Every now and then I will find myself getting sucked into the hope that there is some kind of simple, magic formula to deal with difficult issues in my life and in my work as a pastor. I love the idea of formulas. You do this and this and this and then . . . this will be your result. Ahh, the wonderful simplicity of that idea. It’s a nice thought, isn’t it?
But, what usually ends up happening is that life comes along and reminds me that the magic formulas don’t typically work the way I thought they would. Even though I’d love to come across some simple formulas, I find, over and over again that the important, substantive issues of this mortal journey don’t seem to fit neatly into the formulas; they require case-specific thinking and they call for lots of time and effort and attention.
Take something like relationships, for example, I have years of training and learning, both academic training and on the job training in relationship issues. I had almost enough hours for a sociology minor in college—sociology involves relational issues. I’ve counseled hundreds of people regarding relationship matters. (Okay, I haven’t done it very well. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I’ve got lots of experience at it.) I’ve been involved in numerous conflict resolution meetings. As a pastor of a church a big part of my life involves trying to encourage relationships, and repair relationships, and foster relationships and help relationships work and coax relationships and pray for relationships.
If there were a magic formula that helped to create and maintain perfect, loving, fulfilling, harmonious relationships, you would think that I would have found it, by now. Wouldn’t you? But I haven’t. In fact, I find that I still, personally make simple, obvious relational mistakes from time to time.
So, I wish there were magic formulas for the big issues of life, but my experience is that there aren’t.
Instead, what I propose, is that we make a commitment to five fundamental concepts that are the basic practices of healthy Christians, and healthy churches—and have been throughout the history of the church—with the acknowledgement that these five fundamentals are not magic formulas, but, rather, lifetime pursuits. We can grow and learn and continue to strive in each one of these areas for the rest of our lives.
The basic idea, here, is to commit to a long distance marathon race rather than searching for the quick fix of a magic formula.
The five purposes are: Worship, Fellowship, Serving, Discipleship, & Evangelism.
If you are a follower of Christ, a good question to ask yourself is this: “Are these purposes part of my life? Am I involved in: Worship, Fellowship, Serving, Discipleship, & Evangelism?”
Every now and then, I get the distinct impression that people want something jazzier than the five basic concepts listed above. That stuff seems a little too ordinary. They are hoping that there might be something else that would feel like a more esoteric “snatch-the-pebble-from-my-hand-Grasshopper” pursuit of deeper spiritual insights and secrets.
When I mention the five purposes—worship, fellowship, serving, discipleship and evangelism—I, occasionally, get a look or a response like this: “Yeah, I already know about those things, but what else?”
I wonder if Jesus got some “Yeah-I-already-know-about-that-but . . . what-else?” kind of looks when he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” But I better abandon that line of thinking, it’s a little too close to pouting.
Here’s a thought: The “what else?” is probably who we encounter and what we encounter on the journey of life as we regularly pursue the five purposes, fully engaged in the obedient life of faith in Christ.
So, Grasshopper, forget the magic formulas and live each moment of life, fully engaged. Live a life of worship (God is worthy), rich fellowship, servanthood, spiritual growth (discipleship) and telling the good news of Jesus (evangelism).
Master Po asked me to pass these helpful thoughts along to you.
Dan Marler
First Church of God
Oak Lawn, IL
http://www.visitusonline.org/
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Review of "Beyond Opinion"
Beyond Opinion, Ravi Zacharias, Author and General Editor, is filled with lots of good, helpful, interesting information, if you are interested in the field of apologetics—and I am. But, I appreciated this book because it does not simply address the same topics that we encounter in all the other books on apologetics. Its fresh approach addresses issues like “Challenges from Youth” and “Challenges from Eastern Religions” and “Conversational Apologetics” and “The Trinity as a Paradigm for Spiritual Transformation” in useful and insightful ways.
