The Epistle of First Twitter
“Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
First Twitter, written in 2009 by Pastor Daniel Henderson, is not inspired Scripture, although the author borrows heavily from the Bible. Penned from seat 4b at 25,000 feet during a recent Delta Airlines flight, the epistle is short and eclectic, reflecting many familiar biblical themes. The purpose of the book is to evoke fresh, heartfelt evaluation of the growing social networking tool known as Twitter.
The author acknowledges that Twitter is a very positive and powerful means for sharing updates and prayer requests. He claims no particular expertise on the subject but expresses a concern for pure motives and Christ honoring messages among the current barrage of “tweets.” Since its creation, the epistle has not seen widespread circulation. The author simply wrote it with the intent of creating a tool to evaluate his own heart and helping others do the same.
SPECIAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EPISTLE
As you read this short epistle it is important that the application remain personal and not serve as a means by which to judge the tweets of others. As one verse in the epistle says, “Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.”
INTERPRETIVE GUIDELINES
Theologians and critics (including only Henderson so far) who have evaluated this somewhat controversial epistle offer the following questions as a guideline for interpreting and applying the message of the Epistle of 1st Twitter.
• What messages are my tweets conveying?
• Why do I want to convey them?
• What impact will they have?
• What praise or reward am I seeking?
Finally, for those unfamiliar with the terms used in this epistle, we offer the following:
• Twitter = A social networking tool to keep family, friends, and coworkers up-to-date on what an individual is doing by using an instant messenger service, the web, as well as mobile texting, plus other venues. Messages are limited to 140 characters, which is just enough for a quick update.
• Tweet = a short message sent on Twitter
• RT = a “retweet” when someone reposts a tweet sent by another person, passing it on to their followers as well
• Twitpic = a photograph of a person or event that is attached to a tweet and sent to followers
THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
Tweetverbs for Today
Do not send boastful tweets about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own tweets; a stranger, and not your own mobile device. (Adapted from Proverbs 27:1-2)
Every tweet of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. (Adapted from Proverbs 21:2)
Twitter on the Mount
Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not tweet to all of your followers as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to tweet their prayers to all of their followers that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, sent a private text message to your friend as you pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Adapted from Matthew 6:1-6)
The Pastor and Backslider
Two men picked up their mobile devices to tweet, one a pastor and the other a backslidden Baptist. The pastor composed a message and wrote thus with himself, “Praise God that I am not like other men — boring, inarticulate, and not well-travelled or even as this backslider. I post twitpics twice a day; I give blessings to all those who follow me.” And the backslider, hardly able to type, would not so much as post a pic, but trembled as he held his Blackberry, saying, “God, be merciful to me a boring person.” I tell you, this man went down to his office justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Adapted from Luke 18:10-14)
Rewards
But he is a Christian who is one inwardly; with messages that remain of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the Twitter world; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Adapted from Romans 2:29)
For we are God's fellow social networkers; you are God's followers (and ours), you are God's network. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise social networker I have birthed the idea, and another comments on it. But let each one take heed how he comments. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone responds to my tweets it may be gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's tweets will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's content, of what sort it is. If anyone's tweets endure, he will receive a reward. If anyone's tweets are burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
Do Not Judge
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any social network. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 4:3-5)
Comparing and Commending
Do we begin again to commend ourselves on Twitter? Or do we need, as some others, RT’s of commendation to you or RT’s of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, created not by tweets but by the Spirit of the living God, not on screens of mobile devices but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)
For we dare not count our Twitter followers or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 10:12 & 18)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Christians Gone Crazy II
What is the Impact of This Crazy Behavior?
It is good to prepare our minds with a survey of the consequences of ill-advised behaviors. Just as Proverbs describes the tragic outcome of bad moral choices, so should we regularly consider the negative impact of our displays of disobedience. This certainly encourages us to avoid the path of scandalous sin but also encourages praying for those who taste the bitter fruit of their spiritual failures.
Shame to Christ – The great tragedy of theses crazy escapades is the discredit they bring to the Savior’s holy name. Christ’s reputation is tarnished and disgrace has marred the work He died to establish. Some will use the bad behavior of believers to discount the claims of Christ. As Nietzsche stated, “I would believe in your redeemer if you lived as if you were redeemed.”
Delight for Satan – The enemy always rejoices when he can trip up or throw down a Christ-follower, knowing he has ultimately broken the heart of Jesus. No one sets out to make Satan smile, but this is the true effect.
