as i travel thru ThisPilgrimLand

Show Me the Money

In a time in which “churches” are being run as businesses with CEO’s, CFO’s, and other business titles disguised as “parishoners,” it should really come as no surprise that these establishments are feeling the same economic crunch that has just yesterday allowed GMAC to be taken over by the federal gov’t?   When we have people in the name of progress or relevance making decisions to alter church structure based upon successful business models rather than the first century Christian example we find in the New Testament what do we expect to be the outcome?  The answer is becoming clear.

In churches that are people-centered and not Christ-centered, the fruits are so obvious.  More often than not, these establishments end up going belly-up financially due to the fact that when one digs in looking for Christ and his teachings as found in scripture the return is lacking to say the least.  The saddest part of this is that one could audit to find the financial trappings that lead to these downfalls but when these organizations are being audited on their teaching, they want to hear no part of it.  For years, those who love the truth of God’s word yell from the mountaintops to these entities and point out what they are missing but the response is one of self-righteousness and rebellion.  More often than not, this rebellion is encouraged and preached by the non-biblical leadership within these organizations.  Further, as proof of their faithfulness, these leaders often live and lead extravagant lifestyles that they point to as showing God’s goodness reigning down on them while their followers continue to  dwell in less than extravagant situations.  The answer, love God harder by giving more and you can be more like us.  I hear those statements and I hear “continue funding my lifestyle and we will continue telling you how you are falling short.”

Yet, without fail, the time comes when financial pain comes crashing down and on who does the burden fall?  The leadership casts it on their followers who obviously have just not done enough yet.  While they watch the leadership prance around on television and in fancy cars and jets, the followers are asked to just “try harder.”

Two such calls from these goat herders have come across my desk in the past weeks.  The most recent came today from purpose-driven guru and emergent church partner Rick Warren.  While leading a congregation that boasts a membership of 22,000 Rick Warren’s Saddleback church has somehow fallen into tremendous debt.  So much  so that Rick Warren has sent out a call to the members of his church to come up with $900,000 before Jan. 1 (isn’t that tomorrow)?  Question:  could Rick Warren himself not afford this?

The second call is one that hits closer to home for me.  This one comes from the Word of Faith youth center in Hamilton, AL known as The Ramp.  This organization whose mission statement contains the man-centered statement of “calling them to their individual purpose (hmmm, purpose driven) and corporate responsibility as an offensive army imposing the Kingdom of God,”   In a letter sent out to The Ramp’s “dear friends” from Karen Wheaton ministries they ask for $50,000 to meet some unspecified need.  While they do not tell what the money is needed for, the tone of the letter would lead one to believe that they are in the midst of some financial crisis.  This from an organization whose leadership lives lavishly and who has individuals filling it’s building over and over and over.  Apparently God runs up quite the tab when your sole income comes from fleecing and grubbing.  Was Paul’s full-time “job” ministry?  I seem to remember him paying his own way.

I would like to point out a common thread in these two calls for financial assistance.  In the call from Saddleback church, Warren’s spokesperson states they cannot divulge the reason for the call for money.  Also, in the call from the Ramp one finds the quote “Time would not permit me to breakdown the entirety of our budget and cost…”  So, out of faith people are supposed to just be sending you guys money?  For what?  Where did the money you received so far go?  Why can’t you just tell me what it’s for?  Yet, should one ask these questions, I can almost guarantee that their faith would be questioned.  If you trust God, you will trust these people, right?

Wrong.  If you trust God and his word you will notice that it is not being taught and will call these people to repentance and seek a church where Christ is being taught.  Repent of what one may ask.  Where to begin?  In this case though, let’s return to the business aspect you have made your “church” into.  The model for church leadership is laid out in scripture yet you have no elders to lead.  Instead you lead by feeling, emotion, and delusion that you like to tell people is God’s secret word to you.  You publicly and boldly slam churches that have and trust in the church elders to lead them and call them names such as “religion” (what a scandalous word).  Yet, these churches who follow the model given by the Holy Spirit not only find themselves secure in their faith, but with surpluses of budget to meet the needs of Christ’s church.  Further, there is a level of accountability from the elders of how the church money is used and no one is asked just to trust them about why the collection plate is being passed.  Isn’t it odd that the ones who find themselves in the most peril financially are the ones who proclaim to be themselves the closest to God and all others the furthest.  Further, truly faithful elders would not allow what is the second problem to come from the mouth of one in their pulpit.

