Craig Ferguson (Yes, really)

I am a pastor primarily to young people, a.k.a teenagers.  Over the years I've realized that my goal in ministry isn't to make teens into godly teens.  My goal and purpose is to train and prepare them to be godly adults, into people who are assets to the kingdom of God and to whatever church they belong to when they "grow up."   But it's really, really hard.  

And this is not a slam on the young people I work with and love.  The simple fact is that there exist some very energetic cultural tides that want to sweep young people out into the sea of stupidity.  Seriously.  "Youth" has its advantages, but I know that, given the choice, I would NOT want to return to "teenagedom".  Especially not 19 - that was perhaps the apex of my stupidity.

At any rate, I offer the video below in which Craig Ferguson (actor, comedian, host of the Late Late Show) offers some amazingly insightful thoughts about youth vs. experience.  Please watch but be warned that you'll hear a bit of rough language and the worst bit (right at the end) is dubbed out.  What Mr. Ferguson has to say is not meant to edify you, but merely to bring to light some very real facts about the world we live in, and to reveal the challenges we face in ministry and the priority of Gospel-centered teaching.




If you care to, you can watch another Craig Ferguson monologue here that I found intriguing, heartfelt and honest.  A few believers I know (self included) could stand to be this transparent. Caveats: Craig Ferguson is not a preacher - don't expect it - he will cuss - he might offend - his perspective is from an (as yet) unredeemed heart. But there is wisdom to be had here.

Thomas From Kempen

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis has been one of the most important books in my spiritual formation.  A whole bunch of years ago I adapted some of Thomas' words and put them to music.  For now we'll skip the music, but here are the words that express the believer's utter dependence on God:

Lord there can be no goodness in us if You withdraw Yourself.
No wisdom can benefit us if You cease to guide.
No strength can preserve us if You no longer defend.
No purity can be secure if You do not guard it.

No watchfulness of our own can protect us,
if You don't keep watch.
If You abandon us, we are soon lost.

But if You come to us with Your grace,
we're lifted up to live again.

We are weak but You make us strong,
we are cold and dull but by You, we are set ablaze.

Try Kye Kye

No, it's not food like couscous or quinoa, it's a band whose members are originally from Estonia.  Their music may not be your cup of tea (rhythmic, folksy electronica) but I love it.  Their lyrics don't always follow the typical patterns and cadences that we're used to this far west (Blindside, hailing from Sweden, is the same way) which makes things fresh and interesting. 
Studio version of "Broke" (lyrics are posted at the bottom of the page):



Now a live, more acoustic-y version of "Broke":
 


The Kye Kye remix of a Josh Garrels tune called "Rise":



Lyrics to Broke :

I broke in the silence
to repeat what I've done in the past won't change me (Phil.3:3-11)
I broke when you told me I could try all the time
but my ways won't change me (Eph.2:8-9)(Gal.3:1-3)(Ro.3:20-22)

We tried this, but we failed
we know this but we're too blind to see (1Cor.2:14) (2Tim.3:7)
that there is freedom within me (Col.1:27) (Ro.6:4) .
your life brought light for all to see (Jon.12:46) (Mrk.4:11)

When I was lost so I, so I thought that I was searching all alone
like I was lost so I didn't know (Gal.4:1)
what I was keeping all along (Col.1:27) (Ro.8:11)

I knew from the moment my mistakes all stood out
your light's my only safety (Ro.10:3-13)
oh all the times that I didn't look your way (Mat.13:22)
look what I was missing lord you fill in every space
that I replaced instead of you (Eze.36:26-27)

Revived us, we will sing (Eph.2:4-6)
restored us, you are the source to breathe (Jon.4:14)
ignite us to a need to bury everything I never want to be (Ro.8:13-14)

I broke in the silence
to repeat what I've done in the past won't change me (Phil.3:3-11)
I broke when you told me I could try all the time
but my ways won't change me (Eph.2:8-9)(Gal.3:1-3)(Ro.3:20-22)

Revived us, we will sing (Eph.2:4-6)
restored us, you are the source to breath (Jon.4:14)
ignite us to a need to bury everything I never want to be (Ro.8:13-14)

No Question About My Birth Certificate

I don't plan on running for President (too busy), but in case I ever did, my birth records clearly indicate that I'm a Kansan by birth.  And if anyone wants to know about my spiritual heritage, my birth certificate plainly states that I was born in Zion.  Sinclair Ferguson explains:

It is interesting to notice that Paul speaks of believers as having 'the firstfruits of the Spirit (Rom. 8:23).  He does not mean that we have only part (the first part) of the Spirit, but that the Spirit himself is the firstfruits of our inheritance.  The word he uses (aparche') was also used to describe the birth certificate of a free man!  Perhaps this nuance was present in Paul's mind here, too, in a passage that is dealing so much with the concept of the believer as a son of God, adopted into his family.  So, the Spirit serves as our 'birth certificate', actively engaging in our lives to assure us that we belong to the Father!  - Excerpted from Children Of The Living God.

We Are Vitally Connected

So last night in the middle of my workout in my cold garage I pulled my left hamstring.  That's a large piece of meat to injure, and today my whole body feels slightly out of whack as I hobble around compensating for the pain in my leg.  

Also last night I read what Dietrich Bonhoeffer had to say about the "connectedness" of believers:

"Every act of self-control of the Christian is also a service to the fellowship.  On the other hand, there is no sin in thought, word, or deed, no matter how personal or secret, that does not inflict injury upon the whole fellowship.  An element of sickness gets into the body; perhaps nobody knows where it comes from or in what member it has lodge, but the body is infected.  This is the proper metaphor for the Christian community."   Excerpted from Life Together

Scandalous

"Those who draw really close to Jesus think of themselves, first and foremost, as those loved by him rather than as those who profess their love for him."

  
~ D.A. Carson, Scandalous (emphases added)

Christ: Hated, Murdered, Victorious!

1 Samuel 18.  Psychotic, tormented, lame duck King Saul is phobic and full of hate about young David, who has risen swiftly in the military ranks and the hearts of the people of Israel.  Saul yearns to kill David and tries to do so both covertly (sending him into heated battle) and overtly (sending spears his way).  Eventually, though, David would rise to reign as shepherd over Israel and Saul would perish and be forgotten.

In the same way, centuries later, sinful men driven by the spirit of evil, raged against the Messiah and not only tried but succeeded (by God’s own decree and purpose!) in killing Him, but as in all cases in which the Lord Jesus goes to battle, He was completely victorious and unstoppable.  As David son of Jesse rose to Kingship in Israel, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God rose from the grave to snatch victory from the jaws of hell and become the one King before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess!