boondock saints

I just got done watching Boondock Saints. I am still wondering about what the implications of this movie. I know that it is about the most popular movie on college campuses these days. I am still wondering what that means. So while I am working on this, I am wondering what whoever is reading this thinks. If you have seen the movie please let me know what you thought!

created in His image

What if I saw Him in you?

What if you were not the guy who cut me off,

The woman falling out her top,

The politician I don't agree with,

Or the cop who gave me a ticket?

What if you were not the teacher I respect,

The woman who gave birth to me,

Or the man who baptized me?

What if you were not the porn star I used to Google,

The musician I worshiped,

Or the friend I got high with?

What if you were His?

Made in His image,

Given His gifts,

Blessed with His love?

After all,

You are.

convert me

I want the best. I want to read the best books, watch the best movies, drink the best drink and eat the best food.

When I think that I have or know the best, I share it with all. Here is a scoop, Lumines is fantastic game, if you have a PSP, buy it! If you want to see the finest film I have ever seen, rent Shawshank Redemption, and for my money, Bucers (a Moscow coffee shop) is the best drip coffee I have ever had.

I also believe that Jesus Christ is God's only son and is God Himself. It is in Him and Him alone that all people have access to God.

My guess is that while Lumines, Shawshank and Bucers may of been statements that you agreed with or disagreed with, my claim about Jesus elicited a much stronger reaction. My question is, why? Obviously my statement about Jesus was stronger and ultimately more important than my taste in games, movies or coffee, so it is logical that feelings should be stronger about that belief. However, doesn't also stand to reason that I should be more excited and even forceful about my belief is Jesus than about coffee?

Sadly, this is not the case for me usually. See, like most people I am a natural evangelist. I evangelize for everything. Rarely are my opinions anything less than "epic" as Donan calls them. When I am excited about any new toy or song or movie I tell everyone about it. But I am shy about evangelizing in the name of Jesus. Why?

I think a lot of it has to do with my desire to not to offend people. I am afraid that people will fin me intolerant. Or irrelevant. Or just a jerk. The reality is that people may draw just those conclusions. After all, doesn't the old adage go, "don't talk about religion or politics in polite company"? It seems that to evangelize a religious viewpoint just isn't nice or polite. Shill your coffee instead!

I think I need to call BS on this old polite adage. How can I love anyone if I keep my mouth shut about what I believe to be most important? If I believe that the God of the Universe is really interested in saving, loving and living in my closest friends, then someone explain to me how an offer of that is anything less than loving.

In 2004, my dad and I were on very different sides of the political fence. We both had deeply held beliefs about the presidential election, and for both of us, those beliefs were at least in part, rooted in our mutually shared Christianity. So did we do the "polite" thing and just be quiet for a few months? No we actually dialogued about the election and faith. Through a series of emails, my dad and I (in love) articulated our beliefs and though we never convinced each other of anything, we knew each other much better at the end.

A presidential election is very important, one of the most important events this earth offers. If there was such value in that dialogue, then how much more is there conversations about God? If God is real and has revealed Himself...isn't that important for all of us to wrestle with?

So I guess the point of this email is that there are more important things in the world than politeness. I want to invite all who are reading this to enter in to respectful dialogue with each other and those around us. If you are reading this and your beliefs are different than my own, I want you to not be afraid to talk to me and yes, even try and convince why I should smell what you are cooking. If you have read this thing, then you know my beliefs on a lot of things, if you think I am wrong, and you feel that I am wrong about something important, then love me by trying to correct me! If you are just curious as to why I said something, you can ask!

And really, try out Lumines, Shawshank and Bucer's drip. They are all really fantastic.

"come and see"

When Andrew first met Jesus, he inquired as to where Jesus was staying. Jesus responded by telling him to, "come and see". Andrew, with his companion did as Jesus said, they spent the whole day with him. After one day with Jesus, Andrew was so excited, that he found his brother Simon and told him that he had found the long promised Messiah. 

The next day, Jesus met Phillip and told him to follow. Phillip did as he was told. He was so impressed with Jesus, that he sought out Nathaniel. When he found Nathaniel he invited him to meet Jesus. When Nathaniel scoffed at Jesus' hometown, Phillip invited Nathaniel again. What was his invitation? He invited Nathaniel to "come and see". 

With Jesus it just seems to work that way. The invitation is rarely "sit and listen" or "read and learn". Scripture has no space for felt boards or even well-intentioned blogs. If you want to met or know Jesus, words never work. His miracles sound to wonky, his parables are clever, but not revolutionary on first listen (give em time...). Jesus needs to be met. He needs to be experienced. To get Jesus, you need to "come and see". 

I confess that I like clever words. I like books. I like apologetics. I get excited by well-written sermons and good post-modern Christian literature. But I am not a Jesus follower for any of these reasons. I did not chose to allow Jesus to be my teacher because someone finally explained away the problem of evil, or convinced me that I truly had free will. I chose to follow Jesus because I came and saw Him. I prayed and I met Him. I worshiped and I felt His presence. As I studied His biography, something tugged at me that was not at all intellectual. When I feel far from Jesus now, no amount of conversation or study can match simply "being" with Jesus. 

John 1 (where I got the stories above) is short on fireworks. But we see some intangible something about Jesus. These men simply spend a day with Jesus and their entire lives change. They become disciples. 

So if you are reading this today I invite you to "come and see" Jesus. Go to church on Sunday, you can sit in the back if you want. Read a gospel, or as much as you can right now. Stop reading this blog and simply say "Jesus, if You're there I want to come and see You", then simply start talking about your day and wait to see if He responds. Let's face it, if Jesus won't meet with us, then I have dedicated my life to a fraud. But I bet, if we go to see Him, He will show up to meet with us.