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Christianity Doesn’t Work for Me

Christianity Doesn’t Work for Me

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Working downtown often leads to unexpected encounters. Not long ago the sun was finally making an appearance in the midwinter sky. Although the air still had a bite, I couldn’t resist the lure of the sun on my face. Sure, I had a reasonable lunch in the fridge, but sometimes a short walk to my favorite lunch destination is the wise choice.

There’s always a line at Boston. The food is the best downtown and they move folks through in a hurry, though. Even if the line appears excessive, the wait is never long and the food is always worth it. As I flew through the revolving door into the art deco lobby, I ran into an old friend. Literally. We brushed ourselves off and began to catch up while waiting in line. 

It’s easy for friends to drift apart. Nothing traumatic needs to happen…we can just naturally drift when our paths stop crossing frequently. That had happened with Pete. We began to catch up like long lost brothers, sharing the latest about our jobs, spouses, and kids, and then pivoting into those hopes and dreams that seemed so important to us all those years ago. By the time we had our sandwiches and sat down, we were going deep. He always had a passion for service and for the work of the church, so that was a natural trail for the conversation to follow. 

“Nope. Not anymore. Those were good times, but I’m not doing that now. Life gets busy. Kids grow up. Seasons change.” 

I hear excuses like that frequently, but I wasn’t expecting it from Pete. He and his family always seemed so…engaged. Captivated. All in. I sensed there was more to the story, so I responded, “Pete, I never would’ve expected that from you. That love you had was deep. Did something happen?”

“To tell you the truth, most people are satisfied with that answer and leave it alone. I should’ve known you’d dig! Honestly, after following that path until I was at the end of my rope I made a discovery. Christianity doesn’t work for me. The last straw was when we were prepping for a mission trip a few years ago. This was before the kiddos moved out, and we were excited to go as a family. As we were finalizing the last details, we got a call from the financial secretary. The money for the trip was gone. Transportation, food, lodging, supplies, and all the other miscellaneous things that kids had been fundraising for…all gone. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a lot of money…18K or so. Not enough to retire on, but way too much to scramble for at the last minute. We were devastated. What had happened? That was the worst part. A staff member at the church drained the account and left town. The church decided not to press charges because they didn’t think it’d be the Christian thing to do.”

“So, Dave, that was it. Seeing the pain my kids endured…the loss and the grief…watching them process the betrayal by those they loved, looked up to, and trusted…that was too much for me. I had to walk away. That’s when I realized Christianity doesn’t work for me.” 

I was shocked. Although I knew where he attended, those details were unknown to me. I guess they didn’t make the news. My heart broke for him and for his family. That pain is deep. Real. Visceral, even, especially for a father who loves his family as much as I knew Pete did. 

“Wow, Pete. I had no idea. I can’t even imagine how badly that hurt.”

We continued to talk for a bit. We both had hurts to share as well as some great successes to celebrate. It was great to catch up over a Cuban. We promised to try our best to reconnect more frequently, both probably somewhat aware we would again fail miserably. After a quick bro-hug, we went our separate ways back to our offices. 

As I walked back my mind went back to that phrase, “Christianity doesn’t work for me.” It seemed to be working for me, even through numerous hurts. But there was something more to it I was trying to pin down. Walking that last block back to the office, it hit me while waiting for the “walk” sign. I’m not a Christian because it works or doesn’t work. That would be what’s called pragmatism. Pragmatic people go with what works, without digging too deeply into the hows and whys. For some people, they grab onto a belief system that works for them in their current life situations and goals. It works within the crowd they’re running with. It’s “true” to them because “it works.”

That’s a common way to believe. In fact, when it comes to religious belief it’s likely the most common way to believe. Even people who adopt the beliefs of their parents fall into this category. It “works for them” to believe what their parents believe for many reasons…a big one is that it makes things easier at home. What they find in large numbers is that when they move to the next phase of their lives, something other than the beliefs of their parents work even better for them, as they discover new friends and new life goals. They cling to entirely different and even contradictory systems of thought and belief in each season of life.

We have a tendency to divide the things that shape our lives into “things that are true” and “things that work for me.” The former are things like putting gas in the tank of your car, showing up to work, and keeping enough money in the bank to cover the bills. What falls into the latter are things like morality, our view of humanity, questions about what happens when we die, how we should develop and maintain relationships. All the questions that tend to be covered by spiritual beliefs–even if claiming to have none–often fall into the category of pragmatism. They are malleable and fluid.

This pragmatic approach kind of makes sense within many different religious systems (and non-religious systems). In fact, they demand it, because although they attempt to explain the way those elusive things are, they don’t claim to be empirically true or verifiable. Christianity isn’t like that, though. Christianity boldly claims to not just explain how we got here, where we’re going, and how we should live…it claims to be true. Like…really and totally true. Christianity properly understood corresponds to the reality we live in when we test it. 

