Trappstr 28 – Part 6 (theology, grace & high school sports)
In: Blogging| Family| GOD| Life Change| Revolution Church
25 Nov 2009My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. Since I am so much older and wiser than Brett (3 whopping months) and since I loved it so much, I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days.
12. Theology is important. Very important. Theological arguments over non-essential issues are stupid. -Trappstr
This is why we use a list that we call “The Essentials” at Revolution Church. Theology is extremely important. But, there are issues, such as the second coming of Christ, that just aren’t laid out clearly enough in the Bible to make it worth arguing over (that ought to get some people going).
I like to focus on the essentials that unite us rather than divide us. At Revolution, we don’t fight people who claim to be Christians but then turn around and talk bad about other churches.
[If you ever catch me talking bad about another church or even another christian for that matter, smack me.]
Bottom line: we’re called to preach the Gospel. If we preach the Gospel and lives are being changed, then WE. CANNOT. BE. STOPPED!!!
13. Most Christians don’t really understand grace or its implications. -Trappstr
Most of us feel like God says, “Get up! What are you doing, you dummy?” every time we mess up. Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.”
What does that mean? Let’s say I take a card and write every single thing I’ve ever done wrong on it. I know, I know…it would never all fit on one card. Imagine writing really small, like those guys at the mall that will put your name on a piece of rice.
What if I write down all my sins, all my faults, all my mistakes, all the shameful acts, thoughts and temptations – and then I put the card in a book and close it. Can you still see the card?
NOPE! You can only see the book. That’s the way God sees us when Jesus is in our lives. He no longer sees our sin. He just sees Jesus.
When I come to Christ and say, “God, here’s my life. Here is all the failures. I want to put my life in Jesus Christ.” Jesus wraps me with His love, and God looks at Jesus and sees that Jesus is perfect. He doesn’t see my sin.
14. I think playing high school sports is the peak of pure fun. -Trappstr
Wait till you have a son and get to be the bull while he’s the cowboy. Beats high school sports ANY DAY.
Trappstr 28 – Part 5
In: Blogging| Rants| Revolution Church
24 Nov 2009My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. I loved it so much that I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days (since I’m about 3 months older and wiser than him.)
9. Most Americans either are clueless or careless to the atrocities and misery that happen in the rest of the world. This is a tragedy. -Trappstr
Its sickening. Literally makes my stomach sick. I pray that my family always keeps this in perspective. We sponsor a young boy named Emmanuel Sikkuku through Compassion for this reason. His letters and stories have changed the way we think, act, budget, and live. If you aren’t involved in something like this, go sponsor a Compassion kiddo now!
If Compassion doesn’t do it for ya, you should check out the Advent Conspiracy, Tom’s shoes, or Rick Warren’s Peace Plan.
10. Capitalism works. It’s not perfect, but it works. -Trappstr
I won’t say a ton on this one because I am a pastor and its just best that I keep certain things to myself.
But I will say this: Any economic or social system is only as good as the leaders leading it. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Capitalism can rise on the backs of great leaders. But it can also completely fail if the leaders are self-serving. I fear that too many leaders today fall into the latter category. Leadership isn’t about how many people can help you. Its about how many people you can help.
11. Turtlenecks were a horrible creation and I’m ashamed I ever wore one. -Trappstr
I remember my mom making me wear one. I’ve never done it on my own. Mom, if you weren’t my mom, I might have to punch you for that turtleneck.
Trappstr 28 – Part 4
In: Blogging| Family| GOD| Revolution Church
23 Nov 2009My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. I loved it so much that I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days (since I’m about 3 months older and wiser than him.)
8. Speaking of marriage…it seems to me (from the outside looking in) that without lots of forgiveness and the putting of the other person first, your marriage is doomed. -Trappstr
Its funny how this one simple observation could save so many marriages. Passion in marriage is likely to fizzle unless you actively, intentionally nurture it. One of the easiest ways to continue to nurture passion is to simply put the other person first. Easier said than done of course. This is where lots of forgiveness comes in.
I always think of the story of Jacob and Rachel in the Bible when I think of marriage. Jacob was crazy about Rachel and asked Laban (Rachel’s father) for her hand in marriage. Laban said, “sure…for seven years of labor.” This is where many men would have given up, but Jacob didn’t blink.
