So whenever I think of earthquakes I think of bad 80's movies and California. Instead, now when we think of an earthquake we think of the Midwest and Louisville KY. It was so weird to see buildings I knew in my hometown damaged by a quake, which is something that is a possibility because of the New Madrid line but really... Kentucky? Come on.... No way
Just more proof that the Creation itself groans for its redemption in Christ. May that day come soon where all is made right and the very curse on the ground is lifted and the earth, the heavens, the seas, the animals, and man all exist in the perfect harmony and fellowship that we once had in Eden before the Fall. May the redeeming work of Christ be consummated soon, and I pray that before it does happen we might impact the world for Christ in a new and fresh way
Scott
PS - Check out my graduation present to myself!
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/1_series/12/
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tax Time!
Today is April 15, otherwise known as the single craziest day in the lives of many Americans who are rushing to fill out their tax returns and get them postmarked by midnight in order to avoid heavy fees and interest from the IRS. The fact that many people are so panicked on this day I think is indicative of a culture that cannot function unless under the pressure of an incredibly tight deadline. While this is advantageous in some cases, it is not a lifestyle that should be so common that we cannot think ahead and make proper planning.
True we know that Scripture says not to make plans because tomorrow is not guaranteed, but that doesn't mean we don't need to be careful and budget our time and order our lives. The principles of order and function seem to be common in Scripture, in fact God takes chaos and puts everything in order and in proper function in Genesis 1-2. The ideal for God is a well-oiled machine that functions properly and works to the end task it has been assigned. That is why deadline-pushing is a stressful time for us. Stress is a reaction generated because of external or internal forces taking our body and mind out of this perfect order, otherwise known as homeostasis. By disrupting the order that God has given us innately, we create an environment within ourselves of stress and panic. Sure there are times where deadlines and panic cannot be avoided, but they should be the exception and not the norm. We should live better than this as Christians, we should live lives governed by the peace of God and not the panic of the Clock.
God has called us to a great and high calling, and we would be remiss if we did not honor Him in the way we conduct our lives. Do not be anxious for anything, but rather give it all to God in prayer, walk with Him and He will give you a comfort and peace that puts all things to rest.
One day, we will be in an eternal Sabbath, an eternal time where we will be at peace with each other, the world, and God, and where the pressures we face now will never be allowed in. Until then, live well, and do your taxes as soon as you can.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
True we know that Scripture says not to make plans because tomorrow is not guaranteed, but that doesn't mean we don't need to be careful and budget our time and order our lives. The principles of order and function seem to be common in Scripture, in fact God takes chaos and puts everything in order and in proper function in Genesis 1-2. The ideal for God is a well-oiled machine that functions properly and works to the end task it has been assigned. That is why deadline-pushing is a stressful time for us. Stress is a reaction generated because of external or internal forces taking our body and mind out of this perfect order, otherwise known as homeostasis. By disrupting the order that God has given us innately, we create an environment within ourselves of stress and panic. Sure there are times where deadlines and panic cannot be avoided, but they should be the exception and not the norm. We should live better than this as Christians, we should live lives governed by the peace of God and not the panic of the Clock.
God has called us to a great and high calling, and we would be remiss if we did not honor Him in the way we conduct our lives. Do not be anxious for anything, but rather give it all to God in prayer, walk with Him and He will give you a comfort and peace that puts all things to rest.
One day, we will be in an eternal Sabbath, an eternal time where we will be at peace with each other, the world, and God, and where the pressures we face now will never be allowed in. Until then, live well, and do your taxes as soon as you can.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
One of the most disturbing things I have ever seen...
As many of you know, I work at Starbucks and my typical start time is at 5:00 AM. Getting up that early, there isn't much to catch on TV besides replays of yesterday's game on ESPN, or the early morning news on CNN, which is usually pretty depressing. Typically I get up and read my e-mail and check the headlines on MSN. I know, very youth minister of me, to read the news at 4:30 in the morning, but CH Spurgeon said the two things a minister should read daily are his Bible and the newspaper.
