Thursday, August 11, 2011
Nature vs Nurture vs Something Else
In nine hours I am leaving for Athens. For college. For a bittersweet combination of freedom and responsibility.
So many people have heard that I go to UGA and that I am in a fraternity. Their response is almost always "so it must get pretty crazy up there right?". This invariably leads to a semi-awkward denial as I try to explain to them that I really don't get into that whole side of things.
But as I sit here in the middle of the night, I begin to question why I didn't fall into the patterns of so many of my friends when I got to college freshman year. Am I just special? Am I just too cheap to go downtown (yes), or is there something more, something greater behind my difference?
I had a conversation with my dad a little while ago, in which he told me that he and my mom were scared when they let me go to Georgia because they weren't sure how I would change once I got there. He said that he had heard tons of stories of kids getting there and going off the reservation. So after applauding my resilience, he asked what made the difference.
In the Bible, it says to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it. My mom and dad did a fantastic job raising me and Austin. They took the time to make sure we understood not just what we should and shouldn't do, but also the morals and motivations behind it. Their love shaped my worldview, and it remains huge in my life.
But it can't just be them. The argument of nature vs nurture comes into play here. If it is up to the parents, why are so many kids from wonderful families going crazy, partying, dealing with depression and homosexuality? There has to be a factor outside of our upbringing that changes us. Maybe it is just genetic. Maybe some people are just born inherently wild. Maybe some people have a gene that dictates they will start drinking at 8, get pregnant at 20, and spiral out of control. Maybe this is it.
Now that sounds pretty hopeless. If it's genetic, some people are just screwed.
But maybe there is something greater. What if, just maybe, the love of Christ, which is offered to all man, comes in and changes us when we ask for it. The Apostle Paul says that when we accept Christ, we are "dead to sin, and alive in Christ Jesus". This means that Jesus changes our desires. So how do we keep it that way?
This is my challenge to myself as I move in. And to anyone who reads this blog. The Bible says in Romans 8:5 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit."
Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He knows what He is doing and he is willing and eager to sweep in an give you the strength to fight off temptation.
So thank you, Mom and dad, for forging in me the desire to press on in Christ, and to fix my eyes on him. I hope I make you proud this year.
Love,
Tyler
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Is worship based on...
On praise and prayer
In today's church, especially among the youth, we place a Huge value on praise. Youth today love to sing, and we flock to new worship leaders like Chris Tomlin and Michael Gungor. We treat worship time as one of the most important parts of our faith. This is a great thing! We were created to worship our King with everything we have. I love seeing my friends go all-out worshiping God, and love it even more when I get to join in with them.
For the past seven years or so, I have served as lighting director at various ministries. I have used lighting kits that cost millions of dollars, and been to events centered around creating newer, more exciting, more entertaining worship displays. Again, this in itself is not wrong. But this summer, as I worked at the camp, I began to question my priorities. I had the opportunity to serve at the children's ministry at a local church one Sunday, and I expected to go and see what I was used to from a children's ministry. It had been advertised as a fun, engaging way of doing children's church. I expected to go in, sing a few songs, talk with the kids, and hear a bible story from the staff. This is what we all grew up with right? Juice boxes, animal crackers, and the flannel graph defined my personal children's church experience. So I walked in and the first thing I noticed was that the kids were totally zoned in on the tv screen playing sports bloopers. Given that this was before the service had technically started, I was totally ok with this. It was a good way to get the kids to sit down and be calm while we were waiting to start. But then the service started. This was a service catering to first-through-fifth graders. Lights started flashing, videos went up on the screen, and it was on. The service lasted for an hour or so, and the message was on one of the beattitudes, "blessed are the peacemakers...". Again, pretty cool right? A chance to use technology to bring these kids in on what God is doing. But I watched as they used several videos and such, and failed to mention scripture once outside of the original verse. They didn't talk about Jesus, they told the kids that this meant nothing more than "no fighting". Qthe end of the service came and I asked several kids what they had learned. None of them could tell me. But they could tell me whether they liked the flashing lights, videos, or skits better! (the videos were the clear winner).
Now to be clear, this is not an anti-technology rant. I love using tech in church. Nothing is more fun than getting a rockin worship service going and seeing my friends go for it (as I mentioned at the beginning). But this experience at this children's ministry gave me a check in my spirit. I began to realize that my priorities were off kilter. I had given too much weight to the style of worship, whether the lights were well run, and whether the singers had any real talent. In the midst of this, I had lost sight of the real purpose of worship and church in general. Just like those kids couldn't tell me anything about what was taught in the service, but could tell me everything about the service, I couldn't tell you the last time i had truly connected with God in worship but I can name the top 3 worship events I have been to (Passion 2011, Passion 2010, hillsong united A Cross//The Earth tour). I had spent tons of time going for it in "worship", spurred on by flashing lights, super talented leaders, and a big crowd. But I had missed out on the One we were there for.
