Addicted to Lesser Things

 

In 2018, Francis Chan published a book titled Letters to the Church. In 2024, I borrowed that book from the library and started reading it. In just the second chapter, I began to feel excited, and perhaps a little chastised, by what I was reading.

Having explained, in Chapter One, why he left the megachurch he helped establish, Chan bursts out of the starting gate of Chapter Two with a Scriptural examination of just how amazing and sacred the church is meant to be...and how all the modern emphasis on church growth and bringing in people with professionally-produced worship services is missing the mark.

"Through the cross, people of every nation and tongue become members of one body? Amazing! God Himself is joining His creation and allowing them to be a part of His body? Unbelievable!"

Chan talks about how "the modern church" has failed to see itself as the sacred organism it is and has sunken to using business models and entertainment models instead of the Spirit's guidance.

"I can't help but see our own lameness in failing to see the beauty in God's design for the Church. Heavenly beings are shocked by God's Church, while many on earth yawn. The early church didn't need the energetic music, great videos, attractive leaders, or elaborate lighting to be excited about being a part of God's body. The pure gospel was enough to put them in a place of awe.

Aren't you at least a little embarrassed that you have needed the extra stuff? It's not all your fault. For decades church leaders like myself have lost sight of the powerful mystery inherent in the Church and have instead run to other methods to keep people interested. In all honesty, we have trained you to become addicted to lesser things. We have cheapened something sacred, and we must repent."

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Truth is...There's nothing inherently wrong with being a megachurch. But filling huge auditoriums is not a guaranteed sign that the Spirit is moving within. The WWF and the NFL can fill thousands of seats as people observe their events. And if a congregation is attracting people to a great show instead of a great savior...is it really a church?

Everybody's Got the Blues Sometimes

 

Have you ever felt like, even though you want to think of yourself as a unique individual with a special set of abilities and experiences, there's nothing about you that really stands out?

John Koenig, in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, has a term for that:

the standard blues  -  n. the dispiriting awareness that the twists and turns of your life feel new and profound but are not unique - marked by the same coming-of-age struggles as millions of others, the same career setbacks, the same family strife, the same learning curve of parenting - which makes even your toughest challenges feel harmless and predictable, just another remake of the same old story. [A riff on blues standards, the catalog of the most popular songs in the blues genre, which is itself famous for chord progressions that cycle through variations on a theme.]

Paul put it this way in 1st Corinthians 10:13 (CSB): "No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity." But then he adds this bit of encouragement: "But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it."

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Truth is...This reminds me of the words of Jesus in John 16:33 (NIV): "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"

Just When You Start Thinking You're Sooooo Important

 

Serving as an excellent bad example yet again, Bill Waterson's Calvin seems to think he has complete control over a small group of flowers.

Then, just as he really gets wound up with his self-importance, God steps in.

Truth is...By the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. (Romans 12:3 CSV)

I Need a Good Lawyer

 

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father  -  Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

I John 2:1

Here's the picture John draws: It's the courtroom at the end of all time; the final judgment. Lucifer serves as the prosecuting attorney. His table is piled high with affidavits and depositions and enough physical evidence to fill a storage unit.

On the opposite side is the space reserved for the defendant. That would be me...or you, if you're inclined to put yourself in the scenario. The counsel for the defense is Yeshua Barjoseph; commonly called Jesus Christ. The table where we sit is empty. No notes. No file folders. Not even a briefcase.

Behind the judge's bench, gavel in hand, is the lord of all creation, El Shaddai, Yahweh, the Almighty.

Even with this foreboding setup, I'm pretty sure it will be the shortest trial in the history of litigation.

LUCIFER: Your honor, you must find him guilty!

JESUS: Ah, but Father, look at the defendant. He is clothed in my righteousness.

YAHWEH: Not guilty! Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness.

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Truth is...Maybe there actually will be a guilty verdict, but it will be found that the sentence for my crimes has already been served. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." II Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)