Archive November 2008
Fabulous Fifth Sunday!
We started a new tradition today. Every time there is a fifth Sunday we are going to set aside our normal classes and sermon series in order to focus on baptisms, the Lord’s Supper and worshiping God. It truly was a fabulous time! Even on a cold, snowy holiday weekend, both services were full and full of excitement about all that God is doing among us.
Approximately 40 people followed Christ in baptism this morning. After each service there was a reception meal for those baptized and their families. I couldn’t get to the first reception because it was during the second service, but when I stuck my head into second reception there were well over 100 people there!
Thanks to those of you who provided positive feedback. We weren’t really sure what to expect, only that this seemed the right thing to do. A lot of people worked hard to make this happen – parking lot, hospitality team, workers in the baptistery, those who served the meal and so many, many more. Thanks to all of you!
We might decide in a year or two that we need to do something different, but for the moment I am very encouraged about doing this every time there is a fifth Sunday. I thought it was very neat to have baptisms in English, Spanish and Chinese, and that we sang in both English and Spanish. This is the whole point of the body of Christ coming together.
Several times in the past few months I have been impressed by the constant emphasis in the Bible on the importance of remembering. I mentioned this a bit this morning. In the Old Testament God first established the tent in the desert, then the temple in Jerusalem. Every aspect of both of them points to who God is and how he relates to us. The scriptures, the psalms and the songs – all serve as reminders. The entire chapter of Leviticus 23 lays out the series of seven Jewish holidays each year, each a teaching opportunity to remind God’s people of who God is and how he relates to us. These are just a few examples.
In the New Testament we also have the scriptures, the hymns, songs and psalms to remind us of God’s truth. We also have baptism and the Lord’s Supper to commemorate and remind us of what God has done for us. The theme of remembering is powerfully consistent throughout the Bible.
We were never meant to remain the same. In the Old Testament, we see the transition from the tent in the desert to the Temple. Though the essence of who God is never changes, the Temple worship was very different from the Tabernacle worship – all by God’s design. Today, the church must never remain stagnant but be constantly changing and adapting to the culture and circumstances around us. What must never change is our commitment to God’s absolute truth and the unchanging esence of who he is. These intentional moments of remembering are what enable us to maintain our balance.
The Purpose of Prophecy
I was in my office reading James 5 this morning as I prepared to speak. The book of James is about as practical as it gets, and I am always challenged and convicted as I read through it.
Today, I was reading the fifth chapter and this particular portion caught my eye.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James 5:7-12
Here is James focusing on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Many people probably would not consider this theme to be very practical. In his typical practical style, however, James focuses on the prophecy of Christ’s coming, not with dates and signs, but by giving us the example of the patience of farmers, the prophets, Job and the Lord himself.
I thought how often followers of Jesus become obsessed with certain details of biblical prophecy and end up by separating themselves from other believers who have different perspectives. Now, I have some pretty firm convictions about what the Bible teaches regarding things to come. I believe in the imminent premillennial return of Christ, preceded by a pretribulation rapture – impressed?
James’ point is simply this – our faith and firmness in light of the Second Coming of Christ should not cause divisions among believers; it should practically affect the way we live our lives. If I firmly believe that Jesus is coming again, how then should I live this life that God has given me?
Breakfast Places
What a lazy day! What a joy! After my travel schedule the past few weeks, I think I was due a day just to be lazy. I got nothing done! Absolutely zero productivity! I came home this afternoon and slept for over two hours. Wow! Not a bit of guilt.
Breakfast Club Member Dale at Happy Gillis
This morning Cheryl and I met with our breakfast club. This is a small group that came into existence a few years ago as several of us waited for our friend Rick to come out of surgery. We had a great time sharing breakfast with each other as we waited, but realized that poor Rick was left out. When he recovered, we got together again for breakfast again so that Rick could also participate. We’ve been meeting every month since.
The Happy Gillis!
This morning we went to Happy GIllis, a converted old sundries store in the Columbus Park neighborhood. For those of you who are not conversant in Kansas City, this is the traditional old Italian neighborhood just to the east of the River Market area that is increasingly Asian. The original Garozzo’s is just around the corner from Happy Gillis at 549 Gillis Street. You can read the Pitch review here.
This place reminds me of another one-of-a-kind, converted store type of place that I mentioned some months ago here - You Say Tomato. Amanda put me on to this place run by some of her neighbors and located at 2801 Holmes.
I love to eat breakfast out, and I love one-of-a-kind, non-chain places! Eggcetera on Main south of the Plaza is another unique breakfast place. Now, I’m not talking about great coffee places that serve a danish, muffins, or bagels, but what are some of your favorite breakfast joints that are unique? Come on! Share the wealth!
