Sometimes when I go to the Christian bookstore I get overwhelmed. So many books, opinions, bibles, and stuff. Stuff to hang on our walls, or prop up on a nightstand, or... even hang around our necks. Sometimes it almost bothers me for some reason and I'm not really sure why. Maybe it reminds me too much of the world's materialism. Like I said, I don't know, it's just a feeling I get when I enter through those pearly gates, oops, I mean pearly doors, and then aimlessly start to wander around. Maybe it's a feeling like, "does anyone really need all this stuff?" And then I have to remind myself, "yes, there are times in all our lives that yes, we do." We need the book that points us to God, or a message on a plaque to hang by our front door, or a cd and a song to remind us of... "remind us of what?" Of God, because the flesh all too easily can and will forget Him. Just read the story of Exodus and you'll see what I mean.

But anyway, I quickly pass by the crosses, nothing that catches my eye or (trying to think like my daughter now) nothing that I think would appeal to her either. She's then there by my side and points to one that's silver, not too big, and yes, very very plain, "what about that one?" she says. I feign half enthusiastically, "it's alright," I shrug. Boy, that was a big mistake and I quickly try to patch it up with "I'm sorry. It's just... not my style. But... it would look great on you." Cheezy smile. Oh well. She's moves on to look at other things and again I notice the plethora (isn't that a cool word?) of stuff stuffed into this what seems, too tiny of a space.

I look around and I don't even now where to begin, quickly reminding myself the whole reason for the visit was to find a cross for my daughter so, I don't really need anything anyway. That is until a book down on a lower shelf for some reason grabs my attention. I pick it up, examining the cover and then it dawns on me, "OMG, I remember Michael English! I used to have his cd back in 19...." Well, never mind the year and for those of you who may not remember Michael English he was and still is a Christian Music Artist and apparently now too an author; the title of his book, "The Prodigal Comes Home." I turn the book over, scanning the back cover and then for some reason, "I need to read this," I tell myself and I pay the cashier.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love stories with happy endings? I do. I love stories about redemption and stories about how frogs turn into princes and about how the boy gets the girl, well, you get my drift, and I especially love stories about how God never gives up on us, no matter how far we may stray. If you like stories likes these too then Michael's new book, "The Prodigal Comes Home" is the book for you because literally, his story has every element in it that I just listed above. His book made me cry and at the same realize how frail we are as human beings. How easy, even when someone appears to be at the top of their game it is to fall and how far a fall it is.

Anyway, all I can say is how glad I am that God brought this man through all that He did. Not only because his story had a happy ending but mostly because of how God is now using his story to point to Him. Michael English... God bless you!

Still looking for silver crosses even though I've already found the silver lining in every cloud.

As some of my readers may know I have been working in a small independently owned Christian bookstore. Recently, I became the manager. I have been thinking about ways to improve the bookstore. So I have some questions for you, my readers.

What are qualities that you look for in a bookstore?

What makes a good bookstore?

Do you prefer independent retailers over the big chains or does that even matter?

If you could design a bookstore what are the top 3 things you would do?

Please note: All hyperlinks in the interview below are my fault doing.

Mike: Today we talk about something that a ton
of folks have asked in the comments section - what do new-pneumatics have to say (and more importantly, do) about justice issues, compassion for the poor and widow and stranger? How does basking in the glory of God’s manifest presence enable us to live into the beloved community, as embodied in Jesus’ beatitudes?

Now before I give you the floor, let me say that I'm actually aware of a ton of 'Spirit-filled' folks out there whose life-paradigm seems to be soaking in prayer and worship, then expending their lives in the service of society's least wanted. Jackie Pullinger comes to mind, as does Heidi and Roland Baker. Blood-N-Fire is a former Vineyard church movement focusing on 'the youth, the poor and the nations;' YWAM has manyPete Grieg and Andy Freeman's initiatives involving 24/7 Prayer and Boiler Rooms and missional monastic orders in the UK and US. So maybe the charge of navel-gazing is unfair. But let me put two things in your court, John - chapters focusing on lives of embodied service, as does

1.) Even with all these wonderful initiatives going on, how does the charismatic movement evolve beyond a 'let's give to charity' mindset? What kind of involvement is encouraged of the average 'pew-warmer' beyond financial support to other people to do the work of ministry? and,

2.) What are you guys up to in this arena?

John: People who are not directly involved in prophetic/supernatural-focused ministries are rarely aware of the vast amounts of time, effort and resources being invested around the globe to improve society.

