Amazing Story

Last week I challenged all of you who may read this blog to come up with the topics. I must admit, I was somewhat disappointed with the response, however, I did get a suggestion that I will incorporate this week. That suggestion was to point people to valuable/important things that I come across in order to help people wade through the vast amount of content that we have access to. It turns out, that very day I was shown a video of one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard.

Monday night, I came home from a long day at the office as I had stayed all the way through a meeting that night. I hadn't really been feeling well and all I really wanted to do was go to bed. My wife, however, really wanted me to check out this video that she saw on Facebook. I was not very excited to do this as the last video that she wanted me to watch was of a couple doing various beats, claps, clicks, etc. to a song. While this couple did their thing in perfect unison and had obviously spent a lot of time on their routine, I was not looking forward to another such video. But, since I hadn't seen her all day and she really wanted me to watch this new video, I agreed to take a few minutes and watch it.

What followed was an amazing story, unlike any I had ever heard. For the next 16 or so minutes, I was encouraged, convicted, amazed and wowed, by this young woman and by my God. Take a look for yourself here

Taking Requests

I am a fairly opinionated guy, but, lots of times I really have a hard time figuring out what to write about in my blog. Sometimes it's because not much is going on, sometimes I just forget and lots of times I just don't know what would be interesting to others who may be reading the blog. So, in order to get some ideas and to hear what you would like me to talk about, I am presenting you with a challenge; tell me what I should write about. You can send me topics, questions, statements, opinions, or whatever you think will help motivate interesting blog topics. I will do my best to incorporate your ideas and suggestions into future blog posts as well as do my best to answer questions via the blog. Feel free to be creative and to challenge me, just keep it appropriate.

Suggestions can be emailed to me at jonm@crosswaterchurch.org

Right and Wrong

Due to the generosity of a friend, I am fortunate to be able to go to the Husky game on Saturday against Nebraska. Once I get there, if I were to do a poll asking fans who is going to win the game, I am pretty sure that the majority would say the Huskies (true fans through out logic and always believe their team has a chance). But does being in the majority mean that you are right? Of course not (although this time they would be), we can all think of instances where the majority was wrong.

I was reading in Matthew 27 today and it caused me to think about group think, standing up for convictions, etc. In Matthew 27, Pilate finds no basis for any charges against Jesus and is trying to release him by giving the crowd a choice between Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal and in Pilate's mind surely less deserving of release then Jesus. The crowd surprises him though by demanding that he release Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Pilate knows that there is no reason to crucify Jesus and even "washes his hands of the matter" trying to absolve himself of any guilt in killing him, but ultimately gives in to their demands and hands Jesus over to be killed. Presumably, the majority of the people in that crowd wanted Jesus killed, but, obviously that doesn't make their desire right. So why did Pilate give in to them?

We see situations like this all the time (not this extreme but the same principles). Every day we are faced with decisions of right or wrong. Unfortunately, much of the time in our society, right and wrong are determined by what "most" people think and not by what is actually right or wrong. Just like Pilate knew that Jesus didn't deserve to die but went along with the majority, we too disregard what we know to be right and go along with the crowd. We see it in the workplace, we see it in schools, we see it in churches and we see it in homes. Sure, there are lots of ways to excuse or justify our behavior, but the bottom line is that too often we are not standing up for what is right.

I have read this passage in Matthew 27 several times (as well as the parallel accounts in the other gospels) and was newly and deeply convicted this time to stand up for what is right. I challenge you to do the same. If you don't know what is right, spend time reading the Bible and let the Holy Spirit work in you to reveal truth to you. If you do know what is right, stand up for it. Speak the truth in love!