Shattered Relationships – Sin is described as the violation of a relationship – first with God, then with countless others who expressed confidence in the straying individual. To wander into the weeds of wanton behavior always involves the choice to hurt and violate the trust of people who love us.
Painful Earthly Consequences – Of course, depending on the area of sin, there are various consequences. Adultery can destroy a marriage and family. White-collar crime lands a man in jail. Drunk driving can result in fatal accidents. Genuine sorrow may evoke forgiveness from the family of the victim but it will not bring a life back.
Lost Eternal Reward – Ultimately, any earthly consequences are but a vapor compared to the loss of eternal joy and reward in the everlasting presence of the Lamb. Rewards in eternity are granted to the faithful who serve with pure motives and persevering faithfulness.
What Should We Do About This Craziness?
Humble our Hearts – If you have stumbled in some fashion that has brought open shame to the Lord, your family, His work, and your own reputation – genuine humility is the first step to recovery. Humility is the precursor to real repentance and change.
James 4:7-10 provides clear guidance for the wandered trying to find his way back home via that path of humility in the presence of the Almighty:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Humility is also in order toward our fellow man with whom we have been entangled or toward whom we have created the offences. The straying soul would do well to adopt the attitude promoted in Proverbs: “Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Proverbs 6:3-5).
Learn our Lessons – The immediate season after a spiritual failure is one of the great moments for learning the lessons that result in genuine life change. Ask God to help you apply the salve of divine wisdom to the self-inflicted wounds of sin. Embrace the sorrow that leads to real, lasting repentance, not just the regret of being caught. Failure is a powerful teacher if we are willing to learn, recalibrate our senses, and resolve to avoid any return to the mire.
Watch our Steps – If you have been preserved by God’s grace and your own common sense from scandalous sin, by all means, guard your thoughts, decisions, and deeds by resolute determination to honor Christ and His Word – every day.
Surround our Actions – Spiritual survivors do not go it alone. They have learned the value of accountability in every area of life. They embrace the wisdom of avoiding any appearance of evil and surrounding themselves with checks and balances in the areas of money, morality, and ministry activity.
Trust, but Verify – Realize that saints who just might do something stupidly scandalous surround you – and you could become part of the fallout. Yes, trust your fellow believers – but verify their behaviors through accountability, direct questions, and systems that will not tempt them to blow it in a weak moment. It is better to be criticized for careful scrutiny than to be stuck untangling the spaghetti of shameful stumbles and permanently damaged relationships.
Thank God for the Faithful
In spite of the reality of this craziness – the fact remains that every day millions of Christians remain faithful to Christ and His claims on their lives. For every crash-and-burn story there are multiplied thousands of godly saints whose stories of love, grace, and positive spiritual impact will never make the news.
We want to be among these faithful saints. The secret is that we abide in Christ, drawing our life from His sufficiency in and through us. He will bear the fruit of godly living through us, in spite of the trends and temptations of the day (John 15:5-10). Praise God that we do not have to succumb to crazy decisions and shameful behavior. We can live a life of abiding love for Him and selfless love toward others, which is always a choice for purity and perseverance. We can stand in the promise that He “always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
In closing, I think of how Paul wrote to Timothy about the crazy and perilous days that would come as time unfolds. The culture would be marked by people described as “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). In spite of all this senselessness, Paul reminded Timothy of the sufficiency of the Word of God in his life and offered him the final exhortation he would ever pen to his young understudy: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you” (2 Timothy 4:5).
He knew Timothy could live a sane and sanctified life by the power of Christ, regardless of the times. So can you.
It is good to prepare our minds with a survey of the consequences of ill-advised behaviors. Just as Proverbs describes the tragic outcome of bad moral choices, so should we regularly consider the negative impact of our displays of disobedience. This certainly encourages us to avoid the path of scandalous sin but also encourages praying for those who taste the bitter fruit of their spiritual failures.
Shame to Christ – The great tragedy of theses crazy escapades is the discredit they bring to the Savior’s holy name. Christ’s reputation is tarnished and disgrace has marred the work He died to establish. Some will use the bad behavior of believers to discount the claims of Christ. As Nietzsche stated, “I would believe in your redeemer if you lived as if you were redeemed.”
Delight for Satan – The enemy always rejoices when he can trip up or throw down a Christ-follower, knowing he has ultimately broken the heart of Jesus. No one sets out to make Satan smile, but this is the true effect.
