Last night I went to the movie Inception. It was a very interesting movie that left me thinking to say the least. There are definitely a few thoughts I would like to incept into some people's brains. Unfortunately, invading dreams is not possible. But people have been planting ideas and persuading other people's opinions for ever. How?
Take a look at the homosexual agenda in the United States. When Ellen came out 15-20 years ago, it was horrifying. Shortly after that, sitcoms began placing the "token homosexual" and pokes of fun were made at being gay. Not so long ago, homosexuality was introduced as "normal" on network television and now we have states that are upholding rights for homosexuals to be married. Where did the tide turn? While everyone was laughing about it.
Research shows that laughter opens a person to ideas and acceptance. It is kind of interesting then, that comedy is not used in church...in fact....
There is a serious conversation going on in churches today about the quality of Christian education that children are receiving. Many are saying that it is too fun. It is too entertaining. I've heard the words, "Children need to sit and be quiet in church." I recently read:
Children learn to worship God primarily through participating in rightly ordered worship.
Children learn to love God by first learning how to love.
Children learn to reverence God by first learning how to reverence.
Children learn to fear God by first learning how to fear."
There is a proper need for reverence. I am not going to disagree with that at all. I believe that it is important that a child learns to worship God, love God, revere God and fear God.
The problem is that they don't.
Besides the 18+ group, the group that churches are missing are the 2nd through 5th graders. We are losing them when it is the most vital time for them to develop their worldviews. When they are most likely to become followers of Christ.
Probably because it is too boring. Probably because they are expected to act like adults. Probably because these children don't understand that God loves children as children.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven." It's not that we are literally keeping kids away from Jesus, it is that we are telling them that they have to act like adults in order to come to Jesus. Worst of all, we have intercepted the idea of an "adult heaven."
Praise God...last I checked he loved me the way I was...not after I started acting like someone I was not. God loves kids just like how they are as kids.
Worship...God is definitely a God of order. But "rightly ordered worship" doesn't mean sitting or standing still. And the definition changes depending on what culture you are in. I have seen children worship with every ounce of their soul, mind, body and strength by dancing and doing actions in a very rightly ordered way. The point is...is the focus on God? Are people getting hurt or injured? I think that when we are just sitting or standing, we are probably more focused on ourselves and how we appear than on truly worshiping God.
Love...It may be true that children first need to learn how to love other people like their family and friends before they can love God. But before children can learn how to love other people, they need to learn that other people love them, and most importantly God loves them. Just like how they are. Energy, creativity and all. God created them and loves them exactly like they are.
Reverence....means respect. Respect does not mean "not fun."
Fear...Fear also means respect. It doesn't mean being afraid of the punishment for breaking rules...it means respecting the boundaries, and that God is holy and set apart and we are sinners and not possibly worthy of the salvation we have received, if it were not for his grace in sending Jesus to us.
I think it is a lot more important that children learn to love Jesus with their whole bodies than that they sit and be quiet in church. Jesus created kiddos to be how they are. Have you ever noticed a child's creativity? Do you not realize it is only a reflection of the Creator's creativity? Their artwork is most certainly an act of worship.
I also read this recently, "I believe that the Word of God is mostly serious and somber. No one in Hell is laughing at the moment." Nope...no one is laughing in hell. But I guarantee that there is laughter in heaven. And singing. Lots of loud, joyful singing. I can also almost guarantee that there is dancing.
And the Word of God is not mostly serious and somber. Jesus was raging mad when he cleansed the temple. Have you not read the Old Testament? Like the story of the left handed warrior who killed the king on his toilet and he was so fat that the sword was completely enveloped inside of him? Funny! How about when some kids were making fun of Elijah, calling him "Bald head" and two female bears ran after them? That will teach some respect! David dances before the Lord and accidently reveals some underwear to maidservants. His wife gets mad at him, and guess what? She receives the ultimate disgrace...she died with out children. Jesus got mad and cursed a fig tree because it didn't have any fruit (and it wasn't even fig season!) A donkey that talks? How about when the young man who is trying to follow Jesus on the night He was arrested, escapes from the guards, but without clothes?
The Bible is funny. Enjoy it. Use your creativity to share it with kids. Whether that means creating a tomato and cucumber to tell stories...or roaches singing rap music. Get kids laughing so that they can learn to accept how much Jesus loves them because that probably won't happen while they are sitting still, being quiet in church...
