For most of my life I’ve been a fanatical devotee of technology.  I believed there was no problem that a well-crafted technological solution couldn’t obviate.  I believed in this so fervently that it extended into my faith.  I believed that technology could reach the teeming masses for Christ.

And it has flourished.  TV ministries have exploded in size, scope, prevalence, and popularity.  There is a problem though.  To date, they have failed in what I see as the primary purpose of the medium.  The current and historical extrapolations of TV ministries have amassed prominence and power to the head of the ministry, but have done little to advance the cause of Christ.  These ministries typically reach the already reached and as such end up in a preaching to the choir mode.

They end up taking the kingdom where it already is and as such the best if can do is function as an adjunct to what is already going on.  The down side to these ministries relates to the numerous character flaws of the people who’ve lead them.  When the medium builds up someone it also magnifies their failures as well.  From Jimmy Swaggart to Jim Baker and beyond the character failures of these few have harmed the cause of Christ greatly.  These failures have hardened the hearts of those these ministries should have focused on reaching in the first place.

The failures of this medium didn’t deter me from my belief on this subject.  Rather, I believed it was implementation and the people behind it that were responsible for the failure.  I still ardently believed in the efficacy of technology to advance the gospel.  I simply transferred my preferred implementation of technology as the vehicle.

Next, I believed that radio could serve as the next vehicle.  Radio as a technology was mature.  It was cheap to obtain and it was everywhere.  So much so, that it is hard to find a place anywhere on the planet that isn’t served by radio in some form.  However it suffered from the same weaknesses as TV.  It elevated men with serious character defects and their fall was just as disastrous with the same down side as TV.

After two colossal candidate failures, I should have been deterred from continuing this quest, but I wasn’t.  The next candidate to enter the fray was the internet.  In this day and age, the connection divide at least in industrialized nations has largely been erased.  The medium erases transmissional barriers.  It allows for instant dissemination to anyone with a connection to it.

Much to my chagrin, it has failed also.  In part, because the developing world largely has more pressing needs than surfing the web.  In part, this is true because the developed world is more interest in using the internet as a porn delivery system.  And in part it’s true, because the character of those attempting to lead such movements always comes up short.

Recently, I was forced to accept that technology can’t ever revolutionize the way the gospel reaches the world.  Technology is about an engineered solution that transmits the exact message of the sender.  It is about the movement of ones and zeroes from point A to point B.  The gospel is about sharing the heart of God with the world.

It’s spiritual. It’s relational. It’s intimate.  It’s done best in the context of one life touching another as directed by the divine.  No implementation of a protocol can replicate that, regardless of how well intentioned or engineered.

Simply put, I had to accept that my overall premise was flawed.  Any technological solution will only serve as an adjunct to what already exists.  What I should have learned are the lessons the Bible teaches from the Tower of Babel narrative found in Genesis.  The story tells of the desire to build a great tower that reaches the heavens.  And so a united humanity decides to undertake this mission.  God then steps in and confuses their language, thus preventing its completion.

The text points out that God was concerned that a single unified humanity was a threat, because nothing would be impossible for them.  I have often been troubled by this narrative.  It doesn’t fit the mold we have for God.  God steps in to deny them the completion of their tower.  It seems petty of God.  It seems capricious.  It’s not logical for God to intervene in this matter in this fashion.

My problems with the narrative were resolved when I realized a few simple things.  The builders of the tower were operating in defiance of God’s command to scatter across the globe, multiply, and subdue the earth.  Their building of the tower was to avoid being scattered and to amass a name for themselves.  They attempted to use their technology to thwart God’s will.  God responded by insisting on his will and denying them the power of their technology by creating communication barriers.

God wasn’t concerned with just the tower.  He was concerned with what a united people might be capable of next.  If they could build a technological marvel in defiance of God’s desire for them to the contrary, then what else was possible for these humans?  What need would these people have for God?

The answer is simple.  They wouldn’t need God at all.  They could place themselves on God’s throne and do as they pleased.  Subsequently, God moved to prevent this, and every time since, when man has developed his dependence on a better mouse trap for him that cuts his dependence on the divine.  God has moved in to show his creation how little he really knows and understands.