I am a strong advocate of presenting a holistic gospel. Even before we started construction of our India children’s home (this is hopefully the first of many, by the way), we were always traveling to developing nations and investing in other ministries which had a focus on orphans, widows, etc. But as you said, the vision for societal change must be embraced by the “rank and file” pew warmer. It is not enough for a few high-profile ministries to do a few projects within their own respective budgets. The average believer, by herself, could easily raise $15,000 to house a widow and 10 orphans in Africa or Asia, just by taking up collections from “secular” people at their office place. It does not take much for a citizen in the Western world to literally save lives around the globe. But most people are clueless on issues of global poverty, the sex slave trade, the AIDS crisis, etc.

Mike: Ain't that the truth. I've been working with some amazing people both nationally and locally on transcending the slave trade in particular. It's a daunting 'issue' with real lives at stake daily, and so much public ignorance on the matter even now.

Is this lethal apathy an epidemic found solely in an inward-focused charismatic stream? Is the continual desire (by Spirit-filled believers) for the next “spiritual fix” the real enemy of distraction here? Forgive me if I am blunt, but that is sheer stupidity. There are sluggards and nominalists in every denomination of Christianity, along with every sect and cult on the face of the planet. The apathy of the church is clearly not selective to the charismatic stream alone. If we are going to have a witch hunt, I think we could blame Western materialism, television idolatry or Sudoku addiction for distracting our focus. Why blame an emotional attraction to Jesus (or a distaste for sober, boring services) for the problems of a fallen world?

The root issue here is deeper. The question posed by many – “What does all this hyper-spiritual extravagance do for the poor?” – is eerily reminiscent of Judas’ question, when Mary “wasted” the costly spikenard on Jesus, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold … and given to the poor?” Jesus said “Leave her alone. … you will always have the poor among you.” Was Jesus inward and self-focused? Was He unconcerned for the poor? Was Mary wasting her time and money on a pointless “spiritual fix?”

[Editor's note: John 12 should never be read without Deuteronomy 15 squarely in mind]

Jesus cares about the poor more than any of us. But He also understood priorities. God knows that He alone is the Source from which all of society’s problems find their resolution. I think that what Jesus says here in John 12 is this: if ever posed with the uncanny and difficult choice between feeding the poor and worshipping Him, choose rightly – you should worship Him.

As much as we may like to strike at the perceived “inwardness” of the charismatic stream (and yes, I see this with many individuals), none of us can deny that the first commandment (Love God) is still the first. And the second (Love your neighbor), is still the second. The second is like the first (and not to be forgotten! Remember the poor) – but it is still only secondary. Otherwise, what differentiates us from the pagans (just a figure of speech, emergent world – sort of)? The world is full of do-gooding do-gooders, but Christ is interested in relationship above service. I may sound fundamental here, but actions alone are not going to save the planet. Only the Glory of God is going to do that. It’s a supernatural thing (and I’m not talking about some eschatological rapture crap). What I mean is that this problem is too big for us. We need more of His presence above all. Do we sit by and twiddle our thumbs while we pray? No. But our number one priority should be to continually focus on the answer, not focus on the problem. Jesus is the answer. The more I inject Him in my veins, the more I want to go spill His love into the garbage dumps of the world, kissing lepers, feeding the hungry and bringing joy and hope to the depressed and downtrodden.

Mike: I hear you. But do you really mean to pit loving God against loving neighbor? I don't know if Jesus' two commandments can be prioritized; John's gospel has Jesus conflating the two. Or as my friend Kevin Beck likes to say, "Love God by loving your neighbor." (For more on this perspective see Kevin's piece on Agapetheism)

John: Before I am pinned as being uncaring or enabling the problem of Christian passivity, let me make something very clear. I believe that to feed the poor is true religion and is a viable means of worshipping Jesus. But there is more. Christianity is not a moral club. The gospel is not a community ethics program. It is the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” The Holy Spirit is not just a tool that inspires us with a goosebump so that we can get to the REAL work of the Kingdom, which is to go do a bunch of stuff. That is the Galatian bewitchment. Ideally, our service to humanity comes in great gobs and heaps as an overflow of God’s love working through us. When the priorities are right, we are no longer workers who happen to love God. Rather, we are lovers who do stuff. Find your primary identity as a lover, continually fixated on Him, and your heart will burn to heal the brokenness of the world more than ever was humanly possible. The work of societal transformation is an overflow, not the main focus. But the main thing has to be the main thing. Otherwise, our efforts become idolatrous grounds for boasting. The more I get tanked up on the wine of Heaven, the more love I have for the things God loves. The more I give.

In all fairness, I would also like to add that I know very many “rank and file” folks who are extremely generous, going above and beyond the call of duty. I know people who will spend weeks trashed out in an ecstatic trance on their couch [Where can I get a job that lets me do that??], apparently doing nothing for the poor, but then they will go drop $10,000 in one fell swoop into orphanage projects [I guess the same vocation that lets people do that. Sigh.]. We simply can’t judge by appearances, can we? Just because someone does not appear to be concerned for the world’s problems does not mean they aren’t part of the solution. I do not walk around depressed all day, thinking of the planet’s woes. I do my part, but not out of an anxiousness that it all relies on me. I’m just convinced that God is going to pull through on the human experiment.

