Division

I'll just go ahead and warn you that this topic is a little weighty for me right now, and if you are feeling like something light and happy, I created another blog this morning called "puppies and ice cream" that may be more enjoyable for you.

I must ask a question. Has anyone noticed that Christians like to fight with each other? I've been wondering how much we have really changed since Paul wrote the Corinthians about how divided they were?

"I follow this guy!" "No, that guy is an idiot, this guy knows how to read the original Hebrew!" "Are you kidding? That guy is a heretic! You should come to my church and get the truth!" (1 Corinthians 1:12 my paraphrase)

I remember when this girl came to a youth conference that my youth group was putting on, and she was pretty messed up emotionally. During worship, she started shaking and hissing and freaking out, so a bunch of us started trying to cast demons out of her. It was quite an ordeal. I don't know if she really had demons in her or if she was trying to get attention or something, but we turned it into an opportunity for a full-fledged charismatic circus in there.

I remember talking to her later about it. This girl had a lot of bad stuff happen to her in her life, and just had a lot of baggage. But the one thing that I really honed in on was that she was Catholic. I'm extremely ashamed of this now, but I'm going to go ahead and tell you what I told her because I was in junior high, and I was a bit of an elitist jerk.

The thought I had in my head was something like "well, of course you have demons, you're Catholic."

So I tried to talk her out of being Catholic. Didn't they worship Mary in those "churches"? They sit there and chant and worship idols all day, don't they?

I told you.

And that was just the Catholics! What about those Baptists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians? They might not be as bad, but they certainly aren't preaching the whole Gospel that my friends and I happen to have cornered the market on!

Today, I don't think most evangelicals are quite as mad at Catholic people as they used to be. Maybe it's because many of us have noticed that many of "them" happen to be some of the most sincere and wonderful Christ followers in the world... But don't worry, there are plenty of others that we can find to aim our swords of truth and destiny at. (I thought "swords of truth and destiny" was funnier sounding than "ignorant bigotry" or even just plain "swords")

If it's not crusading against Muslims to convert, or burning scientists and witches at the stake, or massacring "savages" if they don't accept the gospel, can we at least get some vitriolic sermons about how the "emerging church" is going to be the downfall of America?

It is so easy and comfortable to find all of those ways separating "us" from "them". The Pharisees of Jesus day knew that comfort quite well.

"I heard that they believe..."

If I hadn't already used my cuss word... What is the deal with this? Some of you who are reading this have had conversations like this within the last week probably. I have heard so much "I follow Paul", "I follow Apollos" lately, that I was either going to have to tear my clothes and rub dirt all over my body or write a blog about it.

That was random, and though I'm playing around in this blog a bit, I really am concerned about this.

Here's my point: we are supposed to be on the same team.

Can we forget for just a moment about our privileged knowledge of the "full gospel" and remember that the point of our faith isn't acing a doctrinal multiple-choice test when we stand before the Christ in the end...

For the Christian, faith should be about Jesus, and the new creation of hope, faith, and love that He brings. He wants His Church to be united in bringing His Kingdom into the world, not bickering about whether creation happened in seven literal days or whether you should speak in tongues or not or what the physics of hell will or will not be. Are these things really the point?

I thought Jesus was supposed to be the point! So those of you playing the sides games out there, protestant or catholic, left or right, white or black, modern or postmodern, male or female, jew or greek... Oh wait...

Galations 3:28--There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Please stop.

_Michael Gungor

Michael Gungor

Since middle of the summer, I have been helping "Bloom". It is a worship gathering in Denver that is Led by Michael and Lisa Gungor. Here is an article about the vision for their ministry and music.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2007/michaelgungorband-mini-1107.html

Hope For China

Many of you know that my old mentor and friend, Mark Tedder, is in China with his family being a light of hope. Here is a video for the 2008 Olympic song that he wrote.

Amazing!!!!

Only A Man

I led worship at "The Front" last night in Boulder, and Jimmy Lakey talked about where God is when times are hard and stressful. Here is that song that we listened to last night. It is "Only a Man" by Jonny Lang:


I used to live my life in fear
Was worried all the time
From waking up to laying down
I had no peace of mind
The world became a darkened place
A struggle without end
Although bitter times those were
The days that I had began to understand
I was only a man

I grew up singing songs in church
With questions in my mind
Then turned my back and ran away
From God who gave me life
Then one night his presence fell
I wept and shook and then
I fell down and cried, Dear Jesus, rescue me again
I understand I am only a man

And He said, What will it be now?
Will you choose me or keep swimming up stream now?
I've been inside your head hearing you scream out.
Well here I am, just take my hand and I'll take out
All of the pain and all of the fear
All of the fear


I'll give you my burdens (I'll give you peace)
All of my desires (I'll give you what you need)
Oh, what about these chains, Lord? (I'll set you free)
But they're so heavy (Lay them at my feet)
I'll lay them at your feet
Just promise you won't leave (I'll never leave)
So where do I go from here, Lord? (Just follow me)
(Just follow me)
I'll follow you (Just follow me) wherever you lead
Wherever you lead, wherever you lead

Light Of The World

The difference between Christianity and many other religious beliefs is that of who Jesus is and was. Many people look at Jesus as a myth or a good teacher. Maybe He was a prophet? Ministering to the Boulder community shows me how many different views of God and Jesus there actually are. Boulder was once known as the New Age Capital of the world. Freethinking runs wild in this mountain college town. If you look at Matt. 16, Jesus and His followers were in Caesarea Philippi. This was a town very similar to Boulder. It was a melting pot of beliefs so to speak. This is where the Greeks considered the gates of Hates (the underworld) to be. This is why Jesus refers to the gates of Hates later in the chapter. It was a town of marble statues to gods. this is where they would have worshipped to the goat god "Pan". The worship usually involved sexual rituals. Jesus bring his young Jews disciples here would be like a pastor bringing his just graduated seniors to a strip club. Imagine what was going through the disciples minds. Jesus asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

I can spend time trying to prove to you who Jesus was and is, but He already did that. I will then point you to Him. He will direct your thoughts and understanding and eventually, you will come to the truth. He was who He said He was. I love how Jesus would talk in ways that would excite people. “I am the bread of life…” Just being in a room with the smell of bread baking is comforting and warming. John 1 says, “the Word because flesh and dwelt among us.” The presence of God came and moved in and became a friend to the sinners. How exciting is this?! Jesus said, ”I am the light of the world.” The people of Israel were in darkness and ruled by the Romans. There were 400 years of silence before Jesus came, and He brought the bright light of who He was and is, and the message of the The Kingdom of God that He offers.

I encourage you; if you are not sure about who Jesus is, open up John and start asking questions.

Bloom Worship Night

For the last couple of months, Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa have been hosting worship nights in Denver called "Bloom". I have had the privilege to help with the last two. Many of you know Michael through either Michael Rossback or from his song "Friend Of God" that Integrity released in 03 and made it on the last "Passion" DVD. He and his band travel with "Acquire The Fire" as the worship band for the events. At Bloom, Michael and Lisa share there hearts through leading the people in intense passionate worship. Michael usually teaches and then we come together for communion. If you can make it and want to worship with us, come to New Beginnings Church at 8390 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO at 7pm this Friday the 14th to join in.