For the most part, I don't want to write about politics. I think it's because politics aren't eternal; it could also be because I serve a King, not a political ideology; I also think it's because, since it's a human institution (necessary, but human), it is doomed to be corrupt in some respects, regardless of your party. But since health care reform is the talk of the day, I just wanted to get my thoughts down and organized.
I think this all starts on how you view the rich. I am sure that there is a large segment of American society that feels that, if you are rich, you have taken advantage of someone, or you inherited your wealth, or you benefited from tax breaks, or you don't give, or something else like that. I think that is false, at least in the majority. If you pick up the book, "The Millionaire Next Door," or "The Millionaire Mind," you will find that the modern "rich" person is much different than one might think:
*Most millionaires only make $131,000 (50th percentile), while those making $500,000 a year or more (only about 13% of millionaires) skew the overall numbers upwards;
*Most live on less than 7% of their wealth;
*80% of millionaires are first-generation millionaires;
*About 2/3 work 45-55 hours a week;
*About half have wives who work at home, but are considered more conservative than their husbands;
*Less than 20% are not college graduates;
*Most regularly attend religious services;
*Most have never received any handout ever, and never believed they would.
http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/stanley-millionaire.html
My point is that millionaires are not born, but are made. In the words of Dave Ramsey, the radio show host I listen to, "people are rich because they do rich people stuff, people are poor because they do poor people stuff...poor is a state of mind, broke is a temporary existence." Until we become a thorough Communist country, the rich will keep getting richer, and the poor will keep getting poor.
Capitalism doesn't make people rich or poor. People do. Just because a few CEOs and companies took advantage doesn't mean there is something wrong with our economic system; it just means there is something wrong with those people. Should we outlaw prescription medicine or guns or cars just because people abuse them for their own personal gain?
There are a bunch of people without health insurance right now. I am one of them! A portion of them will work out of it, and be better off. And there will be a portion of them that won't try to work out of it, and just wait for the government to take care of them. It all depends on their mindset. And that leads me into why I am against this new government health reform stuff!
As a human, we are sinners. Me, you, big CEOs, Congress; we are all sinners. One common sin I am seeing more and more of is laziness. When given the choice, most people will choose the easy road. Why work hard when there is an easier way?? Millionaires don't think this way. Poor people do.
I am against the health care reform because it will further our national debt (show me a federal program that hasn't), which will eventually lead to higher taxes for everyone. I am against it because it will pay for abortions, regardless of the fancy talk coming out of Washington. I am against it because it does not protect doctors from working in accordance with their beliefs. I am against it because the federal government does not have a right to force anyone to buy anything.
And I am against it because it doesn't motivate people. It doesn't encourage people to rise up out of their circumstances. If I am just making ends meet, and I get to pay a fraction of the current premiums to cover my family, what incentive is their for me to seek out that full-time job, that promotion, that raise? How is this reform encouraging human flourish and personal responsibility?
Right now, if I want insurance, I have to work hard and get it. It's called personal responsibility. Paul says that if you don't work, than you shouldn't eat. (2 Thess 3:10) Does that apply to health insurance as well?
Are there temporary circumstances, or exceptions, that inhibit people from getting insurance? I'm sure there is, and we need to make room for that. But the exception isn't the rule, and the government shouldn't make us pay for it.
So I would like to keep my capitalism, thank you very much. I can get my own insurance. I am not going to sit around and wait for the government to force me to pay for something I should earn on my own.
God bless
"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." -2 Thess 3:11-13
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Decline of the Christian West
I have never been one to shy away from controversial topics, and I found this one to hard to resist. I saw a video several months ago that got me thinking about how liberal the “West” has become in the last 40-50 years, and what it has now done to the demographics of the world. Now, I wanted to show the video, but I think that some of the images, music and verbage used, are a little too controversial to show. So, I decided to just give you the facts of the video, and my opinion, and we’ll go from there.
(Statistics are of 2007)
Statistically, in order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, there must be a required fertility rate of 2.11 children per family. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate. A 1.3 fertility rate is impossible to reverse because it would take 80-100 years to correct itself, and there is no economic model that can sustain a culture during that time. Why? If every couple has less than 2 children, when there are 1 million people working in 2006, it would be impossible for 2 million to enter the workforce in 2026.