How does this impact technology and God you ask?  Is God really calling us to a Luddite existence?  Should we all become Amish?  In a word, no.  What God is seeking of us in this venue is to seek him first.  We should set aside technology and live within the context in which we are planted.  Technology shouldn’t seek to revolutionize how the gospel is disseminated.  Rather it should be an adjunct to its flow.  It should be subservient to the spirit of God.

In other words, I learned that technology will always fail when it isn’t the servant in the relationship or when it is implemented by those seeking anything other than God’s will for this lives and those they are in relationship with.  The flow should be from God to his servants and from his servants to those God deemed it necessary to be reached.  In this flow God is sovereign and we serve him and any technology we use serves that end.  Anything else perverts this flow and makes a mockery of the proper process.

Have you ever watched someone face devastating news such as cancer with a confidence and peace that astounds you? Recently, I have been following the battles of two well-known Christains via the internet; Michael Spencer and Matt Chandler. Both have handled their situations with a boldness that can only come from God. I have found myself wondering on more than one occasion how they can provide such a good Christian example in the midst of such terrible news. Recently, I was blessed to witness an example of such Christianity up close when my wife, Stefanie, had her own cancer scare.

Stefanie had some concerns about one of her breasts and made an appointment with her OBGYN who scheduled some tests. We weren’t overly concerned because by all indications we had nothing to worry about. In one day, however, what was once a slim chance of cancer became a 50/50 chance and a biopsy was scheduled. Every part of me wanted to break and panic and I was amazed at how my wife responded to the news! She was as calm as I have ever seen her. Stefanie responded with such a calm that could only have come from outside herself.

When I asked her how she handled everything with such peace she told me she could feel Christ’s presence with her during the tests. She knew that her family and friends were praying for her and leaned on those prayers and Christ. Her example was inspiring to me and I wanted to share some of the things I witnessed to help the rest of us follow her lead.

First, Stefanie was committed to her relationship with Christ long before she was confronted with bad news. On a daily basis my wife communicates with her Lord. She confesses her sin and delights in His forgiveness and grace as much, if not more, than anyone I have ever met. Because of this ongoing relationship with God she was quickly able to lean on Him for support.

Secondly, Stefanie has an amazing ability to quote Scripture. Her recall when it comes to God’s Word has alway amazed me and I noticed her drawing on Bible verses often when she needed reminded of God’s Word. This seemed to comfort her and remind her that God was with her at all times. It seems that most of the tough questions we tend to ask in the midst of trials have already been answered through Scriptures … it helped Stefanie to know the answers before she found herself asking the questions. 

My wife also seemed to put the needs of everyone around her ahead of her own. In a moment where no one would have blamed her for focusing entirely on her self,   she was intent on keeping everyone else calm. Not only was she continually reassuring her family (myself included), she also made it her mission to witness a Christ-like example for those medical workers she came in contact with.

Finally, and this is perhaps the key ingredient in all of this … we requested prayer from anyone who would listen. There were several churches, friends, and family members praying for Stefanie’s condition. It was amazing how many people seemed to crawl out of the woodwork to pray for my wife. It was a blessing to me, and I am sure to Stefanie, to see how many people genuinely cared for her. I learned through this experience to never be afraid to request prayer … it works!

In short, Stefanie’s response to her cancer scare was inspirational and I was blessed to witness it up close. Thankfully, the results are in and my wife does not have cancer. After the news, Stefanie rededicated herself to a relationship with God that allowed her to respond in the way that she did. I thank the Lord for her example and the witness she provided for our chidren and friends. It was quite the blessing!

