Should I Trust Myself?

Have you ever heard you shouldn't trust yourself or that your heart is deceitful? It comes from well meaning Christians who are simply regurgitating what they have been taught, specifically around Jeremiah 17:9. Ironically, it also comes from people who live in fear...fear that people will choose sin (because that's apparently what we all want); or that people won't behave the same way WE think they should behave (enter control).

I saw this post recently that was shared by thousands of people:

"Follow your heart" has ended more marriages, mutilated more bodies, destroyed more souls, and ended more lives than the devil could have ever imagined. It is Hell's most effective slogan yet."

I'm sorry, but no. Teaching people they are separate from God at any stage of their life, dismissing emotions and trauma, and re-empowering a disempowered 'devil' is what has done those things. Preaching fear like this is what causes people to not trust what God has given us: which is a heart full of love and emotions - something we shouldn't just sweep under the rug. When we don't create safe spaces to explore emotions and doubt faith, we create organizations where people learn to wear their masks differently.

In fact, I believe one of the most damning messages in Christianity is to not trust yourself. At one time, I even taught this. We are often taught to disconnect from our emotions and intellect because "our flesh is bad." However, that just prolongs our journey to reconnect with our original design. This idea that humans are rotten at the core goes against everything God has to say about His creation. And no, sin does not have the power to change your original design. That would make sin more powerful than the Creator - and it's time we start calling that message heresy. Sin should never have a starring role in our Gospel presentations. When sin or behavior has a starring role, we're choosing to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil instead of the tree of life.

But I get it, we have Jeremiah 17:9 which says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure, who can understand it?" Which is always quoted to affirm why people believe and teach to not trust yourself.

So let's unpack it, because it sounds pretty 'clear'. It's important to know this is Jeremiah speaking to Judah, not to us in the 21st Century. And throughout this portion of writing, he's warning of the coming Babylonian invasion. However, he goes on to speak of a day of a new covenant and new hearts. This specific verse in Chapter 17 is a caution, not a condemnation. It's not a pronouncement of all of humanity - he's addressing the people of Judah who have turned from trusting God. He's addressing THEIR disobedience. It's also worth noting that verse 8 says there were people who trusted God and were blessed (which is still an old covenant thought process). Revealing that some people's hearts were not deceitful. Bible scholar Pete Enns says, "To say this verse is suggesting that we can't trust ourselves or that the heart is evil at all times and all places, is not good biblical interpretation."

In fact, The Hebrew word translated “deceitful” is actually not a word that connotes negativity. “Mysterious” would be more accurate. And the word translated “desperately sick or beyond cure” is more accurately translated as weak or vulnerable, and is shockingly used to describe the Messiah. I know, mind blowing. Here's how the Septuagint translates it - “The heart is deep beyond all things and it is the man. Even so, who can know him?” Looking at this in context, it makes much more sense.

Bible scholar David Sloan continues this idea and says, "When the Lord searches the heart of Jeremiah, he finds goodness. Is Jeremiah’s heart “deceitful”? Only in the sense that if people in his day tried to understand it, they would judge him WRONGLY. Is the heart of Jeremiah’s opponents deceitful? Jeremiah says it is in the sense that people would look at them as people of faith, when they weren't. Jeremiah 17:9 does not mean we cannot trust our hearts. It means we do not see people’s hearts the way God sees them. In this sense the heart is deceitful. Does this mean we have no hope of understanding our hearts? No. The infilling of the Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) so we can start to see things as God sees them."

But what about Mark 7:21-23 that says, "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come..."? I'm so glad you asked. In Mark 7, Jesus is speaking to Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law. They asked Jesus why His disciples don't live according to the traditions (rules, law living). Man does Jesus give a religious rebuking. Not only does he quote Isaiah by saying, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (which again, reread David Sloan's take) He continues by telling them they nullify the word of God by their traditions (rules, law living). Enter Michael Jackson eating popcorn gif. For the record, the only sin Jesus publicly condemned was religious sin like this. When Jesus says what He says in verses 21-23, he is declaring all foods clean (which was crazy to a Jew), but he was emphasizing a law of love, not a law of rules. What defiles someone is how they treat and talk to people. Especially how church going people treat and talk to people who don't believe like them. We are responsible for how we treat others.

In case you missed it, the heart being 'deceitful' means to view people through a lens that is not loving. It's to see people's shortcomings and still not believe the best about them. It's to look at humanity without the lens of Jesus. And by doing so, you'll make judgments about people that misrepresents the heart of the Father.

I’m tired of Christian’s not trusting their instincts because they’ve been told their heart is corrupt - as if you aren’t intertwined with the Spirit. You know that verse in Isaiah (40:31) that says, "those who wait in the Lord will renew their strength..." Preachers love to use this verse to challenge people to wait. I'm not against waiting, but that word wait is the word Kawa in Hebrew and it means, to intertwine. Waiting can often be very boring. Intertwining is incredibly exciting. Intertwining is a conscious awareness of the beauty of God in all and through all.

In the new covenant, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). The mind of Christ empowers us to deal with our emotions, not ignore or invalidate them. God has inscribed His laws on our hearts (Romans 2, 2 Corinthians 3). These laws are not the 10 commandments, traditions, or rules. According to John, the only command in the new covenant is to love like Christ has loved us. That's what is inscribed on our hearts. We were designed to see beauty and beauty is what will change the world. No wonder the church is confused, we keep dismissing emotions by telling people not to trust their God given instincts.

So please start trusting your heart. There is no separation between you and the Father. To trust yourself is to trust God. You are intertwined with the Spirit. Tap into your emotions and instincts; don't sweep them under the rug. This may be your nudge to start dealing with your painful experiences and trauma. The Spirit will guide you into all truth. As Romans 6:17 says, "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance." But don't I want sin? Isn't my desire to sin? NO, my heart does not want sin. My heart wants love, connection, acceptance, and empowerment. My heart is already full of the righteousness of God, and so is yours - you just might not be aware of it. It's time we walk confidently in our sonship or daughterhood. At your core, you were created in His image and likeness. You are an image-bearer; you are His beloved; God trusts you.

