Barnabas Piper's Blog, page 98
January 14, 2016
What “Seventy times Seven” Means
Forgiveness is hard. To willingly and willfully give up your claim on another person because of a wrong done by them is trying.
One of the most famous and most quoted passages on forgiveness is Matthew 18:21 & 22 where Peter asks if he must forgive someone who sins against him even as much as seven times and Jesus gives the famous response: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
The obvious and correct interpretation of this passage is that there must be immense forgiveness for wrongs committed against us, many times more than our human nature is comfortable with. We are to be rich in grace toward those who wrong us over and over again and thus forgive them over and over again for their various offenses. For, if we have been forgiven thousands of times over for our wrong doings by Christ, how can we not also forgive others?
But there is a second interpretation, complimentary to the first, which I think is also true and equally as important. And that is this: we are to forgive the wrong doer seventy times seven for the same single sin against us.
When someone hurts us deeply it is not as simple as to forgive them and be done with it. It’s not that simple because the hurt runs deep and keeps hurting days, months, years after the initial offense. It’s not that easy because certain words, places, circumstances, or conversations remind us of the hurt over and over again. And it’s not that simple because we’re sinners. When we forgive, it is eroded by our own heart’s bitterness and undermined by our own self-righteousness. It is forgotten in fits of self-pity or anger. Our forgiveness is not a finished or eternal offering.
So we must forgive that single person for that single hurt not just once, or seven times, but seventy times seven. Every time we face those certain words, places, circumstances, or conversations that bring the hurt back we must choose to forgive again.
This kind of forgiveness is, in my experience, the hardest to do, and that’s because the kinds of offenses that require it are the most hurtful. It’s one thing to forgive a brash, loud-mouthed co-worker over and over again because they manage to be offensive with every other sentence. It’s another thing entirely to forgive, daily, the spouse or parent or friend who has undermined your credibility or betrayed your trust. But it is good.
Seventy times seven means far more – but never less – than forgive each time you are wronged. It means forgive offenses to completion even if that means a daily, or even hourly, decision to let the debt go.
January 12, 2016
7 Reasons Sports Matter So Much to So Many
Last week the baseball hall of fame announced their 2016 inductees, the NCAA Football championship game is fast approaching, and the NFL playoffs begin. Combine that with the NBA and NHL seasons and college basketball hitting mid-season stride and sports is near to peak excitement. Stories and debates and social media buzz abounds; it’s hog heaven for sports media and fans.
With the fervor at such a pitch I couldn’t help but wonder why. Why do sports matter so much to so many? Why do these games and these votes for entrance into a museum raise such ire and passion and zeal? Here are seven reasons people are so invested.
1) The Thrill
Sports are sheer, unadulterated fun. They provide moments of tension and excitement with regularity and intensity like no other entertainment or activity.
2) Identity
When tens of thousands of fans walk into a stadium or arena wearing the same colors they are part of something bigger than themselves. For some this is just a cool experience, but for others it’s much more than that.
3) Filling a Void
To some fans that experience of being part of something fills a hole in their lives. For others the whole thing is a needed distraction from some hardship or pain in their lives, an uplifting few moments between real life’s difficulties.
4) Wonder
A roar goes up from the crowd. “Wow!” exclaims a fan at his TV. These are the reactions sports elicit because of the stupendous feats on the field of play. We love the feeling of being amazed, and sports delivers it.
5) Community
Fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, friends and neighbors, even strangers– sports bring them together at the local park, in living rooms, at arenas, and in back yards. Friendships are formed that last decades for some, and for others it’s the catalyst needed to start a real conversation with a new neighbor.
6) Vicarious Living
In our minds we are young, lithe, in our athletic prime. In reality we stand on the sideline of our daughter’s soccer game with an achy left knee and holler instructions and encouragement and find joy in her efforts and accomplishments. We can still feel the thrill and the disappointment in her experiences, and we love it. And we miss it.
7) Nostalgia
The smell of fresh mown grass, the crack of the bat, the whack of pads, the swish of the net, and the crisp fall air of a Saturday at the park bring us back. Back where? To a thousand of our favorite memories with family or friends, to our triumphs and travails.
No doubt you see yourself in one or more of these. I certainly do, and that reminds me that sports offer the potential for great happiness but also idolatry. We find joy in them but they can also occupy too significant a place in our lives. We love them, and that is good, for they are a good gift. But as we see ourselves in these seven reasons we must be conscientious that our excitement doesn’t become worship and our fervor remains benign. It is wonderful to indentify with others, to connect, to enjoy, to be wowed, and to remember – but not if we begin to find identity on those or turn to them as a primary source of happiness.
