Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably seen the “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” video circling YouTube (At least 16+ million have and continues to climb). Well, it stirred all kinds of controversy about whether or not it’s okay to hate religion and still love Jesus. Jay Bakker hates religion, Mark Driscoll hates it, Andy Stanley encourages you to lose it, so does R.E.M. 

It’s interesting. There are plenty of things done in the name of “religion” that are hurtful. I’ve even said “…it’s not about rules and regulations, but a relationship.” People hear religion, and they go running for the hills. It’s scary because of the stigma and social injustices that have happened in the name of God, faith, the church, etc.

But, I’m also a bit torn. I read passages like James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” So, there is a religion that is pure. In the NIV, it’s put this way, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless…”

So there is religion out there, untainted by you or I, that God looks down at and goes, “Man, they finally got it.” I pray I get there one day. I don’t think I’ve arrived- there’s plenty to learn in this journey of faith. This dialogue doesn’t look to be going away any time soon. Many different people are putting out responses (I’ve included one below), but what should our response possibly be in all of this?

As we search after God, let’s not strive to talk poorly of the church (which Jesus died for and will come back for one day), or religion (because anything can be tainted and abused by messed up people), and instead search out to honor God, share our faith, and build one another up in love.

Because after all, Love > Hate.

We’re prepping for our December 23rd service.
It’s a Friday Night, 7pm at Ocean Lakes High School.
It’s going to be intense!

While we’ve been out filming videos for the service, we film little teasers along the way to peak your interest. Here is teaser #2 (We loaded it to YouTube & Vimeo last night, and it’s been blowing up. This is probably due to the fact I fractured 2 ribs at the hands of an angry James elf. Dr’s visit confirmed it yesterday. Merry Christmas!)

Christmas Teaser #2 from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

I love Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon) and the music he creates.
It’s so relaxing and gives me inspiration while writing, studying, creating.
So, I was extremely excited when he released his entire self-titled album to YouTube in video playlist format.
You can view one of the videos below, and the entire playlist here.
Total time is 39:59 seconds, but it’s totally worth it.

I love music.
From touring with a band, playing shows, to sitting with my iPod.
It’s so refreshing.
Music just stirs the soul. It’s remarkable.

So, with that, here are some of the songs I’m enjoying at the moment:

Eminem, Lighters, featuring Bruno Mars & Royce da 5’9 (covered by karminmusic)

Face to Face, I Want (Live)

John Mark McMillan, Death In His Grave

John Mark McMillian, Daylight

Yellowcard, For You And Your Denial

What are you listening to right now?

I love music.
From touring with a band, playing shows to sitting with my iPod.
It’s so refreshing.
Music just stirs the soul. It’s remarkable.

So, with that, here are some of the songs I’m enjoying at the moment:

David Crowder & Daniel Bashta, “Like A Lion”

Bon Iver, “Calgary” (Snow Panda Remix)

Imogen Heap, “Hide And Seek” (Murdok Dubstep Remix)

Listener, “Wooden Heart”

Gym Class Heroes w/ Adam Levine “Stereo Hearts”
(this isn’t GCH, but I liked the acoustic version these guys did)

What are my late night people listening to? (include a link for me to check it out)

Jason

Great new movie coming in Summer 2011.

Yes, my littlest girl rules.
Thank goodness Roxy is finally crawling.
She has taken terrorizing her sister Chloe to a whole new level.

So this weekend we’re heading on a Men’s Retreat with 40+ guys to a 10 bedroom house to focus on God. Our purpose is to focus on God’s story, how we are involved, and what are we doing with our story… I’m not good in large groups (anxiety), but I do my best. Many of the guys aren’t into large groups either, but they’re coming. I’m glad God is pushing them (and me) to gather together and talk about our faith. We need it.

As I’ve been studying, learning, and praying over the retreat, here are some of the things, concepts, and ideas that have been weighing on me. If you’re going, I’m praying God moves your heart like He’s been moving mine… Enjoy the preview.

This baby was born deaf.
8 months later, through surgeries and modern technology, he hears the sound of mom’s voice.
It’s the first time he’s been able to hear anything…

Incredible.
When was the first time you could hear? I mean, really hear?
When did you begin to notice the sound & things around you?
Was it beautiful? Frightening? Distracting?

In life we have a variety of chaotic noise pollution pulling & vying for our attention.
What are you hearing?
Is there anything at all… or just static?

The first time I really heard was age 19.
Life was great, I had it all planned out, but things began to not fit. Kinda like a Tetris game gone awry. I tried with all my will and strength to produce results on my own accord. But, to no avail the static and noise continued. When I finally thought it was the end and relented to the fact I couldn’t do it on my own- I finally heard. I felt the presence of God stepping in. I peace and calm came over me. My anger, frowning, negative nature turned to joy. He led me to be better, think clearer and provided direction.

I love being able to hear.
Can you hear… Him?

*jdel

(ht: to my sis for the video)

You’re welcome.

*jdel

I don’t watch football. I’m a baseball and hockey guy. But, when I heard about this, I couldn’t help but find out more about this claim. Apparently, at the end of the Steelers and Bills game, he totally dropped a pass that he should have been able to catch…

The pass really did look great and he just didn’t come through with the reception. If he had completed the pass, they would have been victorious. Definitely not his most shining moment in his NFL career.

Steve Johnson, (the guy who totally screwed up the game for Buffalo) dropped 4 other passes during the game, and afterwards he took to his Twitter account to assign blame for the drops:

Really? God made you drop the ball?! You’ve got to be kidding me. During our series we just completed, “Forgotten Virtues”, we discussed how many of us today feel entitled. From our job, family and friends to life in general and with God- we feel like people owe us something. With that entitlement, if something doesn’t go our way, there is some one else to blame for the poor outcome. “Obviously it wasn’t me that dropped the ball, it must have been God.” Then to lash out in this tweet with expectations of God. “This is how you do me… I’ll never forget this. Ever!”

Basically, unless things go 100% perfect in life, God is awful and cannot be counted on to protect, aid, and save us. He is useless unless He’s our personal genie. Well, that’s just not going to happen. Because we live in a fallen world, bad things will happen. Christian or not, you’re going to encounter hardships. We’re promised this. The true test of our faith is how we handle when things go wrong or it hits the fan…

God isn’t setting out traps for us to fall into. He isn’t sitting up in heaven waiting to make us mess up some how. His desire is for us to be perfect. We will never be perfect, which is why we need His Son’s love, grace, and redemption. So, the next time you hit hard times, things don’t go your way, or you’re backed into a corner with troubles- don’t turn and tweet a rant about God. But, instead take a moment to be thankful. Show your gratitude for God and honor Him for giving you a day of life. It could be a whole lot worse. And don’t worry, the Bills have sucked for years anyhow. No one expected you to catch that pass and miraculously win the game, Steve. Not even God.

*jdel