Several of you commented on my previous post regarding Zach Lind and his thoughts on Chuck Colson.

Zach Lind actually wrote a post of his own on this issue, so you can read that here.

Zach will be a conference speaker at Futuregen in Phoeniz, AZ.

I have joked with Zach a couple of times via email over television news preferences. As a Christian I appreciate his often differing political views…differing from mine that is. I have a tendency to find myself most of the time in the company of Republicans and conservatives. So I appreciate the perspective that people like Zach, and the perspective that my more liberal and democrat friends and students bring to the ministry I pastor, and to my own life.

As part of my weekend round-up over this last weekend, one of the stories that I posted was the following:

Chuck Colson doesn’t like the direction our worship is heading
HT: Ember Burning

Here’s an excerpt:

When church music directors lead the congregation in singing some praise music, I often listen stoically with teeth clenched. But one Sunday morning, I cracked. We had been led through endless repetitions of a meaningless ditty called, “Draw Me Close to You.” The song has zero theological content and could be sung in a nightclub, for that matter. When I thought it was finally and mercifully over, the music leader beamed at us and said in a cheerful voice, “Let’s sing that again, shall we?” “No!” I shouted loudly. Heads all around me spun while my wife cringed.

Zach Lind of Finding Rhythm posted this comment in regards to that story:

so getting caught while breaking and entering makes you a music wizard, huh? can we just start ignoring chuck colson and all of his religious right buddies? please?

I thought that was an interesting comment. For those of you who might be too young, and you don’t know what we are talking about, read this.

What I am wondering is this. At what point after a transgression does a person’s words or thoughts have validity? Or is there always some hesitancy because of a person’s past. Colson obviously seems to have turned his life around, etc., etc. Is Colson’s line of expertise not in the worship arena and he should stick to what he knows? Or does his past make his current words not valid in the eyes of others, or in your eyes?

As a Christian I believe that a person is a new creation in Christ, and that everything old has passed away (II Cor. 5:16-21). But maybe we aren’t always in the position to judge the heart or validity of what is going on in worship at times. Maybe Colson just didn’t like it. Or maybe Colson just doesn’t know what he is talking about and is out of touch with worship. I mean, he did say that “Draw Me Close To You” could be sung in a nightclub. Ugh. No. That is a hardly a worship song that comes to mind when I think about worship in a nightclub. And who cares if worship is sung in a nightclub. I know many churches who have taken over nightclubs and who are holding services in them, and who are doing great ministry, such as Mosaic.

What do you think? Weigh in on this.

If you have been reading some of my more recent posts you have read that I have been trying really hard to impart this to my college students. I have been trying to encourage them to just read a little everyday. Not to analyze or study, but rather to read as a story and narrative. I believe that most of us stop short of reading the Bible in its entirety because we are overwhelmed with the prospect of it.

But I have realized just how much more I learn, and just how much more I am tranformed by the daily reading of God’s word. There is something mysterious in the process of reading…something I cannot really explain. But what I do know is that it transforms lives.

As I have been preaching through the book of Colossians I have been thinking about this passage: “For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.” Colossians 1:29

This seems to be what happens when we spend time reading God’s word daily. I have noticed that the times that I get up early in the morning and begin my day in God’s Word…that it is those days that I feel God’s peace and presence the most. I feel His energy within me, rather than my own. And on the days that I don’t begin my day in God’s Word…well, then I find myself grasping and clinging and trying to do things on my own power, only becoming more and more frustrated and exhausted.

Reading God’s Word, especially at the start of one’s day, is just one of the ways in which we place ourselves in a position to allow God to give us energy and to inspire us throughout the day. Jesus seemed to think it was important to begin his day early in the morning, in relationship with His Father (Mark 1:35).

So it seems fitting that it should be important to us.

Brent Thomas has got a great post on Rand, Manson, and the Horror of the Human Heart.

I have always liked The Stranger, but have always been a little “depressed” upon reading it.

So I appreciate Brent’s post on this topic…

Christians Who Counsel: The Vocation of Wholistic Therapy

I’m really looking forward to my Clinical Foundations class this week, as Dr. Ray Anderson will be speaking to us and answering some questions.

Dr. Anderson has been one of the most influential people in my life, and he has influenced my theological outlook in many ways. If you haven’t read any of his books, I recommend you beginning to do so.

He has many, but I especially like The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering MInistry With Theological Praxis.

One of the great joys of working with college students is their mindset coupled with the stage of life they are in. For the most part they are full of life and energy, and ready to go out and take on the world. In this process it is a great joy to watch they use the gifts God gave them, and to glorify God in different avenues of this world. One such college student is Patrick Ianni, who played soccer at UCLA, and left this last week, during his junior year to play pro soccer with Houston.

Pat is a gifted soccer player, winning the co-player of the year award in the Pac-10 last year.

Pat is not only a gifted soccer player, but is a wonderful Christian man who lives his life for Christ both on and off the field. About a year and half ago I received a call from the Daily Bruin to comment on Pat and his Christianity. They thought it was quite unusual, or different, that an athlete would put in his player bio that he wanted to one day become a pastor.

Check out this article if you want to get a sense of what kind of guy Pat is.

Pat, we were, and are, really blessed to have you as a part of our ministry. We are sad that you are no longer with us each week, but we are excited for Houston, and we will be praying for you.