Count it all joy when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
The Apostle James
Many believe US Christians are spiritually immature. Perhaps. If so, why? Bad preaching? Shallow books? Too little prayer? Gordon MacDonald suggests it’s our avoidance of suffering. Dallas Willard agrees, writing, “It is essential to our growth into the ‘mind’ of Jesus that we accept the ‘trials’ of ordinary existence as the place where we experience and find the reign of God-with-us as actual reality. We are not to try to get in a position to avoid trials. And we are not to ‘catastrophize’ and declare ‘the end of the world’ when things happen.” If these two are right, and I believe they are, the trials we face are not evils to avoid, challenges to overcome, or evidence of God’s disfavor. They are the place where God and growth are to be found.
Congrats to the Nats. I wish it were the Cubs, but at least it wasn’t the Cardinals. And besides, it’s fun to be able to cheer something coming out of D.C.
What to make of Kanye? Last week, Kayne West – the musician / media mogul / entrepreneur/ husband of Kim Kardashian and generally all-around controversial personality – released a new album, called Jesus is King. As always, West has generated lots of reaction of all types, including this piece by National Review editor, David French. How to respond? I think it’s prudent to take reports of his conversion seriously, and to pray for him.
The Nones: Much is reported about those who select “no faith” as their religion of choice, but few mine the data to see all that is going on. According to a recent survey, eighty-two percent of Americans who do not go to church, say they would go “if invited by a friend.”Some even suggest that they are hoping someone asks them. Sadly, according to a different survey, only two percent of church-attenders invite anyone to church during the course of any given year.
The USA in 2045: At last week’s Q Commons event, we supplemented national talks by Malcolm Gladwell, Francis Chan and Rebekah Lyons with one from Greg Jao, a senior IVCF staff member. Jao spoke on the US in 2045 – which is just one generation (25 years) away, and which is the projected date that will end a white majority in the US. What will the US be like when it’s comprised of 49.7% whites, 24.6% blacks, 13.1% Hispanics, 7.9% Asians, 3.8% Multiracial and .9% other? Jao says, look to today’s teens and twentysomethings for your answer. That is their current reality.
Location: In some academic circles, attention has returned to place. After saying that technology made our zip code irrelevant, they now say the opposite: both where you were born and where you currently live are now thought to matter. All of this has brought back the debate about which locations are most important. New York? Silicon Valley? Washington DC? Hong Kong? Hmm, I always thought the most important places of all were Bethlehem and Golgotha.
Fifty-five Going on Sixteen: Several years ago, Dr. Robert Lewis – the founder of Men’s Fraternity – made a somewhat chilling observation. He noted that empty-nesters are a lot like high school juniors and seniors. How so? Both suddenly find themselves with newfound freedom. And many mishandle it and suffer spiritually.
Fifty-Nine: Speaking of fifty-year-old’s, next week I turn 59. In case you haven’t heard, it’s the new 58. (By the way, I am pretty sure I can already read at a 61-year-old level). Joking aside, it’s interesting to grow older in a society that values youth. Some say “growing old is not for cowards,” which I understand. (What “mature” adult wouldn’t jump at the chance to have their 25-year-old body again?). What I am not sure how to respond to are those who tell me, “Growing old is hard. But it beats the alternative.” I’m tempted to say, “Jesus and Paul say otherwise!”
The Outrage Culture: Many claim that outrage is the new normal, and suggest we adapt. Do not listen to them. Let those outside the church scream and shout. The new normal we are to aspire to is to be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Challenges: Two years ago, Christ Church launched REACH, an initiative focused on starting new “communities of grace, hope and love” and serving others, especially those outside our walls. We are moving into our second year of the rollout, and there are lots of fun things to report. But the work we are trying to do is an act of war against evil, and it’s full of challenges. When I am tempted to whine, I reread Paul’s report of his challenges found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, and realize how easily things are going!
Medical Emergencies 2.0: Last week I passed along a fireman’s comments about how 911 calls have been changing. He said: more calls to help the elderly and more psych calls. Others with related expertise agreed, but added one other trend: patients – especially those in their 30s, 40s and 50s – weigh more than in the past. In fact, the change is so significant that many departments have had to move to heavier-duty gurneys in order to accommodate patients.
Closing Prayer: Lord, I pray that you may be a lamp for me in the darkness. Touch my soul and kindle a fire within it, that it may burn brightly and give light to my life. Thus my body may truly become your temple, lit by your perpetual flame burning on the altar of my heart. And may the light within me shine on my brethren that it may drive away the darkness of ignorance and sin from them also. Thus together let us be to the world, manifesting the bright beauty of your gospel to all around us. Amen. (Columbanus 543-615)