The second problem, and even more important is the man-centered aspect.  As I write this I am listening live to The Ramp’s annual Winter Ramp in which men, women, and children from all over the United States are there to be fulfilled spiritually.  Yet, at least the part I have listened to, this is not a Christian service.  How do I know?  Because there was nothing about Christ being taught.  For the past 90 minutes I have watched live as one Mr. Dutch Sheets was given the pulpit stage and ear of a large congregation of people.  In an opportunity to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only thing that saves people or as he desires, nations, he spoke for one hour.  Granted, my UStream connection was choppy but time spent in scripture = 5 to10 minutes; total mentions of Christ in his hour = ZERO.  None, nothing.  No Christ = no effect.  In the closing song, Rick Pino ranted for five minutes that “we’re an army dressed for battle” over and over and over – zero mentions of Christ.  Why are you ruined?  Because Christ is not welcome there.  Why will the people leave there entertained but unfulfilled, no Christ.

My prayer is that both of these ministries will turn away from themselves and toward Christ in a repentant and humble manner.  There is nothing more in this world that I would love to say then I know that people are being taught their own sinfulness and the atonement of Christ alone at these huge gatherings.  The only way this will happen though  is for these people to recognize their error and repent.  Stop teaching man and start teaching Christ.

The root of all this lies in the opening statements of Mr. Sheets.  He said “We have created an atmosphere that allows Him to come.”  You just taught that God needs not only mans help, but permission and actions to intervene on this Earth.  Apparently, that’s quite expensive as well.  Last I checked, the God in the Bible does what he pleases when he pleases.  As of today, Dutch Sheets and his followers serve and believe in a completely different God than that which I believe in.  I just wish they would quit calling it Christianity, because it’s not.  Want to get God into your building, open your Bible and teach Christ crucified – every passage points to it.  Please do it.

Pilgrim's Map of the Day

Happy New Year to everyone.  Here is hoping that all of you will be safe as many celebrate the holiday welcoming a new year.  Here’s some of the things catching my eye today.

• This is just interesting to me.  Nick Kam, a third year law student in San Francisco looks ahead at a problem that could arise in the U.S. legal system some day.  The question:  How would the legal system in the U.S. handle the prosecution of a conjoined twin should one of the twin’s commit murder? I had never thought of this before.
• Of course this time of year is full of year’s best lists but also as we close out the first decade of the 21st century, we get decade best lists as well.  Being a technology lover I found Engadget’s 10 gadgets that defined the decade list to be memorable.
• There is a new trend from an old belief that is gaining ground in American Christianity today.  This trend is called contemplative of centering prayer.  This is a mystical idea and one that Christians should guard against due to it’s inclusion of many different, non-Christian religious ideas.  Ken Silva does a great job of giving an overview of this trend on Apprising Ministries and I suggest those of you who wish to be discerning take time to read it in order to be able to address this matter when it lands in your church.
• Frank Turk from Pyromaniacs provides the Christians of today with some rather bold, yet wise suggestions for the year 2010. My favorite = Pray for your elders (if you don’t have elders, get some).
• Did you know that terrorist events hit a peak in the year 2009?  Me neither.  With Fox News busy blasting the president and the other media outlets busy defending the president these kinds of stories, you know, the ones that actually affect your family, seem to leak through the cracks.  Please take time to read Time Magazine’s article about the peak of terror incidents in 2009.
• In closing, a little post-Christmas, Christmas music for you.  When a friend sent this to me I was not looking to be entertained at first glance, but this kid is amazing.  Enjoy!!!!

