Frustrating Christians. March 27, 2008

I work for a Christian bookstore so I have this unique “privilege” to “Christians” at their best and worst.  Yesterday they were at their worst.

The conversation went something like this.

Me: Hello, how are you today?

Customer: <exacerbated> I need a bible!

Me:  OK well first do you have a translation preference?

Customer: the study kind.

Me: OK by translation I mean NIV, NLT, King James, New King James…

Customer: <irritated> I need the “Saint James, new living application international version study bible!  And it has to be The HOLY Bible!”

This is a good place to stop.  I should mention that this customer is a “pastor.”  When I asked what bible she read she couldn’t tell me.  when I asked what the “official” bible was for her church or the one she preached from on Sundays she replied “the saint James international study new living application Holy bible.”

To clarify she is looking for a KJV (king James version), NLT (New living translation), Life application, NIV (new international version), Study Bible… oh and it has to be Holy!  That is 3 different versions and 2 different sets of study notes all wrapped up in a nice neat little Holy package.

I can’t stand when “career Christians” come in and can’t even tell me what version of the bible they read.  On our Employment application it asks “what is your favorite Translation of the bible?”  more than 50% have a bible verse written below the question while another 25% have a quote like “God is good” or if you can’t say something nice…” AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Later I had a pastors wife come in looking for “THE sinners prayer.”  For one of the deacons in her church whose husband was dying of cancer.  He is not a believer and the wife had never felt comfortable (and still doesn’t) sharing her faith with him.

That story is HORRIBLE!  A wife not comfortable enough to share her saviour with her dying husband.  A pastors wife looking for “THE sinners prayer” because “any old words won’t do.”

Now I am not the best Christian I have my faults and struggles.  I don’t run into a phone booth rip my shirt and become super christian.  But these people that don’t take their faith seriously grate on me… 

This is what you believe…

Jesus Christ Came from heaven, and died on a cross for you.  Yet you have a cavalier attitude to it all.

One final note the “pastor” spent $60 on an “NASB Life application Study bible” (she picked it out because the box was black.)  When she handed me the money she said “I ain’t even worried about it.  God’s gonna pay me back 10 fold fo sho!” 

I pray she reads it.

Tell me what you think.

Later,

Billy

My Easter March 25, 2008

I have been meaning to write about my experience this Easter.  I have been busy with prep for the coming week and I am really looking forward to seeing what God can do this week.

So You may recall reading this post about how I wasn’t really feeling the “Easter spirit.”  Well very shortly after I wrote that post (and I mean very shortly after because as I recall I went to bed right after writing it) I realized that the Easter spirit is one of renewal, one of new birth and I realized that I was in need of that.

My friend Jeff had asked me a day earlier if everything was ok and that he was concerned about me.  I told him everything was fine just the “normal every day stresses.”  I was being truthfull, their really was/isn’t anything wrong more than the “normal everyday stresses.”  But sometime those little rutts are enough to through you off.

Back to Sunday.  The worship was great.  The songs were perfect, the videos were very well done there was a great energy in the room.  The first part of service I was torn between looseing my self in the worship and staying engaged to the needs of the ever increasing population in our auditorium.  As it was we added 2 rows of seats about 30 min. in to service.  I doing that I had the opportunity to poke my head into the kids class rooms.  The leaders and children were engaged with one another, and you could tell they were all excited to be there.  The message was next and I thought Marty did an outstanding job.  You could tell that he was passionate about what God had given him to communicate.  That translated into the room.

As I went about my day I realized that I had been a part of an amazing day at Fellowship church.  That God was there and did his thing.  We saw friends that hadn’t been around for a while as well as some guests that will hopefully become new friends. 

