FIve Good Reads

A well-known critic of the Bible has to grapple with a few challenges himself. Intelligent Design proponents have some surprising new allies. How the Muppets reflect a Christian worldview. Three questions to ask every time you read the Bible. How to restore a culture in one step. All this in these worthwhile samplings from around the web:

1. Daniel Wallace debates well-known Bible critic Bart Ehrman.

Ehrman, professor of relgious studies at North Carolina and author of the bestselling Misquoting Jesus, is one of the most popularly read proponents of the idea that our current Bibles don’t really contain that which the original authors wrote. Daniel Wallace, professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a staunch defender of reliability of the biblical text. The two men held a debate at Southern Methodist University last month. Ed Komoszewski, via Justin Taylor, summarizes the main lines of Wallace’s argument.

2. Atheists to the Rescue?

As it turns out, proponents of Intelligent Design aren’t the only ones questioning neo-Darwinist notions of evolution, etc. Howard Kainz notes two recent books by philosophers of science—who also happen to be atheists—that both question neo-Darwinist orthodoxy and, in one way or another, bolster the case for Intelligent Design.

3. Three good questions.

After a lifetime of faithful and learned reflection on the Bible, virtually anything that J. I. Packer has to say, especially regarding biblical or theological topics, is worth listening to. In this case, he offers three questions that are always worth asking while reading any passage of Scripture. (Note: this is a short excerpt from the ESV Study Bible article "Reading the Bible Theologically.")

4. The gospel according to...the Muppets?

If you’re jazzed about the new Muppet Movie or ever hoped for a revival of The Muppet Show on TV, David Zahl’s recent reflections in Christianity Today on the classic humor of Jim Henson’s creations is well worth the read. He finds much to commend.

5. Restoring culture in one (easy?) step.

Restoring, redeeming, and/or otherwise changing culture has been a hot topic in Christian circles for years. And what is undoubtedly a complex conversation has perhaps matured a great deal even recently. Still, First Things web editor Joe Carter argues that a great deal can be accomplished with one simple step: increasing biblical literacy. (I might add, however, that what is simple is not always easy!)

Trusting Christ's Mercy, Justice and Timing

As someone who helps to facilitate both men's recovery and separation/divorce ministries at The Crossing, I spend a fair amount of time talking with people who have been seriously ill-used, typically by someone who - at one point in time, anyway - offered up a "lifelong" declaration of love and commitment. If you have yet to experience this type of betrayal, please trust me when I say that nothing in this life provides a more accurate sense of how Jesus surely must have felt as He hung on the cross than the lies, manipulation, and abandonment suffered at the hands of someone who previously professed deep love and concern for us.

Not surprisingly, then, two of the most common stumbling blocks to living out steadfast Christian faith that I see in the lives of many folks I meet seem to hover around the intertwined concepts of justice and reward.

Initially, we may find it difficult to continue following Jesus when our lives start to get hard because we "aren't quite sure" that it really will be "worth it." Will our sufferings in this life on His behalf really be rewarded as richly as Paul says they will in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-17? How can we be certain? I want to say that whenever we do finally cross that bridge of faith where we learn to trust in our future reward in Christ, we are empowered to set aside the pursuit of earthly riches, power, fame, comfort or whatever other temporal goals we previously had.

What I have discovered in the past several years, however, is a great number of Christian believers - myself included - successfully get past the desire to pursue earthly treasures only to trip and fall flat on their faces when it comes to trusting Jesus with settling various issues of injustice suffered at the hands of people who, by all earthly standards, are "getting away with it." Right away, of course, anyone can see how self-contradicting it is to trust Jesus to reward the faithful but not trust Him to punish the guilty. It really makes no logical sense to live out of this contradiction, and yet the human heart is very often unwilling to be persuaded by appeals to reason (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

While I still struggle to maintain a firm foothold on the perfect justice of Christ, I am very much aware that, 1) I personally would not want Jesus to give me the reward that I so richly deserve, and 2) I am very clearly called to show grace to offenders in much the same way that I myself have been shown grace (Matthew 18:21-35). Knowing these things (head knowledge) and living them out consistently (heart response) are two very different things. Can I really trust God to settle all accounts on that Great Day when He consummates all of human history? Well, you know, I want to...

As always, I run to the Word of God for help. In this case, the issue of not taking God's law into our own hands is most clearly demonstrated to me by a breathtaking passage in 1 Samuel 24 in which David refuses to violate God's law by taking Saul's life.

I have often heard the question that runs something like this: "How can God call David 'a man after my own heart' when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite?" To answer that question, one might first be tempted to point to Psalm 51, written after David finally repents and acknowledges his sins before God - hey, I know plenty of dudes who do not even blink when their sins are pointed out to them - but I would instead point to 1 Samuel 24 to "prove" that David really did know God and (more importantly) sought to live his life in accord with God's revealed will.

If you do not know the story of King Saul and David, suffice to say that Saul had sinned greatly against the nation of Israel as a whole and David in particular. All of these sins, of course, were ultimately against God. So, after Saul has perpetrated injustice after injustice against David, he decides to take his troops out into the field to hunt David down and kill him. Stepping into a cave "to relieve himself," Saul unwittingly puts himself right into the hands of David and his mighty men. David's companions see the hand of God in this turn of events and urge David to slay Saul and walk away with a clean conscience. David, however, demonstrates that he better knows the heart of God by allowing Saul to leave the cave unharmed. Following Saul out of the cave, David demonstrates his trust in God's justice with the famous phrase, "May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you." (1 Samuel 24:12)

By following God's law, not the "wisdom" of men, David is betting everything he has - after all, Saul's men could have struck him down right then and there - that God will set accounts right at some point in the future; David himself does not need to lift his hand against Saul. It is almost unbelievable that David refuses to "bend" God's will to his own benefit, as we all tend to do, and that he very deliberately ignores the voices of others goading him to strike down Saul, a committed enemy who has, after all, been so clearly engaged in several acts of unrighteous behavior toward David and his men. I mean, come on...here is one guy that very obviously deserves any misfortune that comes his way, even if that includes being run through with a spear while "doing his business" in a cave.

Having failed to live up to David's standard of righteousness countless times, I am being completely honest when I say that one of the most difficult challenges facing any believer is to "stay their hand" when divine providence affords us an opportunity to exact justice on a committed adversary. It's somewhat easy, I think, to track with David through the first two phrases of his declaration of God's righteousness ("May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you..."), but the moment of truth really comes when we get to live out the "my hand shall not be against you" part.

I can recall countless conversations wherein someone who has behaved horribly - adultery, theft, lying, sometimes all three - appears to be getting away with their depraved acts of disobedience, and the victims (quite understandably!) wring their hands and wonder if God is really keeping score, or if He has somehow missed out on what is being perpetrated on one of His faithful followers. Granted that none of us is without sin, and that none of us can stand up to the White Throne judgments of God without Jesus as our intermediary, still...we feel as though we are sitting by helplessly as God is being mocked, laws are being broken, and faithful individuals are scorned, abused and crushed.

What I have learned over the course of several years, through repeated lessons, is that refusing to lift our hand against an enemy "gets us out of the middle" so God can, in fact, deal with that other person. As long as we insist on executing our own (fallen) version of what justice "should" look like, we effectively deny the gospel message by insisting that "our own will be done" since it doesn't seem as though God's will is timely enough to suit our preferences. Jesus very clearly says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied (Matthew 5:6), so there really is no confusion about what God has said. The only thing that is left unclear is whether or not we will believe Him.

