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It is with a very red face that I sit down to my trusty keyboard to post once more. Ah, I had such good intentions - a weekly prayer request and a monthly blog, and, yet, here it is three month later without so much as a peep from me. Truly the saddest tale is the one that might have been.
At any rate I'm back... let the banners fly and the bells ring out... or not....
This summer has been eventful, wonderfully so. I had the rare privilege of seeing three people give their heart to Jesus at Bible camp. It was beautiful to behold! A puddle of snot and tears on the altar, but, hey, the peace and joy on their faces was worth it all.
And it was seeing the look on the faces of those new baby Christians, and hearing their testimonies that has swept aside any lingering doubts I've had about my faith. My doubts recently haven't really amounted to anything, but the last stray cobweb of doubt has been whisked away to wherever it is that old doubts go.
Jesus saves. He satisfies. He forgives sin, and He gives peace. And all the atheists, agnostics and skeptics of every sort can't change my mind.
This last experience, and two other things have convinced me that atheism & agnosticism are mistaken perspectives. Upon studying the atheistic and agnostic writers, one thing became glaringly obvious. So many atheists and their ilk have an attitude problem. As gently as I know how, let me say, that their attitude stinks. If Christianity is up for questioning because of the attitude of some of its proponents, then what's sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose. Atheism is rife with prideful, arrogant philosophical snobbery, and it has turned my stomach. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take Jesus - the meek and the lowly any day.
As an illustration, I was reading an atheistic posting on the Internet one day, and they had the nerve to ask that nobody debate with them unless the would-be debater had at least college education. Sheesh, Louise. As if the world of academia has the corner on intelligence and brilliant discoveries!
The final nail in the atheist coffin, was the lives of the atheist/agnostic philosophers themselves. When I read of the shenanigans of Sartre, Russel, and Nietzsche, and I couldn't help but echo with the Good Book, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be as their end!" As John Wesley said so poignantly about the early Methodists, "They may not like our theology, much less our enthusiasm, but they cannot deny, we die well!" Charles Templeton said that when Billy Graham chose to preach the gospel without reservation and to accept the word of God by faith alone, Billy Graham committed intellectual suicide. But when I compare Billy Graham's life with Chuck's, I say if that be intellectual suicide, then I will gladly commit it!
So, away with doubts and a fig for the old croakers: God is still God. Faith brings meaning to life, hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak, comfort to those who mourn, and help to the helpless. And most of all, Jesus still saves.
"Give the winds a mighty voice:
'Jesus saves, Jesus saves;'
Let the nations now rejoice:
'Jesus saves, Jesus saves!"
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
'Jesus saves, Jesus saves!'"
Happy with Jesus,
Pastor Chelle
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
So, You Want God to Judge You?
Easter has come and gone without so much as a click of my trusty laptops keys. If you know anything about life as a pastor, you know that life around Christmas and Easter is full to overflowing with things to do, places to go, and people to see, and there is no room for so much as an extra exclamation point, much less a full blog. However, I'm back and typing fast and furiously.
"Only God can judge me."
Ever heard that phrase before? I don't know about you, but I've heard it a-plenty. Tupac Shakur used it a lot, and just recently I saw it emblazoned on the back of a pick-up truck. I admit candidly those five words set my teeth on edge.
No doubt someone will accuse me of "judging," but I get the distinct impression that little axiom is merely a pseudo-sanctimonious way of saying, "No one can tell me I'm wrong; God excuses me, and I will never have to pay the consequences for my misdeeds." Willful defiance thinly masked by shallow spirituality. Particularly when the ones who quote it are clearly and unmistakably living in direct violation of what God has explicitly commanded. My friend, if God has already judged what you are doing as wrong/sin, it doesn't matter who tells you otherwise, you are still doing wrong/sinning... neither does it matter who judges you or not, if it comes to that. And there will be hell to pay.
However, before proceeding to my punch line(s), allow me to clear up another small matter.
