Whatever Takes Us Away

Signs of the Times

2009-11-18T09:23:35-05:00

Humanity has an uncommon ability to use language in a way that describes the things around us, what we do, and what we say. We use letters, numbers, and symbols to communicate meaning and help define our world. Something has gone very wrong in the past few years that seems to be leading to the demise of human language and understanding.

This morning after I took the kids to school I passed one of the larger churches in our little town. Usually, the sign out front has interesting little quips, event announcements or special dates on this sign. Most times I look to see what has been posted; perhaps I’ll attend this or go to that. This morning however, I was caught off guard by what the sign says.

Some words in the English language sound exactly the same, and unless you use the surrounding context of the words you won’t know what word has been used. Plane and plain are a good example of this. Is one talking about walking on a plain in Africa or riding on a plane to get to Africa? For, fore, and four is another good example.

The sign in front of the church says, “Pray 4 Our Troops” which, if it had been properly laid out with the proper words, might mean something to the effect of, “Our troops are in a violent situation, please pray FOR them.” But, when we start to render number symbols that have a close relationship with word symbols the language starts to deteriorate. Does the sentence, “Pray four our troops” have the same meaning as “Pray 4 our troops?” Maybe it is just me and I’m a stickler for the proper use of the English language, but I think those to phrases have different meanings.

The text messaging, instant messaging, chat lingo that is thrown around today is starting to madden me to no end. If you have a feeling, thought, or emotion to convey find the correct words and/or phrases that convey those feelings, thoughts and emotions – please don’t butcher the language you speak by taking short cuts that obscure the true meaning of what you are trying to say. If you don’t know how to spell something, find a dictionary, use the internet. If you don’t know which word is the proper word, use a dictionary to help you understand the meanings of the word(s) in question.

If you want the surrounding community to pray for our service members, say what you mean and mean what you say. If you start using word symbols to represent the actual word you want to use you begin confusing the language you are using, changing the meanings of the words and symbols. 4 does not mean the same things as for or fore. Praying four our troops does not carry the same meaning as praying for our troops, and likewise, praying fore our troops does not carry the same meaning either.

I find this particularly infuriating because of where the sign is and who and what is attached to that sign. If it had been in the front yard of a frat house I might find it slightly amusing, but still incorrect. However, this sign stands along the most traveled road in the town, in front of one of the largest churches in the town. As a Christian I am enraged by the fact that other “Christians” cannot use the God given abilities to use language as God had intended. He did not create us to be unintellectual, idiotic morons that confuse simple words easily. No, in fact, He created us with superior intellect to that of other animals, separating us from everything else He created. If we are the “higher” animals we should act as such.

Here’s a quote from someone else that has similar feelings to those of mine. “Here’s the problem. There is nothing wrong with slang. It is as American as apple pie. But one of the great deceptions is that the words are losing their original meaning. If we change the meaning of words what good is our language? . . . If we lose our common language we lose our culture” (Coach Dave Daubenmire, Words Have Meaning, 2007).

Words do have meaning. The letters, numbers, and symbols we use each day convey certain things about the world around us. Unlike the other creatures that roam the earth, we can use language in a way that helps us to create bicycles, cars, houses, cities and nations. We use language to solve mathematical problems and use it in science. It teaches us history and tells us the current news events. But when we toy around with the meanings of the words (as has been handed down to us, written or spoken and documented with definitions) we lose the ability to communicate anything at all.

I correct my children when they use a word improperly or out of context, the same as my family did with me growing up. I don’t think there is an emphasis on the proper use of language anymore and that may very well lead to the demise of the English language in the near future.

2009's Buck

2009-11-11T14:13:39-05:00

This is what happens when you sit in a tree stand beginning 6:30 am. Sadly I must report that my friend took a shot at this bruiser and missed, but God felt that one of the two of us put this buck on the ground. I am thankful I had the opportunity to take a shot, and even more thankful that my arrow hit the mark!

This is the second deer of the season (the other a decent doe back in October) and I still have four more possible tags to fill (all does). Looking forward to taking Jake out next weekend during the youth gun season, maybe there'll be another monster lurking in the woods for him to shoot.

