Randy Wray’s Blog

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to my neighbor (a career Air Force officer) about a wide range of subjects including his service in the military, his assignments, and the neighborhood party we attended the night before. At one point the conversation turned to church and church things. My neighbor began to talk about his frustrations and concerns with his church and his preacher. I just started to smile. I’m thinking, “so this is what it feels like.” For once I was glad to be the listener and not the subject of the conversation!

That being said, My neighbor had some valid points. He talked about the frustration of ministry in this area - specifically the politically correctness and the pushing of political agendas during sermons. I can relate to the political correctness. Two weeks ago I referred to Simon of Cyrene (Cyrene was in North Africa) as an African-American.

Here’s what my neighbor said. “We know the world is in a mess and things are bad. Teach us how to live as people of faith and character.” He went on to talk about those who try to solve the world’s problems without solving their own personal problems. He talked about being wrapped up in “world issues” and neglecting what he called the “neighborhood issues.”

We agreed that Christians learning to be people of faith and character and living as people of faith and character would address the messy issues of their life, their neighborhood and even the world. It seemed to us that the reason for the mess was our neglect to love God with everything and to serve others with everthing. Isn’t that what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Learning to be and living as people of faith and character.

Maybe more of us preachers should spend less time talking to the people and spend more time listening to the people.

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Memorial day weekend is something of an enigma. For many it’s about sleeping in, a family barbecue, serious water sports and spectacular savings. For others it’s a reminder of someone they loved who served on a field of battle or a theater of war.

I’m confused by the mixed messages. What is this day all about?

A four day weekend? A savings extravaganza? A Monday without having to go to work? A day to save an extra 10%-30% at Mattress Mart? An unbelievable deal on a refrigerator or a car?

Does the consumer side of our “American way” diminish or disrespect those who died giving us our “American way?”

I‚Äôm not saying it‚Äôs wrong to buy a mattress, a refrigerator or a new car on memorial day. I‚Äôm not saying it‚Äôs wrong to be excited about a four day weekend. Though, if I’m wrong about that I would easily understand.

I am saying even when our men and women are still on the front lines of battle there are those who forget. (I also find it curious how we celebrate week after week the sacrifice of our Savior and yet we still forget - manifested in our struggle to live day after day for our Savior.) We seem to have little problem instituting a memorial. The greater struggle seems to be in keeping centered around the memorial.

I’ve never served in the military and so I’m curious as to the attitudes of those who did serve - and are serving - on a day like today.

What is the proper way to honor the men and women of our military on a day such as this?

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Short finned and minus a few key smelt the dolphins swam their way to another victory last night. I attribute it all to superior coaching. Beth is the coach and I have to keep her interested in reading my blog! It was one of those games where even missing several of the key players the girls played well and everything clicked. The score was not even a factor. Probably one of the reasons they did so well was because with only 7 players they got to hit with greater frequency. It seem to get them in the flow of the game. Interesting. They might actually play better with fewer people. Now if we can just get the right people to not show up! I mean that will all the love and kindness possible coupled with good wishes to the good people of New Guinea!

It’s a beautiful Friday here in the Nation’s capital and I’m taking the day off. I’m going fishing for an hour or so at the “let’s dump the body here” site as soon as I finish typing these words. I’ll mow the yard this afternoon and plan for a fun, play in the yard intensive weekend. The kids have been taking SOL (Standards of Learning Tests) all week so I know they are excited about some goof off time.

One of the highlights of Memorial Day weekend occurs on Sunday when hundreds of motorcycles drive right by our church building on their way to a gathering at the Vietnam Memorial. If you can imagine the combined sound, you will understand why it’s called Rolling Thunder. It usually occurs somewhere in the middle of my sermon. This Sunday I’m preaching from Mark 15:22-42 concerning the crucifixion. We’ll see at which part the vets provide the sound effects.

Have a good weekend everyone.

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In our mid-week tune-up we are working through George Barna’s book, Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ. The past two weeks have been the most challenging from a technical aspect and because of a healthy dose of spiritual reality.

