What's So Great About Television?

For the last ten days, I have made a conscious effort to avoid television. Now, for the sake of full disclosure, it does help that my Colts were unceremoniously dumped from the playoffs.

But, in those ten days, I have been able to read 3 books and I'm nearly done with another one. I've been able to start several projects that I've been thinking about doing.

What I've found is that I've been wasting a lot of time staring at my beautiful Sony Bravia television instead of doing things for the Kingdom. We wonder why we're so ineffective and we don't see the things we dream about. One of the reasons is that we spend so much time wasting time on things that don't matter at all. In the end, Rock Band, Sportscenter, and Netflix will have all passed away and only the Kingdom of God will remain.

At least, that's what I think.

What do you think?

Are You A Fan?

Karla and I are reading a book entitled "Tribes" by Seth Godin. It's a very interesting book and I'm really enjoying it. Basically, the book is about the need for leadership in a world that has dramatically changed through media and technology.

In one section of the book, the author writes, "In an article posted on his Technium Web site, Kevin Kelley brilliantly described the world of '1,000 True Fans.' A true fan, he argues, is a member of the tribe who cares deeply about you and your work. That person will cross the street to buy from you or bring a friend to hear you or invest a little extra to support you."

I'm a fan of many things: the Chicago Cubs, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Hoosiers, Bruce Hornsby, Heroes, the Matrix Trilogy, and Blu-ray movies. I am really, really interested in all of these things.

But there is something in me that makes me hesitate in becoming a fan of things that really matter. Why does it feel funny to be a fan of Christ Fellowship Church? Why does it seem weird to be a fan of my wife and children? Why does it seem strange to be a fan of another human being that I count as a friend and comrade in the faith?

I know that we should worship God and Him alone. I get that. Not a problem. But I'm not talking about worshipping another person. I'm talking about being a fan. I'm talking about crossing the street to see you, or changing my schedule to listen to you, or giving a little more to support you. By those definitions, it sounds like the church of the first few chapters of the book of Acts were fans...of one another.

What do you think?

Radical Or Just Tired?

We had a wonderful time at church last night. Instead of having 50 people spread out through a sanctuary that can seat 225, we packed the same 50 people in a cafe that can comfortably seat 20. What a different feel!

The soul of Christ Fellowship Church is much more at home in the radical air of secret home meetings than in the comfort of a modern church building with steeples and paved parking lots.

We started in the atmosphere of people who had been thrown out of comfortable denominational settings because of our love for God and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. We met outdoors, in homes, in abandoned buildings deep in the countryside. We were radicals. We were in love with God. We were comrades in the fight for a Christianity that truly meant something.

Last night reminded me of who I am at my best.

A radical.

Where has that guy been? Am I who I think I am, or am I just tired? Who are you?

Tell me, what do you think?

The Need For Discipline

I hate routine!
I hate schedules!
I hate calendars and appointment books!
I love discipline.

(Well...maybe love is a bit strong.)

I need discipline, anyway. I'm a person who can't eat just one potato chip. Once I start, I'll keep going back until they're all gone. I can't have a box of chocolates in the house. I'll let myself eat one, and before I know it, the box is empty.

And really, the same is true of my spiritual life. I would like to think that my heart is so pure in God that I'll just WANT to read my Bible, and pray for hours, and worship the Lord at my piano in enraptured ecstasy. But the truth is: if I don't make myself do things through discipline, I'll just sit in my easy chair and watch my life slip away like the sands in an hourglass. (Anyone still remember those things?)

Anyway, I have to be disciplined to be happy with myself...not to get God to like me more. Maybe we can talk about that subject soon.

This is a great time to work on your discipline. Try getting up at a regular time or going to bed a bit earlier. Try a Bible reading program. Make a covenant with someone to pray together. Determine to be a regular commentator on this blog. Start a diet. Start an exercise program. Do something interesting with your spouse. Try something new!

Karla and I are going to read the Bible together this year in the morning and read another book at night. How about you? What do you think about discipline? Are you going to try something new this year?