Other ill-informed souls looking to dodge the bullet are also fond of quoting Jesus' famous line: "Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1) Popular opinion seems to have concluded this means nobody can tell anybody else they are wrong or that they are doing wrong. What said popular opinion fails to realize is that the same Jesus told us to "judge righteous judgement." (John 7:24) If you haven't heard this already, "judge not" refers to our attitude when we are forced to make a judgement call. "Righteous judgement" refers to the fact that we are to make judgement calls based on what God has revealed as truth. Nowhere are we forbidden to come to a rational conclusion that wrong is wrong and right is right.
But most importantly, may I suggest that those who oft claim only God can judge them are really appealing to God's mercy whether they know it or not. Folks, the last thing you really want is for God to enter into judgement with you. In His sight nobody will be justified since His standard is perfection. The Psalmist knew this, and prayed, "Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." Psalm 143:2
What you really want - and need - is for God to overlook your faults, see your needs, and forgive. This is called "grace." And, believe me, it is amazing.
So, I urge you, abandon this foolish appeal to God's judgement. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you are sinning. Appeal to Him for mercy, for forgiveness... for deliverance from sin and wrong doing.
Being forgiven by God sure beats being judged by Him.
It also insures you won't be always looking over your shoulder, always trying to justify the un-justifiable... or worrying about what will happen when you see God face to face.
By His grace,
Pastor Chelle
"Only God can judge me."
Ever heard that phrase before? I don't know about you, but I've heard it a-plenty. Tupac Shakur used it a lot, and just recently I saw it emblazoned on the back of a pick-up truck. I admit candidly those five words set my teeth on edge.
No doubt someone will accuse me of "judging," but I get the distinct impression that little axiom is merely a pseudo-sanctimonious way of saying, "No one can tell me I'm wrong; God excuses me, and I will never have to pay the consequences for my misdeeds." Willful defiance thinly masked by shallow spirituality. Particularly when the ones who quote it are clearly and unmistakably living in direct violation of what God has explicitly commanded. My friend, if God has already judged what you are doing as wrong/sin, it doesn't matter who tells you otherwise, you are still doing wrong/sinning... neither does it matter who judges you or not, if it comes to that. And there will be hell to pay.
However, before proceeding to my punch line(s), allow me to clear up another small matter.
Other ill-informed souls looking to dodge the bullet are also fond of quoting Jesus' famous line: "Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1) Popular opinion seems to have concluded this means nobody can tell anybody else they are wrong or that they are doing wrong. What said popular opinion fails to realize is that the same Jesus told us to "judge righteous judgement." (John 7:24) If you haven't heard this already, "judge not" refers to our attitude when we are forced to make a judgement call. "Righteous judgement" refers to the fact that we are to make judgement calls based on what God has revealed as truth. Nowhere are we forbidden to come to a rational conclusion that wrong is wrong and right is right.
But most importantly, may I suggest that those who oft claim only God can judge them are really appealing to God's mercy whether they know it or not. Folks, the last thing you really want is for God to enter into judgement with you. In His sight nobody will be justified since His standard is perfection. The Psalmist knew this, and prayed, "Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." Psalm 143:2
What you really want - and need - is for God to overlook your faults, see your needs, and forgive. This is called "grace." And, believe me, it is amazing.
So, I urge you, abandon this foolish appeal to God's judgement. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you are sinning. Appeal to Him for mercy, for forgiveness... for deliverance from sin and wrong doing.
Being forgiven by God sure beats being judged by Him.
It also insures you won't be always looking over your shoulder, always trying to justify the un-justifiable... or worrying about what will happen when you see God face to face.
By His grace,
Pastor Chelle
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
One Question
Well, it has been awhile since I last posted. Believe me, I have not been inactive during that period. In fact, I spent 3 hours on a blog post, only to hit one measly button, and permanently erase what I had written. Talk about a blogger's worst nightmare.
I could have wept bitter tears of frustration.