Wading through the research we‚Äôve seen a disturbing picture that believers are not living all that differently from un-believers. It would be nice to think the reason for this similarity is the positive influence believers have had on society at large. This, I’m afraid, would be delusional thinking. We live in a society where Christianity is being pushed to the fringes. All in the name of tolerance!

Barna asks:

How well do we, the Christian community in America, measure up to the example set for us by Jesus and later by the disciples in Jerusalem?

To help measure our progress Barna reviews the pillars of the Christian life as described in Acts and modeled by the ministry of Jesus: worship, evangelism, discipleship, stewardship, service, and fellowship. To be true disciples of Jesus Christ, Barna contends, we will be growing in each of these areas.

Take worship for example. As you know, growth in worship can be measure by attendance. This is an easy indicator to gauge. The harder indicator, as the survey suggests, relates to people’s experience at worship events.

The survey revealed:

• In a typical worship service, about half claim that they did not experience God‚Äôs presence or feel that they interacted with Him in a personal way.

• Less than one-quarter of all born again adults consciously strive to make worship part of their lifestyle. For most people, worship implies attending a church service that includes music and preaching.
• When we asked people to describe the meaning of worship, 42 percent of all adult believers were unable to provide a substantive or reasonable reply.
• When born-again adults conveyed the most important outcome they want to achieve in life, less than 1 percent mentioned praising and worshiping God.

In summary, Barna makes the following observation:

Few individuals deny the importance of worship, but relatively few understand what it means or have a passion to engage God through worship.

Say it isn’t so! And if this is true, why? What does worship mean to you? What does it mean or look like to have a passion to engage God through worship?

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I watched with absolute wonder and amazement as the brand-new Airbus A-380 lumbered down the runway and lifted gracefully into the air. Was I in Paris for this great event? No, I watched from my house last night from the tele. Yes, all from the comfort of my super stuffed, mocha breeze, living room chair.

The Airbus A-380 is the world’s first twin deck, four aisle airplane. It actually has a third deck for cargo that, as is advertised, could be used as a business center, a daycare (think about that for a second) or a fitness center. The passenger version will hold between 555 and 840 passengers and is claimed to have better fuel efficiency than your normal, everyday car. Just don’t try parallel parking it at the mall!

If you are still struggling comprehending the size of this thing it’s about 240 feet long (almost the same length as a football field) with a wingspan of 262 feet.

I’m watching this documentary which focuses on the design and build process of this airborne behemoth with complete fascination. They had landing gear engineers, fuselage engineers, cockpit engineers, electronics engineers, navigational system engineers and (ready for this) sanitation engineers. That was not their official title but they had a team of engineers working on the toilet flushing system. Is there a pecking order amongst engineers? Do all the other engineers tease the lavatory specialists?

It was an impressive show which showcased the dedicated efforts of some very creative, innovative people. Still, I’m not sure if I want to be a passenger on this modern marvel. The plane will more than likely be filled with people wanting to be the first passengers. This type of maiden voyage is a bit too Titanic for my liking.

Those men and women who had a part in designing and building this airplane were so deliriously excited and relieved when that plane took off for the first time. The test pilots were deliriously excited and relieved when the plane safely landed four hours later. It must have been a huge sense of personal satisfaction watching something so complex actually work.

Nestled within my many thoughts were these questions:

I wonder how God feels about this? Does he smile? Is he proud of the creative work?

Does God delight in us when we exercise those creative traits we inherited from him, our father?

Do we as his creation continue to amaze God?

Does God react the way we do as parents at the accomplishments of our own children?

I don’t have any problem thinking that when that airplane lifted off some angel heard God say, “how cool is that?”

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A prayer from Thomas ?† Kempis:

Write thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from the love. Be thou to me a strong tower of defence, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Amen.

A Psalm from the sons of Korah:

God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea. (Psalm 46:1-3 NCV)

A song from Mirian Webster and Hillsongs:

I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He has set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I’ll say of the Lord

You are my shield, my strength
My portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in heaven but You
There’s none I desire beside You
You have made me glad
And I’ll say of the Lord

You are my shield, my strength
My portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need

A closing benediction:

May the Almighty, all capable, ever-present God guide you through your work and ministry today.

