Blog My Sojourn Live

To feel superior
When people are feeling bad about themselves, they sometimes think they’ll feel better if there were someone worse off than they are. It’s like, it’s okay being near the bottom, as long as they’re not actually on the bottom. The easiest way for them to make sure someone else is on the bottom is to make up a rumor that puts him or her there.

To feel like part of the group
If everybody else is gossiping or spreading rumors, you might feel you have to do the same thing in order to fit in. When you’re “in on the secret,” you’re in the group. Unfortunately, the person who the gossip or rumor is about is usually left out of the group for the same reason that you’re let into it.

For attention
When you know a secret that nobody knows, or are the first person in your group to hear a rumor, it can make you the center of attention. A rumor or piece of gossip is sometimes like money; telling it to people is like buying their attention, if only for a few minutes. You might even save up a really scandalous rumor, waiting for the right moment to blab so you get the maximum amount of attention
for it.

For control or power
Certain people always want to be in control and at the top of the ladder. You probably know at least one person who needs to be the leader, say what goes, and make all the decisions. When people are at the top of the popularity scale, or are determined to climb higher, one way they do this is by reducing the “status” of another person. Spreading rumors and gossip is one of the main ways people reduce another person’s status, especially among girls. It’s like one caveman beating up another caveman for control of the tribe…only it’s done with cruel whispers and petty remarks instead of fists.

Out of jealousy or a need for revenge
If you’re jealous of someone’s looks, popularity, or money, you might gossip about that person in order to hurt him or her. If you feel that someone’s done something bad to you, or deserves to be hurt, making up a rumor might satisfy your sense of justice.

Out of boredom
Did you know that in many studies, this was the #1 reason why young people say they spread rumors? Sometimes, a period where everyone is happy and getting along just seems kind of…dull. Spreading juicy dish might shake things up a bit, or get two people to start a fight, and that would make life a little more exciting. All those tabloid newspapers and TV shows full of celebrity gossip are pure proof that rumors are a popular form of entertainment.

We asked IML’ers why they think people spread rumors, and here’s what some of you said:

“I think people spread rumors and gossip to hurt that person’s feelings because they're insecure, like bullies.”

”I bet people start rumors to hurt people or because they think the truth is too boring.”

“There are so many reasons! They may misunderstand a situation, want revenge, or just want to be a part of school life.”

“I think that people spread rumors and gossip because they are either bored, mad at that person, trying to stir up some activity, or to get attention.”

This issue may be small for some.... until they are on the other end.

Be careful what you say for sure-- when do brothers and sisters go to the person they are...

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Reading the book Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas has inspired me to read a Psalm a day.

This Psalm is a look into King David's run and hide from his enemies.  His prayer, his longing for God's help, his knowing of God's fortress help. David's knowledge of God's love and ever present help is an amazing prayer for all today.

Psalm 59

 ² Deliver me from evildoers
       and save me from bloodthirsty men.

 ³ See how they lie in wait for me!
       Fierce men conspire against me
       for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.

 ⁴ I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
       Arise to help me; look on my plight!

 ⁵ O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel,
       rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
       show no mercy to wicked traitors.
       Selah

 ⁶ They return at evening,
       snarling like dogs,
       and prowl about the city.

 ⁷ See what they spew from their mouths—
       they spew out swords from their lips,
       and they say, "Who can hear us?"

 ⁸ But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
       you scoff at all those nations.

 ⁹ O my Strength, I watch for you;
       you, O God, are my fortress,

¹⁰ my loving God.
       God will go before me
       and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

 ¹¹ But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, ^[b]
       or my people will forget.
       In your might make them wander about,
       and bring them down.

 ¹² For the sins of their mouths,
       for the words of their lips,
       let them be caught in their pride.
       For the curses and lies they utter,

 ¹³ consume them in wrath,
       consume them till they are no more.
       Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
       that God rules over Jacob.
       Selah

 ¹⁴ They return at evening,
       snarling like dogs,
       and prowl about the city.

 ¹⁵ They wander about for food
       and howl if not satisfied.

 ¹⁶ But I will sing of your strength,
       in the morning I will sing of your love;
       for you are my fortress,
       my refuge in times of trouble.

 ¹⁷ O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
       you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

The issue for some may be David's prayer against his ememy.  Truely and surely David does prayer against them.  For David knows that from the same people coming after him is evil and destruction.