This past week, I saw something that was absolutely shocking and well, as the title says, absolutely disturbing. It was about a website called Miss Bimbo, which is apparently an interactive role-play game where you take a character and make her famous and attractive by getting plastic surgery, taking diet pills (until the recent backlash by concerned parents), and partying. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the great role models of Paris and Lindsay, this is yet another attack on the already fragile self-esteem of pre-teen adolescent girls. It's bad enough that there are shows like "Dr. 90291" and the countless specials done on people who have had plastic surgery and it "changed their lives," magazines which depict the "perfect" body (which has been airbrushed and edited as well), and Barbie whose proportions are physically impossible.
The purpose of this blog is to plead with parents to be mindful of what you let your kids do online, and that there are many things out there which can rot the minds and self-image of your children.
It is also an empassioned plea for students, especially girls, to find their satisfaction in Christ. The psycho-babble of our day cries out for you to feel better about your self-esteem, but I want you to feel good in your Christ-esteem. When things get hard, think about who you are in Christ: a child of God, friend of Christ, super-conqueror, heir of heaven and earth, private audience anytime anywhere with the God of Heaven! Isn't this so much better than being famous or popular, it is so fleeting. Look at Britney Spears, once the hottest ticket available, she is now a joke and a desperate clinger to her former glory.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, not things on earth which will rot and decay. Fame goes away when someone else comes around, popularity disappears after someone else comes around, partying comes with a price, dating around leaves you feeling empty. But Christ gives you water that satisfies your deepest thirst, gives you purpose and hope.
Jeremiah says that the Lord has plans for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Trust Him with where your life goes, and don't look to Hollywood for your ambition. Girls, know you're beautiful just the way you are, any boy who wants you to change isn't worth your time, and your Heavenly Father created you just as you are and loves you more than you can know.
This past week, I saw something that was absolutely shocking and well, as the title says, absolutely disturbing. It was about a website called Miss Bimbo, which is apparently an interactive role-play game where you take a character and make her famous and attractive by getting plastic surgery, taking diet pills (until the recent backlash by concerned parents), and partying. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the great role models of Paris and Lindsay, this is yet another attack on the already fragile self-esteem of pre-teen adolescent girls. It's bad enough that there are shows like "Dr. 90291" and the countless specials done on people who have had plastic surgery and it "changed their lives," magazines which depict the "perfect" body (which has been airbrushed and edited as well), and Barbie whose proportions are physically impossible.
The purpose of this blog is to plead with parents to be mindful of what you let your kids do online, and that there are many things out there which can rot the minds and self-image of your children.
It is also an empassioned plea for students, especially girls, to find their satisfaction in Christ. The psycho-babble of our day cries out for you to feel better about your self-esteem, but I want you to feel good in your Christ-esteem. When things get hard, think about who you are in Christ: a child of God, friend of Christ, super-conqueror, heir of heaven and earth, private audience anytime anywhere with the God of Heaven! Isn't this so much better than being famous or popular, it is so fleeting. Look at Britney Spears, once the hottest ticket available, she is now a joke and a desperate clinger to her former glory.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, not things on earth which will rot and decay. Fame goes away when someone else comes around, popularity disappears after someone else comes around, partying comes with a price, dating around leaves you feeling empty. But Christ gives you water that satisfies your deepest thirst, gives you purpose and hope.
Jeremiah says that the Lord has plans for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Trust Him with where your life goes, and don't look to Hollywood for your ambition. Girls, know you're beautiful just the way you are, any boy who wants you to change isn't worth your time, and your Heavenly Father created you just as you are and loves you more than you can know.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Oops, Monday a bit late
On Monday Jesus caused an uproar in the city of Jerusalem when He entered the Temple and found there were money-changers and swindlers and corruption. With righteous anger He threw them out and in a fit of rage took a whip to them. Did Jesus wake up on the wrong side of the bed or did He have a good reason to do this?
