The Absurdity of an Atheistic Church

The Sunday Gathering is an Atheistic church that meets in Britain, said to be the first in Britain.  A BBC report about the the so-called church can be found here.  After watching the video and reading the article concerning the Sunday Gathering I could not help but think that this whole thing is completely absurd.  It is ignorant to call this gathering a church, and it is laughable how much a group of supposed atheists try to mimic the services of a God-worshiping church.

Not only are the elements copies of the elements of a Christian worship service (although they are comical and sacrilegious), but the reasoning behind many people attending the service are also strikingly similar to Christianity.  The master of ceremonies, Sanderson Jones, claims the service is a “…celebration of life.”  The theme of the service focuses on wonder.  Jones speaks of how his mother’s death reminded him that life is all too brief.  One attendee said, “it’s nice to get together and have a bit of a community spirit…”  Another said, “I think people need that sense of connectedness…”    Still another predicts of the future of the atheistic church, “There will be a structure, an ethical outlook on life.”  In the video, Jones even spends a moment speaking about the great odds that were required to create life.

To the Christian this is absolutely ridiculous.  Those who reject God are trying to replicate and absorb that which comes only from God, while at the same time acting on truths which point to the existence of God.

Humans do have a need for community.  Life is worth celebrating.  The beginning of life and this planet is a miraculous event.  Worshippers of the one true God have known this for thousands of years.

These people are seeking something because they know inside their hearts that there is something different about them, indeed something special.  They are created in the image of God.  They are created to be worshippers of God.  Although many have rejected God, they cannot help but feel that pull towards something divine, something significant.

There is a reason you don’t see squirrels assembling together and singing songs while taking a moment of silence.  I haven’t noticed any cows discussing where they originated, or what makes the grass grow.  Humans yearn for a connectedness with something more significant than themselves, because they were created with that yearning.

If there is no God, I am certainly not wasting my time by gracing the walls of a church with my presence.  If there is no God, I’m going to do as much for myself, as fast as I can, to get as much pleasure as I can get.  Ethics, morality, significance, beauty, humor, art, love, and the like are all out the door if there is no God.

Praise God that He is there, and that He loves us.  He desires a relationship with His creation.  He has made it possible for all of us to find the significance and meaning that we search for.  The way is Jesus.

A Display of God’s Providence

Thursday I spent the morning and afternoon doing something I very much enjoy: hunting.  My wife and son were out of town, so I had the rare opportunity to hunt twice in one day.  After a dismal morning of seeing only a raccoon and a common house cat, I decided to try a different spot in the afternoon.  Although it was an unusually warm day, I thought that there might be a chance of seeing something in the afternoon as no deer were moving in the morning.

 I’ve been known to have trouble keeping up with all the different hunting seasons here in Kentucky.  It seems like Florida’s deer hunting laws were much simpler to understand.  Yesterday I was hunting with a muzzleloader.  I was careful to obey all the laws related to hunting with a muzzleloader.  I checked my watch for legal shooting hours.  I had a hunter’s-orange hat and vest on.  I even wore a tree-stand safety harness for added responsibility. 

I decided to get in the stand early and relax and prepare for the prime hours just before sunset.  To my surprise, a doe came in around 3:30 PM.  That time of day is rare for a deer, especially on a warm day.  The deer seemed to be oblivious to me, even though I was a mere 20 yards away.  As the deer continued to approach, I thought for sure that this was a gimme shot.  Finally, the deer spotted me when it was about 10 yards away.  It did not run away at first, but simply checked me out thoroughly.  As it started to inch away, I took my opportunity to shoot.  As I slowly pulled the trigger, instead of a “BOOOOOM,” I heard a “pop.”  The primer went off on the muzzleloader, but it did not ignite the gunpowder inside the barrel.  Needless to say, I was ticked off.  I put a new primer in and fired a test shot to make sure everything worked.  I received the “BOOOOOM” that I had anticipated before.  By this time the deer was long gone (and probably any other deer within a reasonable distance).

 As I pouted inside, I texted some friends of mine for sympathy and laughs.  That’s when my distress turned to relief.  A fellow brother in Christ and avid hunter, Clay Hall, told me that muzzleloading season was not in fact a week long (as I thought), but only two days long.  This fact made me an illegal hunter.  If I would have shot that deer, I would have been a poacher.  Imagine the humiliation I would have faced trying to explain to everyone that I didn’t kill that deer illegally on purpose.  Needless to say. I thanked God that the primer went off, but the gun did not fire.  God spared me that day from potential disaster.