This type of prayer is called  an imprecatory prayer.  Yes-- it is the righteouse praying against evil doers.  David knew the power of this prayer-- Imprecatory prayers run through the Psalmist. 

Think about the words of David.  In this P.C. world-- not many can handle such prayers, but when dealing with Evil-- God is a fortress and can shut the mouths of lions.

I think of Bonhoeffer reading this Psalm as he watched the Jews slaughtered in his country and in other countries.  I believe that God ultimately battled the evil and will triumph again.  Soon and very soon He will return and devour the evil doers of the world.  God's work is not always pretty.   The work of His people is not always easy.  The prayers of the righteous is a battle.

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In the book Bonhoeffer--- Bonhoeffer tells of his love for the Psalms—that while he, Bonhoeffer struggled with life in Germany during the Hitler reign, when he struggled with some his inner issues, when he struggled with making sense of life that he would pray back to God the Psalms.  He would pray and meditate, and immerse himself into the writings of David. 

I found not long ago Psalm 40 as a light unto my path.  I have found too that reciting the Psalms is soothing, bringing sense of God’s presence immediately as I wait and meditate on the words of the Psalmist.

I was reading today this great Psalm—let the words seep deep into your heart and mind.

Thank you King David for your ancient writings and your personal relationship with the Living God!

Psalm 55

 ¹ Listen to my prayer, O God,
       do not ignore my plea;

 ² hear me and answer me.
       My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

 ³ at the voice of the enemy,
       at the stares of the wicked;
       for they bring down suffering upon me
       and revile me in their anger.

 ⁴ My heart is in anguish within me;
       the terrors of death assail me.

 ⁵ Fear and trembling have beset me;
       horror has overwhelmed me.

 ⁶ I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
       I would fly away and be at rest-

 ⁷ I would flee far away
       and stay in the desert;
       Selah

 ⁸ I would hurry to my place of shelter,
       far from the tempest and storm."

 ⁹ Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech,
       for I see violence and strife in the city.

 ¹⁰ Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
       malice and abuse are within it.

 ¹¹ Destructive forces are at work in the city;
       threats and lies never leave its streets.

 ¹² If an enemy were insulting me,
       I could endure it;
       if a foe were raising himself against me,
       I could hide from him.

 ¹³ But it is you, a man like myself,
       my companion, my close friend,

 ¹⁴ with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
       as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

 ¹⁵ Let death take my enemies by surprise;
       let them go down alive to the grave,
       for evil finds lodging among them.

 ¹⁶ But I call to God,
       and the LORD saves me.

 ¹⁷ Evening, morning and noon
       I cry out in distress,
       and he hears my voice.

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"I discovered later, and I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that is it only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world. That, I think, is faith."  ~Bonhoeffer

I have been reading the book Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas.  I finished a few days ago and continue to review in my heart and mind—all the while with a gratefulness that I have not experienced in some time.

Is it because I’m tired of the “new” kind of book out there about others journey’s that continue to complain about the local church and how it doesn’t meet their needs?   Is it because I myself needed an inspiring book of faith, life and devotion to the Lord?  Is it because for me I have often felt this past year that in truth—I often feel overwhelmed or doubtful or lacking faith or just plain tired and yet still in love with the Lord?  Maybe the truth is that I continue to struggle against a “new” yet very old kind of church stuff—and as a Pastor that I have deep concerns for that issue.  Maybe I’m tired of watching students self destruct and blame others for their destruction?  Maybe I’m tired of listening to people that quote “love” the Lord but are going absolutely crazy in the way they treat and talk about others?  Maybe, just maybe I know in my heart that all the above isn’t right and it bothers me—and sometimes I don’t want it to—I want to have thick skin and ability blow them off--- but maybe God won’t let me?  I don’t know—

Why hassle with that junk?  Why worry about that stuff?  That is for another day—although it almost seems everyday I deal with somebody that continues to live out the “old stuff” in front of me—the gossip, the distrust, the talking behind backs, the complaining, the blah blah blah.

The real issue of the quote above is so simple and so deep.   Bonhoeffer is dealing with the fact that he is involved in something that ultimately will and did cost him his life.  He could have avoided the whole ordeal.  After all, he went to the U.S.A. at the height of the Hitler killing days.

But Bonhoeffer unlike many today that avoid the world—more over hate the world and the unlovable people in it—no Bonhoeffer believed and so do I that “by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith.  By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world. That, I think, is faith."

