A random fact or two…
It is May 5th, 2011 and I am already tired of all the speculation concerning the 2012 Presidential election. However, being the data-nerd that I am I find the research leading up to the election fascinating.
The most interesting thing I've read in awhile comes out the Pew Research Center. They conducted massive surveys of over 3,000 people and used the information to develop a political typology report. They asked questions about government performance, religion, business, foreign policy, race and many other subjects.
Using all this data they determined there were 9 distinct political groups in American 2011: staunch conservatives, main street republicans, libertarians, disaffecteds, post-moderns, new coalition democrats, hard-pressed democrats, solid liberals and bystanders. They even developed a short quiz so you can see which group you most align with.
I love the random tidbits of data.
- 2 out of 10 of solid liberals watch The Daily Show on a regular basis.
- Libertarians have a low church attendance rates.
- 57% of staunch republicans own guns.
- 63% of post-moderns use social-networking
Take the quiz yourself!
What could I live without?
- http://www.water4christmas.com/index.html
I would be embarrassed to count how many times a day I call myself poor or broke or without. I publicly lament my public-school-teacher salary and lust after things like shopping sprees, home ownership and KitchenAid Stand Mixers (Pistachio Artisan Series please). Water4Christmas,an organization that encourages people to support charity:water's efforts to bring clean drinking water to Africa, is challenging my rather skewed self-perception.
"Right now, almost 1 billion people are currently living without clean, safe drinking water and basic sanitation. 4500 children die each day from the lack of clean drinking water. This is unacceptable."
What do I do with statistics like these? How do I process the discrepancy between them and my daily view of my "needs?" Water4Christmas is suggesting that I get honest about how much I have, much more than I could ever need. They are issuing a six month challenge. Each month, from April to September, you are to give up something you can easily live without and use the money saved to help provide water, something no one can live without.
The monthly breakdown will be as follows:
April: Coffee (soda, bottled water, unnecessary drinks, in general)
May: Lunch (eat out for lunch? ‘brown bag it’ instead)
June: Entertainment (movies, music etc.)
July: Pampering services (massages, mani/pedi, hair services, etc.)
July: Shopping (pass up new clothes, shoes, purses etc.)
August: Dining Out (eat at home instead)
I'm not exactly sure what this might look like for me ( for instance in July I don't really partake in many "pampering services") but I love the premise. I need those reminders that I have excessive wealth compared to most of the world. And because of that wealth, it's my privilege and responsibility to pass it on.
$4.00 Gasoline
Something folks have been talking about lately is the possibility of $4 gasoline in our very near future. I'm not really a fan of paying more money for things, but I'm wondering if this is really such a bad thing for us as Americans/ citizens of the world. I think we all know that we need to stop polluting so much, and charging more money for gasoline is a good way to do that.
When I hear people talk about our energy future and global warming issues (they're intrinsically connected) I get really frustrated when people talk about the solution being a technology of the future. We have some simple strategies that we can do to address these problems and they essentially all point back to reduction and efficiency. Driving more efficient vehicles, tempering your thermostat and programing it properly, turning off equipment when not being used, carpooling, biking or walking for short distance travel, using high efficiency lighting and various other methods are simple ways of addressing global stewardship and energy reduction.
I just want to challenge you to look for ways reduce your energy consumption. Don't wait on others for the solution that comes from a magic wand. We can't live the way we are living right now. Let's, as Christians, set an example of stewardship and energy waste.
Burlington Mosque Factory
So a recent bit of news that's time has passed that had a lot of debate was the "Ground Zero Mosque" that is to be located a few blocks from "Ground Zero" in NYC where an old Burlington Coat Factory is or used to be.
Proposed Ground Zero Mosque (thanks Wikipedia)
I can totally see how people can get emotionally charged about anything related to "Ground Zero" or "Freedom of Religion". I'm not going to try and debate that. But there is something that this whole "discussion" is making me keenly aware of...
It seems to me that the guys that are trying to build this facility have no ties to the folks involved with 9-11, but they are catching a lot of flack for those events. If there is some association between the folks building the mosque and the 9-11 guys, let's arrest them. But as far as I can tell no one has been arrested yet.
I'm thinking how I can relate for the association I get with some folks out there that do stuff in the name of Christianity or as a Baptist that I have to deal with. It's easy to throw a blanket stereotype over groups and make assumptions.
Hate Pic 1
Hate Pic 2
Pictured above are some folks that hold a belief that I don't associate myself with. And I'm betting they wouldn't agree to some of my views, but we both claim to hold the title of "Christian." And I'd give you odds that they probably claim to be "Baptist" as well. But that's an extreme example of some beliefs that I don't want to associate myself with.
I don't hate America. I don't hate people that identify themselves as homosexual. I don't hate Muslims. I don't hate other Baptists. I don't hate soldiers.
What I do want is for us to be considerate of who we accuse of what. And the consequences of what we're doing.
Just some simple thoughts.
What would you write?
I recently saw this promo for an interesting conference in Toronto. Then I stumbled across a response from one of my favorite bloggers. What we need is bigger banquet tables.