January 11, 2016
New Happy Rant: An Emergent Update – Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Brian McLaren, and More
In this episode we try something a little different. Since Ted co-authored a book several years ago called Why We’re Not Emergent and since the key players in the Emergent movement keep rearing their heads we figured we’d do a “where are they now?” episode. We follow up on Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball, and Brian McLaren to see what they’re doing now, what are they teaching now, and what their current hair styles might be.
We also get an important update from Ronnie on when the heck we’ll get a new intro some we can lay the current one to rest with proper honors.
Big thank you to Resonate Recordings, the fine folks who make us sound listenable. If you are looking for great people to help your church put out recorded sermon audio or help you with a podcast they’re your people. T
Feel free to hit us up on Twitter at @HappyRantPod or on Facebook with any topic suggestions or feedback. We love hearing from listeners!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
Episode #70
January 7, 2016
Public Apologies Gone Wrong
Markieff Morris doesn’t need my forgiveness for throwing a towel at his head coach, Jeff Hornacek, yet he apologized to me and the rest of Twitter for just that. Morris, a forward for the Phoenix Suns, was angry after being benched in a recent game. The team rightfully suspended him for two games and demanded he apologize to his teammates and coaches before rejoining them. What struck me was Morris’ public apology via Twitter.
Public apologies are the norm now when athletes lose their cool. A groundswell of pressure generated through the press and social media demand them to say they’re sorry and pacify to the masses. But this undermines what an apology is.
. . .
Apologies are for righting wrongs between individuals or groups, for the wrongdoer to admit fault and ask forgiveness. In the case of Rajon Rondo, a volatile point guard for the Sacramento Kings, that meant a public apology did become necessary. During a game on Dec. 3, Rondo used highly offensive slurs directed at gay referee Bill Kennedy. At the time it wasn’t publicly clear what was said, but after the league suspended Rondo the news came out. Rondo issued two apologies, one rather flat, another more pointed, because the repercussions of his actions were harmful to a larger group.
The public cannot, however, always get the apology it wants. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins took the field before last Sunday’s game wearing a shirt calling for justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford III, both shot by the police in the state of Ohio in highly disputed cases. Many police officers and members of police unions were outraged and demanded an apology that Hawkins eloquently, respectfully, and emotionally refused to offer. They wanted an apology because they saw his actions as disrespectful. Hawkins was not cowed and stood by his convictions. He didn’t owe anyone an apology because he had avoided the kind of language or attitude that demean others. He simply took a stand.
In the end, all this apologizing and demanding has undermined “I’m sorry.” In too many cases the coerced apology sounds like a grumpy sibling muttering “I’m sorry your face ran into my fist” to another sibling. The public recognizes the disingenuousness and cries “not good enough!” even though we got what we asked for.
. . .
We love outrage and offense. We love to think someone is indebted to us, to hold our social cred over others’ heads. What arrogance. We can want apologies from those who attack or hurt us personally, but maybe, just maybe, we owe an “I’m sorry” to those athletes from whom we have demanded the same.
Read the full post HERE.
Public Apologies Gon Wrong
Markieff Morris doesn’t need my forgiveness for throwing a towel at his head coach, Jeff Hornacek, yet he apologized to me and the rest of Twitter for just that. Morris, a forward for the Phoenix Suns, was angry after being benched in a recent game. The team rightfully suspended him for two games and demanded he apologize to his teammates and coaches before rejoining them. What struck me was Morris’ public apology via Twitter.
Public apologies are the norm now when athletes lose their cool. A groundswell of pressure generated through the press and social media demand them to say they’re sorry and pacify to the masses. But this undermines what an apology is.
. . .
Apologies are for righting wrongs between individuals or groups, for the wrongdoer to admit fault and ask forgiveness. In the case of Rajon Rondo, a volatile point guard for the Sacramento Kings, that meant a public apology did become necessary. During a game on Dec. 3, Rondo used highly offensive slurs directed at gay referee Bill Kennedy. At the time it wasn’t publicly clear what was said, but after the league suspended Rondo the news came out. Rondo issued two apologies, one rather flat, another more pointed, because the repercussions of his actions were harmful to a larger group.
The public cannot, however, always get the apology it wants. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins took the field before last Sunday’s game wearing a shirt calling for justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford III, both shot by the police in the state of Ohio in highly disputed cases. Many police officers and members of police unions were outraged and demanded an apology that Hawkins eloquently, respectfully, and emotionally refused to offer. They wanted an apology because they saw his actions as disrespectful. Hawkins was not cowed and stood by his convictions. He didn’t owe anyone an apology because he had avoided the kind of language or attitude that demean others. He simply took a stand.