My Experience Going Viral

It's been nearly a year since I last wrote a blog and it's been over two years since I've been consistent with it. The reason has been due to how consuming it is to produce weekly podcasts. If you haven't checked out 2 Pastors And A Mic on all platforms, what are you waiting for?

I love podcasting and blogging but I had no idea how many conversations and messages I would receive from people who have loved our podcast, been curious about faith again, and set free from religious bondage. However, I was not prepared for the backlash, misunderstanding, and accusations of many people because of my own journey with Jesus.

I love Jesus more today than any other time in my life and I'm thankful I get to do what I love. I have so appreciated the support of the many people who have had my back and have had to defend me from slander. You know who you are and I value you so much.

Now for the purpose of today's blog...

I've been posting short clips of our podcast to social media platforms for several months now. I was not prepared for what happened over the last several weeks.

My first kind of viral video hit 15,000 views and the feedback was great. None of my previous videos had exceeded 3,000 so it was fun to watch that video increase in views over a couple days. My most recent viral video has been viewed over 106,000 times and most of the feedback has been positive. There are still some people who make wild assumptions and conclusions. People don't usually get upset by what you say. They get upset by what they think you are saying.

But the viral video I posted a couple weeks ago took me a lot longer to digest emotionally. I posted about a 40 second clip, and in the video I quoted John 5:22 which says, "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment unto the Son..." I was not only surprised by it being viewed over 69,000 times, but I was not prepared for the several hundred negative comments and DM's. There were several very good rebuttal's but I quickly recognized dialogue wasn't really what people wanted. What I've learned most about social media - it's not the place for conversation, at least an educated one. It's also NOT real life.

Some of the words strangers used to describe me included, "blasphemous, heretic, false teacher, wolf in sheep's clothing, wrong, ignorant, uneducated, purposefully leading people astray or to hell, etc."

Some of my favorite comments were the people telling me to READ THE BIBLE - which always means - "you need to make sure you interpret the Bible just like me..."

But which Bible are we referring to?
The KJV bible had 80 books
The syrianic version had 61 books
The Coptic version had 75 books
The Roman Catholic version had 73 books
The Charismatic version had 76 books
The Ethiopic version had 81 books
The Orthodox version had 86 books
The Greek Orthodox had 76 books
The Protestant version (popular one today) has 66 books. But are we going to talk about the thousands of different denominations who translate this Protestant version all differently?

For the record, I love the Bible. I don't know many people who love it more than me. I just don't worship it. I worship the God who is revealed in it. And that God simply talks about loving others well. If you need a book to hear from God, what did the Church do for the first 1,500 years before that book was massively produced?

I'm okay with disagreement. In fact, you grow in faith when your beliefs are challenged. But the way people challenge faith conversations online is more damning to Christianity than we may be aware of. Even the way we challenge faith conversations in person is damning. Very rarely does the American Christian use curiosity in conversations around biblical disagreement.

In all honesty, I wanted to quit as a Pastor this past month. Not because people disagreed and voiced their disagreement. Not because people called me names - I've been called names before and it really doesn't bother me. Not because I think I was wrong in the video (the podcast episode itself unpacked all the Scriptures people were using in the comments which I know they didn't go and listen to). And not because I can't be corrected or challenged (although, I used to believe all the things people said who disagreed with the post).

The reason I wanted to quit is because I'm not so sure I want to be associated with people who call themselves Jesus followers. If the comment section proved anything, it proved to be the reason why many people have walked away from churches.

I received one inbox from a friend who has walked away from faith. He said, "I love what you had to say. I went and listened to the whole podcast and it made me curious about faith conversations again. But that comment section makes me not want to be apart of the Christian community."

YUP!

The Christian community, in all its denominations, have some of the most vile, hateful, gossip-filled, argumentative, dogmatic, accusatory, and unloving people on the planet. Which is ironic because...
John 13:35 - by this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Galatians 5:6 - the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Acts 10:28 - But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

If you only knew those 3 verses for the rest of your life, I promise you will live one of the most fulfilling and beautiful lives there is. If you lived those verses, many people would be attracted to our Christ.

The comment section made me sad. No wonder many people are turned off by the regurgitated Christian thought that loves bad news more than good news. No wonder our society doesn’t feel the love of Christ from Jesus followers. Apparently what Jesus said he finished isn’t finished. Apparently the free gift of righteousness must be earned. Apparently God’s judgment is not mercy. Apparently your life choices only matter for a future judgment and not because you understand your responsibility in the present kingdom of God. For those saying the message I teach is dangerous and only causes people to continue in sin - you’re not listening. Grace is what empowers us to say no to sin (according to Titus 2). Until you experience God as Father, you’ll always assume you’re in a court room instead of a living room.

I'm beginning to understand why Gandhi said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

But Christians are “my people” and I will continue to disrupt any type of belief that paints God as unloving.
Selah

Roe Vs Wade

I wrote this piece before Roe vs Wade was overturned. Then I sat on it and listened in on the conversation to both sides. I didn’t change anything, I just wanted to be sure I was contributing from the right spirit.

But before I share what I wrote, I want to address the Christian reading this. You know that story where Jesus gets the mob to put their stones down? I’ve been thinking about why it feels so good to throw stones. Because let’s face it - throwing stones makes me feel…fantastic, right, important. Who doesn’t like to be right? Who doesn’t like to own an argument and put people in their place? Who doesn’t like to convince with authority and turn people into…themselves…holding the same opinions, beliefs, and understanding of life? I mean, wouldn’t life be so much better if everyone thought like…me?

I have been challenging myself over the last couple of years to have less opinions. It’s been amazing for me, but what I realized through counseling is that I get frustrated when other people have opinions, especially on topics they aren’t well versed in and people they don’t know. This isn’t new, the brother of Jesus challenged his audience 2,000 years ago to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Honestly, we Christians don’t like that verse. Because it’s easier to throw stones and throwing stones feels so damn good!