1 Samuel 24:11-15 (ESV)
See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand."

The First Sunday of Advent: November 27, 2011

November 27 marked the first Sunday of Advent 2011. Advent (which means "coming" or "arrival") gives us an opportunity to reflect both on the story surrounding Christ's birth as well as his promised return.

During Advent we remember Israel's wait. “How long,” they asked, “until our promised Messiah comes to deliver his people?”

We, too, expect Christ's arrival. The Messiah left heaven to be born a
poor infant, die our death and rise again. He promises to return in glory.

During Advent we yearn. We join the church’s ancient song, “How long until you come again to make all things new?”

We also prepare. In the midst of crowded days, we make room for our Redeemer, Restorer, Savior.

Wait. Expect. Yearn. Prepare. Jesus Christ "breaks into the darkness of our lives, bringing newness, life and hope."

Joyous Light - Words by unknown author, late 3rd -early century 4th century; translated by John Keble, 1834, alt. Arrangement and additional chorus by Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Louie Giglio.

Our gathering song, Joyous Light is an adaptation of the Phos Hilaron, one of the earliest known hymns of the church.

Hail Gladdening Light, sun so bright
Jesus Christ, end of night, alleluia.
Hail Gladdening Light, such joyous Light
O Brilliant Star, forever shine, alleluia.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel - LM 88 88 (Veni Emmanuel), Words: Latin (12th century), Tune: "Processionale" (15th century), Adaptation: Thomas Helmore (1854), Adapted from an arrangement by Phil Wickham

When we sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel we remember the prophecy of Isaiah 7 and how God's promise to deliver his people from bondage and sin was fulfilled in Christ. We also sing longing for Christ's return where he will "redeem all of creation and rule with power and authority."

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

We read from Isaiah 9:2,6 and 7:14.

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Savior of the Nations, Come - Words: Ambrose (4th Century), Martin Luther (1523), Traditional: Calvin Seerveld (1984), Music: Enchiridia, Erfurt (1524), Arr. Bruce Benedict (2009)

Bruce Benedict who adapted "Savior of the Nations, Come" shared some thoughts on the hymn in his blog, Cardiphonia, giving insight into its history and meaning.

"Savior of the Nations, Come" is a fairly obscure but ancient hymn that beautifully reflects the themes of advent as well as reinforcing the tenants of the Apostles Creed, the humility of Christ (Phil 2), His Intercession, and the gloried anticipation of his expected return.

Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

We continued with a prayer based on Isaiah 60:1-3 (from the Worship Sourcebook) which helped us to confess areas where we have failed to see and acknowledge Christ in our lives.

This is The Christ - Words: Martin Luther (1535), Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1855), Music: Sandra McCracken

This new hymn adaptation served as our assurance of forgiveness.

Good news from heav'n the angels bring
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is giv'n,
To crown us with the joy of heav'n.

This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself our Saviour be,
From all our sins to set us free.

Come, Lord Jesus (An Advent Song) by Diane Thiel

In Christ's death and resurrection, death has been swallowed up in victory and we live with the hope of His second Advent.

You will flood our souls with light,
Bring the broken world to rights,
as You swallow death with life,
we will be singing,
Come Lord Jesus, come redeem us
we will wait for You.

All Things New - Words: Horatius Bonar (1846), Music: Clint Wells

Come, for love waxes cold,
Its steps are faint and slow;
Faith now is lost in unbelief,
Hope's lamp burns dim and low.

O Come and make all things new.
Come and make all things new.
O come and make all things new.
Build up this ruined Earth,
come and make all things new.

Music Team for November 27, 2010:

Kristen Camp - vocals
Sadie Currey - violin
Ashley Gross - vocals
Nick Havens - bass guitar
Rhett Johnson - electric and acoustic guitars
Scott Johnson - acoustic guitar, rhodes, vocals
Andrew Luley - drums

Kameron Bong - stagehand
Chris Halsey - lights
Darren Nichols - music media
Jake Wandel - stage design, light and media coordinator
Tim Worstell - sound

The Crossing Music's latest album, The Shore is now available for purchase at The Crossing's bookstore and for download at crossingsongs.com. The video below (which we used to close last week's service) is an acoustic peformance of one of the album's tracks. We hope you enjoy it.

Crawling to the Mailbox

Oh, no...here I go again. If you're a longtime reader of this particular blog, you might remember a post published last year when I went on a rant about television programs, reality shows and what we have come to call "entertainment" these days. I may have used "Jersey Shore" as an example.

Today I am looking at a four-color publication that recently came in the mail, delivered right to my doorstep. Page after page of teenage girls, scantily clad in adorably matching underwear and bras. Here's a flirty-looking girl with a scarf and hat on. You might think she's going to go play outside in the snow. But no, it seems she started dressing and got distracted, failed to finish up; she's standing outside, amongst the trees, in nothing but her skivvies. In most homes, this girl would have been scolded for coming out of her bedroom dressed like that, let alone trying to leave the house for a toboggan ride.

No, it’s not Playboy, or any of the other "girlie magazines" that I knew existed when I was little, but rarely saw. Were it the 1970's, though, I can guarantee you that some of these photos could easily have been published in Hefner's magazine.

This publication was not mailed to my husband, either. (Lucky for him.) Instead, it is a run-of-the-mill advertisement for one of the stores in the Columbia mall, and it was addressed to my teenage daughter.

Like most Americans, I'd guess, I'm almost completely numb to the methods used to sell a lot of clothing these days. But even as someone steeped in what our culture wants us to see as "acceptable" amounts of bare skin, I was genuinely taken back by the brazen photos within this ad.

I learned a few years ago that the porn industry has a campaign they have initiated, and their shorthand for this campaign is known as "Crawl. Walk. Run." The idea is to slowly get the public so accustomed to seeing skin that - over time - it no longer bothers anybody. The phase "Crawl" could be defined as the increasingly-provocative photos used in advertisements and magazine covers. As I took in the advertisement that waltzed right into my house, I remember having the thought, "Well, it looks like we're up to 'walking' now."

The fact that I was bothered even surprised me; believe me, I feel like I'm the least qualified person I know to draw attention to something like this. Ten years ago I was influenced by similar advertising strategies. The change in how I see these kinds of things comes not from age, but new eyes (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So, given eyes to see things - at least some things - through a more biblical lens, I have two big problems.

The first is that I have a teenage daughter still at home. A girl creeping up on being old enough to date, and I'm trying to teach her how to be a woman of character, someone who treasures her sexuality as something to be guarded, treasured, held for marriage.

The second is that I also have a five-year-old son who has recently taken the next step in becoming "a big boy." He will, with my permission, run out to the mailbox and retrieve whatever has been delivered. Now, of course, I find myself rethinking this particular piece of his early-childhood development.

I am assuming that you can see my problem here. I really don’t want my daughter’s view of her body to be influenced by the increasingly-sexualized way in which our culture tries to sell something as basic and necessary as underwear. Neither do I want my son exposed at age five to what is arguably "soft-core porn" conveniently delivered to my doorstep.

So at this point, you might be thinking, "What's the big deal? You don't like it, throw it away, but don't bring me into your increasingly-prudish way of looking at life." Take a step back, though, and consider what "the long view" might be in both circumstances.