We see in the Scripture that Jesus' anger was based on the fact that the sacred place of God had been turned into a cheap marketplace where people were profiting off the need for sacrifices. These people took advantage of the religious sensitivities of the people, and made a fortune extorting their hard-earned money. Jesus' fury directed at them was righteous and just, He did not lose His temper and sin in His anger. There is a time in the Christian life for there to be "righteous anger" and it is an anger towards the things God hates. Anger is a passionate response and can be very valuable, when used in the right circumstances. Jesus was not stressed out and taking out His frustration on those around Him, He was right to be appalled at what was going on in the Temple. It was a sacred place where God Himself dwelt, and these people had cheapened it.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as the coming King had already caused enough discussion/trouble in the city, but His actions in the Temple definitely got people talking about Him and it caused people to pay attention to everything He did.
What does this mean for us? It means that we have to keep the place of God in our lives sacred, and keep that place free from the stain of corruption and greed. It means that we have reverence when we are in the presence of God. Not to draw comparisons to the Temple and the Church, but where has our reverence for the things of God gone these days? You go to a church now and it looks like a theater, and many times in churches we have gotten to where we look like a mini-city with activities and so much going on that we get lost in the shuffle. This is not an indictment against churches being active and busy, but it all has to come back to a reverence and fear of the Lord and a desire to keep His House clean from the filth of the world that would tell us to build bigger, have fancier stuff, and keep up with the Jones' down the street. God desires His house to be a house of prayer, which is what we are working towards at Broadmoor. We are far from perfect, but in keeping with the command of Jesus, we desire for God to be pleased with how we conduct ourselves and the attitude we have in church. Please keep the dwelling place of God clean in your lives, which is your heart. Don't let it get dirty and corrupt, may we never be guilty of corrupting the worship of the people for personal gain.
Scott
We see in the Scripture that Jesus' anger was based on the fact that the sacred place of God had been turned into a cheap marketplace where people were profiting off the need for sacrifices. These people took advantage of the religious sensitivities of the people, and made a fortune extorting their hard-earned money. Jesus' fury directed at them was righteous and just, He did not lose His temper and sin in His anger. There is a time in the Christian life for there to be "righteous anger" and it is an anger towards the things God hates. Anger is a passionate response and can be very valuable, when used in the right circumstances. Jesus was not stressed out and taking out His frustration on those around Him, He was right to be appalled at what was going on in the Temple. It was a sacred place where God Himself dwelt, and these people had cheapened it.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as the coming King had already caused enough discussion/trouble in the city, but His actions in the Temple definitely got people talking about Him and it caused people to pay attention to everything He did.
What does this mean for us? It means that we have to keep the place of God in our lives sacred, and keep that place free from the stain of corruption and greed. It means that we have reverence when we are in the presence of God. Not to draw comparisons to the Temple and the Church, but where has our reverence for the things of God gone these days? You go to a church now and it looks like a theater, and many times in churches we have gotten to where we look like a mini-city with activities and so much going on that we get lost in the shuffle. This is not an indictment against churches being active and busy, but it all has to come back to a reverence and fear of the Lord and a desire to keep His House clean from the filth of the world that would tell us to build bigger, have fancier stuff, and keep up with the Jones' down the street. God desires His house to be a house of prayer, which is what we are working towards at Broadmoor. We are far from perfect, but in keeping with the command of Jesus, we desire for God to be pleased with how we conduct ourselves and the attitude we have in church. Please keep the dwelling place of God clean in your lives, which is your heart. Don't let it get dirty and corrupt, may we never be guilty of corrupting the worship of the people for personal gain.
Scott
Monday, March 17, 2008
Palm Sunday
Posted it on the BBC Youth page, that's what I get for writing a post while I'm half asleep!
