Judging Christians

It’s fair to say that lately I have much more time around church and work than I have at home.  The busyness otherwise known as spring in Arizona is filled with events and programs that hope to take advantage of the fantastic weather.  And who can blame someone for loving great weather?

Last night our Sr. High Small Groups took an interesting turn as we work our way through 1 Corinthians.  BTW, I am really enjoying working through a book of the Bible like this as it gives us the opportunity to listen to God’s Word rather than scouring for passages that support various topics that students find intriguing.

As I was saying, 1 Corinthians 5 is where we found ourselves with more than a little food for thought.  With an NIV subtitle of “Expel the Immoral Brother!”, conversation and debate was sure to abound.  And it did.  The just of the situation is that a man who declares himself a Christian is having consistent and ongoing “sexual relations” (as Leviticus notes, not Mr. Clinton) with his step-mother and feels there is nothing wrong.  The people of the church accept the man as he and actually find this to be a point of pride because of their “openness” and “accepting” of people of all lifestyles and persuasions.  Hence, Paul addresses the congregation in the letter.

He tells them to throw this guy who claims to be a Christian out of the church because of the absence of repentance and remorse within him.  He goes further and says that we (Christians) are not to associate with anyone claiming to be a Christian who openly and unrepentantly defies the truth of scripture…not even eat with them!

This is hard to digest because it’s not what I want to do.  I don’t want to have to tell a buddy of mine that I can’t hang out with him because of his lifestyle choices while proclaiming to be a Christian.  That would suck.  But this is what Paul is saying here: if you really love this person’s soul, you will not ignore their immorality and be a bystander while they deny God.

This is a harsh measure, but necessary to communicate the seriousness of sin.  Church people love hanging out with people more than anything…even more than God sometimes.  If they don’t value God above their community, they have no reason to repent and change their ways because their true “god”, the community, is still in tact.  This is uncomfortable and it needs to because this isn’t about being nice or cordial.  It’s a matter of the salvation of a soul that God desires.

The big point Paul makes is that there must be accountability that exists amongst Christians for the integrity and reputation of the church and to a great extent that of Jesus Christ for whom we are named.  The moment we confess that Christ is our savior and Lord and declare we are Christians (or followers of God or whatever other hipster term you use to describe your faith), our actions, words, and lifestyle matter.  We are no longer just people like everyone else in the world.  When we receive Christ, we say ‘yes’ to his commands and ways.  We are representatives of Christ and must follow his commands.

And at the end of this passage, Paul throws another tidbit in that makes non-Christians say “Amen!”.  1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says this:

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?  Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside.  ‘Expel the wicked man from among you’.”

He tells us Christians that we have no right or power to judge other who do not claim to be a Christian.  Instead, he tells us earlier that we are to love them and care for them as Christ loves and cares.

For those of you who aren’t Christians, I apologize for judging you in the past and I ask for your forgiveness.  May you come to see that a church of people that don’t judge you for your beliefs.  And more importantly, may you come to see the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness he offered when he died for my sin and your sin on the cross.

Good Night

Tonight’s list of events and happenings reads like that of an old man.  After a lackadaisical soccer practice with the girls this afternoon, I ran into one of my students while still in my practice garbs only be informed that I looked like an old man in shorts.  I asked for a clarification and she promptly compared that seeing me in shorts was akin to seeing our senior pastor.  This was a first and yet another indicator that I am definitely not young and hip.

After such an unusual compliment if you will, Meredith and I took in a concert performed by the choir from Concordia University – Irvine.  The concert was excellent and they had a wonderful rendition of “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord”.  We were also able to see a couple friends that were traveling with the choir in one form or another.  Even more, a student that I’ve invested a lot of effort in wanted to sit with Meredith and I during the concert.  He’s the average teenage boy that’s a little much on the immature side and isn’t quite socially adjusted and it’s just terrific!  Reason number 523 why I love youth ministry.

Want To See A Missile Take Down A Satellite?

Yup, me too.  A few days ago the US Navy launched a missile into space to destroy a defunct satellite.  Pretty cool stuff!  Think China was watching?

 

Are You Smarter Than an 8th Grader?

A few minutes ago, I walked into the 8th grade algebra class at our school.  While they were waiting for the teacher to show up from her last class, I asked them to give me a math problem to solve.  They gave me the problem in a language that sounded eastern European and I didn’t even know where to begin.  7 years after my last college math class, it turns out I’m not smarter than an 8th grader.

Church Humor

Borrowed from www.nakedpastor.com.  