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Lessons learned from a broken foot part 1
I usually try to avoid Wal-greens. I just haven't had too many great experiences. I turned in though, because I was in the left lane heading home and realized that I really needed to get a few things, and it was like "last stop for 30 miles." You know those signs in Kansas that say "last rest stop for 123 miles" and all of a sudden you realize you really have to pee. It's that rest stop with the broken toilet seat, the sink barely hanging on to the wall, and writing all over the walls, with the floor covered in toilet paper. It looks like a scene out of Rest Stop. That was the feeling that I had as I turned left, suddenly remembering that I needed more pm meds and the essential bread and milk.
We travelled through the store collecting the items that we needed. I rushed Kailie through the toy aisle, trying to convince her that we didn't need the scuba gear and bribing her with a soda on the way out. We hustled to the check lane with the fewest people possible and saw the doors of our refuge nearing closer. All of a sudden I realize why there was only one person in front of us.
The coupon lady.
She had three coupons for every item she was trying to purchase and her Wal-greens weekly advertisement in hand. Her money was no where in sight. In the mean time I am trying to stand on one leg. Because remember that my foot is broken, right? My hip begins throbbing. That is what happens when you stand on one leg too long. Your hip throbs. These thoughts are racing through my head...Be patient, be patient...find a place to sit...be strong....find a place to sit...hurry up..."Kailie we don't need that, put it down." That is when I hear, "Manager to check out three please." The computer won't accept one of the coupon lady's coupons. Imagine that.
At this point, I throw my three items into the cart, and hobble over to another check out where there are two people in front of me. Everyone in the store is like staring at me. In about 5 seconds flat the cashier checks us out. At this point, however, my hip is really hurting. And the debit card machine isn't accepting any of my requests. I have to hit "yes" or "no" or "ok" about a gazillion times and it asks me about a gazillion questions. Seriously? The cashier looks at me like I am the most impatient person on earth (apparently not noticing my crutches.) After the receipt prints out he shuts off his light and I think for a second, maybe he will help us out to the car, but he heads toward the back of the store. Some lady comes and steals our cart, and I think, ok, we can do this, we can get out the door. Kailie carries the bag of bread and our sodas, and I somehow manage to get the gallon of milk in my grasp along with my crutch. We get to the curb, and as we wait for traffic to pass, Kailie says, I can't carry this, it is too heavy. Ok, she is four. But I know I can't carry it. So I'm thinking...what the heck am I supposed to do? All the while, wondering, "won't someone help me?" and imagining myself carrying all of these things, tripping down the curb (which seemed more like a mountain at the time) and landing face first on the hot cement. But I am too darn proud to ask for help...
All of a sudden a hear a voice from behind, "Can I help you with that?" I figured it was the coupon lady, serves me right....but it was a lady that I played softball with, someone from my church. I swear there was a halo and "Hallelujah" music playing.
I almost cried.
She carried our two bags to our car and made sure we were ok. I was so so thankful.
Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that has to learn by experience. This whole breaking my foot thing has really taught me that I need to see people and be aware of their needs.
I realize that I am really selfish. I hate that about myself. I actually lose sleep over it. I agonize about the times that I didn't ask how this person was doing, or help so and so, or made a plain selfish decision that hurt other people.
I guess I don't really get how to change that until I have a need that is so painfully obvious but yet ignored by so many. Then I finally get it. Other people's needs and hurts are right in front of me, but I choose to ignore them because I am too busy with my own agenda, like saving 75 cents on pencils or finishing my list of tasks, or getting my candy bar to the car before it melts.
There are only two things in this world that will last...the Word of God and people. If we aren't focused on living out the Word of God and helping and ministering to people, then our whole entire life will be wasted.
Lord, please make me an instrument of your mercy to those who are hurting and in need around me today.
We travelled through the store collecting the items that we needed. I rushed Kailie through the toy aisle, trying to convince her that we didn't need the scuba gear and bribing her with a soda on the way out. We hustled to the check lane with the fewest people possible and saw the doors of our refuge nearing closer. All of a sudden I realize why there was only one person in front of us.
The coupon lady.
She had three coupons for every item she was trying to purchase and her Wal-greens weekly advertisement in hand. Her money was no where in sight. In the mean time I am trying to stand on one leg. Because remember that my foot is broken, right? My hip begins throbbing. That is what happens when you stand on one leg too long. Your hip throbs. These thoughts are racing through my head...Be patient, be patient...find a place to sit...be strong....find a place to sit...hurry up..."Kailie we don't need that, put it down." That is when I hear, "Manager to check out three please." The computer won't accept one of the coupon lady's coupons. Imagine that.