Girls who are constantly encouraged to look at themselves as sexual beings will begin to make bigger choices (with bigger consequences) about their bodies based on that identity. Ask any girl who doesn't look like one of those waifish underwear models what she thinks of her body, and it's a good bet she's going to tell you that she thinks she's overweight. Or her thighs are too big. Or her chest is too small. Girls are given impossible (and airbrushed) standards to live up to, and then we wonder why they struggle with self-esteem.

Later, those same girls end up in relationships with men who have also been exposed to those same kinds of advertisements, and they have been impacted by them as well, in different ways. One way might be that having been given such a rich view of what a perfect female body looks like, the "real" women in their midst consistently "fall short of the mark."

You may be tempted to think I'm over-reacting, but having worked in divorce ministry just a few shorts years, my husband and I have seen many instances where an unrealistically-high value is placed on sexuality, and spouses begin making relationship-ending choices based largely on their sexuality. For instance, husbands might become disillusioned with the way their wives look and begin looking elsewhere for "something better" - based not a woman's character so much as her figure. Wives might get in shape and then slowly turn to the attention of other men to validate them. Everywhere we look, marriages are being hurt by a need for sexual validation and a high value placed on one's sexuality as the ultimate source of happiness.

And what about that little boy who is regularly exposed to intentionally-provocative underwear catalogues as if "it's no big deal?" You have only to read my husband's reaction when he saw this one arrive in the mail: "Do we really not understand why so many guys grow up addicted to porn?" Generally speaking, men don't go from being sexually innocent to turning immediately to what we would all label as porn. Over time, they've been drawn in, in subtle ways, by all kinds of things that pique their interest in the female body. Things like, well...underwear catalogues.

Crawl…walk…run. Remember?

So what's my point? No, I'm not suggesting we build our own little "holy bunkers" and hide from the world until Christ's second coming. Jesus Himself says that while we are "in the world," we are not "of this world" (John 15:19-20; John 17:14-19). Like fish who are surrounded by water but don't realize that they are wet, I think we too are sometimes so enveloped by the culture's standards that we don't easily recognize that those standards are becoming increasingly hostile to the values that we, as Christians, may want to hold.

And I am 100% certain that anyone might be able to come into my house and point out several things I've unwittingly exposed my kids to, without recognizing how antithetical it is to the standards of my faith I’m trying to live out, so I don’t for a minute want to sound as if I’ve got this all figured out. What I am suggesting, perhaps, is that when we do find ourselves taken aback by something we're watching on TV, something we hear on the radio, or something that shows up in the mail, maybe that's a good opportunity to point it out to our kids for what it is - and to humbly discourage them, and ourselves - from passively accepting what the world is trying to serve us.

I think it's also an opportunity to thank God that He has given you eyes to see the dangers that really do exist in our culture today, and to live among these dangers as both wise and innocent (Matthew 10:16).

Will I forbid my daughter from ever shopping at this particular store? No, probably not. The advertising strategies for many other stores are following right along, competing with each other for our business. If I don't let her shop at any store using over-sexualized advertising, we'll end up having to take a sewing class and make our own undergarments and jean jumpers.

What I did do is point out to my daughter that the ad is selling not only some pretty cute undies, but also a highly-sexualized attitude about how teenage girls should think about their bodies and what their undergarments say about their femininity. I want her to understand that's not how God defines beauty - that what is precious in His sight is a humble, gentle spirit (1 Peter 3:3-6).

Thankfully, I'll never need to remind her to put on her hat and scarf and make sure she has not forgotten her pants and shirt. That's just plain stupid.

James 1:13-15
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Why Water into Wine?

I find it interesting that the gospel of John records Jesus’ very first public miracle as occurring at a wedding celebration. Further, the miracle doesn’t really fit the usual mold for such events. There is no physical healing—the blind being made to see or the sick made well. Nor is there spectacular deliverance or protection—like the parting of a sea or safety in a fiery furnace. Instead, John 2 records, of all things, Jesus turning water into wine. Here’s the story:

2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

The story naturally leads to a question: what’s the point? Why did Jesus do this particular miracle? True, it would have been bad form for those responsible for the feast to run out of wine in what was often a “shame” culture. But there doesn’t appear to be any deep and obvious need like in so many other instances of Jesus’ ministry.

We can begin to answer the question with a clue from the passage itself. John writes that this, the “first of [Jesus’] signs…manifested his glory.” One important rule of thumb when considering not only this episode, but any of Jesus’ miracles: they’re never meant to be the equivalent of impressive magic tricks. Rather, Jesus miracles always have a theological point. They’re always reflective of who Jesus is and what he came to do. That’s why, at the end of his gospel, John can write,

20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

So that’s the general framework. But we still need to think about what Jesus is communicating about himself and/or his mission in this specific circumstance. And for that, it’s helpful to consider what kind of connotations wine has elsewhere in the Bible. While the Scriptures often use the imagery of a cup of judgment and the like (e.g., Isa. 51:17), it also associates wine with abundance, blessing, and celebration (e.g., Deut. 7:13, Psa. 104:15). Given the present context of a wedding feast—what is normally a joyful celebration—the latter direction is much more likely here.

Also notable this is just how Jesus went about changing the water into wine. Notice what he directs the servants to fill with water: “stone water jars…for the Jewish rites of purification.” If wine carried connotations of blessing and abundance, these stone jars were representative of the Jewish system of ritual cleanliness, a system that apparently fostered moralism with its various man-made additions to Old Testament law (see Mark 7:1-12).

With these things in mind, Jesus’ purpose becomes more clear. To put it simply, his transformation of water into wine points to the fact that, in the form of his person and ministry, something new and transformative has begun. The old, dead way of futile self-striving to warrant God’s approval is to be left behind. Something better has dawned, something of abundant grace and blessing.

All this is further drawn out by subsequent events in Jesus’ ministry. In his final Passover meal, Jesus not only associates a cup of wine with a new covenant and the forgiveness purchased by his atoning blood, but he also promises his disciples that he will not drink of it again until he partakes with them in the consummated kingdom (Mat. 26:29). So also the Book of Revelation looks forward to the blessing of those invited to “the great marriage supper of the Lamb” (20:6-9).

Jesus, then, isn’t merely trying to keep a party going. He’s announcing a far better one is on its way.

Practical Tips for Avoiding Holiday "Ambushes"

The holidays, rightly understood, are special times set apart from the rest of year in which we are encouraged to take stock of our lives, be thankful for the people and things that God has given us, and celebrate the mind-blowing truth that God loved us so much that He incarnated Himself into human flesh (!) so that it would be possible for us to have a personal relationship with Him (John 3:16).

But even under the very best of circumstances - intact family, steady work, good health - I think we would all acknowledge that somehow the holidays have morphed into one of the more frantic times of year. What was originally intended as a respite from the everyday stresses of life has itself become increasingly stress-filled, what with turkeys to bake, gifts to buy, and endless parties to attend - whether you are feeling particularly jolly or not. Now imagine adding over all of that "normal" holiday-related tension the thick layer of relational brokenness that the break-up of a marriage brings - an all-consuming emotional breakdown that mercilessly dominates the thought life, refusing to allow one to enjoy even the simple pleasures. Imagine being alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning against your will.

Ten days ago, my wife Shelly posted a blog providing details on The Crossing's Dec. 10 brunch/mini-seminar, "Surviving the Holidays." If you want more information on what that's all about and how you can get involved, please read that post. If you want to sign up for the Dec. 10 event, please register online so we get some idea of how much food we should order.

