Engine Idol

I was listening to a podcast of Bob Rowland, Pastor of something or other at our church. I know he has something to do with family and parenting. Anyway, he was describing how good we are at making idols. He even described us as being idol factories. And that idols require sacrifice.

I think, typically when we look at idols, the calf, the Sphinx, even Greg Brady's Hawaiian necklace comes to mind. But if we dig a little deeper we may see images of work, status, our children's success, even position in the church.

But what idols really drive us. Push us towards things that become in the place of God.

God made it pretty clear to Moses and everybody that we shouldn't have any other things in His place. His first place. And yet we put things there.

I believe that our deep drivers. The real engines that push us (well surely me) toward idol worship are things like acceptance, affirmation, or demanded respect. And our idols build from there. They then move on to take the forms of the idols we are familiar with—the ones we point our fingers at.

1. Dad spends way too much time at the virtual office, let alone at the brick and mortar venue because he wouldn't want to be viewed as lazy.
2. Mom spends too much time planning the kids schedule because she wouldn't want her kids not competing and doing as everyone else.
3. Johnny spends too much time online because he can find more interest—a more provoking life—online than offline.
4. Mary spends too much time in front of the mirror because she doesn't want her classmates to see her as ugly.
5. Bill checks another item off of his list of "things to make me a good Christian" because it will put his mind at ease that he was ogling Glen's wife.
6. Etc., etc.

And these things are easy to point our fingers at. We see these so much in others. And condemn the surface idol*. I believe the "what" becomes the issue. The thing we need to "change" or simply put a band-aid on. And the "why" is not addressed. Ergo the next idol brewing.

What are the engines for our idols? And what do we sacrifice to keep them running? And have we asked why?


*Clearly there are some idols which need to be addressed for their own sake. But the deep-rooted idol needs the attention as well.

Bubble Boy

Sometimes I feel like I walk around with some sort of protective layer outside of me. A layer that creates a buffer from the world. Or those things which could affect me. Recently its shown itself as a buffer of cynicism—keeping me a peg above folks and well protected from any opportunities for relationship and understanding. Often keeping my ears sealed.

Its easy to protect yourself when you keep things at bay. After all, defense wins Super Bowls.

Its easy for me to be smarter, wittier, more creative, more correct, more "christian", or oddly more anti "christian", within my protective bubble.

I was in a conversation with one of those acquaintance friends (the kind of one that you might not put the "friend" label on, but have a liking for and have dialogued with). We were talking about how we have preconceived notions about people based on what we've heard, or based on a limited experience. And it became clear that I am not alone with my buffers. Wrong as they may be.

My buffers show up to protect myself and my opinions. They rationalize. They don't allow for influence. They don't allow for understanding. They don't allow for true opportunities to love.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"*

Our Senior Pastor stated yesterday morning that "God wants to be preeminent, not prominent."

My biggest stumbling block to give God the position of preeminence is me.

When we put God as preeminent he provides the buffer. He provides the protection. He provides the lens. He provides the understanding—the love. Now God's protection is just that—His protection. The type of protection that is out-of-this-world. One which we most likely wouldn't understand all the time. And this might not take the form we'd want. His protection may be painful.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds"**

Joy in trials. Not my cup of tea. But God's cup. And it overflows.




* Matthew 7:3
** 1 James:2

How Trustworthy?

Today is the first day back at school for both of my boys. One into 5th grade—the top of the heap at elementary school. The other into 7th—brimming with confidence having had a year of middle school under his belt. We had a great summer. And now are back into some much needed normalcy of schedule, dinner, etc. And the boys are once again sent out from the house. Into their world. One which doesn't have any of my or my wife's parental supervision. I hope (once again) that they remember the things we've taught them. And experienced alongside them.

This can be a pretty intense experience for both parents and kids. Particularly if it is a first or second time experience—the drop off at the bus or school. Seeing the little back pack waddle off towards a destiny not entirely known.

We just have to trust that they've listened. Believed. And embraced all the teachings from their parents.

I read yesterday an Ernest Hemingway quote which stated "The best way to find out if you can trust someone is to trust them." Well, this is one of those times. A lot is now in their hands. Not ours.

In the first chapter of Romans, it talks about an element of this. From God to us. In verse 20, God provides his truth statement about his existence "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

So God is kind of saying "you know I am God, right?" "I've made this clear to you."

"Now, little Billy. We've talked about all of these things you need to remember at school." "Do this. Don't do that. Honor what we've told you as parents."

And yet in verse 25 "they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator".

The kids are on their own—to remember what they've been taught. And how it would distress us to have our teachings ignored.

This is one of those empathetic moments (albeit on a less omnipotent scale) where we can identify a little with God when we ignore His teachings. And how He might feel. Watching our backs wander off with the warnings of being sheep amoung wolves.

A Bugs Life

I have just started another Don Miller book, Through Painted Deserts. And from the sixth page or so, Miller has started to craft another great story. I love this guy. He truly is gifted at illustrating a unique perspective toward the Gospel, God, and Christianity itself*. And I am excited about taking a van ride, through this book, with Don and his buddy across half of the US through the pages.