Citizen Jeff
Citizen Kane has often been rated by various polls and organizations as the number one movie of all time. The innovative 1941 production starred Orson Wells, who also wrote and produced it. The title of the old movie classic came to mind as I reflected back on events of the past couple of weeks and my own citizenship.
Traveling in Spain and North Africa with my friend Tony reminded me again that he has the advantage of holding citizenship in three countries. As he travels he can pick and choose which passport is most convenient, cheaper or safer for a particular trip. I have many other friends who hold dual citizenship. I was beginning to feel a little sorry for myself until I realized that I, too, have triple citizenship.
I am first a citizen of the United States of America. This is where I was born and raised. I have never held citizenship in another country and have never been ashamed of being a US citizen.
If you followed my journey with my friends Ricardo and Tony, you know that we were recently in North Africa. One evening, riding the train to a North African city, Tony, Ricardo and I were chatting away in Spanish. Across the compartment from us was a strikingly sophisticated and handsome North African couple. We knew enough to speak carefully even in Spanish. You never know who is listening. I could tell this couple was paying attention.
Suddenly, both jumped into our conversation in beautiful Spanish! She was a native of the country where we were traveling, and he was from another North African nation. It wasn’t long before the inevitable question – “Where are you from?”
Being identified as a US citizen was not something I desired at that moment – not for security reasons, but just to avoid the obligatory questions about politics, etc. I kept quiet for the moment, waiting for one of my colleagues to take the lead. Tony flashed a big smile and said, “I’m a citizen of the world.” The couple returned the smile and said smugly, “Great! We are, too!” Good answer, Tony! You diffused all the issues for the moment.This couple, by responding in kind that they were citizens of the world, was saying that they understood that we have far more in common that unites us than that which divides us. Our understanding of the world goes far beyond the limited sphere of the country of our birth or residence.
My two friends covered for me as they said we represented El Salvador and Mexico. Their curiosity was satisfied, and there was no way they would know the real color of the passport in my pocket as long as we continued to converse in Spanish. Yes! I liked the answer. We are citizens of the world. That’s an honest answer, too. I have lived in four countries and traveled in more than 50 others, though I hold only one physical passport.This world is the wonder of God’s creation, and I am one of God’s many creatures on this earth – a fellow citizen of the world.
Citizen of the US, citizen of the world – but I also hold another citizenship. I am a citizen of heaven. Paul said as much to the Philippians in Philippians 3:20 when he said that our πολίτευμα (citizenship) is in heaven. Just yesterday I was reading from Hebrews 12.
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23
How wonderful to know that all of us who follow Jesus hold the same heavenly passport! I was thinking of that during our prayer meeting tonight as one of our students introduced me to her mother. As we prepared to pray she apologized that her English was not very good and would it be alright if she prayed in Chinese. Of course! Others near me were praying in Spanish in addition to English. Maybe there were some other languages working in the room tonight. I don’t know. It just felt wonderful to know that God speaks our language – whatever that is.
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Taj Mahal Hotel under attack and in flames
Part of my Thanksgiving I spent watching the reports coming in from Mumbai, India. One of our pastors, Jeff Cox, has a friend who is still hiding out with others in a closet in one of the hotels under siege. The news is most disturbing. In another part of India Christians are under siege. For months now militant Hindus have been burning churches, beating, raping and killing Christians. This has not received much attention in the world press. In Africa, people continue to be killed in places like the Congo and Sudan. Monday, a troubled young man who attended our church took his life. Yesterday, a dear saint who has been part of our church family for many years passed away in the arms of one of her sons.
The above reality check is a reminder to me that Thanksgiving is more than turkey dinners and family get-togethers. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t sit around today feeling sad or guilty that others were suffering and I wasn’t. I’ve had my share of suffering, too, as I am sure you have. No, these hard realities simply reminded me to be terribly thankful for things big and small.
In church we learn how to express thanksgiving to God for things like forgiveness of sin, eternal life, the scriptures along with purpose and meaning – big things all. That doesn’t seem too hard for me to do. What is more difficult is to be constantly aware and thankful of every breath, every day I have to be with friends and family, the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, and another year to see the Plaza lights. I am thankful for the warmth that the Christmas tree added to our home as we put it up this evening. I am thankful I saw my grandchildren smile today and that I could share some laughter with them. I need to remember to be just as thankful tomorrow for the innumerable pieces of life, big and small.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. Psalm 69:30-32
What little things are you thankful for today?