Chevelle - in concert

I got tickets to see Chevelle! Seriously, I am REALLY excited to see my favorite band in concert. But even more excited to stand in a room with a bunch of young, crazy rockers and feel the energy in the air. Yes, I know there will be drunk people there. I know that the culture of those young men and women isn't really Godly... but you gotta be kidding me, it is Chevelle!!!!

Why do I like Chevelle? Because it is ANGRY! And because it is passionate and without pretension. And the guitar noise is great.

When I was a kid, we had these preachers who used to preach about how all rock and roll was "Devil Music." I sat through dozens of "rock seminars" where they played Stairway to Heaven backwards to hear some message about satan. All it made us want to do was go out and buy Led Zepplin IV. And when I did, I realized that I liked the beat, even if it was the same as the African Witchcraft dance (if you heard that story, please comment).

The message of the church was that you need to be buttoned down and nice. Obey! Be potty trained! Shut up and behave!

I don't want to behave!!!!!!

I want to be one of those guys you read about in David's mighty men. You know, the kind who "also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion" (2 Samuel 23:20). I want to fight Goliath with a sling and a few stones! I want to rout Midian with a trumpet and a lamp!

Let me be the angry, passionate, warrior who loves Jesus and people enough to be bold. I hate what satan is doing to people (youth and adults), but I love the people who live those messed up lives. So I will stand up for what is right! I will challenge those blinded by lies! I will take bold steps of faith!

So, I plan on going to hang out with a bunch of messed up people and enjoying the music with them. Who knows, I might just get a chance to share Jesus! That was what happened the last time I went to one of those crazy concerts. 

PS... An Evening with El Diabalo might be the best song ever written!

Growing Up

This past week, I had an opportunity to go back to my Alma Mater to interview some young people for a staff position at Harvest Ridge. Twenty five years ago, I graduated from CBC in Springfield. A lot of water has flowed under that bridge in those years.

Honestly, I have had a bit of an attitude toward the place. They pushed a type of Christianity that just about killed me. And, I have been sorta angry, resentful towards the institution. But, this time, when I walked on the campus, I wasn't an impressionable kid. Over the past 25 years, I have wrestled with God and come to grips with the faith that I embrace.

God has blessed me, and I felt a little like Jacob returning home with a full life. What I experienced there didn't really harm me, it helped me sort through what is real and what is garbage.

As I interviewed a couple of young men, I could hear some of the same thoughts, ideas and world views that so shaped me from that same institution. Some of it is very good, some.......

The next day, I played a game of one-on-one with a young man who is extremely athletic. I won, not because I was a better athlete, but because I have more experience.

For the first 25 years of ministry, I have accomplished a lot by simply pushing through. The youthful idealism, passion and energy that cascades from college dormitories drove most that I have done. Maybe the next 25 years, I will use wisdom, confidence and experience a little more.

I guess that I might be growing up!

God will Reward

   Occasionally, something I read in the Scriptures jumps out at me. This morning was one of those mornings. I was reading in Proverbs 25... when the phrase "The Lord will reward you" jumped off the page.
    What stopped me in my tracks was the context of these verses. It was talking about how to deal with your enemy.
     I have a few enemies. Let's face it, I am a strong willed, opinionated leader. There are people who like to get ticked off at people like me. It gives them purpose in life, to complain about something.
     Let me give you an example: This morning, I picked a crumpled note out of my "mailbox" at church. The note was from someone named "Annomous"... apparently, without spell checker, they are in trouble. Anyway, the note says, "Alter calls are stupid!" I would write the rest, but that is the heart of the argument.
    Now, the other side: A few years ago, we had a family leave the church because we didn't do "Altar Calls" any more. You know, every service we didn't sing "Just as I am" and invite people to come to the Altar to get saved and shake the preachers' hand.
     So, I am damned if I do and damned if I don't.

     Now, back to "The Lord will reward you." The whole verse says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you."
     We can't win every fight. We can't explain everything. We can't even defend ourselves sometimes. So, I guess our job is to simply love people. Yesterday, God spoke a prophetic word to us, "Love people and let God be the judge." I guess that is where the real reward is... loving people and not carrying malice, hatred or even disdain for the people who attack.
     Who do you need to love today? Do it, and God will reward you!!!!

I am not NICE

     It is always a tough day when you realize that you aren't really.... nice.

     The fact is, I am not hardwired to be "nice." I am hardwired to conquer, to lead, to attack. Now, I am not excusing hurtful, or jerky behavior. But, if you want to be around a nice, safe, comfortable person, I probably ain't him.
     For years, I felt condemned by the "nice church people." Why? I talk about sex and masturbation and homosexuality. I talk about pooping out food that you put on a credit card (and now are paying interest on) as being stupid. I make jokes that poke fun at the establishment. I admit that sometimes, I want to fight.
     This makes "nice" people unsettled. Why? Because they have sex, poop and get angry. But, they think that it isn't "nice" to talk about it.
     And, what is even worse are the times when I question their religion and superstition. (Have you ever wondered why we reach our hands out to people when we pray for them? Are we channeling?)
     This may seem superioristic towards people, but the fact is... I have a problem. I am not NICE! It is ok for me to be me, but I have no right to look down on others who aren't like me. If I don't like them treating me wrongly for being who I am, then I shouldn't treat them wrongly for being who they are. Insert here the words of Jesus about "taking the log out of your own eye first."

      So, to the world I offer this apology: If I haven't treated you nice, then I am sorry. Not being nice is no excuse for not treating people nice. I will try to treat you better, but there is a long way for this boy to go.
      God help us all!