There has been much debate on the topic of abortion but not a lot of dialogue. Not a lot of sympathy, empathy, or love. Not a lot of compassion. Both sides of the argument continue to point fingers, call names, blame the opposing politicians and those who follow them, all while yelling their perspective without asking any questions.

In 2018, I had a strong opinion on the topic. Then I was asked one question and my answer revealed my ignorance on the subject...

I did not know abortion was legal in the United States BEFORE Roe vs. Wade. The Supreme Court ruling simply made abortion legal on a federal level. Therefore, abortion is still legal in about half the states now that Roe vs. Wade is reversed. I also didn’t know that several states started to pass anti-abortion laws NOT until 1860-1880. That means abortion, while frowned upon, was still legal and practiced before then.

So I started digging and here's just a few startling statistics...

• In 1971-1972 (the year before Roe vs. Wade), more than 30,000 women left Michigan to have a legal abortion in New York.

• In 1972 there were over 600,000 legal abortions in America (this does not include the estimated hundred thousand plus abortions that were not reported because they were done illegally or by unlicensed doctors). In 2019 there were 629,000 abortions. Which means the numbers haven't really changed since Roe vs. Wade. Actually, in the 1930's (40 years before Roe vs. Wade), doctors performed an estimated 800,000 abortions.

I do believe abortion is a problem - but it clearly isn't solved by politicians and laws. In fact, the politicians on both sides have everyone focused on defending or reversing Roe vs. Wade, therefore, we're missing the local and state policies that are actually impacting abortion right now. This isn't an issue that should cause division but rather action. And not protesting action. The ultimate answer to the problem of abortion is COMPASSION, not the Supreme Court. As Christians, we must remember that Jesus loves the people on both sides of this argument. Do you?

The task of the church is not to protest the world into a certain moral conformity, but to attract the world to the beauty of Christ. We often get most passionate about who's in the oval office while being less interested in the crisis pregnancy center and foster care systems in our own communities.

Did you know the number 1 reason for why people get an abortion has to do with fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of the inabilities, fear of the financial pressure, fear of raising kids alone. Where is the church? Unfortunately, we're usually protesting, condemning, shaming, or putting people in their place on Social Media. Rarely are we actively involved in supporting these women that are contemplating these life altering decisions.

So what's the solution to abortion? It starts with love, forgiveness, compassion, support, and community. It starts by recognizing these abortion statistics have faces and names, real life circumstances and trauma. It starts by getting involved in the pregnancy crises centers and foster care systems. It starts when we're far more loving than we are judgmental. It starts when our actions speak louder than our facebook posts.

We have an epidemic not just with abortion, but also in our foster care systems. You know, those places where children are put when people don’t get an abortion.
Where is the church?
Did you know more than 80% of the inmates in America have been in foster care?
Did you know 1 in 5 will enter the homeless population and 1 in 4 will enter the criminal justice system within 2 years of aging out of foster care?

We want prison reform? We want to solve the homeless situation? We want abortion to change? All three are statistically tied together. Maybe it’s time for the church to have less opinions on this topic because we’re so busy loving our communities. I believe it starts by actively getting involved in organizations that are doing those things. If you live in Southern Indiana, here are the numbers of 2 great organizations doing just that. You can start by either giving your time or your treasure.

Choices Life Resource Center - (812) 941-0872
Childplace Family Services - (812) 282-8248

Super Bowl Half-Time Shows and 50 Cent

I love watching the Super Bowl. I love the game, the anticipation of the commercials, and the half-time show - and all the drama that surrounds it.

This year, I looked forward to the half-time show more than any other in recent years. As disappointing as it may be to my mother, these were the guys I grew up listening to. The greatest rapper of all time - Eminem...Dre...Snoop...These guys made me believe this suburban, middle-class white kid from the nice neighborhoods outside of Detroit was a gangsta! I couldn't wait for all the Christians to be upset on social media.

For the record, I loved it.

But then it happened - my wife's all time favorite artist appeared, upside down, in all his glory, SURPRISE...it's 50 aka Ferrari F-50. The man who was shot 9 times...IN...THE...FACE (with my best impersonation of Rob Riggle in The Hangover). You can find me in the club, bottle full of bub...every millennial was on their feet reminiscing of the days when they were fun. You know, before our lives were filled with Disney soundtracks.

And the memes that followed on the internet. Amazing! And although they all were funny, one subject specifically stood out more than any other. 50 cents weight gain...

"50 cent looks like he was hit with inflation."
"50 cent looking like a whole dollar."
"Looks like 50 has been spending a lot of time at the candy shop."
"50 looking more like 250."

Honestly, I grinned at each one I read. But now I've been thinking about it for a couple days and it's really bothering me. How quick we are to judge other people that are in the spot light. I mean, I think there's a bible verse about not judging the speck of dust in someone else's eye and ignoring the log in your own. Let's be real honest - that album "Get Rich Or Die Trying" came out in 2003. We say things so flippantly but most of us wouldn't want a side by side picture of ourselves 19 years apart. Because that would show the truth of our own inability to be disciplined. Because it's easier to joke about someone else than really change our own circumstances. Not to mention that depending on which source you read, 25-33% of Americans are obese.

I was challenged this past year to have less opinions about people. It was brought to my attention of a handful of opinions that people had of me and my beliefs without ever actually having a conversation with me. It hurt. I was bothered. So I began challenging myself - have less opinions, especially of people I don't personally know. It has been one of the greatest additions to my life and that’s my challenge for you if you choose to accept.

The Irony of "Let's Go Brandon"

My kids are at that age where they are starting to pick up everything my wife and I say or do. I'm trying to be conscious of that...sometimes what they say and do is hilarious, sometimes not so much. And I really only have myself to blame. I'm recognizing how important it is that I model the things I'm trying to teach them.

Every day, we say our family motto...
I ask, "Who are you?" They respond, "A Rice."
I ask, "What are Rice's?" They respond, "Kings and Queens."
I ask, "What do Kings and Queens do?" They respond, "Show honor and have fun."

