"And", not "But"

I remember when I first went to a Passion conference and heard Louie Giglio speak (for those of you who don't know what Passion, it's a conference/music movement with worship greats David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman). Mr. Giglio said, "I used to think that Jesus died upon the cross for me. I used to think that when Jesus was up on the cross, that he was just thinking about me. I was taught that he was probably whispering my name as he hung from the cross, and one of his first words as a baby might have been Louie..."
And then Louie did something that makes sermons exciting. He used the word "But". He had set everyone in the room up with a thought with which they were all familiar. And then he uses "but" to indicate that there is a better, more exciting thought that will superseded everything he just said. He went on to say, "But then I realized that Jesus died for the glory of the God. Jesus' death was not about me. It was about God." True, all true.
However, I spent the next year or so scowling whenever a preacher would talk about Jesus dying on the cross for me. And it wasn't until somebody quoted Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," that I realized that the first part of Louie's sermon was still true. Louie's new revelation about Jesus' death didn't have to cancel out another truth. It could have just added to it.
I think it's important that when we speak, that we use the word "and" to describe new bits of thought or revelation instead of "but". That way we can include what we learned before as we embrace a potentially new or shocking idea. During the next few blogs, I will be exploring various places where people have used the word "but" instead of "and". Hopefully in the process, I can use the word "and" instead of "but" to express my ideas.

Why I Don't Like the Word Platform

Some of you may not be familiar with the the word "platform" as it is used by missioners all over the world. The basic idea is that you go into a country where you are not allowed to be a missionary, and so you do something else to get a visa so that you can be in the country and tell people about Christ. On the surface, it seems like a good idea. However, there are many people who are only concerned with the proclamation of the gospel, and consider whatever work they are doing for their visa as a side-job... hence, it is a platform for the "real" reason that they are living in the country.
I would advocate for a different mindset when doing work overseas. Generally, countries are open to organizations coming in and doing legitimate work that benefits their society. These kind of activities are inseparable from Jesus' command to spread the good news of the kingdom. Doing good community work, or working with integrity in the business world, or establishing a solid NGO are all part of the heart of God. We begin to see our work as less of a platform and having worth in and of itself. In the midst of these environments, we build relationships, and the share our faith.
I say we get rid of the word "platform" and have a more healthy understanding of the wholistic nature of our faith.

Shane Claiborne - the Simple Way

I went to listen to Shane Claiborne tonight at Bel Air Pres. I was impressed by his calling to live in community and to give our lives to the poor. He heads up a community called "The Simple Way" in Philadelphia. The only challenge is that he seemed to romanticize working with the poor. I work with the poor daily, and I have been cussed out, verbally abused, manipulated, and cursed by many, many people. Some days are rewarding, but other days are just like any other profession or lifestyle... mundane. And to top it off, I came home tonight to a wife distraught by one of her abusive clients. Being involved in the lives of the poor is clearly the calling of Christ in our lives, but I fear that people might gravitate towards it to get some kind of reward or some kind of good feeling. When Jesus encouraged us to have a banquet, he said that we should invite those who could never pay us back. Unfortunately, when we throw big banquets for the homeless, we expect a "thank you" and a good feeling, and maybe even a picture for the church website. All of the above might happen, but we must make sure that our calling to the poor is truly for the sake of others, and not an attempt to pat ourselves on the back for our seeming charity.