Really?

I’ve been diving into this atheism vs. theism debate again as of late. This time I’ve had some real personal success. It bears mentioning that you hardly ever enter into this debate and change another person’s mind. That doesn’t happen over night.  And this definitely was not the case in my endeavors.

But you know, it’s really pushed me into further introspection and study of the world, the way it works, and my Almighty God.

One thing really struck me, though. There are people out there who have the pure audacity to say, “There is no God.”

This baffles me… and not because I can’t see it any other way. I’m very familiar with the atheistic worldview. I have several friends who have taken that route, and I’ve debated with them these issues time and time again. I’ve entered the mindset and tried to see the logic.

There is some. Sure there is. As a matter of fact, that’s all atheism is – a pure reliance on logic, and logic alone. If it is not logical, then it is not possible. It is delusional. (that’s the viewpoint)

But there are problems here. Logic is ever evolving. Logic in and of itself really has to precede human perception, because as humans observe the universe and it’s laws, it is only when we discover the cause of what we do not understand that we can claim it is a logical development.

In other words, discovery brings understanding to what was before a mystery (no kidding, right?). Discovery allows our logic to expand.

But the question is, will it ever end?  Do we truly think we are ever going to fully grasp or understand the erratic behavior of so many subatomic particles?  Is there any way to know how some can “bleed” from one dimension into the next, or go from point A to point B without traveling the distance in between?

This is all micro-level stuff.  What about macro-level?  Our universe is currently expanding, and at a blinding speed.

Question:  expanding into what?  What “space” or other dimensional construct exists that can contain such an expansion?  From a scientific viewpoint, there are theories.

But there will always and forever be theories.  Postulations, efforts to understand what is currently a mystery.  There is a wall out there, the likes of which we cannot scale.  Whether that wall is our current state of rationale and research, or whether it is literally the outer wall of a cosmic container in the hands of God – that is the question modern science has to ask.

We are free to draw our own conclusions.  Atheists will say the former, and theists most likely the latter.

The audacity comes when an individual who knows naught of what lies beyond (as none of us do) claims, “there is no God.”  That is folly – stating as fact what can only now be called a theory.

This is when I ask, “Really?”

We, the theists?  If we have truly reviewed the evidence, we can honestly say that our review has led us to a belief in God.  We believe that before everything, outside and inside of everything, and after everything-

Is God.

Is this such a bad thing?

http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/ifyoucanreadthis.htm

Grace and Peace.  -jc

Which “Hell” is Worse?

When you follow ancient teachings – like those of the Judaic lineage, or like the teachings of Jesus – you find out just how much discussion has gone on…  and for just how long.  You find out your questions are never anything unique from those that your forefathers have already asked.  It’s an honor, really.  It also sets a much safer stage for deep study and…  well, questioning.

The question that’s been on my mind most lately is about Hell.

I have some legitimate questions about its nature, and about what kind of “hell” the bible is talking about in the scriptures.  Interestingly enough, the first time any other word than “Sheol” is used to describe hell (Sheol being an actual geographic location – a cave with an evil reputation, to be exact) is in the New Testament.

So until the gospels, hell – or what we currently think of when we hear the word – was something people could point out.  They could walk to it.  You didn’t want to go there, because pagan rituals were performed on the cave’s surface in honor of gods other than the one True God, Yahweh…  and those rituals were disgusting.  Evil.  Folks even believed that evil spirits came in and out of the cave.

So we have Old Testament authors talking about being delivered from Sheol and its “power”.

What does that mean?  Are the authors legitimizing the cave as a “Netherworld” of sorts, or are they speaking more of – brace yourselves – human evils?

There’s a reason I ask that question.  I think it’s safe to say there is a hell across the pond called “Darfur”.  There’s another called “The Redlight District”, and another called “Uganda”.  Another in the ganglands of the cities surrounding us.

Another here.

And another there.

