Mary gave her body
Joseph gave his reputation
Caesar gave his orders
The innkeeper gave his manger
The magi gave their gifts
The heavenly host gave their praise
And the shepherds gave their worship.
Mary gave birth
Joseph gave a name
Heaven gave a Saviour
The Father gave a Son.
The darkness gives way to the light
And death gives way to life.
I hope you all a Christmas filled with light and life.
Ten minutes later when they’re bored with your gift, the shine may have come off a bit. Still, it’s more blessed right? The thing is, I think the western societies in which we’re raising our children, are the sorts of societies where for most adults receiving is by far the superior alternative. So much so, that receiving or getting is seen as more of a human right really. You only have to think back to the summer riots in London and the many links to consumerism to see that attitude in its grossest expression.
If, generally speaking, those are the sorts of adults we are producing and I want my children to be different from that (less rioting would be good for a start), then I need to start training now. However, the early signs are not encouraging. This year, really for the first time, we are helping our three year old son discover the joy of giving. His initial reaction was grave concern, ‘I’ll still get presents won’t I?’ but even with that fear calmed, he remains unconvinced that giving is anywhere close to as good as getting.
We want giving to be in many ways, it’s own reward, we want the act of giving to radiate joy and fun, and lead to more cheerful giving. We’re going to introduce giving to those poorer than ourselves, and other such things, because giving is a habit that needs early introduction. It seems we have a default setting and it’s not ‘give’.
Any ideas, how have you seen giving best demonstrated, shared and taught to children?
“If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. Behold love that passeth knowledge!”
Read it all.
(HT: Charles Crosland)
Then this from Brian Mowrey, ‘we (Jubilee Church St Louis) have spent more money on evangelism in the past, yet were less effective at reaching the lost and adding them into our community than we are now. The main reason why that’s true is because we focused most of our energy on DOING evangelism versus BEING an evangelistic community . . .’
Read the rest here
Ricky says: “I am of course not a good Christian in the sense that I believe that Jesus was half man, half God,”
I say: Christians don’t believe that either, we believe he was fully man and fully God.
Ricky says: “So many Christians think that because they believe in the right God, they are automatically good and have a one-way ticket to everlasting life. Dare I say it but I suspect this is their main reason for believing. I’ve heard so many “believers” say, “Well, since there is no way of being sure whether there is a God or not, it’s better to believe in God than not, because that way, if you’re wrong it doesn’t matter and if you’re right you get everlasting life.” Win:win.”
I say: Wrong again. We are not automatically good, we are made righteous because we are completely and utterly not good. And it’s not belief that matters but faith and trust and they’re not the same thing at all. I suspect this though is in part what Rob Bell is fighting against, the idea that this life doesn’t matter and if Christians think that then actually they’re wrong.
Ricky says: This is of course Pascal’s Wager, which assumes that God if he exists would reward blind faith above logic and living a good life as an atheist.
I say: Nothing blind about it Ricky, logic says if there is a God and I’m a sinner then those two facts need reconciling and the simple point is how good a life is good enough? I suspect for Ricky good enough is what he’s doing right now, which would be convenient.
Ricky says: These are wonderful virtues [forgiveness and kindness], but I have seen them discarded by many so-called God-fearers when it suits them. They cherry pick from their “rulebook” basically. I have seen such cruelty and prejudice performed in the name of Christianity (and many other religions for that matter) that it makes me wonder if there has been a bit too much selective reading and reinterpretation of the doctrines.
I say: More than likely on this one Ricky, you are sadly right.
Ricky says: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” I definitely do not. Excellent. I get one point.
I say: Taking a few liberties there with ‘no other Gods’ which was not intended to exclude God himself. Lose a few points for being disingenuous and lying.
Ricky says: Even if this doesn’t prove I am a good Christian it does prove that the Bible is a bit inconsistent, open to interpretation, and a little intolerant. This is not peculiar to Christianity to be fair. And I like to be fair. Because unlike ALL religions, as an atheist, I treat ALL religions equally.