As the population shrinks, so does the culture…
As of 2007, the fertility rates of natural citizens:
France 1.8
England 1.6
Greece 1.3
Germany 1.3
Italy 1.2
Spain 1.1
European Union (31 nations): 1.38
(Remember the fertility rate that is impossible to reverse from above?)
But the population in Europe is not declining…Why?
Immigration.
90% of population growth in Europe since 1990 has been from Islamic countries.
France:
Fertility rate of Islamic families: 8.1
In southern France, there are now more mosques than churches
30% of children age 20 and younger are Muslim
In larger cites, that number is 45%
In 2027, 1 in 5 Frenchmen will be Muslim
Great Britian
In the last 30 years Muslim population has grown from 82,000 to 2.5 million.
There are over 1,000 mosques.
Netherlands
50% of all newborns are Muslims
In 15 years, half of the population will be Muslim
Russia
23 million Russians are Muslims (1 in 5)
In just a few years, 40% of Russian Army will be Islamic
Belgium
25% of population is Muslim
50% of all newborns of Muslim
The Belgium government has stated that 1/3 of all European children will be born to Muslim families by 2025
“The fall in the [German] population can no longer be stopped. It’s downward spiral is no longer reversible. It will be a Muslim state by the year 2050” –German government
“There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquest. We don’t need terrorists, we don’t need homicide bombers. The 50+ million Muslims [in Europe] will turn it into a Muslim continent within a few decades.” –Mummar al-Gaddafi of Libya
There are similar trends closer to home as well
Canada
Fertility rate of natural born citizens is 1.6 (2.11 is required to sustain culture)
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the country
2001-2006, there was a 1.6 million increase in population. 1.2 was due to immigration
United States
Natural born citizens fertility rate: 1.6
Latino immigration raises rate to 2.11
In 1970 there were 100,000 Muslims
2008, there were over 9,000,000
“Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world,” –Vatican, March 2008
[you can see the video here, if you like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU&feature=player_embedded ]
For me, these statistics are amazing, and scary. I’m worried, not so much about the rise of Islam, although that is a concern to me. My larger concern is the decline and fall of Western Christianity. Just like the Old Testament, God is using different cultures to shame His people. Now it is us here in the West. Muslims seem much more concerned about family than we are. Muslims seem to care much more about passing on their faith than we do. Muslims are much more hospitable than we are (at least in my travels to Turkey). Shame on us, Christianity, for not fulfilling God’s call!
Why is this? I believe there are three main, although not exclusive, explanations as to why are birth rate is low, and that are against God’s will: Homosexuality, abortion, and artificial contraception. Jesus came to give us life, life to the fullest (Jn 10:10). The three reasons I give cut off life, for physical life cannot spring forth; fullness of life can never be reached with those three boundaries in the way. My previous post stated that God wants us to have children because that makes us better people. He also knows that if we don’t have enough children that our culture will die. Is it no surprise that our low birth rate, both a reason for and result of the decrees in quantity and quality of Christians, is leading to the demise of Christian culture in the West as we know it? (Now do you know why I suggested in my last post everyone needs to have at least 3 children?!?!)
As faithful believers, what can we do? First, we need to pray, for ourselves, and for Christians around the country and around the world. I know I need all the prayers I can get! Secondly, share the Gospel. Tell someone, anyone, how good God has been to you. Thirdly, be open to life, in all it’s ways and all it’s forms. It’s not too late for America. We need to be radically for life, both personally and publicly, and against everything that stands in the way of life. This is God’s will for us, and this country.
May God bless you
(Statistics are of 2007)
Statistically, in order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, there must be a required fertility rate of 2.11 children per family. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate. A 1.3 fertility rate is impossible to reverse because it would take 80-100 years to correct itself, and there is no economic model that can sustain a culture during that time. Why? If every couple has less than 2 children, when there are 1 million people working in 2006, it would be impossible for 2 million to enter the workforce in 2026.
As the population shrinks, so does the culture…
As of 2007, the fertility rates of natural citizens:
France 1.8
England 1.6
Greece 1.3
Germany 1.3
Italy 1.2
Spain 1.1
European Union (31 nations): 1.38
(Remember the fertility rate that is impossible to reverse from above?)
But the population in Europe is not declining…Why?
Immigration.
90% of population growth in Europe since 1990 has been from Islamic countries.