At this point, I throw my three items into the cart, and hobble over to another check out where there are two people in front of me. Everyone in the store is like staring at me. In about 5 seconds flat the cashier checks us out. At this point, however, my hip is really hurting. And the debit card machine isn't accepting any of my requests. I have to hit "yes" or "no" or "ok" about a gazillion times and it asks me about a gazillion questions. Seriously? The cashier looks at me like I am the most impatient person on earth (apparently not noticing my crutches.) After the receipt prints out he shuts off his light and I think for a second, maybe he will help us out to the car, but he heads toward the back of the store. Some lady comes and steals our cart, and I think, ok, we can do this, we can get out the door. Kailie carries the bag of bread and our sodas, and I somehow manage to get the gallon of milk in my grasp along with my crutch. We get to the curb, and as we wait for traffic to pass, Kailie says, I can't carry this, it is too heavy. Ok, she is four. But I know I can't carry it. So I'm thinking...what the heck am I supposed to do? All the while, wondering, "won't someone help me?" and imagining myself carrying all of these things, tripping down the curb (which seemed more like a mountain at the time) and landing face first on the hot cement. But I am too darn proud to ask for help...
All of a sudden a hear a voice from behind, "Can I help you with that?" I figured it was the coupon lady, serves me right....but it was a lady that I played softball with, someone from my church. I swear there was a halo and "Hallelujah" music playing.
I almost cried.
She carried our two bags to our car and made sure we were ok. I was so so thankful.
Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that has to learn by experience. This whole breaking my foot thing has really taught me that I need to see people and be aware of their needs.
I realize that I am really selfish. I hate that about myself. I actually lose sleep over it. I agonize about the times that I didn't ask how this person was doing, or help so and so, or made a plain selfish decision that hurt other people.
I guess I don't really get how to change that until I have a need that is so painfully obvious but yet ignored by so many. Then I finally get it. Other people's needs and hurts are right in front of me, but I choose to ignore them because I am too busy with my own agenda, like saving 75 cents on pencils or finishing my list of tasks, or getting my candy bar to the car before it melts.
There are only two things in this world that will last...the Word of God and people. If we aren't focused on living out the Word of God and helping and ministering to people, then our whole entire life will be wasted.
Lord, please make me an instrument of your mercy to those who are hurting and in need around me today.
Hypocrites...
Facebook is an interesting creature. It really depends on how much you want to put into it. If you ignore it, it will pretty much ignore you. If you are psycho obsessed with it (writer inadvertently raises hand) it will become psycho obsessed with you. The more you are on it, the more places it will take you.
I have to admit, with this broken foot I am on Facebook much more than I need to be. I kind of have this feeling that since I can't do anything (oh, like walk across the room, at least, easily) I just don't want to do anything at all. Certainly I am capable of doing many things, even with a broken foot, I am just allowing laziness to take over my life.
So Facebook...I found a link from Mornings with Brant to a blog about something the writer had heard on the show. Since I have *nothing* else to do, I follow along and read. I didn't actually hear the show, but since I frequently listen to it online I am aware of the typical Brant rhetoric. The topic was moral hypocrisy. This author talked about the sort of double life that we lead. We are major advocates of the awareness of some particular injustice, and yet we find our own selves practicing that injustice in some form or another.
I found myself sort of slapped in the face that morning. I have been realizing that as I write on this blog about how to effectively disciple children and be super spiritual parents, to a degree I am avoiding those duties myself. We go time and time without actually picking up her Bible and reading it. I get really frustrated and tired and don't discipline the right, godly way. In fact I end up yelling. GASP.
We have this book, by Mem Fox (my favorite), Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild. My daughter thinks it is fun to replace her name with Harriet's. I don't. Harriet's mom ends up yelling at her, and really it is the dog's fault. I really don't like it because I really yell at my daughter when it is probably the dog's fault. Harriet's mom doesn't like to yell, but she did, and it probably happens more often than she likes too.
Lately, I've been reading about David. I think he is probably one of my favorite Bible characters. Maybe because I identify with him a little bit. I mean, no one thinks about David and doesn't think about Bathsheba. But they also remember that David was a man after God's own heart. And God favored David. So ya, I'm ok with being identified with David. Anyway, twice in only a few chapters of 2 Samuel, David is confronted with his hypocrisy. The first is of course the issue with Bathsheba. Nathan confronts him with his sin by telling a story of a poor man, a rich man, and an ewe. David is outraged and shouts a punishment for this rich man, in which Nathan turns and uncovers David's sin.
The second account is lesser known.