I say: You’re right it doesn’t prove much and you completely miss the point of grace and therefore Easter. And you’re being daft if you think that saying you’re right and everyone else is wrong is any different from a religion making some exclusive claims. Seems to me it’s exactly the same. So another fail there Ricky.
*update: just read this better response from Mike Cosper*
So in this recent Elephant Room discussion MacDonald and Platt argue about the nature of radical sacrifice. I’m basing all this off some notes made (with appropriate caution added)and the helpful reflection by Trevin Wax. So there’s a chance that a third person could be wrong about all this and that would be me.
“(this is)…the centrepiece of what Ratzinger actually did say in his Thought for the Day. ‘Christ destroyed death forever and restored life by means of his shameful death on the Cross.’ More shameful than the death itself is the Christian theory that it was necessary. It was necessary because all humans are born in sin.”
Absolutely, Christians believe that humanity is riddled inescapably with sin. Dawkins on the other hand resents the notion.
“That sin, with which every newborn baby is hideously stained (another charming notion), was so terrible that it could be forgiven only through the blood sacrifice of a scapegoat. But no ordinary scapegoat would do. The sin of humanity was so great that the only adequate sacrificial victim was God himself.
That’s right. The creator of the universe, sublime inventor of mathematics, of relativistic space-time, of quarks and quanta, of life itself, Almighty God, who reads our every thought and hears our every prayer, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God couldn’t think of a better way to forgive us than to have himself tortured and executed. For heaven’s sake, if he wanted to forgive us, why didn’t he just forgive us? Who, after all, needed to be impressed by the blood and the agony? Nobody but himself.”
Dawkins forgets completely about justice, refuses to think sin is all that serious, offensive or destructive. He fails to see in the cross God’s condemnation of sin, abhorrence of sin and rejection of sin because there is no price that needs paying. He’s God he can just let us off right? And so Dawkins fails to see the need for repentance and therefore of redemption. He misses the totality of forgiveness.
Dawkins sums up his feelings about the heart of the Christian faith, forget science, forget the creation of the universe, this is the key:
“But he [the Pope] is also guilty of promoting one of the most repugnant ideas ever to occur to a human mind: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).”
Sadly I don’t think Richard Dawkins would appreciate 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 but it’s what he needs to know.
At Christmas I’ll gladly stand up and promote, even boast in such repugnance. Not that I think it occurred to a human mind but instead began in the heart of God. Sin is costly, it is deadly, it is death. Sin is repugnant, repulsive and rancid. Frankly I need to be see that or I’d be complacent and reckless, and I’m grateful that someone stood in my place on the cross because when I stand in front of God in His place I’ll know I’m not out of place.
At Christmas we celebrate not just a birth but grace coming in human form, we celebrate salvation from repugnance. Merry Christmas.
It seems like she makes some good points, especially about conversion versus discipleship,
“How can you know if you’ve saved someone if there’s never follow-up, never counselling, never a progress report? How can you be sure the person hasn’t instantly reverted to his old ways? In other words, aren’t you simply counting the people who prayed the prayer in that instant rather than counting new Christians?… If you’re a sincere Christian you believe all it takes is that instant, as long as you’re sincere. Once you’ve prayed the sinner’s prayer, you’re good to go. God is supposed to abide in you and guide you, but really your ‘ways’ don’t matter. Your name is written forever in the Lamb’s book of life.’ It seemed evident that evangelicals were padding their rosters.”
No question we can be guilty of that, if you pray a prayer at summer camp and then spend the next year of your life living like anyone else chances are nothing changed when you said the prayer and it was all a bit emotional.
