The Only Way Forward

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. – Colossians 2:6-8

Good morning. Here in Colossians 2, Paul gets to the heart of that which ails this violent and broken world, that which afflicts Christians who succumb to frustration and callousness. What is this ailment? What is this affliction? Simply put, it is human tradition.

Because mankind exists in a perpetual state of violence and corruption, human tradition rarely seeks to liberate, while often lacking any measure of density or integrity. Instead, it habitually proves itself eager to enslave and imprison, while always willing to defraud and swindle.

How different life becomes when Christ lives in us. Unlike the empty fragility of human tradition, a life in Christ is a life with roots that run deep enough to withstand the strongest storm and the worst heartache. Unlike the manufacturing of lies and fabrications produced by human tradition, a life in Christ is a life that builds upon truth and certainty.

Throughout history men and women have been killed and imprisoned having suggested what I’m about to propose, or re-propose once more this morning. Is it possible that the cure to the disease of violence and hate exists outside human tradition? Could it be that the remedy to our frustrations and insensitivities lies beyond the boundaries of human knowledge?   

I submit that we need a cure of cosmic proportions, a remedy of divine dimensions. The good news of the Gospel proclaims that though this cosmic cure once resided well beyond our reach, it did not stay there. Born in a manger and killed on a cross, Jesus Christ is the cosmic cure, the righteous remedy.

Since he remains fully God, Christ offers to fully dwell in us. Yet before Christ can fully dwell in us, Paul says we will need to be cut upon first. Now Christ does not cut away at the flesh as old traditions demanded, but instead Christ aims to sever us from routine sins and unfit allegiances.

By separating us from all our usual sins and unworthy loyalties, Christ’s forgiveness offers to us what human tradition never could. For only when we experience the power of forgiveness do we realize what it means to be fully alive. And it is to live a life free of guilt and debt, a life absent of condemnation and shame.

Tragically many today still hold to human tradition and its notions that we can disarm only when we destroy, that we can thrive only when others are deprived. This week I encourage us to break free from such logic, escape such reasoning that seeks to hold us captive. And instead allow Christ to fully dwell in us so that we may come to see the path of forgiveness as the only way forward.

CJE

Be Still

So the first week of my sunday school class in the books, and the building did not cave in on itself. For those unaware, I'm teaching the adult class at church through September which I entitled, " Be Still: The Book of Exodus and the Origins of Non-Violence." A class I've wanted to teach for years, but now with a greater sense of urgency given we live a world stuck in perpetual violence and chronic selfishness.

I'm not naive enough to think that everyone in the class will fully embrace the lifestyle of non-violence (considering i question my own commitment to non-violence at times). I believe a more worthwhile course for my class is one that challenges our culture's narrow perceptions of violence. Many conversations on violence in America limited themselves to war, terrorism, racism, and gun control. 

 Yet the virus of violence stands capable of infecting not just our physical environment, but can spread to our emotions and our souls. Whether it be the terrible things we say or the forgiveness we withhold, emotional and spiritual violence are just as dangerous and deadly as the physical violence we can't seem to escape. I would guess that most of us have done more harm with our words than we could ever do with our hands.

Nor do we only perpetrate acts of violence against each other when you consider the thousands that inflict violence upon themselves. In 2013 according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 41,000 people in U.S. committed suicide. In the darkest reaches of the human experience, 41,000 lost all hope and came to believe that doing violence to themselves was the only answer.

Their agony reveals the two greatest lies promoted by charlatans of violence to seduce the world we live in. First, there is no hope. Second, violence is the only answer. If our confession of Christ as Lord is to hold any meaning, then we must declare at the top our lungs that nothing could further from the truth. For there is hope and his name is Jesus Christ. There is another answer to the virus of violence in all its forms. And whether we search the Old Testament or the New Testament, the answer is the same.

In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses answered the fears of the Israelites saying, " Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Similarly in Mark 4:35-41, Jesus addressed the panic of the disciples by rebuking the wind and said to the waves, " Quiet! Be Still." Whether your fears cause to accept or reject the lifestyle of non-violence, may we all at least take time to be still.