In 1 Corinthians 15:14, Paul says “…if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.” Paul most likely wrote this around 20 years after the crucifixion. Not only were Peter, John, and many other disciples still alive, there were countless other eyewitnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul was inviting challenges at a time when it was still possible for eyewitnesses to prove him (and the basis of Christianity) wrong.

Back in my atheist days I would boldly (and naively) claim that science couldn’t prove the existence of God. Faith was nothing more than wishful thinking without evidence. But this claim from Paul invites a challenge from a discipline that predates science. It’s a truth that can be investigated historically, and has been.

When I endure the inevitable trials of life, I don’t walk away from Christianity. When I am hurt and even betrayed by those claiming to be representatives of Christ, I don’t contemplate if Jesus is working for me or not. I can’t. I’ve scoured the evidence for Christianity and the experiences of Christianity and found that I’m standing on solid ground even in the storms. It has been thoroughly tested and holds true. And so when I struggle and when I wrestle with doubt, the words of Peter in John 6:68-69 come to mind, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

I hope Pete and I run into each other again soon. I know he has seen the goodness of God, and I’m looking forward to reminding him of where our hope is anchored. 

On The Road

On The Road

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This classic post first appeared on my blog close to 10 years ago. It seems timely today so I am resurrecting it here.

Oh the irony. I remember all those times I drew comparisons between following God’s plan and driving on the highway. How many times have I told people that when God wants you to exit, there will be signs? If you miss them, there will be more chances. Just stay alert.

Nice metaphor as long as your car keeps cruising along. I never counted on a breakdown. I suppose we rarely see those coming. Now it’s apparently broken beyond repair. No mechanic in sight. It’s sickening to think of how much work I’ve put into it, too. Making it shiny. Putting gas in the tank, polishing the chrome. This was my pride and joy. It got me where I needed to go.

So how do I keep cruising down the highway? Well, I’ve still got feet. So I keep walking that highway. It’s the direction that’s important, right? As long as I kept pushing myself up that mountain, everything would work out, just a bit more slowly than I had planned.

The wanderer

The road wasn’t made for walking, so I branched off. I saw a sign. I knew I was supposed to head into the woods. In fact, in retrospect I thought it was a blessing that the car broke down. I would have missed this lovely path entirely if I had continued at 60 miles per hour! I told myself I was grateful I decided to walk. 

Oh, but my legs ached. They screamed. I’d been pushing so hard. Tired, hungry, and thirsty, I cried out, “God where are you?” I never could have uttered those four words from the comfort of the air conditioned car. Now they were all I had left. Still, I kept trudging along. I knew that if I just worked hard enough, I would find what I needed. I’d find Him.

The forest provided no relief. The cool shade became a chilly darkness. Between the critters and the exhaustion, it felt like there were enemies everywhere. Adrenaline provided the nourishment my body craved, pushing me forward. Lost and utterly alone, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. I kept repeating “I can do this. I can find Him.” I can’t tell you I believed it, though.

To call it a clearing would be generous. There was a space ahead where the shadows were weighed less. I didn’t know if it I could make it, but I decided that was my destination. It would all end there. It was all I had. As I got closer, I saw a bench. It was old and worn, crafted from an ancient tree.

The Path

I plopped down harder than I meant to. The pain shooting up my backbone from my tailbone was the final insult. I was done. I found the end of myself. I sat with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. No words were on my lips, I was well past anything resembling coherency. I interlocked my fingers behind my head as it sank lower, almost to my knees. The warmth of the salty tears streaming down my face didn’t do a thing to ease the shadowy chill.

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was too far gone to jump. Whoever it was, he could do whatever he wanted. I was done. I felt him circle around and plop down beside me. The hand became an arm across my shoulders, attempting to comfort me. That arm became two, pulling me close. He held my head to his chest, like a father does a son who just lost his first pet. I could feel his tears on my neck as he gently whispered, “I’m here. I’ve got you. Now and forever, my beautiful son.”

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Bottles, Boats, and Beliefs

Bottles, Boats, and Beliefs

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Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:33

This little verse is easy to skip over. The 5,000 had just been fed, Jesus just walked on water, and Peter boldly stepped out of the boat. It’s easy to focus on the miracles and miss the meaning and message.

Our week in Aracaju started with a walk. The warm ocean breeze had us blissfully chatting and praying as we went. It was nice to be away from the stifling Oklahoma heat. As we turned onto the next block, a chill overtook us.

Groups of men were gathered in front of a few houses. The street was full of empty bottles and loud music. The men were obviously quite drunk. It was 9 o’clock Sunday morning. Although we couldn’t understand their comments, I was suddenly extremely aware of the fact that I was the only guy walking along with five women. Trust me, I’m hardly the one dude any lady would want to rely on in a throw-down.

After a few years of promising economic growth, Brazil was in a downturn the year we visited Aracaju. As jobs were lost and hardship set in, people found comfort in whatever they could grab. The men we wandered into were unfortunately typical. Hardship led to addiction, which also led to abuse. Families were fractured. Each moment spent in drunken numbness have tragic ripples for eternity.

