The Secret Identity of Eric Park

Batman is really the entreprenuerial millionaire Bruce Wayne. We know that Superman's altar ego is the mild-mannered Clark Kent. Ladies and Gentleman, I have discovered the Secret Identity of the Pewboy, Eric Park. Check out the website here: http://ericpark.highroad.org/

Polished, preaching pewboy by day, manufacturer of "Gen-u-Wine bottleneck guitar slides" by night! Eric, what exactly is a Gen-u-Wine bottleneck guitar slide?

Quotable Quotes, Part 2

"Fear is the most powerful of all thoughts with one exception, and that one exception is faith. Faith is the one thing against which fear cannot stand. Day by day, as you fill your mind with faith, there will ultimately be no room left for fear. This is the one great fact that no one should forget: Master faith and you automatically master fear." -Norman Vincent Peale
This is from "The Power of Positive Thinking" and it is a truth that has helped me through many a fearful challenge. I don't know why I am prone to be fearful and filled with worry over things, but I am. I often need to remind myself that my faith (in Christ) is much stronger than my fears. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." This NVP quote above is one thing that I use, but I also often recall the promises of Scripture as well. I just like the way this quote is worded.

Quotable Quotes, Part 1

"All boats rise with the tide." This doesn't sound very profound at first read. It's the context in which they were spoken that makes them powerful words for me. I don't know who first said this quote. I heard it from a professional speaker named Jim Snack, and he said them when he was explaining his philosophy on helping others. Jim is a phenomenally successful professional speaker and magician, and he is also very down to earth and willing to go above and beyond to help other people succeed in whatever they set out to do. When I complimented him on his positive influence and selflessness, he responded with the above quote. In other words, by helping others, he raises the bar of what professionalism is, and in so doing, the entire industry (in his case, speaking and magical entertainment) is enhanced. We in the church would be wise to follow this idea as well, both those behind the pulpit and those in the pews. Helping others with our ideas, sharing what books have influenced us, inspiring with personal testimonies, encouraging with mutual accountability, and even challenging with a good swift kick in the pants when necessary (in a loving manner!). What can you do to raise the bar in your area of influence? Who can you help in some special way, noticed or unnoticed? What are you giving back? Are you helping others to rise, or are you bringing others down? Food for thought for today. More formational quotes to come...

You Can't Change the Weather...

Vacation last week. Jersey shore. Beach. Boardwalk. Fun in the sun. Problem? No sun! It rained the entire 3 days we were there, and it brought up for me the old saying: "You can't change the weather, so you may as well change your attitude about the weather!" We changed out attitude and had a great time anyway. But it got me thinking. We can't change or control the weather. Can we change or control the culture, and the church's place in it? How do we cope with a changing culture, where the church loses ground year after year? Not just in membership, attendance, and giving, but in societal importance. In the previous generation, the church was often the meeting place for the community. Sometimes people went for worldly reasons (business contacts, to uphold their family's good name, etc.), but for whatever reason, the church had a higher esteem in the minds and hearts of a community. This has changed radically in recent years. No more blue laws that keep stores closed on Sundays. Coaches often schedule practices and games on Sundays, which was, for the most part, unheard of even 10 years ago. People have less disposable time, so it's hard enough for many to make time for worship on Sunday mornings, let alone Wednesday evening Bible Study or a Saturday outreach. So what do we do as a church? Do we go along with society, and expect less of our members? Do we shorten our Bible studies and outreaches, and just accept that people will choose the soccer field over the sanctuary if the coach says so? Or do we not change our ways at all, and just insist that people prioritize God (as I believe they should, but realistically, many no longer do) and continue to do things the way we always have? When the culture passes the church by in the fast lane, how does the church remain the church, yet still keep up and stay relevant?

Paul - Traditional or Contemporary? Yes!

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
In reading this passage, I've wondered if Paul was being two-faced. Did he act like a Jew around Jews, a weakling around weaklings, a strong person around tough guys, a skin headed, guitar-strummin' pyromaniac around Brett Probert, etc.? What gives with Paul's chameleonlike tendencies in this scripture? I've come to believe that Paul wasn't misrepresenting himself or being deceitful in his identity. I believe that Paul was building on the common ground that he had with whoever he came into contact with. Paul was, in fact, a Jew. So around Jews, he could connect on that level, and then bring in his perspective on Christ and the gospel. With those who are weak, Paul could connect as one who has weaknesses (don't we all?), and with those not under the law, Paul could connect as one who is no longer under the law, but as one who now lives under the Law of Christ, and can share that with people. The title of this post focuses on traditional or contemporary, and I think Paul would say "yes" if asked which was better. Both have their value, and both can connect with different people in different ways. I think the concept of entertainment in worship is also something that Paul would say 'yes' to, as long as it was done appropriately and 'for the sake of the gospel.' It's not where you start, it's where you finish. I'm glad we have different types of churches and different styles of worship, because there are so many different kinds of people in the world, and one worship style wouldn't work for all of them. What is important is not the style of worship, but the focus of worship. As long as the focus is on Christ, and as long as the gospel is being offered, then the video clips, praise choruses, hymns, liturgies, etc. are all the icing on the cake. Are we so set in our ways that we can't change or be open to new expressions of worship, or are we willing to be all things to all, in the hopes of saving some?

To Hell with the Devil

Prince or Prisoner? What is Satan's place in Hell going to be? I always used to see Satan as the Overlord of Hell, similar to Hades, the god of the Underworld in Greek Mythology. Gary Larson often depicted Satan in Far Side cartoons as the one in charge of Hell, and it is a common conception in our culture. Is it the correct one, though? I don't find Biblical evidence for this understanding of Satan. He is referred to as the god of this age in 2 Cor. 4:4, and as an angel of light in 2 Cor. 11:14. In Job, we see him with access to God and able to wreak havoc on the earth. But what is Satan's fate? Will he be living it up in Hell for eternity, torturing the souls of those he has deceived? I don't believe the Bible teaches this concept. I think it is taken from Greek mythology, some classical literature, and pop culture, but it doesn't come from the Bible. Here is what the Bible says regarding Satan's future, in Revelation 20 -

"And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss
and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that
ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan and bound him for a thousand
years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him,
to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were
ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. ... When the
thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go
out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth... But fire came
down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them,
was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false
prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever
and ever.

What do you think? Is Satan the Prince of Hell, or is he a Prisoner?

Cult of Personality

I decided to take this test that everyone is posting about, and discovered that I am an ISFP. I know from similar inventories that I am a peacemaker, I avoid conflict like the plague, and I am more people-oriented than task-oriented. I find these things helpful in ministry because it helps me to see my strengths and weaknesses as they relate to myself and to others. Check out your profile at mypersonality.info!

The Sound of Music

Last week I preached a sermon about the place of music in worship and life. We explored the Psalms as they demonstrate the highs and lows of human emotion, and we looked at how Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn together before setting out for the Mount of Olives and the upcoming crucifixion. To introduce the feeling of how music can inspire us and give expression to our feelings, I played a track from Jeff Kahl's recently released CD, "Glory". There are 1o songs, 7 of which are self composed, all of which are stirring, inspirational, and uplifiting. I've had several people from my church request copies of his CD, so I'm busy burning them this week. Just kidding! Actually, I asked Jeff how to get more, and he is going to send me some to offer (only $10) to those who are interested. This is not a sales pitch, just a post to make you aware of an awesome new collection of excellent piano music for anyone who is interested. It also made for a great intro into my sermon, and I've used it as background music for powerpoint shows as well. What creative ways have some of you incorporated music in your worship services?