Author: Alan

Alan is an ordinary guy, living in a small, high plains Colorado town...and humbled to be a minister of God...
Man falling off horse

Getting Back on the Horse

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Man falling off horseI'm not really an emotional man, and change the last couple years has been so constant that (as much as I desire some stability in my day-to-day and week-to-week life) I cannot claim that the move to Colorado has thrown me for a loop.

However, leaving New Hampshire about a month ago has had a lot more impact on me than I wish. We left a town that we loved (and called home for over 9 years)…but more importantly we left a church family that can never be replaced. Additionally, we transitioned from living in a home in a rural town to an apartment in a heavily populated suburb. We've resided in even more urban areas, but not in about a decade. We were spoiled by being able to see stars by night and avoid traffic lights by day.

We drove to Denver from New Hampshire starting on a Tuesday night and arriving late Friday afternoon. That Sunday we found the closest Church of Christ and showed up for the 9AM service. The gathering was fine—nothing great, nothing terrible (although Michelle is definitely not a fan of using PowerPoint during song service and the sermon). The message was unmemorable, but not especially aggravating. Augie enjoyed his Bible study class, and the people who took the time to say hi were friendly. Continue reading “Getting Back on the Horse”

Scared man

What Is Your Greatest Fear?

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Scared manWhat is your greatest fear?

I've heard before that people's greatest fear is public speaking. As a preacher I've either overcome that or have learned to fake it pretty well, eh? Personally, I think my greatest fears (if I allow myself to think about it) have to do with my children. I won't go into specifics (to write of them would bring them to the mental forefront), but even a common human fear…that of death…for me is mainly a fear of how it will affect my children.

How about you? What is your greatest fear? Was it public speaking or death? Flying on airplane? Spiders? The dark? Clowns? 🙂

We all have fears, and often irrational ones. They really aren't a problem unless they prevent us from living a normal life. We can avoid speaking in public, steer clear of dangerous activities, take a bus across country, stay away from creepy-crawly things, plug in night lights, and never enter a circus tent.

But sometimes fears can overwhelm us, and we've heard of individuals who (for instance) have agoraphobia and refuse to leave their homes. If we had a friend like that we likely would encourage them to visit a psychiatrist.

However, perhaps the worst types of fears are those that keep us from doing the right thing at the right time. Maybe at school you saw a kid get picked on and you should have spoken up, but you kept your mouth shut for fear that the bullying bullseye would move to you. Or maybe at work you made a mistake but you didn't tell anyone because you were worried about getting in trouble (and possibly even lose your job). Continue reading “What Is Your Greatest Fear?”

Bible

What’s in a Preface?

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BibleHave you ever been asked to do something where, instead of lamenting the burden you were just handed, you felt extremely honored to be chosen? If so, were you especially diligent in your efforts, being extra careful to do it right and to live up to the charge you were given?

If you haven't had that type of opportunity, what kind of request would cause you to feel that way? Being asked to be the best man or the maid of honor? The President personally ringing you up to help with an important initiative? Something else?

Perhaps for a Christian one of the most significant tasks we could ever enter into is translating Scripture. Unless you've had years and years of biblical Hebrew and Greek (I haven't), it is probably difficult to imagine, but just ponder what you would be involved with. These are the very words of God being converted from their original languages into your common tongue. Every decision you make directly affects whether your reader is being given an accurate rendering of what our Lord said, either directly or by inspiring prophets of old. When manuscripts disagree, did you choose the correct one? Is it better to translate word-for-word than thought-for-thought so as to avoid putting your own interpretation into the verses? Is it better to translate thought-for-though than word-for-word because the latter would be near impossible to read and would not make any sense to the average human? Continue reading “What’s in a Preface?”

Jesus on the Cross

My Very Last Sermon Ever

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Jesus on the Cross

This is it…

The title of this sermon, “My Very Last Sermon Ever,” is likely an exaggeration, but this is the very last time I’ve been scheduled to preach anywhere. Michelle, Augie, and I don’t yet know what church we’ll be attending in the Denver area, and there is a pretty good chance they won’t be in need of a preacher. As such, I’ve been thinking about what I would say if I knew for sure this was it…that I’d never get to stand before others in the body of Christ on a Sunday to provide a lesson.

I am reminded that Paul was in a similar, albeit much more severe, situation when he wrote today’s Scripture to his son in Christ, Timothy. Let’s turn together to 2 Timothy 4:1-6 and see what the Apostle to the Gentiles had to say:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come (2 Timothy 4:1-6).

Now, obviously, I cannot claim to be “being poured out as a drink offering” — I am moving because of a new (ols) job God has blessed me with (again). Also, my “departure” is far less significant than the one Paul was speaking of. I’ll be climbing into a Nissan Frontier along with Michelle, Augie, Bear, Granite, and Sunny…and the last three will probably be drugged a bit to lesson the impact of an 1,800 mile trip.

We’ll see a couple days in if Michelle wishes she had been drugged. 🙂

Continue reading “My Very Last Sermon Ever”

“It has every available quality except that of being useful.”