France:
Fertility rate of Islamic families: 8.1
In southern France, there are now more mosques than churches
30% of children age 20 and younger are Muslim
In larger cites, that number is 45%
In 2027, 1 in 5 Frenchmen will be Muslim
Great Britian
In the last 30 years Muslim population has grown from 82,000 to 2.5 million.
There are over 1,000 mosques.
Netherlands
50% of all newborns are Muslims
In 15 years, half of the population will be Muslim
Russia
23 million Russians are Muslims (1 in 5)
In just a few years, 40% of Russian Army will be Islamic
Belgium
25% of population is Muslim
50% of all newborns of Muslim
The Belgium government has stated that 1/3 of all European children will be born to Muslim families by 2025
“The fall in the [German] population can no longer be stopped. It’s downward spiral is no longer reversible. It will be a Muslim state by the year 2050” –German government
“There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquest. We don’t need terrorists, we don’t need homicide bombers. The 50+ million Muslims [in Europe] will turn it into a Muslim continent within a few decades.” –Mummar al-Gaddafi of Libya
There are similar trends closer to home as well
Canada
Fertility rate of natural born citizens is 1.6 (2.11 is required to sustain culture)
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the country
2001-2006, there was a 1.6 million increase in population. 1.2 was due to immigration
United States
Natural born citizens fertility rate: 1.6
Latino immigration raises rate to 2.11
In 1970 there were 100,000 Muslims
2008, there were over 9,000,000
“Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world,” –Vatican, March 2008
[you can see the video here, if you like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU&feature=player_embedded ]
For me, these statistics are amazing, and scary. I’m worried, not so much about the rise of Islam, although that is a concern to me. My larger concern is the decline and fall of Western Christianity. Just like the Old Testament, God is using different cultures to shame His people. Now it is us here in the West. Muslims seem much more concerned about family than we are. Muslims seem to care much more about passing on their faith than we do. Muslims are much more hospitable than we are (at least in my travels to Turkey). Shame on us, Christianity, for not fulfilling God’s call!
Why is this? I believe there are three main, although not exclusive, explanations as to why are birth rate is low, and that are against God’s will: Homosexuality, abortion, and artificial contraception. Jesus came to give us life, life to the fullest (Jn 10:10). The three reasons I give cut off life, for physical life cannot spring forth; fullness of life can never be reached with those three boundaries in the way. My previous post stated that God wants us to have children because that makes us better people. He also knows that if we don’t have enough children that our culture will die. Is it no surprise that our low birth rate, both a reason for and result of the decrees in quantity and quality of Christians, is leading to the demise of Christian culture in the West as we know it? (Now do you know why I suggested in my last post everyone needs to have at least 3 children?!?!)
As faithful believers, what can we do? First, we need to pray, for ourselves, and for Christians around the country and around the world. I know I need all the prayers I can get! Secondly, share the Gospel. Tell someone, anyone, how good God has been to you. Thirdly, be open to life, in all it’s ways and all it’s forms. It’s not too late for America. We need to be radically for life, both personally and publicly, and against everything that stands in the way of life. This is God’s will for us, and this country.
May God bless you
Monday, October 12, 2009
Why God wants us to have babies?!?!
As Michelle and I are learning to be parents, one thing is very clear; it takes a lot to be parents. Sure, there is the physical tasks, but it takes much emotional and spiritual strength as well. And as I started thinking about what it takes to be a parent, I couldn't help but reflect on scripture.
Paul gives us a list of, what I feel, are the only qualities needed to be good parents. This can be found in the fifth chapter of Galatians, and are commonly called "the Fruits of the Spirit." But not only do I give the fruits to my child, I actually grow those fruits as I raise Grace. I give love to my baby, but I also grow in love. I show my child joy, but most people know of the joy given by the presence of a child. I try to show patience to Grace, but as I struggle, my patience grows. Grace needs my gentleness, but the more I strive to give, the more I learn to be.
We reap what we sow. I believe that, in God's divine Wisdom, he planted the seeds of the fruits of the Spirit in each child, not so much for the benefit of the child (although they do benefit) but for the parents to reap, and use, the fruits as mature adults. I find that truly amazing. It is a two-fold growing of the Kingdom of God: It grows both in quantity (the birth and raising of a Child of God) and in quality (the maturation, through the fruits of the Spirit, of the parents)!