In the end, all this apologizing and demanding has undermined “I’m sorry.” In too many cases the coerced apology sounds like a grumpy sibling muttering “I’m sorry your face ran into my fist” to another sibling. The public recognizes the disingenuousness and cries “not good enough!” even though we got what we asked for.
. . .
We love outrage and offense. We love to think someone is indebted to us, to hold our social cred over others’ heads. What arrogance. We can want apologies from those who attack or hurt us personally, but maybe, just maybe, we owe an “I’m sorry” to those athletes from whom we have demanded the same.
Read the full post HERE.
January 6, 2016
New Happy Rant: Ugly People Can Sing Too, Pastor Self Promo, and Year-End Book Lists
No better way that to start off 2016 than with a bang, and that’s what set out to do on this brand new Happy Rant podcast. As is our way we attack the thorniest of issues and poke fun at the most necessary of things. And we might shoot a sacred cow or two along the way. Here is the rant:
Why are all the Christian singers good looking? Can’t ugly people sing too? And what does this tell people about what it takes to be a successful Christian?
At what point does a pastor’s social media posts about his ministry excitement become overkill?
A discussion of the proliferation of year-end book lists on blogs – helpful, braggy, or something else?
We have a fantastic sponsor this week – Theology For You. They offer a website of fantastic resources including their own podcast, but the big thing they want our listeners to know about is the weekender events they partner with local churches to host. The Theology for You Weekender is designed to help Christians understand theological subjects from Scripture and how those subjects practically apply to everyday life. The topic of their 2016 Weekenders is Union with Christ. Theology for You defines theology as the studied practice of knowing God. That’s theirr heart: to help Christians know and worship God better through the study of Him. For our listeners, just mention the Happy Rant podcast when you contact them about weekenders and you will get a 20% discount!
We want to thank Resonate Recordings, the fine folks who make us sound listenable. If you are looking for great people to help your church put out recorded sermon audio or help you with a podcast they’re your people. T
Feel free to hit us up on Twitter at @HappyRantPod or on Facebook with any topic suggestions or feedback. We love hearing from listeners!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
EPISODE #69
The Question We Must Ask About Everything
Every book, every sermon, every blog, and every new idea post must answer one question. It is the question I keep in mind as I write each of these posts and the one I used to ask when I evaluated manuscripts for publication. It’s the one I ask when a new strategy gets proposed at work. It’s the question I ask every Sunday morning at church and every time I delve into a new book or blog post.
SO WHAT?
Any message or text in any medium that fails to give a clear answer to this question is, at best, a collection of boring facts or anecdotes.
A sermon becomes simply information about a text, its background, some perspectives on it, or its characters. Is its main point that this Greek verb implies X and such image to the reader? So what?
A blog post is just a rant about some hobby horse or other. Or maybe it’s a critique of some aspect of culture or ministry. So what?
The book you’re reading (or writing) might be an expose on the downfall of American culture or an explanation of some theological minutiae? It might point out 7 problems we face in America today. So what?
The “so what” factor doesn’t have to be explicit. It doesn’t have to be a three step application. It doesn’t even have to be expansive, dynamic, or intense. But has to be clear and present. Without it a message is just information that has no bearing on life. Without the “so what” it’s simply the communicator showing off.
Every message should lead to something more than new knowledge. Knowledge is handy, but only if it leads to thought, inspiration, or action. But the only way to provide this in a message is to be constantly asking yourself “so what?” as you prepare it. What are you seeking to get the reader or hearer to think, feel, or do? If you don’t have an answer, neither will they.
January 1, 2016
When It’s Not a Happy New Year
You awoke to the sound of fire works, ready to slap the neighbor kids until you glanced at the clock. It was 12:02 on January 1. Happy New Year, everyone.
You’d gone to bed at 9:00 unable to stand being awake any more. Being awake hurt too much. But you couldn’t sleep. You tossed and turned and dozed fitfully. You envisioned the masses celebrating with their champagne and poppers and hoers d’oeuvres. They smiled and laughed and looked back on the year prior with appreciation or even a wink-wink-nudge-nudge “glad that’s over.” They watched enjoyed their festivities in the glow of Dick Clark’s special from the TV on in the back ground. They looked amazing and were happy and hopeful.
For you the last year was a slide and it’s only gaining speed. The calendar turn is no magical upturn in fortunes or hope. It’s just a number reminding you that you survived another day and that you face another now. Actually it reminds you that you face 365 called 2016 and you have little reason to believe it will be better than last.
