Have you seen Freddy the Pharisee?

September 14, 2010 in Church with 0 Comments

I love this breakdown that Rick Warren give in his daily newsletter about those Christians who "wrongly think following Jesus means they have to become judgmental and legalistic." Here's what he wrote:

"Often well-meaning and misguided people can cause us to avoid God because of their fanaticism. Here are the types of religious fanatics I've observed over the years:

  • Freddy the Pharisee: Rigid, narrow-minded, and legalistic, he has a rule for everything. His favorite word is "don't." And it's only natural for some people to fear they may become just like that if they become a Christian. But Jesus called people like Freddy the Pharisee, "blind guides," saying, "You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24 NLT).
  • Susie Self-righteous: Holier-than-thou attitude and judgmental of others, her favorite phrase is "Thank God, I'm not like you!" Am I going to become like that if I become a Christian? Jesus told the story of two men praying; one self-righteous and one humbled by his failures: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 18:14 NLT).
  • Billy Bible-thumper: He's an obnoxious and overzealous crusader. His favorite phrase is "Turn or burn!" Yet, God's plan for bringing us home to him is full of love, grace, and sacrifice: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17 NIV).
  • Pauline Praise-eluia: She can't speak without religious clichés. Everything is a miracle or the Devil did it. She's put her brain on the shelf. But God doesn't want you to stop thinking when you become a Christian; in fact, he wants to give you the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV).

"These are stereotypes, but they represent people who have abandoned their relationship with Jesus to instead embrace a religion. Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life [not religion] and have it to the fullest!" (John 10:10)."

So true! Is there another type that he didn't mention?


Michael Douglas, Cancer, and Me

September 2, 2010 in Other with 0 Comments

Last year, when I heard the words, "you have cancer," the world as I knew it changed forever. Like Michael Douglas, I was classified stage 4, but I had non-Hogdkins lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Regardless of our difference in cancers, the end result was the same: chemotherapy and facing the fact that death could be a possibility.

I did six rounds of chemotherapy last summer. It was like getting struck by lightning every three weeks! Those drugs affect every part of your being. And like Michael Douglass said on Letterman, each successive round knocks you down further.

During that time, I read The Bible extensively. It was my lifeline because it provided me with the wisdom to make it through mentally and spiritually and it let me know that if I believe in Jesus, I would go to heaven if I did die.

I was declared in remission on Sept 3. The cancer came back in June but I had surgery to remove the only lymph node that was cancerous. I'm still battling it one year later! When I read news about someone with cancer, I can certainly identify.

I would encourage anyone with cancer to begin to read The Bible, talk to a Christian or go to church. It will change your life! You can start reading here. You can read more about my story here. 

Another round of chemo last year.

Warning: Do Not Read These Books

August 25, 2010 in Faith, Other with 0 Comments

In The Bible, people who believed in Jesus were drastically changed. Their lives were never the same again. They left their jobs to follow him, they renounced their previous ways of living. They gave all they had to help others — literally. In Acts, people were selling their possessions and giving them to those in need as one community. One couple tried to hold back some of the profits they got from a land sale and lied about it to the Christian leaders. They dropped dead on the spot!

Most Christians, and I include myself, want to live comfortable lives, taking few chances and really not taking time to live out what The Bible says. We spend more time trying to be successful in our jobs than we do living for God. We spend more time pursuing hobbies than we do pursuing God.

But these three books give us the plumb line that keeps us straight in line with a true Christian life. Read them if you dare.

"God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not…we all know somethings wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo?"

"You have a plan for the rest of your life. God has a plan for the rest of your life. Are they the same? You have expectations for how your life will play out, and you hope those plans will become realities. But what if God's plan for your life is far different from what you had in mind? Can you accept that? Will you surrender your goals for God's?"

"It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…."

Pastor Shocks Church: “Get Out Hymn Books”

August 23, 2010 in Church with 1 Comment


Just as I was standing up in church to sing, I heard our worship pastor say, "Hymn number 548." Suddenly, the pianist stopped, the choir's voices tricked out one-by-one and the congregation froze. Did he say "hymn book?"

Well, it didn't exactly shock the crowd but it should have because PowerPoint killed the hymn book. I imagine some churches still use them but many have relegated these once essential books to be used as door stops or rather backstops when you need something firm behind your paper when writing notes.

When I was a kid going to a Catholic church in the 1970s, PowerPoint wasn't invented yet and I seriously doubt the Pope would have authorized its use should it have been around anyway! Now, all song lyrics are on the screen. But back then, we had to use the hymn books to know what we were singing.

That's not to say using PowerPoint for song lyrics is a bad thing. It does free up worship some – you can raise your hands without the fear of whopping the person next to you if you were holding a hymn book! 

But, there's something about having the sheet music in your hands that gives you a link to the composer and the process used to create that music. It's a bit mysterious to see those notes on the page come alive through the instruments.

Many might not know that the great theologian and teacher Martin Luther composed many hymns. I even found him listed on a classical composer website. Today's church hymn writers are pop and rock music stars, such as Chris Tomlin. I doubt if many of them can even read music notation, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It's the end product that matters.

Still, if you've ever tried to learn to read music, it's a daunting task! Yet it really can unlock the mystery of music. When the pastor referenced the hymn, I know I was the only person around me that actually got out the hymn book. It was kind of cool to see the rhythm on the page become unlocked by the musicians. I have to admit that it did distract from me worshipping because I was focused on the actual music.

Does your church still use hymn books and does it help or hinder your worship?

One Simple Step to Know God

August 6, 2010 in Faith with 0 Comments

Although it’s probably been more than 20 years ago, I still remember my first visit to New York City. I remember riding in a taxi, surrounded by buildings as far up as the eye could see. There was no “green” in sight. (Never saw Central Park!)

I was reminded of that visit when I saw this issue of National Geographic while waiting in a doctor’s office. I was fascinated at the before and after of New York City — before mankind came in and created an “artificial” environment.

Don’t get me wrong — I appreciate enclosed buildings with air conditioning, as it has been more than 100 degrees where I live this week! But, the more we surround ourselves with our own creations, the less we see God.

I like what it says in Romans 1 in that we are really without excuse when we say we don’t know God. God is evident in his creation and you’ll feel it when you get out in nature, surrounded not by brick and mortar but trees, grass, and water. God didn’t create the buildings you eat, work and play in. He did create the trees, brooks, streams and grass.

I love to fly fish because when I’m standing in a creek or river, I’m completely surrounded by God’s direct creation. It’s quite awe inspiring. Try it and see!

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