If I cannot say that I am connected and focused on God when I sing, is it truly worship? Can I say I am entering his courts with praise, as it says in Psalm 100, if I am more concerned with how well the show goes?
So my challenge to you this year is this: whether you go to Passion City Church, North Point, Wesley Foundation, or a tiny church with a choir and hymns, don't get so caught up in the "worship" experience that you forget who you are worshipping. Make sure Christ is at the center of your adoration, and that He is at the root of your joy.
In today's church, especially among the youth, we place a Huge value on praise. Youth today love to sing, and we flock to new worship leaders like Chris Tomlin and Michael Gungor. We treat worship time as one of the most important parts of our faith. This is a great thing! We were created to worship our King with everything we have. I love seeing my friends go all-out worshiping God, and love it even more when I get to join in with them.
For the past seven years or so, I have served as lighting director at various ministries. I have used lighting kits that cost millions of dollars, and been to events centered around creating newer, more exciting, more entertaining worship displays. Again, this in itself is not wrong. But this summer, as I worked at the camp, I began to question my priorities. I had the opportunity to serve at the children's ministry at a local church one Sunday, and I expected to go and see what I was used to from a children's ministry. It had been advertised as a fun, engaging way of doing children's church. I expected to go in, sing a few songs, talk with the kids, and hear a bible story from the staff. This is what we all grew up with right? Juice boxes, animal crackers, and the flannel graph defined my personal children's church experience. So I walked in and the first thing I noticed was that the kids were totally zoned in on the tv screen playing sports bloopers. Given that this was before the service had technically started, I was totally ok with this. It was a good way to get the kids to sit down and be calm while we were waiting to start. But then the service started. This was a service catering to first-through-fifth graders. Lights started flashing, videos went up on the screen, and it was on. The service lasted for an hour or so, and the message was on one of the beattitudes, "blessed are the peacemakers...". Again, pretty cool right? A chance to use technology to bring these kids in on what God is doing. But I watched as they used several videos and such, and failed to mention scripture once outside of the original verse. They didn't talk about Jesus, they told the kids that this meant nothing more than "no fighting". Qthe end of the service came and I asked several kids what they had learned. None of them could tell me. But they could tell me whether they liked the flashing lights, videos, or skits better! (the videos were the clear winner).
Now to be clear, this is not an anti-technology rant. I love using tech in church. Nothing is more fun than getting a rockin worship service going and seeing my friends go for it (as I mentioned at the beginning). But this experience at this children's ministry gave me a check in my spirit. I began to realize that my priorities were off kilter. I had given too much weight to the style of worship, whether the lights were well run, and whether the singers had any real talent. In the midst of this, I had lost sight of the real purpose of worship and church in general. Just like those kids couldn't tell me anything about what was taught in the service, but could tell me everything about the service, I couldn't tell you the last time i had truly connected with God in worship but I can name the top 3 worship events I have been to (Passion 2011, Passion 2010, hillsong united A Cross//The Earth tour). I had spent tons of time going for it in "worship", spurred on by flashing lights, super talented leaders, and a big crowd. But I had missed out on the One we were there for.
If I cannot say that I am connected and focused on God when I sing, is it truly worship? Can I say I am entering his courts with praise, as it says in Psalm 100, if I am more concerned with how well the show goes?
So my challenge to you this year is this: whether you go to Passion City Church, North Point, Wesley Foundation, or a tiny church with a choir and hymns, don't get so caught up in the "worship" experience that you forget who you are worshipping. Make sure Christ is at the center of your adoration, and that He is at the root of your joy.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Joshua
I have been working at a sports camp this summer. Between the long hours, high heat, and overwhelming presence of yellow jackets, I tend to ignore the still, small voice of God. The reality is that He does speak, and does so on a regular basis.
Roughly four weeks ago, I had the privilege of teaching a young Indian boy named Joshua Abraham. Joshua is 8, possibly 9 years old. He is also one of the smartest people I have ever met.
