Soup Strainers

I came across this passage today as I did my morning reading:

Matthew 23:24 - You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

The context of this is that Jesus was railing against the Pharisees, who were the religious elite of the day. According to my pastor, this type of imagery was representative of the humor of the day. The idea of swallowing a camel is of course absurd and Jesus used this as a joke. Chances are that the disciples were shocked at His strong language toward the Pharisees and also had to suppress some laughter when they heard this.

What's the big deal about a gnat? Swallowing one would make one unclean by the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees were extremely careful to keep that Law, but they were still "whitewashed tombs" as Christ called them. In other words, they looked clean on the outside, but were rotten on the inside.

How to respond to this? We in the church are great at straining out gnats. We put on our church faces and look the part. I went to church for years while harboring my secret sin and I know I'm not the only one. I was swallowing the camel while it looked like I was living a sanctified life. Obviously if we claim to follow Christ our lives should make us seem different than the world.

I also see some overreaction to this. It's possible to swing the other way and live in such a "free" way that the world would never know that we care about Jesus. I don't see how that helps either.

Somewhere there is a middle ground. Paul tells us that he was all things to all people. I know that a lot of people couldn't care less about what I have to say. But I also know that quite a few do. I pray that I would find that balance and not be seen as swallowing camels while I'm busy with the gnats.

Lap Dances for Jesus?

Through another blog I found out about this site where some former strippers have found Jesus and are doing what they can to witness to other women about Him. I poked around their site a little bit and think that their approach may be a bit soft for men to really find lasting freedom, but anything to increase awareness and to get these women to hear the gospel is a good thing.

To me, this is where real life change happens. It's not that hard to stand outside a strip club and picket. There was a site hosted by some people in Oregon who hung out near a strip club and posted photos of patrons and license plates. This of course was met with much derision by most patrons, but the point was that they were doing what they thought was best.

I don't think shame is the best way to lead people to Jesus. They know that they're doing something wrong. This is obvious based on their reactions to the photos. What people need to hear is that there is another way. They know that they only get filled for a minute, but end up empty. These girls are looking for something and haven't found it. The three women at that site have found the answer and I rejoice that they want to share the Good News with others. I'm particularly interested in this quote from an AP story about this:

But Veitch doesn't think the women should have to quit their jobs before entering a church.

"What we say to that is, 'Do we ask gluttons to stop eating too much before they come to church?' " Veitch said. "Sin is sin."

Amen, sister!

Where Do I Scan?

My company installed some new security doors going into and out of the cafeteria. This is a good thing because anyone could wander into the cafeteria from the reception area and then innocently "piggy-back" their way into the general building. They set up these doors that only let one person through at a time. If more than one person tries to go through they make an extremely unpleasant squeal and they slam shut.

Unfortunately, this photo shows the problem with leaving a small table too close to the badge reader.

I realize that I work with computers for a living. My litmus test for technology is typically the "mom" test. My mom is not particularly savvy with computers, but she usually can follow clear instructions as long as no steps get ommitted from those instructions. I don't think my mom would try to swipe her card over the table.

Compassion Jason...compassion...

How Much Does It Matter?

I just read yet another great blog entry from the Internet Monk. I probably would call myself a "Young Earth" believer. However, I have a friend who sees the 7 days of Genesis as being like ages and would therefore jive with carbon dating, etc.

The point is, does it matter? Is my good friend any less a Christian? I don't think so. These things are interesting to discuss over some gourmet stimulant or deppressant, but I don't think they are essential truths.

Oh, how I long for a time when, as a church, we would all just want to see Christ glorified and not worry so much about whether or not we're right all the time! I spend far too much of my time worrying about being right, looking good, or just not looking stupid. Of course, I need to do what's right, but why fight battles over things that I know to be true? Why do I care if someone doesn't believe something that I know to be true? It doesn't make it any less true.

One of my pastors has a great way to put all this. Yes, we're found. But suppose we're driving around and get lost. We ask someone to show us how to get where we need to go and they graciously offer to drive to the place and let you follow. You're not any less lost, but you have someone to follow. I need to remember that's how I am in Christ.

Disaster!

I'm in Philadelphia this week participating in my company's disaster recovery exercise. It fascinates me to see the blend of the political and the practical in these. Some systems absolutely must come up and so we got ready for that ahead of time just to be sure.

I have somewhat enjoyed the time I got to spend with my coworkers. I don't think I would choose to spend much time with very many of them, but when compelled to spend time it hasn't been bad. We enjoyed a feast at Maggiano's on the night before the exercise started. Also, that day I walked all over Philly with someone else and we saw the Liberty Bell as well as Independence Hall. It was strange that you practically get strip-searched to see the Liberty Bell. But I digress...

Last night as we walked back to our hotel we passed some homeless people sleeping on the grates over the subway. On the same street we saw some people in a limo giggling about something. I wondered how you could get into a limo in front of homeless people sleeping on grates.

But then it struck me as I walked by in my warm jacket with my laptop bag slung over my shoulder that I have it awfully good too. And, frankly, how much do I do to fulfill the command of James 1:27? How many orphans and widows do I help in their distress? Probably not as many as I could.

What it all comes down to is that I should probably complain less about my job. I am glad for the warm place to sleep each night. God is very gracious to us. I'd better not waste that gift.