God’s providence is an awesome thing. He works through mankind and creation to bring about His plan and will.  Sometimes, it’s something as small as saving one of His children from doing something stupid.  Other times, it’s something on a much larger scale.  In either case, it is because of His grace towards mankind and His working all things for His own glory.  Saturday morning I was hunting again…with a bow.  I saw another doe that morning.  That doe no longer lives in the woods.  Thanks be to God. 

Seven Ways to Remain Spiritually Healthy Through the Summer

As a minister, and particularly as a youth minister, I can testify that numbers at churches traditionally decrease during the Summer.  I really don’t fret much over the fact, because I think that it’s natural.  However, I believe we all should remember that although our daily lives may change drastically in the Summer, our spiritual lives should remain healthy and strong.  Below are some practical pointers that you and/or your family can implement to remain spiritually strong:

1. Stay consistent in your Bible reading.  Summer is an easy time to drop behind on your Bible reading because your daily schedule is so jacked up.  I was recently joking with a friend on a Summer mission trip that I needed to catch up on my Bible reading when I returned home.  Don’t fall behind on this.

2. Read something extra.  Take some time and read something extra from God’s Word, or a beneficial Christian book.  I am currently trying to tackle Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey.  It’s a big task for me, but I’m determined to finish it.

3. When out of town, find somewhere to worship.  Perhaps you can find a biblical church to visit, or maybe you can worship with your family in your vacation home living room.  Either way, do not neglect worshipping the Lord with your family or in a community with other believers.

4. Go on a mission trip.  If you haven’t done this already, get to it.  If your church isn’t doing one, tag team with someone else or plan your own.  Side note: if your church is not doing one, there should be a really good reason why they’re not. If there’s not a good reason, perhaps you need a new church.

5. Take advantage of gospel opportunities.  Now that you have more time, perhaps you can share the gospel with that neighbor or friend that you don’t normally have time to talk to.  Perhaps you can show the love of Jesus through meeting physical needs and opening the door to meet spiritual needs.

6. Serve your church.  Use your extra free time to serve your church.  Camp, VBS, maintenance, teaching, pool parties, etc.  The list is endless.  Be creative and take initiative.

7. Don’t be lazy.  You can relax without being lazy.  If you’re in town, go to church.  Use your free time to glorify God and serve others.  Make sure and take some time to relax also.

My issues with the proposed SBC name change

I have been very encouraged about the committee that was established to explore the idea of a recommended name change for the SBC.  This has been long overdue in my opinion.  The name “Southern Baptist” is one that causes confusion in many and anger in many others.  I am proud to be a Southern Baptist, not because of the name but because of what Southern Baptists stand for. 

The name suggested by the committee is fitting for what we as Southern Baptists believe. The suggested name is Great Commission Baptists.  I love it.  The issue I have is not with the name, but with the idea of now having two names (see details here).  I know that this was done as a compromise to make those on both sides feel like their thoughts were considered.  However, this compromise falls short in my opinion.

It’s been said that this helps avoid legal and financial matters.  I guess I should talk to a lawyer first, but I don’t understand this.  Surely companies or organizations can change their name and still keep their assets, pledges, and contributions.  It has also been stated that the name “Southern Baptist Convention” carries a good name in areas such as disaster relief, so we should keep that name.  Do they really mean that we could not explain to people that we have close ties to that we changed our name, and they would understand what we mean?  Is this for real?   

I feel like some common sense is lacking here.  Let’s just call it what it is.  We’re trying to make everyone happy here.  The problem is, sometimes difficult choices just have to be made.  If it’s worth changing, then it’s worth changing (I believe it is).  If it’s not worth changing, then live it alone.

This idea of having too names is also extremely confusing.  I can imagine sitting by someone at a local coffee shop and getting into a conversation about church.  “I go to a Baptist church.”  They ask, “Is it SBC?”  I would respond, “Well, yes and no.  We’re now called Great Commission Baptists, but we’re also SBC.”  With a puzzled look they ask, “So, you’re no longer SBC?”  “No, we are,” I respond.  “But, you’re also Great Commission Baptist?”  “That’s right.”  They seek clarification, “Is that a dual alignment?”  “Nope.  Just two names for the same thing.”  I’m not looking forward to that conversation.