But in the interim I've been thinking maybe that technological disaster was for the best. Methinks that this blog, at least for this subject needs to be short - like a hard, quick hook to the jaw. In my last blog, I took to task Christians for failing to confront popular culture and for doing such a miserable job when they do contrive to do so. This time around I want to deliver a wake up call to the stars who create pop culture.
Within myself I despair I will ever be heard, or, should I be heard, that anyone will heed what I have to say. We seem to live in a society that has lost the ability to feel shame or to acknowledge that anything is wrong, much less sinful. It is highly doubtful that the countless myriads of anecdotes from the lives of the rich and famous and the endless examples from movies, music, and the arts which I could produce would move my hearers to acquiesce for one moment that they are committing moral transgression.
All that I have read, watched, and listened to convince me that the majority of those whom we honor with the title celebrity delight in living and entertaining as if their are no rules, no boundaries, no right and no wrong.
Furthermore, from all that I have observed, great contempt is borne for the poor sap like me who would dare to confront them on their despicable behavior. I make no apology for the use of the adjective "despicable." The endless parade of nudity, semi-nudity, explicit sex acts, violence, and blasphemy that society calls entertainment is despicable.
But I have one question for those artists who seem to delight in living as though there are no rules: just how would you like to be treated as if there really were no rules?
It's all fun and games to live without absolutes until someone cheats on you, rapes you, violates you, steals from you - in short, until someone who is living by your ethical code, breaks your heart.
And so I submit this plea: ladies and gentlemen of the world of stardom, please examine what you do in the name of entertainment, and think seriously about the impact you are having on society. Take responsibility for your wrong doing. Please.
You are both the product and the purveyor of culture, and you are answerable for your role in shaping society's values. May God grant you the grace to acknowledge that you have sinned, and the grace and space to repent before we all live to regret your foolish choices.
With greatest love,
Pastor Chelle
I could have wept bitter tears of frustration.
But in the interim I've been thinking maybe that technological disaster was for the best. Methinks that this blog, at least for this subject needs to be short - like a hard, quick hook to the jaw. In my last blog, I took to task Christians for failing to confront popular culture and for doing such a miserable job when they do contrive to do so. This time around I want to deliver a wake up call to the stars who create pop culture.
Within myself I despair I will ever be heard, or, should I be heard, that anyone will heed what I have to say. We seem to live in a society that has lost the ability to feel shame or to acknowledge that anything is wrong, much less sinful. It is highly doubtful that the countless myriads of anecdotes from the lives of the rich and famous and the endless examples from movies, music, and the arts which I could produce would move my hearers to acquiesce for one moment that they are committing moral transgression.
All that I have read, watched, and listened to convince me that the majority of those whom we honor with the title celebrity delight in living and entertaining as if their are no rules, no boundaries, no right and no wrong.
Furthermore, from all that I have observed, great contempt is borne for the poor sap like me who would dare to confront them on their despicable behavior. I make no apology for the use of the adjective "despicable." The endless parade of nudity, semi-nudity, explicit sex acts, violence, and blasphemy that society calls entertainment is despicable.
But I have one question for those artists who seem to delight in living as though there are no rules: just how would you like to be treated as if there really were no rules?
It's all fun and games to live without absolutes until someone cheats on you, rapes you, violates you, steals from you - in short, until someone who is living by your ethical code, breaks your heart.
And so I submit this plea: ladies and gentlemen of the world of stardom, please examine what you do in the name of entertainment, and think seriously about the impact you are having on society. Take responsibility for your wrong doing. Please.
You are both the product and the purveyor of culture, and you are answerable for your role in shaping society's values. May God grant you the grace to acknowledge that you have sinned, and the grace and space to repent before we all live to regret your foolish choices.
With greatest love,
Pastor Chelle
Thursday, January 7, 2010
To Engage or Not to Engage
Mixed feelings is the only way to describe my feelings on how the religious community, particularly the Christian community, should engage the celebrity world. Part of me is scared to death that they won't open their mouth, and part of me is scared to death they will. Quite a dilemma.