Shattered Relationships – Sin is described as the violation of a relationship – first with God, then with countless others who expressed confidence in the straying individual. To wander into the weeds of wanton behavior always involves the choice to hurt and violate the trust of people who love us.
Painful Earthly Consequences – Of course, depending on the area of sin, there are various consequences. Adultery can destroy a marriage and family. White-collar crime lands a man in jail. Drunk driving can result in fatal accidents. Genuine sorrow may evoke forgiveness from the family of the victim but it will not bring a life back.
Lost Eternal Reward – Ultimately, any earthly consequences are but a vapor compared to the loss of eternal joy and reward in the everlasting presence of the Lamb. Rewards in eternity are granted to the faithful who serve with pure motives and persevering faithfulness.
What Should We Do About This Craziness?
Humble our Hearts – If you have stumbled in some fashion that has brought open shame to the Lord, your family, His work, and your own reputation – genuine humility is the first step to recovery. Humility is the precursor to real repentance and change.
James 4:7-10 provides clear guidance for the wandered trying to find his way back home via that path of humility in the presence of the Almighty:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Humility is also in order toward our fellow man with whom we have been entangled or toward whom we have created the offences. The straying soul would do well to adopt the attitude promoted in Proverbs: “Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Proverbs 6:3-5).
Learn our Lessons – The immediate season after a spiritual failure is one of the great moments for learning the lessons that result in genuine life change. Ask God to help you apply the salve of divine wisdom to the self-inflicted wounds of sin. Embrace the sorrow that leads to real, lasting repentance, not just the regret of being caught. Failure is a powerful teacher if we are willing to learn, recalibrate our senses, and resolve to avoid any return to the mire.
Watch our Steps – If you have been preserved by God’s grace and your own common sense from scandalous sin, by all means, guard your thoughts, decisions, and deeds by resolute determination to honor Christ and His Word – every day.
Surround our Actions – Spiritual survivors do not go it alone. They have learned the value of accountability in every area of life. They embrace the wisdom of avoiding any appearance of evil and surrounding themselves with checks and balances in the areas of money, morality, and ministry activity.
Trust, but Verify – Realize that saints who just might do something stupidly scandalous surround you – and you could become part of the fallout. Yes, trust your fellow believers – but verify their behaviors through accountability, direct questions, and systems that will not tempt them to blow it in a weak moment. It is better to be criticized for careful scrutiny than to be stuck untangling the spaghetti of shameful stumbles and permanently damaged relationships.
Thank God for the Faithful
In spite of the reality of this craziness – the fact remains that every day millions of Christians remain faithful to Christ and His claims on their lives. For every crash-and-burn story there are multiplied thousands of godly saints whose stories of love, grace, and positive spiritual impact will never make the news.
We want to be among these faithful saints. The secret is that we abide in Christ, drawing our life from His sufficiency in and through us. He will bear the fruit of godly living through us, in spite of the trends and temptations of the day (John 15:5-10). Praise God that we do not have to succumb to crazy decisions and shameful behavior. We can live a life of abiding love for Him and selfless love toward others, which is always a choice for purity and perseverance. We can stand in the promise that He “always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
In closing, I think of how Paul wrote to Timothy about the crazy and perilous days that would come as time unfolds. The culture would be marked by people described as “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). In spite of all this senselessness, Paul reminded Timothy of the sufficiency of the Word of God in his life and offered him the final exhortation he would ever pen to his young understudy: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you” (2 Timothy 4:5).
He knew Timothy could live a sane and sanctified life by the power of Christ, regardless of the times. So can you.
Christians Gone Crazy
Every day, it seems, we read or hear another account of “Christian” people being caught doing things that are anything but Christian. People of “faith” are found guilty of fraud, fondling children, and faking the truth in a variety of ways. With tears, they admit to their scandals, sex-capades, and stealing, but give praise to God for the presence of Jesus in their lives. In the meantime, Christ weeps, His work suffers, the world laughs, and fellows Christians wonder what in the world is going on.
Examples Galore
In the process of writing my book Defying Gravity (How to Survive the Storms of Pastoral Leadership) I interviewed dozens of Christian leaders (not all pastors) about some of the challenges they have faced. I will never forget the input I received from Karen Covell, a television producer and author. She serves as the Director of the Hollywood Prayer Network, seeking to mobilize prayer for “the most influential mission field in the world” as she connects with intercessors around the world. Karen and her husband, Jim (also a producer and my best friend from junior high school) have led a weekly prayer meeting in their home for their Hollywood colleagues for almost 25 years.