Also, the various authors write with an awareness of the fact that although answering questions at an intellectual level is part of the task of apologetics, also, living as an authentic follower of Christ is a key part of the task for one who would be a defender of the faith. Ravi Zacharias addresses that matter in the introduction of the book, writing, “The ultimate calling upon the follower of Christ is to live a life reflecting who he is . . .” Joe Boot reflects that awareness, as well, writing, “few things are more obvious to those engaged in sharing and defending the faith than that the messenger and the method are as important as the message.” This important awareness—that living a genuine life of faith is critical to the apologetic task—seems to come through in the writings of all the authors of the book.
The following chapters were particularly helpful . . .
“Challenges From Islam” by Sam Soloman. What Soloman writes about the Doctrine of Takkiya is quite interesting.
“Broader Cultural and Philosophical Challenges” by Joe Boot. Boot writes, “Our priority in apologetics is not to make the nonbeliever listen to us, but to help the person be ready to listen to God and be taught by him.” That’s a terrific thought.
“The Trinity As A Paradigm For Spiritual Transformation” by L.T. Jeyachandran.
“Book Reviews That Really Excite People” by Dan Marler.
Oh wait, that that last chapter doesn’t exist. But what a thrill, if it did, huh?
A book worth reading.
Dan Marler
Oak Lawn, IL
http://www.visitusonline.org/
Also, the various authors write with an awareness of the fact that although answering questions at an intellectual level is part of the task of apologetics, also, living as an authentic follower of Christ is a key part of the task for one who would be a defender of the faith. Ravi Zacharias addresses that matter in the introduction of the book, writing, “The ultimate calling upon the follower of Christ is to live a life reflecting who he is . . .” Joe Boot reflects that awareness, as well, writing, “few things are more obvious to those engaged in sharing and defending the faith than that the messenger and the method are as important as the message.” This important awareness—that living a genuine life of faith is critical to the apologetic task—seems to come through in the writings of all the authors of the book.
The following chapters were particularly helpful . . .
“Challenges From Islam” by Sam Soloman. What Soloman writes about the Doctrine of Takkiya is quite interesting.
“Broader Cultural and Philosophical Challenges” by Joe Boot. Boot writes, “Our priority in apologetics is not to make the nonbeliever listen to us, but to help the person be ready to listen to God and be taught by him.” That’s a terrific thought.
“The Trinity As A Paradigm For Spiritual Transformation” by L.T. Jeyachandran.
“Book Reviews That Really Excite People” by Dan Marler.
Oh wait, that that last chapter doesn’t exist. But what a thrill, if it did, huh?
A book worth reading.
Dan Marler
Oak Lawn, IL
http://www.visitusonline.org/
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
E-Flash From Dan, Happy New Year 2008
Dear E-Flash Friends;
Happy New Year!!!
Hope your celebration was safe and enjoyable. Mine was relatively low key although we did shoot off some fireworks and attracted a small crowd of neighbors from my sister-in-law's condo group. I tried to take advantage of the gathering to preach a brief sermon, but at that point the group dispersed quickly, muttering unnecessary comments under their breath.
The last book that I read for 2007--I literally finished it last night, just before the fireworks--is titled "The Art of Learning", written by Josh Waitzkin. Josh was an eight time national chess champion in his youth. A child prodigy, Josh was the subject of the book and, later the movie, titled "Searching For Bobby Fischer". Then Josh took up the martial arts, in his late teens, and has won over 20 national championships and several world championship titles. This extraordinary young man has competed at world class levels in two completely different disciplines. That's remarkable.
Although I don't endorse everything that Josh writes in his book, here was one of many thoughts that I found inspiring: "The fact of the matter is that there will be nothing learned from any challenge in which we don't try our hardest. Growth comes at the point of resistance. We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities."
Growth and learning will require effort--serious effort. I want to emphasize this simple but very important point: Growth requires really, really serious EFFORT. For those of us who follow Christ, we know this to be true, don't we? One of my favorite theologians says that grace is opposed to earning but it's not opposed to effort.