And if, for any reason, you can't make it to the Dec. 10 event, you can find a ton of helpful articles and videos by visiting the Surviving the Holidays (STH) website.

Today I'd like to boil down some of the ideas I have picked up through facilitating this session, and provide what I hope to be helpful suggestions for one key piece of advice - do whatever you can to avoid emotional "ambushes."

An ambush can take many forms, of course, but the basic idea is that something you did not anticipate leaps out at you and catches you completely off-guard, typically serving to contribute to a deepening sadness and/or grief. Example: You go downstairs to unpack your Christmas decorations and, upon opening the first carton, the tree ornament that immediately catches your eye contains a photo of you and your ex...especially painful if your ex is off celebrating with "someone else" this year. Ambushed!

So how do we cope? Please understand that this list is not intended to be exhaustive. It is merely my response to what I have heard from other people as they have encountered any number of "surprises" during their first holiday season after a traumatic event has taken place.

1. Have a Plan. Seems obvious, but is nonetheless often overlooked. If you have not made plans for how you will spend your time this Thanksgiving and Christmas, do so immediately. Particularly if you have children - but won't be spending the holiday with them - you may feel "at loose ends." If so, your plans can be creative; try to use some "out of the box" thinking. For example, could you volunteer to help at a relief agency of some kind, helping out as a means of both "having something on your calendar" and also trying to bring a touch of happiness to others? Have you been wanting to take in a movie or two, or read a book that has been languishing on your shelf? Perhaps you and a couple of friends could go out to Thanksgiving dinner together and skip the cooking and dirty dishes altogether. Whatever you do, make some solid plans for how you will spend your time. That said...
   
   
2. Hold Your Plans Loosely. Often our plans do involve our kids, and perhaps we are not on the best of terms with the ex. If your plans are too tightly wound around serving the turkey precisely at 4:00 p.m., and yet that plan's success hinges on your ex being on time, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment and not a little bit of anger. Avoid tightly tying your plans to an unmanageable relationship with someone else, or several someone elses. It never hurts to have a Plan B (or even a Plan C, D, and E). One of the ways in which we can unwittingly accentuate a trying holiday season is to "pour concrete around our plans" and then watch helplessly as other people sabotage our attempts to have a cheery holiday gathering. Please note that sabotage is often unintentional (though not always). Try to think a step or two ahead on this one.
   
   
3. Strength in Numbers. Invite friends over to holiday events and/or to help you prepare your house or apartment for the season. In the example above - opening a box of ornaments only to find a cheery photo of you and your ex - having a close friend on hand to help you go through your boxes and "sort appropriately" for your new life circumstances could easily have thwarted this particular ambush. Sure, the surprise almost certainly would still have stung, but having a comrade close at hand would have helped to deal with it quickly and (this is important) realistically.
   
   
4. Go Deep with God. Anxieties, pressures and ambushes are part and parcel of everyone's life in this fallen world, which brings us right back to why Jesus chose to come to Earth in the first place. If we attempt to go through holidays that were designed to give thanks to God and celebrate His arrival "in a secular manner," then of course it is vitally important that every family gathering be over-the-top joyful, the turkey be cooked to perfection, and all the gifts deeply appreciated by the recipients. In other words, if we have placed our hope in those things - and not in Christ - then the loss of those things will be all that much more devastating. If you have never put your ultimate hope in Christ, now might be a good time to revisit your faith and ask yourself some hard questions about why the loss of your brother-in-law's special-recipe egg nog feels so significant.
   
   
5. Cut Yourself Some Slack. It's perfectly OK to spend your holidays in non-traditional settings. Take a friend up on his or her offer to spend time at their house, go bowling or engage in some other sort of enjoyable activity that would not typically make its way into the script of your typical Hollywood-produced Christmas movie. The key is to find things that you still enjoy doing, make preparations for the fact that many stores will be closed on the holidays, and reach out as best you can, especially if you know of other people who are "dreading" the approach of the holidays themselves.

As I said, this list is not intended to be exhaustive; it should rightly be thought of more as a "primer" than anything else. If you need more ideas and/or encouragement, make plans to join us at The Crossing on Saturday, Dec. 10, check out the resource articles and videos already mentioned, and put pencil to paper with the intent of actually celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, instead of merely "getting through it all."

One last (obvious) suggestion: Prayer should be a part of any and all planning you engage in this season. "Lord, You know that I am hurt, and grieving. The approaching holidays do not hold a lot of promise for me, as far as I can tell. How would You like me to spend my time, energy and resources this Christmas? How can I rightly honor You, given my new life circumstances? Help me live out joy in what feels like a joyless season of life." Scripture tells us that God is near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and loves to answer the prayers of those in distress (Psalm 34; Psalm 56; Psalm 143).

If this is your first holiday season as a separated or divorced individual, please do invest some time in preparing yourself as best you can. In so doing, you may find that you can still have a meaningful Thanksgiving and Christmas, even if they do turn out to be non-traditional.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Songs and Scenes from Sunday, November 20, 2011

This week's music set-list review features photos by Gerik Parmele. You'll find links in the song titles that will allow you to purchase recorded versions of the songs where available.

Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche

Open the Eyes of My Heart is based on Ephesians 1:18-21. As we sing we ask God to open our hearts to see more and more the incomparable inheritance that we have in Christ.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You, I want to see You.

Our call to worship was from Psalm 9:1-2.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Worthy (You Are Worthy) by Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin

Worthy, you are worthy
much more worthy than I know.
I cannot imagine just how glorious You are.
And I cannot begin to tell
how deep a love You bring.
Oh Lord, my ears have heard of You
and now my eyes have seen.

David lead a reflection based on Psalm 84:1-4, 8, 10-12 and John 14: 1-3.

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Better is One Day by Matt Redman

Better is One Day reminds us of the amazing privilege of being in the presence of God and helps us to express our joy and satisfaction in Him.

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord, Almighty.
My soul longs and even faints for You.
For here my heart is satisfied within Your presence,
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings.

Here I am to Worship (chorus and bridge only) by Tim Hughes

Here I am to worship,
here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that You're my God.
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me.

I Love You, Lord by Laurie Klein

I love You, Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship You,
O my soul, rejoice.
Take joy, my King,
in what you hear:
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear.

Psalm 62 (My Soul Finds Rest) by Stuart Townend and Aaron Keyes

My soul find rest in God alone,
my Rock and my salvation,
a fortress strong against my foes,
and I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,
and lies like arrows pierce me,
I'll fix my heart on righteousness,
I'll look to Him who hears me.
O praise Him, Alleluia,
my delight and my reward.

Music and Tech Team for November 20, 2011:

Zach Burmaster - acoustic guitar, vocals
David Cover - electric guitar, vocals
Ashely Gross - vocals
Nick Havens - bass
Alyssa Kelly - keyboards, vocals
Andrew Luley - drums
Kerry Maggard - keyboard
Joe Morgan - brass

Kameron Bong - stagehand
Josh Burrell - light and media coordinator
Tim Worstell - sound

The Crossing Music's latest album, The Shore is now available for purchase at The Crossing's bookstore and for download at crossingsongs.com. The video below (which we used to close last week's service) is an acoustic peformance of one of the album's tracks. We hope you enjoy it.