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Yesterday I was teaching from Mark 15 and the story of Simon of Cyrene. I talked about how the text says he was “pressed into service” which is a polite way of saying he was forced to do something he did not want to do. I tried to give some examples from everyday life when we, ourselves, are “pressed into service.”

One of the main themes we see from this story is how God works through us and for us even in those things we do not want to do. This was certainly the case for Simon. Mark, writing thirty years after the fact, speaks of Simon in such a way to suggest that everyone knows him. Mark mentions the names of his children, again assuming they would be known by the larger community of believers.

I can certainly see how my attitude could be different in situations where I have been “pressed into service.” Perhaps I should enter these experiences with anticipation and expectation of being part of the gracious activity of God?

As we were cleaning up from dinner last night Reese was asked to take some plastic cups and some soda cans to the recycling bin. He gathered up the cans and in a matter of fact way said, “Ah, I’m being pressed into service.”

The nice thing was that he did not appear to be complaining or griping about being asked to help. Since he has a strong interest in recycling this is one of his normal household chores. I just thought it was odd that he made that particular connection.

Isn’t it interesting what your kids pick up from the weekly message?

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Thanks for all your comments from yesterday (for that matter thanks to everyone who takes the time to comment on anything in this blog). I’m hoping that those who read but did not comment understood my point of view.

I was in fact using a word play with the word “change.” We are often induced to hysterics over legitimate words and concepts and are lulled into apathy over legitimate actions and attitudes.

We know how to have babies, we struggle at being parents.

We know how to pull off elaborate weddings, we struggle with successful marriages.

We know all about “conversion,” we struggle with transformation.

Change, or transformation, or spiritual maturity is the expectation of those growing to be like Jesus Christ. I’m just a little tired of hearing all the hoopla about the negative side of “change in the church.” We should be focusing on “change in the Christian.” Transformation of the body. We, who have been redeemed and rescued from darkness have been transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

ebyboy mentioned some wonderful lyrics, here are some others of which I was reminded: “From glory to glory my gaze fixed so high, til I only see Jesus the love of my life.”

In other news, I went fishing for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon. There is a body of water right next to the Ronald Reagan National Airport (fed by the Potomac river) which is somewhat fishable. The tide affects the water level and if you know the right spots you can wade specific areas and fish.

With airplanes landing right on top of you and wonderful views of the DC monuments it is an unusual fly-fishing experience. For those of you who care, I tricked a 7-inch striped bass into believing my white, bead-headed crystal wooly bugger was a minnow. Of course I released him. Now if he had been a 27 inch striped bass . . .

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Ok, you got me, I confess. I’m ready to tell the truth. No longer will you have to guess at my motives or my agenda. No hidden agenda here, I’m aiming for full disclosure. Are you ready? Can you handle the truth?

I am a change agent. There, I said it. ‚ÄúHello, my name is Randy and I am a change agent.” I believe, with all my heart, that change is what God wants, expects, and demands from His people.

Life in the kingdom is built upon the very notion of change:

If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV)

The call to belong to the kingdom is a call to change:

John said, “Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2 NCV)

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17 NCV)

So the followers went out and preached that people should change their hearts and lives. (Mark 6:12 NCV)

We can’t even share in the things of Christ without a willingness to change:

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3 NCV)

It will take only a second–as quickly as an eye blinks–when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet will sound, and those who have died will be raised to live forever, and we will all be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52 NCV)

Those people who welcome change correctly assess their need for God and grace:

John came to show you the right way to live. You did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Even after seeing this, you still refused to change your ways and believe him. (Matthew 21:32 NCV)

If there were ever a time when change was needed it is now!

He said, “The right time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Change your hearts and lives and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15 NCV)

The right time has come. The time to quit living for self and living for Christ. The time to stop advancing “our church” and begin to advance Christ! I continued to be amazed at the negative rhetoric and the heretical innuendoes leveled at those who seek change for the sake of the Kingdom.

Answer this question: “God patiently waits for us to do what?” If you said, “change” you were right!