Mike: I am too, John! I think God is indeed pulling through right now. Thanks for your perspective.

Ever since the milieu of the Hebrew Bible (aka the Old Testament), there has been tension between the 'priests' and the 'prophets.' (Don't be confused by how we might be using 'prophetic' in these contemporary blog posts, 'cause I'm about to make the opposite point about ancient Hebrew prophets) The priests were concerned with temple plans and instruments and extravagant worship, whereas prophets were likely to rail against the worship-preoccupations of the priests. And yet there is a mystery present: God spoke in and through both. Apparently, God both inhabits the praises of his people, and yet desires mercy (justice) above sacrifice (worship). And this is precisely the tension we're called to inhabit, living an integrated life loving God and neighbor, friend, stranger and enemy.

Note: If you’re just tuning in, this post is part of a series exploring new-pneumatology and emerging expressions of church. Here are the rest:

(Holy) Ghosts of Revivals Past

Charismatic Chaos or (Holy) Spirited Deconstruction?

What Is the Future of the Prophetic?

Guest Blog - John Crowder Speaks!

Crowder & Morrell Dialogue: What About the Fam? (Or, ‘Sex-Crazed Charismatics?’)

Crowder & Morrell: Kids & Cocaine Jesus?

Crowder & Morrell Final: Sweet Mystical Communion

Mike: I totally get the idea of redeeming drug culture for Jesus and ministering to those within it with a 'tokin' the Ghost' motif. And I'm *also* fine with consenting adults - whether they have such a drug background or not - participating in worship celebrations where Jehovah-juana and Godka are in fresh supply. We're free in Christ, y'know? But I have a question: What about the children? On the YouTube videos I see kids participating in your meetings, which is great as far as it goes - as we'vd discussed. But when you pass spiritual joints to little kids (like I saw on one of Ben's India videos), don't you think that *could* be sending them the wrong messages, like that it's a good idea to start smoking stuff?

John: This is a valid question, Mike, and has been asked before. I think the example you gave (re: Ben in India) is a bit moot though: the person in the video simply looked like a child, but it was actually a crippled person with no legs, who really did need a toke of the Ghost considering the circumstances!

Mike: I'm not sure we're talking about the same video, John. I mean this one, at around 5 minutes in. It sure looks like a little girl to me [Note: I just noticed this, so John hasn't had the opportunity to respond yet. I'll get the right/additional YouTube on here if he does.]:

John: You first have to understand something about what we are doing here before we tackle the subject of children. To the pure all things are pure. I am not “pretending” to smoke marijuana, I am REALLY getting blasted on the Holy Spirit by faith. I am not “pretending” to inject heroine, I am REALLY being infused by God’s presence. Obviously, I know the package is offensive, and to say this is not entirely intentional would be a lie. But you see, we are not trying to copy a worldly experience. We are offering the “real thing” which are the supernatural pleasures of Jesus Christ. Joy unspeakable (not humanly utterable).

One of your bloggers (Micah) made a great point with which I fully agree, and in fact I preach this very point vehemently:

“What disturbs me is the repackaging of the world, and it’s way as Christ in order to keep youth interested. I guess my question is, What did Christ have to offer? Did he offer the same culture and “ways of the world” repackaged and relabeled? Or did he offer an entirely new way of life, and an entirely new way of looking at and interacting with the world around us?

I also offer a challenge to the idea that there is anything wrong with going out dancing, or enjoying a glass of wine, and wonder why we would feel the need to try and co-opt and replace those things with a “Get high on Jesus” T-Shirt? If we cease to look at the world around us as something that we need to flee, and the Church as a way to cloister ourselves, but look at everything and everyone as an opportunity to experience and express Christ.. well I wonder if this would even happen?”

I think we are all sick of this repackaging nonsense. This is why I can’t stand Christian bookstores with all their duplicated Jesus paraphernalia knock-offs. We are on the same side on this one, so hold the friendly fire. I’ve had enough of “Let’s make our worship band sound like Nirvana” – rather than “Let’s create a whole new genre of music because the Creator lives inside of us!” We need to create, rather than to repackage. We need to set the standard, rather than duplicate. But is it possible that drug culture has simply “repackaged” something that originally belonged to the church? I am talking about recovering true, authentic experience – not imitating the counterfeit. Drugs imitate and copy the trance experiences of the apostles and the ecstasies of the mystics. They attempt to substitute deep spiritual and emotional needs for interior (and exterior) pleasure. John Piper is completely right that we are “created for holy pleasure.” In getting “whacked up,” am simply living out his theology to the furthest possible extreme. Holy joy is not a “repackaged” version of Prozak. The opposite is true. The issue here is precedence. Prozac is counterfeiting divine joy. Crack is already counterfeiting the bliss of the cross. Jesus is not the duplicator. It is satan/the world/the bad guys who are already trying to repackage the spiritual experience with their naughty schemes (shame on them). If you taste the real deal, you will not want the artificial substitute. Furthermore, we are not comparing God to drugs. The world has already made this comparison by presuming that a drugged lifestyle has more immediate pleasure than what is afforded by the Living God. I am simply recovering what was stolen.

