The Worst Lies of Religion

Got 6 minutes?  I don’t know how to say it any more clearly; these are the most injurious lies of religion.  Give 6 minutes to this video, because knowing the truth is your way to navigate around them. . .and to help others do the same. 

Between The Past & The Present

The clock tower here is not from “Back To The Future,” but back to my past.  Yesterday evening I was sitting in a Starbucks in San Marino, CA, which wasn’t here when I was here.  (The Starbucks.) 

My California trip is coming to a close, and I’m a jumbled mix of past and present.  My parents lived here for fifty years, and it was home base until they passed on in 2008.  I had a three-hour lunch yesterday with one of my oldest and dearest friends, to whom I would entrust everything I have.  Besides, he nearly killed me a half-dozen times as we grew up together on the same street, so we’ve almost “been there, done that.”  (I love you, Jim.)

Last night I visited with two of my favorite knuckleheads whom I’ve loved since the mid 70’s, when we were idiot fraternity brothers at USC.  We have nothing to hide from each other, and fairly marvel that we’re still walking together through life since college.  (I love you, Pete and Steve.) Today, before going to a football game, I’ll drink a microbrew and make a mess of myself with some BBQ, while ganging up at a reunion of 100 stellar and fellow frat rats.  (Go, USC!  Beat Stanford!)

And I will relax late tonight with a family I’ve known for nearly 40 years.  They are a marvelous mix of beauty and brilliance, idiocy and lunacy, calm and chaos, kindness and love.  We love!  Do you see a theme?  The longer I’ve lived the more I am convinced that being WITH people, people of all sorts and beliefs, is what matters.  Yes, theology is vital, and, thankfully, being loved and lived-in by Jesus works out and looks really good with other people.  To me, that’s good theology.  (I love you, Steve, Denise, Kelsea and Douglas!)

Tomorrow I return to the present, which means hugs and kisses galore from my wife and daughters in Colorado.  Oh, how I long for them as I write.  I love you, Sarah, Ellen and Emma.  Imma go see you tomorrow.

The Power & Pain of Authenticity

If I’m going to be authentic with people—who I am with nothing added—I will likely feel a fleshly urge to add some pizzazz or extra personality or something really good to say in order to enhance the result. Refraining from that urge can seem like I’m ignoring an opportunity that really ought to be filled. I was once very good at filling voids with jokes, sarcasm, nervous laughter, or witticisms. But choosing now to be authentic means I’m resting and trusting in Christ and choosing life by the Spirit. And that’s different.

When we’re born again, we are no longer of the flesh nor are we in the flesh, and life is by the Spirit. That means our primary awareness becomes God—with us and in us—and not our previous fascination with how to be or what to do in our days. Life navigation used to be outward oriented; now it is inward. Our greatest prize and joy becomes knowing God—even when we’re with people—and trusting Him to produce in us and through us what He wants and would be to the people and situations that we find ourselves in.  That’s fun.  It’s invigorating, and allows for Christianity—life in Christ—to be the life it’s supposed to be.

Really, most of us are used to dressing up our behaviors and interactions with people. Do you know what I mean?  The flesh sends us the message that we should enhance everything—you know, turn on the charm—which will give us better odds of getting what we want. And it might, actually, so that can become our goal in life.  Right?  Control yourself = Get what you want. In fact, if you do not enhance your interactions with people in the ways that others do and expect, they might view you as different or odd. “She’s not with the program.”  But you’ll know better because you’ll be knowing Jesus.  You’ll be led by the Spirit, and that’s where the excitement is, that’s where life is.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t just be yourself.  On the contrary, this is how your authentic self is found—on the inside with God and in union with Him.  This is one way that you find both — through authenticity.

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “The Power & Pain of Authenticity,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, click http://youtu.be/q1HhniGaG_w.)

The Power & Pain of Authenticity

Have you got 3.5 minutes for Authenticity? Take a quick look at why our relationships often go screwy, and why, after knowing someone for quite some time, they turn out to be far different than we thought. They were inauthentic and you got faked out. But there is a way forward — here’s how.

Acceptable Through Christ

Here’s a quote from a popular and current teacher in the church, who shall go nameless because I wish to focus upon the truth, rather than upon the one who speaks error.  After all he could change his mind, and—who knows—I might be wrong.  Here’s what he said: 

“Worshiping God is the most serious thing you can ever do. The most serious crimes against God occur in corrupt worship.” 

I believe this man sees us as separate from Christ—as having not been brought into Him through the cross and resurrection, and so we have to perfect ourselves, our offerings and our worship, or we will pay the price for our “crimes” against God.  In my view, this man does not see people through the new covenant made with Christ, but through the former covenant made and dependent upon individual obedience.  That is a terrible error, because he doesn’t see our worship as being made acceptable since it is through Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5), who has become for us our perfect righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Jesus Christ is perfect, and we offer ourselves and our worship through Him because that’s where we are.  And that’s just right.

Where The Beauty Starts

Okay, I admit it: I'm a sucker for people-loving-people stories. Not the romantic, roses and exotic vacation stories (those have their place), but people working for the best for others. Not because the government mandates it (Ahem!), but because they want to. That's where the beauty starts.

What The Holy Spirit Is Doing With You

Let’s talk about “ministry,” a fairly archaic word.  If anyone calls me a minister—“Let’s welcome Minister Harris”—I cringe, at least inwardly.  But it’s an important word, nevertheless.  Its essential meaning is “service” or “assistance.”  To illustrate consider the following statement: 

“The ministry of the law, which rightly condemns me, brings out my failures, but the ministry of the Spirit brings out His success.”