Not long ago, Karen discovered that a trusted friend and co-laborer for over 20 years, who handled HPN’s finances, was “borrowing money” from HPN. By the time Karen discovered this it was almost too late to salvage the ministry. Suddenly she was in the situation of needing to decide how to handle her colleague, what to do to save the ministry, or whether she should just shut it all down and start over. She found herself struggling with the thought of rebuilding – knowing the commitment, time, effort, and fundraising that it would take. As I wrote about her brokenhearted journey of trying to salvage the ministry, I wondered, “How could someone do that to such a wonderful person and ministry?” (When the book comes out in January, you can read the amazing story of how Karen navigated this crisis and came through with honor and grace.)
Of course, this is one of hundreds (maybe thousands) of stories that emerge every week across America involving “the faithful” and their woeful wrongdoings. I am not talking about a temper flare-up, speeding ticket, or failing to tithe. I am talking about major, public scandals that damage the faith of others because of the level of blatant duplicity involved. Whether it is a high-profile evangelist, a “Christian” politician, or a friend in our small group Bible study – it is all so very baffling. Let us try to make sense of it.
Humble Disclaimer
First, let’s admit the need for humility and grace as we consider this issue. Every one of us has entertained a thought or contemplated an action that could have resulted in great harm to our testimony and pain to those we love. As Galatians 6:1 says, we need to consider ourselves “lest we also be tempted.” God’s grace instructs us all that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). Truly we can all say that, apart from His grace, “There go I.”
Why Do “Christian” People Do Such Crazy Things?
While hardly a theological treatise or counseling session, I want to share a few thoughts about how other believers can misfire so badly.
False Profession – Sometimes people behave in blatantly non-Christian ways because they are non-Christians. Just as godly repentance does not register in their present behavior, neither did it register when they “made a decision” to become a Christian. Read Matthew 7. Enough said.
Unsanctified Brokenness – Many people come to Christ but never really bring the brokenness of their past or present life under the power of the cross. For example, the baggage of uncrucified bitterness can lead to damaging decisions. The pain grows deep and eventually results in irrational, reactionary behavior that takes this unthinking believer from the frying pan of pain into the fire of widespread disgrace.
Another example might be the deep-seated dysfunction of an unsettled identity. Some Christians were raised with strong messages that their value was in how they appeared to others, what they possessed, or what things they achieved. Rather than living out an identity that is solid and settled at the cross, they are still trying to prove an identity that some powerful figure told them they must prove. To find themselves, they risk losing their integrity and intimacy with Christ and others.
Skewed View of Holiness – Our present culture tempts us in many ways to redefine God’s holiness. When we impose the acceptable behaviors of the day over the biblical picture of God’s absolute holiness, we set ourselves up to justify unholy behavior. I have heard it said, “In the beginning God created man in His image. Ever since, we’ve been trying to return the favor.”
Compartmentalized Behavior – Integrity is about a life where all the pieces fit together in authentic harmony and honesty. When compromise begins in some area of life, a person can begin to compartmentalize and believe that his behavior or thought patterns in one area are not necessarily related to other areas of life. Financial compromise gets isolated from family. Sexual misbehavior is tolerated as long as the individual serves at church. It is an approach that spells eventual disaster.
Seared Conscience – Some arrive at such a point of coddling a lying lifestyle that they actually yield their thoughts to the power of evil and no longer respond to the God-given voice of conscience. They develop a lifestyle of getting away with sin, with little remorse and minimal concern for the consequences.
Impact and Response?
So what is the practical impact of this crazy behavior? How should we respond to it all? In next week’s e-devo, we will tackle those questions.
In the meantime, we must make the decision every day to find our strength for holy living and authentic witness in Christ alone. As He taught us, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”(John 15:4).
Ephesians 5:8-10 reminds us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” May we each resolve to walk the talk and manifest His light. Let us pray that the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth will be evident in our lives as we actively discover all that is acceptable to the Lord and avoid the pitfalls of this all-too-common crazy behavior.
Examples Galore
In the process of writing my book Defying Gravity (How to Survive the Storms of Pastoral Leadership) I interviewed dozens of Christian leaders (not all pastors) about some of the challenges they have faced. I will never forget the input I received from Karen Covell, a television producer and author. She serves as the Director of the Hollywood Prayer Network, seeking to mobilize prayer for “the most influential mission field in the world” as she connects with intercessors around the world. Karen and her husband, Jim (also a producer and my best friend from junior high school) have led a weekly prayer meeting in their home for their Hollywood colleagues for almost 25 years.