So by the sixth page or so, Miller has started visiting "Western Christianities propositions of behavior modification" and how we are relatively programmed on "how" we do things. Things we all see a good bit of on bookshelves and blogs. How do I become a better Christian. How do I raise a child. How do I maintain a healthy marriage. How to succeed in business. How to become a better leader. Verses "why". Why do we treat things with different degrees of importance. Why do we, as Miller says, buy $50 jeans vs. $30 jeans.

I have a friend that shared that if we dig deep within ourselves as to "why" we do things—and keep asking deeper and deeper "whys", we might be surprised as to what we uncover. Why do I dress in a certain way. Why do I look at that person and think this. Why do I write. Why did she leave me. Why do I fill in the blank.

We are a being searching for answers. Or perhaps at least we should be thinking about them. I guess we could get too caught up the noise of life that we don't pause to take a literal or figurative van ride with a buddy across half of the US.

Our life should be asking why.** And when we uncover answers, act accordingly.

• If our "why" identifies a piety or presupposed ism, we should stop. 
• If our "why" identifies an behavior of over-security, we should loosen up and brave some more in life. Testing our faith.
• If our "why" doesn't consider another culture —or even a counter-culture, we might need to step outside our world. 
• If our "why" places a more expensive pair of jeans over another, we should....well you get where I am going.

I am challenged by this. I want to consciously ask why. I am sitting in a coffee shop and there are folks walking in and out. I see them and can easily develop quite an opinion. Why. Maybe its just me. Maybe I am just an ass.

So on page 13, Miller is leaving a rest area and squashes a bug. To which he states "all your questions are answered." Perhaps all our questions will be answered when we are squashed or snatched from this world. But what do we do for the time being.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31





* Admittedly, sometimes I can get caught up in an author's opinion and perspective on life and keep The Author's book of Life secondary on the night stand. I don't believe Miller's perspective is un-biblical it's just that. A perspective. And I believe a good one. Hopefully I have a perspective of my own too.

**Sometimes I think our world, the makeup and beauty of it is screaming out its answer. We are just too blind to see. To busy. To self-absorbed.

Beastly Burden

I was watching the Behind the Music: Mary J. Blige edition last night. What a story. Raised by an abusive Dad. Battled cocaine and alcohol addictions. And overcame some tough streets. Her story was pretty intense and inspiring. What struck me as most impactive was her statement that "Through forgiveness comes reconciliation." As well as her commitment to prayer.

My folks have been heavily involved in Mission in Rwanda. I've read quite a novel about the genocide there. And most amazingly the forgiveness and reconciliation that continues to take place. People are living alongside others who have slaughtered their entire families—sometimes in front of their own eyes.

Boyd Bailey tweeted a quote the other day: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." -Louis B. Smedes. Not sure who Smedes is, but he definitely makes a great point on forgiveness as well.


How often do we keep hold of someone or something who has slighted us. Most likely with nothing to forgive along the lines of molestation or slaughter. But yet we do. Stupidly. I suppose it's mostly pride.

They said this. Or they did this. I want to teach them a lesson. They should know better. They shouldn't treat people like that. I told them so. They are always doing that. They may really even just be a major a-hole. And still we carry the weight of unforgiveness.

If we don't execute the power of forgiveness the burden is ours to carry. The anchor is set. The immobility is eminent. The bars are locked. And we lose out on the freedom and opportunities which come through reconciliation. We may be really missing out on some pretty out of this world things—on joy.

Ephesians 4:32 shares, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Of all our nerve to not forgive.

The Audacity of Me

I was feeling a bit uninspired from a faith-walk standpoint. Things were just sort of plodding along. I'm sure many of us do feel this way, or have at points in our lives. Perhaps all to often.

A friend loaned me Francis Chan's Crazy Love. The first chapter or two into the book was enough to recalibrate me a good bit. Chan outlines, pretty effectively, the enormity and omnipresence and holiness of God. And it caused me to feel that I had a lot of nerve to feel uninspired. He also points the reader to a video on his website which tries to give a look at God's majesty. And really makes me feel like such a dumb ass for sitting around feeling uninspired.

In some respect the hippies may have had it right. They walked around telling us to love one another. And that all you need is love. And through most likely hallucinogen-influenced eyes looked at a flower for hours on end, and appreciated the beauty and intricacies of it. There's a Youtube video of a guy in Yosemite who is awed by a double rainbow (which of course its been auto tuned, but no less inspired). While there may be some mind influence in play, this guy seems to get it.

The audacity of us Christians who take for granted God. And his creation. I can sit and make a quick assessment or judgement on anyone around me. Forgetting that God numbers even the very hairs of their head. Or sit and ask God to inspire me. To show himself to me. So I can feel good.

Common-undrum

Andy Stanley tweeted (or retweeted) the other day "What if God doesn't owe us an explanation? What if He ....is God?"

What if we surrendered our rights. Our right to know why God does things. Our right to think we deserve this or that. Our right to determine our roles.

Romans 9:12 states, "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" Am I okay with that? What if I am of "common use". Clearly I'd like to be one of the noble ones. And additionally, would I like to have "purpose", or just "use".

As an adjective, and according to Dictionary.com, "common" is defined as follows: 1) belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in question 2) pertaining or belonging equally to an entire community, nation or culture 3) joint; united. 4) lacking rank, station, distinction, etc.; unexceptional; ordinary

Servants are common folk, right? Yet, we know when we've experience uncommon service.