He has been very kind and patient, waiting for you to change, but you think nothing of his kindness. Perhaps you do not understand that God is kind to you so you will change your hearts and lives. (Romans 2:4 NCV)

Remember the Domino’s commercial where the man stands at the door bragging about all the different kinds of pizza‚Äôs he can order for just five bucks? While he goes on describing elaborate combinations his wife comes to the door and says ‚Äúand yet you ordered three pepperoni pizzas.‚Äù His response? ‚ÄúI fear change.‚Äù

There is a difference between fearing change and resisting change. I may be afraid of a particular change because of that natural tendency to be uncomfortable with things that are different. Resisting God’s call to change is a willful action of disobedience.

There are those who believe that God only likes pepperoni pizza. There are those who believe that to offer any thing but pepperoni pizza to God is wrong.

I’m with those who believe that it’s all about the pizza and not about the toppings. It’s about our offering from a pure heart and not about the fixings - or should I say trappings?

The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings ever greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. God, with his mercy, gave us this work to do, so we don’t give up. (2 Corinthians 3:16-4:1 NCV)

So, I won’t give up in this process of change. I will continue being an agent of change.

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Thanks everyone for your thoughts from yesterday. Here are some of my thoughts (in no particular order) on this subject keeping in mind that I could be wrong!

We should speak more publicly in our assemblies regarding proper stewardship of God’s creation. I’m guessing this would even extend to our practices in other areas.

Cruelty to animals should never be tolerated. I agree with Thomas Aquinas that cruelty to animals often leads to cruelty to humans.

I believe that human beings are the crowning glory of God’s creation. Like the Sabbath, I believe that animals were made for human beings. God did not make human beings for animals.

Animals were given as companions, meat of animals was given for food, skins of animals were given for clothes. A suitable helper for man was not found within the animal kingdom thus woman was created.

Man was given authority and dominion to rule over the animals but never to be cruel.

I believe that God, alone, is to be worshiped and not his Creation. This is, in my opinion, part of the context of Romans chapter 1.

I don’t believe our pets will be in heaven. Though I am quite okay if they are. Animals do not have spirits or souls. The Bible teaches that we will be changed to enter into heaven from physical to spiritual. The perishable to the imperishable. If God does the same things for animals I can’t find it in the Bible.

Within the animal kingdom, God created and designated some clean and unclean. There is clear evidence that God created animals for various purposes even for sacrifices.

I worry that the discussion of “animal rights” and notions of a “moral standing” of animals are in themselves seeds of new age, eastern philosophies of veiled animal worship.

I strongly believe that have a responsibility as Christians to honor and treat animals humanely. However, it is an abdication of our responsibility to humanity when the needs of animals are placed above the needs of people. There is something wrong when a society has harsher, stricter penalties for mis-treating an animal than it does for mis-treating a human being. We have laws which protect the eggs of “endangered species” animals and no laws which protect un-born babies.

It is not wrong to have a heart or concern for “all of God’s creatures great and small” this is a sign of spiritual sensitivity and compassion for those beneath us. God does care for even the smallest of birds (Matthew 6:26) but the point is how much more God cares for people.

I don’t know how to respond to factory farming. It’s inhumane, it’s cruel, it’s the ugly side of dominion. I respect those who take stands to boycott places which rely upon these institutions for product. Whether or not one person can make a difference is not really the issue. I believe the issue is staying true to your convictions and coming before God with a clean conscience.

I don’t know how to respond to “sport” hunting because I am not a hunter. I do have a personal interest in the fishing side of the discussion because I love to fish. I practice catch-and-release and am happy to eat my Salmon from the great waters of Costco.

You could probably make a case that the disciples who were fisherman used the latest available technology to catch large quantities of fish - even divine intervention.

As far as Jesus being a vegetarian today? He ate fish and lamb with his followers.

I have friends who have such a heart for and a way with pets. This is a good example for us all.

It’s okay to have a pet. To love our pets and treat our pets with kindness and affection is the good side of dominion. They play a valuable role in our hearts and in our families. I agree with those of you who have said we need to remain balanced. Interesting how most of our problems in life result from excess and lack – in other words - imbalance.

Thanks for wading through this with me. I know it has been a messy series of disconnected thoughts. And as I said in the beginning, I could be wrong.

I’m on my way to look for a car, perhaps my next post should relate to the moral standing of car dealerships?

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