Speaking From the Grave

In high school I had a coach who would give a little pep talk with a bucket of water as a prop before each season.  Like all pep talks the intended effect was to motivate.  But I always left more confused than motivated.

The illustration went something like this: he would put the full bucket of water on the ground, dramatically roll up his sleeves, and break the surface of the water just barely with one finger.  He would wait about 10 seconds and then ask - "How long did those ripples last?" Answer: "Maybe 3 seconds."

He would then go full-fisted into the bucket and thrash around violently.  Removing his arm and then waiting about 15 seconds he would repeat the question - "How long did those ripples last?"  Answer: "Maybe 7 seconds."

He would then look up and say something like "that's about how long anybody is going to care about what you do here.  So you better thrash around and make as much noise as possible while you've got the chance, because in three years you'll be forgotten." 

Motivated to go out and dive on the floor for a loose ball now?

For whatever reason that pep talk has stuck in my head for years.  Maybe because it was so perplexing.  Maybe because it so poorly accomplished what it intended.  Or maybe because it hit just a little too close to one of my biggest fears - that I'll die and no one will care.  No obituary, no people at the funeral, no mourning, no second thought.

It's striking how different the biblical perspective is from the "bucket perspective."  Hebrews 11:4 says this:

"By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.  And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks."

That's not too bad of a life to leave behind, one that continues to speak even from the grave.  But how did all those mentioned in Hebrews 11 live in such a way worthy of this?

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Observations:

1. They trusted in and lived for promises that were far off.  This world offers many promises.  They are more immediate than God's promises, but temporal.  Do you have the faith to trust in the far off promises of God?

2. They lived as foreigners seeking a different land.  If someone were to watch you and I would we look like we were at home here in Columbia, MO?  Do we live like foreigners?

3. They desire heaven more than earth.  Our true home is not here, it's in heaven.  That's why we're foreigners and exiles.  But can we say along with Paul in Philippians that heaven is far better?  "I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."


May the God who grants blessings, bless each of us with this kind of faith.

Can I Get A Witness?

Our small group recently started working through the series Gospel In Life, by Tim Keller. The study has been well received to this point. However, last week our group hit a bit of a theological speed bump as we moved through the 5th section of the series titled “Witness - An Alternate City”. The biblical text in support of the section was from Acts 2:42-47. I will include the NIV version below to save you some time looking it up.

“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”

Keller always favors viewing the purpose of the church through the context of community. So, I was not surprised he chose a text such as this to exemplify his picture of a biblical witness. Our group simply had a hard time fleshing out the application of the text in our modern culture.

Witnessing is a word that has developed somewhat of a bad reputation over the last few decades. Concurrently, there has been a shift towards an individualistic public / private division in personal faith. In the name of tolerance, we’ve seen a cultural attempt to remove private faith out of the public arena. The prevailing attitude is “believe what you like, just don’t bother me with those beliefs”. This approach has left conventional interpretations of witnessing on the wrong side of the cultural fence. How does the modern day Christian heed the call of the great commission while facing such a caustic audience?

Keller is seeking to remind us that we may have taken the bait in assuming our witness is about forums or pronouncements of ideology. When we peruse the bible looking for examples of an effective witness, we rarely see proclamations, ultimatums or lines drawn in the sand. Instead, the witness of the collective church looks more like a party!

The second chapter of acts reveals some very interesting things about the early church and implies a very different view of what it means to be an effective witness than many of us would assume. The early church described in Acts is exemplifying the command of Christ found in John 13:34-35; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Somehow the modern church has distorted the call to love one another into something that resembles more like a call to forgo letting our kids play football on Sunday so that everyone will know we are a Christian. The obvious problem is our non-believing friends are conditioned to respectfully ignore our self-righteous platitudes and postulates. Our faith is viewed as our own, not theirs, and is excused as a private faith, not objective truth.

Keller, along with other modern thinkers like Francis Shaeffer, have strived to wake up the church with a reminder of our original purpose. We are to be an alternate city; A collection of imperfect people loving each other imperfectly, but with grace, compassion and forgiveness. It is as though our light must first shine inward before we learn to illuminate the world.

So, my small group is still struggling to know what that looks like in practice. I tried to remind them of the many times over the past 5 years our small group has resembled the church described in Acts and how our actions reflected an alternate city to the non-believers in our small community. We have served the poor, enjoyed fellowship together, shared meals together, prayed together and worked together. These activities are atypical in our culture and embody a dim reflection of how things are supposed to be and how things will once again return when Christ comes to restore His creation.

As we live out the gospel in our lives together, we gain confidence in our hope and faith in God’s original purpose for His creation. That confidence appears brighter than any artificial light to those who don’t share that same hope. Only then are we really prepared to bear witness to the hope we have in Jesus to those who recognize it in our lives. Our witness is a byproduct of our love for one another, not a premeditated positional ideology that falls on deaf ears and hardened hearts.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:14-16

Objections to Helping the Poor

In 1733 Jonathan Edwards, the great New England pastor, preached a sermon entitled "The Duty of Charity to the Poor." A significant part of that sermon consisted of common objections to helping the poor that Edwards encountered in his ministry. He patiently and pastorally answered each objection by pointing the congregation to the gospel of Christ.

Because the objections are common in our day and Edwards' answers are so biblical and helpful, I thought it might be good to look at some of them in light of last Sunday's sermon. Of course I'm summarizing Edwards but I'd urge you to read the whole sermon yourself. Before diving in, let me remind you that When Helping Hurts and Generous Justice are both very helpful books to read on this topic.

Objection: Some object to helping the poor because although they are needy they are not absolutely destitute.

Answer: Edwards says that attitude violates Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself. When it comes to our needs, we don't wait till we are in utter misery before taking steps to alleviate our problems.

Objection: The person is jerk who treats other people poorly.

Answer: Jesus helped us when we were in worse condition. Romans 5:8 "But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Objection: I don't have any money to spare.

Answer: One of the main lessons from the Good Samaritan is that genuine love requires sacrifice. What our objection really means is that we can't help others without sacrificing something ourselves.

Objection: What if they are in poverty due to their own laziness and unwise choices?

Answer: We are not excused from all obligation to help them unless they continue in their sin and foolishness. And again he points to Jesus saying that Jesus did not require us to get our act together before helping us.

Objection: What if a person continues to make foolish choices and refuses to work hard?

Answer: This is a difficult question but we have to take into consideration the rest of their family including their children.

Finding Grace in Giving Thanks

“Give thanks,” Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18). Notice just how all encompassing this instruction is. Paul doesn’t refer to giving thanks in some or even most circumstances, nor simply when one feels like it. No, according to his words, giving thanks in every situation is not only appropriate, but it’s the very will of God.

This raises an important question: how can God expect his people to follow this command in even circumstances of great difficulty, suffering, etc.? In answer to this, we need to first keep in mind that Paul is writing to a church, to people who have believed the gospel, putting their faith in Christ. By definition, that meant they possessed great and certain promises, a fact that is also true of every believer since.

Foremost among these promises is their sure future hope…how the story will end, so to speak. Jesus promised to give his people eternal life, a life no one is able to snatch away from his Father’s hand (John 10:27-28). Paul himself taught that Christians can look forward to a glorious resurrected body, imperishable and free of weakness (1 Cor. 15:42-49). John spoke of new heavens and new earth, a place without crying, mourning, or pain, where God’s people will dwell joyfully with him forever. These things will happen. That much is sure, no matter the present circumstances. And for that, we can certainly be thankful at all times.