I would like to begin this post with an apology for my lack of posting. It has not been my intention to neglect The Imperfect Disciples’ Blog, but as I explained to my co-contributor Todd recently, I have found myself in a bit of a writer’s funk. Please note that I said “writer’s funk” rather than “thinker’s funk.” I am still thinking about and contemplating the wonders of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and, if anything, I have been so overwhelmed recently by the magnificence of it all that I have found it difficult to reduce into mere words. I will continue to try however …

During our family Christmas celebration this past year I tried to form an analogy for our children between their anticipation of opening the presents and the anticipation we should all have concerning the return of Christ. After all, His gift is bigger than any gift we could ever receive! I explained to the kids that their anticipation of presents in this world was a mere shadow of the anticipation the whole world has for the second coming. In our day and age, it is as if nature itself is holding its breath.

I’m not sure what impact this analogy had on my children, but it has had a major one in my life. It has been playing in my mind since Christmas. In fact, I have been extending it to other things. For instance:

The love I have for my children is indescribable. Every day I pray for their safety, well-being and success. I take pride when they do well and cry when they fail. Every breath I take is taken with a thought of them. They have literally saved my life on many occasions … however; this is only a shadow of how God considers His children. The attitude and love I have for my children pales in comparison to the love He feels for each of us.

The passion I feel for my wife is hard to explain. I have tried to tell her how it is an emotion that I never felt before. She is a part of me and I of her. I am grateful for my relationship with Stefanie because the passion I feel for her is a glimpse of how I should feel towards Christ. I have been told before that I should be passionate for Christ and never quite knew what it meant to be passionate about anything. Because of my wife I get it now. When this passion expands and is extended towards Christ it is a wonderful thing and I am grateful for the lesson.

I often get angry when I see the injustice in this world. When I see the helpless abused and hurt it enrages me. This anger I feel is nothing compared the righteous anger of God. This world is His creation. How much His anger surpasses mine is immeasurable.

Finally, I am often stunned when I consider the blessings in my life. Just sitting in this chair and appreciating the peaceful room my wife has created sends shivers down my spine. I have been blessed with family, friends, a home … there is really too much to count yet they are nothing when compared to the blessing I received when Christ died on the cross. His sacrifice made it possible for me to enjoy the blessings I have now. It is because of Him that I look forward to the future.

This analogy can easily be extended towards any emotion you feel. I invite you to examine what you care about … what you’re passionate about … and give it God to see how it measures up to how He feels. I believe it impossible to measure His emotions, but He does give us a glimpse of them in the Bible. I look forwards to eternity with Christ but for now I will simply enjoy living in the shadows.

Thank you Christ.

There is a wealth of perspectives of God in this information age of ours.  These perspectives run the gambit from the atheist’s dead God, to the cessationists, deaf mute God, to the activist God, and everywhere in between.  As someone who’s toyed with a number of these perspectives over the course of my life so far, I’ve settled on the activist God perspective as the one that works best, at least for me.

There are a number of definitions for this perspective.  The one I like best is: a perspective that affirms God to be not only still active in the affairs of men, but as a being with a stake and a vested interest in the outcome.  A key attribute of this perspective relates to God’s firm resolve to bring his will into being in every situation by any means necessary. 

Distilling this personal definition into a functional understanding means for me that God hasn’t wandered off to something more entertaining. God isn’t hanging ten in Maui right now because the waves are just bitchin’.  He isn’t playing the back nine at Augusta because, as God, he gets a killer tee time.  He isn’t off playing in another sandbox, because it’s better than the one he created.   No, he is actively seeking to manifest his will in the everyday and mundane events of his creation with the explicit goal of bringing it back into relationship with himself.

More simply put, God isn’t a disinterested third party.  He isn’t the Watcher from Marvel comics.  He isn’t a neutral observer that mediates disputes in his creation.  God is an interested entity with an agenda.  He has skin in the game as it were.  He is a being that is seeking his creation’s best interest as he defines it.

Some might look at this exposition and think that I’ve reduced God to a lobbyist seeking to cajole his creation into doing what he wants.  While there are some in the “Name it and claim it” crowd that teach something very close to this, in my view nothing could be farther from the truth.  A lobbyist seeks to influence others into implementing his agenda or that of his client, through all the tools in the persuasion arsenal.  And while God does use some of these tools on occasion, there is another dimension to this.  God has the power to enforce his will in order to bring it into being.

