Prophetic Musings

11 days and 53 pages of school papers later, I'm ready to get back to posting. Things to look for in the next couple weeks:

•  Dan Edelen has posted several articles in the past few weeks I'm wanting to comment on, including one on Externally and Internally minded Christianity.
• My long awaited (at least by me) article on neo-monasticism will be forthcoming near the middle of next month. It's also the subject of my article for Youth Ministry Exchange.
• The three(?!?!) Take a Stand articles I now owe readers
• Some global warming stuff that I've saved
• And some random stuff...

I'll get back to regular posting in the next couple of days.
 

I read this article today (h/t, DMN Religion Blog)

Christians in Indiana are drawing parallels between spelling champ Elliot Huck, 14, and Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner who refused to compete on Sundays, and whose story is told in the movie Chariots of Fire. Elliot, who advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2005 and 2006, will not compete this year, his last year of eligibility. That's because the Herald-Times, the newspaper sponsoring Bloomington's regional feed-in bee, scheduled the contest on a Sunday.

Elliot, on his own, decided he would not compete: God commands Christians to keep the Sabbath holy, he said. "If I make exceptions to following God's rule, even if it is only once, there will be more exceptions that will follow," he said.

I want to make clear that I'm not making light of his decision or saying he's wrong. He's not wrong, and I applaud him for the stand that he's making. However, this just smacks of legalism to me. Romans 7:6 says "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." We are no longer under the law. God knows that we can't be perfect and he doesn't expect that from us. Collette and I just outright skipped church a couple weeks ago to spend time with our kids. God isn't going to punish us for that I don't think.

Again, I want to say how much admire Elliot though. I can imagine as a eighth grader that it's hard to give up something that you're very good at and that many won't understand your reasoning why.

My second thought? I still owe everyone a Take a Stand article from last weekend. I'll post it this week, or else you'll get two next weekend.  

I'm adapting this from The Responsible Puppet, by way of The Evangelical Outpost. Good stuff

1. I don’t always get to do what God does, you don’t always get to do what Mom or I do.
2. Likewise, you don’t always get to do what your brother/sister does.
3. The only things you kick are balls outside.
4. I believe that you love your doll or stuffed animal, but Daddy only kisses or hugs people.
5. Except for kissing, don’t touch other people’s faces.
6. Unless you are sitting on it or cleaning it, there is never a reason to touch a toilet.
7. Wrestling is Pain. I will try to prevent hospital trip injuries, but do not join in the fray if you’re not willing to handle a skinned elbow or twisted arm.
8. Never ever wake up a sleeping brother or sister unless specifically told to by one of your parents.
9. If you find yourself repeatedly making a loud noise, with your voice or an implement, be aware that it is most likely annoying to someone. Don’t.
10. Do not say anything bad about anybody in our family to someone outside our family.
11. When singing, it is always annoying to everyone else if you intentionally sing faster than everyone else. Don’t.
12. The only thing you should step on is the floor, the ground, or a step stool. (i.e. not books, papers, toys, furniture, or your brother)
13. Don’t say anything bad about food that your Mom has made for you.
    

I need someone who can serve as a mentor. Someone who doesn't mind listening to me ramble on. Someone other than my wife or any other member of my family. Preferably, that someone would have the following qualifications:

• A Christian (non-negotiable)
  
• A member of our church
• A man
• Older than me
• Preferably someone who doesn't have youth in our group, or won't have in the next couple of years
• Must be open-minded to hear what I say and not take it personally
  

Why am I asking for this? Mainly because we're in kind of a rough patch in our lives right now, and it would be nice to have another perspective on it. We're having difficulty understanding why some things are happening right now, though our faith in God is strong.

Any takers? You know how to get in touch with me.

I've been listening to this song over and over, and wanting to learn how to play it as well. That being said, I thought I would share it with you. It's by (who else) Delirious?.

Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready
I know its time for heaven's rain
It's gonna rain

Cause it's living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire

Rain down all around the world we're singing
Rain down can you here the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I'm singing
Rain down rain it down on me.

Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I'm ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands

Do not shut, Do not shut, Do not shut the heavens
But open up, open up, open up our hearts

Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my heart upon your altar
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my feet don’t let me falter

Musically, this is a pretty driving rock song, and would be extremely fun to play if I can get it all figured out. Lyrically I love it. I think that it really speaks to the heart of where I am in my journey right now.

This is a song I wish that we could play in church. The meaning, emotion, and drive behind it exemplify what the modern Christian church needs. We need to open up our hearts and receive the spiritual rain from God. We need Him to pour out his fire into each one of us. Of course, first we have to be willing to be used. God won't just take control of our lives. That's one reason I love this song so much. It's a cry out to God to fill me up with Him, so that I can go out and bring others to Him.

The last bridge of the song is great as well. It reminds me of a book I read for a bible study group last year called "If You Want to Walk On Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat". We're putting our faith in God to keep us above water, and stepping out of the boat. Great stuff.