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Although some might argue that this means I am not a Christian (in that I do not hold all the "common doctrines of Christianity"), I think C.S. Lewis (from Mere Christianity) has the definition of "Christian" right:

Far deeper objections may be felt—and have been expressed—against my use of the word Christian to mean one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity. People ask: 'Who are you, to lay down who is, and who is not a Christian?' or 'May not many a man who cannot believe these doctrines be far more truly a Christian, far closer to the spirit of Christ, than some who do?' Now this objection is in one sense very right, very charitable, very spiritual, very sensitive. It has every available quality except that of being useful. We simply cannot, without disaster, use language as these objectors want us to use it.

And Who Is My Brother?

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Ignoring a man in need

Narrowing Down Our Responsibilities

I assume most of us here today are very familiar with the story of the good Samaritan. To conserve time we won’t read it all, but let’s turn together to Luke 10:25-29 and see what led up to it:

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

First of all, you know it doesn’t bode well when a lawyer is involved, eh? 🙂

Now, this person isn’t a lawyer as we think of it…instead, the Holman Christian Standard Bible translates it as “an expert in the law” and the Common English Bible as a “legal expert.” This guy won’t be able to defend you in a modern criminal trial or sue a doctor for malpractice, but he should be able to comment authoritatively on what the Jewish Law said…well, at least what the Jews of that time thought it said.

And, as we can see in what we read, Jesus confirms the lawyer actually got it right.

Well, that is, until “desiring to justify himself” the expert in the Law didn’t stop while he was ahead.

What do you think “desiring to justify himself” means? The Common English Bible starts verse 29 with, “But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right…” and The Message paraphrase states, “Looking for a loophole…”

Continue reading “And Who Is My Brother?”

Atheist Twitter Bio #1

“Alan the Atheist”

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If you are a regular reader of my bulletin articles, you already know that Twitter is often an inspiration for what I write. This week's motivation began when a Christian I follow retweeted:

I am #atheism, and the behavior of the most fanatically devout is so often my best argument. #islam #catholicism #christianity

I responded to the original tweeter:

Legit embedded criticism of religion acknowledged *****. However, do misbehaving rabid atheists equally disprove atheism?

What ensued was a conversation that continued long enough to mean I was a wee bit tired the next day. Initially it was painful—and I ultimately I found out why:

I started suspicious of you because you are a minister. I have found your profession to debate dishonestly in the past.

Ouch…but mostly because I suspect it is true.

The conversation improved after that, although he no more ended as a Christian believing in our resurrected Lord than I ended as an atheist believing in evolution. At best, we laid a foundation for future interactions. We will see what the future holds.

However, what I especially found interesting is something in common between the four atheists that crossed my path that night. Here is the Twitter bio of the original gentleman:

Atheist Twitter Bio #1

Demanding proof of all religions' legitimacy. How offensive you find my tweets is inversely proportional to your rationality.

That wasn't especially contentious, but also not very welcoming to those of us who believe. The second atheist of the evening was a biologist the first suggested could answer any questions I have about evolution. From his Twitter profile: Continue reading ““Alan the Atheist””

Did Jesus Shed a Tear Over Judas?

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Eye with tearsConsidering the difference between today's culture and that in the early years of the kings of Israel, it may be a bit hard to do an "imagine"…but…

Imagine you are a popular king of your nation, blessed by God. You make a huge, huge mistake, but you are honestly (and completely) contrite.

You understand if your enemies try to take advantage of your error, but you expect your sons…the sons you love…to support you in your politically weakened state. Instead, your third oldest decides to try to grab your thrown. One of the maneuvers he makes to cement his coup is to sleep with your concubines…and, we aren't talking about a private approach here: Continue reading “Did Jesus Shed a Tear Over Judas?”

Jesus talking to a man

Christian Snarkiness

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Jesus talking to a manAlthough I think this is also applicable outside a Christian context, ultimately it's appeal to certain Judeo-Christian mores may limit its relevance to non-Christians.

Throughout web and podcast dialogue it has become popular to be snarky toward people and/or views that one significantly disagrees with. I use the word "snarky" in the context of my Mac's first definition for it:

(of a person, words, or a mood) sharply critical; cutting; snide: the kid who makes snarky remarks in class.

I myself have been guilty of the behavior…it is fun, satisfying, and effective.

Well, "effective" depending on what you are trying to effect.

Let's assume there is a view that is so bad that it warrants your snarkiness. There are two types of people who hold that view: those who are open to changing it if provided with the proper evidence and those who will never come around no matter how convincing your proof is. Continue reading “Christian Snarkiness”

Alan Fahrner preaching

Oops There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant

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Alan Fahrner preaching

Clouds on a sunny day

I’ll admit I’ve been feeling guilty lately. It seems to me that most of my recent bulletin articles and sermons have been less-than-positive. For instance, after a recent talk a young man’s mother told me that it scared him.

And although she said afterward it was good to be scared…I suspect that the frightening present conditions in this world are leading me to focus on the negative…which isn’t optimal given that the gospel…and the God it speaks of…are so overwhelmingly positive.

That is, my messages have been clouds on a sunny day.

But not today…

But not today. Instead, I promise two things…

First, to have you leave feeling better than when you arrived. Well, I’ll do my darndest… 🙂

Second, to keep this sermon short.