This principle of honor is so important to me personally because it speaks volumes of a person. I'm trying to instill in my kids the practice of honoring all people despite what they believe. Because my ability to honor you is not predicated on if you deserve honor.

In fact, the only competition in the Kingdom of God is about trying to out honor each other. Check out the different ways Romans 12:10 is translated...
ESV - Outdo one another in showing honor.
NIV - Honor one another above yourselves.
NLT - Take delight in honoring each other.
MSG - Practice playing second fiddle.

Currently, I'm pissed. I was watching TikTok and was saddened by the video I just watched. A reporter was interviewing a Republican at a rally who was wearing a shirt that read, "FJB." In the interview, they were talking about the importance of bringing respect and honor "back" into our country. Then the interviewer asked the man what "FJB" meant? The man responded "F*** Joe Biden." Oblivious to the irony of the conversation they just had, the man continues to rant about President Joe Biden in front of his 14-year old son.

Here's why I'm pissed. Both sides of the political aisle don't even see their hypocrisy. In 2016, liberals chanted, "Trump's not my president." The conservatives were pissed. In 2020, conservatives chanted, "Biden's not my president." The liberals were pissed. But this time is different the conservative responds, because "the election was stolen." If you want to believe that, fine (even though more than 60 judges disagree, including the Supreme Court) - you still have an opportunity to show honor in the face of disagreement. And what do we do? The opposite. Why? Because we're 'right' and we refuse to see each other through the lens of Christ.

I did not vote for Biden. I also did not vote for Trump. But President Joe Biden currently sits in the oval office - the highest office in America. And as an American, regardless of President Biden's beliefs and decisions, I choose to honor him because it speaks more about me than it does about him.

Jordan Peterson wrote a book titled "12 rules for life." Rule number 6 says, "Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world." In other words, the greatest leadership principle I share is, "Do not critique seats you have not sat in." I have no idea what it's like to be the President of the United States. I have no idea the pressure, decisions, conversations, who's really pulling the strings, or anything else in the political world. Therefore, I will not criticize someone God has called me to honor. Especially since I'm only in control of how I teach and model life for my family.

Honor is not permission to dishonor those who disagree with me. Honor is not an idea, it's a practice. It's given on the basis of who people are (and everyone is made in the image and likeness of God). Honor is loving those who can do nothing for me. Honor is when I treat you the way I would treat Jesus.

The World Is Not Getting Worse

My wife preached yesterday at Hill City Church and as always brought perspective to my life. She taught on the reality that God is always working and the world is not getting worse. In light of what she taught on, I thought this blog was appropriate. The Kingdom of God only knows increase, regardless of what news source you've been feasting on lately.

Matt Ridley recently said, "The generation that has experienced more peace, freedom, leisure time, education, medicine, travel, movies, mobile phones, and massages than any generation in history is lapping up gloom at every opportunity."

Hans Rosling, a Swedish statistician said, "It is easy to be aware of all the bad things happening in the world. It's harder to know about the good things: billions of improvements that are never reported."

We love bad news. We love pessimism. And both are anti-gospel!

Author J.D. King has a book titled "Why you've been duped into believing that the world is getting worse," and I'll share some of the things he addresses below...

• If the world is getting worse, shouldn't there be higher rates of illiteracy, racism, and gender inequality?

• War related death is lowest ever recorded.

• Terrorism only accounts for .05% of annual deaths. Statistics show more Westerners die in bathtubs and staircase falls than Islamic violence.

• FBI disclosed that homicides dropped nearly 50% in the last 25 years.

• Poverty is at an all time low. Steve Denning writes, "Every single day since 1990, on average, there were 130,000 people fewer in extreme poverty."

• 91% of humanity now lives in middle and high-income nations. Thus, the notion of a divided world with majority stuck in misery and deprivation is an illusion.

• Women rights is also the best they've ever been. Did you know in 1900 the only nation where a woman could vote was New Zealand? Think how much has changed in 100 years! Ivy League schools didn't even accept female students until the 1960's.

Yes, several of these issues above are still a problem as many of us deal with the pain of unexpected loss and inequality, but that does not mean statistically as a whole that the world is getting worse. The world is always improving and today is truly the best time to be alive.

Let’s not forget how amazing the world is as we read these words on our smart phone or computer devices. Let’s not forget how we brainwash ourselves watching news channels on our 65 inch flat screen tv that we purchased for less than 1K. Let’s not forget how convenient it is to drive to the grocery store as most of us have never wondered where our next meal will come from. I could go on and on but I have to make a latté and start watching online videos for my next graduate class…

But most importantly, let's not forget the Kingdom we carry within.

My Opinions About Simone Biles

You probably haven’t noticed but I took a writing break over the past couple of months. I wanted to honor a speaking gig I had at another church and didn’t want to write anything potentially controversial. I also wanted to clear my head from the pressure I put on myself to produce content. But the biggest reason for taking a break was to see if I could just shut up and not have an opinion on all the things pastors are supposed to have opinions on.

So it’s fitting that my first blog back is to share my opinions about Simone Biles.

I was just as shocked as many fellow Americans who saw the greatest gymnast in human history drop out of the Olympics due to mental health issues.

As soon as I found out I started reading many online opinions, blogs, and media outlets. I watched the press conference. I have so many questions I want to ask. But based on the limited information given, I started forming opinions myself.

Then I started getting asked my opinion by the people I was around when we all found out.

My response? Very anticlimactic!

I have none.

Once the pandemic hit last year, so many people were sharing their opinions, conspiracy theories, and ideologies around Covid-19. I decided I would no longer participate in conversations I know very little about. I was going to get very comfortable answering questions with “I don’t know.” Especially if I’m not educated on the topic.

And this may be the greatest pandemic of the modern era. That is - sharing our perspective without knowing a person, studying a topic, or truly examining data unbiasedly.

It’s extremely hard to keep my mouth shut but I’ve decided I’m not going to weigh in on the Simone Biles conversation.