As one who served five years in the Marine Corps I am truly thankful I could take this deer on Veterans' Day; a day off work doing something fun with a friend and being well rewarded for a good shot.

To all you who read and are either past, present or soon to be US service members, thanks. I have my moments where I miss it, but this morning was not one of those times. Glad to be at home with a bow in my hand.

The Eve of the Hunt

2009-09-25T13:33:41-04:00

Well, it's Friday, September 25th, but those who read this probably already know that. This Friday is special for a couple of reasons, it isn't the date that's important, but what this day indicates is the focus here. You see, tomorrow marks the opening of the deer bow season for 2009-2010 and today is a day off from work for me. I don't mind waking up early to hit the woods, but it really sucks when you get off work at 11:00 pm and don't get to sleep until after midnight - that 5:45 am alarm doesn't sit well with me on those nights. So, today is a day off and I hope (if all goes well) to be in bed well before midnight tonight (sometime between 10:00 and 10:30 seems best).

Now, with that said there is another problem that has been posed over the past few days - the weather. Looking ahead to tomorrow looks like I'll be wet while in the tree, but alas, I hope the tree umbrella will help me out there! If all else fails I have the tent blind set up and ready for action too, another way to keep dry on opening morning.

Lastly, since it is the opening weekend of the bow season my chances of going to church Sunday is highly unlikely. Don't get me wrong, I find it incredibly important to go each week, but this Sunday I make an exception (and have for the last two years). Call it "Our Lady of the Tree Stand" or what have you, but that is indeed where I will be; amongst God's beautiful creation and being a mindful steward of the creatures He has given us for sources of food (yes, deer is allowable, even under the Old Testament laws given to Moses). And, as that steward, I will do my best to not get greedy or overzealous when it comes to the animals I will be seeking this hunting season (though a mix of animals would be nice). I pray now, as I will in my stand tomorrow morning, that God will be with me and that He will bless the time I spend with Him and His creation this season (and especially tomorrow morning)!

Now may you, my deer reader, keep me in mind as you go to church this Sunday morning, and know that all of God's creation is beautiful, even when it looks like a steak.

Summer?

2009-08-17T22:37:03-04:00

For those very few loyal readers I have, forgive me for my inconsistent writings of late. Summer, what little of it is left, has once again blown by me and blown me over. I have finished my Associates Degree in religion, the kids are growing and swimming (when the weather cooperates), and things around the Mundy house have been usual - busy, busy, busy.

I haven't been writing here, for no good reason, and while I have intended to write more often, it just hasn't happened. I could say that will change, like I have in the past, but I now know that I will not respond (even to myself) in kind in that respect. Get used to the fact that I won't be posting here as often as I once did, but this has become more of a last place for me to put my thoughts out.

Summer has once again come and gone, and I have once again lived another year to tell the stories. Oh well, at least I have this beautiful wife to help keep me on track with all aspects of my life. See you around!

Sorry

2009-05-17T21:46:42-04:00

Okay, I haven't been posting anything lately, and frankly, this won't be much of a post, however, I realize that I should at least put something here.

To update a bit. I ran the Flying Pig half marathon and managed to meet my own time of maintaining a ten minute mile for each of the 13.1 miles. I have finished the spring semester and managed to meet and/or exceed the criterior for my AA Religion degree and will now be moving on toward the BS Religion this summer. The family and some friends did the Walk Now for autism walk at Coney Island and had a great time of it. My flower beds have been mulched and at least partially weeded and I don't plan on doing much else around the yard for a while.

Kids are nearly done with school for the year and I look forward to having fun summer time with them all.

That's all for now, I will hopefully start training for the Air Force half marathon in the coming weeks. The race isn't until September, so I have some time to work on knocking at least one minute off of each mile, which should get me under two hours for the 13.1 mile jaunt.

Public Thanks!

2009-03-21T21:52:50-04:00

Just a quick note of thanks for my first receipt from my Amazon wish list.

Two books have been removed from my wish list this past week, and in the coming weeks I hope to at least begin reading these two. They both came from the same source and I am glad to have scratched them off the wish list. Thanks to my mom I got Ravi Zacharias' "The End of Reason" and St. Augustine's "Confessions" and look forward to getting into these two works.

