Does Satan Exist?

It's possible you've already checked this out, but recently, ABC's Nightline has been airing some pretty intense debates surrounding a variety of hot button issues.  One of which has philosopher Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson facing off against Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert, founder of the Christian ministry "Hookers for Jesus", about the existence of the Satan. It's pretty thought provoking and at times, lively. 

These debates often have the tendency to raise really good and important questions. However, I sometimes find myself wishing that the persons chosen to represent the, "FAITH", side of the equation were someone else.  It seems as though the organizers of such events intentionally choose someone that will be controversial or extreme in how they present and defend faith.  I guess conflict and drama are good for ratings.

I dig so much of what Mark Driscoll has to say about this topic and a lot of other topics, however, I wonder what this debate would look like were N.T. Wright, Walter Brueggeman, Scott McKnight, Rob Bell, or Brian McClaren be the chosen spokes person to represent the Christian perspective?

Either way, this is still an invigorating debate.  In addition, on this link you'll find other featured debates targeting a host of other hot button issues regarding faith in Jesus.

Check it out.  Does Satan Exist

A Year of living Biblically!?

Have you heard of A.J Jacobs?  

Jacobs (pictured on the left) is the editor at large at Esquire magazine. He has written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, New York magazine and Dental Economics magazine, one of the top five magazines about the financial side of toothcare. 

In 2004 he set out to answer the question, "What if a modern-day American followed every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible?"  Not just the famous rules – the Ten Commandments and The Great Commission (though certainly those). But the hundreds of oft-ignored ones: don’t wear clothes of mixed fibers. Do not shave your beard. Stone fornicators and adulterers.  Jacobs’ experiment is informative, timely, humorous and thought provoking.  It's at times both irreverent and reverent. It seeks to discover what’s good and relevant in the Bible and what is maybe not so good and relevant to 21st century life.

We are fast approaching our 3rd weekend in a series, "Suspicious Minds", where we are addressing several tensions concerning faith that have the tendency to create suspicion and apprehension in regards to moving forward in a life with Christ.  This weekend we will be answering the question, "Why do those who pledge their allegiance to Jesus place so much emphasis and significance on the Bible?"

I thought A.J.'s story an experience may create some curiosity as we move towards Sunday Morning.  Click here to see a slide show of his year long journey.  (By the way, check out Scott Hofert's hair from his "I want to be Jesus" phase of life.)  

What do you love these days?

Since the beginning of Watershed, our prayer has always been to be community God would choose to inspire and use in order to unleash his greatest transformative and redemptive potential into a broken and hurting world.  Each passing year, this seems to be happening with great intensity.  It's beautiful, as well as challenging, to live amongst a group and have people from that group fall in love with things that are certainly loved and valued by God.  It's been captivating to watch those, who have been blind sided by God's goodness and Mercy in Jesus, begin making serious changes in the way they live their life. Steve Cook has been one of these shifting, changing people.  Maybe you've heard of him.  In the past, I've spoken of he and his wife Rachael and their start up non-profit Equitas.  Steve has a passion for JUSTICE....to be a voice for those without a voice in countries like Malawi, Sudan and Darfur.  Check out the email I received from him recently.  This is something worth considering for us all.

______________________________

Hey Guys,

 

Most of you probably know that I've had a heart for Darfur, Sudan for quite some time now. In fact, I first took on the role of an activist in relation to Darfur and the genocide that has continued there since 2003 by organizing Charlotte Torch Rally in December of 2007. I could never have pulled off this event without the help of several of you.

 

I'm asking for your help again. As you may have seen in the news, Mia Farrow started a 21-day water-only fast April 27th to raise awareness of and protest the president of Sudan's expulsion of all aid agencies in Darfur. As a result of this expulsion, hundreds of thousands will be left without any food or medical assistance. Since then, several others have joined her, including Peter Gabriel, Jon Foreman (of Switchfoot), and Congressman Donald Payne. You can get more information at http://www.fastdarfur.org.