“If it’s you, command me to join you,” Peter said. Jesus said, “Come.” (Mt 14:28-29)

The miracle of bread was not enough. Walking on water was not enough. Peter still wasn’t sure. Who was this guy? Teacher? Miracle worker? Could He be something even greater?

To the men on the street, we offered what we had: prayer and truth, hope and light. But those numbed by the distractions of this world simply can’t hear. Intoxication is denial. In numbing the pain, everything else is shut out as well. In forgetting about the harsh, real-word they lived in, these guys closed themselves from the invitation of Jesus, “come.”

That we were even there was a miracle. A few dozen Okies traveling thousands of miles to talk about Jesus with the people in an overlooked neighborhood of an overlooked town? There’s no logical explanation. Many people we met wanted to hear about the United States. They’re eager to talk about Michael Jordan or Barack Obama. They ask if we’ve met Brad Pitt. But when we tell them about Jesus, many shake their head and take another swig from the bottle in the brown paper bag. “He might have been a teacher, or even a miracle worker. But that’s all.”

Jesus calls: “come.”

Peter steps out of the boat. He accepts the invitation into so much more. That’s where we find this often overlooked verse. They’re back in the boat with Him, but now something has changed. They worship Him. Jesus knows that only God is worthy of worship. The disciples know it, too. Jesus does not stop them, though. Given this confirmation, they find the words that match their actions, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

We prayed for those drunk men. We prayed for every neighborhood around that chapel build. The warm ocean breeze returned and accompanied us most of the week. Aracaju is a beautiful town. Children were playing beneath cashew trees on most streets. The last few days we were there, house after house after house that we visited all came to know Jesus. We saw miracles, but never lost sight of the message or its meaning. And we worshipped.

Everywhere we go, we see the same pattern. Some marvel at the miracles. Some mock them. And some accept the invitation Jesus so graciously give, “Come.” And they worship.

The Door Opens

The Door Opens

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“…to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9

It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life for me. And I’m feeling good. – Nina Simone

Suspense movies fascinated me as a kid. Hitchcock films taught me that closed doors provide one of the most terrifying moments of fear on the big screen. Anything could be behind it. The music builds and the door fills the screen as the camera inches ever closer. The rattle of the doorknob brings me to the seat’s edge…my heartbeat quickens. The door suddenly springing open always results in a good scare and frantic jump. It didn’t matter if opening the door revealed a fluffy kitten or a psychotic killer, the anticipation could drive me to the edge of a panic attack. It was thrilling. Like a great roller coaster, I would seek it out again and again.

Doors protect us from the unknown. They can also keep us from stepping into new opportunities and new life. The imagery of a door is used in Scripture repeatedly. In Luke 11, Jesus tells a parable of a desperate man. He needs a few loaves of bread, but the door to get the bread is locked. Even so, in his “shameless boldness,” he pounds on the door until it is opened and he receives what he needs.

New Year’s Day is a door. Behind it we may find adventure or tragedy, beauty or pain. Like Hitchcock’s doors, the thought of what could be behind it can cause anxiety spikes. Despite the uncertainty, we have no choice but to step through. What we can choose is our posture as we walk through. Are we anxious, gingerly stepping into the unknown full of trepidation with our heads hung low? Or are we eager to let go of what’s behind us as we boldly march into whatever may come next?

Jesus refers to Himself both as the bread and as the door. Bread provides nourishment and life. The door provides entry into new life. As we open the door to enter into a new year, we find that we long for both. Deep down we have a hunger that nothing in this world seems to satisfy. We have a longing for truth and purpose that cannot be filled by our resolutions and hard work. We need more. We need Him.

As you enter this new dawn and this new day, reflect on the words of Jesus. Like the man in the parable, we cannot fill ourselves. We will never find satisfaction or peace by scribbling on the pages of our own lives. Approach Jesus…knock on that door with shameless boldness. Give control of your life over to Him, allowing Him to write the pages of your story. Instead of clinging to our own desperate efforts to control our destiny, cling to the truth I found scrawled on a wall in Itabi, Brazil: “Deus é Fiel.” God is Faithful. As we let that sink in, we can walk into the new day feeling good.

This post is the first of twelve in a series. For three years I have been selling calendars full of my photography to support our mission trips to Brazil. This year I’ve put together a truly special calendar with photos from my 8 trips to Brazil. On the first of each month a post will go live that complements what is found on the calendar for that month. If you don’t yet have a calendar and would like one, please let me know. They are $20 (plus shipping if necessary) and all proceeds go toward the Brazil mission trip to Pontos do Volantes in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

One Chapter

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Every Christian I know holds the Bible in high regard. We carry them dutifully to church every week, own multiple copies, and download Bible apps to our phones. Unfortunately, despite our reverence for God’s Word and its extreme availability, surveys show both Biblical literacy and Scripture intake are at their lowest in generations. Why is it that those of us who earnestly believe the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God struggle to integrate it into our lives? Honestly, the why doesn’t even matter. The real question is what do we do about it?