Not long ago, Karen discovered that a trusted friend and co-laborer for over 20 years, who handled HPN’s finances, was “borrowing money” from HPN. By the time Karen discovered this it was almost too late to salvage the ministry. Suddenly she was in the situation of needing to decide how to handle her colleague, what to do to save the ministry, or whether she should just shut it all down and start over. She found herself struggling with the thought of rebuilding – knowing the commitment, time, effort, and fundraising that it would take. As I wrote about her brokenhearted journey of trying to salvage the ministry, I wondered, “How could someone do that to such a wonderful person and ministry?” (When the book comes out in January, you can read the amazing story of how Karen navigated this crisis and came through with honor and grace.)
Of course, this is one of hundreds (maybe thousands) of stories that emerge every week across America involving “the faithful” and their woeful wrongdoings. I am not talking about a temper flare-up, speeding ticket, or failing to tithe. I am talking about major, public scandals that damage the faith of others because of the level of blatant duplicity involved. Whether it is a high-profile evangelist, a “Christian” politician, or a friend in our small group Bible study – it is all so very baffling. Let us try to make sense of it.
Humble Disclaimer
First, let’s admit the need for humility and grace as we consider this issue. Every one of us has entertained a thought or contemplated an action that could have resulted in great harm to our testimony and pain to those we love. As Galatians 6:1 says, we need to consider ourselves “lest we also be tempted.” God’s grace instructs us all that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). Truly we can all say that, apart from His grace, “There go I.”
Why Do “Christian” People Do Such Crazy Things?
While hardly a theological treatise or counseling session, I want to share a few thoughts about how other believers can misfire so badly.
False Profession – Sometimes people behave in blatantly non-Christian ways because they are non-Christians. Just as godly repentance does not register in their present behavior, neither did it register when they “made a decision” to become a Christian. Read Matthew 7. Enough said.
Unsanctified Brokenness – Many people come to Christ but never really bring the brokenness of their past or present life under the power of the cross. For example, the baggage of uncrucified bitterness can lead to damaging decisions. The pain grows deep and eventually results in irrational, reactionary behavior that takes this unthinking believer from the frying pan of pain into the fire of widespread disgrace.
Another example might be the deep-seated dysfunction of an unsettled identity. Some Christians were raised with strong messages that their value was in how they appeared to others, what they possessed, or what things they achieved. Rather than living out an identity that is solid and settled at the cross, they are still trying to prove an identity that some powerful figure told them they must prove. To find themselves, they risk losing their integrity and intimacy with Christ and others.
Skewed View of Holiness – Our present culture tempts us in many ways to redefine God’s holiness. When we impose the acceptable behaviors of the day over the biblical picture of God’s absolute holiness, we set ourselves up to justify unholy behavior. I have heard it said, “In the beginning God created man in His image. Ever since, we’ve been trying to return the favor.”
Compartmentalized Behavior – Integrity is about a life where all the pieces fit together in authentic harmony and honesty. When compromise begins in some area of life, a person can begin to compartmentalize and believe that his behavior or thought patterns in one area are not necessarily related to other areas of life. Financial compromise gets isolated from family. Sexual misbehavior is tolerated as long as the individual serves at church. It is an approach that spells eventual disaster.
Seared Conscience – Some arrive at such a point of coddling a lying lifestyle that they actually yield their thoughts to the power of evil and no longer respond to the God-given voice of conscience. They develop a lifestyle of getting away with sin, with little remorse and minimal concern for the consequences.
Impact and Response?
So what is the practical impact of this crazy behavior? How should we respond to it all? In next week’s e-devo, we will tackle those questions.
In the meantime, we must make the decision every day to find our strength for holy living and authentic witness in Christ alone. As He taught us, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”(John 15:4).
Ephesians 5:8-10 reminds us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” May we each resolve to walk the talk and manifest His light. Let us pray that the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth will be evident in our lives as we actively discover all that is acceptable to the Lord and avoid the pitfalls of this all-too-common crazy behavior.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Pastors Coming Out of the Closet
Recently I conducted a Renewal Weekend at a large mid-western church. The pastor is an educated, articulate leader known for his preaching acumen. He even writes books to help preachers create effective sermons.