But that’s certainly not the sum of what believers might be thankful for even in very trying times. Paul also had this to say: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). The implications of this promise, if rightly understood, are life altering. They assure us that literally everything that happens in our lives, no matter how difficult, is being used ultimately for our good. That means relational difficulties, sicknesses, accidents, setbacks in our jobs, the death of loved ones…everything. In God’s economy, all things eventually produce good for his people. This is not some sappy greeting card cliché. It’s a solid rock to cling to amidst the storms. It’s a rock for which we can always be thankful.

One more promise to mention: not only are we pledged a joyful and eternal life with God, not only is he working out all things for our ultimate good, but he’s also promised to provide us with the grace that is necessary for us to respond faithfully in our circumstances. Paul himself found this out when troubled by his mysterious “thorn in the flesh.” He pleaded three times with the Lord to take it away. The Lord’s response? It wasn’t to remove the thorn. Instead he answered Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). There’s much to say about this passage, but here we need particularly to see that it points to the fact that the Lord is able to see his people through their difficulties to the proper end, whatever that might be. And this again is something for which we can be thankful no matter what we’re experiencing.

Having now thought a bit about the reasons we might have to give thanks even in the midst of suffering and difficulty, we’re in a better position to see why God might give us the command to do so.

In the midst of difficulty and suffering, it can be very tempting to wallow in the mire, to give up exercising hope, to give into despair. But developing the discipline of being thankful lets us get our attention off of those things. It helps us consciously think about the very real blessings that are ours, the great promises that God has given to his people. And when we do that, we begin to take comfort in and be encouraged by those promises and the grace they offer. We encourage the hope we need to walk faithfully and with perseverance.

One final point: the command to give thanks also holds for times of blessing and success, and it’s worth reflecting a moment on that as well. If you’re like me in those circumstances, you might a tendency to see yourself as the primary reason for any positive outcomes. But with this artificially high opinion comes a certain forgetfulness that our biggest need, day by day and moment-by-moment, is the grace of God. We are, after all, decidedly dependent creatures.

By taking the time to thank God in the good times, we begin to fight pride, giving credit where credit is due. We acknowledge that everything we have, we’ve ultimately been given. And that, in turn, helps to keep us humble and rightly dependent upon God’s good provision.

As it turns out, then, giving thanks in all circumstances not only honors God as he so richly deserves, but it also has real practical benefits for you and me. Even here, in his command for us to be thankful, God is exceptionally gracious.

Seeing Ourselves as Jesus Sees Us

One potentially-troubling aspect of becoming a Christian and "going deep" with your faith is that the more you get to know the Person and work of Jesus Christ, the more you come to understand how everything else in life - absolutely everything - is so very frail, completely contingent and could all vanish in the wink of an eye (James 4:13-17). We rise every morning and go to bed each night with absolutely nothing guaranteed.

Will we wake up the next day? Will our children wake up? Will I still have my job at the end of this quarter? What might show up during my next annual physical? Once I get into my car to go somewhere, will I arrive safely at my destination? Are my kids safe at school today? Is my marriage going to last through this difficult season? The simple truth, borne out in any newspaper you care to pick up, is that life is unpredictable at best, and one of the saddest refrains in the entire human songbook goes something like, "I always thought stuff like this happened to other people."

Perhaps that sounds a tad morbid, but held up in the light of Scripture, I prefer to see our "but a mist" existence as utterly realistic...and yet exceedingly hopeful. More to the point, a rightly-apprehended understanding of our own mortality and complete dependence upon God to provide the power to get out of bed in the morning is one of the more sturdy planks in any individual's platform of faith-filled gratitude. We are typically so busy filling up God's ears with our prayer requests that we neglect to notice the "small" things like A) we still have breath with which to offer a prayer, B) we are living in the wealthiest era that humankind has ever known, and C) we have God's unshakeable promise that He cares deeply for each and every one of us (Luke 12:4-7).

One of my family's all-time favorite films is "What About Bob?" starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus. Portraying Bob Wiley, Murray does such a great job of bringing to life a mild-mannered maniac whose clusterbomb of neuroses have almost completely paralyzed him, so much so that he is gripped with fear at the mere prospect of leaving his New York apartment. To make a long story short, Bob flips out when his latest therapist Dr. Marvin (Dreyfus) leaves the city for a family vacation. His initial pleas for help having been rebuffed by Dr. Marvin after a terror-filled bus ride to the psychiatrist's lakeside resort, Bob completely loses it, breaks down and sobs in front of the entire Marvin family (and most of the rest of the town): "Check it out! Look, I'm in really bad shape! Come on, PLEASE! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I need! I need! I need!"

While we all laugh at this ridiculous display and the childish manner in which Bob expresses his very obvious need to Dr. Marvin, the truth is that most of us - particularly those of us over the age of 30 - have probably at some point in our lives cried out to God in sheer desperation, our words and posture perhaps not being all that different than Bob's. This segment in the film is funny precisely because it identifies something universal in the human condition - total desperation - and then gives it a comic twist - Murray's manic performance - to help us "distance ourselves" somewhat from the seriousness of paralyzing fears and phobias.

As much as I enjoy this film, no matter how many times I see it, it is very sobering for me to realize that Jesus must see all of us as little better than the fictional character of Bob Wiley. In fact I have to think that, to Jesus' way of thinking, a person like Bob actually has one up on most of the rest of us in that he has come to that point where he at least recognizes his deep, deep need for healing, spiritual or otherwise. Those of us, like me, who greatly prefer to see ourselves as able-bodied, capable, intelligent and ready to take on the world could stand to learn a thing or two from those around us who have quite rightly assessed and responded to their desperate state before God.

In the letter to the church in Laodicea, taken from Revelation 3:17, Jesus says, "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." In just one simple sentence, Jesus tears down all of the markers by which we typically judge success and independence this side of Heaven. Yes, we may well have riches, our lives may be lived in comfort, and we may be so secure in our standing with others that we have allowed ourselves to believe that we truly "need nothing." And yet, Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we are instead as pitiable as a bunch of Bob Wileys, the only difference being that some of us have been given eyes to see that we need to be on our face before Jesus each and every day.

In the past few years, I've spent a great deal of time with guys who are typically reluctant to identify themselves as "spiritual Bob Wileys." And I don't blame them one bit. In fact, I used to be one of them. Previously, the thought of a childish dependency upon God did not very much appeal to me, and I preferred to try to "be a good person" and simultaneously live life on my own terms. It was only through multiple breakdowns - some of them absolutely horrible - that I finally came to figure out the Great Truth that I was not God, after all, and that my life completely depended on God; apart from His grace I was unable even to draw another breath or borrow one more beat of my heart. Admitting this truth runs contrary to everything in our proud, fallen human condition, and yet living out of that conviction often has the effect of unleashing God's power to heal and transform.

It's easier to see our need for God's preserving intervention in desperate life circumstances; it's much more difficult to see that need as we are racing down the highway with the wind in our hair and the radio up loud. I've lost count of the number of guys I have spoken to, many of them in clearly desperate circumstances, who nevertheless want to maintain that they are still in control of their situation, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. May God grant us all eyes to see that, even on our very best day, Jesus looks down and sees us all exactly as He saw the Laodiceans; filthy, dressed in rags, blind, naked and completely dependent on His upholding the world by the power of His Word (Hebrews 1:3-4). My prayer for anyone reading this is that you would hear God's call to depend upon Him without having to suffer through several tragic "wake-up calls," as I did. Come now, in your strength. The days of desperation will surely be at hand soon enough.

