what’s Easter about?

The Barna Group conducted a survey asking people what they thought the meaning of Easter was. Two-thirds of Americans (67%) indicated that they thought Easter was a religious holiday (which means that one-third of Americans think Easter is not a religious holiday.) The survey found that 42% of Americans identify Jesus’ resurrection as a part of Easter (which means a majority of Americans don’t realize Easter is about Christ’s resurrection.) Interesting.

saints or sinners?

In his book “What’s So Amazing about Grace?” Philip Yancey comes to this candid conclusion: “Having spent time around ‘sinners’ and also around purported saints, I have a hunch why Jesus spent so much time with the former group: I think he preferred their company. Because the sinners were honest about themselves and had no pretense, Jesus could deal with them. In contrast, the saints put on airs, judged him, and sought to catch him in a moral trap. In the end it was the saints, not the sinners, who arrested Jesus.”

unChristian, part 4

Young adults outside the church give the following as the primary reasons they’ve never become Christ-followers: they’ve never thought about it, they’re not particularly interested in spirituality, they’re already committed to another faith, they’re repelled by Christians.

unChristian, part 3

85% of young adults outside the Christian faith believe present day Christianity is hypocritical. Almost 50% of young adults who go to church believe present day Christianity is hypocritical. Why? Born-again believers are just as likely as not-yet-believers to gamble, visit a pornographic website, take something that doesn’t belong to them, consult a medium, physically fight or abuse someone, become drunk, use illegal drugs, lie, try and get back at someone, say mean things behind another person’s back. No difference.

unChristian, part 2

Do you know what percentage of young adults outside the Christian faith have a positive view of evangelical Christians? 3 percent, yes, 3 percent (and the vast majority of these outsiders have been to Christian churches and have heard the message of Christ.) Why so negative? Christians have become famous for what we oppose, rather than what we are for. Only a small percentage of outsiders believe that the labels “respect, love, hope, and trust” describe Christianity. Here are the six most common objections outsiders raise about Christians: 1) hypocritical; 2) too focused on getting converts; 3) antihomosexual; 4) sheltered; 5) too political; 6) judgmental.

unChristian, part 1

I’ve started reading the book “UnChristian.” It’s based on research seeking to learn why increasing numbers of young adults are skeptical of Christianity. Some reasons these “outsiders” are resistant to the Christian faith is that they perceive (1) the church has become infatuated with itself, (2) believers often are blind followers who would rather repeat slogans than actually feel true compassion and care, and (3) Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind.

stats

A recent survey found: Average age—all churches: 53, megachurches: 40. Single adults—all churches: 29%, megachurches: 47%. College degree or higher—all churches: 41%, megachurches: 52%. Attenders reporting growing involvement—all churches: 35%, megachurches: 44%.

hearing God

How do you “hear” God speak to you? It’s a good question. I’ve never heard God audibly say anything to me, but I believe God communicates with me. Now, I don’t think God speaks to all people in the same way. God may speak through dreams, nature, counsel from other people, art, the Bible, music, prayer, serving, and multiple other ways. If you think God may be trying to communicate something major he wants you to do, seek to confirm it before taking the plunge. Talk it over with a spiritual mentor; make sure it’s consistent with the truth of God’s revelation found in Scripture; get feedback from your community of fellow Christ-followers. When you’re pretty certain God wants you to do something—actually do it—obey. If you don’t, why would you think God is going to speak to you anytime soon on any other matter?

“we go to First Baptist Church”

I had one of those “Uh-oh, I think I’m in trouble experiences” in the lobby after worship. A couple came up to me and the first words out of their mouths were “We go to First Baptist Church!” A part of me wanted to respond back just as emphatically “Why aren’t you there then?” but I refrained. I just said “Well, I’m glad you’re here with us at Journey” and I did mean it. Then they said “Our young adult daughter doesn’t like coming to our church, and she’s dating a boy we can’t get to come to our church. We asked around in the community about where we could find where they might go, and we were told Journey. It’s not for us (again said emphatically) but they loved it.” I whispered a silent prayer “Thank you, Jesus.”

what’s the code?

A first time guest in worship came up to me in the theater lobby. She said she really enjoyed the service, but she had a question. She knew I was reading from the Bible when it was shown on the screen, but she didn’t know what “the code” was at the bottom. It dawned on me she was referring to the reference and translation information. I love that people at Journey can honestly ask questions without the slightest concern of being made to feel uncomfortable.

I want

As this year comes to an end and we prepare for the beginning of a new one, I want to adopt the attitude of looking for the good, the beautiful, the holy in all of life. I want to celebrate the beauty of every sunset. I want to marvel at the child who giggles with abandon and savor the joy of it. I want to focus on the good that is in every person, seeing them as the handiwork of God. I want to make the most of every moment, recognizing that life is a gift I do not deserve. I want to experience love and give love. And as best I am able, I want people to see Jesus in me.

memories

For many of us, traveling the path toward spiritual and emotional wholeness requires that we learn to remember our pasts differently. We’ve fallen into the pattern of traversing the same old unhealthy memory ruts again and again. The original wounds may not have been of our doing, but we’re the ones who choose to keep going back to them repeatedly in ways that only perpetuate the hurt. The memories we choose to repetitively relive have a way of not only defining who we were, but also they can come to shape who we are now and who we will become. The good news of the gospel of grace is that we can choose to no longer allow painful memories to dominate our thinking which results in our continuously perceiving ourselves, our relationships, and our world in a negative way. There’s the old saying “forgive and forget,” and I do believe it’s absolutely essential that we forgive, but I’m not sure it’s possible to totally forget, nor do I believe it’s necessarily wise. Though we may not be able to completely forget, we don’t always have to remember, and when we do remember, we can choose to focus on good memories and let them come to define us. And if we have trouble remembering many positive experiences in life, we can intentionally begin to create new and meaningful memories. This Christmas—I wish you new and meaningful memories.