When I became a Christian at 32, I thought I had a lot of catching up to do. Unlike so many others, I didn’t grow up attending church regularly. Within a year of coming to faith, I was diving into Scripture for the first time. As I poured over the pages and got to know the histories, parables, wisdom, and poetry, it was life-changing. There have been innumerable things that have stretched and deepened my Christian walk, but none so much as getting into God’s Word. This is why I’m passionate about helping others get into the Word.

Many of us fall into the routine of attending weekly services to be taught. We’ve been lulled into thinking a half-hour on Sunday is all we need in order to know and understand God and His will for us. I believe I speak on behalf of most preachers when I say their deep desire is for every believer to learn to read and interpret scripture personally. Sunday morning is the cherry on top of our weekly walk with God, it is not intended to be our sole soul sustenance.

At the beginning of this year I invited a few friends to get into the Word with me. We started in Luke and then moved to Acts. It was an incredible time of growth, community, and encouragement. The plan was reasonable and a bunch of us moved through it. Last week I invited my friends to get back on the journey with me. This time we’re going through the entire New Testament. 260 chapters. If we read five days a week, it will take exactly one year. The five-days-a-week plan gives us the flexibility to miss a day or two without getting too far behind. If we find ourselves a week behind, it’s still easy to catch up.

To help everyone out, I’ve got a Facebook group going. We can post encouragement, insights, and questions while also helping with accountability. Jump in any time you like, we’re right HERE.

I keep referring to this as a “bookmark plan” because if you’re using a physical Bible all you need is a bookmark. No checklists are necessary. Just move your bookmark every day and you’ll always know where you are. However…because many people love checklists, I’ve created one for you here: 260 Day Plan.

Join the journey. Get into the Word until the Word gets into you. Our first goal is to get into the habit of getting into Scripture. We’ll share tips along the way and introduce more ideas to help get you deeper into the Word and draw nearer to God.

Where’s John?

Where’s John?

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I embarked on a communal journey through scripture way back in January. A bunch of brave and slightly crazy folks joined in, committing to read about a chapter a day in Luke and then Acts. Signposts and reflections of that journey have appeared here along the way. As planned, we made it though Luke in four weeks and then through Acts in the following four. Although there were no formal checklists, I personally found it helpful to write a quick reflection on my personal Facebook after each day’s reading. This had an additional benefit of reminding everyone we were still moving along together. The encouragement I received also helped motivate me to continue daily.

As the end of the Book of Acts approached, there were questions regarding where this journey would go next. A couple of my original goals were to encourage others to read chapters rather than verses, demystify Bible reading, and foster a love for God’s Word in the people of God. When the end approached, it was clear many people were finding new joy and life in the Word and that the journey should continue. And so…we boldly dove into the Gospel of John.

But…then…the rhythm got off somehow. The daily sharing and accountability became inconsistent and essentially stopped. In the past month or so, I’ve made it through John 11. I fully intend to continue reading and sharing, but want to share the “behind the scenes” happenings and lessons since we began the Gospel of John. In other words, what’s happening in the Bouchard Bubble? Where’s John?

First: Filled

I’ve often encouraged others to “serve as an overflow.” In other words, become so spiritually full that the work of God spills out of us. To posture ourselves in the opposite way–serving in order to receive from God–is fruitless and leads not to God but to burn-out. I have found that it’s vital that followers of Christ “fill up” through personal discipleship habits. Our community gatherings can be refreshing, but it’s our daily habits that keep us turned toward our Savior. As my life got a bit chaotic, I recognized that there were things I simply had to let drop. Although the side of me that seeks the affirmation of others wanted to push through John and enjoy the feedback and encouragement I was receiving from so many of you, the wiser path was to let that drop. A piece of me still hoped I could fit it in every day, but it simply didn’t happen.

The public “chapter a day” posts are a ministry. It falls into that “overflow” category. Although those posts dried up, I have personally continued to stay in the Word daily. I don’t often publicly talk about my scripture intake. Honestly, it’s the spiritual discipline I find easiest and enjoy the most. Not everyone has the same experience, so I stay quiet. Even though I haven’t been pushing through John, I am 100% caught up on my personal “Bible in a Year” plan. Last fall I began supplementing that with a plan that involves reading one Psalm per day out loud. Both of these provide spiritual nourishment that sustains me through darker days and fuels ministry when things are going well. My hope and prayer is that through this dry spell, all of you have continue exploring and enjoying the Word of God on your own as well.