Borrowed from http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/.

Andy Pettitte

On Monday, New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte took a step in the right direction that baseball has sorely needed for the sake of its future.  He sat down with reporters at a press conference to talk about his use of HGH as detailed in the Mitchell Report until every questioned for answered to the liking of the fellows on the other side of the microphone.

This is the best moment baseball has seen in many weeks as he did what no other player has been willing to do thus far.  There are so many good stories that have been written by much more talented writers than myself.  Here’s some links to the betters ones I have read:

Jayson Stark (ESPN.com) – Pettitte still has some rough days ahead.

Gene Wojciechowski (ESPN.com) – Pettitte deals with past, making better future possible.

Richard Justice (Houston Chronicle) – It’s fitting to forgive Pettitte after apology.

“Fake Christians”

On CNN with Wolf Blitzer this week, Charles Barkley generalized Republicans as “fake Christians”.  Here’s the clip.

I like Charles Barkley and am always intrigued by what he has to say because it never comes off as verbatim and makes you rethink your own opinion.  I think there is some truth to his comments, but as with all generalizations it discredits the legitimacy of the statement.  Once you get passed his wording, there is much to what he said.

I too am bothered when Christianity becomes a platform for political statements.  As Christians, we need to look past what church a candidate is registered in the membership.  Voting based on religion (or race, gender, or physical attractiveness for that matter) is shallow and detrimental to our country.  We need to vote for the best candidate for president, not the person whom with we would most like to hang out.

Keep speaking your mind Chuck and fueling discussion.

Mr. Clemens Goes To Washington…

In the fall of 2005 on a weekday evening, I was alone in my apartment jumping up and down while screaming in jubilee as my beloved Houston Astros won the National League pennant for the first time in history.  I’ve invested a lot in this team over the years.  I had all the team set of Topps 1988 campaign.  I was there when Craig Biggio was a rookie and when we traded for some third-baseman named Bagwell.  I remember my last game in the Astrodome when Biggio hit a home run into the section on my left to beat the Braves 2-1.  I’ve been to countless games at Enron Field/Astros Field/Minute Maid Park.  And in this single moment for the first time in my life could utter the words, “We’re going to the World Series!”

Everything went in the Astros favor that year.  The hitting was timely and the pitching was lights out.  The hometown heroes tandem of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were leading the team they watched growing up towards a season to remember.  They ran out of gas in the World Series against a White Sox team that was just a tad better in every area of the game.

But it wasn’t just the success on the field that made the season memorable.  I jumped at the opportunity to go to any game and marked my calendar for the days Clemens was pitching.  Baseball is great to watch, but it’s incredible to watch someone like Clemens pitch.  He is so dominate and imposing that it changes the way you watch the game.  When he’s on the mound, you pay careful attention to every pitch and soak in the buzz that takes over the atmosphere.

While he was playing for the Astros, I always avoided the “steroids” question.  It was just one of those topics that had no beneficial outcome regardless of the answer.  His legendary rise in his latter years was a query that was better left unresolved. 

When the Mitchell Report was released in December, it unveiled what seemed to be an endless list of players involved with steroids, but the only one that really mattered was Roger Clemens.  There was no bigger name and no one with more evidence to his wrongdoing than the Spring Woods High School legend.  Coincidentally, he was also the player with the most to lose.

In the past few days, Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, have appeared before the members of Congress to decipher who is telling the truth.  There have been some moments that seem far-fetched for even the best writers.  From what I’ve heard and seen, they both look like liars to me.  I don’t believe everything that McNamee says and I don’t believe anything Clemens professes in that room.

There are numerous folks out there forming opinions about Clemens based solely on this aspect of his career.  While it surely should not be dismissed, there is much more to the guy.  Maybe he wouldn’t have been such a dominant pitcher had he not used steroids, but it wouldn’t have changed the heart that exists in that man.  He’s always involved in his community and alma mater.  He has charities, drive, and the money to support both.  He loves teaching the game to younger kids and being the guy around the clubhouse that helps mold the younger guys in the game.

All things considered, I don’t blame him for taking “steroids”.  Had I been in his position as a flamed-out phenom, I would have done whatever it took to succeed.  In a period of the game where there was no ruling or legitimate testing for HGH, the choice is easy.  HGH is used in multiple professions, but sports are the only ones that we seem to care about much. 

These are some humbling days for the Clemens household, but they will come to an end.  Eventually, people will forgive his iniquities and allow him to move on from his current status.  He has obviously made some poor decisions, but count me in the camp that doesn’t condone, but understands.