All of this makes me wonder what my message would be...
Buffett
So I was watching Warren Buffett on an internet video. In case you didn't know, he's loaded. And accordingly folks want to envy him and give him all the social acclaim that comes with money. And I admit that my ears perk up anytime I hear news of WB. But what's interesting to me of late is that he's been on this whole philanthropy kick. Recently he, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates got together to challenge some billionaires to give a way half to all of their fortunes.
What's interesting to me about all this is that it causes me to challenge the way I view money, it's role and relationship with society, people and Christianity. I'm not saying that Buffett is or isn't a super Christian, but it's causing me to think about how I view money and what does it mean.
I believe in giving of your money, time, talents, etc to God and others. That can come in many forms, but I'm a simple person raised from childhood in the church. So I can easily translate that into, "Give the church 10% of my income." Which that philosophy has good scriptural backing, but I do believe it's an overly simple way of looking at this issue of giving.
Now if you think I'm going to go on about giving your time and talents you're right. And if you think I'm going to down play the significance of giving money, you're wrong. Give time, talents, love and all that stuff. But I want to harp for a second on money.
From what I hear, the younger generation is pretty crappy about giving money. So we need to get on the ball here. I'm not saying 10% to your local church, but I am saying a predetermined amount to "Jesus-work". (Do you like how I just made up a word there?) It's really hard for me to go to Southeast Asia every month to love people, but I can contribute every month to Jesus-work in Southeast Asia. And maybe 5 years down the road I can go there. I can't spend 50-60 hours a week being a discipleship minister in downtown Little Rock, but I can give a portion of my income to help Betsy do that. So let me challenge you to set a predetermined amount, percentage, figure to give and find one, two, three organizations to give to and do it.
Now we all need to give of our time and talents. So just be sure you're doing that. Maybe that can take the form of scheduling a time to give blood. Maybe you use your professional skills in a non-profit way like tutoring or volunteering at a non-profit. Or maybe we just take time to visit with someone who needs some social recognition and attention.
So in conclusion... Give in all aspects.
The End
JEE
Being One
Below is a post from our friend Richard. Check it out and checkout Richard's blog.
There are stories about churches who have gone through hard times because of a pastor leaving the church. When I was a kid, I remember the first time I got to experience this. Growing up we went to PVBC. The pastor that was pastor of the church was asked to leave because he had become ineffective as a pastor.
So he left, and I remember a lot of people being angry and fighting in the church. One flat out cursed a blue streak saying he was going to “smack his blank all over the parking lot” to our worship leader. I remember going into the children’s areas and seeing writings from Revelation all over the wall.
For some of these people, it was a sense of entitlement. For some it was perhaps a belief of betrayal. I can remember people getting angry at one another because they couldn’t believe that they would dare take away the authority of the pastor. For some it is a sense of anger because they didn’t understand why this was happening. Why would someone ask this man to step down-after what he did for me?
It was awkward and uncomfortable to go through. I don’t know if it got to the point of the church splitting, but looking back, I know that it was close.
Some might say, we’ll that is just the ugly part of church life. That is normal. Really? The “ugly” part of church life is to be understood as a part of church. Is that what Christ expected? If you will, turn with me to John 17:20-23
John 17:20-26 (TNIV)
Jesus Prays for All Believers
(20) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— (23) I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
I. Being one with each other:
In regards to the church, what does Jesus ask for us to be, according to verse 21? Being one with each other. Now in the global type all believers in the world we are to be united. Shouldn’t matter if you’re a protestant or Catholic. Whether you are a Southern Baptist or Missionary Baptist. However, if you are a Methodist…..just kidding! What matters is not doctrine when it comes to eternity. What matters is whether or not you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On a local church level, what that means is that we are to work together, and put aside our differences. Let’s look and see what Paul says.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (TNIV)
[12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
[15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
[21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [31] Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
What this means is that even though we are different, we are to value those differences. We are to value that we each have unique and amazing abilities. Not that one is better than the rest, for there is no better position. That is why Scriptures teach that if one is hurting in the church, they are not the only one. If one rejoices, they are not the only one.
So many churches forget this. They divide into cliques or they outcast someone in the church who is different. They won’t take the time to know them, and the person leaves.
Jesus calls us to a life away from that. He says may we be one. What part of your body is the most important? Can you function normally without your eyes? I use to not like mine-Superman has blue eyes, I have brown. But, Chrystal likes them so I guess they are okay. Now I know that people can live “normal” lives without some body parts, but do you get the point. My body is only complete when it all works together. That is how we need to be: One with each other.
Be One with God
Not only are we to be one with each other, we are to be one with God. Look back at John 17:21. Notice what it says about us and Jesus, and God. That we may be one with them. What does this mean?
What does it mean to be one with God and Christ as they are one with each other? It means that we are to be doing the things that God wants us to do. That we are doing the will of the Father.
How do we know the will of the Father? Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) says, “[13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When we do the things that God wants us to do, we are seeking his will and that is seeking God with our whole heart.
