Time May Change Me But I Can't Trace Time

Stay with me. We might be a while today.

Blue Like Jazz.
Messy Spirituality.
Velvet Elvis.

Donald Miller.
Mike Yaconelli.
Rob Bell.

I liked each of those books. So much so that I gave them as gifts. So much so that I give them as gifts.

I like that they're honest. I like that they see the weaknesses in what passes for Christian spirituality and aren't afraid to talk about them. I like that they give people freedom from past prisons, to be a mess, to put the best of our Tribe's past into the here and now. I like that a new breed of writer is being published so that there's some help for those that don't fit into 7 steps or their best life isn't "now" or can't get it done in 40 days. I like that they're good writers, too. I like that each one has taken a flashlight and pointed it down the path when it got too dark for me.

They've helped me out on my journey.

And, they've each taken a bit of heat from the Tribe. Too raw. Too young. "I don't get it." The theology is a bit shaky. Too nebulous. Too messy. Too many stories, not enough Bible. Too worldly. Too modern. Too busy trying to be hip and relevant. Too little application. Too wordy. Not wordy enough.

I can see where the Tribe gets some of this stuff, too.

But if you're asking me, there's way more good grass than weeds...unlike most of the books out there. What's peculiar to me is that I've often had a nagging feeling reading those books that something was, well...

...missing.

I couldn't put my finger on what that was. I mean, the good stuff was in there. People were reading them and finding freedom and re-thinking what it means to walk with Christ in 2006 and being real with themselves and each other and finding true community.

Then, in another context, a friend and I were having a conversation. Specifically, we were talking about worship services and what should be a part of them. It was a "perfect world" type conversation and we were all over the map. At one point, to support a position, my friend read from a letter in the New Testament called Titus. In 2: 11--15 (NIV--my NASB's in the back room) it says:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

Did you catch the doctrine all this hinges on? Grace. Right there in verse 11. Pay strict attention as there's no wiggle room.

Did you catch that the "doctrine" is a Person? Dwell on that for a while this Christmas season.

But notice what grace, if taught correctly, does: It teaches holiness in the present age. To me, it's living an abundant life among the dead. It's living in the reality that this is a temporary stop on the journey, awaiting the return of our King.

And the part that...

...Donald Miller...

...Mike Yaconelli...

...Rob Bell...

...didn't dwell on enough was the transformation that occurs. What it's like to live among the dead and while it's one thing to avoid formulaic living or be a mess or re-discover ancient paths.

See, that's the component that's missing from their work, if you're asking me. My guess is that wasn't their purposes for writing and there are only so many pages you can print & sell in one deal. Maybe that's their next work. Maybe they pre-supposed them to be true. But the reality is such that:

The freedom from formulaic living is supposed to transform me.

The mess is supposed provide a canvas for the Creator to re-create.

The ancient worship is a response to the reality that God is erasing the wickedness and getting me ready for His return...because I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.

And that transformation is a beautiful thing.

And that tranformation in a very real & personal sense is where I'll pick up tomorrow. If you've stayed with me this far, well, thanks.

But I think my "block" may be gone.