I don’t know her.
I don’t know any of the real details.
I can’t relate to the stress and pressure of Olympic athletes.

Therefore, I have no opinions. Because offering an opinion on this topic does more harm to us collectively as humans. Because offering a judgment only continues the real problem of trying to solve everyone else’s issues except my own. I guess that’s why it’s so easy to chime in, because it would make me feel better to acknowledge the struggles of others than confront my own.

What Makes Someone A Christian?

Being a pastor you get accused and labeled a lot of things. Mostly by people you don't know, sometimes by people who have misunderstood, misquoted, or misheard something you said. Regardless, some of these labels I never thought would be attached with my name. Such as...

Cory doesn't preach the fUlL gOsPeL...
He's a heretic...
He's a false teacher...
He's one of those greasy grace guys...

and most recently...
Cory is not a Christian anymore.

Insert triggered meme...

Not a Christian anymore? What do people even mean when they say these things about people they don't know...

The irony are the accusations themselves. Because anyone, at anytime, including myself, can act like the spirit of anti-christ while accusing others. Especially people you don't really know.

So let's clear the air. Because being labeled a Christian is based on one simple belief = Jesus is Lord. That's it!

Being a Christian is not determined by whether or not you...
Doubt
Speak in tongues
Serve in your church
Go on missions trips
Take care of orphans and widows
Give generously
Have a daily quiet time
Struggle with the same habitual sin
Drink
Forgive

Being a Christian is not determined by whether or not you're...
Divorced
Gay or affirming
Pro women in leadership roles
Pro-life or Pro-choice
Baptized or what you even believe about baptism

Being a Christian is not determined by whether or not you...
Believe in eternal conscious torment
Believe in a literal devil
Believe in a wrathful God
Believe in inerrancy
Believe in KJV only
Believe in the Trinity
Believe in Creation
Believe in Science

Being a Christian is not determined by your understanding of...
Theology
Christology
Sanctification
Eschatology
Atonement theory
Pneumatology
Ecclesiology

Again, the only thing that determines if you're a Christian or not is your belief in Jesus.

Now the proof of that belief is an interesting conversation because the proof will always be love…ALWAYS. For they will know you are a Christian by your love for one another (John 13:35). Love - even if they disagree with your theology. Love - even if they label you without knowing you. Unity is not about agreement - it's about willing to lay your life down for someone else whether they agree with you or not. That's beauty. That's what will change the world.

I wonder what would happen if the church as a whole lived the message God gave to Peter in Acts 10:28 … “But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.”?

Throw Some D's

What does Rich Boy and Mother’s Day have in common? Let me try to tie these two together but only a few will understand the innuendo…

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and I'm very thankful for my wife, my mom, and my mother-in-law. Growing up without any sisters, I've been learning a lot about women over the last several years. I have gained so much more understanding about God since being in an intimate relationship with my wife.

In a world where few understand proper masculinity, I find it ironic how many don't recognize the feminine attributes of God.

For example...

In Genesis 17:1-2, God first uses the name El Shadday when he refers to multiplying Abraham’s offspring. This word often gets translated as “The Almighty God.” Assuming the word to speak of strength, translators thought Shadday came from the root verb shadad which means to ‘overpower or destroy.' However, Shadday is a phrase used in the Passover Haggadah which means ‘sufficient.' Jacob’s blessing given in Genesis 49:25 uses the word shadaim which means ‘sufficiency or nourishment’… it comes from the root word shad which means ‘breast.' In the context of the two passages above, the words are used to talk about fruitfulness and fertility, not overpowering or destroying. Therefore, El Shadday does not just mean ‘God Almighty’ but rather it also means ‘The God of Many Breasts.' Shocking I know. If you can get past the comedy, it's actually an incredible picture of God's nurturing love for all of humanity. A love that sustains us and provides nourishment just like a mother with her newborn. God is not just an everlasting Father but an infinite Mother - pouring out His blessings and provision on His children. 

Cancel Culture

Now that my least favorite Sunday of the year is over, let’s talk about cancel culture.

I wanted to get in on the conversation not to voice my side but rather, to paint perspective. As a youth pastor, our young people have a lot of valid opinions on the subject. First, I want to speak to the Christian, because I think we miss it often. We’re oblivious to our ironic public statements we make across social media platforms. And by doing so, we miss the opportunity to be a bridge. We miss the opportunity to learn and empathize. We miss the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus by loving well...especially those we disagree with. Here's what I mean by ironic public statements...

You have the Christian that states they'll never cave in to the culture and will stand on the Bible yet that same Christian does easter egg hunts for their kids. That's irony...and humorous.

You have the Christian that is afraid governments are restricting their religious freedoms during this pandemic while they use their religion to restrict the freedoms of women and gay communities.

You have the Christian upset about our Country's immigrant situation as they send in their DNA to ancestry to find out which Country their family came to this Country from.

You have the Christian who is upset the former president was banned from Twitter after he incited violence while they want to ban a pair of shoes because they think it re-empowers a disempowered devil.

You have the Christian who is upset about "prayer" being removed from school (as if prayer could ever be removed from anything) as they cheer while the golden Trump statue is being rolled through the lobby of their conference.

You have the Christian who is upset about the fiasco involving Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Suess yet that same Christian is not willing to listen and educate themselves about systemic racism.

Cancel culture always has multiple perspectives, and while I think it's silly some things are getting 'cancelled' I also think it's important to address the real concerns, issues, double standards, and our past. Especially if we're upset something is cancelled because it was accepted years ago but is obviously offensive, racist, or wrong.

Here's some perspective about cancel culture from a post I was sent by a friend...