CJE

Without Excuse

Well back to work this week after having two weeks off. Though my body is in Ohio, my heart and thoughts remain amongst the breathtaking vistas of Alaska. Scholars say Paul was in Corinth when wrote his letter to the Roman church. I must respectfully disagree with the scholars.

Consider verse 20 in the opening chapter of Romans when Paul says, "20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Having now visited Alaska, I'm convinced that only from the majestic heights of Flattop Mountain could Paul write such stirring words.      

Of all the places I've traveled never have I felt such a constant, permeating calm. Whether it be the ground beneath my feet, the wind at my back, or the wonderful company I found myself in; all was at peace. Perhaps this is because Alaska is a place absent of the need to rush anywhere, worry about anything, or coerce anyone. There exists a real sense that Alaska will accept whatever the day brings. 

Beyond the mountains and the streams, this pervading sense of peace also inhabited the Habitat 4 Humanity building site. My team worked on the final two unfinished houses in the planned community appropriately named, "Neighbor Drive." The site consists of a dozen or so units with homeowners 17 different nationalities. And what might be a powder keg of hate and violence in other parts of the world, Neighbor Drive keeps the peace by making a concerted effort to see that the dignity of all its neighbors is respected.   

The entire time I was there I kept asking myself, "how do we recreate the beautiful social tapestry of Neighbor Drive?"  Is it really naive to think that people elsewhere who look dissimilar, talk distinctively, and believe differently can share the same space peacefully? I'm convinced the missing piece, the invisible ingredient needed to achieve stands outside the nature of mortal men and women. 

For mortal men and women are easily corrupted, and will often find any excuse to resist efforts made toward equality and cooperation. The spread of Neighbor Drive will occur only by relying on God's eternal power and adopting his divine nature. The only question that remains is, how visible do we want to display such qualities?

The great mountains and roaring streams have no place hide God's eternal power, no cloak to cover his divine nature. Being that we too are God's creation, let us not retreat from showing the full measure of God's eternal power to forgive us and each other. Let us not wavier from demonstrating the vast expanse of God's divine nature to love us and our neighbor. And may do so without excuse. 

CJE              

Marcus Cried

I'll be the first to admit that I was not ecstatic when Marcus and Adrienne first started dating. Whether it was taking the red car until late evening on Valentine's Day delaying their dinner date or referring to Adrienne in my cell phone as "Marcus locator," I chalk up most of my behavior during that period to a ridiculous immaturity I was slowly growing out of. 

I'm sure that there are plenty of other examples of my childish reaction to them dating, which Adrienne likely saved in a PDF file if you want to know them all. But you have to understand in the first year they were in that puppy love stage of constantly giggling, incapable of being apart for more than 10 minutes, and talking on the phone for hours on end.  And I think because Marcus was my brother, I found the awkwardness suffocating anytime it was just me and the two of them.

But thankfully I eventually grew up and Adrienne showed me incredible mercy so that by the time of the wedding I realized just how perfectly they fit together. Ten years ago today I was so excited to stand beside my brother to witness his dream come true, which was to fall in love with a Godly woman and for that woman to love him in return. If you're like me, then you probably keep a list of the best days of your life. Well for me, Marcus and Adrienne's wedding remains in my top 5.

In the five years since losing Marcus, I can't tell how many times I wished I could stay in that moment just a little bit longer. That moment when Marcus and Adrienne's faces were glowing, and my parents' hearts were swelling. But moments are just that...moments. What matters most is that we appreciate every second, cherish every minute, savor every hour of our best days. Because it will be those precious moments that God has afforded you, which will keep you afloat on your worst days.  

Every now and then I wonder how I might react if God ever sees fit to have me stand at the altar as he had done for Marcus. How does one respond when a dream once thought impossible suddenly becomes reality? How does one react when the most beautiful woman you've ever seen stands before you dressed all in white? I'm confident my reaction won't be all that different from the way Marcus responded ten years ago today. Overcome with immeasurable joy, Marcus reacted the only way a man could when standing in the presence of such beauty. Marcus cried. 

Happy Anniversary Marcus and Adrienne.