That the world of stardom needs to be engaged and confronted there can be no doubt. But, the million dollar question is, do Christians have what it takes to do the job, and do it right? Do we have the wisdom we need? Are we as wise as serpents and harmless as doves as Jesus mandates? Or will we simply come off as fanatics and wackos? I'm often appalled at the lack of common sense and class - yes, I said class - Christians have when it comes to sharing their faith. I swear we look like bumptious hicks sometimes... or spineless jelly fish - I don't know which is worse.
We use "Christianese" as a matter of course, never thinking that nobody has a clue what we are talking about, and thereby exposing our faith to unwarranted ridicule. I remember once of hearing about a person who confronted an atheist by saying, "The Holy Spirit's gonna getcha!" Oh, help. While the atheist in question wasn't a celebrity, that little anecdote illustrates my point perfectly. If we ever do manage to engage the celebrity world, may Heaven help us to talk plain English and refrain from unwise use of righteous speak! And may the Lord deliver us from a swaggering, cocky attitude when we do witness. (Humility is an indispensable virtue for those who would talk to others of their humble Lord.) From cynicism, facetiousness, and sarcasm, good Lord, deliver us, too. And save us, oh, Lord, from giving a testimony so weak and shallow, the recipient mistakes it for bilge water.
It is also distressing to see Christians confront people with their faith when they themselves are ignorant. I would not discourage new converts from sharing their testimony of what the Lord has done for them. Rather I am cautioning against the practice of what is commonly called "going off half-cocked." Make sure you take careful aim, and have plenty of rounds of ammunition in your chamber. It is most distressing to see the quarry dodge the bullet and run off without being pierced by the truth because of a want of preparation and foresight. If you are going to engage someone in something so profound as faith, which touches on every aspect of life and existence, be prepared to answer for it. As the Good Book says, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks of you a reason for the hope that lies within you."
But, most importantly, if we are going to convince the celebrities and stars of their need of a Saviour and a change of lifestyle, we are going to have to be the genuine article ourselves. We are going to have to bear witness by our behavior that Jesus' saving power is efficacious. There has been far too much preaching and too little living. Too much mouthing off and too little loving. I am sure as I am sure of anything that one of the reasons Christian seem to have such a relatively small impact on society is because there is such a dichotomy between what we preach and how we live. Recent comments by Sandra Bullock convince me more than ever this is so. She made the comment concerning the making of the movie The Blind Side, that the Touhys, the wife of which family she impersonated in the movie, were the first genuine Christians she ever met, who actually lived the way they said they believed.
As Christians, we are the pipe through which Divine Power - Divine Power to convince and convert the sinner - flows, and if the pipe be clogged with the scummy build-up of sin, all our efforts are in vain. Mark it down, if we aren't having the impact we should, there is a pipe clogged somewhere. Those who are weary of immodesty amongst the stars ought to be sure you dress modestly themself - no use complaining about Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" while your cleavage is showing. Those who are weary of the immorality in the celebrity world shouldn't be sleeping around and living common-law. Hypocrisy will get us nowhere fast.
And here I must say, if Christians would exhibit the love and holiness they should, it would make up for many of our shortcomings when we do bear witness to our faith- shortcomings, which, all too frequently, are a direct result of not living as we ought. We may not have our presentation together as we should, and we may not be able to answer every theological and philosophical question that is hurled at us, but it will be very hard for the opposing party to argue with a life well lived.
My fear is that we have reached such a state in society, that if Christians really lived the life they should, we might bring an avalanche of persecution on our heads when we did engage the celebrity world. But that's a thought for another time.
I have more to say on this important topic, but I think it's best if I wait. A blog is a bit like pie: make the "byte" too big and the connoisseur will choke.
