A Fool For Christ

The story is told of an agnostic anthropologist who visited some islands in the South Pacific. He was critical of the chief of the tribe. "You’re a great leader, but it’s a pity you’ve been taken in by those Christian missionaries. They only want to get rich through you. No one believes the Bible anymore. People are tired of the story of Christ dying on a cross for the sins of mankind. They know better now.  It’s foolish for you to accept their story." 

 

The old chief said, "Do you see that big rock over there? That’s where we used to smash the heads of our victims. See the furnace next to it? That’s where we used to roast the bodies of our enemies. If it hadn’t been for those good missionaries and the love of Jesus that changed us from cannibals into Christians, we’d be eating you for supper tonight. Be glad I’m a fool for Christ.”

American Idol

If I hear one more thing about American Idol I'm gonna puke.

Before I begin this article that may at times sound like it's coming from the keyboard of a raging fundamentalist, I need to confess.  I watch TV.  A couple of weeks ago I sat in front of TBS and watched a 3 hour Friends marathon about Ross going to England to get married and Rachel following him over to tell Ross she loved him.  It was addicting.  I usually make time to watch Everybody Loves Raymond.  The final episode is this coming Monday at 8 - a 90 minute show.  I like to watch reruns, proven classics, like Seinfeld, Andy Griffith, and All In The Family.  I've caught parts of 24 and Revelations and have been interested but haven't made time to watch them.  Teenagers and church activities keep us busy. 

Years ago in my first pastorate after graduating seminary, I had a revelation.  I used to go out a lot at night visiting members and prospects.  Monday Night Visitation we called it.  There was one particular subdivision of cookie cutter homes where I made a lot of visits.  Most of those homes had a large bay window in front and you could see the living room inside.  I remember cruising down the streets of the neighborhood at night seeing house after house after house with a square blue light glowing in each den.  "How much television do people watch?" I asked myself.  Is this all they do with their down time?  Does anyone know how to read or converse or, God forbid, play a board game with their kids?

You've seen the studies about how many hours per day people watch TV.  I'm not going to go Google the statistics right now because you know it is embarrassing.  I'm probably a little below the national average.  We don't and never have had a TV in our bedroom.  Our pastor advised us not to when we were married almost 22 years ago.  I don't wake up with the TV on.  I don't watch it much in the daytime so what TV I watch is at night.  (Oh yeah, I like to watch The Daily Show at 11 PM, weeknights on Comedy Central.) 

I cringe when I hear people talk about not having enough time to get important things done, like spending time with God and family.  Then they tell me every detail of every show that was on NBC during prime time the night before.  A few weeks ago I included a story from John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life, about the couple who may only have seashells to show God when they get to heaven.  (Go read it now if you haven't already.)  What if we get to heaven one day and God reveals to us that we spent 145,549 hours watching the American Idol, i.e., TV?  Won't that be a proud moment? 

 

How to change a life

"It takes a changing life to change a life." - Joseph Stowell

 

 

A New Thought: Being Balanced

For years I've heard the analogy that when we have our relationship with God in order (illustrated with a vertical line) our relationships with others (horizontal line) will be in order too. You've probably heard this illustration many times. Recently I was made aware of an interesting thought, i.e., the need for the relationship with God to be balanced. If our relationship with God goes too far either way (fanatical or rebellious) it affects our relationship with others.

In other words, if you are going to be an influence for Christ in the culture and in the lives of those around you then you need to be sure you don't go to any extremes. An extreme devotion (e.g., a monk isolated in a monastery or a radical fundamentalist) has little or no influence on those around him. Let's face it. Most people think they are kooky. A rebellious lifestyle that claims a relationship with God but shows no evidence of a genuine relationship with him (e.g., Christians on the twice a year plan who attend church on Easter and Christmas) has no influence either.

We must balance our relationship with God so that we can have a solid relationship and influence on others.