Heaven

I was standing outside a moment ago talking to a good friend about Heaven. When was the last time I did that? When was the last time I honestly thought about what it is going to be like? When was the last time you did? I'm not talking about the last time you sat and recited the common, "No more tears, no more pain, no more..." blah, blah, blah. Sure, those things are true, but when was the last time you actually thought about Heaven? What is it going to be like? Are we even really looking forward to it, brothers and sisters (if you are one)? When was the last time you daydreamed about being there, worshiping, becoming one with Christ? Seriously, everyone, what do you think about heaven?

We all love politics

Politics have such a negative connotation, and can't we see why? I should say here that I'm not talking about Bush, Martin, Blair, Sharon, or any of these world leaders. I'm talking about the regular politics of our lives. You know, the politics that govern with whom we spend time, whom we ask to do what tasks, to whom we grant honor. That kind of politics. Often politicking seems a menial exercise that frustrates people who have to "put on the dog," reenforces people who have too much dog put on already, and ignores people who need more dog. Last night, however, I think I saw one of the best examples of appropriate politics that's been around in awhile. Though I rarely agree with extravagance spent on worthless politics, I participated with a music group to perform before a group at a banquet last night. Was this banquet for all the up and coming, all the staff and faculty, all the big donors? No. It was for the people who labor in the ministry, for those in our community who give of themselves freely, for those unsung heroes in and among us who really deserve it. (Of course, the powers that be were still there.) In a place that often tests my patience with political practices, I was impressed to see some "just" politicking going on last night.

Three Strikes, You're Out

I know I'm learning a lot about ministry. I know I don't understand much of what happens in my own ministry in a given week. However, one thing I know is that God's grace is perfectly sufficient for us. What do "Three Strikes" have to do with grace, you ask? (If not, just go along with it.)

I just read an e-mail from a friend in ministry. We've been dialoguing about leadership lately. He said that he feels we need to stop doing things for people. He clarified by saying, "We need to serve, not condone bad behavior." So far, I agreed. Then he said something like, "We need to help people the first time they mess up, give them a little more responsibility the next time, and if they mess up more than three times, it's time for us to let them wake up on their own." By not doing things for people, I originally thought he was referring to responsibilities in the church. However, it became clear that he thinks effective Christian leadership means discipling someone to a point. If they don't get it from there, they're probably too far gone. Thank the Lord that Jesus never had that mindset with Peter...or with me! Grace is sufficient even with those who need more time, folks. Effective Christian leadership may mean rebuking bad behavior and avoiding co-dependency, but it NEVER means cutting people off. What if we as Christian leaders are the only conduit through which God's grace is actually being accepted by someone? Who are we to control God's grace? When did we cross this line?

Thinking Late at Night Again

(Yes, I know...I'm double-posting again.)

I was thinking late at night again, everyone. (Funny how I say "everyone" when I know few people read this, in the grand scheme of things.) We all know how dangerous this is, but this time it was good. I almost called this post "Precious" because of the guy with whom I was thinking, but I assumed you all would think he was actually Smeagol. (He wasn't.)

I think about people a lot. When I see people, it doesn't take long for me to gather an impression. Usually I get rid of my initial impressions because that's called pre-judging or prejudice (please see my post about homosexuals). However, I occasionally see people whose impressions on me are so great that I rejoice when they are correct. I was up late the other night, thinking with one such person. This guy's life reminds me that emotions and good relationships are so valuable that you might even call them precious. While some people guard their time and money, which do nothing but waste away, others guard their hearts and minds. Hearts and minds can be developed. Emotions are beautiful (even negative ones). Relationships are treasures. In a world that values many things at the expense of emotions and relationships, it felt good to be reminded that these are time-honored blessings. If you know the Jew (you know whom I mean) and you don't have this impression, then you should stand back and take a longer look.

Baptism

I experienced a phenomenal time of worship on Sunday. My participation in the service as part of a guest ministry team to the church kept me on the stage for the duration of the service. Two baptisms opened the service. Here's how they went:

The first person was in the baptismal with the senior pastor, who asked questions for a profession of faith. The person then gave testimony to the goodness of the Lord. The person was baptised, and the cycle repeated for the next person.

The amazing thing was the sense of celebration that occurred among some of the people in the church. I am so used to people just sitting and watching a baptism as if it's just another thing those Christians do. However, there was a small handful of people that seemed to recognize that baptism is really a sacrament. In other words, they recognized the fact that the baptisees were participating in the real presence of the Lord. When did we lose this concept as a church? How can Christians sit glibly in church yawning while someone professes their faith and emerges from the waters of baptism as a new person?