 

I am going on a three-day water-only fast Wednesday through Friday (May 20-22), and would like for you to consider joining me. There are several things from which you can fast - it doesn't have to be a water-only fast. You can fast from meat, alcohol, coffee, or even TV - pick something you love and go without it. The point is to be constantly mindful and prayerful of the people of Darfur during this time. Every time you experience a hunger pang, or start to crave whatever it is that you're fasting from, say a prayer for Darfur.

 

But don't stop there. Tell your friends, ask them to join you, and ask them to tell all their friends and family about this terrible humanitarian crisis. Send letters to our president and members of Congress. Send letters to the editor of your newspaper. Send letters to TV stations. This is a chance for us to raise our collective voice for the orphans, widows, and outcasts of our world. I hope you'll join me.

 

Sincerely,

Steve

Bald really is BEAUTIFUL!

There is something fragile, beautiful and transformative, when, within the limitations of our humanity, we find a way to identify with, or join in, the suffering of others.  It isn't intuitive for us, is it?  It isn't easy or "normal" for the most part.  Especially given the values that the kingdoms of this world tend to promote.  It isn't until we somehow find ourselves at the center of it all,... with this other person,... sitting, crying, laughing, praying, doubting, questioning,  struggling, bleeding, and in some cases,... dying, that we discover that it is here we are most alive.  When we push through the fear of the unknown, when we fight off the temptation to remain indifferent, when we allow ourselves to move close enough to be wounded, close enough to identify and close enough to take on their suffering, or at the very least, insist on being fully present in the midst of their suffering, that we scratch the surface of what it means to be fully human,... the way Jesus was fully human.  This is why the ancient story of scripture resonates so deeply for me.  This is why Jesus is so compelling.  Because in Christ, in what has happened on the cross, God identifies, joins with us, in the suffering brought on by our sin condition, our dysfunction and our humanity.  For the record, this is why the resurrection is so vastly transformative.  The resurrection invites anyone and everyone into the reality that, in the end, all that we have endured in our brokenness, in this lifetime,.. doesn't have to be the end of the story.  The resurrection says that there is and can be, a new story that unfolds in this lifetime and beyond.

Compared to some of my other posts, I know this is a bit random, abstract and (to some) dramatic.  But when my wife sent me this photograph of her childhood friend Ashley (left), her daughter Katie and her husband Ron, I was so moved by these two parents in their willingness to identify and be fully present in the midst of their daughters battle with cancer, that I had to say something.  Pictures of "Christ living IN US and THROUGH US".. are just too beautiful NOT to draw attention to.    

If you're interested in praying or learning more about this family, click here.

In the meantime, how is the picture above playing out in your faith?  Who are you avoiding identifying with that his wounded and hurting?  Whose struggle or brokenness have you consciously or unconsciously remained indifferent towards in the normal rhythms of your day?

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  James 2:18

I laughed so hard!

I know we are several days past Mothers Day, but this video was shown during Transit this weekend.  It is in the top 5 funniest videos we've shown over the 4 years of Watershed's existence.  Hope you enjoy.

I love mom for who she's becoming!

There are so many reasons that I admire my mom.  Because she was a stay at home mom, my childhood is filled with memories of all sorts of experiences between my mom and I on the farm where we lived.  She was so engaging and encouraging of me and my sister growing up.  Supportive as well.  She and my father were so young when they started their family, me being their first pass at having a kid.  I'm 43 years old and considering the challenging nature of parenting two kids and realizing just how young my parents were when they took on this responsibility, I find myself deeply appreciative for their love, care and commitment throughout my lifetime.  (I didn't always make it easy.)  

These days I tell my mom that her best days of parenting are yet to be discovered.  In her young 60's, my mom's energy, enthusiasm and influence seem to be gaining momentum.  In a season of life where most women her age are bringing it down a notch, she, (as well as my dad), seem to be amping it up.  Especially in realms such as marriage, family, friendships and living missionally for the kingdom.  (That's her in the green apron, serving the homeless of Lexington Kentucky with a few of her friends.)  

