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I finished Francis Chan’s Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit this morning.  Chan has done an incredible job of exploring the topic of the Holy Spirit in a way that is profoundly meaningful yet very readable.  I highly recommend this book to everyone.  I’m sure there are plenty of reviews online by people who will do a much better job reviewing it than me, so I thought I’d share five questions that Forgotten God led me to ask myself.

- If the Holy Spirit truly is with me and in me, why do I live so similarly to everybody else?  The same question can be extended to other believers and the church…

- What am I afraid of when it comes to following God?  Am I afraid I will be led to do something I don’t want to, to be made uncomfortable, that I will look foolish, that I will fail, that I’m not good enough, smart enough, gifted enough?  What fears hold me back?

- Why do I want more of the Holy Spirit in my life?  Is it to serve the purpose of my own goals or ultimately for Kingdom purposes?

- What are the symptoms of neglect of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life? How can I become more disciplined and intentional in my pursuit of God in a more well rounded way; Father, Son, and Spirit?

- Have I settled simply for what I need to get by?  Have I tried to become comfortable with “enough” God for some measure of peace and comfort in my life?  Do I depend on God in a radical way?

If these questions speak to your soul at all, pick up the book and see what questions it leads you to ask of yourself.

I was reminded of Luke 6:43-45 yesterday while watching SportsCenter (see it has significant spiritual value) – The Message paraphrases it this way, “You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.”  As I watched the scuffle that followed the Oregon/Boise St football game Thursday night, I was struck by how quickly things escalated.

 

Michael Vick doesn’t have many fans these days, most people would probably like to see him fade out of public eye and only remember him when there is an opportune time for a joke be it dog fighting, Ron Mexico, or some other poor decision related (guilty – I’ve landed my fair share at Vick’s expense). I respect the heck out of Tony Dungy for this.

The article doesn’t say anything too profound but to me what stands out is that Dungy would give of his time in the first place to go and visit with Vick when he could be simply enjoying his retirement somewhere and leaving the football world behind.

Makes me wonder why we are so quick to write people off when we believe in a God of second chances, a God who transforms, a God of grace and mercy. I pray that we begin to see ourselves and others through a different lens and are able to claim and repent of our hypocrisy.

A couple things I’ve read today that have provoked thought…

From a message by Tony Campolo:

“It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. It was Friday, and my Jesus is dead on a tree. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, Mary’s crying her eyes out, the disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, some are looking at the world and saying, “As things have been, so they shall be. You can’t change nothing in this world! You can’t change nothing in this world!” But they didn’t know that it was only Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, them forces that oppress the poor and keep people down, them forces that destroy people, the forces in control now, them forces that are gonna rule, they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, people are saying, “Darkness is gonna rule the world, sadness is gonna be everywhere,” but they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. Even though this world is rotten, as it is right now, we know it’s only Friday. But Sunday’s a comin’.

ht: here and here  

This from Mark Batterson:

This thought keeps going through my mind today: I am Barabbas.

Imagine what that Friday must have been like for him. He was sitting in a jail cell awaiting his execution. He knew it was the last day of his life. It was the end. There was no hope. Then he hears the crowd chanting his name and the next thing he knows he’s a free man. The charges are dropped. His life that was almost over starts over. And a sinless man named Jesus literally takes his place. He expected to die. He deserved to die. But his execution, in the sovereign plan of God, was scheduled on the same day Jesus was arrested.

If ever there was a picture of II Corinthians 5:21 this is it: “God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us.”

I am Barabbas.

This from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle:

O God, you sent Christ Jesus to be my shepherd and the lamb of sacrifice.  Help me to embrace the mystery of salvation, the promise of life rising out of death.  Help me to hear the call of Christ and give me the courage to follow it readily that I, too, may lead others to you.  This I ask through Jesus, my shepherd and guide.

This from Isaac Watts:

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Where the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

My buddy Davis, who is a stud keyboardist, trombonist, and all around great guy, has recently been playing with Kristian Stanfill’s band at a few worship events.  This video is from one of those events and I thought it was hilarious, hopefully you will too.

Seems very fitting that Barack Obama would be inaugurated the day after we remember and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This is a huge day in the history of the United States and I hope that it serves to give all people a new hope and a new sense of equality for all.

Here are a couple of videos of MLK that I think everybody should watch:

This an excellent story from Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly.  You should definitely take a few minutes and give it a read.