After the final service of the weekend (a Sunday evening worship-based prayer experience) he stood before his church with tears and offered two observations. First, he stated that he had not experienced the presence of God in such a powerful way since his early days in ministry where revival broke out in the church where he served on staff. Indeed, it was a powerful evening of worship and heart-felt prayer.
His second observation was incredibly insightful. He said to his congregation, “Over the years I’ve told you that the corporate prayer level of our church will never rise above our personal prayer lives.” He continued, “Tonight I want to correct that statement. I have concluded that our personal prayer lives will never rise above our corporate prayer experience because this is how we all learn to pray – in community. And I am resolved to lead you in that experience that we might truly become a house of prayer.”
You could conclude that this courageous pastor decided to come out of his prayer closet and start leading his people in the actual experience of prayer. That decision has been a big victory for him, for his congregation, and for Christ-honoring ministry in that community.
Toward a Consistent View of Leadership
Of course, it is an essential and wonderful thing that many pastors prioritize personal time in prayer. However, far too few come to the conviction of this pastor in the firm understanding that they must lead their people in prayer by example while modeling prayer in community experience. In reality, they are adopting a view of leadership that leaves their people far short of Christ’s ideal for the church.
Let me illustrate. Imagine a pastor named Charlie. He claims to have a deep conviction about the importance of the Bible in his life and ministry. He speaks highly of the Scriptures in personal conversations and writes compellingly about it in his philosophy of ministry. He claims to have a strong personal regimen of Bible reading and study.
Yet, the pattern of this leadership demonstrates an actual contradiction. In his public ministry Charlie is apathetic about the existence of Bible studies in his church. He never teaches people how to study the Bible. He seldom leads any Bible studies with others. When he does on those rare occasions, he seems uncomfortable and half-hearted.
In spite of Charlie’s verbal assent about the benefit of the Bible, he makes minimal references to the Scriptures when the church gathers. He rarely invests any substantive amount of time teaching the Bible to his congregation in corporate worship on Sundays. Instead, he tells stories and packs the services with an abundance of music, drama, and interesting anecdotes about current events.
Any church worth their salt would be grieved about the contradiction of Pastor Charlie’s words. They would wonder about his real commitment to the centrality of the Scriptures. While Charlie might talk a good talk, he obviously is failing to lead his church in the love for and understanding of the Bible.
In fact, the real commodity by which we judge any pastor’s commitment to the Scriptures is TIME. This includes time spent personally in the Word but ALSO time given to teaching and experiencing the power of applied truth in the corporate gatherings. If he does not give time to the Bible, we rightfully conclude he does not really value it.
Leading from the Closet Does Not Work
When it comes to prayer, many pastors live in the same contradictory gray twilight as Charlie. Somehow flowery words about prayer and claims of “doing business with God” in “the closet” suffice, while the church starves for leadership, never really learning how to pray. Jesus grieves because His house does not become a house of prayer. The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2 indicating that the church should FIRST be a place of prayer are essentially ignored – because no one is leading the church in that direction. The commands to pray, given in the New Testament, are largely ignored in the community experience of the church.
In my travels, I see this so often. Many respected and godly leaders purport to have a strong prayer life – in private. However, they appear to have little conviction about modeling prayer and leading their people into life-changing experiences of prayer (we will talk about the reasons later). Of course, these pastors never lead powerful, praying churches because it is impossible to POINT the way in prayer. One must LEAD the way in prayer.
Just as you cannot lead the church in the ministry of the word simply from a desk, neither can you lead a church in prayer simply from a closet. In Acts 6:4 the early leaders were committed to engaging collectively and leading the church in BOTH prayer and the ministry of the word. Today, like those leaders, pastors must come out of their private closets and provide bold, biblical, and consistent leadership.
Why Church Leaders Hide in their Prayer Closets
Let me say clearly that the value of private prayer is beyond measure. Responsible pastors seek the Lord individually and regularly intercede for others. Yet, too many good pastors seem content with leaving their prayer impact at the closet door. Why is this?
In my book Fresh Encounters, I wrote extensively about this challenge – based on my own struggle in prayer and conversations with many pastoral colleagues. In summary, our reluctance to lead our churches in prayer is rooted in the following factors:
1. Rugged individualism
2. Closet confusion
3. Limited vision
4. Inadequate training
5. Cultural pushback
6. Personal defeat
7. Spiritual distraction
8. Fear of intimacy
In a post we will elaborate on each of these eight factors and encourage your heart with some truths about the blessings that occur when pastors come out of their prayer closets to lead their people in biblical, balanced prayer.