Pilgrim's Map of the Day

Here is hoping that all of you are having a great holiday season so far.  Enjoy your time with friends and family.  Also, if you are in the Nashville area this week, make time to visit the Charlie Brown ICE exhibit at the Gaylord.  It is incredible!!!!  Here’s what’s catching my heart and eye today:

• First off, take three minutes to watch this video.  If you are not sure if Mormons are some sort of Christian, this should answer the question as Bob Millet, professor at BYU explains that it is better to lie than to honestly address the questions that reveal this turth. 

• Adam Faughn has a great list of gifts that we can give our kids for Christmas this year.  The best part about this lift of five:  THEY’RE ALL FREE.
• File this story under the NOOOOOOOOO category.  According to Bob Arum, the Mayweather v. Pacquaio fight may be off because Mayweather won”t agree to drug testing.  Hopefully they will find some way to put this potential fight of the century together.  Click here to read the whole story.

Pilgrim's Map of the Day

With a heavy heart today’s map is posted.  May God bless the family and friends of Mr. Ron Davis, a wonderful Christian man.  He passed away last night following a hard fought battle against cancer.  May his life not soon be forgotten.

• For starters, John Dobbs has dealt with loss often in the past year.  The entire Christian blogosphere suffered with him last year as his son passed away and we were all honored to have him share his thoughts and feelings with us.  Now, one year removed, John again invites us in as he contemplates this Christmas without and the reassurances of worshipping a risen savior.
• Thank you Keith Brenton.  Everyone must read this post (especially if you were in my Sunday School class yesterday morning). His comments that he posts at the top are a wonderful and eloquent summary of the gospel we should be teaching.  Again, thank you Keith.

That’s it for today.  My mind and energies are on other things.

Book Review: The Spirit of Christmas by Henry Van Dyke

It’s been a while since I have had an opportunity to review a book. Sadly, due to whatever that causes my attention to drift from one book to another, I often find myself reading several books at once. Currently, I am reading four separate books but I found time to complete this short book that I just completed. This book, containing one of the most loved 20th century Christmas stories, is one that I would recommend to anyone to read and especially at this time of year.

Written by Henry Van Dyne, a Presbyterian, this collection of works was published in 1903. The author, Van Dyke was much more than just an author.  Van Dyke was also a clergyman who was appointed by the U.S. president to serve as minister in several foreign nations.  Also, an educator, Van Dyke served as a professor at his theological alma mater, Princeton University.

This short 55 page book is divided into five separate sections.  The first, and where this review will spend a majority of time, revolves around a fictional short story.  Next there is an essay about Christmas presents and this is followed by a Christmas sermon delivered by Van Dyke.  The last two chapters are Christmas time prayers penned by Van Dyke.

In the first chapter we find the short story entitled A Dream Story:  The Christmas Angel.  As stated before, this is a treasured tale and one that should replace the classic Dickens as the tale read amongst family members at Christmas time.  If parents interested not in their child’s belief in Santa Clause but rather the focus of Christ in this holiday are looking for a valued tradition to implement in their family, this short story would be an option worth exploring.  A fictional account of the author’s dream, the story focuses on a group of angels gathered to discuss the pitiful Earth they had all returned from where they were involved in good works.  Weary and frustrated with the lack of gratefulness and ineptitude of the human race, the three leaders of these angels, Michael, Uriel, and Raphael, all lead the other angels in thoughtful dialogue regarding what they would do with humans if the had things their way and how they would fix the problem.

The thoughts of the angels is summed up in the second angel Uriel’s understanding of man and his ignorance.  Pining over the fact that the children of Israel were granted power and victory over all foes he concludes “Power corrupts itself, and might cannot save.  The Earth is full of ignorant strife, and for this evil there is no cure, but by the giving of greater knowledge.  It is because men do not understand evil that they yield themselves to its power.”  Truer words could not be spoken and scripture abounds in which this thought is undoubtedly formed.