The good work of the law—the assistance it gives—has always been to condemn and bring death.  On the other hand, the work or service of the Holy Spirit is always to rightly convince believers of our complete and eternal righteousness in Christ.  One good work (that former work) brought imprisonment.  The old covenant believers were never free nor far from their sin, but through endless, repetitive and gory sacrifices, they were ever reminded of it.  Please read Hebrews 10, and you’ll find it there.  But just imagine an innocent animal being sacrificed every year for the sins of the people—you and the guy next to you—and you would know that sin was not finished and put away—you were not free of it.  “Hey, Moishe, what are doing at this time next year?”  “Same as you, Ibrahim.  Got it on the calendar—don’t worry.  See you next year.”  Every year this is what happened.

But this good work—this New Covenant ministry—convinces us (or convicts us, if you like) that we have been made free from our sin through one final sacrifice and have been given the righteousness of Another, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Now that’s a ministry!  And that’s the ministry we’re all involved in.

There is no more calling up Moishe and arranging to meet up at the sacrificial altar on Sunday.  “Want to get lunch at Cracker Barrel after we get free of our sins, Moishe?”  There is now no more sacrifice for sin, because the ONE SACRIFICE ended it!  Please don’t denigrate Jesus’ sacrifice by believing you’ve got to add your particular sacrifice into the mix in order to get free of your sin.  That’s a deadly sacrifice.  If you’ve received Jesus, you’re alive and free!  “Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).  In Him “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).

Listen to what the apostle Paul wrote, rather well acquainted himself with the two agreements, the two ministries, God made for believers:

2 Corinthians 3:6-11 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 

So, what are you feeling right now?  Stop and think.  Stop.  Think.  According to the scriptures, the Holy Spirit is right now working to convince you of what Jesus has given you and made you to be—righteous!  Well off with God.  Perfect.  The biblical phrase “to convict” means to “convince utterly.”  What a good thing that is!  “Moishe!  In Christ there’s an end to sacrifice and there’s freedom from sin!  Oh, my God!  Can you believe it?”

And the answer is:  “Yes!”  That’s the ministry of the Spirit, and that’s what He will be doing with you today.  And tomorrow.  And the day after that.  Serving freedom and life in Christ is what’s on His everyday menu.  How cool is that?

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “What The Holy Spirit Is Doing With You,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, click http://youtu.be/RIpsY0PukWk.)

Sacramento Event Cancelled

My roller coaster life continues to dazzle me with ever-changing dips, loops and bends.  You know that speaking gig I had near Sacramento?  It seems the hosts have a roller coaster life too, and have to cancel the event.  I’m going to spend time with just them this weekend, and we’ll share what life is like particularly in the dips—screaming is acceptable.  (Sorry for inconveniencing you.)

What The Spirit Is Doing With You

Have you wondered what The Holy Spirit’s main thing is in your day-to-day life?  What’s on His menu?  What’s He serving up?  Take 5.5 minutes and see what you think.

Hey, Sacramento!

For everyone in the Sacramento, California, area, I will be speaking at Free Ride, Inc., this Saturday, November 9, at 7:00pm. I'd love to meet you, and that will be easy if you come for the free BBQ that begins at 5:00.  

For more information, call (916) 259-1904. Free Ride is located at: 4041 Alvis Ct. #B, Rocklin, CA, 95677.

Even Political Commentators

I confess — I am a pretty regular news-watcher. Because I value getting both sides of the story, I have become familiar with conservative and liberal commentators. The following article written by self-avowed liberal, sometimes-atheist, Kirsten Powers, grabbed my attention. Click on the link if you are interested.

“’It's true. It's completely true.’ The world looked entirely different, like a veil had been lifted off it. I had not an iota of doubt. I was filled with indescribable joy.”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/november/fox-news-highly-reluctant-jesus-follower-kirsten-powers.html?paging=off

Jesus' Roller Coaster

Some of us have fairly crazy lives—you know who you are—so have you ever wondered if maybe you are Jesus’ roller coaster, His daily thrill ride?  Would that be so bad?  It explains a lot to me. 

Think about it.  If Jesus is, indeed, where He thinks He is—in you, in me—and our days are full of crazy ups and downs, ins and outs, rough corners over there and over here, and lots of “Aaaaaahhh!” worthy moments, then don’t you think that He might have planned it that way?  Isn’t it possible that He planned to experience everything just as you do, inside of you, in the same way? 

You know:  morning drudgery, coffee, BACON, pastry, fruit, blender (protein powder?), work, lunch, work, weirdos and whackos that you have to deal with, frustration, grief, excitement, sickness, expectation, disappointment, satisfaction, fear, dinner (wine?), Monday night football, Downton Abbey re-runs, The Walking Dead, Netflix, or maybe a good book, fatigue, wonder (“Am I okay today, Jesus?  Are you with me?”), and then sleep.

Yes.  All of it.  You are okay.  He is with you and He is in you.  Through it all.  No matter what.  And, one day, the two of you will enjoy talking face-to-face all about the crazy thrill-ride you were for Him.  That will be an incredible day for Him and for you—roller coaster breath.

Until then, He’s riding in you. 

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “Jesus’ Roller Coaster,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, click http://youtu.be/OrnAJ-NQYM0.)

Jesus' Roller Coaster

Is your life filled with ups and downs, crazy events and emotional peaks and valleys?  Give 3 minutes to this fun little video and see if you don’t feel better about the whole thing. 

Sacramento Area

For everyone in the Sacramento, California, area, I will be speaking at Free Ride, Inc., on Saturday, November 9, at 7:00pm.  I’d love to meet you.  For more information, call (916) 259-1904.  Free Ride is located at: 4041 Alvis Ct. #B, Rocklin, CA, 95677.

It's Time

Don't you think it's about time?