Now, see? You are already feeling better than when you arrived, aren’t you? 🙂

You are not alone…

However, before we go positive. Am I alone in being worried about how things are going in our nation and in the world? Do you look around you…on the TV…on the Internet…and wonder if the inmates have taken over the asylum?

Or if Satan has gotten the upper hand and hell on earth has been spawned?

Do you feel like you are bustin’ a hump to live a godly life…only to see those who do exactly the opposite do far, far better than you?

Does it seem like all your efforts are in vain?

Does me bringing up all this bring your spirit down?

Then remember I promised to keep this sermon short! 🙂

Continue reading “Oops There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant”

Pastor Louis Giglio (taken from the Passion City Church blog)

You’ll Get Your Chance

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Pastor Louie Giglio (taken from the Passion City Church blog)[Before you read this article, please read "What I Think about Homosexuals and Homosexuality."]

Earlier today (January 10, 2013), Twitter lit-up because an Atlanta pastor, Louie Giglio, withdrew his acceptance of an invitation to present the benediction for the upcoming presidential inauguration. Considering what Addie Whisenant of the Presidential Inaugural Committee said, it may have been the equivalent of an employee resigning before being fired:

We were not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.1

What were the remarks that set-off gay activists? Quite a few in a 54-minute sermon called "In Search of a Standard – Christian Response to Homosexuality"2 from around two decades ago. Describing it as preaching "rabidly anti-LGBT views," ThinkProgress LGBT appeared especially incensed that he suggested Christians needed to fight efforts that would lead "to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society and is given full standing as any other lifestyle, as it relates to family."; that he clearly and unambiguously stated practicing homosexuality is a sin; that he asserted that it doesn't matter if homosexuality is genetic, it is still a choice; that he dared to reference and discuss on a verse that said practicing gays won't make it into heaven; and that he posited Jesus Christ is powerful enough to heal homosexuals from their sinful behavior.3 Continue reading “You’ll Get Your Chance”

What I Think About Homosexuals and Homosexuality

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Since current events once again force me to write about the issue of the pro-homosexual agenda, I wanted to make a clear and concise statement about what I believe about homosexuals (the individuals) versus homosexuality (the behavior).

No one human, homosexual or not, is better than any other. We are all afflicted with the same disease (and it is terminal). Homosexuality is a symptom of that disease, not a (or "the") disease itself. I believe I have found the cure for the disease; a cure that reduces the quantity and severity of the symptoms on this side of eternity (and completely defeats it on the other). I want everyone, gay or not, to take advantage of the cure.

I do not judge the homosexual, I judge the behavior. Rather, I agree with the Bible’s judgment of the practice because Scripture’s ultimate Author is the One who not only established the heavens and the earth—He established right and wrong. Ultimately, I do not think God&#39s moral laws are any different than physical laws. Neither are subjective; they are statements of fact. If you step off the edge of the Empire State Building, the law of gravity correctly posits the sudden stop at the bottom will be bad for your health. If you willingly sin, the moral law similarly factually states it’ll have negative effects on you and those around you (not to mention, "the sudden stop" at the end of your life will be equally bad for your eternal health).

To the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transexual: I do not hate or fear you. I actually do not look at you any differently than I do anyone else, including those closest to me (whether by blood or by Christ). I do not wish you ill or want you to be treated as a second-class citizen (quite the contrary). However, I cannot ever tell you what you are doing is right—it is not mine to say (and I would suggest that those "Christians" who tell you your behavior is fine are doing you a disservice). Additionally, I cannot remain silent when those who purport to be supporting you try to tell my children, my family, my friends, and my neighbors that wrong is right.

And that is not because I am against you (I am not). It is because I love you.

Mary holding Jesus at the cross

Adoption at the Cross

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Mary holding Jesus at the cross

Out of character for the Son of God?

One of the sins of Christianity is that we have a habit of parsing God into pieces and then, for all intents and purposes, just keeping the parts that fit…that confirm…our picture of Him.

And it’s not just God the Father we do that with…God the Son is also a victim of our theological scalpels. For instance, how may sermons do you hear about Jesus acting like a madman and brandishing whips and knocking over tables (John 2:15)…or telling the Syrophoenician woman she was a dog and that her daughter wasn’t as important as Jewish children (Mark 7:26-29)…or when our Lord looked at people with anger instead of compassion (Mark 3:5)?

No, we’d much rather focus on the warm-fuzzies of Jesus’ ministry.

In some respects this habit of mentally minimizing apparently contradictory information about Jesus is good. How many of us have had a friend accept a bad report about us and then asked him or her, “How could you believe that?! Haven’t you known me long enough to know better?!” Better to reserve judgment when something seems out of character than to assume it’s true.

Well, better to always reserve judgment until we have the complete story…even with someone whose history seems to confirm the bad report we just got.

But, getting back to God, we are to accept “all” of Him completely and without reservation; otherwise, the God we worship is one of our own construction, not the one who offers us salvation in exchange for faith.

The object of our faith is very important. It must be the true God, not our own concoction.

Was Jesus rude to his mom?

Continue reading “Adoption at the Cross”