Could it be that the church has focused so much on the eternal destiny of mankind that it has overlooked humanity’s earthly plight?

But here’s the good part…  Heaven is also here.  And there.  This little blog could have easily been called “Which Heaven is Better?”, but it just didn’t quite have the same jarring ring to it that probably grabbed your attention, and brought you here to share your thoughts.  Headlines are everything, right?

Heaven.  Is.  Here.  Under the lordship of Christ, we are seated in the heavenlies.  Right now.  The kingdom of God is at hand.

So now we have a legitimate reason for our emphatic activism:  to give ‘em heaven.  Go to the hells of the world, and take them by storm with all of heaven’s glory and mercy behind you.  We can’t be overwhelmed by the present suffering of the world.  We need to be overwhelmed by Christ’s love, which drives us to bring others into it.  This story ends in victory.  God will see to it.  So what are you afraid of?

Give ‘em heaven.    -jc

For Thee

I’ve written another song that we’ll be using in our worship this coming Sunday.   It’s called “For Thee”.  There’s a really basic melody to it, and the lyrics are really simple.   It’s kind of like a mix between a folk song and a pop song.  Here are the lyrics:

Holy Spirit, Light from Heaven
Settle down on me
Liken me to trees near water
Bearing fruit for thee

All I am and all I’ll be
Is evermore for thee
All I am and all I’ll be
Is evermore for thee

Dearest Father, slow to anger
Love which knows no bounds
Man awakes each passing morning and
Your mercy’s all around

All I am and all I’ll be
Is evermore for thee
All I am and all I’ll be
Is evermore for thee

It’s just a sweet, simple tune.  Thanks for stopping by and giving it a read.

Grace and Peace.  -jc

Modern Worship Guitar Lessons?

I want to take a poll:

If you wanted to play guitar in a church worship band, but were constantly frustrated by “not getting it quite right” – you know, not quite nailing the tone, or the delay, or whatever…

Would you be interested in subscribing to an online video archive, with in-depth, song specific tutorial videos on how to get it “right”?  Do you think it would help your playing?

Please comment below. I’d be interested to see the results.

-jc

Practical Preaching

 

Isaiah 61     1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,         because the LORD has anointed me          to preach good news to the poor.         He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,         to proclaim freedom for the captives         and release from darkness for the prisoners,  2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor         and the day of vengeance of our God,         to comfort all who mourn,  3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—         to bestow on them a crown of beauty         instead of ashes,         the oil of gladness         instead of mourning,         and a garment of praise         instead of a spirit of despair.         They will be called oaks of righteousness,         a planting of the LORD         for the display of his splendor.  4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins         and restore the places long devastated;         they will renew the ruined cities         that have been devastated for generations.

~

We all know there is some serious truth in most cliches, right?  

But man, do I hate ‘em.  I’m not going to lie – they give me that icky, corny feeling.  Like there is a lack of intelligence that caused an individual to recycle old, tired “jargon”, if you will.  Like it’s the brain’s most lazy track or rut of “association” (i.e. “this immediately reminds me of that”; and rusty old cliches are vomited quickly from the mouth).

Therefore, I typically try to stay away from cliches.  And unfortunately, I think it’s robbing me a little bit.  Yeah.  My fear of sappiness can definitely keep me from learning some important lessons.  

Let’s take this one, for example:  “Practice what you preach.”

It’s interesting…  I was at Passion City Church this past Sunday night at the Tabernacle (http://www.passioncitychurch.com), and Louie Giglio – the pastor – brought up the scripture I placed at the top of this post.  His main assertion that he drew for the audience was about bringing God’s love to “the broken-hearted”, “the captive”, and “all who mourn”.  And he made it clear that the application was “practical”…  not just idealism.

So I started thinking about this word “preach”.  It makes what I find to be a very interesting appearance in the very first part of the very first verse of the passage (as it does in many translations):  “to preach good news to the poor”.