Yes—the Bible speaks of worldliness as a “bad” thing.  (to some)  So we build “youth groups” and go inward as churches in order to avoid the world—when in truth—we are prayed for by our Lord as we live in the world to not be of the world.  The issue is to live in the world period.  Being of the world—well I have been—but that was when I didn’t give a rip about Christ—and I knew it—the flip side?  Living worldly and acting as if one is not.  Denying it, playing the games, being like the world in relationships, attitudes, and all the stuff that living worldly entails.  All the while, call the world sick and nasty and living once a week in the closed setting.  Then going out the rest of the week with disdain toward the world yet living just like it....

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I have just finished reading the book Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prohpet Spy by Eric Metaxas.

I will never be the same.  I was moved to tears, to joy, to resolve, to love, to Jesus.  I have read Bonhoeffer works, I have read of Bonhoeffer in the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, I have read of this man before.

But… this book hit me hard.  I found myself relating to him so much—and yet—I have never witnessed what he witnessed—watching Hitler destroy the Jews, destroy disable people, destroy the church, destroy families, destroy a nation.  I cannot fathom what this Godly man experienced.  To die by the gallows for being such a humble, loving servant of God, to die by the gallows for being part of a conspiracy to rid the world of evil, to die for what he believed, I cannot understand.

But… I can relate to his attitude toward—some of the things I struggle with as a pastor of over 20 years. 

Bonhoeffer said—“I have long thought that sermons had a center that, if you hit it, would move anyone or confront them with a decision.  I no longer believe that.  ( Me too-- )

First of all, a sermon can never grasp the center, but can only itself be grasped by it, by Christ.  And then Christ becomes flesh as much in the word of pietists as in that of the clerics or of the religious socialists, and these empirical connections actually pose difficulties for preaching that are absolute, not merely relative.”

In other words—apart for God’s grace—one can do nothing.

On the other hand—when I read of this man’s life—his theological insight—I cannot help but think that here is a man, and only a man, that dedicated himself to understanding completely that point.  That outside of God’s grace, one can do nothing.  Therefore, how one then lives their life is either to pursue the Grace of God—in everything or continue to do everything to receive God’s grace.  Bonhoeffer would absolutely not agree with the later.  He fought against those that place any works over God’s grace period.  And I do also.

Will that cost me my life—no.  But I must continue to teach and speak the truth.

I watch many family’s and students that continue to place works over grace.  To continue to place the “deeper” things over Grace—when in truth—as Bonhoeffer knew full well—the deep is living out Grace.

“A major theme of Bonhoeffer was that every Christian must be “fully human” by bringing God into his whole life, not merely into some “spiritual” realm.  To be an ethereal figure who merely talked about God, but somehow refused to get his hands dirty in the real world in which God had placed him, was bad theology.  Through Christ, God had shown that he meant us to be in this world and to obey Him with our actions in this world.”

With the above quote—I totally go crazy in yes yes yes.   Ministry, Student ministry, church is to the many—a place to teach, to be safe from the world a place to band together and treat the world with disdain ( while treating some in the church with the same disdain.)  But I—yes I have felt since my days in High School—then studying for ministry, and now serving in ministry that—yes—our biggest failings as Christians in this world is that we—have failed to help, to teach, to prepare followers of Christ the how to live in this lost and dark world—and actually have done more damage by separating the “spiritual” with everyday life.

Sad to say it—I know many many many followers that actually believe the spiritual realm is Sunday—while even on Sunday, not much changes. 

It may not ever be able for people to accept that—except—except—those that are way past...

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⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

 ⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.   ~1 John 1.5-10

I often wonder—How hard is it to hear the above?  For me personally—it is actually a delight.  Really?  Yes.  It really, really is—

A delight?

Yes—John won’t cut slack on this truth—walking in the light means we have fellowship with one another—which means—relationships are important.  How important?    Well, if we have fellowship with one another—the obvious is at work—that the blood of Jesus, purifies us from all sin.  Walking in the Light is evident in relationships.

Now—what about those that “walk in the light” but treat others “in the Light” with an attitude, or with dislike or even disdain?  Is that possible?  Well—yes it is—especially when those treating their brothers and sisters “think” they are walking in the light and know full well—actually purposefully treat others in the fellowship like crap or less than they should… they know it period.  What is even worse is this—

¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 

In other words- claiming it’s not an issue or claiming that a person doesn’t have certain issues—mainly from this context—that they are relationally o.k. in and of itself is Sin period and I know some today that know full well that they are treating people at best with disdain, a tinch of hate, a pinch of dislike--that is sin, not according to me.  