In the meantime, pray for your pastor today. Pray that the Lord will draw him close to His heart and teach him more about the joys of seeking God’s face. Pray that, in His time, the Lord will help him see the calling to lead the church in regular and life-giving experiences of prayer. In the meantime, keep a loving and supportive attitude and look for opportunities to make a difference on your knees in your own church. The Lord will bless you as you support your leadership and pray for their growth in Christ.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Great and Growing God - Entertainment!
In case you did not notice, Michael Jackson died. His was a sad and tragic story of a hugely famous, immensely talented, and extraordinarily wealthy cultural icon, whose life was very broken and confused. I am sorry for his family and friends who are legitimately grieving his passing.
However, this is not about Michael Jackson. We have all had our fill of the debates about his music, his morality, and the nuances of his personal life. I have no compulsion to weigh in on this. This devotion is about our need to fully grasp this present snapshot of our culture that was captured by the events celebrating Jackson’s entertainment legacy.
Desperate for Entertaining Stimulation
The insightful and prophetic writer and pastor A.W. Tozer wrote about our society’s captivation with entertainment in a chapter titled, “The Great God Entertainment.” His words say it better than mine do:
“. . . the more a man has in his own heart the less he will require from the outside; excessive need for support from without is proof of the bankruptcy of the inner man. . . The present inordinate attachment to every form of entertainment is evidence that the inner life of modern man is in serious decline. The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his own breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living. He has become a parasite on the world drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him.”
He goes on to observe, “There are millions who cannot live without amusement; life without some form of entertainment for them is simply intolerable; they look forward to the blessed relief afforded by professional entertainers and other forms of psychological narcotics as a dope addict looks to his daily shot of heroin. Without them they could not summon courage to face existence.”
Tozer’s words hardly seem like something written in the mid-50’s. Think of what he might observe today in our media -dominated, celebrity-crazed, and technology-titillated society. His article would surely become a book of many chapters. Once again, we find ourselves worshiping at the altar of “The Great God Entertainment,” cheered on by money-hungry media as we bow in adulation before the latest celebrity icons.
Of course, Tozer quickly adds, as I would, that life is full of legitimate simple pleasures. There is nothing wrong with harmless forms of entertainment that help us relax, stimulate our minds, and enable us to connect with others. We need to find time for good reading, wholesome movies, stimulating hobbies, healthy recreation, and fun with friends and family. If we are burning the candle at both ends we are not as bright as we think we are.
Again, Tozer clarifies, “The all-out devotion to entertainment as a major activity for which and by which men live is definitely something else again. The abuse of a harmless thing is the essence of sin.”
So what is the real concern over our abusive interest with entertainment as was so vividly pictured in the media’s madness over Jackson’s entertainment value in this society?
Many Americans Worship Those who Entertain Them
“Entertain me and I will worship you” almost seems to be the common cry of the empty-souled American. “Worship” may seem a strong word but it is hard to deny the blatant adulation and willing sacrifice of money, time, and attention given to entertainment icons in our culture.
The Apostle Paul warned of these societal trends in 2 Timothy 3, where he wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves. . .lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Tozer again speaks with insight and courage about this very issue when he writes, “It (entertainment) has been built into a multimillion dollar racket with greater power over human minds and human character than any other educational influence on earth. And the ominous thing is that its power is almost exclusively evil, rotting the inner life, crowding out the long eternal thoughts which would fill the souls of men if they were worthy to entertain them. And the whole thing has grown into a veritable religion which holds its devotees with strange fascination, and a religion, incidentally, against which it is now dangerous to speak. “
Again, recent news stories show us the incredible influence entertainment holds over swooning fans that faint at the sight of a celebrity and spend exorbitant amounts of money for the latest sound, sight, or sensation dished out by famous and talented entertainers.
True Christ-followers must carefully discern this and resist the lure of excessive and unprofitable entertainment, remembering the first two commandments to worship the Lord God alone and refusing the lure of any kind of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6). The aged Apostle John appealed to us, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (I John 5: 21).
We should also remember to pray for those we know who are bowing before the god of Entertainment, as we demonstrate the life of Christ and pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth that can fill their souls with life-changing substance and set them free. We also need to pray for those in the entertainment industry to experience an awakening of grace and truth. I am grateful for people like Jim and Karen Covell who have decided to light a candle rather than curse the darkness as they lead the Hollywood Prayer Network, interceding for those in the entertainment industry to turn to Christ (check it out at www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org).