This is the first day of Jesus' final journey into Jerusalem. He was greeted by the crowds laying out their palm branches and calling out "Hosanna!" They knew that this man Jesus was someone very different than the other religious teachers of their day. They thought He was the one promised, that He would be the one to overthrow the Romans and restore the nation of Israel and be their Messiah-King.
But the King of the universe arrived in the great city riding on the back of a donkey. He came as one who was not blowing a trumpet announcing His own arrival. This King who came for His people would offer the ultimate sacrifice. Those who would follow Him would be set free, not from the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire, but from the crippling and deadly rule of sin that had forever separated man from God.
The book of Mark (11:11) also says that Jesus went into the Temple. The Temple in Jesus' day was the center of religious activity for the Jews. It is no surprise that is where Jesus went upon entering the city. It is great speculation but maybe He went to see what was really going on in there, which would culminate in His anger in the Temple the next day.
Praying for you! Hope you had a great time at the Grace's, I know I did!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Turning Point of Christ
Welcome to the first installment of the Holy Week Devotional. I'm hoping this will encourage you during this special time of the year when we think back to a dusty hill in Jerusalem where the curse upon the earth was broken by a man some thought was too insignificant to ever be more than a day laborer.
The Scripture I want us to think about is Luke 9:51 which says: As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem
Jesus' ministry up until this point was based on teaching, healing, ministering, and seeking disciples. Many great things happened during this time, thousands were fed, the blind were able to see, the lame were able to walk, tax collectors and sinners were converted, and Jesus modeled for us the way to live. During this time we truly see what it means to live as a child of God, by loving those who are unloved, and weeping for those who are outside the joy of salvation. We see a selfless life lived, one that is focused on the Kingdom of God. Jesus showed us how to love one another. He also was a miracle worker who displayed His power over creation and demonstrated that He came from God to do the work of God. Only God could forgive sin, and Jesus told many people that their sins were forgiven them. Only God could control the weather, and Jesus quieted storms.
And for many people, this is where the story ends. Many people believe that Jesus was only a good moral teacher who lived the exemplary life. And if this was where the Bible stopped, that would be true. But that isn't where the Bible stops. Luke says that Jesus turned and made a straight line for Jerusalem. The reason Jesus came was not just to show us to live and heal the sick, but more so He came to die. Jesus' ministry would not be complete without the cross. If He did not come to die, all we have is a cute baby at Christmas. But not only did He come to die, He came to die and conquer death! If He doesn't rise from the dead, all we have is a rotting corpse and no hope for salvation. But because the tomb is empty, we can have confidence that there is hope for us to be saved and spend eternity with God.
Jesus turns to Jerusalem and makes His way there because He knew that was His mission. We should not feel sorry for Jesus on the cross. He willingly and gladly the punishment for our sin. God was pleased to bruise Him, it says in Isaiah. Jesus turned to the cross and turned to death because that was the only way that we as lost sinners could ever come to God. He had to die in order to tear down the curtain that separated us from being with God.
This week as we look at what happened during those 7 days in Jerusalem, remember that Jesus gladly went to the cross for us and gladly bore our sin. I hope you are encouraged by the fact that the sinless Son of God, though He was meek and mild, held within Himself an amazing power to conquer sin, Satan, and the grave. He was no mere teacher, He is God! While many people thought He was just a man, there was power and strength beyond comprehension in Him, that He withheld on the cross, so that He could be led like a lamb without fighting, as One willing to be sacrificed for us.
Thank you for reading this, I pray that God blesses you during this Season.
The Scripture I want us to think about is Luke 9:51 which says: As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem
Jesus' ministry up until this point was based on teaching, healing, ministering, and seeking disciples. Many great things happened during this time, thousands were fed, the blind were able to see, the lame were able to walk, tax collectors and sinners were converted, and Jesus modeled for us the way to live. During this time we truly see what it means to live as a child of God, by loving those who are unloved, and weeping for those who are outside the joy of salvation. We see a selfless life lived, one that is focused on the Kingdom of God. Jesus showed us how to love one another. He also was a miracle worker who displayed His power over creation and demonstrated that He came from God to do the work of God. Only God could forgive sin, and Jesus told many people that their sins were forgiven them. Only God could control the weather, and Jesus quieted storms.