So with this being Mother's Day....I want to thank you mom for teaching me how to finish strong.  Thanks for building into me so many of my parenting and serving dispositions.  Thanks for loving me as a child, a teenager, as an adult whose life was falling apart, and as a son who sees you today as more than a parent, but as a colleague as well.  Thanks for loving my wife Donna like she were you own.  Thanks for loving Jyoti and Sulley with great passion and energy.  I've always loved who you.  But these days, I love, so much, not only who you have become, but who you are becoming as well.  Happy Mothers Day.

More than a Movie! Part 2

Tomorrow night begins Watershed 5th  annual Movies in the Park at Freedom Park.  It's hard to believe this whole event started with a handful of volunteers, a borrowed sound system and a screen that looked as though it was built by "Fred G. Sanford".  (And the "G" stands for, "Geeze!  I could breath and this thing will topple over!" We've dodged wind, rain, heat and lightening.  We've made it through mosquitoes and an over populated community of geese and all that is left behind when you deal with an over populated community of geese.  (If you catch my proverbial "drift").  

Still, we have managed to successfully pull off 18 consecutive Movies in the Park without rain-outs or without any other major glitches.  (I probably just jinxed us just with that statement.)  The truth is that God has been so gracious in this whole process.  We've been given an huge amount of support from the Charlotte Community, local Charlotte businesses as well as the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department.  In fact, two employees from the Parks Department, Phillip Brown and his family, as well as John and Susan McClellan, have made Watershed their home.  John is actually from Lexington, Kentucky and as destiny or chance would have it, graduated high school with my wife's dad.  He and I have become very close and personal friends.  He's got a ton of life experience and he's a huge UK fan.  Enough said, right?

Over the past four summers, we've also become friends with Ray and Don.  They are the two dear friends that run the concession stand during MIP.  Ray is the father of Don and over the past two summers, they have been extremely gracious and generous to our community.  This past year, Ray's wife, Don's mother, passed away and Ray has been battling serious health issues ever since.  It's been a privilege to get to know these two guys on a personal level and to know their story.  I've been praying for them off and on for the past year.  If you're attending this event, buy a ton of food and soda from these guys.  They work really hard.

Since Watershed's beginnings, we have placed a high value on relationships.  At the end of it all, MIP has embodied this value, creating a multitude of friends.  Greg Ainslie, Jen Ford, the Nunez family, Kevin Douglas and Karen Simmons, Bill Heard and his kids.  These are just a few of the people/families that have ultimately made the journey from Freedom Park to 650 East Stonewall, never to look back.  I LOVE THIS EVENT, if for no other reason than the tremendous privilege it has given us to be in community with these folks.  I can't image where Watershed would without them. I think it's why, after 4 summers, I still get excited when May rolls.  I wonder who will be a part of Watershed this time next summer because of what will take place this summer.  See you tomorrow night. 

Aids Walk this past Saturday

The Aids Walk this past weekend.  I was so proud of our community.  Way to go Scott and Brad.

Suspicious Minds

Even though our next series has nothing to do with Elvis, I keep catching myself humming the chorus from Elvis' Suspicious Minds.  "We can't go on together, with suspicious minds!"  I guess that'll be the drill for me over the next 4 weekends.  (click here to read about our next series.)  

With all that being said, I really have high expectations and hopes for this series.  So m

any of my dearest friends who are considering a life and future with Jesus, have some very significant and complex questions.  In my conversations with these folks, it's like their heart is a little farther  ahead of brain.  Emotionally, they are drawn to this story, drawn to Jesus, and drawn to our

 community.  In fact, the more they hear, the more they process, the more Jesus becomes truly captivating and a legitimate possibility in their heart.  However, their mind continues to keep them anchored to their current faith disposition.   

There is so much to consider to embracing a faith that hangs it hat on an ancient story and a book that often seem confusing and seem contradictory.  Then of course there is the outrageous claim that a man really did rise from the dead!  That's no easy intellectual leap.  So this series is not without it's challenges, both for Scott and I as well as those gracious souls who are willing to sit and contemplate our words each weekend.  And given the ensuing challenges I thought it may be worth offering a few suggestions to those of you who find yourself seriously considering a new life.  In other words,  for those who are seriously considering Jesus, seriously considering making his story, your story, as we move through this series together, here are a few suggestions I would offer.