At the beginning of each week, I tell my kids that Bible time is the most important time of the day, and even if hey don't pay attention to anything I say the rest of the day, they need to pay some attention during Bible time. now Joshua loves to ask questions. Sometimes I think had does it to see if he can confound the councilor. One day, as we were walking out to the pool, he looked up and said, "mr. Tyler, why do you always say that Bible time is the most important part of the day?" I looked down at him and proceeded to explain that Bible time was important because it was the one time during the day where I could teach him something about Jesus.
Naturally, this answer did not satisfy my young camper. He asked me why teaching them about Jesus was such a big deal to me. I paused, gathered my thoughts, and decided to tell him the typical Church answer: Because Jesus came and died for our sins, and that is kind of a big deal.
Thinking I had successfully dodged this line of questioning and that I could return to coasting through my day, I walked on.
If you are thinking that little Joshua would not be satisfied with this either, you are right. My charge looked a little annoyed as he asked why that was such a big deal to me personally.
Understanding now that he was smarter than the average camper, I told hi that it was important because it made all the difference in our eternal standing with God, and so I should treat it with respect and try to get across to the kids how big of an issue this was.
Joshua looked at me, smiled a little bit, and said he understood. He ran off and jumped into the pool.
I got home that night, and as I got ready for bed, the conversation earlier that day with Joshua came back to me. I realized that god was using this hyper-intelligent camper to challenge me and to bring into light my own apathy towards the issue of salvation. He used a 9 year old to trash me something that radically changed my perspective.
The Bible says to always be prepared to give a good account of our faith. I thought i was good at that. I love getting up and talking about what God has done in my life, how he has changed me, and how He has redeemed me. For the record, NONE OF THAT IS BAD. But I so often neglected to tell the story of what Jesus did for the world, and more importantly, the background to him doing it. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, " when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". Paul didn't swagger around telling about his Christian walk, even though he had all the works to back it up. Paul taught Christ for the sake of Heaven. He focused on the simple matter of eternal salvation. And most importantly, he was able to back it up.
That is what Joshua taught me. If I want to call myself a Christian, and say that I am following after Jesus the Messiah, then I need to treat His calling with the respect and fervor it deserves. In summary, I need to practice what I claim to believe, and live in light of what i believe.
So I challenge you, as Joshua challenged me that day. What is your most important issue? Is it THE most important issue? And can you back up you talk with how you walk? I couldn't, but God is teaching me how through the mouth of a 2nd grader.
Roughly four weeks ago, I had the privilege of teaching a young Indian boy named Joshua Abraham. Joshua is 8, possibly 9 years old. He is also one of the smartest people I have ever met.
At the beginning of each week, I tell my kids that Bible time is the most important time of the day, and even if hey don't pay attention to anything I say the rest of the day, they need to pay some attention during Bible time. now Joshua loves to ask questions. Sometimes I think had does it to see if he can confound the councilor. One day, as we were walking out to the pool, he looked up and said, "mr. Tyler, why do you always say that Bible time is the most important part of the day?" I looked down at him and proceeded to explain that Bible time was important because it was the one time during the day where I could teach him something about Jesus.
Naturally, this answer did not satisfy my young camper. He asked me why teaching them about Jesus was such a big deal to me. I paused, gathered my thoughts, and decided to tell him the typical Church answer: Because Jesus came and died for our sins, and that is kind of a big deal.
Thinking I had successfully dodged this line of questioning and that I could return to coasting through my day, I walked on.
If you are thinking that little Joshua would not be satisfied with this either, you are right. My charge looked a little annoyed as he asked why that was such a big deal to me personally.
Understanding now that he was smarter than the average camper, I told hi that it was important because it made all the difference in our eternal standing with God, and so I should treat it with respect and try to get across to the kids how big of an issue this was.
Joshua looked at me, smiled a little bit, and said he understood. He ran off and jumped into the pool.
I got home that night, and as I got ready for bed, the conversation earlier that day with Joshua came back to me. I realized that god was using this hyper-intelligent camper to challenge me and to bring into light my own apathy towards the issue of salvation. He used a 9 year old to trash me something that radically changed my perspective.
The Bible says to always be prepared to give a good account of our faith. I thought i was good at that. I love getting up and talking about what God has done in my life, how he has changed me, and how He has redeemed me. For the record, NONE OF THAT IS BAD. But I so often neglected to tell the story of what Jesus did for the world, and more importantly, the background to him doing it. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, " when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". Paul didn't swagger around telling about his Christian walk, even though he had all the works to back it up. Paul taught Christ for the sake of Heaven. He focused on the simple matter of eternal salvation. And most importantly, he was able to back it up.