You lost a child. You can’t make ends meet. You lost your job. Your small business is tanking. That spiteful group at your church is running you off. Your spouse left you. Your child hates you. The doctor said “cancer”. You’re still single. Your marriage is irreparably broken. You ‘re exhausted, a dry husk, without emotional or spiritual or mental reserves for what comes next. You face fog and darkness not the aspirations and promise of a beautiful sunrise.
All is not lost, though. There is reason to carry on. It lies outside you, outside your vision and understanding. But it lies within your reach.
Look at Psalm 6.
Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger;
do not discipline me in Your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking;
3 my whole being is shaken with terror.
And You, Lord—how long?
4 Turn, Lord! Rescue me;
save me because of Your faithful love.
5 For there is no remembrance of You in death;
who can thank You in Sheol?
6 I am weary from my groaning;
with my tears I dampen my pillow
and drench my bed every night.
7 My eyes are swollen from grief;
they grow old because of all my enemies.
8 Depart from me, all evildoers,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord as heard my plea for help;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror;
they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.
The Lord hears your plea. He accepts your prayer. Whether your trouble comes from outside or in, whether it’s pain or injustice or loneliness or fear – He hears. He knows that your body is breaking down with anxiety and that you cry whenever nobody is looking. He knows your weariness. He feels the wetness of your tears. And his love is faithful.
You have hope.
19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
20 My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
We have new mercies today, January 1 of the year you dread. Not the mercies of 2015 that seemed to run out – new mercies for today. The Lord is our portion – the very amount we need, no more and no less. You didn’t find it gift wrapped this bleary morning, but wait on the Lord and the mercies will happen precisely where and when you need them to. Do not wait passively, wait with conviction and faith that God will keep His word. He will bring hope and mercies. He will be the portion you need for this day and the next and the next, each set of mercies right for the day provided not a moment too early or too late.
It may not be a happy new year. But it can be a hopeful one.
December 30, 2015
5 Books I Didn’t Read in 2015
Tis the season for book lists. The best of the year. My favorites of 2015. The books I most hope people will be impressed that I read. Well here is my contribution – 5 books I did not read this year!
Literary Novel Sensation by NaNoWriMo Participant
Titled “Petunia” or “Dark In the Day of Night” or “Catching Fireflies with Umbrellas” or some such, it is a multi-themed critically acclaimed masterpiece. Reviewers have compared it to “a combination of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atlas Shrugged, and Infinite Jest.” It moved readers, brought tears, and will be forgotten by summer of 2016.
The Theological Tome by Rising Professor
672 pages of old truths in a fresh package with some liturgy sprinkled throughout. It is called insightful, revolutionary, and fresh. Because that’s what happens when you repackage geniuses who came before you.
The Pop Psychology Phenomena by Pseudo Academic nee Journalist
Exploring the way the human mind works through anecdotes and speculation this book grips readers by making them feel far smarter than they are. Mention it and you become nouveau cosmopolitan in no time flat and the life of every dinner party (you imagine attending).
A Fresh Look At The Gospel by Former Conference Breakout Speaker
Gospel-centered, pseudo reformed goodness about missionally engaging culture incarnationally.
TED Talk Turned Business Mantra by Entrepreneur with One Good Idea
How many pages can you turn a seventeen minute talk into? It depends on how many times you mention Apple, Amazon, Google, and Zappos while using the mantra phrase at least once per page. But don’t worry self-identified business leaders eat this stuff up.
December 28, 2015
New Happy Rant: Post Christmas Depression (PCD), When Stars Should Retire, and New Year’s Resolutions
Christmas has come and gone. For some this offers relief. For others, depression. But it also means the New Year is upon us, so we look ahead. In this episode of The Happy Rant we hit the following.
PCD – post Christmas Depression, an acute (if fictitious) ailment that Ronnie suffers from.
When should star performers and athletes retire? How do they know? Is it bad to hold on too long?
Tis the season for new year’s resolutions, but what do we think of them and do we make them?
We want to thank Resonate Recordings, the fine folks who make us sound listenable. If you are looking for great people to help your church put out recorded sermon audio or help you with a podcast they’re your people. They’ve also recently put out a couple albums for artists Whitney Bozarth and Adrian Mathenia and you can listen to those for free.
Feel free to hit us up on Twitter at @HappyRantPod or on Facebook with any topic suggestions or feedback. We love hearing from listeners!
To listen you can:
Subscribe in iTunes.
Listen on Stitcher.
Leave us a rating in iTunes (it only takes 1 click and it really helps us).
Listen using the player below.
EPISODE #68
