Rip a rebel yell as the walls of Jericho come tumbling down.

Or… start your own online study. Pray about it. Be quiet before the Lord. Listen and see if He directs you to a particular book or section of the Bible. Then make a cool logo, start a blog or Facebook group, and invite others into your journey with you. Use your digital influence for His glory and your growth.

You might recall that friends and family helped send me and our worship leader to the Sugar Bowl. A Hog fan and a Buckeye fan traded barbs for just under a month. On Christmas day, Sam also was delighted to find that he had a ticket and was bowl bound. It was our first BCS bowl game.

We had a blast, but the final score, OSU 31, Arkansas 26 cannot unpack the intensity of the game. The Buckeyes played five players who will be suspended for the first five games of next year. They traded award paraphernalia for tattoos and money about two years ago. Those five players made the difference for OSU in the game. According to ESPN.com:

Pryor even sold a sportsmanship award from the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, along with his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. More egregious to Ohio State fans, he sold a “gold pants” trinket — an iconic charm given to players who are a part of a victory over archrival Michigan. He may not be easily forgiven by Buckeyes fans who revere such traditions. Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling the three items.

So there was that.

Then there was the later revelation that Sugar Bowl executive Paul Hoolahan pressured the NCAA and OSU to allow the soon-to-suspended players to participate in the Sugar Bowl so that it would be a good matchup.

Then there was the hype around Ryan Mallet who at one time this season was a Heisman contender. The sheer athletic ability and sensation of Auburn’s Scam Newton finally quieted his bid and all other hopefuls.

It was an epic matchup.

But it was a disgraceful first half. It was difficult to stomach as the Buckeyes surged forward and ended the half 28-7. But it got downright nail-biting as the Hogs clawed their way back into the game, field goal by field goal with another TD and then a safety.

The only point in the game that Cody got snippy was when he looked down the row to Sam and said innocently, “Hey Sam! Look! Our score is reversed.” (It was 31-13.) He was a great winner and a fun sports partner for the trip, but especially for the 4th quarter.

As the final minutes ticked away, Arkansas stymied OSU’s offense time and again. A questionable safety was awarded to Arkansas after stopping a run play in the end zone. The first half was all Buckeye, and the second half was all Razorback.

Finally, the Hogs stunned Ohio State with a blocked punt with 1:09 left in the game. The Hog fans were going crazy, and the Buckeye fans were not only subdued. They were deathly silent. I looked down my row and one point and due to the excitement of the game, I failed to snap a picture whose image remains seared in my memory of the experience. Cody and two OSU fans next to him were sitting down… their heads in their hands in disbelief and shock.

Their depression was short-lived, however, after an Arkansas receiver dropped the first pass attempt by Mallet (dropped passes plagued Arkansas all night and subsequently spawned a plethora of jokes about the Hogs’ reception being worse than AT&T’s). Unfazed, Mallet stepped back and fired a second pass… right into the soon-to-be-suspended hands of Solomon Thomas.

Sam and I transformed from jubilation to depression quicker than Professor McGonagall can turn into a cat. Cody, likewise, with from despondency to elation. OSU knelt on the ball in the following seconds to end the game.

It had been a great game, and we’re still grateful to have been given the opportunity to go.

Hindsight

It’s hard to decide how I feel about the suspended players playing in the game. The sports commentary in December and January seems to have heavily come down on the failure of the NCAA to step up to the moment and demonstrate integrity. After their exoneration of Cam Newton earlier this year amid suspicions, the general mood of the public towards the NCAA is not one of moral confidence.

One sports writer said that while OSU snapped their nine-game losing streak against SEC teams in bowl games with the win. It should be an important accomplishment and a relief for the program.

“But the victory has a dirty feel, and reeks of poor judgment and misguided priorities.”

On the other hand, I’m not sure any Razorback fan would have wanted to win (and it seems a foregone conclusion that we most certainly would have without the contributions of those players) against a hobbled Buckeye team. It’s rather hard to boast of a win against a team that didn’t have all its resources present.

The bigger picture remains elusive for most and should not depend upon loyalty to a team. I think we all lost in this year’s sports shenigans.

In September, it was announced that former USC star Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy would be given back and his accomplishment expunged from the Heisman record. “In the Reggie Bush case, USC was given a two year bowl ban for using an ineligible player in two bowls. That ruling was arbitrary and the first of its kind.” [Source]

I think one thing we’re seeing is the inner turmoil involved among “leaders” when they are faced with making difficult decisions. It’s not easy to penalize a student-athlete when it will affect other athletes, a team and a school and a fan base who did nothing wrong. What we need is consistency. As much as it hurts, we need leaders who will establish and stick to rules and procedures for the betterment of the organizations and institutions they lead.

Another thing is the ridiculous amounts of money involved in college sports. It’s not easy to justify the excessive and extreme amounts of financial benefits that coaching staffs receive when they win their conferences or get selected to a BCS game (Here in Blacksburg, VT football coach Frank Beamer received a $50,000 bonus for winning the ACC and another $75,000 bonus for the Orange Bowl. VT athletic staff is compensated with bonuses all the way down to the equipment managers [Source]). It’s especially contentious when the athletes they rode to those games receive little in comparison to the work involved (does a 3 or 4-year full scholarship – when non-athlete students receive the same for merit – justify the financial reward received by coaches and schools?).

The sheer fun of sports is tarnished when rules are ignored and regulations are obscured. I have no solutions. Just a bandwagon.. Is anyone catching this?

The one thing I’d like to have heard from all this on January 4 is.. “Mallet throws! He catches it! Touchdown!”

Tebow Time
Resisting terror: the VT shooting of December 8, 2011
Guy on a Buffalo
Chasing the wind
Never Say Never

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Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.

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