Thanks Mom!

Sermon: What's Your Service?

2009-03-15T19:01:17-04:00

For those who keep asking on Facebook, here's my sermon from today - well, for the most part.

I’m sure many of you know who Penn & Teller are, so I’ll spare you the gory details of some of their comedic skits. At the end of my message today I want to share a short video that Penn Jillette put out not too long ago that I hope will put an emphasis to all I want to talk about this morning. What is that? Missions and evangelism.

At the beginning of the year Pastor Don spoke about traveling in New Testament times. Today, as we sit here in the very same space in which he spoke then, he is traveling in a far-off land. In Vietnam today, he will be attending a church service like none other he has ever experienced. On top of that he may have opportunities to share his faith journey and the gospel message of Jesus with people who may have never heard the name Jesus. Now, we are not all called in the same manner, to go abroad in missions to foreign countries, be we are all called to follow the Scriptures and the Great Commission. Jesus, just prior to His ascension told His disciples to go . . .

We can read this charge to “go” in four places in the New Testament: Matthew 28, Mark 26, Luke 24 and Acts 1. They do not all state the exact same thing in the exact same manner, but the message is the same. Let’s suppose you and I were to witness a car accident while standing near a busy street intersection, a few of you on one corner, some on another, and I on yet another corner. When the police show up to question us and retrieve our “eyewitness testimonies” some things throughout our stories will inevitably be somewhat different. I noticed that there was a large glare from a store window that caused one driver to swerve, you only saw a car out of control, yet we still saw the same accident. These different story lines do know mean we are all wrong, it doesn’t even mean that one of us was wrong. What it does indicate to us is that regardless of stories, there is a message that carries throughout – we all saw a car accident that was caused by a certain driver. The same can be said for the writers of the New Testament. Two of these four accounts, Luke and Acts, are presumably written by the same author, Luke. Now, we know some things about Luke from his own writings and from the writings of the Apostle Paul. Luke was a doctor of some sort. He liked to give good detailed accounts of the things he wrote about. He also gives us differences in his own writings, but his message does not vary in its meaning. There are no contradictions in his two accounts, yet they do differ in the manner of deliverance. The same message is found, however, in all four of the accounts of the Great Commission. All nations are to receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Looking back and doing a little study will do us all some good when we approach the Bible. Some background: Jesus had been with the disciples for just over three years. In that time it could be rightly assumed that they knew and understood what it was that Jesus was commissioning them to do. They had seen His miracles, witnessed the healings, heard him speak numerous times (and were even given deeper insight when he spoke in parables and they did not understand those parables), not to mention that he had lived with and among them all that time. If anyone understood what to do it would indeed be these remaining disciples; a motley bunch of Jewish men.

A couple of historical notes of importance.
#1. Jerusalem was part of the Roman Empire at this time, roughly A.D. 33 #2. The Romans did not like exclusivity in religious matters. It is well known and attested that when Romans conquered people, they usually adopted and added whatever gods there were into their own pantheon of gods. They would also adopt some of the religious practices like sacrifices to idols. One of the main religious movements in the empire however, was emperor worship. At the time of the death and resurrection of Jesus was Tiberius Caesar; following him were Caligula and Nero – two of Rome’s most brutal, notorious, and bloody emperors. This new sect of Judaism was different from most other religions. This new sect, by its very nature, had no intentions of sharing a throne with a myriad of other sub-deities. In John 14:6 we read, “Jesus told them, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” Statements like this the Romans did not like. In this system there was only one way. Jesus. Exclusivity at its pinnacle.

The message the disciples received in the Great Commission was a daunting task. Again, I think it can be rightly assumed that these men knew what challenges were ahead of them. Persecution, jail time, beatings and mass unbelief – yet they persisted. The message to the disciples was to carry the message of Jesus to an unbelieving world.