That is what Joshua taught me. If I want to call myself a Christian, and say that I am following after Jesus the Messiah, then I need to treat His calling with the respect and fervor it deserves. In summary, I need to practice what I claim to believe, and live in light of what i believe.
So I challenge you, as Joshua challenged me that day. What is your most important issue? Is it THE most important issue? And can you back up you talk with how you walk? I couldn't, but God is teaching me how through the mouth of a 2nd grader.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
An example to follow
*DISCLAIMER: this is a bit of a departure from my normal style of writing*
There is a person in my life. This person has stood by me as long as I can remember. They watched me grow up from a little tyke, through the "it doesn't feel right!" stage, watched me help my brother create cardboard "wings" for our plan to invent human flight. They bandaged my cuts and scrapes and washed my clothes when i came in from the bike ramp some friends and I had built in the woods by the creek. They stood by and let me begin to learn, and even let me take karate. They came to all of my sports events, from baseball and basketball games to that one season of soccer to every single football game in high school, regardless of whether I actually played. They watched as I blundered through high school, and still loved me even when I rejected them and tried to act like I knew better than they did. They offered me advice when I started dating, and probably let me get away with more than a few crazy stunts (see previous bike ramp example). They didn't freak out when I said I wanted to keep playing after I hurt my knee senior year, even though in hindsight I know it scared them to death every time I ran on the field. They have loved me my whole life, encouraged me at every turn, and given me the example to follow in how to care for another person. They stood crying (only a little) when I moved in to Russell Hall freshman year. They celebrated when I found my college sweetheart, and celebrated even more when we actually got together. More than anything, they taught me how to be a Christian. They taught me what it means to have faith. I am so blessed to have a mother that loves me and has helped shape me into who I am today.
so today, I want to wish Cheri Berry the happiest Mother's Day possible.
I love you, and I'll be home soon mom!
Tyler
There is a person in my life. This person has stood by me as long as I can remember. They watched me grow up from a little tyke, through the "it doesn't feel right!" stage, watched me help my brother create cardboard "wings" for our plan to invent human flight. They bandaged my cuts and scrapes and washed my clothes when i came in from the bike ramp some friends and I had built in the woods by the creek. They stood by and let me begin to learn, and even let me take karate. They came to all of my sports events, from baseball and basketball games to that one season of soccer to every single football game in high school, regardless of whether I actually played. They watched as I blundered through high school, and still loved me even when I rejected them and tried to act like I knew better than they did. They offered me advice when I started dating, and probably let me get away with more than a few crazy stunts (see previous bike ramp example). They didn't freak out when I said I wanted to keep playing after I hurt my knee senior year, even though in hindsight I know it scared them to death every time I ran on the field. They have loved me my whole life, encouraged me at every turn, and given me the example to follow in how to care for another person. They stood crying (only a little) when I moved in to Russell Hall freshman year. They celebrated when I found my college sweetheart, and celebrated even more when we actually got together. More than anything, they taught me how to be a Christian. They taught me what it means to have faith. I am so blessed to have a mother that loves me and has helped shape me into who I am today.
so today, I want to wish Cheri Berry the happiest Mother's Day possible.
I love you, and I'll be home soon mom!
Tyler
Monday, March 7, 2011
Finding strength
this week is one of the most difficult I have faced in college. I am convinced that my professors got together in some shadowy chamber at the beginning of the year and contrived to have all of our grades in the same weeks. As a result of this diabolical plot, 3 weeks of my semester are worth 95% of my grades in every class. As I am in the middle of one of these weeks now, I am learning a whole new aspect of leaning on God. I hit a point today where I simply could not keep studying. I flopped down on my couch, very much apathetic to this entire college experience, and was rewarded by Christ's presence flooding the room as I listened to the new Passion CD. I didn't plan to have a big Spiritual encounter, and actually haven't had time to get in the word today. But in the midst of my stress, my overworked soul was given a moment of peace and safety. the Lord, the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and HOLY God, looked down at little tiny me and said "I am going to give him what he needs. Not what he wants, but exactly what he needs to get through this week. And he will know it is Me."
How incredible is that thought? The Bible says that He will "lift us up on wings like eagles", that in our weakness he is made strong. That isn't a conditional, "if you try as hard as you can, I'll help some too" statement. This is a statement saying that regardless of how exhausted we are, how hard we bite it, and how epically we fail, He is there pulling us up, arms open wide to pick us up and carry us on.
How great is our God?