If I walk by a poor man and tell him, “I’ll be praying for you – God is good”, does he believe me?  It may be “good news”, but he probably won’t buy it.  So are my words preaching to that man – to “the poor” that God’s affection surrounds in the bible?  Again, I’m thinking no.

But if I sit with him a while and talk with him, find out if he’s hungry, meet that very immediate need, and then see what other needs I can meet for him, surrounding him with my affections…  then is he more likely to believe me when I tell him, “God is good”?  Yeah – that’s “good news”.  So my words weren’t really  preaching…  at least by themselves.

But my actions are.  I’d venture to say they can nearly stand alone as “preaching the gospel”.

To me, the word “preach” is losing more and more of it’s vocal meaning, and gaining tons of significance in the area of “practice”.  I don’t think “practicing” and “preaching” are two separate things.  I think it’s fair to say they are the same.

Now, am I going to just do all kinds of wonderful things for people and never tell them that it’s the love of Christ that compels me to do so?  Are you nuts?!

But let’s just say I didn’t ever say a word.  Who’s more likely to find hope?  The man I “wordlessly” treat with love and care as human being, or the man to whom I toss a few words about the bible?

Hmmm.

 

Grace and Peace.  -jc

Inspiration

I have something I just need to blurt out real quick.  Ready?

…

…

…  I’M FEELIN’ SOME INSPIRATION ! ! !

As an artist, this is something you can’t really plan.  You can’t arrange your schedule around inspiration – you just have to roll with it when it hits.  And for me, it hits hard.

This may be true of inspiration in other venues besides art, so maybe my simple little words will find you well today.  I tend to think of it as our Father in heaven leaning down and quietly sharing some new secrets and truths with us.  So, I’m gonna listen!

I’ll post the results…  if in fact there are any.  I’m thinking it’s going to be another song.

Grace and Peace, Friends.   -jc

The Month of Dismember… er, December.

I have disappeared. There have been a handful of people who have seen me… And I’m not sure I had my best foot forward even in those few instances.

I promised something of substance when the December dust cloud settled (and yes – this month is now affectionately known as “Dismember” in my odd little world). So without further ado, I give you…

Substance!

I reunited with my firstborn son last week.  Has he been gone?  No.  Have I been out of town?  No.

But it sure has felt like one of those scenarios was true.

I looked at him as he ate his nuggets.  And I couldn’t stop looking.  Truly, his youth and innocence flooded me all at once.  I found so much joy in his little profile, as his 4 year old jawbone moved up and down in amateur cycles.  There was no hint of self-doubt or of an effort to look cool on his part.  A little food on his chin.  Distant stares, as he daydreamed.  His childhood intrigued and overwhelmed me, in the most wonderful way.

I explained to him that I’ve loved him his whole life.  That all I could do as I looked upon his tiny frame when he entered the world – all I could do was cry in the most profound joy I’ve ever experienced on earth.  That his life and health and happiness meant so much to me.

I am a major weeper, I must say.  But what do you expect?  I’m an artistic personality, and I deeply love my son (and we haven’t even talked about my other little boy – or my wife, for that matter!).

I think my mom described it best, and it was in one word.  When I tried – through blubbering sobs and incoherent, inadequate verbage – to describe my love for this child a week or so after he was born, this is how she described the love a parent has for a child.

Fierce.

And that is precisely what it is.  It is written into the code of humanity.  The cement bonds that are instantly formed between two strangers – one parent, the other child – just do not relent.  They are primitive in the most animalistic and instinctual way, and yet utterly complex – even divine.  Only a human being created by the Father above could experience both instinct and divinity in their fullest dimensions.  And boy, do we.

So fellow bloggers and blog readers, here’s to God’s grace; that in parenthood, we are exposed to another transfinite dimension of God’s love for us.

And as always, I weep.

