Anthem Week: Listen

For a lot of Christians, the idea of "listening to God" is weird. I think we're afraid of what might happen if everyone starts listening to God.

So we opt for the more controlled approach: "Why do you have to make life with God so difficult? Read your Bible and just do what it says."

To be sure, there are plenty of Christian wack jobs out there waiting to validate every voice in their head, "God told me to go the long way to work this morning" or "God told me to tell you..." or worse yet, "God told me we were going to get married."

But I don't think the spiritual abuses should keep us from cultivating an intimate walk with Christ. One thing is for sure, I don't want to be one of those who waits passively, "If God wants to speak to me he knows where to find me [while not applying all diligence to seek Him]" On the contrary, using every possible means, I resolve to seek Him- reading, memorizing, meditating on the Scriptures, prayer, fellowship, conversational relationship with God throughout the day. In a word, listening.

On a personal note, I've never had God speak to me about any major life decision- telling me to do this or that. Usually God's voice in my life is less spectacular, "Hey Mark, you should stay late and help tear down chairs" or "Maybe you could help ___ by giving them ____."

If God does speak to you in a "crazier" way, first give it time. The bigger it's ramifications, the more you should pray about it and talk to a spiritual adviser for guidance.

Anthem Week: Identity

Leading up to Anthem this Friday, we're doing a spiritual intensity week.

Everyday we're going through a journal with a one word focus; today is identity. Who we think we are and who the world says we are is vastly different from who we are in Christ.

This morning I read from the Valley of Vision:

"In the light of thy preciousness, the world and all its enjoyments are infinitely poor... Amid the blessing I receive from thee may I never lose the heart of a stranger....Produce in me self-despair that will make Jesus precious to me."

May God awaken the souls of this generation to find their identity in Christ.

Response regarding prophecy

I rarely respond to a comment as a new entry.

But in this case I think it will be helpful to understand some of the perspective from which I'm writing.

In the following post a couple days ago (click here), I made a reference to Piper's comments on the election as "prophetic." The anonymous writer objected to my use of that word in that context.

First of all, I appreciate all comments, especially those that force me to think about what I'm saying. I love it that this person took the time to write a thoughtful objection. The point is taken, the word "prophetic" can get easily thrown around, as it may have been in this context.

But here's why I think I'd still use the word in that post...

1. I'm a continuationist.

In other words, I don't believe the spiritual gifts ceased with the close of the canon or the death of the apostles. I pray regularly for the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14) and try not to despise prophetic utterances (1 Thess. 5:20). I've never spoken in tongues, but I affirm those who do. I would describe myself as part of a growing number of young church leaders who have reformed and charismatic tendencies. I'm heavily influenced by Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Dallas Willard, J.P. Moreland, Sam Storms, Jack Deere, C.J. Mahaney, and Mark Driscoll to name a few. Oh yeah, and a caveman approach to the Bible (click here for more on that).

All that to say, from my perspective, "prophetic" is in bounds. It's not weird and your name doesn't have to be "Isaiah" or "Daniel" to prophecy. As far as I'm concerned, it's less "trendy" and more "ancient." The anonymous writer asked for a definition of "prophecy." Read Grudem's Systematic Theology, or The Gift of Prophecy in the NT and Today for a more in depth treatment.

2. From my perspective, Piper's words were prophetic

Call it wisdom. Call it a compelling take on the biblical worldview. Call it application of the Scriptures...those all work. But I've heard enough evangelicals moaning about the election- it makes me sick. I'm tired of Christians who mockingly quote Matthew 24 as "the Obama-nation that causes desolation." I think we need someone to call us back to what we're supposed to be about.

In my opinion, Piper's words were timely, forceful, and full of conviction and warning to God's people.

Using "prophetic" takes nothing away from the careful thought, study, application of the Proverbs, effort, and even preparation on Piper's behalf that led him to speak those words. It just makes them all the more trustworthy. And remember, his words were not flawless. Typical of N.T. prophecy- subjective and needing discernment.

I've posted several other entries on this topic- I think most are labeled "Theology" or "Spiritual Encounter" to the right. And I'm sure there will be more to come.

Post TSC Oblivion

So here's my Thursday night routine when I get home from TSC around 11 p.m...

Snack time at a quiet table (with the occasional noise of Beck talking in his sleep). Oh yes, Leatha's homemade Granola cereal with a banana (a rare treat...which is why I save half for tomorrow morning) and my vanilla soy milk from Cosco.

Granola, banana, SOY MILK??!! I used to make fun of people like me.

But now that I'm me, I still make fun of me for being such a 32 year old (as of yesterday...) The midnight snack used to be Fruity Pebbles, but now I'm a grown up or something. (Click here for some background on all the maturing that has taken place since April 25th.)

Usually I'm so overwhelmed by all the conversations, people, me giving all I've got, etc that I usually just sit in silence and eat.

Then I mindlessly check some of my favorite websites.

A prophet speaks out

This is amazing. Not amazing as in funny, but prophetic. Listen to John Piper's perspective on the election (it was recorded before the election, but every bit as applicable) by clicking here.

There are times you hear someone and think, "I'm in the presence of a modern day prophet." After watching this clip, I had that thought. (I first had that encounter after hearing him speak at the first Passion conference in '97). His book Desiring God was the framework for a Copernican revolution of my thinking about God my sophomore year of college.

John Piper, wherever you are, thanks for what I believe is a prophetic utterance here. (and props to Andy and Jeff for passing this clip onto me...)

Videos and Voting

Video: I'm a lo-tech person, but it doesn't take a com-sci major to see how ridiculous this technology is...click here. I can't even imagine the implications of this.

Video: While in Omaha, Beck saw one of my friend's surf boards and wanted to see what it was like. So we went to youtube and found this. Cameron said, "That surfer is brave." I'm not sure "brave" is the operative word here. Maybe "stupid" is more fitting. I'm still having a hard time believing the authenticity of this video...





Vote: Get out and vote. If that's not compelling enough for you, listen to Chuck Colson's plug to vote: click here (then click "listen now")