CJE 

Love Begins At Home

Well The Single Pacifist is now a single pacifist with a mortgage. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, wonder, and joy at God's provision of my new home. It's has all that I need including new appliances, beautiful backyard with flowers blooming everywhere, quiet street, walking distance to church, and a diverse neighborhood of people from all walks of life. 

Our notions of home possess vivid imagery and profound symbolism. And it got me to thinking that this a wonderful opportunity to share a lesson taught to me several years ago by one of God's most devout servants and humblest teachers... Mother Teresa.

I want to say that I was in my mid-20s when I first picked up a copy of No Greater Love, which a collection of short essays on topics she thought extremely important to a life of faith. In the chapter entitled On Children & the Family, Mother Teresa explains the reason why peace is constantly breaking down in the world. 

I marvel at how a woman possessing nothing more than a secondary education could grasp what continues to elude "well-educated" presidents and prime ministers. I am in awe of her ability to convey such profound ideas void of complicated terms and complex concepts so that even those with no education can comprehend her explanation. 

At its core, Mother's Teresa conviction states that the reason as to why there is no peace in the world is because there is no peace at home. Additionally, Mother Teresa reminds us that peace itself is only the effect, not the cause; the fruit, not the seed; the end, not the means. 

She believes that the precursor to peace is and has always been LOVE. For without the cause of love, there can be no effect of peace. Absence the seeds of love, there can be no trees of peace. Minus the means of love, one cannot achieve the peaceful ends he or she seeks. And though it comes first, love and peace begin at the same place. So where does love begin? According to Mother Teresa, love begins at home.

But before I butcher Mother Teresa's idea any further why don't I let Mother Teresa speak for herself. What follows are excerpts from the chapter On Children & the Family from her book, No Greater Love.

Mother Teresa, you now have the floor...   

"...I have a conviction that I want to share with you. Love begins at home. Only when love abides at home can we share it with our next-door neighbor. Then it will show forth and you will be able to say to them, "Yes, love is here." And then you will be able to share it with everyone around you..."

..."We are here to be witnesses of love and to celebrate life, because life has been created in the image of God. Life is to love and to be loved. That is why we have to take a strong stand so that no child, boy or girl, will be rejected or unloved. Every child is a sign of God's love, that has to be extended over all the earth..." 

"...I think the world today is upside-down. It is suffering so much because there is so little love in the home and in family life. We have no time for our children. We have no time for each other. There is no time to enjoy each other, and the lack of love causes so much suffering and unhappiness in the world..." 

"...Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches. Children have very little time for their parents and parents have very little time for their children and for each other. So the breakdown of peace in the world begins at home..."

CJE

The Origins Of Non-Violence

Now that I have settled the yoga pants debate once and for all, I press on to a more pressing subject and that is the subject of peace. Starting in July, I will be teaching the adult bible class at my church on non-violence using the book of Exodus. 

 At the outset, Exodus may seem like a strange choice to facilitate a discussion on non-violence considering that there is considerable violence in the Exodus story. However, the violence in Exodus and much of the Old Testament only reaffirms the ancient truth that violence only makes things worse, that violence is corrosive. 

Never does Israel become more faithful, never does Israel's prosper when carrying out violence by their own hand. It is only when God goes before them into the battle does Israel succeed, only when Israel puts their full trust in God do they flourish. In fact, Israel finds itself conquered and led into exile anytime it chose to adopt the violent and oppressive practices of the other nations. 

Now why does God chose to carry out violence against the other nations? That's a great question, and one I'm not sure that I will ever fully comprehend. Regardless, the story of Exodus for me is more than a excursion towards freedom, but a journey towards non-violence culminating in the formation of the Ten Commandments. For in the Ten Commandments one finds safeguards against those evils that inevitably lead to violence. 

Whether it be idolatry, disobedience, adultery, covetness, or falsehood, each make us increasingly susceptible to acts of violence in efforts to steal, hide, or protect that which we love more than anything or anyone. The Ten Commandments represent God's effort bring Israel out from the violent existence it knew in Egypt and into the reality that God intended from the beginning. A reality of peace, a reality of non-violence.

Whether at home or aboard, our world seems to grow more violent with each passing day. Now if the problem of violence has its roots in the Fall and its giving rise to great evil, then perhaps the solution to violence has its origins in profound good like the Ten Commandments and its giving  credence to non-violence. At least that's what I hope the class will show.