Second: Opposition

Many of you already know that I’ve been pursuing a Master’s degree in Theological Studies. I began that journey in the Fall of 2014 and completed my FINAL class on March 8, 2018 (woot, woot). A Master’s degree is a lot of work and a lot of stress. It’s interesting to note that our reading of Luke/Acts coincided with my final class and John didn’t kick off until class was over. Because of the timing, I thought I’d have ample extra time to spend on John. However…

Although some people erroneously think I’m a relatively laid-back person, I’m actually naturally quite tense. Throughout seminary, I never was able to be content to simply pass class (okay…or even get a B). Although my grades likely will never be relevant to any circumstance I face in this life (or the next), I just couldn’t help but overachieve in every class. Looking back, I realize now that adrenaline had been a vital sustaining fluid for the past few years. Once class was over…well, let’s just say there was a bit of a crash. In the weeks since, I’ve been discovering a new and healthy rhythm of life. This has been thrown off by a random case of strep throat and a huge, high-pressure implementation at my day job. In addition to those big things, it seems as if there have been a thousand tiny gnats of darkness buzzing around my head for the past month. I’d love to say every bit of opposition is in the past. It’s not, but surely it’s back to normal levels.

Finally: The Layers of John

I said this when we started and quite a few times since: John is deep and layered. The first couple of times I shared about Luke, I summarized it in a few words. Every now and then I’d write a bit more. People kept reading in spite of the length, so I threw caution to the wind and began just saying what I had to say about each chapter. This worked well through Luke and Acts. The reason I picked those to begin with is because they are so matter-of-fact. Although there is depth to be explored, it tends to be historical but still approachable by most of us today. John, on the other hand, is full of depth impossible to even scratch in a single rambling Facebook post. Honestly, it’s a bit intimidating and I’ve shied away from it.

The Gospel of John is beautiful and life-changing. As I write reflections about it, I’m balancing the goal of demystifying scripture while attempting to remaining true to the depths of the text. During our walk through Luke and Acts, I would pretty much share off the top of my head after reading the chapter. With John, I tend to reference a few commentaries before I share. Perhaps I’m returning to my old ways and setting a higher standard for myself than is truly necessary. Even so…this is where the path has led and so it is what I will follow.

What’s next?

I’d love to continue this path through the Gospel of John. One thing I’ve learned in my decade or so of following Jesus is that persistence is a more valuable trait than perfection. I invite you to persist with me in this journey. I’m again setting a goal of a chapter per day, starting with John 12. Come along with me. If there is anything I can do to assist your journey, please reach out.

The Beginning

The Beginning

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Our Story

As our calendars changed from ‘17 to ‘18, a bunch of us embarked on a journey through scripture together. There are no checklists or daily reminders. There is no guilt or condemnation. Our strategy is grace-filled engagement with the Bible. The guideline I recommended was about a chapter per day through Luke and then Acts. The goal was to discover the joy of the habit of reading God’s Word. And we did it.

What’s next?

As the end of Acts approached, it was clear that this journey must continue. After a week of rest and grace, today we are starting the Gospel of John.

What to expect

The Gospel of John is quite different from Luke. As I mentioned during our Luke/Acts reading, when you spend time in the Word, you begin to recognize the voices of the writers. John is poetic and sweeping, as opposed to the matter-of-fact gritty writing of Luke. John is more concerned with ideas and themes than chronology. When we read it straight-through, we tend to assume the events happen in the order they are presented. That’s the way we tell stories today. In first century literature it was common to arrange a story by themes instead. We get a bit of that in this book. It progresses sort of in order (with the beginning of Jesus ministry at the beginning and the crucifixion/resurrection at the end) but not entirely in order. Even Luke did that a little bit in his Gospel, but not as much as John.

Although we don’t have a firm date on when this was written, it is widely accepted to be the last of Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke were all written much earlier and have quite a bit of overlap. John, on the other hand, has more unique material in it than any other Gospel. As we read Luke/Acts, I share that they were written in the late 50s to mid-60s AD. John was likely written somewhere around 70-100 AD. Historical writings outside the Bible tell us that John died around the year 100 AD, and the leaders of the early church (many of whom would have known John personally) tell us that this book was written late in his life. So as you read this, imagine a wise and gentle old man reading it to you. Once known as one of the “sons of thunder,” as he grew older he picked up the name “the beloved disciple.” He was a leader in the early church, likely writing this Gospel from the church in Ephesus.

Why did John write?

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us “there is nothing new under the sun.” Even in Paul’s day (and he died way back around 65 AD), people were claiming that Jesus was an enlightened or inspired man but was not God. Some claimed He was a special man who had divinely revealed special knowledge from God. People claimed to have new and special knowledge from God to supplement the teachings of Jesus. These same claims are being made today. As the eyewitnesses died out and these new and false teachings became more widespread, he took up his pen and recorded what he knew to be true. He writes as an eyewitness to the life and teachings of Jesus, but also as a wise leader who has seen the tragic consequences false leaders who twist the truth. Just like Luke, the Gospel of John confronts you with the most important question of our lives, “who is Jesus?” John begins his answer in the very first sentence.

As we soak in the sweepingly poetic writing of John, we’ll see that he beautifully records the most important things he knows about Jesus. This book is one that a new believer can read and come away with increased knowledge and faith. It also is so layered that we can return to it over and over again for the rest of our lives and never fully plumb its depths. As you read, two things to look out for are the miracles and “I am” statements of Jesus. The other Gospels have numerous miracles. This book has seven. Each is recorded in order to affirm an important truth about who Jesus is and what He has dominion over. There are also seven sets of “I am” statements. Each of these reveals something important about Jesus. Pay attention to them. Let me know what you think.