How incredible is that thought? The Bible says that He will "lift us up on wings like eagles", that in our weakness he is made strong. That isn't a conditional, "if you try as hard as you can, I'll help some too" statement. This is a statement saying that regardless of how exhausted we are, how hard we bite it, and how epically we fail, He is there pulling us up, arms open wide to pick us up and carry us on.
How great is our God?
Monday, February 28, 2011
To be a hero
Hero
the word brings to mind powerful men of legend, people who have fought, bled, and died for a cause. Men and women who have gained victory against impossible odds, and as a result, are immortalized in history books across schools and libraries, and in popular media, like movies.
Men such as Alexander the Great, Winston Churchill, and even Nelson Mandela are considered heroes because they changed the face of the earth. Alexander unified an incredible amount of nations under one banner and government. Churchill stood in the face of the Nazi oppression and didn't blink, and Mandela managed to unite one of the most divided countries in human history.
There are fictional heroes that poeple look up to as well. Think of any major action movie, and the Hero is the one that wins. John Wayne always gets his man, Superman always saves Lois, Chuck Norris is always a heroic Texas Ranger, and Mark Wahlberg always manages to go from confused to heroic, regardless of the character he plays.
Today, we associate "hero" with anything from a combat veteran to a singer or athlete we admire. We have trivialized this word and turned it into a pop culture buzzword. Children are supposed to write about who their "hero" is, and are encouraged to pick a popular figure in the culture. I have lost count of how many college kids view Bieber as a hero.
The point of all of this is we are forgetting the true archetype of the Hero.
A hero is the one who comes on the scene when everything is at its darkest. He steps in the gap in front of the frightened, helpless people. He stands firm, saying "regardless of my fate, I will make sure this battle is won"
Consider Gandalf, fighting against the monster in Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. He knows he might die standing on that bridge, but he takes the hit to save the Fellowship, and stands firm, shouting "You shall not pass!"
There is one hero though, who surpasses all others. He stepped into time and space over 2,000 years ago. He lived a perfect life, and died sinless on a Cross that we might be saved from our impending doom. He is the Son of God. Christ Jesus.
The beauty is, He is coming back. And unlike his first arrival, in a lowly stable under the cover of night, His return will be triumphant. He will look the part of the Hero.
Revelation 19:11 says, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war."
He will gather up those who have placed their faith in Him, drawing them to Himself and into eternal life.
Christ is the ultimate Hero. He loves you, and is calling you to Himself.
From the Arches, in the shadow of the Cross
T.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
the word brings to mind powerful men of legend, people who have fought, bled, and died for a cause. Men and women who have gained victory against impossible odds, and as a result, are immortalized in history books across schools and libraries, and in popular media, like movies.
Men such as Alexander the Great, Winston Churchill, and even Nelson Mandela are considered heroes because they changed the face of the earth. Alexander unified an incredible amount of nations under one banner and government. Churchill stood in the face of the Nazi oppression and didn't blink, and Mandela managed to unite one of the most divided countries in human history.
There are fictional heroes that poeple look up to as well. Think of any major action movie, and the Hero is the one that wins. John Wayne always gets his man, Superman always saves Lois, Chuck Norris is always a heroic Texas Ranger, and Mark Wahlberg always manages to go from confused to heroic, regardless of the character he plays.
Today, we associate "hero" with anything from a combat veteran to a singer or athlete we admire. We have trivialized this word and turned it into a pop culture buzzword. Children are supposed to write about who their "hero" is, and are encouraged to pick a popular figure in the culture. I have lost count of how many college kids view Bieber as a hero.
The point of all of this is we are forgetting the true archetype of the Hero.
A hero is the one who comes on the scene when everything is at its darkest. He steps in the gap in front of the frightened, helpless people. He stands firm, saying "regardless of my fate, I will make sure this battle is won"
Consider Gandalf, fighting against the monster in Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. He knows he might die standing on that bridge, but he takes the hit to save the Fellowship, and stands firm, shouting "You shall not pass!"
There is one hero though, who surpasses all others. He stepped into time and space over 2,000 years ago. He lived a perfect life, and died sinless on a Cross that we might be saved from our impending doom. He is the Son of God. Christ Jesus.
The beauty is, He is coming back. And unlike his first arrival, in a lowly stable under the cover of night, His return will be triumphant. He will look the part of the Hero.
Revelation 19:11 says, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war."
He will gather up those who have placed their faith in Him, drawing them to Himself and into eternal life.
Christ is the ultimate Hero. He loves you, and is calling you to Himself.
From the Arches, in the shadow of the Cross
T.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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