Life with The Swell Guy!

He plays that special note just for the ladies

Stir

So recently one of the rock star Jesus writer/teacher hipster dudes put out a book that has created a stir. The name calling from the right has been ferocious. It's like "Ha, we caught you and now we are going to pound you". The left is claiming this writing is a tactic to sell more books. Who is winning when Christ's followers are intentionally stoning other followers in public? It is embarrassing.

Now, I'll toss a disclaimer in here that I not yet read the book because I am working through other stuff. I'll get to it soon. I can say in the past I have loved the thoughts and incites from this teacher and he has communicated a few biblical truths previously that I have found both profound and life changing. But that is not the point and his name is not the point either. This is not a book review but a comment on how we debate & love one another in the larger community of all who claim to love Jesus. 

One review that I read in the past few days said the book was 90% great, but then devolved into saying that other thoughts were irresponsible and misleading. Wait....90% is bad? How long have we debated theology? How many denominations do we have in the USA? in the world? So are we saying 100% accurate teaching is the standard? Who besides Jesus has ever met this mark?

Is every pastor and leader expected to now be teaching at 100% accuracy & theology? Should our minds and spirits be geared to believe everything said as complete and biblical truth? Hey, give me a spoon now that I don't need to think or work through anything! I guess all of the great books about working through our faith are bogus. I assume if you are any sort of teacher the pressure to be mistake free is overwhelming. 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that any leader should teach irresponsibility, but what I suggesting that it is good and right to stir our thoughts and imaginations. I'm pretty sure Jesus was the exact model when it comes to stirring things up. Didn't Jesus point to a third way when asked questions? Didn't he create a stir by not giving people what they wanted but instead providing more then they would ever need? Didn't Jesus force us to think and use our hearts instead of following a set of rules? Why did he answer questions with questions?

When it comes to leading I believe the heart as well as seeking biblical truth supersedes theological majority. I believe Jesus pointed this out when he did things like call the pharisees a den of vipers (that statement would have not been theologically acceptable to the Jews). I believe that Jesus also pointed this out when he laughed and chided Peter as he stirred Peter towards what he could become, but was not yet. In other words, Peter said a lot of really dumb stuff in the bible after he became a disciple, but he was loved towards greater understanding not chastised for failure to abide in a rigid orthodoxy.

I yearn to be part of a larger community of Christ-followers that embraces conversation that allows us to debate and wrestle with what we believe so that we grow stronger as well as more mature. I look for days then holding up a biblical standard means we are seeking truth in the shadow of Christ's cross rather than it meaning holding up the cross that some other mere human has erected. And I hope for days when Christ's invitation to come follow-up means we are on the path of following without the demand that we all be on the same exact footstep along that path. 

Stirring is OK. Stirring is good. Personally, I believe being unstirred is pretty boring compared to this wild faith that we called to in following Christ.

How about we work towards a 100% heart condition instead of a 100% theological condition? That, my friends, would be something.

Today @ 7:25am

Lord, I believe it's raining all over the world

 It's been a rainy weekend that has lead to a wet Monday here in The South. There is nothing to do other than ease into a great week and think of a sunny tomorrow. Speaking of ease, check out this tune from two masters that eclipses their individual genres. That's smooth.

Friday in Costa Rica - Father & Son

Building memories is not just for young children. Just ask Alan and Steve.

The 9.5 Greatest Movies about Bacon

My buddy Paul put up a post on how to make Bacon Jam. This coming weekend he will host the 2nd. Annual Lander Film Festival. To honor my buddy, Paulie, and for our own general entertainment, I present to you The 9.5 Greatest Movies about Bacon.

1 - Bacon County Line  - A vengeful Southern sheriff is out for bacon

2 - Planes, Trains, and Bacon - John Candy & Steve Martin on an epic quest for bacon

3 - 2001: A Bacon Odyssey - Admit it, we all hear this music in our head every time bacon is served...or when Rick Flair enters the ring.  WOOOOO!!!

4 - An Inconvenient Bacon - Yep, Al Gore is a little chunkier these days

5 - Bacon Runner - Harrison Ford plays a 1940's style cop...living in 2019...chasing bacon

6 - The Good The Bad and The Bacon - "You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who eat bacon. You eat bacon."

7 - It's a Wonderful Bacon - Bacon for Christmas! Bacon for Christmas!

8 - Joe Versus the Bacon - Joe should save himself and enjoy some bacon

9 -  Some Like It Hot - Two guys (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) dolled up as girls, and Marilyn Monroe between them. Eating bacon.

9.5  - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Bacon Thief - "First rule of battle strategy. Don't ever let your opponent distract you...with bacon." 

Thinking about Jesus Music

Back in the day when I was a young Christ-follower I fell in love with Jesus Music. While these days I have no problem grasping, enjoying, and appreciating many flavors of music, as a newly minted believer I was encouraged to turn my back on the world and the natural result was to grab what was out there for the young and hip Jesus crowd. I must not have been alone, because there were a number of groups trying to get a foothold on the national Jesus People music scene.

Before Hillsong. Before Passion. There was a rag tag group of ex-secular-rockers, ex-druggies, ex-dropouts, ex-something-elsers turned on and tuned in to Jesus tunes. These days I am glad they were around. It was a special time of personal & community growth, spectacular ministry, and awesome failure. It was a great ride.

A few randoms bits & comments:

• Can you identify any of these artists and groups?
• Was Keith Green a complete paradox or what?
• No, I will not put Twila, Steven Curtis Chapman, or Scott Wesley Brown on this list. If you need it you are encouraged to look elsewhere. Stryper was too late and Barry McGuire's "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" was not, could not be, and just ain't a rock hit. Give me a break.
• Denine said, "It was special. It was righteous. Now it makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit."
• Man, I really miss LP artwork. There was really something about holding that 12.375 inch square piece of artwork, oh yes I said artwork, in your eager hands. True.

That is it for this post. I went longer then I planned. I hope a few of you identify.

Peace - Zig

Disclaimer: My first date with my wife involved going to a Second Chapter of Acts concert. In fact a number of our dates were either in coffee shops or attending Christian rock concerts. I'm sure it adds to my sentiments. I'll really stop now. There is a tear in my eye.

What did we do on vacation? Oh, we relaxed and hung out...

What story are you telling?

Check out this video. It is worth your time. I also recommend the book. After seeing this video I think I am going to read it again. Yes, it is that good. 

By the way, we had a chance to see Donald Miller speak at the Handlebar in Greenville a while back. He is a great story teller and it was an excellent evening. If you have a chance to see him in person you should do it. 

We are heading for the dock. Home tonight.