Finally…let me know if there is anything I can do to support you in reading this book. I’ve been posting a few thoughts on the chapter on my personal Facebook timeline as we go, but I am open to other options. I have a public Facebook page as well and can share there instead (if someone asks me to). As always, feel free to shoot questions my way any time. Let’s pray for each other as we continue our journey together.

End of an Act

End of an Act

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Today, the journey ends. A ragtag band of folks from around the world have traveled with Luke through the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. One day at a time and one chapter at  time, we have done it. Every question and comment has been a treasure. Having so many fellow travelers has helped keep me on track.

As the end drew near I have gotten reflective. This kicked off organically and without much of a plan. So, why did I do this and what did we learn? What’s next? In the past week I’ve uncovered my deeper motivation. In typical preacher style, I’ve got four alliterated points.

Engage. I’ve seen countless studies and statistics claiming that although the Bible is more accessible than it has ever been, Christian are less engaged with it. In general, we claim to believe everything it says but we rarely open it. People tend to have overly mystical view of it and stay away because it seem intimidating. My goal is to dispel some of that anxiety. Through this Luke/Acts adventure, we have visibly demonstrated we can read our Bibles entire books at a time and that it really doesn’t take very long. A chapter Luke or Acts generally takes less than ten minutes. We have learned first-hand that we can do this. Even if we don’t understand every nuance, we can spend time in the Word. 

Enrich. A sentiment I hear often is “I need to be spiritually filled.” The pace and stress of life can be draining. When we join a church and start serving, we discover that the biggest joy in our lives can quickly become a burden. Scripture intake is one of the best ways to retreat and refill. Honestly, there were days during this reading that I didn’t have the energy at the end of the day to crack open my Bible. But, because of the team, I did. Each and every time, the rewards were plentiful. Simply spending time in the Word enriches us spiritually. By keeping the plan encouraging and grace-filled, it kept it from becoming a burden.  

Educate. The reason reading plans tend to die in Leviticus is because it is a tough book! It’s difficult to understand how the minutiae of ancient ceremonial laws about cleanliness apply to us today. When the words on the page don’t seem to apply, it is almost impossible to engage and be enriched. By starting in Luke and Acts, the gap isn’t so wide. One really cool thing about the Bible is that there is an overarching metanarrative of God’s plan for mankind, which is a plan of salvation and redemption. When we grasp that overall plan, it is easier to wade into those harder books. It’s okay to start in Luke instead of Genesis. It’s okay to read Acts next instead of Leviticus. Part of the goal of this plan is to give people permission to do just that.

Luke gives us the account of the final stage in God’s plan (the coming of Jesus and the work He did on our behalf). Acts gives us the outworking of that plan…how it transforms lives and is spread to the world. These books are a great place to begin grasping that big-picture view. What God revealed in part through the Law and Prophets, He revealed in full through the incarnation (and now to use through the Bible). If all we have is the life of Jesus, that is enough. But as we press more deeply, the light of Jesus shines on and illuminates all of Scripture. Throughout this journey I have encouraged questions and tried to challenge people to dive more deeply into both the historical facts and the theological truths, as well as the implications of both. We can spend the rest of our lives studying the Word and not plumb the depths fully. I’m looking forward to doing just that, and hopefully if you’ve been reading along, you’ve got a taste for it too.

Evangelize. Reading about the life of Jesus is unlike any other reading experience. Jesus has a way of cutting through all the excuses we may have and confronting us with the big “Who Is Jesus?” question. It is impossible to read Luke or Acts and come away thinking that Jesus was just a good moral teacher. It’s also impossible that these accounts are embellished or infused with legend. The authors of these books honestly believed the words they wrote were absolutely true. You can discount them as conspirators or fools (although neither claim will hold up under scrutiny), but there is little else that can be said against them.

In Luke, Jesus clearly claims to be the Son of God sent to atone for the guilt of mankind. All of us are rebels. We have all turned from God. Jesus came not to woo us back, but to win us back. He took the punishment we deserved. Through His humanity, He was qualified to stand in for us. Through His divinity, He sacrifice was so valuable that it was sufficient to pay the price for us all. This is what He believed, and this is what all of His followers believed. It is explained and demonstrated in Luke and then attested to in Acts. When people grasped this back then, it led them to live bold and fearless lives for the faith, spreading the Good News to everyone they know and meet. As I have posted daily reflections, I find myself doing the same. This journey did not begin with the goal of evangelism, but as we progressed it became natural. Some days it was more overt than others, but I found myself continually confronting people with the question: “who is Jesus?” That’s the most important question of our lives, and it is one we should not dismiss too quickly.