These are the things: helping the poor, outcast, the hurt, the oppressed, the needy, the disadvantage, anyone who does not know Christ. Bringing hope to the hopeless, Showing redemption to the unredemptive of society.
So That the World may know.
(22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— (23) I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
We are to be one with each other and one with God. Because it is the world that needs it. It is the world that depends on it.
What is the Gospel for you? May you be blessed to be one with each other. May you find joy in those differences and may you be blessed to be one in celebration with God. As you do that, you will find the direction that God has for you.
Richard Ball – God’s Call On My Life…
The following is a post from our good friend Richard Ball. He has a really cool blog that you can find here.
I can't sleep. It is 1am and I have to teach in the morning and I cannot sleep. You see, I have been thinking about my calling. In the fall of 1997, God called me to be involved in pastoral ministry it wasn't some voice or anything, it was that feeling that you get when you know that God is calling you to do something specific (I promise that I am not crazy). Mine was a calling that preachers tend to call it "surrender to the ministry." So, I went to school to become a Youth Minister. Graduated in 5 years from Ouachita Baptist with a degree in Biblical Studies. Through the years of college, I had steadily been involved in various church activities and held all sorts of church titles, thinking that I was building experience.
I leave the church where I was at doing all sorts of things because I moved to Little Rock and married the most beautiful girl in the world. She was about to take a job at a school and shortly thereafter, I got a job teaching in the same school. I had thought that God had called me to bi-vocational ministry, because the church where I was at didn’t pay because they couldn’t. All the while I still felt God calling me to church ministry. I was gonna have it all.
Shortly after taking my job at the school with my lovely wife, I discover that there is a church opening for a Youth Pastor. Thinking that this was the hand of God, I immediately threw my name in the ring. And I got the job! Things were amazing! So, I thought. What followed was a 9 month period of fighting, defending my job, pain, and heartache. Every two weeks I was defending my job and every other month I was having to deal with issues that were already dealt with in the previous month. I was lied about, undermined, and literally ambushed. One time I went to meet a parent and a couple of kids to discuss some of their concerns. I walked into the room to find that there were about three deacons and 8 parents with the entire youth all looking at me, voicing their “concerns.” I felt like I was about to be shot. Then the church ran into some financial problems and stated that me, and the children’s minister could no longer be paid. The constant lack of leadership and in-fighting in the church which seemed to be directed constantly at me began to take its toll, and in June of that year, I left the church. Crushed, feeling that God is not calling me to ministry in a traditional church.
A year or so later, I become Chapel Pastor at my school. Finally, I thought, this is what God wanted me to do. To be a non-traditional pastor, and for 3 years, I was doing what I felt God calling me to do. This was the beginning of new things. But, after 3 years, it was time for me to step down. And it seemed that God was silent. I would pray for what to do next, and he would not respond. But then he started guiding me to something that I felt He was not calling me to do. Over this past year, I have gotten to do pulpit supply (fill in for a vacant preacher) and speak at a revival. I’ve gotten to be involved in some amazing ministries (creating a CBF of Arkansas group page, blogging for you guys and girls from time to time, making connections, etc.), as well as give help to a new pastor, and wanting to work with him to help grow his church. But through it all, God has shown me that He is directing me back to pastoral ministry.
And this is where it gets kind of frustrating. I don’t really know where to begin. I’m looking at schools to pursue graduate work, but I don’t know where to connect to get my name out there to churches. At times I feel that God is holding back and I feel that I’m ready. But I don’t want to rush it, but I want to know! So this is where I’m at-God calling me to be a pastor but not knowing where to go or what to do.
Have you ever felt God call you to do something specific, and you’re not sure where to begin? Do you ever get frustrated with God? Impatient? If you don’t mind, leave a comment and let me know whether I’m crazy, or that I’m not the only one who feels this way sometimes. Also, please pray for me as God guides my footsteps that I will have understanding when God doesn't move as fast as I want.
Your Passion
I'm a fairly avid peruser of the Huffington Post, and I was checking out today when I found a story by Sean Aiken where he was in search of a job he was passionate about. He spent 1 week at a new job for 52 weeks. It's a really neat story and he's had some crazy and cool jobs, but I think he brings up a more serious point behind the wackiness of the story.
"Are you doing what you're passionate about?"
I have to admit, I don't like that phrasing. I don't truly believe in extreme passion for most everyone. I think there are a few people out there that do have a passion for something, but I like to think most of us can do pretty much anything and get worn out pretty quick.
I'd like to ask, "Why are you doing what you're doing?"
Are you in your line of work for money, security, comfort, passion? Are you serving someone else's desires, like your parents, spouse, friend or boss? Does your job fall in sync with your political, social and religious beliefs?
If you're not happy, consider a change. I'd like to encourage everyone to find something they enjoy and do that. Think about what you spend your free time thinking about, talking about or doing. Your passion probably lies somewhere in that. What constructive things to you do for free? There's a good chance you can find a job out there that will pay you for it.