As the third angel Raphael discussed the fact that he believes that all man really needs is love.  To show love, to give love, to learn to love, that is the answer because to be happy, man must become like God.  As he asks “How shall man be made like Go?” in the sense that they learn to love (not in that nasty Mormon way).  As the angels ponder this question, a child angel enters touting the fact that he knows the answer to the question asked.  His answer, “man shall be made like God because the Son of God shall become a man.”

The rest of this story is a beautiful gospel account.  As the other angels question the young angel, the scope of Christ’s birth, persecution, murder, and resurrection are all craftily and perfectly presented in a true and powerful way.  The story culminates at the manger after the angels pass over the kings of Rome and the scholars of Athens, to whom they believed such a gift would first be revealed.  No, it is in a quiet and lowly manger that this gift of God to mankind is birthed.

We often look for ways to present gospel truths to our children.  This short story is an excellent way and could lead to further discussion regarding what exactly Christ did for mankind.  Care should be taken to guarantee that your children understand this is a  fictional story and not  scripture (although there is much scripture interlaced in the tale) and to make sure the child listening understands what the angel Raphael is referring to when he speaks of man becoming like God.

The next section, an essay centers around Christmas presents.  In it,Van Dyke presents a beautiful contrast of Christmas giving vs. Christmas living.  He believed that the two should carry over into one another and that the fact that the Christmas gift to man was Himself.  He believed that we should not only give a portion of ourselves at Christmas time to those we love but to those we love we should consistently give of ourselves.  Good thoughts are contained in this essay.

The third section is a Christmas sermon that Van Dyke penned.  While some excellent points are made about loving one another and our striving to do so, I shudder to think that this sermon was delivered from a pulpit to a congregation.  This sermon would serve well to point out that, in a church in which the members are honest with themselves, none of us love man as we should, even at Christmas time, and would cause many to look at themselves in a condemning way.  Sadly, there is something missing.  There is zero gospel to be found.  On the scale of sermons, this one would receive failing grades.  It makes me sad to think that if he delivered this sermon on Christmas Eve that people left the assembly with their sins exposed and yet no gospel assurance that would allow them to rejoice with their families knowing they were redeemed.

Finally, the collection closes with two prayers written by Van Dyke.  One prayer is written for the home and the other is written for the one who finds himself alone on Christmas.  In short, both of these prayers are beautiful and Van Dyke adds an interesting twist to the end of each that I think is a great touch.

In conclusion, if you have not read this collection do so.  The sole reason would be to read the first short story and I am certain one could find this story in formats that are cheaper and without the other sections discussed.  Regardless, I recommend this book and I would go as far as suggest that this Christmas Eve, gather your children around you and make time to read the wonderful short story to your children.  There is no better gift you can give them.  No, not the storybook, not your time, not the family togetherness, the gospel.  I think we’ll try it this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

There's Something About "Merry"

Merry.  A word meaning happy, joyful, cheerful, glad.  A word that invokes in us a feeling of lightheartedness and ease and memories of times spent with those we love and depend upon.  A word that encompasses every human emotion that we can relate to any type of elation.  A word that can only be described as a balloon or pinata that when probed for deeper meaning bursts into an array of warmth and good tidings.  Merry, a word that can be no less perfect when describing the beginning of the One True God putting into full action the plan which He had from the beginning of His creation.  Merry we shall be when we come to understand that the lowly birth of God in human flesh to a virgin is nothing more than step one of a plan that will make salvation available to a world of sinners.  Merry indeed!  Merrily we frolic in this undeserving hope that has come from this night when angels made harmony in the heavens, wise men came to offer gifts, and kings sought to destroy this Spotless Lamb.  With blood stained hands we who have been saved follow the instruction of James 5:13 and sing psalms celebrating this night of God’s grace being put into action.  Merry swallows all those lyrics – “Joy to the world,” “all is bright,” “tidings of comfort and joy,” peace on Earth and mercy mild.” The word is perfect in describing the condition that fills the Christian heart as he or she thinks that on that night, a baby destined for rejection, pain, restlessness, and a criminal’s death was spoken down from Heaven above as a gift, a perfect gift, so that we might have salvation.