I wanted to know a little more about what was being asked of the disciples by Jesus, so I looked to see what the original language said. In particular I looked at the word used for witnesses in Acts 1:8. Martys is the Greek term used, which is where we get our English word for martyr. The meaning here in Acts 1:8 helps us understand further what the task of the disciples, and of us today, was and still is. Most of us know what a martyr is, right? Someone who is willing to do anything, even dying, for their cause. Jesus was asking these men to do just that; go out in my name, regardless of the consequences, and be my witnesses – even unto death. They were to testify, give testimony, witness, or perhaps, become martyrs for the sake of Christ. A most difficult and challenging task.

What else sticks out in this passage? Do you see any relevance to how they were sent? Look at Acts 1:8 again. Where were they to be Jesus’ witnesses? He moved them out in concentric circles, gradually moving them further away from the center of their known world. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

Jerusalem. Here was the starting point. When I went to my Walk to Emmaus retreat several years ago a Jewish proverb was told. I’ll paraphrase: Noticing that things were bad around him, a young Rabbi decided to change the world. Realizing that the world was much too large he decided he would have to narrow his scope. I’ll change my country he thought, but soon realized, this too, was a large and daunting task. I’ll change my county, my region, but this too was too much. Maybe if I start with my city I can change things. Yet again, upon review, this was too much. Perhaps my street. No, maybe my house? Maybe, he thought, I should start with myself. The disciples had a starting point, which began with themselves, their households, and their city. From that point, the circle grew, eventually leading them and their followers, including Jesus’ disciples today, to expand throughout the world.

An important thing to note here is that in these passages of Scripture the same principle applies to our day and age as it did back then. Here we are nearly 2,000 years later and the same charge applies to us. All who are followers of Jesus are to do one thing. Does anyone know what one of the shortest proper sentences in the English language is? Go. Interesting isn’t it? That Jesus would give us a command so brief, so concise, yet so difficult. That’s you and that’s me – we are all to go. Pastor Don is doing above and beyond his duty right now by traveling overseas to go! Within that simple word are a host of things we can do. Our first priority though is to go and make disciples. After this we can break go into sub-categories. Go and share the gifts, talents and abilities God has given you. Go help the poor and needy, the widows and orphans. Go. Go. Go. Go! We aren’t all called to go in the same manner, direction or fashion, but we are all to go.

Most of you may know that I have a passion for music. I enjoy sharing my faith through that passion (though I still say I am not much of a singer). I also love to teach the things of the Bible, it’s history, relevance to today and how it can be applied to our lives. As a matter of fact I can spend hours talking about it at length . . . . . . did anyone order lunch in for us today? Just kidding. Some of you here do share your gifts, talents and abilities on a very regular basis. Some of you love to visit people who need a visitor or someone to talk to. Some of you may feel compelled to share your faith with a complete stranger. Others may love to cook things and give that to those in need. Maybe you have been financially blessed and can give from your pocketbook, great, keep doing it. Turn to Matthew 25:31-40, let’s read this (When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.) Each time you or I do any of these things, or others not explicitly mentioned here, we share our gifts and talents. And, when we do this in the name of Christ – for His sake – He recognizes those things and will remember them when at last we reach our final destination. My point here is this; each of us has been called personally by God. We who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ have, as our first priority, to share Him and His message. Sure, you might have to befriend someone before you jump into the gospel message, but we are disciples of the Master and He will do all of the hard work.

There is something else too, you, I and everyone we come in contact have in common with another biblical person. In each of these four accounts of the Great Commission, one Apostle was not present – Paul. He had his own commissioning, and just like him we are to travel into a darkened world to share the message of Light. Paul was a Jew’s Jew, studying under the best of Jewish teachers, yet he ended up following Christ, he too was commissioned. How we share this message is as individualized as the gifts, talents and abilities we all have. Let’s look briefly at what Paul taught in I Corinthians 9:19-23. (Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.) The message is the same, only the delivery changes. We have Jesus as our prime example and Paul helps flush out how we might go about this. Jesus held the company of sinners and tax collectors – any sinners here today? Jesus would have hung out with me for sure!