Can a lobbyist fling stars into orbit?  Can a lobbyist speak life into existence?  Can a lobbyist speak the fate of man with absolute certainty?  Can a lobbyist heal the lame, give sight to the blind, and restore hearing to the deaf?  Can a lobbyist create eyes for a blind man from spit and mud?  Obviously not….

Can a lobbyist insist that a reluctant prophet go to Nineveh?  Can a lobbyist arrange a great fish as a method of conveyance to enforce his will?  Can a lobbyist insist on an outcome and have the ability to make it so 100%  of the time?  Obviously not…  God has the ability to do all of those things and much more.

The Bible clearly states that God has an interest in the lives of men and women.  It unambiguously shows that God has a heart for his creation.  It displays vividly that God has a burning desire to restore his creation to relationship with himself.  It demonstrates in absolute terms that this is a primary ministry of and mission for God.  It has played out numerous times in the Bible.  From Noah to Moses to Abraham and beyond we are surrounded by what the writer of Hebrews calls a ‘cloud of witnesses’ to this ministry of God.

Some read the bargaining God allowed by Abram regarding Sodom’s fate, as a hint of malleability in the will of God.  This is a valid conclusion to draw from this particular instance, but I think a flawed one.  God knew the outcome was not going to be affected by Abram’s bargaining.  The end result was ultimately the same; Sodom and Gomorrah were still the same smoldering holes in the ground they were going to be at the outset. God being the timeless being that he is understood that only in allowing Abram to bargain in some fashion could the life of Lot and his family be spared. And this was an important part of God’s agenda in this instance.  

We also see the activist God at work in the life and ministry of a reluctant and otherwise obscure prophet by the name of Jonah.  God calls him to go to Nineveh and Jonah balks.  From the text it doesn’t appear Jonah had any trouble with serving God or accepting the calling to the role of prophet.  He only has trouble with the specific ministry he’s been called to in terms of audience and geography.  Jonah’s response is to bail on the whole mission and ministry.

The possible reasons for Jonah’s balk are many.  Some have posited that he just didn’t want to go there for racial or cultural reasons.  While others have posited that Jonah knew God was planning to use the Ninevites as a tool to bring the Jewish people back into right relationship with him, by captivity if necessary.  Both possibilities, while valid interpretations of Jonah’s potential motives are largely arguments from silence.  There is no proof in the text for either position.

The only thing the text gives us for certain is that Jonah was convinced it would succeed.  It’s possible that his belief was based upon arrogance or vanity.  It’s also possible he was convinced that with God’s assistance anything was possible.  The text really doesn’t give us good window into Jonah’s thinking on this apart from that.

What is certain is that he was so unwilling to participate in the implementation that he fled for Tarsus aboard a boat.  And as a result he found an immutable truth about God in the process.  God gets what God wants.  If God wants a prophet in Nineveh, God doesn’t allow that individual to flee the calling at the appointed time.  When the time is right, there is nothing that can keep anyone from their appointment with God’s plan for their lives.  So our reluctant prophet ends up in Nineveh right on time to fulfill God’s plan for his life.  That by its very definition is activism on God’s part.

The story of Jonah is but one example of God’s activism.  There are many more.  From the angel in Balaam’s path to the story of Esther and beyond, they all prove the same point.  They all bear witness to a God that is either unable or unwilling to sit on the sidelines as the events of history unfold.  They speak to us even today that God’s will is unchangeable and immutable.  They inform us as to the character of the divine creature that spoke the world into existence.

And they should give us pause in our moments of rebellion against this God.  We should remember that the God of Genesis 1:1 who commanded the sun into existence by simply saying that it would be ‘good’ if it did, is the one with which  we’re toying.  We should remember the story of Jonah as we ponder our answers to God’s call on our lives.  It should force us to ask, does God have a great fish in waiting for me to deal with my stiff necked and stubborn nature?  And is God ready to consume me whole when I foolishly tell him to go get bent?