We know from the Bible that our progress and growth as Christ followers will require effort and that meeting resistance and continuing on is integral to becoming more like the One we were created to worship and follow and emulate. For example, in Philippians 3:13 & 14, the Apostle Paul writes, "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Effort.
Or consider this passage from Romans 5:3&4, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop ENDURANCE. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." [Emphasis added.]
As Josh pointed out, "Growth comes at the point of resistance."
As we embark on a new year, it is my goal to grow. One of my most important objectives for 2008 is to move forward, to be more like Jesus, to know Him better, to live for Him more honestly and authentically.
If you say, "Man, you've got a long, long way to go, pal!"
My response would be, "You're right. That's why I have to understand the cost and make a commitment to pay the tab."
I hope you are willing to make the commitment to growth and learning, too. We are disciples. Disciples are committed to doing what it takes to become like their master. Let's consider 2008 to be a year of growth and discipleship and learning and maturity. Let's be willing to pay the price and put in the effort. Let's be willing to get up after we fall down and dust ourselves off and keep going.
Let's commit ourselves to keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
What do you say? Come on, together we can do it.
With Love and Affection and With My Sincere Hopes That You Have a Great New Year,
Dan Marler
www.VisitUsOnline.org
*Note: If you would like to receive the E-Flash From Dan directly to your e-mail, send a message to cog111st@aol.com and write: "I'd like to receive the E-Flash".
Happy New Year!!!
Hope your celebration was safe and enjoyable. Mine was relatively low key although we did shoot off some fireworks and attracted a small crowd of neighbors from my sister-in-law's condo group. I tried to take advantage of the gathering to preach a brief sermon, but at that point the group dispersed quickly, muttering unnecessary comments under their breath.
The last book that I read for 2007--I literally finished it last night, just before the fireworks--is titled "The Art of Learning", written by Josh Waitzkin. Josh was an eight time national chess champion in his youth. A child prodigy, Josh was the subject of the book and, later the movie, titled "Searching For Bobby Fischer". Then Josh took up the martial arts, in his late teens, and has won over 20 national championships and several world championship titles. This extraordinary young man has competed at world class levels in two completely different disciplines. That's remarkable.
Although I don't endorse everything that Josh writes in his book, here was one of many thoughts that I found inspiring: "The fact of the matter is that there will be nothing learned from any challenge in which we don't try our hardest. Growth comes at the point of resistance. We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities."
Growth and learning will require effort--serious effort. I want to emphasize this simple but very important point: Growth requires really, really serious EFFORT. For those of us who follow Christ, we know this to be true, don't we? One of my favorite theologians says that grace is opposed to earning but it's not opposed to effort.
We know from the Bible that our progress and growth as Christ followers will require effort and that meeting resistance and continuing on is integral to becoming more like the One we were created to worship and follow and emulate. For example, in Philippians 3:13 & 14, the Apostle Paul writes, "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Effort.
Or consider this passage from Romans 5:3&4, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop ENDURANCE. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." [Emphasis added.]
As Josh pointed out, "Growth comes at the point of resistance."
As we embark on a new year, it is my goal to grow. One of my most important objectives for 2008 is to move forward, to be more like Jesus, to know Him better, to live for Him more honestly and authentically.
If you say, "Man, you've got a long, long way to go, pal!"
My response would be, "You're right. That's why I have to understand the cost and make a commitment to pay the tab."
I hope you are willing to make the commitment to growth and learning, too. We are disciples. Disciples are committed to doing what it takes to become like their master. Let's consider 2008 to be a year of growth and discipleship and learning and maturity. Let's be willing to pay the price and put in the effort. Let's be willing to get up after we fall down and dust ourselves off and keep going.
Let's commit ourselves to keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
What do you say? Come on, together we can do it.
With Love and Affection and With My Sincere Hopes That You Have a Great New Year,
Dan Marler
www.VisitUsOnline.org
*Note: If you would like to receive the E-Flash From Dan directly to your e-mail, send a message to cog111st@aol.com and write: "I'd like to receive the E-Flash".
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