Say Yes to Hate

You have seen the bumper stickers.  “Say no to hate.”  Problem is the term “hate” no longer has meaning.  It has been warped to essentially mean if you disagree with a “politically correct” position, say the choice of a homosexual lifestyle, you are a hater, or, to use another term that no longer has meaning a ____phobe, fill in the blank with whatever it is you tend to disagree.

Unsurprisingly, the world’s view does not align itself with Scripture.  There are too many examples to list here but you can start with Psalm 119: 104, 113, 128, if you want more email me and I will send you a longer list.

We hear a lot about the need to release hate.  That does not seem to be the counsel of the Bible.  We are to hate sin in all of its forms.  We are to oppose it and those who propagate it.  Before you respond that we are to hate the sin and love the sinner, spend some time in Psalms and Proverbs chasing down the term “hate.”

We have to choose between PC and following Christ.  Do we not?

Skills, Goals, and Mentors

In the past few days I have had a couple of conversations with men that were revealing not just of them but possibly of the state of the Church.  The first remark came from one of the men that is working toward team teaching Philippians in January.  He and his wife have been in the Sunday school I have taught for the past year or so – taught needs to be explained here – I am not a teacher.  That is not my primary motivational gift.  Exhortation drives me.  My goal in a Sunday school class is not to answer questions but to create them.  My friend commented that he would leave with the questions but when he got home when he opened his Bible he had no idea how to find the answers.  After our time together these past seven months he says he does now and he wants other men to have that desire and ability.

The second conversation was with a young associate of mine.  He outlined for me very specific goals in an area of his life for which he has great passion.  They were both specific and stretching.  If he accomplishes his goals it will move him far in the pursuit of his passion.  He is a believer.  After he had explained his goals after some hesitation I asked if he had similar goals for his spiritual growth.  He readily admitted that he did not and that he knew that was a problem but he also said that he had no idea how to set them.  I can help him with that, if he will let me.

What this seems to reveal in the Church is a departure from Christ’s mode of ministry.  Mark 3:14 may be the most succinct expression of his method.  Lest one think that method was supplanted by the pulpit, Matthew 28:18 – 20 and John 17:18, 20; 20:21, suggest otherwise.  We are not commanded to lead people to Christ and then leave them to try to figure this Christian life thing out on their own.  We are commanded to engage in the business of investing our lives in the lives of others, giving them an example to follow and instruction in how to pursue Christ.  That applies to our kids first.  But our assignment is much broader than that.

It is a graded assignment.

Home Run

A few weeks ago I was invited to screen a film that was shot here in Tulsa.  “Home Run" is scheduled for release sometime in the spring of 2013.  Make sure you see this film.

If you have read Wild at Heart, you are familiar with the idea of the father wound.  That concept is a subset of the overall theme of generational sin and bondage to which God refers in Exodus 2:5; 34:7; Numbers 14:18; and Deuteronomy 5:9.  This film explores that crucial theme in great detail, showing both the impact on the generations as well as extending hope on the breaking of that generational cycle.

The film is a study of recognizing, confronting unsuccessfully, and finally breaking that cycle through the power of grace, forgiveness, relationship, and the help of believing community.  It is done well.  The production quality is high.  The work extends to another level the quality of Christian Films that has been set by Sherwood Baptist.

We need to support this film not only because it is an unabashed Christian film, but also because the message will strike home deeply with men.

I will keep you updated on the film as I get more information.