But anyway, in this interview with Trevin Wax she says this about what is attractive about Christianity,
“There are plenty of ideas in evangelical Christianity that appeal to me. It would be nice to know that even the most hideous acts of violence and destruction happen for a reason. It would be nice to know that this short life isn’t the end, that there’s something better on the other side, and that when I lose someone it’s only temporary. It would be nice to know what’s expected of me. It would be nice to know when I have dark thoughts or do something I know I shouldn’t it’s because that’s my natural sinful wiring, that I shouldn’t feel guilty about it. I think that’s why evangelical Christianity is such a popular formula–because it answers our common longings.”
So here’s my question, how could she spend two years in an evangelical church and still miss the point? And would the same thing happen if that happened in our church?
First here’s where she misses the point.
I hope that if someone spends two years in our church they’ll know that life is only lived to the full if we seek first the kingdom in all its ways with all of our heart for all of our days and that the starting point to a life of discipleship is the cross of Christ and the empty tomb of the risen Lord. But I shan’t take that for granted.
I’m glad (in some ways) that the world chooses to largely ignore Easter and go shopping, because at least then we don’t face the same secularising effects that we have at Christmas, but in other ways it mystifies me that so many would choose to ignore such an incredible and frankly unbeatable offer. Jesus is better than chocolate.
Today is far more special to me than birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and the mindless consumer-fest that is Christmas. Because of what happened on this day I received a new spirit, a new heart, a new family. Because of what happened on this day I received new life, new hope, a new future, a new direction, a new beginning. His victory over death means life to me.
* Here is a round-up of some other Easter Sunday posts from bloggers I read that I couldn’t link in the post*
I’m not sure how effective the witness bit was in the sense that it was a residential area and no one in particular seemed to be paying much attention but it was witness – we were outside not inside the church for a start. And not everything needs to be effective to be important.
It was also an uncomfortable experience, even though I don’t think anyone was watching – how strange to be carrying a cross, how strange to be singing, praying and just being there. I found when I paused to search my soul that I was a bit embarrassed, somewhat uncomfortable and awkward.
I volunteered to carry the cross because I knew that carrying those heavy pieces of wood even for a short distance would put paid to the feelings of discomfort, awkwardness and embarrassment. As I carried the cross I reflected that a man who changed my life forever carried a cross in great pain, in great shame and as a great display for all to see. Bleeding, naked and reviled Jesus carried his cross. But because I know Jesus is alive not dead, I asked him for forgiveness for being so easily ashamed.
As I thought about this some of the words from a song which always touches me deeply came to mind,
“You asked your Son to carry this
The heavy cross our weight of sinI love you Lord, I worship you
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to honour this
The love of Christ, the saviour king”
The wonder of Good Friday is precisely this, that the Father would ask the Son to die in the place of awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassed, sinful, shameful people so that those same awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassed, sinful, shameful people would have the opportunity of being friends not foes, family not strangers, saints not sinners. This is the love of Christ our Saviour King.
You can watch more of these videos here
HT: Peter Ould
“Jesus our Lord summons us to holiness, humility, simplicity and contentment. He also promises us his rest.”
Jesus is summoning me to simplicity and contentment. Simplicity is not then a matter of choice but a matter of obedience. It goes on to say,
“We intend to re-examine our income and expenditure, in order to manage on less and give away more. We lay down no rules or regulations, for either ourselves or others. Yet we resolve to renounce waste and oppose extravagance in personal living, clothing and housing, travel and church buildings. We also accept the distinction between necessities and luxuries, creative hobbies and empty status symbols, modesty and vanity, occasional celebrations and normal routine, and between the service of God and slavery to fashion.”
I love the heart, ‘to give away more’ – if anything should mark Christians out it should be our generosity, shouldn’t it?
I also get frustrated by the perception that this is not an important issue or worse still it’s an issue of the left, so being against consumerism makes me automatically a communist. That perception (and I am willing to admit that it might be just me) really bugs me.
So here begins a series on why consumerism is an issue all Christians should be concerned about. I’ll cover topics such as ‘It’s not about the environment’, ‘It’s not about the poor’, ‘It’s not about politics’, ‘It is about the Gospel’
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Saviour in every aspect of his life, continually saying ‘thank you!’ to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.”
