Jeff Goes Mental
I feel like I should write quite randomly now, about my mental state and also what strikes my heart. So, here it goes, and total random free writing. (You know, I used to want to be a writer, so this is quite natural for me, though it may make no sense to you - my apologies ahead of time)
*I read a blog a friend sent me, where a pastor critiques The Shaping of Things to Come. Most of it was fine, until he stated the church in California is quite fine, still working, and still largely respected in the culture. Maybe Santa Barbara is not in California? Can someone show me a map? It is not what I pick up on the streets - is there a parallel universe? And there was also the following statement, feeding people is not as important as sharing the gospel. Well, just how do we separate it out like that? I thought Jesus followers would be known for their grace, generosity and love? If we don’t have that, can we just claim assent to the verbal gospel then and be done with it. You know, I talk with Jesus every day to help me…
*I experience real senses of “lostness”… for sure humanity has lost its way. This is verified to me at Pershing Park, State Street, and the West Side. You have all kinds of addictions - some because of riches and some because of poverty. The addictions of the rich are found at Starbucks and stores where you can buy jeans for $500, the ability to buy whatever you want and hide your addictions… the addictions of the poor are obvious and don’t really need mention, except to know where our following Jesus occurs… (you can see the other pages for that info!). But how about the crazy little thing called the lostness of the church, which may be a little bit harder to see. But we have lost our love which compels us out and we have lost our mission. We should be honest about both.
*I don’t like the phrases - “God only” or “God’s best.” I hear God only all the time, like God only works in this way or that, as if we know all the mysteries of God. Surely I hold on to this, Jesus is Lord and the Lordship is central. I believe He as Lord gets to do whatever He wants whenever He wants… I heard “God’s best” today in a meeting where a gentleman said that “God’s best is immediate healing.” While I agree that we pray for immediate healing, I know from my friends with addictions that healing is at best a long term process, and I don’t want to heap guilt on them for not getting better right away.
*I hear the liberals talk about doing the things of Jesus on radio 134o but they don’t necessarily want Jesus. I hear the conservatives on 990am talking lovingly about Jesus but not necessarily wanting to do his works. What? Is there another radio station I can tune into?
*Do we want to be a Christian nation? Surely a Christ following nation would be cool? But how have we become the #1 arms dealer in the world? I can’t get my head around that one. I don’t think I am a complete pacifist, because I realize we need a military in a real world. But perhaps Jesus would move us down the list to be #2?
*I am thankful for my friends and my family, whoever they are. I am refreshed that I have some friends. Thank you for being my friends and taking the time to read this. Join in the adventure any time.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Hi, Jeff. I am a friend of Chris & Sarah B.’s from Bozeman, and have been reading your blog for awhile. I find myself identifying with what you’re experiencing here. It seems that there should be a third way. And perhaps there is a third way emerging…not with the emergent church, I’m not sure what to think about these labels yet. But then, perhaps it will be with the emergent church, I don’t know.
I find myself increasingly frustrated with what comes out of our polar opposite sides in this country… theologically, politically, socially, etc, across the board. I want to say “yes and no” all the time, but find that to be a less appealing answer than I would like it to be. And I’m frankly not sure where to go from here.
Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear so many of us struggling with these things. It reminds me that I’m not alone, and that there is a third way somewhere, and that we will find it somehow.
Thanks for your honesty. It’s always appreciated.
Peace in Christ,
Becca
July 6th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Jeff…I find your rantings refreshing….in perspective in an “out of control” social and religious system….keep ranting, God totally not only ‘gets it’ but is positively IN IT!!!
prayerfully,
bk
July 7th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Good One!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Jeff,
Good words. I respect them and I respect your efforts at incarnating our Lord and Savior. Let me try to re-portray my take on such things as the status of the church in California…which leads into my theology of mission.
I don’t believe we need to blow up the church and start all over. There it is. Just like my friend, Pastor Bob Henley reminded me today, the church has ALWAYS had its issues and struggles. It is a thoroughly imperfect organism, and the moment we think we would be better off without _____ and their compromise/heresy/opposition/etc. we become the very agents of division we pray against. This is not to say that we accept everything carte blanche (that leads to universalism, relativism, and all that stuff). We must struggle for the Bride of Christ, simply because Jesus loves her THAT MUCH.
Last of all, here is the reason I believe the gospel message ALWAYS comes first…if given only five minutes with a person without Christ, would we A) knit a sweater B) bake some bread (the five minute kind) or C) share the message of salvation? Of course you know how I would answer. That being said, does that disqualify me from wanting to feed and clothe that very same person? No. You can do both. Jesus did and his church did and still does. It is not one way or another (sorry, Chrissie Hynde(sp?)) And in California, I see this happening in countless places. The church isn’t as sick as you think.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Thanks everyone for your comments - glad to hear that many of us share the same concerns and value authenticity. Glad to have you as friends!
July 11th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I agree with David, that we don’t have to blow it all up, but seriously, Jesus didn’t always do the same thing with his 3-5 minutes. And isn’t that part of the problem - we don’t think long term, we just think in snipets? I see most of my friends on the streets continually now. That is where we need to go as a church, not even “friendship evangelism,” but friendship. Friendship is redemptive in itself. God redeemed my through re-establishing his friendship with me, which he did over a long process.