Music Mondays

As a pastor, one goal I have each Sunday is to leave the people hungry for more. Hungry for more of Jesus and His Word, more of worship and fellowship with the people of God.

Well, yesterday I made them hungry in a more literal sense. We were studying the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6. Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish and abundantly provided for this mass of people. But in the aftermath of the miracle, it became clear that there was a larger point. In verses 22-71, Jesus debates and discusses with the people the reality that he is the Bread of Life. He is true food from heaven, not meant to satisfy our bellies but our very souls. 

To accentuate this story, I remembered an idea from a seminary preaching class and I had some helpers bake Pillsbury rolls in our oven during my sermon. I should mention that our kitchen is right next to the sanctuary and they propped the door open a little and turned a fan on to waft the fragrance of baking bread through our sanctuary. Afterward a number of people made comments that it was really effective in causing them hunger pains. 

As to whether I made the proper theological connections and applications, you can judge for yourself here. But I wanted to highlight a song that captures the crux of John 6. Though it's not about 'bread', this Tomlin classic does extol the truth that Jesus is more than enough for all our wants and needs. He provides and gives us life. He is more awesome than we can even know.

To anti-refugee Christians

It is disheartening to hear of our President's Executive Order banning refugees and citizens from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. 

Disheartening but not surprising, since this is essentially what he's promised from the early days of his campaign. 

Disheartening but not surprising that the seven nations listed do not include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Turkey - all nations where Trump has business interests. 

But this post is not about bashing our President. Out of respect for God's Word and the Office itself, I will pray for him and his administration. 


No, this post is about those anti-refugee American Christians that support this measure. There is no biblical reason and very few practical reasons to view this as a good thing.

Let's start with the practical first - and I'm going to keep this short and sweet:

To anti-refugee American Christians, you are safe. 
Research shows that crime rates do not proportionally rise when we welcome in these refugees. You have a 1-in-3.64 BILLION chance of being murdered by a refugee. These are people who are thoroughly screened by multiple government security organizations. It is irrational and illogical to support this ban when people need our help.

Now for the biblical argument against supporting this Order.

It is a consistent biblical theme, that God expects His people to welcome the "alien and stranger" among them and treat them well.
No matter the covenant, age, or circumstance, God is consistent on this point - see Deuteronomy 10:17-20, Isaiah 14:1-3, Ezekiel 22:29, Jeremiah 22:3, Malachi 3:5, Matthew 25:35, Hebrews 13:2.  

One of the most powerful passages that highlights caring for refugees is Jesus story of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. It's a story many learn from childhood because it's such a great example of love no matter your (or their) political or religious background.

And let me make one more philosophical-yet-biblical point:

This is an incredible opportunity to spread the Gospel of Jesus!

These people are fleeing closed, hostile-to-the-Gospel nations and seeking asylum with us. 

For decades and even centuries, missionaries have tried to advance the Kingdom of Christ and share the Gospel even in the face of persecution. It has been hard work and lives have been lost so that the Truth could set people free. Underground churches have formed and disciples have been made under great duress. I have been to one such place. It is inspiring to see people be faithful to Jesus despite the dangers. But while the Gospel has spread, these nations have continued to remain spiritually oppressive and antagonistic towards Christianity. It makes Gospel work very difficult.

But now Muslims from these restrictive areas are seeking to come to our nation where we can freely and openly share with them the hope of Jesus?  Are you kidding me? 

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY!!!

If it seems like I'm shouting, that's because I am. 

Let's not let this chance go to waste. Let's invite as many in (through the proper channels of course) - and let's as the Church, mobilize to reach out to these needy people. Let's help them with their practical and their spiritual needs.

Let's not give in to irrational fear, but let's seize upon this as an opportunity God is putting in our laps to advance the cause of Christ.

As the people of God, let's make our voices heard that we do not support this ban or any other measure that would similarly needlessly hinder people from entering our country.

Music Mondays

My wife had borrowed one of my old CD's and it was playing when I borrowed her vehicle over the weekend. It was a little known CCM band called Shaded Red. Their first album was a classic - in fact, outside of dc Talk, it is the perfect example of my musical tastes during the late 90's.
Anyway, that original album prompted me to buy their next (and only) label-produced album, Red Revolution.

I hadn't listened to it in years til my wife had, but it's most noteworthy song struck a chord with me listening to it again.

"When God Ran" is a worshipful retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son. It's actually a cover of an older hit by Benny Hester. Phillips, Craig, and Dean have also covered it, reintroducing it to a much larger fan base.

But here's the version I've come to love with a video behind it portraying the story itself:

Music Mondays

I have to give props to our Worship Team for this week's selection. I was totally unaware of this song but our worship leader found it and included it in our service yesterday. 

We were exploring Jesus' miracle of changing water into wine in John 2:1-11 and this song and the video it's paired with does a good job describing and portraying this amazing event. I especially like how the song points to the greater significance of Jesus' actions in Cana. It wasn't merely about water and wine, nor was it only about preventing a wedding from turning into a disaster. Jesus was symbolically bringing light to darkness and life to what is dead - that is something to really celebrate.

Music Mondays

The New Year holiday brings two specific words to my mind:

Optimism.
Commitment.

Optimism seems prevalent because we as people are eager to move beyond our past - with it's failures and disappointments - towards a hopeful future filled with endless possibilities. 

Commitment is a natural theme for many at the beginning of a new calendar year as well. We resolutely determine to make changes to our routines, our diets, our relationships, our goals. We hope to start over and really see improvement in these areas as we flex our will power.

As I mulled over those concepts and thought about giving them a soundtrack, one song stood out.

There is plenty of music out there, both 'sacred' and 'secular' that could exemplify the start of a new year. This one gets my vote because it underscores the ultimate reason I believe we have to embrace optimism and the challenges of commitment.

And with the uncertainties of this world, it is spiritually healthy to remember - "Who can stop the Lord Almighty?"