Over the course of those seven years, Laban schemed up a plan. His older, less attractive daughter, Leah, was not getting any better looking. On the big day, Jacob comes to claim Rachel and Laban pulls the switch on Jacob by giving away Leah instead of Rachel.
Jacob was hacked. Laban offered Jacob a new deal – Rachel in exchange for seven more years of work! And Jacob went for it. This time though, he made sure that he would get Rachel at the beginning of the seven years.
I don’t know about you but after being tricked by Laban and finally getting Rachel, I would have snuck out that night with my new wife. But in Genesis 29:30 it says that Jacob worked another seven years.
In other words, Jacob continued to work his tail off for Rachel, even after he had her.
WOW! That is what we must all do in marriage. We must continue to work hard at pursuing our spouse, even though they are already ours.
Trappstr 28 – Part 3
In: Blogging| Family| GOD| Revolution Church
22 Nov 2009My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. I loved it so much that I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days (since I’m about 3 months older and wiser than him.)
4. Your job consumes most of your life. Choose wisely. -Trappstr
Do something you love. I could get back into construction or do something in the design industry and certainly triple my paycheck. But I wouldn’t love doing it.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
I LOVE being the pastor of Revolution Church. I think I’ll stay a while.
5. Mexicans make the best food. End of story. -Trappstr
Actually Brett, this is a common misconception. Mexicans who have lived in Texas for a minimum of 3 years and 7 months actually make the best food. Its the perfect melding of Mexican and Texas making what we call “Tex-Mex.” Its science. Its been proved.
6. Getting married won’t make you happy and it won’t fix your problems. -Trappstr
I’m pretty sure you meant “happy” as in Jerry Maguire saying “you complete me.” Well, Jerry Maguire was full of bologna. No person can complete you.
My wife Amber is incredible. Her love rescues me every day. But she doesn’t complete me. She can be a vile little sinner some days. And I don’t pretend that my love completes her.
We all have a God shaped hole in our hearts and only God can fill that hole.
And you are right, marriage definitely will not fix your problems. If anything, it will give you more problems. That said, I’ve been married for almost nine years and wouldn’t change a thing.
7. Staying single doesn’t fix anything either. -Trappstr
I wouldn’t know. I met my wife in the 6th grade. Can’t remember what single is like. If its anything like this past summer when Amber was gone for a month then I don’t want anything to do with it. I smelled bad, didn’t eat well, wore clothes multiple days, and could barely sleep for the month she was gone.
Trappstr 28 – Part 2
In: Blogging| GOD| Life Change| Revolution Church
21 Nov 2009My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. I loved it so much that I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days (since I’m about 3 months older and wiser than him.)
3. The American church teaches empty moralism for the most part. And that is not the Gospel. -Trappstr
Not sure about “for the most part”…I see a revolution happening every day to show people the Gospel of GRACE.
Nonetheless, empty moralism, the belief that the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behavior, causes sooooooo many problems! Its one of satan’s greatest tools.
Ever heard someone say something along the lines of, “Christians think they are better than everyone else” ????
Empty moralism is where that comes from.
I feel that all to often we unintentionally give in to the “logic” of moralism and reduce the Gospel to a message of moral improvement. We communicate to people who need to be loved that God demands that they get their lives straight.
Its easy to be seduced into believing that you can gain all the approval that you need through your behavior.
I know several “moralists.” They would never claim to be 100% without sin; but they would compare themselves to others to feel validated. The basic idea is “if I am without scandal, then I am good to go. I’m….better…”
My prayer for Revolution is that we would never communicate this false Gospel to our community!
- Clayton Bell: Zak, while I'm sure I know two churches that don't preach just moralism ;-), I was on the same line [...]
- Atlanta Printing Company: Very true article. [...]
- John Atkinson: All of that sounds like exactly what you would expect out of the mind of a church planter :) [...]
- Tony McCollum: Great post, Zak! Thanks for sharing it. [...]
- Rafael Marquez: Nike's suck! Brooks all the way baby! Congrats on finishing! [...]
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