A sign of the times maybe, I've decided to fast tomorrow but instead of going without food I'm going to leave the computer off all day ... pray for me, it's going to be way harder than skipping a couple of meals!
.Posted by: Sarah | 4/23/2004 09:25:00 pm |
LICC sent out a very interesting 'Connecting with Culture' written by Brian Draper [who's articles are always worth reading]. Anyway here's the article:
My eight-and-a-half-year-old friend teaches me to follow Jesus. Thankfully, she hasn't yet learned all the Bible-blurring jargon of the Christian world. She believes with child-like depth, curiosity and wonder, which sadly we lose as we grow up into socially constructed, rational human beings.
It came as a shock, therefore, as she returned from a camp this Easter, to hear that she had become, in her own words - 'a proper Christian'. She'd gone with a friend and, at the end of the week, had said the 'believer's prayer', received the booklet and joined the club.
The news was hard for her parents to swallow. They've carefully nurtured her capacity to believe - in a positive, non-manipulative way, throughout her short life. What had they done that wasn't 'proper' It also came as a surprise to her Sunday school teacher. How, all of a sudden, had she changed, beyond being another conversion that someone else had scored?
Many people, like Saul of Tarsus, can remember the time and place they began following Christ. For them, the flash of light is blindingly real; the scales really do fall from their eyes. Others have a more gradual realisation; after Peter left his fishing nets, he experienced several defining moments (and even after declaring 'You are the Christ', denied him three times). Still others shape their faith through profound moments of doubt; we remember Thomas at Easter, who, not unreasonably, needed to see before he believed that a dead man could walk. All three followed Christ, but their experiences varied greatly.
Today, many Christians judge whether others are 'in' or 'out' by whether or not they've 'converted' and conformed to the patterns of the church. Many do convert, of course; but others walk the road less travelled without enjoying the particular, cultural rite of passage my friend encountered. Such journeys are no less valid, and we've much to learn along the way from those who don't conform to our own idea of 'proper' - whatever that might be.
That's not, however, to belittle my friend's experience. It was probably authentic, and significant. I can't help wondering, though, whether she described it in her own way, or whether she began, while at camp, to speak in a different language. If I'm really honest, it's left this particular grown-up a little lost for words.
I haven't posted anything here for ages, but wanted to throw this out - just a picture that Steve had the other day which is proving to be pivotal in where God is taking us at the moment, I thought it might speak to some of you as well. Not being a paid church leader (the gospel according to Veggie Tales really *is* as far as it gets!!) I don't have time to think in long words like most of you, I can't put labels on our thinking, but thankfully God is still speaking to us ;o) Now we've just got to work out what to do about it ...
We are standing on the platform of a train station, with lots of other people. The train arrives, and everyone gets onto it, apart from us - we look at the train and realise that it's the wrong train, and not the one we're supposed to be travelling on, it's going to the wrong destination.
That was it - then it was like God was saying to us - how long are you going to stand on that platform, just because it's what you've always done, or because your families did it before you, or even because lots of your friends are doing it? That train might be the right one for them, but you know full well that there is another train for you. Now get moving! Your train is leaving from a different platform - you might not know your way around the station, or even know which train it is, but don't stay on the wrong platform!
I'm starting to think I need to be careful when i bring up dichotomies of modern and postmodern. In the wrong context it can be very unhelpful and sound exclusive. I remember when there was a time when people would say "I'm a Christian" and others would ask "What type of Christian are you... are you a _______ Christian." Of course we're postmodern so we would never ask that question, would we? Ony I find myself putting people into categories, "they must be a modern thinking Christian" or, "they must be a postmodern thinking Christian"
I wonder Paul (if writing a letter to us today) might say something along the lines of: in the Body of Christ there is no modern and postmodern because God is in all and overall.
1 Corinthians 12 | Galatians 3 | Colossians 3
Having said this... the last time I made this mistake was last night. I'm getting better, but I've still got a long long way to go.
I posted this over on my blog a few days ago. I wanted to see if my thoughts resonates with anyone else?? It seems God is doing this work in others:
Cara and I attended a church service on Easter Sunday over at Radiant Life Church. It was the first time for me in 2 1/2 years that I was actually excited to "go to church." Easter probably contributed to my excitement but I believe that even if it wasn't Easter, I still would've been excited to attend. In fact, Radiant Life does a worship/music celebration every other Friday which Cara and I have decided to participate. For me, I feel like I am able to engage and be an active participant during music in a service. I have so missed this in my life and it seems that God is giving it back.
As we left the service on Sunday, some thoughts emerged:
> I am definitely not made to be a pew sitter. Everything within me screams out, "I am not made to just 'go to church' and passively sit." I feel that God has a bigger plan for me.
> As a result of the above thought, I feel that I am set apart for ministry. It's not an issue of holier than thou or being better than my other bro's and sis' in Christ. I am a firm believer in 'the priesthood of ALL believers.' My passions emerge when it comes to The Church, her mission, calling and effectiveness. I feel I come alive whenever I dream about reaching the world for Christ. After 2 1/2 years of sacrifice (because it is what God has asked me to do), I have come to realize that I am made to make a difference. This is my purpose, no doubt about it.
> When God asked us to leave FBC Redondo Beach, the confirmation from the Lord was Gen. 12:1, "Then the LORD told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you." And in God's confirmation, he told me, "I have a different plan for you. A different way of showing Me to others. It will be different than anything you have done. This plan is reserved for you but first I must take you to a place of discomfort, restlessness, sorrow, lostness, doubt, and pain. Will you still obey me?" I have said yes to the Lord for 2 1/2 years and will continue to obey what He asks me to do.
> It is truly ironic that on Easter Sunday, while sitting in a church service, my spirit would experience a resurrection. I believe God is doing this work in me. As a result, I feel I am opening up more and more to Him. Keep it coming Lord Jesus!
Following yesterday's 'Ecce Homo' piece, I've made a Flash version which continuously loops through various images whilst music plays.
I've also created stand alone files which you're all free to use*
- the PC version is here
- the Mac version is here.
- new link! Mac OS X download
The stand alone version does not include the music (as it's not mine to give it away) - its by the post-rock band 'Godspeed You Black Emperor!' and you can buy it on Amazon
(* - please don't use it to make financial profit)
