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Calvinistic Mind Dump

I'm a church guy.  Well, I'm a Jesus guy who's spent A LOT of time in church circles.  

I've grown up, volunteered and worked in church organizations.  I went to a "Christian" university.  I've worked at a "Christian" bookstore.  In that time I've been a part of many theological discussions.  Most of which were about Calvinism.  

So if you would, please pardon my Calvinistic mind dump.  I had a bit of a personal epiphany on the subject and I'd like to process it with anyone who might read this blog.

Quick catch up to the discussion: 

Calvinistic Theology is most often summarized with the accrostic T.U.L.I.P. 

Total depravity - I'm born into sin and there's nothing I can do about it.

Unconditinal election - It's by God's work alone that I have been redeemed and forgiven.

Limited atonement - Jesus' substitutionary atonement is effective only for the elect.

Irresistable grace - God's grace is ultimate and overcoming in the hearts and lives of the elect.

Perseverance of the saints - Once saved, always saved.

Now for the sake of this post I'm only dealing with the point that my epiphany applies, limited atonement.

I've always struggled withthe idea that God would or had knowingly created anyone with a predetermined destiny for Hell.  This just never made sense to me.  Why would God create someone to poplulate Hell?  How is John 3:16 true if this idea is also true?

Finally it hit me.  I'm thinking linearly.  I can't help it.  Everything is a timeline for me.  One thing happens, then another and then another.  I was wrestling with God creating inside a timeline.  People are made, they sin and then Jesus comes.   The problem with that is God isn't in a timeline.  Time is inside God.  

He's bigger than time...He created it.

God is transcendent of time.  Creation and redemption of that creation aren't in a sequence for Him.  He doesn't create to populate Hell or Heaven.  

He created.  He redeemed.  It's all done but we can't see it.  We're not big enough.

When I stopped putting God's actions inside my understanding and timelines, I no longer struggled with the notion that some are born and God already knows if they are or are not elect.  The issue for my life is not to correctly undstand God but to correctly carry out His will.  

I hope this helps someone.  Our desire to understand God is evidence that we are His children.  We just want to know and be like our dad.  There are times however that we simply must stop trying to understand and trust.

Filling The Hours

My wife took my kids and left.

That sounds a bit more dramatic than the situation actually is.  You see our daughters have Spring Break this week.  So Anita decided to hop over to Atlanta with the kids and spend some time with her family for the week. The girls will be in our neice's wedding in a couple of months so the final fittings and all needed to be done as well.

Unfortunately I was unable to accompany them on this trip.  So what does a fella do with an empty house for a week?  There has been plenty of television watching and Oreo eating, but I actually accomplished a good bit too.

Over the last six days I've done the following:

1. Work (led worship, had a fun night with North Rock Students, writing, office time, a boat load of meetings)

2.  Coached soccer (1 game, several practices)

3. Fixed a shelf in the girl's closet.

4. Fixed the ottoman in my son's room.

5. Fixed the dining room table.

6. Steam cleaned the living room carpet.

7. Decorated for Easter.

8. Went to see Hunger Games.

9. Built a shelf in the garage.

10. Yard work. (thanks to Tutkus' for the help)

11. Watched a soccer tournement.

12. Cleaned the bathroom.

13. Dishes.

14. Rearrange the garage.

Now, if you actually read the list I'm sure that was more info than you cared to know.  But I just wanted to celebrate some accomplishments.  It's a good feeling to look back and see you were filling the hours with more than just internet and television.  

So what's on your "Honey Do List?"

Sometimes I Forget

I had a meeting recently that helped remind me of a few things.  

Focus not only helps you improve and align what you're working on but it has an effect not many of us notice.  When a person lives and works inside a defined set of ideals and passion it's easy to foget where others live. 

During my recent discussion I was explaining what has become a filter for almost everything I do in ministry.  While we all agreed on the importance of what was being shared, there was something holding people back from fully buying in on the idea.  That something I decided was exposure and experience.  

You see each of us was simultaniously experiencing the same frustration.  I live in my world; he lives in his.  We are in agreement on many subjects, but what is most important to one was merely an ingredient to the other and vice versa.  

The importance of this "agree to disagree" scenario can not be understated.  I believe this may be one of the biggest sources of division in many ministry circles.  This can most likely be applied in the local church as well.

Here in lies the importance of alignment.  Support, encourage and partner with each other whenever possible.  But when you're not aligned and can not partner, don't sever relationships.  Simply work harder at support and encouragement.  If each ministry, church or organizational leader took the time to identify where some of these alignment issues are in his or her sphere of influence there could be a great deal of healing.

A Great Reminder

 

The last couple of Sundays have been a great reminder of just how incredible the Family Ministry volunteers are at North Rock HIll Church.  As Family Pastor, I don't have a specific job on Sunday mornings.  This allows me to speak to families, volunteers and fill in when needed.  It was need lately.