Love, and lots of it, until the next time,
Pastor Chelle
P.S. Happy New Year, everybody! May God bless it to you.
That the world of stardom needs to be engaged and confronted there can be no doubt. But, the million dollar question is, do Christians have what it takes to do the job, and do it right? Do we have the wisdom we need? Are we as wise as serpents and harmless as doves as Jesus mandates? Or will we simply come off as fanatics and wackos? I'm often appalled at the lack of common sense and class - yes, I said class - Christians have when it comes to sharing their faith. I swear we look like bumptious hicks sometimes... or spineless jelly fish - I don't know which is worse.
We use "Christianese" as a matter of course, never thinking that nobody has a clue what we are talking about, and thereby exposing our faith to unwarranted ridicule. I remember once of hearing about a person who confronted an atheist by saying, "The Holy Spirit's gonna getcha!" Oh, help. While the atheist in question wasn't a celebrity, that little anecdote illustrates my point perfectly. If we ever do manage to engage the celebrity world, may Heaven help us to talk plain English and refrain from unwise use of righteous speak! And may the Lord deliver us from a swaggering, cocky attitude when we do witness. (Humility is an indispensable virtue for those who would talk to others of their humble Lord.) From cynicism, facetiousness, and sarcasm, good Lord, deliver us, too. And save us, oh, Lord, from giving a testimony so weak and shallow, the recipient mistakes it for bilge water.
It is also distressing to see Christians confront people with their faith when they themselves are ignorant. I would not discourage new converts from sharing their testimony of what the Lord has done for them. Rather I am cautioning against the practice of what is commonly called "going off half-cocked." Make sure you take careful aim, and have plenty of rounds of ammunition in your chamber. It is most distressing to see the quarry dodge the bullet and run off without being pierced by the truth because of a want of preparation and foresight. If you are going to engage someone in something so profound as faith, which touches on every aspect of life and existence, be prepared to answer for it. As the Good Book says, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks of you a reason for the hope that lies within you."
But, most importantly, if we are going to convince the celebrities and stars of their need of a Saviour and a change of lifestyle, we are going to have to be the genuine article ourselves. We are going to have to bear witness by our behavior that Jesus' saving power is efficacious. There has been far too much preaching and too little living. Too much mouthing off and too little loving. I am sure as I am sure of anything that one of the reasons Christian seem to have such a relatively small impact on society is because there is such a dichotomy between what we preach and how we live. Recent comments by Sandra Bullock convince me more than ever this is so. She made the comment concerning the making of the movie The Blind Side, that the Touhys, the wife of which family she impersonated in the movie, were the first genuine Christians she ever met, who actually lived the way they said they believed.
As Christians, we are the pipe through which Divine Power - Divine Power to convince and convert the sinner - flows, and if the pipe be clogged with the scummy build-up of sin, all our efforts are in vain. Mark it down, if we aren't having the impact we should, there is a pipe clogged somewhere. Those who are weary of immodesty amongst the stars ought to be sure you dress modestly themself - no use complaining about Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" while your cleavage is showing. Those who are weary of the immorality in the celebrity world shouldn't be sleeping around and living common-law. Hypocrisy will get us nowhere fast.
And here I must say, if Christians would exhibit the love and holiness they should, it would make up for many of our shortcomings when we do bear witness to our faith- shortcomings, which, all too frequently, are a direct result of not living as we ought. We may not have our presentation together as we should, and we may not be able to answer every theological and philosophical question that is hurled at us, but it will be very hard for the opposing party to argue with a life well lived.
My fear is that we have reached such a state in society, that if Christians really lived the life they should, we might bring an avalanche of persecution on our heads when we did engage the celebrity world. But that's a thought for another time.
I have more to say on this important topic, but I think it's best if I wait. A blog is a bit like pie: make the "byte" too big and the connoisseur will choke.
Love, and lots of it, until the next time,
Pastor Chelle
P.S. Happy New Year, everybody! May God bless it to you.
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