Wisdom isn't like Technology

I've noticed through the years that the cliche "energy and growth comes from youth" seems to hold true with churches just as with other organizations, and it seems like popular religion has learned this. Everything is "youth driven". Churches have learned that if the kids want to go to your church, the parents will bring them. That is how to grow a church, appeal to the youth. The paradigm seems to be "Whatever it takes to get young people is what we need to do". Be that a room full of X-box stations, concerts instead of worship, or our own branded coffee house ["He-Brews Coffee House" ---really???].
Now, I've got nothing against a good cup of coffee at the church building, and I really don't think the motive that drives these churches is bad, but I do believe the consequences are. Yes, the churches grow, yes, they fill huge stadiums with eager disciples, but at what cost? Churches are becoming so "seeker sensitive" that they have become "savior insensitive". The driving purpose is "What do kids want" not "What does God want". Do you think that by being so successful at exposing the young people of our society to this weakened, entertainment based, youth centered, stylized version of Christianity, these churches are doing the spiritual equivilent of inoculating them against true, God centered, love God and Others, Biblical Christianity? I don't know, but I wonder.

This brings me to my main thought for this post. With technology we can stand on the shoulders of the generations before us; thus we aren't starting at the same place our parents or grandparents did. Once someone invents the wheel, it's a much smaller step to put it on everything from cars to suitcases. Wisdom is different. With Wisdom, we each start at the same place. You don't get to begin your life with the wisdom that experience begets. The flip-side of the cliche I began with is that "wisdom and stability come from age". I think that's one reason God designed the church to be lead/guided by elders, not youngsters. There are only two ways young people get wisdom. One is by living, which takes a long time but is very effective. The other is by listening to, and being guided by, older people. Is your church guided by the whims and trends of young people? Or the wisdom of elders? Obviously I'm not advocating a "sink or swim" mentality toward our youth. They do need attention, they just don't need to be guiding the ship.

PS. The obvious irony here is that I'm learning this in 'middle age' as I become an 'elder', not a younger...

A Secret Is A Terrible Thing

I want to warn you about one of Satan's favorite schemes...secrets. A secret is a terrible thing...especially when the secret is your own sin.When you hide a sin, keeping it "just your little secret", what you are doing, unintentionally no doubt, is allowing Satan leverage over you. He can, and will, use that "dirty little secret" against you. "But it's just between me and God", "I'll never do it again", "It was so long ago". Sadly, all you're rationalizing won't change that. A secret sin is the equivalent of allowing Satan to put a handle in the middle of your back. Every time you try to stand up spiritually, Satan will use that sin against you. He will black-mail you. Interestingly, the name 'Satan' means 'accuser', and he is a specialist at that. "Just who do you think you are?", "You're not much of a Christian!", "If people find out what you've done, your public humiliation will destroy you", "How can you be so arrogant to confront them about their sin, considering what you've done?"
So what is the best way to get rid of a black-mailer? Pay him? That's usually the first thing we try isn't it? But you've seen the movie, he's never satisfied, he always wants more and more, the payments never end. So, what can be done to get rid of a black-mailer? Well, obviously, get rid of the secret, confess it, expose it. When you do that, he has no more leverage over you.That, I believe, is one reason God tells us over and over to confess our sins. Once you do, Satan cannot use your secret against you anymore. Do you have a secret sin? Find a godly brother/sister in the Lord who will give you righteous counsel and get that handle off your back!

He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.Proverbs 28:13

Common Sense Schemes

We had a sermon at church a couple of weeks back about Satan the Schemer. Above was the title slide from the Powerpoint. Spooky eh? Wow, I mean, if Satan and his schemes are that evil and frightening, why would any of us mess with him?

That got me to thinking. The truth is that (almost) no-one would mess with an evil demon if it was an obviously evil giant, and looked this scary, Red with wings & horns, etc. But what if Satan might look more like this...

Would you be more likely to let him into your house? Would you listen to what he had to say? Would he be welcome at your dinner table? Listen to what the Apostle Paul said:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

And just like Satan himself, his schemes often don't seem evil, they just seem like common sense. Exact revenge...if you let them get away with it, they'll just do it again, either to you or someone else. That just makes good common sense right?

You gotta look out for ole number one. If you aren't cheating you're not trying. Who in their right mind would report cash on their income tax statement? I mean, c'mon, their bleeding us dry as it is. We're two consenting adults, it's nobody's business how I live my life! I Just want to be happy, doesn't God want me to be happy? Oh, so you think you're perfect? Don't you judge me! It's my body, I should be able to choose to do whatever I wants with it. It just wasn't a good time to have children. We don't need a piece of paper to legitimize our love...

You've heard 'em, probably even said 'em. We can still be friends, and the kids can go to his place every weekend, it's better than us fighting all the time. I just want my children to be happy, spanking a child just teaches them to be violent. Drink responsibly. You've got to vent you frustrations, let them out, you'll be much happier if you do. It's a disease, not a sin, there is nothing I can do about it, it's not my fault...

Now, I'm not saying that everything that seems to be common sense is a scheme of Satan, but we need to be aware. Satan is far too crafty to walk up and say "Psst, hey, look at this, it will destroy your home, devastate your children, ruin your career, steal your health, then you get to go to Hell for all eternity...All it will cost you is everything!

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death
Proverbs 14:12