What I Learned from a Hole in my Sock

When I got home from a long day of work yesterday I noticed that there was hole in my sock.  Although I was surprised to find the hole, I knew why it was there.  From the time I put my shoes on that day, there was some annoying object taking its time wearing away the bottom of my foot.  I knew it was there, and I knew that I should deal with it, but I didn’t.  By not dealing with this annoyance, I ended up with one less sock and the beginnings of a blister.

When I took my shoe off, I naturally looked into the dark reaches of my shoe and searched for the guilty object.  It was not a rock, or even a pebble.  It was a small piece of rubber that had detached from my insole.  I thought to myself, “How could something so insignificant cause so much trouble for me?”  I then realized that any problem, if ignored, can become a big issue.  If I would have dealt with the problem at the onset, it would not have been a big deal.

I was reminded from this experience of the biblical principle of dealing with sin at the onset.  If we do not deal with our sin, by confessing it to God and one another, it will only grow bigger and more fierce.  Jesus Christ is the only cure all for our sin problem.  However, once we have given ourselves to Jesus, we still deal with sin’s consequences.  If we leave them unchecked, the effect will only multiply.  Do yourself a favor, check your shoes and check yourself.

The Picture of the Gospel in the Picture of Dorian Gray

During my recent time off from work I finally finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.  This classic was a relatively short read, that kept me wanting more.  When I finished the read, I could not help but see clear gospel implications in the book. 

SPOILER ALERT!  The story goes that a young man, Dorian Gray, is a subject of a splendid painting, painted by a friend, Basil Hallward.  The picture is true to the real Dorian; charming, young, handsome, and innocent.  While admiring the painting, Dorian secretly wishes that he will never grow ugly, but that his ugliness and age will be transferred to the painting.  His wish comes true.  As Dorian grows older he does not age, yet the picture does.  However, the picture not only grows older, but it takes on the ugliness of Dorian’s soul.  The picture becomes hideous as Dorian becomes increasingly worldly, selfish, and vain.  Dorian is struck with conviction about the ugliness of his inner soul, yet he continues to become increasingly evil.  His transgressions include breaking a young girls heart, mistreatment of town’s people, murder, and conspiracy to cover a murder.  Dorian finally seeks to destroy the painting and start over, but upon destroying the painting, he destroys himself.  In the end, the painting is left unblemished, and he is found dead as a decrepit and revolting old man. 

The book points out clearly the sin that lurks in all of us.  However, unlike Dorian Gray, we are not born innocent and become progressively evil over time.  We are born in sin.  We are already ugly, revolting, and evil at heart.  We are completely hideous in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). 

Like Dorian Gray’s picture, we desperately need something to take away the effects of our sin.  The Gospel is the solution to our sin problem, upon receiving Jesus as Lord, our sins are transferred to Him (1 Peter 3:18).  Jesus has already paid the penalty for sin.  He took on the ugliness and pain caused by sin, although He was in fact sinless.  Unlike Dorian Gray’s painting, the transfer of our sin to Jesus is irreversible and permanent.  The good news of the gospel is that God offers redemption from the horridness of our sin.

Thank God for the gospel.

Is Tim Tebow controlled miraculously by God?

As the Denver Broncos continue to win week after week, in on-the-edge-of-your-seat fashion, people have started to ask how Tim Tebow does it.  There has always been discussion about whether or not God is intervening to make Tim Tebow so good at winning late, but never so much as there was this past Sunday when the Broncos defeated the Chicago Bears in miraculous fashion.  So, is God doing it?  Is He the reason Tim Tebow is so good?

The answer is yes and no.  To be clear, every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).  God gives all good things, including talent such as the ability to play football.  It is because of God’s blessing and grace that Tebow is what he is.

However, the answer is also no.  To say that God is controlling Tim Tebow and giving him success miraculously takes away from the hard work and dedication that Tebow has put in since he was a young boy.  I loved to play football when I was young.  For me, that consisted of throwing the ball around with my brother and cousins in our back yard.  For Tim Tebow, it meant tying rubber tubes to his door and working out before he even hit puberty.  When I was in college, we would gather in the Josephus Bowl at Southern Seminary and play football in the snow.  When Tim Tebow was in college, he was the strongest player on the most successful college football team in the country.