If you’ve journeyed with me, congratulations on finished two books of the Bible. Hopefully you’ve been pressing in deeply and letting it speak into your life. My prayer is that you’ve been engaged with the Word, enriched by the Word, educated about the Word, and evangelized by the Word. Like I’ve said countless times, I have found the Christian worldview to be the most complete and comprehensive. No question is off limits. I say that as someone who spent twenty years as an atheist, with a degree in pure science (Physics) and a minor in philosophy. Mine pre-Christian system was not an unexamined worldview, but I now know I had a billion blind spots. If you have questions, send them my way. Since become a Christian 12 years ago, I have tried to poke holes in it in every possible way as I’ve tested its claims. It has withstood them all.

What’s next?

I started getting this question before we even finished Luke. I love the enthusiasm (and just realized that’s a fifth “E” word to add to the points above). This journey has been too beautiful to end now, so of course it will continue. But we’re going to take a week off. A little bit of rest will give everyone time to catch up with Luke and Acts. It will also give me time to write my FINAL PAPER FOR MY MASTERS!!! It’s due this week. I’m a huge advocate for reasonable reading plans, and the reasonable thing is to start on Monday, March 5.

The plan will be pretty much the same. We’ll shoot for a chapter a day, but give each other some grace. This time we’ll be in the Gospel of John. It has 21 chapters, so it’ll take three weeks. Next Sunday I’ll post an intro with some background to that book and comments about the likely author. If you don’t want to wait a week, then go ahead and start any time. I’ll be posting on Facebook daily starting on the 5th, and every Sunday here on the blog.

As always, thank you so much for coming on this adventure with me. Thank you for reading my thousand-word blog posts. And thank you for the encouragement and prayers. Y’all mean the world to me, so let’s spend eternity together.

The Lazy List

The Lazy List

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As I finished reading this third week of Acts (and 7th week of the Luke/Acts series), I found myself thinking about how much time it was taking every day. The answer was “not much.” That doesn’t mean I managed to squeeze it in every day, of course. Wednesdays seem to be extra jam-packed so they’ve become my most frequent skip day. But I’m old, so Fridays tend to be boring, which transforms it into my make-up day.

When reflecting on how much time was “not much,” I thought it’d be fun to think about things I do daily that take more time than reading a chapter of Luke or Acts.

  1. Look for the remote for the TV.
  2. Find something to watch on Amazon Prime.
  3. Watch something on Amazon Prime.
  4. Search for the perfect playlist to read by. (yes, I can spend more time finding a station or playlist than it actually takes to do the reading).
  5. Find the right podcast to listen to on my drive home from work.
  6. Play PokemonGO (seriously…I could read the Bible in a month if I spent as much time in the Word as I do trying to catch ‘em all).
  7. Browse Facebook.
  8. Read outrage on Twitter (people are even more outraged there than on Facebook).

    I can dig it!
  9. Try to figure out how to use Snapchat.
  10. Stare off into space.
  11. Watch the local news (seriously…I watch for 45 minutes and see the same irrelevant stories 3 times each and the same set of commercials about 8 times).
  12. Talk around the coffee pot at work.
  13. Laugh at the dogs.

I don’t do every single one of these every day, but I guarantee I do them every weekday and most weekend days as well. Every one of them takes more time than taking a slow and deliberate read through a chapter of Luke or Acts. None are more profitable, though.

We’ve heard that “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) This verse tells us scripture is important, life-changing, and vital to our Christian walk. It does not promise it is intuitive or easy. That’s why Paul is encouraging Timothy to stick with it. That’s why I’m encouraging you to stick with it. The entire New Testament was written almost 2,000 years ago. That’s quite a cultural gap to cross, but it is not impossible. It just takes a bit of persistence. “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I have one more week in the Acts of the Apostles. We’ve read 24 chapters in Luke and 21 in Acts so far. That’s more than many (most?) Christians ever read. If you’ve stayed with us, congratulations. Well done! If you stopped along the way, just pick it back up again. Start right where you left off or rejoin us in Acts 22 Monday.

In case it’s not obvious, I’m pretty passionate about God’s Word. In the past 12 years I have journeyed from a completely unchurched atheist to a (soon to be) seminary graduate. Obviously God has done an amazing work in me. The tool He has used the most to shape, chisel, mold, and grow me is the Bible.

What’s on your lazy list? Is there anything you can put down in order to pick up the Word?

Simple, Not Easy

Simple, Not Easy

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Today is grace day. As we take a day off between Luke and Acts, it’s an opportunity to take look both back and ahead. In just a few short weeks we’ve made it through all 24 chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Over the next few weeks, we’ll travel through 28 chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. Personally, I have found reading through books of the Bible has been the most fruitful way to learn about following Jesus. If you’ve taken this journey with me so far, I trust that you have found it uplifting, insightful, and challenging.