Luke 18:15-17 (ESV)
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

Songs and Scenes from Sunday, November 13, 2011

This week's music set-list review features photos by Lana Eklund. You'll find links in the song titles that will allow you to purchase recorded versions of the songs where available.

He is Yahweh by Dean Salyn.

This is a song that we’ve been singing at The Crossing since 2003 and paints a picture of God’s sovereignty reminiscent of Isaiah 40.

Who is moving on the waters?
Who is holding up the moon?
Who is peeling back the darkness
with the burning light of noon?
Who is standing on the mountains?
Who is on the earth below?
Who is bigger than the heavens
and the lover of my soul?

Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes

King of all days, oh so highly exalted,
glorious in heaven above.
Humbly You came to the earth You created,
all for love's sake became poor.
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that You're my God.

We had a time of silent confession which continued as we sang, O Help My Unbelief (words by Isaac Watts, music by Justin Smith).

How sad our state by nature is!
our sin, how deep it stains!
and Satan binds our captive minds
Fast in his slavish chains.
But there's a voice of sov'reign grace,
sounds from the sacred word:
"O, ye despairing sinners come,
and trust upon the Lord."

We viewed a video of Warren Mayer's faith story produced by Gerik Parmele.

Following Warren's story we read from Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-10 which shows us Warren's story is really everybody's story.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world... among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

All I Have is Christ by Jordan Kauflin

Now Lord, I would be Yours alone,
and live so all might see,
the strength to follow Your commands
could never come from me.
O Father, use my ransomed life
in any way You choose,
and let my song forever be,
"My only boast is You."

Prayer of the Lowly by David A. Cover, Christine Cover, Andrew Camp and Andrew Luley

Following the message we read from Philippians 2:3-8 and sang an original song by The Crossing Music based on a prayer from The Valley of Vision.

Break my pride to pieces and scatter it to the wind.
And put in me humility to rest in Your ways.
For You, help live to You, help say,
"Holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty;
Worthy, worthy is the King who died for me!”

We closed our service with another video produced by Gerik Parmele highlighting a special live performance of a song from The Crossing Music's new album, The Shore.

The Shore is now available for purchase at The Crossing's bookstore and for download at crossingsongs.com. We're really excited about the album so be sure to check it out!

Music Team for November 13, 2011:

Taylor Bonderer - violin
Zach Burmaster - acoustic guitar
Kristen Camp - vocals
David Cover - percussion, acoustic guitar
Sadie Currey - violin
Ashley Gross - vocals
Nick Havens - bass
Scott Johnson - vocals, keyboards
Joel Schirmer - vocals

Kameron Bong - stagehand
Josh Burrell - stage, light and media coordinator
Addison Hawkins - sound

Links of the Week

Here's another spattering of articles and blogs from the internet this week which I found helpful or thought-provoking.


Advice for College Men - If you're in college or a twentysomething...or a male in general.  Here's a convicting article regarding what it takes to love a real woman. 

Ever Feel Distant from God? - A 7 minute video from one of my favorites, David Powlison.

Why Americans Won't Do Dirty Work - There are political, social, and economic themes running through this article.  They're all worth consideration.  But here's what I walked away with: I don't want entitlement and laziness to get in my way.  And the attitudes which are loathsome in this piece are certainly also present within me.

An Entrepreneurial Approach to Poverty Relief - Inspiring and thought-provoking video from the Acton Institute. 

"Surviving the Holidays" Tonight and Dec. 10

The temperatures are cooling and the beauty of turning leaves that defines October is beginning to give way to the stark look of bare trees that marks November. With the advent of cooler fall weather, of course, comes "the holidays."

Though Norman Rockwell and Hallmark would have you believe that the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving and the worldwide celebration of Christmas mark a period of time richly peppered with merriment, warm fires, abundant food and always-intimate family gatherings for everyone, there are many among us who dread their approach.

For someone who has suffered the loss of a loved one in the last year, for instance, the approaching holidays act as a constant reminder of just how much their lives have been changed, and just how much they have lost.

In the case of those my husband and I meet through the divorce recovery ministry at The Crossing, those reminders of change and loss are particularly painful; not only have they suffered the loss of a spouse, but the break-up of a family also means the breakdown of many of the family traditions they have long treasured.

The holidays are not special to us because each year is new and unique, but because they are an opportunity to return to the old and familiar. Traditions are built up around foods, destinations, and people. "Grandma always makes her special cranberry salad at Thanksgiving." "Every year we put the Christmas tree up as a family, with chili and hot chocolate for everyone." "We always go to my in-laws' for Christmas Eve with the children."

When I was growing up, Christmas Eve at my house always included a big meal with ham, scalloped potatoes, buttery peas and soft rolls. The first year I didn't spend Christmas Eve at my mother's dinner table eating this exact meal, I felt thrown off, as if I'd somehow missed celebrating a part of Christmas.

There is comfort, security and a sense of belonging that comes out of the traditions that we create within our families, and the absence of that trip to the in-laws or the lack of cranberry salad on the Thanksgiving table can really make it feel like it's "not quite right." The loss or change of even one tradition can create a hiccup in our sense that this year's holiday was "all it could be."

Imagine, then, when your family is torn in two, and it's not just the cranberry salad or scalloped potatoes that you're missing, but the majority of those experiences that historically made the holidays special for you. The holidays aren't simply less joyful. They can be deeply, deeply painful, and there's no avoiding them. It's not as if you can just ignore Christmas and pretend it isn't coming.

While there isn't a way to avoid the reality that your life has been significantly changed - and let's face it, avoidance wouldn't be healthy, anyway - there is a way through this season that will provide opportunities to enjoy the holidays and deal with the change in a healthy manner.

Beginning new traditions and preparing yourself for the "emotional ambushes" that lie in wait is the focus of "Surviving the Holidays," a two-hour seminar developed by Church Initiative, the same organization that developed the DivorceCare curriculum. For those going through separation and divorce, particularly those facing the holidays for the first time in this new paradigm of loss and sorrow, this seminar can offer practical suggestions for how to make it through the holidays...and even enjoy them!

Partnering with Parkade Baptist, The Crossing has offered this seminar to the Columbia community for the last two years. This year, we are also partnering with Woodcrest Chapel to offer Surviving The Holidays twice, once before Thanksgiving and again just prior to Christmas.

The first of these two sessions is being offered tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Woodcrest, 2201 West Nifong. On Saturday, December 10, The Crossing will host this event for a second time, and once again our three churches will work together to bring hope to hurting people who may feel put off by the pressure to "be happy and enjoy yourself" during this season.

If you are going through a separation right now, or have been through divorce and still find Thanksgiving and Christmas to be painful experiences, I encourage you to join us tonight or on December 10, and seek out new ways for approaching the holidays. If you know of someone going through separation or divorce, I urge you to forward this blog post and encourage them join us as well.

For details on both tonight's session and the event in December, click on the flier graphic at right.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Sovereignty and Freedom: A Biblical Example

One of the biblical issues that causes Christians the most problems is how God's sovereignty and human freedom (or responsibility) fit together. When first exposed to this topic, many people have a tendency to elevate either sovereignty or freedom at the expense of the other.