I then take this leap of faith...Paul's letter is not just written to parents, but to the church in Galatia, and, essentially, all Christians. All Christians are called to cultivate, grow, and bear, the fruits of the Spirit in their own lives, in response to God's grace. By design, those fruits are all found in having children. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that...
GOD WANTS US TO HAVE BABIES!
Why?
So that we can be better people! It's all right there. In scripture and in God's awesome design of creation. It is no wonder that God's first command to humanity was "Be fruitful and multiply,"(Genesis 1:28). God wanted his creation to grow, not just in numbers, but in character. And that same call is placed on all who call on the name of the Lord!
But I will say this...the fruit needs to be watered to grow. I believe this water is "commitment." It is almost impossible for the fruits of the Spirit to grow in the parents lives, through the child, without the commitment of marriage. That is why Jesus' first miracle was the sanctification of marriage at the wedding at Cana in John chapter 2.
But we live in a world of sin. Look at the world around us. Divorce and single parenthood continues to increase along with, what I believe, are people lacking a mature character. Sin has also attacked men and woman physically, making it impossible for some to conceive and bear children. But through the Spirit of Adoption given to believers, the sin of abandoned children and physically abnormalities has been defeated, and God's original plan can be revealed!
So, how many children does God want us to have? I say 3. Why? That, my friend will be answered at another time.
God bless
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)
Paul gives us a list of, what I feel, are the only qualities needed to be good parents. This can be found in the fifth chapter of Galatians, and are commonly called "the Fruits of the Spirit." But not only do I give the fruits to my child, I actually grow those fruits as I raise Grace. I give love to my baby, but I also grow in love. I show my child joy, but most people know of the joy given by the presence of a child. I try to show patience to Grace, but as I struggle, my patience grows. Grace needs my gentleness, but the more I strive to give, the more I learn to be.
We reap what we sow. I believe that, in God's divine Wisdom, he planted the seeds of the fruits of the Spirit in each child, not so much for the benefit of the child (although they do benefit) but for the parents to reap, and use, the fruits as mature adults. I find that truly amazing. It is a two-fold growing of the Kingdom of God: It grows both in quantity (the birth and raising of a Child of God) and in quality (the maturation, through the fruits of the Spirit, of the parents)!
I then take this leap of faith...Paul's letter is not just written to parents, but to the church in Galatia, and, essentially, all Christians. All Christians are called to cultivate, grow, and bear, the fruits of the Spirit in their own lives, in response to God's grace. By design, those fruits are all found in having children. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that...
GOD WANTS US TO HAVE BABIES!
Why?
So that we can be better people! It's all right there. In scripture and in God's awesome design of creation. It is no wonder that God's first command to humanity was "Be fruitful and multiply,"(Genesis 1:28). God wanted his creation to grow, not just in numbers, but in character. And that same call is placed on all who call on the name of the Lord!
But I will say this...the fruit needs to be watered to grow. I believe this water is "commitment." It is almost impossible for the fruits of the Spirit to grow in the parents lives, through the child, without the commitment of marriage. That is why Jesus' first miracle was the sanctification of marriage at the wedding at Cana in John chapter 2.
But we live in a world of sin. Look at the world around us. Divorce and single parenthood continues to increase along with, what I believe, are people lacking a mature character. Sin has also attacked men and woman physically, making it impossible for some to conceive and bear children. But through the Spirit of Adoption given to believers, the sin of abandoned children and physically abnormalities has been defeated, and God's original plan can be revealed!
So, how many children does God want us to have? I say 3. Why? That, my friend will be answered at another time.
God bless
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tears of a Father
I had my first emotional breakdown the other day. Well, maybe it wasn't a complete breakdown...let me explain.
As you probably know, I have a newborn in the house. Michelle and I just got done washing her, and Michelle was still in the shower. I am always trying to be a good husband and father, so when Grace started crying, I really wanted to comfort her and make her stop, and not just run to Michelle. So I tried soothing her, and swooshing her, and giving her the pacifier. Nothing seemed to work. She kept crying more and more.
Now, I'm pretty tired, as you might guess, having a newborn and all. My deepest heart's desire is to give Michelle a break, so I was feeling the pressure to keep her quiet. Combine those two things with the usual stress of being out of work, and soon enough, my tears were flowing as well. My wet eyes quickly turned to sobbing, and soon all I could do was just hold my daughter on my shoulder, as we both cried uncontrollably. Both our faces became beat red, and along with our shirts, were soaking wet.
