Little Jesus

October 26, 2011 in Christlike-ness with 0 Comments

This is a picture of a 15-foot tall inflatable Jesus I found on the web. For a nominal fee, you can rent this oversized Savior, or if desired, you can purchase your very own. I really like the addition of the lamb in his arms, though I’m not sure if the lamb is extra or not. Either way, he’s cute, right?

Inflatable Jesus

The more I interact with people inside and outside of ministry, the more I discover these things people believe about Jesus and the Bible…

1. Jesus was a white dude.
2. Jesus spoke English – maybe even the King James variety.
3. Jesus’ existence is solely for personal benefit/gain.
4. Following Jesus should always be safe.
5. Following Jesus does not require much of you.
6. Jesus was an extraordinary communicator.
7. God gives us verses in the Bible like Philippians 4:13 to help win a competition or sporting event, and nothing more.

It’s as if Jesus is nothing more than a toy figurine – a magical genie in a bottle – meant to help you feel good about your life in your time of despair, or as if there is nothing to learn from failing or losing. He’s a Savior in the moment, but few seem to understand being a Christ-follower is a complete transformation of one’s life, thinking, attitudes, and direction (Rom. 12:1-2) – it is a metamorphosis of the heart, soul, and mind.

Only $7.99 at Mardel!

Many want Jesus to do something for them – get a better job, win a game, help them be more fulfilled. What if none of this happens?

Many worship a little Jesus.

A brief, honest examination of Scripture would likely reveal to most that Jesus was much more than just a savior-of-the-moment, flash-in-the-pan local hero. He came as Savior of the world; He is relevant today and His teaching is powerful when applied to daily living.

So how does one move beyond seeing Jesus in this way? Here are a few ideas:

1. Stay familiar with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
I believe it is nearly impossible to read through the accounts of the Gospels and maintain a small view of Jesus. When you study the life, teachings, miracles, and everything else surrounding Jesus, the Bible quickly reveals a God-man whose power is limit-less, whose life impacts people intentionally, and whose teaching unlocks hope, joy, and pecae in this life.

2. Read the Bible as a narrative.
So this idea is pretty close to the 1st, but I’d like to broaden this encouragement to say read more than just the Gospels. In fact, I would say read the Bible is a narrative; the complete and compelling story of God’s full redemption plan for mankind, from beginning to end. If you read it with the mindset of “this is God’s story”, it becomes impossible to think of books or verses in isolated contexts, and the opportunity for misunderstanding is greatly reduced. Scripture does not contradict itself; it builds and moves, staying relevant even for our world today.

3. Study Scripture.
The emphasis here is on the word “study.” It is not only important to know what Scripture says, but why it was said. Granted, we can’t even begin to understand the mind of God, but many read Scripture and take it at face-value. For example, take a read through 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. At first read, it seems as if Paul teaches all women are to be silent in church. How does this balance with what he himself implied in 1 Corinthians 11:4-5, where Paul permits women to pray if they have the proper attire? Can women not sing, pray, or communicate at all? Are there no cultural standards which applied in their day which are no longer in place? There must be more to the story, so find the rest of the story.

I implore you, strive daily to increase your view of God. Those things of which we think lowly are often the first things we overlook or abandon, so be intentional about increasing your view of God, and our Savior Jesus. Jesus is bigger than your kid’s next soccer game and the Super Bowl. Jesus is bigger than that next unexpected bill or job loss. Jesus is bigger than your “here and now.”

What are some ways in which you’ve observed the small Jesus syndrome in your heart? In your church? In America?

Aubrey Joy Turns 5

October 25, 2011 in Life with 0 Comments

Five years ago today, Mary and I traveled from our home in Newark, TX to Baylor Medical Center in Grapevine, where Mary was to be induced into labor. Early in the afternoon, my life was forever changed as Aubrey Joy Barlow was born into this world, weighing a whopping 8 lbs., 14 oz. Though few friends were able to be with us, several family members anxiously awaited her arrival on a cold, rainy day, largely due to the fact that we had no idea whether we were having a boy or a girl. With a head full of super black hair, God introduced me to this little girl and to love like I’d never known – love from the perspective of being a father.

Like many dads, I could ramble on and on, but I’ll refrain. Aubrey Joy, I love you with all my heart and will always love you. I could not be more proud to have you as my daughter. I’m looking forward to the adventure God is orchestrating for us as a family, and to discovering the path He has laid out for you as you grow and come to know Him better.

Happy 5th birthday to my Joy Bug! 143.

Aubrey Joy Barlow

Faith

October 23, 2011 in Christlike-ness with 0 Comments

Read this first: Hebrews 11:1-39

Believing in God takes faith. There I said it.

