Kevin Austin at Lakeside, Thailand, and other Exciting Places

I saw two movies in two days, which is out of character for me.  Movies are just too expensive.  The first movie, Bandslam, was a date with my daughter.  I was expecting another High School Musical, but I was wrong.  I liked High School Musical.  I loved Bandslam.  It was clean, good lessons, great music.  Some might think only girls would like it, but I think my boys would have liked it as well.  The second movie, Julia and Julie, was next.  Another date, this time with my wonderful wife of 25 years.  Julia and Julie was also a delight, but for the older crowd.  In fact, I think we were the youngest ones there and women outnumbered the men 10 to 1. Meryl Streep is A-MAZ-ZZIINNGG!

I would highly recommend both!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

For many Christians any means works as long as the end is reached. The truth of Jesus being the end, the big main point, has in many cases become a goal rather than a statement of truth. The life of faith, in other words, has been turned into a competition rather than an authentic way of life. This makes sense when looking at the crusades, manipulative preachers, and showy, entertainment oriented worship services. If the end is all that matters, then converting people with a sword, a lie, or a flashy smile is acceptable. But, is it really any means to the end? Is this what Jesus is saying above? Eugene Peterson, in his excellent book, The Jesus Way has this to say:

“In the text that Jesus sets before us so clearly and definitively, way comes first. We cannot skip the way of Jesus in our hurry to get the truth of Jesus, living Jesus in our homes and workplaces, with our friends and family.”

The means are just as important as the end. The Jesus way plus the Jesus truth leads to the Jesus life. This is so important! It’s clear that much of what is wrong with American Christianity originates in elevating the truth above the way. We cannot attach any way we want to the truth of the Gospel. Only the Jesus way will do. The Jesus way is not one of coercion, or manipulation. The Jesus way does not involve violence or any dishonesty of any kind. The Jesus way does not prefer safety, riches, comfort, or selfish ambition. The Jesus way is characterized by: love, humility, sacrifice, submission and faith. And this way, combined with the truth of Jesus naturally leads to life. We wonder why our churches are lifeless, or why our lives are shallow, or why Christianity is viewed as irrelevant. Could it be that we have inadequately, inappropriately, attached the wrong ways to the right truth? Are we trying to use a spoon to drive a nail? In John 15:6, Jesus shines the light on this:

“If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

We must stay connected to Jesus and the Jesus way or we lose our life, are pruned, withered, and eventually are good for nothing but feeding a fire. Read more about this in: The Jesus Way, by Eugene Peterson

“In the immense cathedral which is the universe of God, each man, whether scholar or manual laborer, is called to act as the priest of his whole life – to take all that is human, and to turn it into an offering and a hymn of glory.”  Paul Evdokimov

On my 48th birthday I am reflecting on my life so far, as well as wondering about the future.  This is my ultimate goal: to turn all I am and do into an offering, a hymn of glory.  I want to do all from a heart of love.

“Materialism is a disease of the mind starved for ideas.”  Jacob Needleman

As we reflect on our country’s obsession with consumerism, greed, and glutony Needleman makes an important observation.  These things – materialism, greed, selfishness, gluttony – are not causes but results of the poverty of our souls.  Religious intolerance, racism, and all other forms of prejudice are insecurities that are also results of a deficientcy of a deep, rich, inner life.

Entertainment out of balance has helped us get to this place.  Also, trite answers and a lack of critical thinking have helped us empty our souls.

We need to relearn how to think. This begins by not creating a ghetto of the mind – reading, listening and watching only things that agree with our beliefs.  It’s important to balance feeding the mind with things that edify and stimulating the mind with creative, new ideas that wake us up.  Think about it!  Jesus rarely answered questions with answers.  He shot back more questions that blew the doors off the world of the listeners.  He made them think.  We are too easily threatened.

We need to relearn how to have creative conflict. Conflict is not bad.  Conflict creates intimacy.  It’s through conflict that we truly get to know the other.  It’s unresolved conflict that is bad.

We need to relearn how to create loving, forgiving, reflective communities of diverse people.  We can all get along – really.  Humility, grace, love, forgiveness, good listening skills, are ingredients for this hope.

I resonate with John Wesley’s final definition of Christian Perfection.  It’s not that we become sinless, and therefore are perfect. That will only come on the other side.  No, perfection comes from becoming more and more like Jesus until we do everything from a heart of love.  What a great thing to aspire towards!

I’m not a big “idol” fan. . . In fact, I’ve never seen the show. . . But this is amazing.  Just goes to prove that you can’t judge a book by its cover!

watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

There has been much in the media lately concerning Christianity’s influence in American politics and culture.   Questions like, “Is America a Christian nation?” and “Are we now a post-Christian nation?” are being asked.  The biggest issue being addressed is relevancy.  Is the Church relevant? Does Christianity have anything meaningful to contribute?

Some find these questions deeply unsettling.  Fingers are being pointed at the media, the white house, and educational institutions.  Some Christians are quickly defending and trying to “take back” what’s been taken. Unfortunately, these are the wrong actions to take.

Confession should be first.

We, the church in general, did this to ourselves.  In my lifetime I have watched the church work against racial reconciliation, ignore the environmental crisis, hurl judgements at unbelievers, ignore the poor, and favor war.  I have myself, a pastor and a Christian for my entire life, experienced a fair dose of hatred and intolerance.  There have been notable exceptions to some of this, but we, the American Church, are guilty of the sins of gluttony, sloth, greed, and malice.  We need to confess. We need to ask forgiveness from God, from our nation and from our neighbors.

Acknowledging the true reality should be second.

Our faith, our salvation, and our identities, are not dependent on whether or not America is a Christian nation or on what the media writes.  There is no need to be frightened or threatened.  We also don’t need to defend something that needs no defense.  God does not need to be defended.  Christianity is built on the rock of Jesus.  Nothing will topple it.

Everything from a heart of love is first, second, and last.

Jesus told his followers that they would be known by their love.  Not their truth, not by their nation, not by perfection, not by their service, not by their worship, not by their style of dress, not by their political affiliations.  Love.

Love.

We will be relevant as we live truly authentic Christian lives filled with hope and love.  We gave it away.  We can easily receive it back.  Our best response to hard questions and the spotlight of the media is to live truly authentic Christian lives without fear, without defense.  Our actions will speak.  Our love will shine. Our service will bless.