Looking back, my first reflection is about the book itself. I have loved how detailed and comprehensive Luke is. Luke was highly educated, compiling the Gospel of Luke from numerous eye-witness accounts. He wrote in a way that would be verifiable to the people of his day. These aren’t mysterious, mystical ramblings intended to inspire and enlighten like we find in other religions. This is an ancient biography. Whatever your opinions of miracles may be, the writer and witnesses to these events are simply reporting what they have seen. As far as style, it was not written to a Jewish audience and is somewhat linear in its telling of the life of Jesus. All of this makes it one of the most approachable books in the Bible for today’s audience. Written communication was much different back then, but this book comes pretty close to what we’re used to. Although it takes a little bit of work at times, most of us can get a lot out of this book quickly.

My second reflection is about Jesus Himself. Although much of what He said was misunderstood in its immediate context, He was quite clear about who He was and why He came. He has not left room for anyone (then or now) to call Him a great teacher or miracle worker. He quite clearly and repeatedly claimed divinity…that’s why the religious elite wanted to kill Him. If He claimed divinity and was not, then He was quite mad. But when we see what He did and what He taught, we see that He spent His entire ministry freeing people. He frees them from sickness, oppression, hunger, and even from death. Each of these acts points to the greatest one…He came to save all of us from the power of sin and death. The one form of oppression that enslaves us all is sin. The one form of poverty that touches each of us is spiritual. It is only through Jesus we are freed from the power and penalty that comes from sin. It is only through Jesus we become reconciled to God, which makes us spiritually rich. Some claim the ministry of Jesus is only about poverty alleviation and social justice here on earth. In this one book, we have seen people who are poor, rich, sick, healthy, Jew, Gentile, man, and woman all come to Jesus. We have seen that exact same demographic turn their back on Him. While the ministry of Jesus certainly brings with it justice and liberation here on earth, it is ultimately meaningless without freedom from sin and reconciliation with God. That’s why Jesus came.

Finally, the last reflection about Luke is personal. This time through Luke, I paid special attention to the interactions Jesus had with others. Throughout the Gospel, His invitation was open to everyone He met. Everyone. Throughout the Gospel, we see people continually walk away. I never once noticed Him turn His back on anyone. That is incredible to think about. The stereotype of Christianity is that it is judgmental and exclusionary. Jesus doesn’t model that. But why did so many turn away? In Luke, Jesus invites people to follow Him. It’s more than just belief…it’s a call to trust and follow. That is where new life is found, that is where we find freedom and refreshing. But there is a cost, and Jesus states it quite plainly. When He says “trust me,” He means with everything. For most, that is too steep a price to pay. Yes, we want relief. We want assurance. But we want it on our terms. We’re still stuck in a transactional mindset, negotiating with God…trying to get a small bit of relief in exchange for a tiny bit of obedience. Jesus holds His arms open wide and says, “give me all of you, and I will give you all of me.” He knows He’s getting the bad end of that deal, but He offers it anyway because of His deep love for us. He knows it will cost Him His life. He will die an agonizing death. Even so…His arms are open wide. Following Jesus is simple, but not easy.

We’re clinging to the pennies in our pocket while He’s offering us the keys to a Kingdom.

 

If you aren’t caught up with us in Luke, read a chapter or two today. Or dive into Acts since that’s where we’re headed next. This is a no-frills, no-pressure, grace-filled journey. Enjoy it.

As you start to dive into Acts, here are a few things to watch for.

Luke wrote Acts, so the writing style, pace, and language is going to be nearly identical to what we just finished. Expect a few historical details along the way. Feel free to Google some of the names and places if you like. There’s a lot of travel in this book, so this will be a great time to visit the maps in the back of your Bible!

Pay attention to the messages preached. Who is the message for? Why is it important? What’s the purpose? Remember, although the Old Testament tells Israel to welcome in the foreigners and sojourners, Judaism was primarily a national religion. Bringing outsiders in was uncommon. This changes dramatically in this book. Notice the role of women in this book. Are they valued or are they outcast? Do they play prominent roles or are they bystanders? A lot of people think the early church was pretty close to perfect. Pay close attention…what do you think? What did they do right and what did they get wrong?

If you’re reading closely, a few weeks in you might notice where Luke joins the story. This is one of my favorite little treasures in the book. If you think back on the Gospel, you’ll notice Luke isn’t in it at all. However, from Paul’s writings and from Acts, we know that Luke was converted to Christianity sometime after the ascension. If you’re reading closely, you’ll spot a specific shift in a specific town. Luke starts using the word “we” to refer to the travelers. Cool stuff.

A couple of final things to watch out for…look for how the Holy Spirit moves, acts, and empowers people. We’ll see it right off in chapter two, but pay attention throughout the rest of the book. Also pay special attention when they speak of the Word of God. What are they talking about? Why is it important? We’ve often heard Jesus referred to as “the Word.” Is that what they mean here?

I hope you’re enjoying our journey through Luke and Acts. I’ve been sharing a few reflections every day on my Facebook page to keep us on track and motivated. Feel free to join the conversation. I love seeing so many people reading along…people seem to be talking about the Word everywhere I go and it’s beautiful. Thanks for coming along with me.