One of David's sons lusts after his daughter, Tamar. He concocts a plan to sleep with her, and then hates her after she has been defiled. Absalom, the brother of Tamar takes vengeance on this rapist, and kills him. Absalom then runs off to another country for safety. For years Absalom is banished. Joab, David's general and advisor convinces David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, but David still refuses to see him. They hire a woman to make up a story of an injustice in her family in which she will be left childless. When David gives her his judgment, she questions his own actions with his son Absalom.
You see, even the best of men, even those who truly desire to follow God in their hearts have issues with hypocrisy. I'm not saying it is ok. But isn't it better to be aware of the truths of rights and wrongs and trying to discern wisdom from them, than to be totally ignorant of the truth?
I think that it is a constant struggle everyone will face. The trials of overcoming our iniquities are what make us stronger and more resilient to them.
The key of being a David rather than a Pharisee is repentance. Repentance means stopping what you are doing and turning from it. David confessed his sin and repented from it and God favored him.
My mom questions whether people actually read my blog. Whether they do or not, I have realized, the point of blogging is mostly personal development. For me, it is putting what I have learned, or aspire to do, in print. Printing it online gives me somewhat of an accountability, more so than in a private journal.
You see, I feel like I need to print my inadequacies so that 1. my readers understand that I am not perfect and am still struggling to find the right answers and 2. I have accountability for my own personal growth.
I guess that means a little less Facebook and a little more family books. ;)
I have to admit, with this broken foot I am on Facebook much more than I need to be. I kind of have this feeling that since I can't do anything (oh, like walk across the room, at least, easily) I just don't want to do anything at all. Certainly I am capable of doing many things, even with a broken foot, I am just allowing laziness to take over my life.
So Facebook...I found a link from Mornings with Brant to a blog about something the writer had heard on the show. Since I have *nothing* else to do, I follow along and read. I didn't actually hear the show, but since I frequently listen to it online I am aware of the typical Brant rhetoric. The topic was moral hypocrisy. This author talked about the sort of double life that we lead. We are major advocates of the awareness of some particular injustice, and yet we find our own selves practicing that injustice in some form or another.
I found myself sort of slapped in the face that morning. I have been realizing that as I write on this blog about how to effectively disciple children and be super spiritual parents, to a degree I am avoiding those duties myself. We go time and time without actually picking up her Bible and reading it. I get really frustrated and tired and don't discipline the right, godly way. In fact I end up yelling. GASP.
We have this book, by Mem Fox (my favorite), Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild. My daughter thinks it is fun to replace her name with Harriet's. I don't. Harriet's mom ends up yelling at her, and really it is the dog's fault. I really don't like it because I really yell at my daughter when it is probably the dog's fault. Harriet's mom doesn't like to yell, but she did, and it probably happens more often than she likes too.
Lately, I've been reading about David. I think he is probably one of my favorite Bible characters. Maybe because I identify with him a little bit. I mean, no one thinks about David and doesn't think about Bathsheba. But they also remember that David was a man after God's own heart. And God favored David. So ya, I'm ok with being identified with David. Anyway, twice in only a few chapters of 2 Samuel, David is confronted with his hypocrisy. The first is of course the issue with Bathsheba. Nathan confronts him with his sin by telling a story of a poor man, a rich man, and an ewe. David is outraged and shouts a punishment for this rich man, in which Nathan turns and uncovers David's sin.
The second account is lesser known.
One of David's sons lusts after his daughter, Tamar. He concocts a plan to sleep with her, and then hates her after she has been defiled. Absalom, the brother of Tamar takes vengeance on this rapist, and kills him. Absalom then runs off to another country for safety. For years Absalom is banished. Joab, David's general and advisor convinces David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, but David still refuses to see him. They hire a woman to make up a story of an injustice in her family in which she will be left childless. When David gives her his judgment, she questions his own actions with his son Absalom.
You see, even the best of men, even those who truly desire to follow God in their hearts have issues with hypocrisy. I'm not saying it is ok. But isn't it better to be aware of the truths of rights and wrongs and trying to discern wisdom from them, than to be totally ignorant of the truth?
I think that it is a constant struggle everyone will face. The trials of overcoming our iniquities are what make us stronger and more resilient to them.
The key of being a David rather than a Pharisee is repentance. Repentance means stopping what you are doing and turning from it. David confessed his sin and repented from it and God favored him.
My mom questions whether people actually read my blog. Whether they do or not, I have realized, the point of blogging is mostly personal development. For me, it is putting what I have learned, or aspire to do, in print. Printing it online gives me somewhat of an accountability, more so than in a private journal.
You see, I feel like I need to print my inadequacies so that 1. my readers understand that I am not perfect and am still struggling to find the right answers and 2. I have accountability for my own personal growth.
I guess that means a little less Facebook and a little more family books. ;)
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