If you elevate sovereignty, you come to fatalistic conclusions and say things like, "It doesn't matter what I do because God has everything planned out anyway." If you elevate freedom, you may come to the conclusion that your future is completely open and that it is all up to you. You might say things like, "Why pray for safety since it's all up to me to drive carefully?"

While the Bible doesn't ever fully explain how God's sovereignty and human freedom work together, it's full of examples showing that they must fit together. Here's one example found in Acts 27. Paul, in the custody of Roman soldiers, is on a ship bound for Rome when the ship is confronted by a major storm. With the whole crew fearing for their lives, Paul stands up and offers this comfort based on God's sovereignty.

Acts 27:22-24
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'"

But notice what happens only a few verses later...

Acts 27:29-32
Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

So Paul relates God's sovereign promise that every member of the crew will be spared but then tells them that they must choose to stay with the ship or they won't be spared. If Paul had elevated sovereignty at the expense of freedom, he wouldn't have felt the need to warn the soldiers and crew nor would he have worked to save the ship. After all, Paul could've reasoned, God promised everyone would live so what I do doesn't matter. If Paul had elevated freedom, he would have been captive to fear and worry because humanly speaking there was no way they'd live through this storm.

But Paul holds to both with equal tenacity. God is sovereign over life, death, and storms and so Paul has confidence that no one will die. But he knows that people must choose wisely and so he warns the soldiers that everyone must stay on the ship or they will perish.

We need to approach the storms of our life in a similar way. God sends us "storms" to teach us many lessons (2 Corinthians 1:8-9) and yet we must exercise wisdom in how we respond. We can't forget that God is in control of what comes our way but nor can we let his sovereignty become an excuse for passivity.

Talking Pictures in Review: Buck (revisited)

Thanks to a rainout and perhaps the best World Series game in history, our Talking Pictures presentation of the award-winning documentary Buck found itself scheduled at the same time the Cardinals were capping their amazing run to become world champions. For that reason, we decided to show the game in progress right after the conclusion of the film rather than have the usual post-movie discussion.

Even so, Buck offers a great deal worth discussing. And for those of who saw the film and are interested in thinking a bit more about it, or are looking forward to seeing it in the future (it’s currently available through Netflix), I thought I’d repost something I wrote after initially viewing the film at last year’s True/False Film Fest.

But before I do, I thought I’d add a few more thoughts that have come to mind after watching the film again:

1. In my post below, I mention that Buck’s story reflects a great deal of biblical wisdom. To expand on that general point a bit more: because we live in a God created reality, wisdom involves living in a way that’s consistent with God’s creational design and purposes. Watching Buck interact with horses (and people), one can easily see a great example of exactly that. Buck has great success training horses in part because he has learned how to treat them in a manner that respects their fundamental nature. In this area of life at least, Buck seems to swim with, rather than against, the current of God's creation.

2. Buck didn’t instantaneously become a great trainer overnight. He learned from very knowledgeable mentors and continues to work hard at refining his craft. This is certainly a model for how we often develop greater proficiency in any area of our lives. And here I would add this includes our own knowledge of and love for Christ, as well as our ability to love and serve others. We grow by grace, but that grace often works itself out through intentional learning and effort.

3. One can’t help but draw a number of parallels between Buck’s horse training and raising children (again, see below). But on my second viewing I was struck how the principles on display in the film really apply in almost any relationship.

With that, here’s what I wrote previously...

The book of Proverbs is well known for crafting vivid vignettes of language from the realities we see in the world around us. For example, Prov. 14:4 reads, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Or consider 26:21: “As charcoal to hot embers and wood to a fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”

Of course, the goal of this is stated at the beginning of the book:

1:2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

As the initial examples indicate, when you read the biblical proverbs, you get the sense that their wisdom is a product of lived experience. In God’s economy, such experiences are a great teacher for those with eyes to see.

It’s against this backdrop that I can’t help but place the opportunity I had this past Friday night to view a screening of the already award-winning documentary Buck. If someone would have told me that a film featuring a quiet cowboy-turned-traveling horse trainer would be the finest True/False Film Fest experience I’ve ever had, well, “skeptical” might be the best face I could have put on my reaction. Horses simply aren’t my thing. But that’s how good the film was.

Sporting rich visual sequences and a smartly-crafted narrative, Buck functions almost as an expanded proverb, or even a collection of proverbial knowledge. In following the life experiences of its namesake, the film consistently exposes the precious veins of wisdom waiting to be mined in the stuff of reality. Here's a bit of my own digging:

1. The film’s principal subject, Buck Brannaman, obviously trains horses. But one can’t help but see the parallels with raising children—in fact, Buck himself makes this very point. In one notable scene, Buck demonstrates two ways a handler might use a lead rope to guide a horse. Though both resulted in enough pressure to withstand a horse testing its boundaries, one employed a sudden jerk, the other a still purposeful but more deliberate pull on the rope. Yes, he said, the horse does need a firm hand at times. But not every way of employing that hand produces the same results. One creates fear, cowing the horse into obedience. The other yields a horse responsive to even subtle movements from a relaxed grip on the rope.

Talking about it afterward, my wife and I had much the same reaction to the scene. Both of us readily acknowledge the biblical injunction to “train a child in the way he should go.” And yet, Buck’s demonstration left us both reflecting on how best to shepherd and discipline our kids. Are we parenting in a way that produces fear and resentment or responsive, trusting hearts?

2. Related to the previous point, Buck notes that horse problems are often reflective of people problems. In other words, learning about a horse’s issues can often tell him quite a bit about a horse’s owner.

Once again, one doesn’t have to be the brightest penny in the pocket to see the parallel with parent-child relationships. For example, is the occasional defiant outburst from one of our children merely a symptom of a stubborn heart? Or might it sometimes reflect our own intemperate speech, speech that functions much more like a harsh jerk on the rope rather than a pull that is measured yet firm.

3. On a different note, I found myself thinking that the film was an excellent illustration of the biblical perspective of calling. That is, that God uniquely gifts and shapes each person to pursue particular paths in life. He calls some to run homeless shelters, others to run investment banks. Some create with paint and canvas, others with rock and soil, flower and tree. Some cook the food while others serve those who come to eat it. And so on.

I won’t be the first to suggest that a good start toward determining our calling consists of taking stock of that which we’re both excited about and reasonably well equipped to do. It’s obvious that Buck Brannaman is wired to train horses (and people). His life demonstrates not only a passion, but also a great aptitude for the job. The result is a great blessing for many people and animals.

Certainly, God's good plan sometimes takes us outside of our excitement and skill, but all things being equal, it's worth asking the question: is there something I'm good at that I really desire to do?

4. Finally, Buck’s life story is a compelling picture of redemption. After living a good portion of his childhood in fear of his biological father, he landed with genuinely caring foster parents. In a moving scene, Buck recounts his reflexive fear being overcome by his foster father’s simple gift of buckskin gloves and the shared job of building fence. All in all, Buck’s life is an encouraging example of how brokenness and evil can be fought against and rolled back, how what is marred can be made beautiful again. In this way, his life points to an even greater redemption and the one whose sacrifice brought it about.

More could be said, but for my money, Buck demonstrates some of the very best documentary filmmaking has to offer. The good news: the film has secured a distribution deal—no sure thing for work of this nature. In the post film discussion, director Cindy Meehl mentioned late June for a release date. Keep your eyes open and, if you get the opportunity, don’t miss the chance to see Buck.