Next week we make two additional observations. First, we will see that many Americans despise those who lead them to worship. Then, we will address the concern that many Christians have confused worship with entertainment. As we conclude this two-part devotional we will seek to set our hearts on a deep pursuit of the person and presence of Christ that surpasses the superficial satisfaction of mere entertainment
However, this is not about Michael Jackson. We have all had our fill of the debates about his music, his morality, and the nuances of his personal life. I have no compulsion to weigh in on this. This devotion is about our need to fully grasp this present snapshot of our culture that was captured by the events celebrating Jackson’s entertainment legacy.
Desperate for Entertaining Stimulation
The insightful and prophetic writer and pastor A.W. Tozer wrote about our society’s captivation with entertainment in a chapter titled, “The Great God Entertainment.” His words say it better than mine do:
“. . . the more a man has in his own heart the less he will require from the outside; excessive need for support from without is proof of the bankruptcy of the inner man. . . The present inordinate attachment to every form of entertainment is evidence that the inner life of modern man is in serious decline. The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his own breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living. He has become a parasite on the world drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him.”
He goes on to observe, “There are millions who cannot live without amusement; life without some form of entertainment for them is simply intolerable; they look forward to the blessed relief afforded by professional entertainers and other forms of psychological narcotics as a dope addict looks to his daily shot of heroin. Without them they could not summon courage to face existence.”
Tozer’s words hardly seem like something written in the mid-50’s. Think of what he might observe today in our media -dominated, celebrity-crazed, and technology-titillated society. His article would surely become a book of many chapters. Once again, we find ourselves worshiping at the altar of “The Great God Entertainment,” cheered on by money-hungry media as we bow in adulation before the latest celebrity icons.
Of course, Tozer quickly adds, as I would, that life is full of legitimate simple pleasures. There is nothing wrong with harmless forms of entertainment that help us relax, stimulate our minds, and enable us to connect with others. We need to find time for good reading, wholesome movies, stimulating hobbies, healthy recreation, and fun with friends and family. If we are burning the candle at both ends we are not as bright as we think we are.
Again, Tozer clarifies, “The all-out devotion to entertainment as a major activity for which and by which men live is definitely something else again. The abuse of a harmless thing is the essence of sin.”
So what is the real concern over our abusive interest with entertainment as was so vividly pictured in the media’s madness over Jackson’s entertainment value in this society?
Many Americans Worship Those who Entertain Them
“Entertain me and I will worship you” almost seems to be the common cry of the empty-souled American. “Worship” may seem a strong word but it is hard to deny the blatant adulation and willing sacrifice of money, time, and attention given to entertainment icons in our culture.
The Apostle Paul warned of these societal trends in 2 Timothy 3, where he wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves. . .lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Tozer again speaks with insight and courage about this very issue when he writes, “It (entertainment) has been built into a multimillion dollar racket with greater power over human minds and human character than any other educational influence on earth. And the ominous thing is that its power is almost exclusively evil, rotting the inner life, crowding out the long eternal thoughts which would fill the souls of men if they were worthy to entertain them. And the whole thing has grown into a veritable religion which holds its devotees with strange fascination, and a religion, incidentally, against which it is now dangerous to speak. “
Again, recent news stories show us the incredible influence entertainment holds over swooning fans that faint at the sight of a celebrity and spend exorbitant amounts of money for the latest sound, sight, or sensation dished out by famous and talented entertainers.
True Christ-followers must carefully discern this and resist the lure of excessive and unprofitable entertainment, remembering the first two commandments to worship the Lord God alone and refusing the lure of any kind of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6). The aged Apostle John appealed to us, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (I John 5: 21).
We should also remember to pray for those we know who are bowing before the god of Entertainment, as we demonstrate the life of Christ and pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth that can fill their souls with life-changing substance and set them free. We also need to pray for those in the entertainment industry to experience an awakening of grace and truth. I am grateful for people like Jim and Karen Covell who have decided to light a candle rather than curse the darkness as they lead the Hollywood Prayer Network, interceding for those in the entertainment industry to turn to Christ (check it out at www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org).
Next week we make two additional observations. First, we will see that many Americans despise those who lead them to worship. Then, we will address the concern that many Christians have confused worship with entertainment. As we conclude this two-part devotional we will seek to set our hearts on a deep pursuit of the person and presence of Christ that surpasses the superficial satisfaction of mere entertainment
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