Where does this lead us? Let’s take a quick look at Romans 10:8-15. (But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!) Here, the gospel message is laid out for us. If you don’t know how to say it or share it, here it is in print. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. We are all sinful creatures by nature, but we can have our sin cleansed if we believe in the only One who can save us. We are justified not by any actions or deeds, but by grace through faith, which comes from the Lord. Pastor Don has traveled several thousand miles to share this good news and we are still here. Within the context of the passage we just read, he has the beautiful feet which bring the good news. He has been sent to preach. Who sent him? God, of course! Moses was sent by God to lead Israel out of Egypt, Joshua was called to take Israel into the promised land, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Joel and the other prophets were all called by God to share His message. You and I have been called and sent forth. All of us have been sent by God.

What I am submitting to you today is that each of us has a calling. A call into ministry isn’t always a call into becoming a pastor or preacher. We all have a mission field. That mission field may be your own house, your extended family, your friends, or co-workers. It could be that your mission field is at a local food pantry helping to serve people in need of a meal, maybe it is building houses or it could be that you are called to serve like Pastor Don overseas. As I’ve said before, I could stand up here for hours and talk about this stuff, but at some point there is nothing more I can do for you. This is where you come in. Each of us has been gifted in a special way and called by God to use those gifts, talents and abilities He has endowed to each of us. You have to be discerning as to the Holy Spirit’s call on your life. Spend time with God in reading His Word to see how your life fits into His plans – but try not to put your plans into God’s purpose for you, going against Him seems daunting and, I am sure, a battle that cannot be won. We have been given something to help us with this task. In Luke 24:48 we read the words of Jesus, words first meant for His disciples, and now for us. “And look, I am sending you what my Father promised . . .” that promise is the Holy Spirit who guides us, and our missions.

As I draw this towards a conclusion I ask each of you to consider something while our Pastor is away, think and pray about how God wants you to go and make disciples. In Matthew 6:33 we read, “but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Seek the guidance of God and find out what your calling is. It may not come to you overnight, it may not happen over the course of a few weeks – it may, in fact, take several years before you really know where God wants you, but if you continually seek the counsel of God first, He will direct you and His will for your life will be known. Be drawn closer to God and he will draw you towards those He intends to save.
While I preparing for this week I came across something by chance . . . okay, God put this stuff in my hands purposefully, and I felt compelled to share it with you. In a study about building a deeper relationship with God I read a small portion about service. The main point was “we follow Jesus as we serve our world.” Fitting isn’t it? I’d like to read just a small portion of it and then we’ll close.

"Some people feel content to help people only when and if it’s convenient. Others fit service into time slots such as a spring break missions trip or a Saturday service project once in a while. But following Jesus means that we will allow service to spread into our whole lives. Jesus calls his followers to a deeper level of service that helps people anytime, anywhere, anyhow, no matter if it’s convenient or fun. This kind of service might be truly difficult stuff, but it also leads to a worthwhile and more fulfilling life.

Jesus served people wherever he went. He taught them God’s truth, he showed them the way to have a relationship with God, he healed their broken hearts and bodies, and he loved them. In fact, Jesus’ mission on earth was to serve humankind. We all have needs, and because we can recognize our own needs, it becomes easy for us to recognize that Jesus might want us to serve anyone – even the person on your left or right!
It may be harder to serve those right around you because their needs aren’t as visible as those living in foreign countries or on the streets without a home. But don’t let that stop you! Look a little deeper. What deep needs do people have that you might be able to do something about? Is someone lonely? Does someone need encouragement? Can you give someone your time?" (Follow Me, Group Publishing, 2004)

I end with those questions intentionally. We have looked at passages of the New Testament where Jesus sent his disciples, both then and now, to go and make disciples of all nations. We’ve looked at what that meant back then and what it means to us now. We read how we can respond to the gospel message, and briefly at how we can find God’s will for us in service by reading the Word, seeking first the kingdom of God not the kingdom of man. What’s left is for you and I to walk out from this place and begin our goings. We all have a purpose and a service. What will your service be and who will you reach for the kingdom?

As I mentioned in my opening many of you may know Penn Jillette, he’s Penn from Penn & Teller – the comedy duo that has given many crass skits for over two decades. It is a well-known fact that Penn is a fairly devout atheist, and he has stated it publicly many times. Our service in God’s kingdom can have an impact on the world, even among those who do not believe in an all powerful, all loving God. Sometimes it isn’t what you say, but how you say it.

How much do we have to hate someone to not share Christ with them?