- Francis Chan Crazy Love
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
“‘Life’ and ‘life-style’ obviously belong together and cannot be separated. All Christians claim to have received a new life from Jesus Christ. What life-style, then, is appropriate for them? If the life is new, the life-style should be new also. But what are to be its characteristics? In particular, how is it to be distinguished from the life-style of those who make no Christian profession? And how should it reflect the challenges of the contemporary world—its alienation both from God and from the earth’s resources which he created for the enjoyment of all?”
It’s a pretty deep conviction of mine that because the church has largely failed in its thinking and response to materialism and consumerism that the church is not at all distinguished from the life-style of those who don’t believe. A challenge to the simple living movement is also not to simply draw a new line with the environmentalists and eco-friendly brigade, not that that’s all bad. Instead we need to be thinking about redrawing the connections between our life style and Jesus. So I agree with this:
“Those of us who live in affluent circumstances accept our duty to develop a simple-lifestyle in order to contribute more generously to both relief and evangelism.”
“People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt 13:44; John 15:8)”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be ‘humble enough,’ and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt 5:16).”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
“Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, ‘There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day’ (Luke 14:25-35; Matt 7:13-23; 8:18-22; Rev 3:1-6).”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
“I no longer need to be sin-infested, guilt-ridden, doubtful, fearful, ashamed, dirty, stained or kept away from the presence of the most Holy One. The blood of Jesus is above the door of my heart and is the banner of my life. I have been cleansed, purified, washed, made white, guilt-free, confident and bold knowing with a clear conscience and a humble and grateful heart that I can come into the presence of God Most High, hear the words ‘let the little children come’ and know that I am allowed to go and embrace my Father.”From the ‘younger pastor’
“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
Anyway, I thought I might post a few reflections every now and then because the passion of the stuff stirs me and that’s no bad thing. Here’s the first offering.
“God has won the victory for man when God risked all and became man. Then and only then did the devil stand a chance, only when God in Jesus put Himself under the ‘rule’ of this world by becoming one of us. Fully man, subject to all temptation and weakness yet even then with God vulnerable like never before all the devil gained was defeat.
He tempted, tested, tried, abused, hassled, harassed, arrested, flogged, beat, humiliated and finally killed Jesus yet that wasn’t enough. For God raised Jesus from the dead victorious declaring for all the power to defeat sin and death and to make clear the way to God. (Luke 10:18-20; Luke 24:46-47)”
“People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.”
- Francis Chan, Crazy Love
It’s a national monument and a symbol of the respect that Pakistanis continue to have for their founder. It’s guarded and people come from all over to visit the tomb.
It’s a peaceful place, the mausoleum is set in an attractive park, even though the fountains weren’t working and not every pool was full of water. The Mausoleum is simple yet striking and the interior the same.I appreciated the simple beauty of the place especially in a city not known for its beauty.
Interestingly although it’s not a mosque people pray there, whether they pray to Jinnah or seek divine inspiration from praying in this place who knows, but it’s become more than a place of remembrance it’s become a sacred place, a holy place.
The comparison is stark, the founder of my nation (and I’m not talking the United Kingdom but the kingdom of heaven) isn’t dead. There is no tomb, no mausoleum, no place to revere the dead. He is ‘God of the living’ (Luke 20:38), he is alive, we serve the living, risen one.
I can find inspiration anywhere, pray anywhere at anytime, I can come into his presence through the Spirit of God and find relationship with my Father. Don’t neglect that privilege or forget the daily wonder of being made alive in Him who conquered death.
“We have a lover who knows us intimately, cherishes us deeply, gave himself utterly, redeemed us completely, loves us perfectly and will be faithful eternally.”
The more we appreciate the wonder of this love, the sacrificial power of it, the cleansing, purifying, white-hot passion of it, the less danger there will ever be of another love claiming our hearts.
Merry Christmas – may the truth of God become flesh remind us of His great grace to us.
Have hope, there is light in the world!
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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