Of course, by this time, Michelle is running out of the shower, thinking something is terribly wrong. I tried to tell her that nothing is wrong, but I couldn't even string two words together through the weeping. She took Grace, and I plopped down on the couch to compose myself.
As a father, how I longed to sooth my child, to wipe away her every tear. It tore my heart out every time she rejected my attempt to bring comfort and healing. If she only knew my love for her, that I could help her. If she only could express to me what she needed, where she was hurting, I could bring healing.
Now I know how my Heavenly Father feels. How he longs to take away every pain, sooth every fear, wipe every tear. Unlike me, He knows exactly what each one of us needs; He knows our very hearts. And He gives us what we need, yet we reject it. How I am now convinced of how painful that feels to out Father. He gave us His Son, the author and perfecter of our Faith, through whom the Father created the world, so that we might have a mediator to our Father, to whisper in His ear our hurts and pains, something Grace couldn't do with me.
Just like me, God cries with us when we hurt, when we suffer, because of our sin. Whether it is our fault, when we turn away from His love, or we are a victim, He loves us and cares for us. But, unlike me, our Heavenly Father actually has the power and ability to take the pain, the hurt, the suffering, away from us. For good. For ever.
Won't you give up? Won't you put your pride aside, and say to Him that you can't do it anymore? Won't you let Him hold you and comfort you? Won't you let His Son Jesus bring real healing to your life?He is there for you, always, everywhere, forever.
"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me...
Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day
and night for the slain of my people.
"For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of
sorrow."
-Jeremiah 8:21; 9:1; 31:11,13
As you probably know, I have a newborn in the house. Michelle and I just got done washing her, and Michelle was still in the shower. I am always trying to be a good husband and father, so when Grace started crying, I really wanted to comfort her and make her stop, and not just run to Michelle. So I tried soothing her, and swooshing her, and giving her the pacifier. Nothing seemed to work. She kept crying more and more.
Now, I'm pretty tired, as you might guess, having a newborn and all. My deepest heart's desire is to give Michelle a break, so I was feeling the pressure to keep her quiet. Combine those two things with the usual stress of being out of work, and soon enough, my tears were flowing as well. My wet eyes quickly turned to sobbing, and soon all I could do was just hold my daughter on my shoulder, as we both cried uncontrollably. Both our faces became beat red, and along with our shirts, were soaking wet.
Of course, by this time, Michelle is running out of the shower, thinking something is terribly wrong. I tried to tell her that nothing is wrong, but I couldn't even string two words together through the weeping. She took Grace, and I plopped down on the couch to compose myself.
As a father, how I longed to sooth my child, to wipe away her every tear. It tore my heart out every time she rejected my attempt to bring comfort and healing. If she only knew my love for her, that I could help her. If she only could express to me what she needed, where she was hurting, I could bring healing.
Now I know how my Heavenly Father feels. How he longs to take away every pain, sooth every fear, wipe every tear. Unlike me, He knows exactly what each one of us needs; He knows our very hearts. And He gives us what we need, yet we reject it. How I am now convinced of how painful that feels to out Father. He gave us His Son, the author and perfecter of our Faith, through whom the Father created the world, so that we might have a mediator to our Father, to whisper in His ear our hurts and pains, something Grace couldn't do with me.
Just like me, God cries with us when we hurt, when we suffer, because of our sin. Whether it is our fault, when we turn away from His love, or we are a victim, He loves us and cares for us. But, unlike me, our Heavenly Father actually has the power and ability to take the pain, the hurt, the suffering, away from us. For good. For ever.
Won't you give up? Won't you put your pride aside, and say to Him that you can't do it anymore? Won't you let Him hold you and comfort you? Won't you let His Son Jesus bring real healing to your life?He is there for you, always, everywhere, forever.
"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me...
Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day
and night for the slain of my people.
"For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of
sorrow."
-Jeremiah 8:21; 9:1; 31:11,13
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Catholic, Evangelical, Lutheran, Charismatic, Episcopal...
Well, here I am, blogging. Who would have guessed?
Why have I joined this elite club? Several reasons. 1)Theologically, I really want to try to organize my thoughts better. 2)I want to grow in my understanding of faith in everyday life. 3)Since I am not really doing active, programmatic ministry right now, I need an outlet, before I explode.