CJE 

PSA 1: Yoga Pants Are Not Pants

In my last post I briefly spoke to the erosion of modesty from our popular culture. While both genders could do better in their pursuit of modesty, I must say there is in women's fashion a glaring oversight with respect to modesty.  In recent years, I've noticed more and more women mistake yoga pants for actual pants. Well in this week's public service announcement, the Chris Ewing Council On Common Sense (CECOCS) has ruled officially that yoga pants are in fact NOT pants.  

I think this post's banner picture says it all by showing it all..literally. I often wonder, do some women realize how little wonder, how little mystery exists in a pair of yoga pants? And I ask myself, do some women wear yoga pants to impress men or intimidate other women? Perhaps both? 

Like swimsuits for swimmers, I have this silly notion that yoga pants serve a functional purpose and that being the practice of yoga. Now perhaps some women attend upwards of 10 yoga sessions a day that requires them to stay in yoga pants all day or maybe all women have become certified yoga instructors and I've just missed it. 

More likely, however, I would think there is a five minute window in their day where one change yoga pants for actual pants. And if not for the sake of modesty, then for creativity. Yoga pants seem to me like a version of the lazy man's sweatpants. What little I know about women's fashion it is that there are options, and to wear the same pair of black yoga pants everyday shows a lack of imagination.

Some will disregard me altogether saying, " there goes Chris on another one of his classic rants." But in all seriousness, I think about the struggle over body image for the teens I help mentor in my church's youth group. Especially for the young girls, the battle over body image is one they fight against daily at school, and the yoga pants fashion standard only makes their struggle harder. So for their sake, can we all settle on the fact that yoga pants are NOT pants?

This has been a public service message brought to you by the Chris Ewing Council On Common Sense.

CJE      

Encouragement Over Pity

The single life is a good life. However, it is not always an easy life. On good days, I feel at peace in the knowledge that only in God's love can I be made whole, only in God's love will I be satisfied. When hard days come, I sense a terrible conflict inside me where I am bombarded by the feeling that something is missing, that I am somehow inadequate. 

 I find myself having to engage  this conflict on two fronts. Not surprisingly, the first front I battle against is our broken culture where purity and modesty have gone out of business, while pornography and the sex-trade remain billion dollar industries. Moreover, our culture so firmly believes in the myth of "safe-sex" that one blinds himself or herself to the wreckage caused by men who play at love to get "sex," and women who play at sex to get "love."

Now to my continued astonishment, the second front I struggle against is the pity of well-intentioned Christ followers at church and elsewhere. Rarely, if ever, does someone at church say to me, "Chris, I am really proud of you for not fathering 7 children with 7 different women," or, "Chris, I'm really impressed by your commitment to stay pure in a sex-crazed culture." I think I can count on one hand the number of times I received such encouragement from fellow Christians.

More often I hear, "Chris, I know the perfect girl for you. Here's her number. You should give her a call," and "Chris, why are you still single?" or even worse, "Chris, you know you're not getting any younger." And if I don't hear it, then I see it in their expressions. Despite my best efforts to show that I enjoy the life I have, they look at me as if to say, "Poor Chris, he must be so lonely," or "Poor Chris, I can't believe he hasn't found anyone."

I realize that people just want to be helpful. While I appreciate such concern for my well-being, I must say that it does more harm than good. For pity is not a enemy of lust and loneliness, but an ally. Pity fights not for the advancement of righteousness, but defends the cause of selfishness. Pity prefers not the route of delayed victory, but the path of quick surrender.

I do not expect to receive any kind of medal for doing the right thing. All I expect is that when I sense something is missing, you will remind me that Christ's love is sufficient. I do not want a parade for resisting the temptations of sin. All I want is that when I feel like I am inadequate, you will tell me that I am enough. I do not ask for special consideration for simply doing what Christ asks of me. All I ask is that when deciding how best to help me, you will consider choosing encouragement over pity.

CJE

What Pacifism Is Not

So exactly what does it mean to identify one's self as a pacifist? Let me begin by saying that I do not speak for all pacifists, nor does any insensitive pacifist speak for me. I intend only to provide clarity where there is confusion. I mean to instill calm where there is anxiety. I aim to start conversation where there is silence.  

