Sounding the alarm
Some of you may know that I’m currently reading eight different books, which is really not in itself that unusual for me.
However, one of these books has so remarkably and completely captured my heart that words simply can’t begin to touch the depths of my soul with which it resonates. This book is a biography written by Eric Mataxas and titled simply Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy. In the vastness of the universe, supposedly so interconnected through the miracle that is modern technology, I have somehow managed to identify with a dead man in a manner that I’ve not connected to a living person in quite some time.
I know. That’s odd. Strange. Peculiar. Call it what you will, but it is the truth.
Here on page 121, as the Nazis have just come to power in Germany, this attentive, astute young theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is starting to see the handwriting on the wall. Mataxas writes:
Bonhoeffer wrote . . . . ‘the outlook is really exceptionally grim.’ He felt that they were ‘standing at a tremendous turning point in world history,’ that something was about to happen. But what? In his prescient way, Bonhoeffer sensed that whatever lay ahead, the church would be threatened. He wondered if it would survive at all. ‘Then what’s the use of everyone’s theology?’ he asked. There were now an urgency and a seriousness to Bonhoeffer that had not been there before. Somehow he sensed he must warn people of what lay ahead. It was as if he could see that a mighty oak tree, in whose shade families were picnicking, and from whose branches children were swinging, was rotten inside, was about to fall down and kill them all. Others observed the change in him. For one thing, his sermons became more severe.
I certainly can’t begin to put myself in a category with someone of this exceptional character, caliber, and courage. However, there’s a change in me too . . . an urgency, a seriousness, that even though there before, has become more pronounced in light of our nation’s dismal and dangerous state of being. And the sad thing is, at least from my perspective, that no one really cares to hear the alarm.
“Just hit the snooze button,” they might as well say.
“Don’t annoy us with the facts.” “It’s all going to work out.” “How do you like my pedicure?” “When this CD matures, I’m gonna . . . .”
Enough already! Read more…
4 keys to staying fresh as a leader
One of the most challenging things for anybody to do is to resist the status quo. Essentially, whenever we begin to think that we’ve ‘arrived,’ we can be sure that we haven’t.
Our staff team is currently reading through Reggie McNeal‘s book, Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders. During our team meeting on Tuesday I had the privilege of leading the discussion of chapter three, which was on the topic of self-development. Admittedly, I’ve read a number of books from a wide variety of authors, both from the vantage point of great business minds and well-known Christian leaders. However, this particular book is proving to be one that challenges me to really evaluate myself in some tough ways.
We’re all familiar with the concept of lifelong learning — especially those of us who have to complete a certain number of hours for our professional licenses or affiliations. McNeal, however, talks a lot about something else — ‘lifelong un-learning.’ He defines that term as a “willingess to put yesterday’s ideas, attitudes, and approaches under the knife of new insights and new challenges.” This concept is not really that new to me, but I really like the way McNeal articulates it. Read more…
The inanity of political correctness
I did not grow up in a perfect family. I would imagine that’s true for most of my readers (not to insult you, just pointing out that this blog doesn’t appear to get many hits from perfect people).
Despite any imperfections, my family did manage to teach me strong Judeo-Christian values, including strength of character, the importance of personal responsibility, and self-respect. Our American culture is spiraling out of control because we have been coaxed and cajoled by the media elite (who clearly didn’t have perfect families either) to believe that in order to be respected, our country must roll out the ‘welcome’ mat and be stomped on by those who simply do not share traditional American values.
Christians are increasingly under attack even in America. Atheists partner with liberal lawyers to challenge Christians’ right to pray to a God that the atheist doesn’t even believe exists. Churches are increasingly, though for the most part subtly(for the time being), pressured to not speak out on issues of moral right and wrong. In fact, the notion of ‘absolute truth’ has become nearly as offensive as a swear word, even among many believers.
Now New York City is moving ahead with plans to allow for a new Islamic mosque to be erected at Ground Zero — the very place where radical Islamic jihadists would snuff out the lives of nearly 3000 people not even ten years ago. The mayor of NYC doesn’t seem to understand what’s wrong with this picture because, after all, NYC is a place that prides itself on its colorful mosaic of diversity and multiculturalism.
Rodney King is perhaps best known for that whiny phrase, “Can’t we all get along here?”
Well, in a nutshell the answer is no — at least not if we intend to live with some measure of dignity and self-respect. Read more…
The danger of pretending
One of the best questions I’ve ever encountered as a leader is: “What are you pretending not to know?”
I know . . . it’s not especially deep at first glance. But when you spend some time with it and really think it through, I think you’ll agree that it’s a question worth keeping around.
I ran across this post about mega-churches the other day, and I’ve been giving it some considerable thought. In fact, I’ve found myself asking that question: “What are you pretending not to know?”
Having served in a number of churches through the years, I can attest to the fact that young adults indeed seem to be leaving the church — or at least migrating to nearby mega-churches. Whether it’s the coffee shop, the bookstore, or the high-energy children’s programming that draws them in, many medium-sized churches are feeling that frustration and discouragement that comes from having ‘missing generations.’
I have a number of friends and ministry colleagues involved in leadership at some of the nation’s most vibrant mega-churches. These are good people with strong values and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Having grown up in the country, I’ve had my share of turns helping a stubborn old goat get its horned head out of a fence. That experience sure gives practical weight to the old adage, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Read more…
Join the fight for freedom!
For the past three years I have used this space as a place to share my thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from family relationships to spiritual issues to church and politics, the latter of which often go hand-in-hand.
My writing is a source of personal therapy for me — as well as ministry and hopefully encouragement to those who read faithfully or just happen to stop by on occasion. Your support and feedback is often expressed privately through emails or Facebook messages, which is just fine with me. However, for the past year or so a handful of persistent ‘fans’ (wow, I really hate that word in this context) have encouraged me to take this site to a different level.
Well, today I’m venturing into a new place, looking to horizons unknown — but believing that God has placed me in this role for such a time as this. As a man deeply passionate about Jesus Christ and profoundly loyal to this place called America, that God has blessed from generation to generation — I am stepping up to be part of the solution to what is wrong in our nation.
With church attendance steadily dropping across denominations, and moral decay exposing the ugly roots of deeper spiritual problems, I am going with my gut and kicking into high gear that long-held notion of mine, that one person really can make a difference. The fact of the matter is that if our country truly does want to experience the continued blessings of God, then we must as individuals fall on our faces in humility, repent of our sins, and plead for God’s hand of blessing on our nation.
As you might imagine, I have been called everything from a ‘right-wing kook’ to a ‘religious nut.’ And quite frankly, you can’t stay in ministry as long as I have if your skin is thin. The bottom line is that I care far more about my God, and far more about my country, than I care about the wide assortment of labels that may be used to characterize my actions.
As Christians, I believe the time is now to rise up and be counted. With ever-increasing rules, regulations, and laws being made in spite of our Constitution, this ‘land of the free’ is seeming less so all the time. I believe in a sovereign God who remains in control of all things and surprised by nothing. However, I also believe that with freedom comes great responsibility. Read more…