If I were to suit up for the Denver Broncos and lead the team to seven wins in eight games, and multiple fourth quarter and over-time comebacks, that would be a miracle.  For Tim Tebow, this is not an Angels in the Outfield (or End-zone) moment.  This is God’s grace and blessing extending to a young man who has spent the majority of his life training, working, sweating, and planning for this moment.  Could Tebow do it without God?  Absolutely not!  However, don’t look for an angelic glow around Tim Tebow anytime soon.

The Sacrifice is Worth the Reward

Yesterday morning, I left the warmth of my bed at 4:45 AM, went without breakfast, drove 17 minutes, walked out in the 23 degree weather, and sat in a tree.  Why would I put myself through this?  I am after a reward.  My reward is a whitetail deer.  In case you wonder how cold 23 degrees is, just know that my bottle of water froze while I was sitting outside.

The first time I went after a whitetail deer, I harvested one in 50 degree weather, in the afternoon, with less than an hour of waiting.  A friend of mine said to me, “Don’t think that it will always be this easy, because it won’t.”  He was correct.  Hunting deer requires sacrifice.  For those that enjoy it, it’s well worth the sacrifice. 

It seems that most things in life that are worth much, also require sacrifice.  A healthy retirement requires years of saving money.  A successful marriage requires thinking of your spouse’s needs before your own.  Most successful companies started off with the founder contributing huge amounts of time and money to get it off the ground. 

In the same way, a life that brings glory to God requires sacrifice.  We must not think of ourselves, but others.  We cannot long for the pleasures of this world, but the pleasures of God.

 When I finally harvest a deer, and think back on what led to it, I do not think of the sacrifice, but the reward.  So also with our spiritual walk.  We do not regret giving up the pleasures of the flesh.  We do not wish that we had thought of ourselves more.  After all, our greatest pleasure is found in treasuring the things of God.

Don’t be scared of Halloween

Too many Christians are scared of the “H Word.” They think that if they say the word “Halloween” they are a bad Christian. The word itself is sloppily evolved from the phrase “All Hallows Eve.” Referring to the night before All Hallows (Saints) Day, celebrated by the Catholic church. There is nothing inherently wrong with that term.

So, what’s the big deal?

There are several reasons people have concerns about Halloween. Some Christians like to look for any reason to get upset about something. Halloween is just another chance for them to let the world know how much they despise many things. Others don’t appreciate the vandalism caused to their property, the display of scantily clad costumed women, or the excessive partying that goes on during Halloween. There are still other Christians that are concerned about a real celebration of evil. Some of these concerns are valid.

In case you’re wondering where my family stands, I’m glad to share. I have three pumpkins on my front porch. My son is dressing as Woody from Toy Story, and he is going to get a bunch of candy! I do not have any spiders, bats, witches, or skeletons in my house. We love the good that comes with this time of year like candy, pumpkins, hayrides, and community fellowship. At the same time, we also flee from immodesty, mistreatment of others, and any hint of evil on October 31st, in addition to every other day of the year.

I’d like to see more Christians not make such a big deal about letting everyone know how much we hate everything. Don’t freak out, everything will be ok. Celebrate good, flee evil. Love God and your neighbor. Seek holiness for yourself and your family. Let others see the light of Jesus in you.

My Pride

Today I was thinking about a ministry that I am familiar with.  The thoughts that came to the forefront of my mind centered around the idea that this ministry is not reaching the heights that they are capable of reaching.  I thought about all the factors that led me to believe that this ministry had great potential, and they were many. I also thought about my reasons for why they are not achieving more.  My mind then took me to fantasizing about leading that ministry.  If only I were in charge, then I would lead that ministry to achieve its full potential.  I thought to myself, “I know the problems, and I have solutions for them.  The people involved will respond to me.  This ministry just needs some good, solid, godly leadership.”  It was at that moment that I caught myself.  Satan had led me to believe that I was the answer to all of this ministry’s problems.  My pride had taken over.  I was the savior.  By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit directed my mind and heart back to Him.  This ministry needs to turn back to God and the leading of His Holy Spirit.  They don’t need me, they need Him.  I hate my pride.  I love the grace of God.