The physician Luke seemed to have an affinity for this word “merry.”  More than any other of the gospel writers, Luke uses this word.  None more so is this word “merry” used than in his quoting of Jesus Christ Himself in Luke 15.  As Luke wrote this passage that we know today as the story of the prodigal son, whomever he interviewed to get these quotes stressed Christ’s usage of the word that we translate today as “merry.”  Four times between the verses of Luke 15:23-32, this adjective “merry” is used.  A focus on one of those four usages though is one that may be often overlooked.

It is in verse 32 that we find the father or elder of this household attempting to explain to the brother of the prodigal what is the cause for celebration.  This father is attempting to talk down the anger of a brother who has watched as his brother scoff and waste the undeserving and unearned gifts from his father.  While this brother has been loyal and trustworthy with his father’s love and riches, he is now seeing a celebration of immense proportion take place as this jerk, this philanderer, this sinner, has returned home.  Undoubtedly this brother was confused as to why his father would be so welcoming to something so low that had taken what he had to offer and spat upon it.  Is it not the case that this brother has forgotten that from his birth, when he was unable to do anything or display any loyalty, that he has been just as undeserving as his brother of receiving the gifts that his father earned?  It is here that the father in this parable of Christ so elegantly interjects the value of Christ’s kingdom, his church, here on Earth.

The father tells the son in verse 32, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”  In response to his son’s question of the appropriateness of the celebration, the father tells his son who he loves that this is totally meet (proper).  There was nothing wrong with celebrating the occasion in the father’s eyes because there, in their midst, was one who was lost in an ocean of bad decisions, regret, and selfishness who had been led back home to the loving arms of a family.  The father does not even address the argument of deserving as in his eyes, that son was no less deserving of his grace and gifts than the now arguing brother.  It was proper to be merry.  The father’s emotions of glee could only be summed up in that one word.

Therefore, let us not look at this upcoming Christmas holiday as simply the celebration of the birth of Christ.  It is so much more.  It is but a beginning to a story and the ground breaking of a well of mercy that has now  been flowing with living waters for 2000 years.  As we celebrate Christmas with our churches and families, let us look upon the faces of these people we love and be merry.  There is no greater gift that we can actually touch here on Earth than those fellow Christians among us so look upon the faces of those people.  Look upon them and think about the pains and triumphs you have shared.  Further, there is no greater gift that we can give than the sharing of our merriment with those who deny this savior.  Use God’s word and let the world around you see the reason for your festive heart.  Show others that this is not the celebration of the end of a nine month gestation, but the jubilant recognition of the beginning of a perfect journey that we so eagerly await the end of.

It is proper to sing and feast in celebration of the birthing of a savior who has taken us and washed us with the blood that He gave for us.  Blood which none of us deserve but rather have been gifted as we continue to walk toward death and His loving arms.  In this blood, grace, and sacrifice, let us, one with another, be merry.  For it is meet.

Pilgrim's Map of the Day

Hoping you all had a great weekend.  My family and I enjoyed a great Christmas pageant at the Hamilton, AL United Methodist Church last night.  What a great way to end the weekend.  Here is your map of things on the internet that are causing me thought today.

• Answers in Genesis posted a great concise article on the Reformation of the 16th Century and how the moralists and pietists of that time were wrong.  The key to reform was a return to the word of God.  Martin Luther rocked!!! 
• Make sure you stop by Ken Silva’s Apprising Ministries and read what is an excellent recipe for Spiritual Disaster.  Short and to the point.
• Click the link below this section in order to hear a wonderful example of how Chris Roseborough from Fighting for the Faith was able to share the Gospel truth through simply wearing his Tiger Woods golfers hat.

Click to hear this wonderful story of Tiger Woods sins being just like yours and mine

thanks to Theology Bites for posting this