To be honest, I have always disliked the term, "pacifist," for its misleading connotations. Upon hearing the word, most assume that pacifism is synonymous with notions of passivity. As if to suggest that pacifism seems impotent against the tyrannical forces of injustice. For many, pacifism looks idle where appears to lack the energy and the will to combat agents of terror.  Still for others at first glance, pacifism appears irresponsible for seemingly permitting violence to exist and occur without any active, open or direct response. 

So in an effort to correct such misunderstandings going forward, I propose substituting the term and posture of pacifism with the phrase and attitude of non-violence. I would have much preferred to entitle my blog, "The Single Practitioner of Non-Violence," but "The Single Pacifist" tested better with my focus group :). 

Because far from taking a position of passive defense, non-violence goes on the offensive with effective sit-ins, boycotts, and marches as witnessed in the Civil Rights Movement. Rather than being ineffective against oppression, non-violence possesses the power to defeat "invincible" empires as evidenced by Gandhi's victory over the British Empire. Instead of abdicating responsibility,  non-violence takes up the charge of securing justice for the oppressed and afflicted as observed in South Africa's effort to repair the damage caused by apartheid.   

Finally, I feel it is important to cite the justification behind my choice to believe in and advocate for non-violence. My choice rests not on some idealistic humanism that assumes all people are inherently good, nor depends on some utopian unitarianism that strives for the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Rather, my choice to embrace the non-violence of pacifism finds validation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For in his life, Jesus often orchestrated sit-ins with sinners enduring persecution and exclusion, constantly boycotted the Pharisees' edicts and customs. In his death, Jesus defeated both the Roman Empire and our greatest enemy which remains death itself. In his resurrection, Jesus secured the justice God demanded so as to preserve the hope of salvation for all. Thus more than I could ever do, Jesus Christ powerfully demonstrates what pacifism is not.

CJE 

Cheer Up Adele

A little over a month ago, I found myself driving a van full of teenage girls to the Winterfest youth rally in Gatlinburg, TN. Despite my best efforts to introduce them to great soul artists like Sam and Dave, the only music they wanted to hear was Adele's new album, 25. Now I recognize that Adele's talent for singing and writing is God-given and she is by far the greatest singer in a generation.

That being said, 25 is quite possibly the saddest hour of music ever recorded. When the album was finished I wondered, has anyone checked on Adele lately to make sure she is ok? Ever since I've been asking myself, what is it about Adele's music that depicts such a bleak and desperate outlook. Surely something can be done to cheer up the characters whom Adele writes about, which apparently all teenage girls can "relate" to. 

First, I feel like I have to state the obvious. Perhaps you should stop breaking his heart if you want him to call you back. Second, I can't emphasize the importance of perspective. The most humorous song on the album has to be, "When We Were Young," when you consider it was written by someone who just turned 25. Having lived ten years on the other side of 25, I can say with confidence that what seemed awful and heartbreaking at the time was but a molehill compared to the mountain of pain and grief I would come to know later. 

Finally, I think why Adele's 25 is absent of joy and hope is because it is void of Christ. For comparison, I recommend you listen to another extremely talented female vocalist, Sara Groves. It was during college when I was first introduced to her song, "Conversations," and quickly captivated by its lyric, "...I don't claim to have found the truth, but I know it has found me..." 

Back in November, Sara released a new album entitled, "Floodplain."In particular, I found that I connected most with the song, "Enough." In it she writes, "...Really we don't need much. Just strength to believe. There's honey in the rock, there's more than we see. In these patches of joy, these stretches of sorrow. There's enough for today, there will be enough tomorrow..." 

It's in lyrics like these that most clearly demonstrate why Sara's music succeeds where Adele's fails. In Adele's music there is no mention of provision and redemption, which leaves the listener to assume that there is no hope for relief or escape from heartache. However, Sara's music makes it clear that there is a provider and a redeemer; and his name is Jesus Christ. And against him no fear or grief can stand. Is there any more cheerful thought than that?

Maybe I should send Adele a copy of Sara's new album? Hmm.....

CJE