From where I stand...

Now that the election is over, I guess it's time to declare my stance on many "important" issues to Christians.

Life/Choice

I'm pro-life.  No surprise there.  However, I don't think it's appropriate to legislate a "no abortion" law unless the church is willing to assist mothers who have found themselves in a situation where they are pregnant.  Why are we so quick to judge a woman who has found herself in that situation?  When the church is ready and willing to help single moms, adopt unwanted babies, or aid women who have had abortions with counseling, I think abortion will die out on its own.

Same-Sex Rights

This one I believe should be determined by states.  Marriage isn't a topic discussed in the U.S. Constitution.  Again, legislating federal regulations in this instance (whether for or against) isn't something that needs to be done.

War and Military

I'm non-violent, but understand the need for a country to go to war against another for defensive purposes.  I also think it's arrogant and unnecessary for the U.S. to have troops stationed all over the world and not having any other national military stationed in ours.  We're not the Earth Police.

Entitlement and Welfare

I see the benefit of having programs that help the poor and elderly.  However, we're creating a problem for ourselves when we allow jobs to be shipped overseas.  There's a vacuum of no jobs and people needing support.  Also, when the government gives to people without accountability, you're creating a system of dependence that doesn't get people out of the cycle of poverty.  Bring jobs back, help people become independent.  I know what it's like to live on welfare.  I'm a product of food stamps and Medicaid, but my parents worked their butts off to provide for us.

I don't think legislating Christian values is the right thing to do.  We're supposed to be fighting evil with our love and prayers, not laws and regulations.  If we actually be the unconditionally accepting church, people will be transformed.  Making them follow our rules without experiencing the love of God makes us look like harsh, bigoted people and shuts people off to the Gospel.

Back in the...CR

Jess and I had the chance to visit Cedar Rapids this past weekend.  It was a weekend full of hard work, memories, and smells.  I enjoyed every minute spent in the city.  We stayed at the Kaufman's house (shown in the picture).  What wonderful hosts!  Natalie even cooked breakfast for us on Sunday.

Jess and I hung drywall, installed a new door, and nailed plywood to huge holes in houses downtown.  It was the first time we'd seen the flood area up close like that.  It was depressing to see the place where I had lived so devastated.  There's still a lot of work to be done there.

I sure do miss that city and New Covenant.  It was refreshing to spend time with so many friends (who I would say are more like family).  We were sad that we didn't get to see everyone and that we had to leave.  You just don't find people like them all working together for the cause of Christ like they do.  They are truly a unique church.  (I found myself in Old Navy wanting to tell people about the church just down the street.)  I'd love to be back there someday.  If you live in Cedar Rapids (or visit during a weekend) and happen across this blog post, check out New Covenant Bible Church at 1800 46th St. NE in CR.  They'll welcome you like family right when you walk in.

Breakneck Update

It's been a few weeks since I've been out here in Blogland.  Here's a quick update as to what's been going on in Wisconsin...

1.  Spent last weekend at the National Youth Workers' Convention.  It was an awesome time of learning and refreshing and hanging out with other youth workers.

2.  Jess has a new job as an in-home therapist for autistic children.  This is something she's been wanting to do for a while.

3.  We went apple picking this past Saturday!  What a great time of spending time with my beautiful wife.  We also bought some apple cider, apple cider doughnuts (good, not good for you), and a pumpkin.  We are officially decked out for fall.

4.  We've been having some difficulties with health, both physically and mentally.  We're both feeling like God is taking us through a wilderness to shape us and refine us.  It's just hard being in the wilderness when you aren't sure what's coming.  Pray for us.

For anyone who reads this, thanks for your prayers.  We love you and hope that the God of the universe who loves us would bless you!

Flying Sola or Why Sola Scriptura doesn't mean "only scripture"

I was listening to a sermon by Mark Driscoll (who gives hour long sermons, so be thankful for your 30 minute-ish pastor) and he was talking about why Protestant American churches worship the way they do and how they decide that.  One point he makes in the grand scheme of this lesson is a difference between "Sola Scriptura" and what he calls "Solo Scriptura."  The latter, he says, is when you treat Scripture as the only measuring stick.  For me personally, it's when you say the Bible is purely objective.  The former is treating Scripture as the "supreme court" of decision making with several other lesser courts.

Being emergent-esque (since it's still emerging), I'm thinking the idea of Sola Scriptura presented by Driscoll is something I can grasp and say is true.  There are a lot of emergents out there you see Sola Scriptura as something to be avoided, but I think they're throwing the baby out with the bath water.  If we look at the way the supreme court in the United States is set up, we can see that there's more than just "my interpretation" needed when making a decision.  The SC is made up of nine justices who hear cases and decide together.  Right there is a perfect example for the need for community.  We don't leave our biggest cases to be decided upon by just one person because we see the fallacy and arrogance in that.  Maybe Sola Scriptura is meant to be a call to community as we work through understanding what the Scripture speaks to us today in our life instead of a call to fly solo.

How Constantine Defiled the Church

It was a grandiose arrangement.  Constantine, emperor of the Roman Empire, had a vision of Christ then won a decisive battle.  What other conclusion would one draw than to make Christianity a government-recognized entity?  And everyone was happy... (insert apathetic "Yay!")

One of my main beefs with history is what Constantine did when he married church and state.  He paved the way for civilization.  Okay, maybe a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus.  Personally, I really agree with his idea that Christianity is a call to a barbarian lifestyle.  He's not talking about "eating the heads off living chickens" barbarianism, mind you.  His message is simple:  God calls us to a road of risk and trial.  This is completely counter-cultural in America today, especially where the "prosperity gospel" is so prevalent.  We believe in feeling good, being rich, and living well.  God calls us to love Him with our whole being and love our neighbors like we love ourselves.  The way I see it, we currently love God when it's convenient and love our neighbors even less than that.

What does Constantine have to do with this?  Simply put, he made it civic duty to be a Christian.  When the Roman Empire recognized Christianity as the official religion, it became a mark of citizenship to join the church, only the wrong kind.  It was no longer a mark of being a citizen of God's kingdom, but of Rome's.  This union allowed corrupt men to come to power in the church and the government, using both to push a wholly sinful agenda.  She stopped listening to God's voice and began listening to another's.  Constantine took much of the risk away from being a Christian and domesticated the church.

Which path will you choose:  the one marked by risk and passion guided by God's voice or the other, more comfortable, easier path of domestication?

My Heart Is Pierced

I just finished the two most monumental chapters in The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. All I can say is that my brain and my heart are overloaded with love, awe, wonder, and just "holy camoly"-ness. Grace is a beautiful thing. I'm glad I don't have to save myself from being a slave to myself, especially since that is totally paradoxical. I'm humbled by what God did for me and think about how many times I try to look like I'm saving myself by doing all the right things. Don't get me wrong. I'm still gonna do the right things, but because I love God, not to get His love. How many times do we do spiritual things to "get God's approval?" Guess what. We're flawed, and Jesus HAD to die for us. You can't do it on your own. Guess what else. You're loved and valued, and Jesus WANTED to die for us. Personally, I'm thankful.

Back in the Lunchroom

Today marked my first lunchroom experience at Waunakee High School.  It was a great time of seeing some of the teens in their own setting.  I will admit, I was scared out of my mind about 15 minutes before I went.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought.  A quick prayer and already knowing the principal helped a lot.  It wasn't like I had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get into the school.  I also got to meet the study hall supervisor, Trevor.  It was a great experience.  I hope to get to the Late Lunch early next week and hit the Middle School tomorrow.