Grace and Peace.  -jc

Swamp

Friends, I’ve been up to my knees in a recording.  My spare time has been very, very limited.  Therefore, I feel I really need to apologize for the lack of posts lately.  It’s been tough, because I really enjoy “keeping in touch” with you guys this way.

The Christmas album will be released at West Ridge soon.  The end is in sight.  I promise to post something of substance soon enough.

Grace and Peace.  jc

Crazy Things

You’ve all been watching the news…

?

What’s up?  What’s going on out there?  Why should we be so surprised that money – and as some would say, America – has failed us?  Money is not God, and America is not God…  so why’ve we put so much faith in these two things?  We cannot serve God and money.  We cannot serve God and America.  We cannot have two masters.

There’s an important distinction to make here – we can offer our services to God and to the people of any country, but we cannot serve a country.

But really, I’ve started to wonder a bit…  are money and country really just ideas more than they are tangible nouns?  Are we freaking out about things that are figments of our collective imagination?  Sure we’ve set up institutions and budgets and governments to make sure these ideas stay firmly in place, and those things are real.  I can hold money in my hand, and if I spend too much – well, I run out.  Likewise, if I go too far South, I’ll be in a place called Mexico – and without making the proper arrangements for my little getaway, I may get thrown in a very real place called jail.  So yes, it’s a fact that we have money and we have country.

But I think we invented them.  And I don’t believe they came from the purest of intentions, either.

Who out there also believes our borders are artificial?  Can I get an amen?

Isolating ourselves from each other is not in line with God’s dream.  If you fly in a space shuttle up into the orbit of our beautiful earth, you won’t see all kinds of multicolored lines on our land separating counties, cities, states, provinces, and countries like you do in our atlas.  Just vast expanses of rolling green and brown terrain, and deep blue ocean.

And money doesn’t do you much good when no one owns land…  because what can we really “own” anyway?  Who does it all belong to?

Just food for thought.

 

Grace and Peace.  -jc

Christmas in September

“The love we’ve found,

The love we’ve found,

We carry with us,

So we’re never quite alone.”

—

Beautiful lyrics, right?  Too bad they’re from the Muppet Christmas Carol.  That’s right…  pieces of felt worn on the hand, shaped by Jim Henson’s “creature shop” into the likenesses of animals and cartoonish characters – they somehow harmoniously “sang” this song to end a movie that holds such a dear place in my heart, it’s really hard to describe.

And luckily, friends, I have the esteemed privilege of experiencing Christmas for the last three or four months of my year.  With a Christmas album to produce, and a Christmas-theme dinner theater (”Dinner in December” at West Ridge Church) to plan, I’m up to my knees in Christmas cheer…  and it’s only September.

I must say, I’m catching a little glimpse of what we always hear major recording artists saying on their infomercials when they’re promoting their X-mas albums:  ”These songs are so near to my heart, and were such a joy to record.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  Merry Christmas, and God Bless.”

*Cue deep-voiced-announcer-guy, and yellow-font song titles that appear in succession*

Whereas before I dismissed such hubbub as quickly as the Chia-Pet infomercial to follow, I’ve got to tell you…  even though it’s a cheesy little cliche that will sell a ton of albums, it’s also very true.  Maybe I judged ole’ Vince Gill a little too harshly.  I will say, however, that mullet did him no justice on the album cover of “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”  But I’ll cut him a break…  that was 15 years ago.

You have no idea how deeply these songs have impacted you until you begin to rearrange them, recording them with a little bit of your own personal spin.  They just fall right out of you, truly.  And the feelings they conjure are just incredible.  You feel like you’re 6 years old again, which in my case was almost 20 years ago.  More for some of you, less for others.  Regardless, I think all of us can clearly identify this specific feeling.

I’m celebrating it.  I thank God that all my yearly celebrations of Jesus’ birth have carved out such a deep, wonderful place in my heart and in my spirit.  How appropriate.

So I’ve gone ahead and whooped out the egg-nog.

 

-jc