First.  Please know that we invite the hard questions here at Watershed.  We value examining our faith through the filter of so many of the questions you may have.  So please know that if you are needing to process beyond what Sunday morning offers there are relational opportunities to take the conversation further than Sunday morning's topic.  Blocs like Immerse, that happen two or three times a year are environments specifically designed to engage this sort of conversation.  Also, it you are just burning to converse immediately over a hot button question, myself, Scott, our staff and leadership community stand ready to meet you where you are in this process.  Just shoot us an email at info@watershedcharlotte.com to begin the conversation.

Second.  Acknowledge the thirst for answers.  I think the greatest fear I have for my friends that are experiencing the thirst for answers to this part of life is that they will remain satisfied with the questions verses actually finding satisfying and life giving answers.  I think C.S. Lewis's thinking on this is crucial.  Essentially he speaks of how when a person's body is thirsty it's because he needs water.  He is dehydrated.  He is depleted in an area or realm of his body that,... if left unsatisfied,.. ultimately could cause his demise.  So my suggestion, and my prayer, for those of you that are thirsty is that you would recognize the oasis experience of being satisfied with merely engaging the question. The reason you thirst for answers is because your heart and soul demand to know the truth.  So don't be sold short.  Don't be satisfied until you've found your thirst quenched.  

Thirdly.  Keep an open mind.  Allow yourself to suspend judgment during this series.  I'm not suggesting that you check your brain at the door.  Quite the contrary!  I would ask that you bring your best thinking to the table, but in bringing it, allow yourself to consider the possibility that there is more to what our world than what you physically can see.  Throughout our history,  throughout humanity, there have  been seasons, situations and circumstances that have upended our paradigm for what's normal, rationale or possible.  We've been conditioned by culture to see the world in  an extremely scientific, pragmatic and tangible manner.  Yet all of life points to something much deeper, much more mysterious and much less tangible.  It's as though we live in two realities.  One that we can literally see, and one that our souls long to see, but cannot.  I would argue, it takes just as much brain juice to see the potential of the unseen as it does to scientifically and rationally explain away all that CAN BE SEEN.  So again, don't check your brain.  But please keep an open mind.

Finally,  pray.  Yeah, I know!  I'm playing the spiritual card on this one.  But, what if God really is attempting to engage you these days?  What if he's really trying to get your attention?  What if the answers you crave are really out there?  The scriptures are loaded with stories of confused, anxious, inquisitive people trying to get their heads and hearts wrapped around the idea of a relational God in Jesus.  And consistently, across the board, the chief mode of engaging him has been conversing with him.  You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain in inviting God into the conversation about your life.  You don't need fancy liturgy or any sort of religious vocabulary.  All you need to be is REAL.  Just be real and authentic in your conversations with him about your life.  You might be surprised at the outcome.

Have a great week.  I will be praying specifically, these next four weekends, for thirsty people to find water.

"Thank ya,...thank ya very much.  And please, pass me a peanut butter and nanner samwhich!"...(Insert my best Elvis impersonation)

Sock hat's in the Summer!

Thanks to modern technology, throughout our current series we have utilized some of the Watershed community to assist us to move into the center of Sunday's discussion.  Last weekend I was out of town and missed seeing this clip.  It was put together by some guys from our community that live in a pretty radical fashion just on the other side of the skyline from where Transit meets at Actor's Theatre.  I continue to be challenged, inspired and blessed by the way these guys live in their neighborhood.  (At age 43, I'm still not sure why they insist on wearing a sock hat in the heat of summer.  But that's another blog for another day.)  

Anyway, I wanted to post this video in case you too were unavailable for Transit this weekend.  I am so proud to call these guys brothers and friends.  They are incredible musicians that are worth checking out as well.  Check them out at www.myspace.com/myepic.