It’s been my experience, though, throughout ministry that this declaration about faith, which is backed heavily all throughout Scripture, often ends up being a discussion laden with layers of excuses why we can have faith in so many other things, but not in God. Even a brief, honest examination of our daily lives would reveal that faith is an integral part of daily living; faith is woven into the fabric of every human being. We have faith in hundreds, if not thousands, of inanimate, powerless things daily, and usually do so without even a hitch or second thought. We know how to have faith.

Here are a few of those things…

Employers.
The chair in which you sit.
Any form of transportation which you use – car, airplane, train, etc.
Friends.
Family.
Schools/education.
Government.

I understand that you personally may not have faith in some of these specific entities, but many do. Many believe government is the answer to our national problems. Others believe the school system can and should teach their children everything they will need for life. Still others believe if surrounded by enough friends, their lives will be complete.

See how this works?

How many of these things, though, have ever failed us? All of them, and they will again and again.

But how many times has God ever failed? Not one time.

I’m calling people to examine the things in which their faith is placed. I’m calling Christians to live like their entire scope of faith is wrapped up in the God that created them, and the Christ that saved them.

Have faith in God!

In what do you often place your faith? How does faith play a part of your daily life? Start a discussion below.

Worship Team Requests

October 22, 2011 in Life, Ministry with 0 Comments

Periodically, I get emails or notes from lovely individuals requesting songs for our worship team to “do” on Sunday morning, like we’re some sort of all request line. Most of the time, and largely steeped in historical familiarity, those requests sound like this: “More hymns!”

So when I got the following request, I was quite puzzled, to say the least.

More handbell!

I have to admit…I simply don’t know what to do with this.

Enjoy your day! :-)

Borrowed from sacredsandwich.com.

A Triangle of Reflection

October 17, 2011 in Life, Ministry with 0 Comments

Around Coastal Oaks Church, we do a lot of evaluation.

If you are laughing right now after reading that 1st sentence, you know exactly what I mean. Now stop it.

Don’t get me wrong; I honestly like evaluating. It fits my personality so well. After this morning’s round of weekend evaluations, my brain was locked in feedback and processing mode for most of the day, and for me, feedback and evaluation usually becomes confused with criticism. It wasn’t until just about the time our office closed for the day that I was able to shake free from it.

This certainly helped.

This morning, in the midst of all of this feedback and processing, I finished a 31-day Bible reading plan through the Proverbs with my YouVersion iPhone app. I plan to repeat this reading plan every month between now and the start of 2013, so that the wisdom of the Proverbs is saturated in my brain. As I was thinking and processing and reading, the Bible started speaking to my heart in places like this:

Proverbs 18:15: Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
Proverbs 19:20: Get all of the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
Proverbs 20:5: Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 25:11: Timely advices is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
Proverbs 26:28: A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.
Proverbs 27:5: An open rebuke is better than hidden love.

In my study and understanding of what I read in Proverbs, God used it to teach me about myself today. I ended up asking this question:

What is better – receiving well-meant feedback/criticism, or receiving no feedback at all?

I have to admit, I am still wrestling with this question tonight even. I mean, I know the answer…but I am pretty sure I do not want to accept it yet.

Despite all of this, through the learning process I have learned some things about me. I am calling it the “triangle of reflection”:

1. Most feedback first registers as criticism with me.
At the moment, I cannot tell you why, but usually when I receive feedback, my first thoughts toward that feedback label it as criticism, whether it is or not. Thinking back, I have always thought this way, and I know it is not a good thing. Which brings me to #2…

2. I take criticism like a kick in the teeth.
I know, this isn’t any better, but I have noticed the tendency within myself to take criticism extremely personal, even that which is more general or unfounded. I find myself quickly defensive and, at times, angry that someone would have the audacity to come out with such objections. It hurts, and though I am certain I am not alone in these feelings, I am also certain this nasty beast is 2-headed. Or is it 3-headed…

3. When criticized – defend, defend, defend.
I hope I am not alone in this, but when criticized, my gut reaction is similar to that of the beloved Alamo – go down defending. Tell ‘em off, shut ‘em up, and feel good about doing it. Maybe it’s the artist/musician in me that says “every outward expression is from the core of who I am” which causes me to want to defend so vehemently, but I am fairly certain this “tear ‘em down” type reaction is not God-honoring.

Through it all, I am confident these 2 truths remain; 1. Criticism will come, and 2. I will (always) need to handle it like one committed to following Christ.

How about you – what’s your gut reaction to feedback and/or criticism? I am not alone, am I.

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