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Culture
A Couple of Thoughts about “The Shack”
1. I don’t know if you have noticed this or not, but we are living in a time when what is true is judged largely by its therapeutic value. If a thing makes us feel good, it must have merit, while if it makes us feel bad, we aren’t interested. People’s responses to The Shack are an apt illustration of this cultural trend. Whenever I am asked about the book, I usually respond by saying something like this: “Before I give you my opinion, I need to ask you an important question. Do you think that the picture of God painted by William Young is the same as the picture of God you get when you read the Bible? If not, what are the differences?” What has surprised me is how few people I spoke with had even considered that question. They usually point to how wonderful the book made them feel and leave it at that. But, isn’t the question I ask more important than the question of how the book made you feel? I am convinced that facing up to the real character and nature of God is far more valuable than just pretending he is something that I want him to be for the sake of my good feelings.
Full Post >>Second Place is the First Loser: The World According to Sports
I’m in the middle of reading the current issue of Christianity Today and I have to admit that I am stunned. I have been reading CT for years and it is usually pretty careful not to be prophetic. But this issue’s cover story is different. It is titled “Fanatics: How Christians Have Succumbed to the Culture of Sports” and it is a pretty sharp rebuke of how important sports have become to those in the church and how little we have thought about them from a theological point of view. I mean, what is the purpose of sports in God’s world? Is competition beneficial or detrimental to our Christian maturity? Is it more important in our minds if our kids win hockey tournaments or follow Jesus? Have we ever even asked these questions of ourselves? I’m an avid fan of a number of (really bad) teams and I grew up playing all kinds of competitive sports, but I don’t ever recall thinking too deeply about how my Christian faith ought to interact with my participation in or support of a particular team.
Full Post >>The One Thing
As I sit in my office and type this out, I feel overwhelmed with the work that yet needs to be done, stuff that should be done, stuff I know won’t get done, and more stuff I’m working on that really doesn’t need to get done, but still occupies my attention and energy. And as I sit here, I’m hopeful that, as I recognize this, that I will actually do something about it and give proper attention to the things that REALLY matter. Isn’t the Christmas season generally like this for most of us? I mean we get caught up in the rush of the season, and in the midst of preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, our emotions and energy get sucked dry in the mundane rituals.
I hope we’re not like the religious leaders in the Temple…in Luke 2 we see a portrait of life seemingly normal for most when Jesus is brought to the temple in Jerusalem, barely 8 miles from the fields of Bethlehem where He was born eight days prior. We read of no religious leaders from Jerusalem going to visit, although word was spreading pretty quickly from the Shepherds and three wise guys! There were two, however, who didn’t miss out on giving proper attention to Christmas, as they were overwhelmed with the discovery, and they did their best to share the news with anyone who would listen…you can read about that in Luke 2:21-38.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…
If you’ve read any of my blogs or articles, you’ll know I have quite a sentimental streak when it comes to family stuff. For instance, my wife, Darlene, and I have been collecting Christmas ornaments for many years.
We have ornaments that speak of key times in our journey together – handmade ones from Christmas Markets in Germany when I used to tour there, ones indicating our ‘first’ Christmases (marriage, kids’), ones that speak of our return to Canada after living in the UK for 12 years… all kinds of momentous occasions! I even have a favourite from my childhood, which I found in my mom’s collection, to remind me of family Christmases with members that I can no longer share the season with. And every year when we trim the tree, these are beautiful reminders of events and journeys that God has brought us through.
Full Post >>Ready, Steady, Go!!
Do the Christmas baking, pull the lights out of the garage; spend the necessary frustrating time untangling the mess that was caused from last year. Of course this year you will vow that you will wrap them up neatly and put them away properly this year (Hold on…didn’t you make that same vow late November last year?) Pull out the artificial tree that you have been using for twenty years, or go shopping with that perfect tree with the family. Experience that tree farm and the token reindeer (ever wonder where the reindeer spend the balance of the year?). Decorate the tree. Do you throw the tinsel on by handfuls or do you place it strand by strand? Apparently this gives some hint as to how your brain is “wired”. I take the middle of the road & place several strands at one time on the tree (although I do confess to an insane urge to defy convention, & be a handful thrower). Send out the Christmas cards, oops, I mean the Christmas emails; RSVP to Christmas party invitations; change the air fresheners in the house to a festive apple cinnamon blend. Carefully plan out the shopping campaign with all the deliberate intensity of a seasoned general planning a foray into enemy territory.
Did I miss anything? After all that is accomplished we sit back with a mug of hot apple cider and a seasonally shaped shortbread cookie, breathe a well deserved sigh and comment, “Now I’m ready for Christmas!”
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