Mike: I can follow what you're saying here...I think...even though I'd still prefer to speak from the relatively original language & matrix developed for divine intoxication by the Christian mystical tradition rather than the drug culture - how un-missional of me? But hey, we'll talk about that more on Wednesday, our final slated discussion day. For now I'll bring it back to the children.

I mean, adults with discernment can tell the difference between the real and the counterfeit, right, but I'm a little worried that little kids (especially ones in other countries) might not know any better and get the wrong idea and start drinking and doing drugs and stuff, at an even earlier age than they normally might. Please give me your take on this - especially if you think I'm way off-base.

John: Let’s talk the issue of children. Kids are going to learn about drugs sooner than later; better at home than on the streets. But furthermore, what if we give them the “real deal” first, so that they are not tempted by the substitute? What if our kids learn to have an interior satisfaction on the pleasures of God, before drugs ever become a shadowy temptation? What if kids taste the presence of the real Holy Spirit before the duplicate ever comes along? What if they learn about visionary experiences before they are ever tempted by hallucinogens?

Whaddaya think parents, would-be Dr. Phils, Dr. Spocks, Dr. Dobsons? Will teaching your kids to savor the shekinah keep 'em away from coke and meth? And what does it mean to be a divine original in a world of spiritual copycats? More tomorrow!

Note: If you’re just tuning in, this post is part of a series exploring new-pneumatology and emerging expressions of church. Here are the rest:

(Holy) Ghosts of Revivals Past

Charismatic Chaos or (Holy) Spirited Deconstruction?

What Is the Future of the Prophetic?

Guest Blog - John Crowder Speaks!

Crowder & Morrell Dialogue: What About the Fam? (Or, ‘Sex-Crazed Charismatics?’)

Crowder & Morrell: Charismissional - What About The Poor?

Crowder & Morrell Final: Sweet Mystical Communion

Previously:

Webisode 1

Webisode 2

Well, today I had an encounter with a couple who were die-hard KJV-only. My first indication was when the man started loudly complaining that we only had a few real Bibles and the rest were junk. I quickly learned that the KJV was the only real Bible. I have finally found a good response to KJV only: Personally, I think nothing beats reading the Bible in the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. I have found this usually catches the person off guard. I think many have never considered that the Bible was not originally written in English. The couple proceeded to trash other translations of the Bible as being just worthless books. I did point out that both the NASB and ESV were closer to the original language than the KJV. I even suggested they should try comparing the ESV or NASB with the Greek and Hebrew. This really seemed to shock the couple. The man was apparently not used to women who stood up to him or had any form of theological training. For the most part I tried to leave the couple alone or only talk about other merchandise. However, the couple could not resist throwing barbs at me about the KJV and as one last parting jab the woman begin slamming Christian rock music.

One of the things that struck me about the encounter was something the man said. The KJV had been the only Bible for years and there was no reason to change. There are many Christians that like things status quo. They are comfortable in their nice little church world. Things have worked for them for years and see know reason why they should ever change.

So why do churches/Christians need to change any way? First, I am not talking about changing the message of the Gospel but rather our methods. For starters, the church is quickly becoming irrelevant to an entire generation. I have read some articles recently about how 18-30 year-olds are leaving the church, because they believe it is no longer relevant to their lives. (See Is the Church Irrelevant for Today's Society?) Instead of bickering over things like Bible translations, we as Christians should be more concerned about reaching non-Christians. In fact, fighting among Christians is a big turn off to those who are not believers.

David Lee
VHMinistries.org

So why write a blog about Jesus Junk?  I would ask you, why not?

I am intensly curious what spritual and scriptual significance a rubber ball that says "one way" on it has...now, I get that Jesus is the only way to heaven, but do we really need to give it to a kid in a cryptic message on a rubber ball which will only be stolen by the class bully?  Wait!  Now it's all coming together, it isn't for the last kid on the face of the earth who actually plays with a real ball instead of the one in the Wii.  It's for the kid who beats him up to take it away!

Nice!

Until next time, this is Marty Daniels wondering why we have so much Jesus Junk.