Andrew P Street said recently, "Years ago I interviewed Brian Eno and he was amazing. But one thing he said about streaming music has always stayed with me: that his daughters listen to stuff from all sorts of eras without any idea of genre or timeline or context because it was all equally available to them. As he put it, everything was present. And I think that’s the big difference in the last decade or so of pop-culture: we now accumulate stuff rather than replace it. Instead of The Office being a sitcom people remember from a decade ago, it’s a show they’re watching now. There’s new pop culture, but it has to elbow for room amongst humanity‘s vast back catalog. And because everything is present, everything is necessarily judged against the standards of the present. So where once you’d only see, for example, an episode of the Muppets if you knew what it was and sought it out, now it’s just something popular on Disney+ that anyone can stumble over and go “Um, why is Johnny Cash flanked by Confederate flags? I didn’t know he was a white supremacist!” And, friends, that is why we’re getting disclaimers on shows or letting old children’s books go out of print: not because people are oversensitive or hysterical or stupid, but because society changes and pop-culture used to keep pace with that, but now that everything remains accessible we interact with our cultural past differently.”

I personally believe cancel culture is a combination of Andrew's perspective and capitalism. My friend Cody says, “Cardi B doesn't get cancelled because her record company finds it profitable to make a song called "WAP." However, Dr. Seuss's publishers did not find it profitable to have books with racist inclinations so they take it off the shelf.” At the end of the day, cancel culture is driven by money as money drives the decisions of nearly every organization.

So Christian, if you’re like my wife you’re about to be triggered by the next word: RELAX. Maybe if we added some perspective and sat in our discomfort long enough, we might not be so upset about our world changing. We might not even voice our ironic opinions that tend to build walls to the very people we’re called to love.

An Open Letter To Kirk Franklin

I'm sorry you felt like you had to apologize publicly because your son posted your private conversation online.

I'm sorry Christian media has nothing better to do than try to expose you.

I'm sorry many Christians don't offer grace to public figures the way they expect grace to be offered to themselves.

The only people disappointed are those who pretend to have their life together and are good at wearing their "christian" mask. The only people that expect a public apology are religious people. Those who think, do or say worse but don't have a platform with millions of people watching and waiting for them to have a moment.

So, Kirk - you're good bro! My respect, for what it's worth, went up for you. Not because you apologized, but because you're real.

To the Christian who is offended. The world is watching you. Watching how you respond to one of your own. Now tell me again why they would want the God you worship as you sit there in your high chair criticizing someone on the same team? The reason many people don't want Christianity is not because Kirk Franklin cussed out his disrespectful, grown son...but because of how Christians respond to one of their own when they have moments like these. How quickly we tend to eat our own. Cannibalism is alive and active in the church and if we aren't careful, we give society a reason to want nothing to do with us. Why would our world want to believe that God loves them when the people who follow God are so quick to judge and reprimand each other publicly? Why would they believe the message "come as you are" if we tend not to like "who they is?" Why would they want the Jesus we worship when we're never really there to lift each other up, carry each other's burdens, and protect each other instead of expose each other?

Have Less Opinions

Why put myself out there when I tend to only hear the critics…

That has been my thought process over the last several months.

High stress, responsibilities, circumstantial depression, hurt feelings, church frustrations, relationship tensions, and unmet expectations all play a role in my difficult experiences lately.

The worst of the bunch - church frustrations. No one can really relate to the roller coaster ride of emotions that people in church ministry have...unless you're in church ministry. The best way to describe it is the difference between weddings and funerals...with all kinds of personalities and beliefs...every damn week! We get to be a part of the celebrations, the breakthroughs, the spiritual highs all while being a part of the death, the heartbreaks, and the spiritual lows. The worst part is it seems like more people voice the negatives than they do the positives. I just wish people did a couple things before they have such harsh opinions about the individuals in church leadership.

First off, I despise the church institution that manipulates people for finances, power, or control. I love the church institution that believes the best about humanity, empowers people and is actively a part of the community - helping people see Jesus for who he is and leading by example.

So two things...

1. If you believe in Jesus, you shouldn't be so quick to write someone off if they present an idea or thought that may be new for you. I'm learning about something called deficit model - it's when people default to fear because they don't understand something. This is exactly what happens around discussions about God. People often oppose things because it sounds different than what they've previously been taught, or because they have never heard of it. How can you oppose something you have never studied, contemplated, or truly examined? I'm baffled by the lack of conversation and how quick people jump to conclusions.

2. If you believe in Jesus and find yourself talking about someone you don't know just shut your mouth. I was criticized by someone who I've never talked with as they claimed I said something I never did. Oh the irony. If the Jesus you worship doesn't cause you to evaluate the way you talk about people, it's not Jesus you've found.

Have less opinions on subjects you haven't studied. Have less opinions about people you don't know. Have less opinions about cultures you haven't experienced.

3 Thoughts around Billy Graham's Death

Billy Graham died three years ago yesterday. So here’s three thoughts around his death…

1. He was a faithful man and I'm thankful for his ministry and legacy.

2. Please understand that God did not take Rev Billy Graham home. God received him in His arms of love but did not take him. God is not the author of death!

3. A lot of people said he will hear the Father say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." And I believe he will, but not for obvious reasons. In fact, I have had several conversations with people hoping God will look at them and say, “Well done my good and faithful servant,” based on what they do on Earth (behavior). However, that statement is not going to be said based on what we do. That statement is going to be said based on whether or not we believed and trusted in Jesus. My friend Reggi says it this way, “There is only ONE good and faithful servant to have ever lived, and His name is Jesus.” So the question is, do we believe Jesus to be the Savior of the world? If so, we will be credited as a good and faithful servant on Jesus’ behalf! So please stop striving to become a good and faithful servant and start realizing you already are a good and faithful servant because the good and faithful servant lives in you. Your behavior is a by-product of truly knowing your position as a child of God.

Greatness Comes From Discipline

A year ago I wrote about our negative bias and how it affects our ability to appreciate and celebrate greatness in our lives and the lives of others. We tend to not celebrate others well. I love conversations around this topic because I love to appreciate, be inspired by, and celebrate the great accomplishments of others. In last week's podcast, Pastor Channock and I talked about this very subject. I'm very passionate about helping people believe they matter.

And wouldn’t you know, last night we witnessed greatness again in the sports world as Tom Brady won his 7th Super Bowl and 5th Super Bowl MVP. The dude knows how to will his team to victory.