So, thanks for joining me. I hope that you check back regularly, because I need your input. I want to grow, and I need your comments to do that. We are all after the Truth, right?!?! I promise to make them short...
I thought I would start out by telling you a little about myself, through the faith lenses of several different faith traditions that I have traveled through over the last several years:
Catholic
I consider myself Catholic. I was born and raised Catholic. I got my Masters Degree in Theology from a Catholic University. My beliefs line up most closely with Catholic Theology. I also find it refreshing that the church leadership, for the most part, speaks Truth, even when it isn't popular.
Evangelical
I found my faith in college, surround by a mostly Evangelical student body. It was here that I learned how to live my faith. I grew in depth of ministry and faith-understanding, while challenging others, and being challenged myself. I say now I am Evangelical because I wear my faith on my sleeve, I believe deeply in the authority of Sacred Scripture, and I enjoy the style of music.
Lutheran
The ELCA was my first ministry opportunity, and I worked in the church for over 5 years, (if you don't count camping ministry). Although we have since parted ways (which I am sure we will get to later), I am deeply indebted for the start they gave me; the training, the challenges, and the opportunities. I enjoy engaging with Martin Luther theologically, and in my five years, I was a fierce advocate for youth leadership, and the need for deeper scriptural understanding among the laity.
Charismatic
Yes, you have read it; I am charismatic. I belong to a prayer group of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. I have the gift of speaking in tongues, and have been known to speak words of prophecy. It's amazing to be in that atmosphere, were people are miraculously being healed, lives are being radically changed, and people are filled with joy. It is what Christianity needs more of.
Episcopal
I can thank my wife for this one. Since we are one, that makes me Episcopal as well. I love The Book of Common Prayer, and we frequent the church of the pastor that married us in Racine. A predecessor to the ELCA in it's recent shifts in policy, both Michelle and I are at odds with many of the recent decisions of the church. But one of my favorite bible scholars (N.T. Wright) is Anglican, which is the more conservative "mother" of the American Episcopalian church.
Well, that's me..Surprised? Tell me what you think?
"...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Is. 40:31
Why have I joined this elite club? Several reasons. 1)Theologically, I really want to try to organize my thoughts better. 2)I want to grow in my understanding of faith in everyday life. 3)Since I am not really doing active, programmatic ministry right now, I need an outlet, before I explode.
So, thanks for joining me. I hope that you check back regularly, because I need your input. I want to grow, and I need your comments to do that. We are all after the Truth, right?!?! I promise to make them short...
I thought I would start out by telling you a little about myself, through the faith lenses of several different faith traditions that I have traveled through over the last several years:
Catholic
I consider myself Catholic. I was born and raised Catholic. I got my Masters Degree in Theology from a Catholic University. My beliefs line up most closely with Catholic Theology. I also find it refreshing that the church leadership, for the most part, speaks Truth, even when it isn't popular.
Evangelical
I found my faith in college, surround by a mostly Evangelical student body. It was here that I learned how to live my faith. I grew in depth of ministry and faith-understanding, while challenging others, and being challenged myself. I say now I am Evangelical because I wear my faith on my sleeve, I believe deeply in the authority of Sacred Scripture, and I enjoy the style of music.
Lutheran
The ELCA was my first ministry opportunity, and I worked in the church for over 5 years, (if you don't count camping ministry). Although we have since parted ways (which I am sure we will get to later), I am deeply indebted for the start they gave me; the training, the challenges, and the opportunities. I enjoy engaging with Martin Luther theologically, and in my five years, I was a fierce advocate for youth leadership, and the need for deeper scriptural understanding among the laity.
Charismatic
Yes, you have read it; I am charismatic. I belong to a prayer group of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. I have the gift of speaking in tongues, and have been known to speak words of prophecy. It's amazing to be in that atmosphere, were people are miraculously being healed, lives are being radically changed, and people are filled with joy. It is what Christianity needs more of.
Episcopal
I can thank my wife for this one. Since we are one, that makes me Episcopal as well. I love The Book of Common Prayer, and we frequent the church of the pastor that married us in Racine. A predecessor to the ELCA in it's recent shifts in policy, both Michelle and I are at odds with many of the recent decisions of the church. But one of my favorite bible scholars (N.T. Wright) is Anglican, which is the more conservative "mother" of the American Episcopalian church.
Well, that's me..Surprised? Tell me what you think?
"...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Is. 40:31
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