And for many people, this is where the story ends. Many people believe that Jesus was only a good moral teacher who lived the exemplary life. And if this was where the Bible stopped, that would be true. But that isn't where the Bible stops. Luke says that Jesus turned and made a straight line for Jerusalem. The reason Jesus came was not just to show us to live and heal the sick, but more so He came to die. Jesus' ministry would not be complete without the cross. If He did not come to die, all we have is a cute baby at Christmas. But not only did He come to die, He came to die and conquer death! If He doesn't rise from the dead, all we have is a rotting corpse and no hope for salvation. But because the tomb is empty, we can have confidence that there is hope for us to be saved and spend eternity with God.
Jesus turns to Jerusalem and makes His way there because He knew that was His mission. We should not feel sorry for Jesus on the cross. He willingly and gladly the punishment for our sin. God was pleased to bruise Him, it says in Isaiah. Jesus turned to the cross and turned to death because that was the only way that we as lost sinners could ever come to God. He had to die in order to tear down the curtain that separated us from being with God.
This week as we look at what happened during those 7 days in Jerusalem, remember that Jesus gladly went to the cross for us and gladly bore our sin. I hope you are encouraged by the fact that the sinless Son of God, though He was meek and mild, held within Himself an amazing power to conquer sin, Satan, and the grave. He was no mere teacher, He is God! While many people thought He was just a man, there was power and strength beyond comprehension in Him, that He withheld on the cross, so that He could be led like a lamb without fighting, as One willing to be sacrificed for us.
Thank you for reading this, I pray that God blesses you during this Season.
Monday, March 10, 2008
More thoughts on the church
Last night we got into a great discussion over the nature of the church, what it is and the characteristics involved in it. One of the greatest things in studying theology is the broad view you get of the landscape of Scripture. And over and over again the Bible is clear that the church is unlike anything else on the earth. The church has a very unique place in society. We as the church are not only thinking about life here on earth, but the Bible calls us citizens of heaven. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ, and He is the source of our joy, strength, and hope. We might live in Memphis TN in the USA, but our spiritual "passport" says we have a mansion in heaven prepared for us. The church has a forward-thinking view of itself, and therefore should be free from the trappings of petty disagreements, bickering, differing opinions, and what color the carpet is.
Sadly though many churches do get into these arguments over such trivial things. The goal of the church existing is to give us as Christians a foretaste of heaven, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will join together to worship the Lord; and to be the City on a Hill to show the Way for those who are lost. We as a church exist to make Jesus known. The word ekklesia does mean "the called out ones" and God has called us out from everyone else and given us a divinely-appointed mission, to share the Gospel with the entire world. A daunting task I will admit, but Jesus told the Disciples that they (and we) would not be alone, they (and we) have the Holy Spirit to serve as a Guide, Comforter, and Helper. This is the only way that us as ordinary average Joe's can make an impact on such a fallen world.
What can YOU do this week, as one who has been called out, to make Jesus known?
Sadly though many churches do get into these arguments over such trivial things. The goal of the church existing is to give us as Christians a foretaste of heaven, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will join together to worship the Lord; and to be the City on a Hill to show the Way for those who are lost. We as a church exist to make Jesus known. The word ekklesia does mean "the called out ones" and God has called us out from everyone else and given us a divinely-appointed mission, to share the Gospel with the entire world. A daunting task I will admit, but Jesus told the Disciples that they (and we) would not be alone, they (and we) have the Holy Spirit to serve as a Guide, Comforter, and Helper. This is the only way that us as ordinary average Joe's can make an impact on such a fallen world.
What can YOU do this week, as one who has been called out, to make Jesus known?
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