We Need To Talk

Have a seat. This may take a while.

Friends, being that the blog is the communicative tool that it is and being that I am as hungry for observations and insights as I am, I am going to open up a giant can of worms.

I am on staff at my church here in Reno and we are currently in the process of probing and exploring what is being termed the Emerging Church Movement. Yes, big can of worms. But we know that big worms catch big fish. Don't ask me what that's supposed to mean. : )

My first encounter with the words "emerging" and "emergent" was not a good one. A good friend of mine warned me of this phenomenon and it's penchant for watered-down or false doctrine. I looked it up myself, went to emergentvillage.com, and found little or no information. I was able to put the whole issue on the back burner for a while. That is, until it started hissing, the lid started jumping and fizzing and the whole pot boiled over onto everything. I can't ignore it now. It's something I have to think about ... pretty much every day. I have to stir this pot, look at its ingredients, taste it, carefully watch what I put into it and take out of it.

Honestly, the Lord has been faithful to lead us (the people I work with and myself) in Truth thus far. I have been amazed at how "not-scary" the conversation has been. There are indeed some exciting changes happening in Western culture and in the church. However, I proceed with caution, for as the day draws near, many will seek to have their ears tickled and egos stroked -- and turn away from the One who calls us to love enemies, bless persecutors, turn cheeks and who calls our hearts to embrace the sting of suffering.

Bottom line ... I want to know what you think. Anyone, everyone, from every context and country and culture ... if you have something to say, please do. What do you think is happening in the Western World? Are we experiencing a cultural shift? What does emerging mean to you? What have you found out there? I would love to hear your perspectives and thoughts. Shoot me a comment or an e-mail. Thanks, everyone.

Better Than Wine

"Reality is like a fine wine. It will not appeal to children." - A successful businessman in Portland, c/o the incomparable Donald Miller in his book, Searching For God Knows What ...

I have been a child in so many ways. Not a child in the "let the little children come to Me" sense, but a child in the most obstinate, strong-willed, human sense.

These last few years have seen many changes -- understatement. And I feel as if that statement passes my lips all too often, as if I'm trying to provide explanation for the new wrinkles around my eyes and the all too frequent discovery of gray hairs on my head. But don't let the wrinkles fool you; I'm still very much a child.

I've discovered over this past month that most of the pain in my life -- aside from the absolute blessing of the Father's discipline -- is caused by both my inability to say no, and my unwillingness to take no for an answer. There are times, whether it be regarding a decision to be made, a relationship with a gentleman, what have you ... when God answers my petitions with a resounding "no", and I barter and haggle until I get my way. Then I do. Then it hurts. Then I'm upset. Then I say things like, "Why are You doing this?" and "What on earth is happening?" ... oh, child.

A few weeks ago, I laid in bed one night, plagued with the recurring doubts of my past and youth (ironically enough), grieving over choices and things left unsaid, and I cried. Hard and loud, like a child. And I heard that "still, small voice" and He said, "No." He said no; and it was the absolute most comforting sound in the world at that moment. No! No, don't grieve any longer. No, don't question any longer. No, don't carry this guilt and shame. No, you can't have that dream. No, you have to wait. No.

I felt as if I could breathe again. In a moment my chest obtained greater capacity to breathe, to live. All because He said no ... and this time it was okay. No more fighting, no more haggling, no more sulking, no more shame. I am thankful that He has said "no" so many times. He has denied me things that will surely hurt me and said "no" to free me up for the things He will say "yes" to.

He is a good God.

Back to the wine ... I'm not at all saying that a person's distaste for alcohol has any correlation to their spiritual maturity. However, the principle is absolute. When you become a man (or woman) you put away childish things and put on maturity; this is a sign of falling in love, growing in love with Jesus. Your tastes change, you gain a greater capacity to perceive God and His glory with these feeble eyes and ears and taste buds.

I'm turning 23 in a week or so ... and I'm looking forward to growing up. I'm looking forward to being in relationship with Christ, having my tastes change, and thereby experiencing more of Him. I'm looking forward to having my life catch up with the wrinkles on my face and the gray hairs on my head. Praise God for choosing us to be in relationship with Him -- and for saying "no" when we need it so desperately.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. " -Psalm 84:11