 

Last week during our 11:15 service I helped out by holding an upset one year old.  This was a new family and as many peole know, a child's first time at a new church can be a bit stressful.  He eventually fell asleep in my arms and his mom was able to enjoy main service without having to interupt.

Today I served as our Kindergarten through First Grade small group leader.  We've got some great kids at North Rock Hill.  They helped me keep things as normal as possible (there are some unwritten rules in regards to passing out candy when a question is answered correctly).  

I tell you all this because for me it was an unusual couple of weeks but for many North Rockers, this is every Sunday.  They work all week, take care of their family and then serve faithfully in Family Ministry enviroments each week.  I cannot say thank you enough for how these men and women serve.  The children of North Rock Hill Church love them.  Many will find new life in Christ because of the time and effort each volunteer generously gives.

On the days that excitement wanes or my schedule seems overloaded, I'm going to remember how hard our Family Ministry team is working to make sure the next generation is rooted in the Gospel.

I'm so blessed to have a front row seat as disciples make disciples in SafariLand, KidsCamp and Student Ministry.

The Return of PNC

There hasn't been a "Phillip's Not Creative" post in a long time but here we go.  

This video is simply amazing!

Enjoy. 

 

Why Collide Mobile?

There are a lot of people that God has used in His transformation of my life.  Reggie Joiner is one who has left an irreversable fingerprint on the way I see Family Ministry.  

Through the book Radical, God used Pastor David Platt to change my entire outlook on the charge God has given His Church to reach this world with the Gospel.

In the video below, Reggie and David discuss the importance of short-term mission trips.  If you are a student or the parent of a student, hearing numbers like $680 and $1500 almost immediately eliminate the possibility of your involvement in trips like Collide Mobile.

Please watch and prayerfully consider being a part of what God is doing through the students of North Rock Hill Church.

Eight Years Old?

Yesterday was my oldest daughter's eighth birthday.  That just doesn't even make sense. 

I've been a dad for eight years?!?!

Savannah Grace, you've been a challenge from the start.  

You took the longest to be born.

You walked, talked, ran, jumped, climbed earliest.

You are fearless, curious and imaginative.

You're talented, intelligent and beautiful.

In a word...you're incredible.

I'm beyond honored to be your dad.

I love you so very, very much. 

Happy Birthday.

 

The Task Has Yet To Be Completed

I watch the History Channel a lot.  It's no surprise for Anita to find me in the living room at midnight watching some old documentary.  Odd I suppose but better that than other things.

 In 2008 a motion picture by the name Valkyrie brought a little known story about the German Resistance during the tyrannical reign of Adolf Hitler.  Today I was watching a presentation on Operation Valkyrie and the stories of countless lives effected by the July 20 plot.

What stood out to me were two interesting details in the aftermath of WWII.  

First was the German Resistance Memorial.  This memorial can be found in a courtyard of the Bendlerblock.  The very place where Colonel Stauffenberg was executed after Operation Valkyrie failed.  

The interesting detail is that this is the only place in Berlin where German soldiers who served in World War 2 are honored.  The past is a painful scar for Germans, but these men are revered because they could not stand by while millions of innocent people were being murdered.  I hope to see this place for myself one day.

Near the end of the documentary a quote was shared by a child of one of Valkyrie men.  The quote was from Theodore Heuss.  Heuss served as the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany post WWII.  He said "This legacy has been given to us, but the task has yet to be completed."

How true this is of us today.  This resonated with me in regards to the Church.  We have a great history.  Men and women for generations have given their lives so others may know the love and grace of God.  May we remember that this legacy is a gift of our Savior Jesus.  The task is very far from complete.

An Apology For My Twenties

Remember that guy....

That way too eager kid who thought who knew exactly what to do...

the twenty-something year old...

the one who was convinced you should just let him lead...

who kept pressing and pressing for opportunities...

the guy who only finally listened when his job was on the line...

who failed to filter his blog, twitter or facebook comments...

the one who was bewildered by why he hadn't already been asked to speak...

yep, the "entitled" one...

who would soak up the praise from his adorers...

and flipantly cast off the concern of his authorities...

the guy with something to prove...

with the anger problems...

with the chip on his shoulder...

with the "I'm just being transparent" excuse...

well....

sorry about that.

He's an idiot and I'm trying desperately to do away with him.

You were right, he was wrong.

I apologize.

Sincerely,

mid-thirties Phillip

What Keeps Me Going

My life up to this point has been filled with a myriad of different people.  Despite what voice they choose to proclaim in my life, they have all done the exact same thing...

they keep me going.

Those who doubt, you challenge me.

Those who believe, you humble me.

Those who hate, you fuel me.

Those who follow, you strengthen me.

Those who lead, you inspire me.

My friends, you uphold me.

Those I've disappointed, you remind me.

My enemies, you entertain me.

My family, you renew me.

My Lord, you gave life to me.

Just felt like celebrating the path I've walked and dream about the path ahead.  I'm a blessed man.