And although I could write for days on Tom Brady and the topic of greatness, I want to inspire and challenge you around this idea...

Greatness isn’t in your future if direction and discipline aren’t in your present.

If you don't have a direction, anywhere will get you there.
If you don't have discipline, you'll never see real progress. 

We have to be people who are disciplined...in our faith, finances, friendships, family, and fitness (The 5 F's from Rabbi Daniel Lapin)

I love sports. I could talk about sports all day long. I have useless statistics memorized taking up bandwidth in my brain. Yet, as a society we tend to watch sports to escape. The greatness of these athletes often times rob us from attempting and achieving our own greatness. Their accomplishments mean nothing for us individually. They are entertainers so don’t be confused. We can celebrate their greatness but not at the expense of our own.

You are great and being great is recognizing normal is okay...not being okay, is okay...being in a season of struggle is okay. But ultimately, your personal development matters more than your external success. Being great is being a present spouse and parent. Being great is looking out for your friends and rejoicing at their success and being a shoulder to lean on in their failures. Being great is about doing the millions of small things that bring accomplishment into the picture.

If you want to be great, get some discipline!

Go Higher

Four years ago I took a helicopter ride around Louisville with my pastors. We were looking for a different perspective to inspire our dreams of impacting this city. Higher points of view will give you that perspective. Sometimes you have to see something from a different point of view to see that God is doing more in your life than you know. While I was 10,000 feet in the air I wrote down these two thoughts...

1. Blessed is a mindset. How you think determines everything. You can believe the lie that other people are more blessed than you, or you can quit comparing and start believing you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).

2. What you focus your attention on will determine your direction and influence your affections. Dr. James Dobson said, "The same boiling water that hardens the egg will soften the carrot. Everything depends on the individuals particular reaction to stressful circumstances." It's time to go higher. It's time to quit the excuses. It's time to realize God has more for you than you could even ask or imagine. God's doing something special in every city through a plethora of ministries. Are you going to do your part to impact your city for Christ?

You Have Permission

I started a podcast with my boss and best friend this past week titled 2 Pastors and a Mic. In the first episode, we covered a topic called “you have permission.” It might go down as my favorite episode ever. It was so thought provoking that I wanted to include it in written form here on this blog.

As pastors, we get asked “can I do …” almost as often as students ask me questions about homosexuality. This is not a new question…it’s something that Paul addressed often. Which is why he penned 1 Corinthians 6:12 which says, “everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.” He says something similar in 1 Corinthians 10:23 when he wrote, “I have the right to do anything but not everything is beneficial...not everything is constructive.”

So, you have permission to…

1. Ask questions

2. Not to give an answer

3. Question the Scriptures

4. Disagree

5. Not come to church

6. Say no and not feel bad

7. Be angry

8. Doubt

9. Drink

10. Sin

For greater context and in-depth conversation around these thoughts, check out the podcast here. Then subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends and family!

God Needs You

I was told my whole life from stages in Christian circles that God doesn’t need us. I mean, how could the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end have needs? He’s omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient…He doesn’t need anything. Right?

It sounds right. It sounds humble. Yet, if that’s the case, let’s stop telling people they have purpose and value.

The fact is, God does need us. Because without us, He chooses to do nothing. Without us, He chooses to love no one. The 'God doesn’t need us' message takes away the importance of how significant you are to Him.

Does God intervene supernaturally? Absolutely! But for the most part, He empowers people to bring change.

There have been a lot of conversations around race lately. I’m glad, because change needs to happen. And the only way change is going to happen is if people step up, come together with real unity, and sacrifice for each other. The race problem (just like any other problem) isn’t going to change just because we pray for it. The race problem (and others) will only change when the people of our society decide to change the way we view and treat people. 

The heartbreaking reality in America is as soon as you start speaking up for others like Jesus, people will always start looking for stones. Honestly, this past year I’ve wanted to quit as a pastor more than any other time in my 14 years of ministry. I’ve wanted to disassociate from “the church” as I’ve seen how many proclaiming Christians around this country respond to those who vote differently and those who are hurting, specifically the black community. I’ve wanted to stop writing as I’ve received more backlash and surprisingly, lost respect from others just because I bring another perspective.

Then I heard the whisper of the Spirit one night several months ago as I was crying in my bed… "I need you.” It’s not a statement of arrogance. It’s not a statement of pride. It’s a statement to every single created human being. If you weren’t needed, God wouldn’t have created you. You have purpose! You have value! You have the power within to expand the Kingdom of God here and now. It was a reminder to me that if I give up when everything around me feels hopeless, then my eyes weren’t focused on the right thing. If I give up doing the hard work because it’s…hard…then change won’t ever happen. Without standing, even in the midst of opposition, we’ll never be the change this world so desperately needs. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up - Galatians 6:9

Hunger and Thirst No More

Dear Christian,
It's time to stop hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus. I know it sounds wrong to read but hear me out. I was taught to consistently hunger and thirst for more of God. I never looked at the teaching critically because it sounds good. However, it's actually the opposite of what following Jesus is about.

Think about it this way - to hunger and thirst is to lack something. Hunger and thirst are terms used by orphans. When you're even taught to hunger and thirst for more knowledge and revelation you'll never be satisfied with 'love like Jesus' ... which is the entirety of the Gospel. We often times would rather bury ourselves in the Scriptures, prayer closets, or at a table of 'theologians' debating theology instead of going out of our way to love people...all people.

You might be thinking BUT Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Indeed, however, Jesus was talking to Jews under the old covenant law. He also concluded that verse by saying...AND THEY WILL BE FILLED...

Fast forward to John 6. Jesus is teaching on how He is the bread of life. He says in verse 35, "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Once you know your righteousness isn't tied to your behavior but found in the person of Jesus...you become filled...permanently. Filled with purpose, belonging, acceptance, and value. Filled to fill others.

See, you can't be righteous by what you do. You can't be favored or blessed because you give, fast, and pray. You can't be anointed because of your study. You already are righteous, favored, blessed, and anointed because of Jesus in you! The only thing you think you lack is made up in the way you think.