The affects of this sin?   Relational issues—that in truth—others can see, and feel—and know full well.   Here is the rub—it’s sin.  It’s not right period. 

What I know as a youth pastor—bullying is a real hot button right now.  Everybody knows a bully and everybody knows a not so friendly, self righteous person.  Why, how?   Walking in the Light exposes everything.  When I walk in the Light—I actually delight in the Light—I no longer hide behind God talk, self righteous junk, head stuff, all the crap that so many still think matters.  No—righteousness comes by faith—not works—so I stopped hiding behind the “stuff” the “list” a long time ago and some in the fellowhip treat me with disdain,  a pinch of putting their nose up, not even saying good day.  I get it.  I know what that is.

But because of growing up in the church, listening to people speak badly about others, watching others supposedly walking in the Light treat others in the Light with disdain and even a pinch of hatred—I have seen for many many years.  It’s like the guy that used to go to the church I attended and leave when the pastor would speak—because the guy didn’t like the pastor.  Is that right?  Is it?  According to 1 John?  It is not right—it is sin.

Why care?  Because, this stuff matters.  It matters to God.  I often wonder why it is so hard for some of the “fellowship” to not like the words lie, sin, darkness—because—they may just be living it....

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Note to self

• Several students came to know Christ this past Sunday night at Uprising
• There is a new female student attending small groups that doesn’t own a Bible.  She will have one next week.
• A student that has never been here came in my office last week for some counsel.  I invited him to Uprising and he came and loved it. 
• A student without a spiritual background came to Christ this past week.
• Students come to small groups on Monday night because they want to be there.

Hmmmmm note to self.  The evil one continues to try and destroy the work of God through gossip and slander by those that want to continue to believe it’s ALL about OTHER stuff.

Note to self.  The evil one continues to stir up those that still believe in conspiracy theories.

Note to self.  The enemy will not win—because the Next Gen ministry is the Lord’s.

• Students are engaging other students to be part of something they enjoy.
• Students that are hurting continue to hurt without seeking the Lord or others that can help.  That is hard to watch, knowing that much of the hurt is self inflicted.
• Students that continue to stay disconnected to the ministry make up excuses sometimes picked up from home. 
• Blaming others is always the easy way.
• Distrust in leadership is not always the leaders fault.
• Pride is sin
• Self interest is sometimes just plain selfish
• God is only a prayer away
• Prayer is the answer to the issues I struggle with

Note to self.  Stay the course and stay in the Lord-- Be still

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I do believe in the Supernatural.  I do believe that God does mighty things in my life.  I do believe that God is greater than experience—and I do believe He works experientially 24/7.  Oh yea, I believe in God’s intervention in my life—I saw it again last Sunday afternoon.

Life Chain met all along Stroop Road in Dayton Ohio at 2 p.m.  I promised I would go and be part of the people that silently protested abortion.  I left my house at 1:45 and headed over to Stroop Rd.  I knew some of the people from my church were to be by a church, so naturally I drove down Stroop to find it.  I went the distance 1 way—didn’t find the church.  I drove the distance the other way and didn’t find the church.  I drove it again and saw sign after sign protesting abortion.  I passed people praying, people holding signs, some walking to their spot—but I didn’t find my people.

I drove the other way again—saying to myself—if I don’t find them, I’ll just turn around and go home.  After all, I tried, I was there in spirit.  Nobody will miss me.  There were plenty of people there protesting.

I had a few more blocks to go—no sign of my people, and then…. Then I saw a sign—

The sign said—Adoption is love. 

Adoption is love and I am adopted.  I am alive because my awesome birth mom did the right thing.  At that moment… I saw my friends through the tears in my eyes… parked my car and joined them in protest.

Yes—God showed up and reminded me—I was worth saving.  My birth mom could have gotten rid of me.  She could have killed me.  I am alive.  I stayed and protested because—my mom did the loving thing and for that, I am grateful.

Thank you Father for intervening that moment

To catch my heart

To remind me of your presence

To remind me that people matter

To remind me that you Father are greater than the sin of this world.

That you still are active

That you are still God

That you love me

That you care about me

Thank you for my birth mom

Thank you for her courage to do the right thing

I am in awe of your goodness to me!

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