The consistent witness of this activist God should alter how we relate to him.  It should impose a certain amount of fear mixed with reverence and a dash of awe when we consider God.  If God wanted to he could give us an ‘offer we can’t refuse’ or cause us to awake with a horse’s head in our bed to get the point across.  God is however so much more resolved and determined when it comes to his will than a mafia lord.  Also if we give criminal thugs deference to avoid drawing their interest in us; how much more deference should we give Almighty God?   

 We should remember that the God that flooded the world in Noah’s time still exists.  We should be mindful that the God that destroyed Sodom for its manifest lack still resides at the center of our world.  It should give us pause that the God that thwarted the plans of the builders of the tower of Babel still remains committed to doing that very thing even today.  His nature is immutable and without a glint or glimmer of change in it.  If God wants something to happen or change, you can take it to the bank that it will.  God’s word doesn’t return void.  God always gets what God wants! 

This simple truth should change the very core of who we are.  It should force us to our knees in repentance.  It should fundamentally alter who we are and how we relate to the divine in our lives.  We shouldn’t tarry or dither when it comes to the essential nature of God’s call on our lives.  It should us force us to action.  It should put our feet in motion.  So let us begin.

The author of the book of James says something odd to open the book.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. “  James 1:1  NIV

The author calls us to joy in the midst of the times that try our souls.  The verse leaves me personally in a difficult place with difficult questions to answer.  If joy isn’t an emotion, then what is it?  How is it possible to have joy in the midst of difficulty?  When the roaring lion is circling me with the intention of consuming me, how is it possible to feel joy in any measure, much less enough to engage in any act of praise?

These questions point to the fundamental disconnect between the life God intends for us, and the life we typically lead.  It points to the notion that our ways aren’t God’s and his ways aren’t ours.  This exposes another facet of the logical difference between what God sees as how we should live thrive and respond to adversity and how we actually live.

The key to resolving this fundamental disconnect is found in understanding joy.  Joy isn’t an emotion, it isn’t a feeling, it isn’t happiness by another name.  The book of Galatians tells us that it is a fruit of the spirit.  In other words, it is an attribute that grows out of a life spent in humble communion with our redeemer, our savior, our creator, and our God.  It can’t be forced, faked, or cajoled into being.  It simply is not  unlike air, or gravity, or the wind.

So the response to this disconnect is found in qualitatively measuring  joy.  If we don’t feel joy in the midst of difficulty, it should tell us that something is not right with our relationship to God.  That isn’t meant to say that we shouldn’t feel anger, grief, or loss in times of difficulty.  We do, we should, and we will.  Rather, joy should be somewhere in that mix.  The degree to which we experience joy should function as a mirror to show us the state of our walk with Christ.

If our walk is functioning as it should our joy is derrived from our delighting in our God.  The degree to which we experience joy is directly proportional to the amount of delight we derrive from our relationship with God.  As a result, all of this boils down to the nature of our relationship with God.  When its good, right, and properly rooted in the mind of Christ, we should be experiencing Joy in some measure.

This reveals, at least to me, that joy is not a situational thing.  It is not something that comes and goes like a spring rain shower.  Rather it is a foundational thing that comes and abides in us like a well.  Joy should function to sustain us in trying times.  It should remind us that God is the creator and sustainer of our lives.  It should tell us that it doesn’t matter how hard the wind blows or how loud the the lion growls, God will act as our protector and redeemer kinsman.

It means that in spite of circumstances God’s love abides.  It means that in spite of the temporal trials we face, God’s committment to his children is eternally enduring.  It means that as long as we reside in the resting place that is our savior, the situations of life are devoid of power over us.  It means that God resides in relationship with those that are called by him, and live in community with him.  God protects his own, and seeks their best interest, even that best interest isn’t obvious to anyone involved.
It doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen to us.  It doesn’t mean that we won’t face trials or difficult situations in life.  It doesn’t mean that our hearts won’t be broken in this life with the pain of loss and the accompanying grief.  It means that the joy of our foundational relationship with God sustains us in those times.  It means that when the flood of negativity invades our very soul, God is there with a hedge of protection and a flood wall to save us.