Have you ever noticed the crowds that followed Jesus and how often Jesus needed to retreat from them. Why is that? Because it's exhausting having to spiritually fill people who think they lack what Jesus already provides. The crowds hungered and thirsted for what Jesus did. Therefore, they were never satisfied in who He was...resulting in never being satisfied in who they were. Today, we are often motivated to follow Jesus for what He does rather than for who He is.

So Christian, wake up! Stop longing for a position you already have. Stop longing for more of whatever you think you lack. The only longing that is produced in the Kingdom of God is how you can give what already belongs to you. You lack nothing (not my words, but David's in Psalm 23). So, hungering and thirsting for more isn't the Gospel. It's not even good Christian behavior. It's actually anti-gospel as you refuse to believe Christ is sufficient.

I'm not saying you shouldn't read the Scriptures, pray in a closet, or discuss theology with others. You should definitely do those things. I am saying however, those things don't gain you whatever it is you think you lack. You're already seated at the King's table and He is thrilled to be in your presence! It's time we put our faith to action to change our world for the better. Let's stop living like orphans and recognize our place in the Royal Family.

What you may not know about the Christmas Story...

I love Christmas. I love learning about First Century Jewish culture and how they viewed "Christmas." I love the American Christmas traditions I actively participate in. But we Americans have really hijacked the beautiful images throughout the Christmas story with our un-biblical ideas of the nativity. Don't get me wrong - enjoy your nativity scene - just recognize it didn't happen like that.

Jesus wasn't born in a barn and he wasn't rejected from the town's "hotel." The wise men also wouldn't have been at the birth as it took them nearly 2 years to even arrive on the scene. That's why King Herod issued the death of all babies 2 years and younger. Speaking of mass murder...Christmas wasn't a glorious celebration in the first century as many families mourned the death of their toddlers. Think about it...

The word used for inn is poorly translated. It literally means the guest room...the guest room in the home of Joseph's family. I first heard this from Bishop Jamie Englehart and remember thinking, well duh, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem for the census...it was Joseph's hometown...it was where his family lived. There are multiple guesses for why the guest room was preoccupied in Joseph's family's home but they weren't rejected from Bethlehem's "inn."

First Century Jews also didn't have a barn to store their animals in during the winter. Guess where they brought them? Inside their home! So, this manger scene in a barn was actually a manger scene in the home of Joseph's family...animals included.

BUT, in my opinion, the coolest part of the story of the birth of Jesus are the Shepherds! We as Americans just skip over one of the greatest revelations of Jesus as Messiah by ignoring who these Shepherds actually were. In fact, they weren't your typical Shepherds. According to Jewish culture, these Shepherds in Bethlehem were from Migdal Eder (also known as the "tower of the flock" found in the prophetic words of Micah). These Shepherds were appointed by the priests and had the Holy calling to certify Passover lambs at birth. They would wrap these newborn lambs in swaddling clothes to prevent them from bumping into things so they wouldn't bruise and nullify their perfection. Why does that matter? Because Jewish culture required these sacrificial lambs to be perfect in order to atone for their sins. Wild, I know! So, when the Angels appeared to these Shepherds and told them about the King of the Jews - that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes - it was an amazing moment. It was an announcement that not only fulfilled prophecies, but a light bulb moment that symbolized a picture that Jesus would be the once and for all perfect sacrifice...the last Passover Lamb. Rejoice, the King is born and he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, not to prevent him from bruising, but to symbolize His perfection.

So, celebrate Christmas however you want. Just remember the culture, history, excitement, and pain that comes along with it.

Stop Calling People Sinners

I heard a pastor say recently at the conclusion of his sermon, “Go tell someone you’re a great sinner and then tell them about the greatness and the majesty and the forgiveness and the joy that you have because of the work and person of Jesus.”

My friends, you should never do that! Sin should never have a starring role in our Gospel presentation. And while we're on the subject, let's stop saying bull-crap things like "hate the sin and not the sinner." Jesus never said that...In fact, you might be shocked to find out that was said by Gandhi. That phrase gives people the excuse to not love like Jesus because it screams 'we don't love you as you are.' OR 'we'll only love you as soon as you look like us.' I find the irony in the well-meaning Christian who tries to rebuttal out of fear of condoning...as if Jesus ever worried about how others perceived his love. In fact, Jesus never called anyone a sinner because He understood that was no one’s identity (don't misquote the metaphor Jesus used in Mark 2). You are not a sinner saved by grace. You are a saint saved by grace. You are a saint who still sins but it does not define you. You are a child of God. You are His beloved.

If you need to be told how bad you are to find out how good God is, it’s not the Gospel you’ve found. The Gospel is an invitation to participate in the life of the Kingdom of God here on Earth now. The Gospel is the good news of the righteousness, peace, and joy we have because of Jesus. As Danielle Shroyer says in her book Original Blessing, "We (unfortunately) have shifted from telling a story marked by connection to declaring a story marred by distance." She continues by saying, "God’s grace can’t and shouldn’t be twisted and used as a way for us to feel like we’re unworthy. God doesn’t need to humiliate us before giving us grace just to ensure the grace is effective and appreciated. If we are told we have to feel bad before we can appreciate felling loved, it isn’t love we’ve found."

Ravi Zacharias once said, “Time is the brush of God, as he paints his masterpiece on the heart of humanity." That quote is influenced by Ephesians 2:10 where Paul calls us God's masterpiece. I like how Lecrae raps it when he says, "The Master Artist makes your mess a masterpiece regardless..."

That's the point of the Gospel...the good news...you are God's masterpiece. And if you are a masterpiece, you can't BE flawed. You can HAVE flaws, but that's not WHO you are. You cannot be a dirty wretched sinner and a beloved child of God at the same time. One is a clever way the church has carried false humility for centuries...the other is your permanent identity. Sinner is not your identity. Sonship is. You're not a terrible person. You're in process of recognizing and believing how God views you...because He thinks you are amazing!