So I still have my “normal everyday stresses.”  But I can honestly say that after Sunday I feel spiriually renewed.  I think I just needed to see others in that place.  Donald Miller says in Blue Like Jazz “Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.”  Just being around people that loved what they were doing and people that were worshipping the one that loves us.  A pastor passionate about his message

Easter March 22, 2008

Well, I haven’t written in a bit and I was thinking today about why that is.  I could blame it on writers block or being too busy and those would be somewhat true but really I have been trying to get into the Easter spirit.  Sadly to say with out much luck.  I could blame that on a number of things.  All the finger pointing though would be unjustified.  Truthfully I just haven’t gotten there.  I was struck the other day with the realization that Easter is tomorrow.  I work for a Christian bookstore, and a Church.  You would think that I would have been in the spirit a few months ago. 

I know all the stories of Easter.  The radical, life changing truths of this season are not lost.  What I missed though was finding the intimacy with God that I find myself at this 11th hour (literally and figuratively) longing for.

I was out at lunch on Friday with some of the guys from church and one of them noticed that another one of the guys was particularly quiet.  When Jeff (the first guy) mentioned it Steve (the second guy) said that his life group had taken communion a couple of nights earlier and it had left him in a pretty somber state.   I felt this piece of me scream “I WANT THAT!!!”

I want to be rocked to my knees tomorrow.  I want to be overcome with the knowledge that I was bought by blood.  I want to fall in such deep love with my creator that everything else seems worthless.  I want to live with that knowledge everyday at the front of my mind.  I want to see the same for others.  I want to see those far from God brought crashing to their knees.  I want to see amazing life changes happen. 

I will be at church early tomorrow (nothing new).  I am going to spend some time in prayer and then go on with my usual preparations. 

Join me in praying that got really rocks Holden, Ma and Fellowship Church.

Peace,

Billy

Comfort for those that can’t sleep March 10, 2008

I couldn’t sleep so I decided to check my feeds.  First up was this story on Ragamuffinsoul.

 I read a story of a pastor that in the span of a week has left his church his wife and his kids… for a married woman.  And I felt angry.

I read a Blog about this story from the former Worship leader of that church.  And felt angry and sad… but more sad now.

My heart started to do that fluttery thing like when you have a deep chill or are all hopped up on adrenaline after a car accident.  And although it’s cold out the flutter isn’t from that.  It’s because by heart is broken for those families and that church.  I am less angry now.

I have never been too the church, and as far as I know I don’t know anyone that has been there.  Yet I feel for them.  I have read the pastors blog before and thought he had some great insights and pearls of wisdom.  That is my only real connection to this situation.  But I feel so involved and so connected.

Perhaps it hits home as I am in ministry and had an argument with my wife tonight over something stupid.  A baby gate for those interested.  Now I don’t think that my ministry and his are anywhere even close to the same level (he was pastor of  a multi-camps church) or that my wife and I are going to split over a baby gate.  But it is sobering.  And calls things into perspective. 

It makes me appreciate my wife and all the incredible things she does.  from working full time, volunteering at the church, cleaning the house, raising 2 girls (and 1 husband), balancing the difficult schedules and keeping everyone happy.  She is a wonder women and I probably don’t tell her that enough…

Then I read a blog from my friend Jeff.  How true are the words of Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  They came at a great time for me.  and Jeff I too am emotional as I write them.  God is here (with me), God is there (with the family and friends of the pastor), and God is with you.  He comforts those who mourn.

Peace,

Billy

Very cool news. March 6, 2008

One of my Favorite musicians Andrew Peterson has written a new book called “On The Edge Of The Sea Of Darkness” and I have been chosen to review the book here on my blog.  My Blog will be linked over to his site and the publishers site for all the world to see.

Andrew is a great christian folk singer.  And he has a great site called The Rabbit Room.  Where he and various other singer, songwriter, authors, and pastors write articles on movies, books, music, life.  It is a great place to spend a couple hours.  

The problem is that after visiting there I become very aware that my writing skills are really nonexistent.  I am quite intimidated by it all.

The book is being mailed out to me today so look for the review around the 17th.

Later,

Billy

did I miss something? March 4, 2008

When did atheism become a religion?  In order to have religion don’t you need to have a common belief IN something?  Specifically I would think something spiritual.  I hardly think the common belief that their is no “higher power” constitutes a religion.