10 Best Meals Ever

One of my favorite things to do in my free time is cook, which in turn means I also enjoy eating that some may describe me as a connoisseur.  Here are the 10 best meals I have ever eaten with explanation.

1. Napa Rose (Anaheim, CA)- Located in the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland, it doesn’t seem like the abode of fine dining.  Meredith and I enjoyed a quiet meal here over our vacation last summer.  The service was perfectly timed and granted our every request.  The lamb was succulent and equisitely matched with a pinot noir the waiter recommended.  Not only was it a memorable experience, but unknowns to us my parents had called ahead and treated us to the meal as a birthday gift.
2. Brennan’s (Houston, TX)- Over the Christmas break a few years ago, Meredith and I went with my parents to this incredible restaurant.  Everything was immaculate and the service was delightful.  Excellent food combined with an extensive wine list topped off with a table-side cooked bananas foster (quite possibly the best classic dessert in Creole cooking).
3. Rissa’s (Houston, TX) – This place isn’t in business anymore, but it was the setting of a celebration of our engagement with my family.  The filet’s were cooked to perfection and everyone left happy about multiple things that evening (one being the food).
4. Bouchon (Las Vegas, NV)- We had a great meal here on vacation a few years ago.  The Thomas Keller owned restaurant rests on his trademark French Napa Valley-infused cuisine.  Perhaps the most memorable part of this feast was our appetizer of a cured salmon tar tar…simply divine.
5. 1111 Mississippi (St. Louis, MO)- Located in the historical Lafayette Park section of town, this place is at the epicenter of the revitalization of the area.  More great wine country cuisine.  The atmosphere is laid back, yet distinguished.  I had a great seafood risotto dish accompanied by a nice chardonnay.
6. Roppongi (La Jolla, CA) – We ate here a few months ago when we ventured to San Diego for a weekend.  Excellent food with great service.  Our main courses were good, but our favorite part of the evening was the Polynesian Crab Stack that served as our appetizer. 
7. The Salt Lick (Driftwood, TX) – It’s all about grills and meat at this Texas landmark.  Along with my family, Meredith and I journeyed 30 minutes outside of Austin with a cooler packed with beer.  They have no liquor license so it is BYOB in this smokehouse filled with picnic tables.  Few things are better in life than a plate of brisket, sausage, and ribs washed down with a cold beer…and at the Salt Lick, it’s just a little better.
8. Los Cucos (Houston, TX)- I’ve eaten here at least a dozen times over the years and have never had a bad meal.  The menu is gargantuan, but the stars are the fajitas.  They also make a fine margarita.  Favorite Mexican place in Houston.  Unfortunately, they are building new locations throughout Texas and I’m not sure if the quality has been maintained.
9. RA Sushi (Tempe, AZ) – There are many different locations for this chain of sushi bars, but this is my favorite.  With rock music pumping through the sound system and unique design, this is a one-of-a-kind sushi experience.  They are always busy so the fish is very fresh and the staff is always kind.  They also have an incredible happy hour menu that extends till 7:00pm Monday – Friday.
10. The Fish Market (San Diego, CA) – Great seafood in a casual environment.  They have a new menu everyday reflecting the morning catch by local fisherman.  The quality of food is only matched by the view of the sun setting over San Diego harbor.

Earthquake!

Saturday morning at approximately 12:16 AM I was awoken when I was struck by a beautiful, petite woman lying next to me.  I immediately fell back asleep and woke up early the following morning to head to church to prepare for the busy day that awaited me.  When I returned home from church, Meredith asked if I had felt the earthquake that took place the night before.  I told her I hadn’t and quickly dismissed the thought as I headed out the door after a quick bite to eat.

This morning I was working away in my office and in the midst of my weekly electronic correspondence with youth and parents when a rumbling coupled with shaking walls halted my efforts.  Turns out a 5.1 earthquake centered roughly 60 miles southwest across the border in northern Mexico.  I checked with the bookkeeper to validate my experience and returned to work after my first experience with shifting ground.

I returned home tonight after a few meetings and sat down to watch some TV before heading to bed.  No more than 5 minutes into the recliner, it happened again.  This time it was a 5.0 earthquake centered in the same region.

Today was my first earthquake experience and it happened twice.  Quite frankly, these were just small tremors today and they had me completely on edge.  I can’t imagine the horror of a severe quake and hope to never have a first-hand account.  If I happen to feel another jab in my side in the coming nights, I more than likely won’t just turn over and fall back asleep.