Breaking the Cycle

People who molest children, people with various addictions, and people with other destructive behaviors are often part of a historical but tragic cycle.

So are Christian movements and local churches. History demonstrates that the older they get, the more inward they turn. The more established and organized a belief system gets the more it tends to shift focus away from outreach as it focuses more and more on the comfort or survival of the institution.

This cycle is easily seen when comparing the traits of the Christian movement in England today versus that church in the eighteenth century. All of Europe illustrates this on a somewhat macro level – although there are bright and wonderful exceptions.

And many would say that the Christian movement in the USA is headed in the same direction. Are we caught in this same cycle? Could the exciting movements in Africa and Asia only be in earlier parts of the cycle, but bound for a London-type demise?

Cycles and trends are real and powerful, but they do not have the last word. Personal responsibility and the grace of God can always trump the negative influence of history.

A core belief of those who follow Jesus is this – The past does not have to predict the future.

If Christianity in our culture is spiraling into self-centered institutionalism on the way to irrelevance and dissolution, what are you doing to end the cycle? What can we do?

Here are actions steps for me, and maybe you:

1. Read the whole Bible. Not just the parts that feature blessings for me and my family.
2. Do not separate outreach and service from biblical knowledge, exciting worship or discipleship.
3. Pray with my eyes open to the needs of the world not just my family and circle.
4. Invest resources in faithfulness to Acts 1:8.
5. Speak up lovingly, but firmly at church regarding priorities, the poor, the lost… and new carpet for the sanctuary.
6. Remind children that all Christians are ministers. There is no difference between those paid for ministry and those disciples who are not paid.
7. Worship no idols, including family, wealth and security.
8. Be courageous.

What do you think? For more ways to break the cycle and follow Jesus, visit www.iFollowCommunity.com.

What are they thinking?

You have been there, either behind this car… or driving it.

The speed limit is 65 mph. The car is going 50. They are in the left lane – commonly referred to as the fast lane.

Beside them, in the right lane, is a dump truck. Also very content to go 50. Side by side these travelers “inch” forward… with a parade of vehicles stacked up behind them.

Drivers in this parade are responding to the transportation challenge in various ways. Cussing, texting, turning up their music, thinking about honking, tailgating, and wondering how late they will be to their destination. And some are praying.

Eventually the truck turns off, and the parade begins to pass the unhurried vehicle on the right hand side.

When it’s my turn to blow by, I can’t help myself. I want to see who is driving. Christian bumper sticker. A pleasant man or woman is driving, young or old, hands at 10 and 2. They may be on the phone or worshipping along with some praise music or listening to a rousing sermon. Perhaps they are praying, focused on a family member or friend.

And I think to myself, “What are they thinking? Don’t they see all the cars behind them? Have they ever been told that the fast lane is for cars going fast?”

The reality is that these drivers are in their own little world, oblivious to what’s going on around them. Oblivious to how they might be blocking progress, even emergency vehicles trying to provide life-saving service. These are nice people driving these cars, and some are devoted Christians.

If confronted with the traffic problem, some would sincerely answer, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that I was slowing down the progress of so many.”

A parable for the church.

A Christmas Message from My Dog

I was giving my dog Sully a bath yesterday, just in time for Christmas. He doesn’t really like baths, not unlike other little boys I’ve known.

One of the reasons for the bath was to get him ready to play with Jonathan’s new puppy. Sully may not like baths, but he loves puppies. All of a sudden I found myself saying, “Sully, if you knew why I was giving you this bath, you would be so happy.” But Sully continued to sit sadly in passive aggressive resistance. Oblivious to the future plans I had for him.

I was amazed at my next thought. “If only I could become a dog for a few minutes, I could explain to Sully what he has to look forward to.”

Unknowingly I had stumbled upon the principle underlying the old parable of the birds - a story used to explain the incarnational aspect of Christmas.

God came to earth as a man. Jesus walked as we walk. He spoke our language. All so that we might understand the love of God. The future God prefers for us. God’s invitation. God’s call to partnership in His mission.

God spoke this Christmas message to me through a Labrador Retriever. How much more can God speak through you and me…!?

Top 5 Reasons for Giving at Christmas

There are all kinds of motivations for giving or providing acts of service directed toward hurting and lost people during December. Some motivations are not as good as others. Here are some motivations I believe are in line with biblical teaching and the true meaning of Christmas:

5 -  To acknowledge that my primary family is the family of God. Giving to a Christian cause or mission reminds me and my family that Christmas is about Jesus, His glory and His mission. It is not primarily about my family and friends (Lk. 2:46 and Mt. 22:37).

4 -  To illustrate that Christmas is about eternity. I am constantly tempted to be materialistic. In giving sacrificially I demonstrate my belief that this world is not my home. Everything I see is temporary – including our Christmas tree and the gifts under it. Three things are eternal: God, the glory of heaven and the mass of people who have joined God’s eternal family (Jn. 14:1-3; Rev. 21:1-7).

3 -  To demonstrate the servant love of Jesus by providing some relief to the physical pain or life struggles of people. God calls for this type love in places like James 2, a passage that explains authentic “religion” as belief in God that moves us to serve the poor and hurting.

2 -  To communicate the love of God that I have experienced the love of God with people who have not yet heard the message of Christmas. Motivated by a desire to honor God, the shepherds (Lk. 2) told others about the coming of God’s Messiah.

1 -  To celebrate the birth, life and ministry of the Savior of the world. Motivated by a desire to honor and encounter God, the wise men (Mt. 2) went to great lengths to bring precious gifts to the Messiah.

What are some other good and biblical reasons for giving during December… or any other time?

Other related posts –
Top 6 Not-so-Good Reasons to Give
Remember the Most Poor
How to Give Like a Wise Man

Top 6 Not-so-Good Reasons to Give at Christmas

Many, if not most, Christian families offer donations or provide some act of service directed toward poor or disadvantaged people during December. I am no one’s judge, but I wonder about the various motivations possibly behind some of this Christmas “generosity.” See if you recognize any of these motivations. I have heard or felt all of these.

#6 – I want to force my spoiled kids to acknowledge how much they have so they will stop asking for so much and give me more thanks.

#5 – My family has always done something for “poor people” at Christmas.

#4 –  It seems that everybody in our group (office, Sunday School class, small group, Bible study, etc.) are doing something for poor people. Let’s do what the “Jones” family is doing.

#3 –  I am ashamed and feel a bit guilty about how blessed (rich) I am.

#2 –  Giving increases my chance of going to heaven.

#1 –  I will receive greater rewards in heaven.

What are some better and more biblical reasons for giving during December… or any other time?

See my recommendation for the Top 5 Good Reasons to Give.

Other related posts –
Remembering the Most Poor
How to Give Like a Wise Man