What do you think?

Also please note I am not trying to anger atheists.  I am trying to see how people are defining religion.

Later,

Billy

3,2,08 March 2, 2008

I am still trying to digest my thoughts on church this morning.  The whole morning never felt settled to me.  There were some things that would lead me to feel that way but things never found their groove.  May be it was me… I’m not sure.

We had some technical problems this morning.  The biggest being that none of the instruments could go through the house.  Meaning that the sound guy (me) had no control over the instruments once we got started.  All adjustments had to be made before service.  The monitors were acting like the house speakers which meant Marty’s lavaliere mic was feeding back so we had to unplug them for the service.  But God is awesome and he did his thing in spite of us.

Marty spoke about feeling in adequate for the call that God placed on his life.  He used great examples of different biblical figures who encountered some similar struggles.  And how God used them despite their short comings.  I think we all need to remember that God uses broken vessels.  And most often it is our cracks and blemishes that bring him the greatest glory.

Back to the band.  They did a great job in spite of the technological set backs.  They really kept their heads in the game.  I think I might sabotage things each week to keep us on our toes.  They did seem a little distracted but I think the heart of the songs shown through.  I intentionally didn’t say “the heart o worship” as we sang that song today.  It really brought the truth of that song out.  And it was good to have Al hear for his first of many back to back appearances.  Although we should still be in prayer for him and Erica as they search for a new permanent residence and continue to unpack.  Also Al starts his new job tomorrow.

 All in all I thought it was another awesome week to be at Fellowship Church.  Some times you need to be set out of your groove and left feeling unsettled.

Later,

Billy

xtreeeeeeme March 1, 2008

why is it that people go to extremes?  Sky diving, and Bungee Jumping are one thing but why do people point to extremes to make a point?

What ever political or religious affiliation you follow I am sure you have heard how absurd your stance on X, Y, and Z is. 

Let’s look at the debate on whether or not it should be OK for homosexual couples to adopt.  The pro-tradition side says that a child raised in that environment will have a warped sense of right and wrong.  Their views on gender will be destroyed.  They will grow up distrusting, and hating men.  And worse of all they will shot Laser beams from there eyes.  While the pro-gay side will say that the gay or lesbian couple will love and care for that child more than the drunken redneck that beats his prostitute wife and burns the “family” dog with cigarettes.

Wow!  When you look at those arguments you hardly no where to start.  On one hand you have a drunken wife beater and on the other hand you have a child that shoots laser beams at men.  Can you really compare the best of one world with the worst of another?  Isn’t it apples and oranges?  If you want to truly accomplish something more than just being heard you should compare your best with there best and be brave enough to compare your worst to there worst.

We even use extremes when talking about little meaningless things.  “That pepper was like a million degrees!” ” My boss is the biggest jerk.”  Really?  Cause my boss is a pretty big jerk too.

It drives me crazy.  Shouldn’t we focus on the common ground?  If we made the common ground a pleasant place to be don’t you think that more people would join us there?  Then we could find other things we had in common.  Think of the influence you could have.

The problem is that the conversation will eventually get around to our differences and we will both push away.  Accusing the other side of some outrageous extreme that in our hearts we know isn’t what they believe.  They will do the same thing and before you know it no one is talking to each other.  Everyone looks inward and thinks they are more and more right and everyone else is crazy.

Marriages are destroyed because of this.  Friendships crumble.  And we are left alone.  Relationships that once thrived are left in ruin because one person took their “ball” and went home.

What do we do about this?  Tell me what you think.  I promise you this though.  If you take anything I said to an extreme I will delete your comment and not read it.  Call me closed minded.  But I like people and I want to think the best of them.  So I will choose to focus on the common ground and cultivate it.  I will pray that when our common ground is “the place to be” we will have enough respect for each other to talk civilized about what divides us and perhaps redraw our boundaries.  Giving in a little here and gaining a little there. 

Later,

Billy