Monday, October 13, 2008

Blind Man's Bluff and Sacred Cows

Have you ever considered why you believe what you believe about Christianity? I mean why do you (and I) cling to certain “sacred cows” within the church and ignore others? I think we would all agree on the basics. Those of course being that man sinned, and God sent Jesus as a sacrifice. Through His sacrifice we can receive pardon, reconciliation, and salvation. Again, I doubt very many folks would have any problem with that line of thought, but what about the other “stuff”? You know, the “stuff”. The stuff that makes up how we “do” Christianity. Let me give you a few examples.

What about tithing? Is tithing still something we should worry about? Now most of you are probably saying, “Well yeah you big dummy, of course it is!” If that’s your response, let me ask you a question? Why? Why do you believe that? Can you (or me) at this very moment explain what the bible has to say about the subject of tithing especially as it pertains to the new covenant? Would you attempt to answer the “why” based on what you have been told by someone, or by what God has revealed to you through His word? What about jobs within the church? Is there really such a thing as a “senior pastor”? Did God create a hierarchy within His church, or did man? What’s your answer? Again, why do you believe what you believe? What about drinking alcohol, or female deacons and pastors? I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Now you may be wondering if I am just trying to stir up trouble (I have been known to do that), or do I really have a point. Well…..yes, I do have a point and here it is.

I believe we are living in an age in which many Christians are for the most part biblically illiterate. No one seems to know (or even cares to know) what “Thus saith the Lord”. Oh people are full of opinions, but ask them to back it up with the word and you’ll get plenty of funny looks! Yes it is important to know “what” you believe, but shouldn’t we also know why we believe it? I “believe” it is not only important, but absolutely crucial!

So, why did I write this? To stir up trouble of course! NO, actually I just wanted to challenge you and I to do a little thinking. If we’re relying on what “Thus saith the preacher”, we’re probably in serious trouble. Heck “preachers” are usually just as screwed up as the rest of us (they are human you know). They just generally don’t want people to know they’re screwed up (it’s a job security thing). They do the best they can, but you should ALWAYS check them out. Always find out what the word has to say before you take any message to heart.

In 2 Timothy it says, “…..from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Bottom line: Without God’s word, our “precious” faith becomes just a guessing game! Blind Man’s Bluff is pretty fun to play, but it makes for a sad approach to finding truth to live by! So, take off that blindfold and look around (in His word). You might be surprised at “what” you find!

Life is.....hard!

Life is hard, and then you die! Ever heard that one? Ever said “that one”? You know, I’ve found that you don’t actually have to speak those particular words to communicate that message to others. For instance today was a very, very, HARD (STINKIN HARD) day! Things went from kind of bad, to really bad, to STINKIN BAD! All of the sudden I found myself in the midst of circumstances that were…….well, “kicking my hinny”! What did I do you ask? Well, I did what any fine upstanding CHRISTIAN man would do. I prayed about the problem, shrugged off all my worries, and turned that sad, sad frown upside down! YEAH RIGHT!!! Are you kidding me? I did what anyone else do. I pouted, whined, became ANGRY, and decided LIFE IS HARD, AND THEN YOU DIE!!!!!! I know. You are ashamed of me. I guess I am ashamed of me also. I really wish I had chosen to respond to my situation in a more positive manner, BUT I did not! Alas, I am human. You know the funny thing is that no one had any problem recognizing that Ken Richmond was in a BAD mood. My students could tell. My friends could tell. AND, I can assure you my family could tell. A mean face and a FOUL disposition coupled with an endless procession of moans, groans, and gripping will always give it away! So, here I sit. The end of another day, maybe a wasted day. What should I do? What can I do? Well…..I DON”T need to let it (you know, being MAD) continue to destroy my . The truth is despite my complete failure to deal with life in a Godly manner, God still likes me. As a matter of fact He loves me just as much as He did yesterday (which was a MUCH better day). So just like any other kid who “scrapes his knee” on the rough hide of this world. I ‘m going to my Father who will once again set me on His lap and kiss the boo boos bye-bye! The word says, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Good thing because today I was convinced that life is hard, and then you…….well you know!

“Life is hard, and then you die!” Ever heard that one? Ever said “that one”? You know, I’ve found that you don’t actually have to speak those particular words to communicate that message to others. For instance today was a very, very, HARD (STINKIN HARD) day! Things went from kind of bad, to really bad, to STINKIN BAD! All of the sudden I found myself in the midst of circumstances that were…….well, “kicking my hinny”! What did I do you ask? Well, I did what any fine upstanding CHRISTIAN man would do. I prayed about the problem, shrugged off all my worries, and turned that sad, sad frown upside down! YEAH RIGHT!!! Are you kidding me? I did what anybody else would do. I pouted, whined, became ANGRY, and decided LIFE IS HARD, AND THEN YOU DIE!!!!!!

I know. You are ashamed of me. I guess I am ashamed of me also. I really wish I had chosen to respond to my situation in a more positive manner, BUT I did not! Alas, I am human.
You know the funny thing is that no one had any problem recognizing that Ken Richmond was in a BAD mood. My students could tell. My friends could tell. AND, I can assure you my family could tell. A mean face and a FOUL disposition coupled with an endless procession of moans, groans, and gripping will always give it away!

Something else I learned from this glorious experience. Bad attitudes are catchy! Kind of like strep throat (Man I hate strep throat!). As the day progressed, I found that my students weren’t acting so nice, my friends seemed to possess a snotty disposition, and my family decided it was certainly a no good, horrible, very bad day! Coincidence? I don’t think so. You see, the bible says that the “power of life and death is within the tongue”, and my tongue was spewing forth some rather toxic commentary on life and the common man (that would be me….common). So, here I sit. The end of another day, maybe a wasted day. What should I do? What can I do?

Well…..I DON”T need to let “it” (you know, being MAD) continue to “eat my lunch”. Also, I suppose I should ask everyone to forgive me for being a ROYAL PAIN all day. Heck, I might even need to talk to God about it. And then…….?

Well, the truth is despite my complete failure to deal with life in a Godly manner, God still likes me. As a matter of fact He loves me just as much as He did yesterday (which by the way was a MUCH better day). So just like any other kid who “scrapes his knee” on the rough crude of this world, I‘m going to go to my Father who will once again set me on His lap and kiss the boo boos bye-bye! The word says, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” That’s good news because today I was convinced that “Life is hard, and then you”…….well you know!

Ken