Breakin’ All The Rules…

I tend to not like rules. I admit…I can get pretty rebellious, especially if I don’t like the rules.

Reading through the Gospels, I see that Jesus was a bit rebellious as well. At one point, as a kid, he stayed behind at a temple while his family headed home. Another instance is when he was invited to a Pharisee’s home, and didn’t wash his hands before he ate. The Pharisee’s got pretty pissed. Speaking of getting pissed…Jesus walked into a temple and decided to ‘rearrange’ some furniture in there, because of some certain acts that were going on.

I spoke to the kids in Epic Church last night about its what’s on the inside that counts. Its not about following the rules and regulations that makes us Christians. In Luke 11 Jesus is invited to dinner with some Pharisees. Just by reading the Bible…Pharisees seem like some Grade-A d-bags. I wasn’t there…so my assumption isn’t very accurate. But nonetheless, Jesus puts them in their place.

He accepts their invitation…sits down at the table, doesn’t say grace, doesn’t wash his hands. Just eats. Starts doin’ work on all this food. The Pharisees were immediately offended. They probably called him out on it. They probably made a scene. They probably freaked out on him. I mean, I can’t really blame them here. Things were less sanitary then. They didn’t have hand sanitizer, and this guy waltzes in and doesn’t abide by their rules. Maybe if he was asked politely…he would’ve.

I love Jesus a lot…mainly because I’m a sarcastic person…and I can sense his sarcasm when he speaks to these religious leaders.

I assume that Jesus kept his cool in the beginning of this sitchu. He told the Pharisees (and I’m paraphrasing here) that he noticed that they shine their glasses and plates so they can shine in the sun, but their insides are maggoty with greed and secret evil (that was from The Message version). He went on to state that the same one that makes the outside also makes the inside.

We separate our how we look and how we feel. We’re concerned more about impressing God than realizing he’s already impressed with us.

Back to Jesus and the d-bags…I mean Pharisees.

Jesus really lets these guys have it. He calls them frauds. He also calls them stupid, fools, and hopeless (someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning). He then tells them that “They are like unmarked graves: People walk over that nice, grassy surface, never suspecting the rot and corruption that is six feet under.” Um…I don’t think he’s holding back here.

After all this…one of the Pharisees asks, “Teacher, don’t you realize that you’re insulting us?” Jesus says, “Yes, and I can be even more explicit.” Haha…I think his filter has left the building at this point. What he says next is his main point. He says, “You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never even lift a finger to help them.”

Take a second and think about that. Think about the rules, regulations, guidelines, that you’ve been told to follow to be a Christian, to be a follower of Christ. Most new Christians, and most new Christians usually stop ‘being a Christian’ because its too much, its overwhelming. And pastors and family members usually don’t help. These new and young Christians are under the impression that they are expected to change everything that they’re doing that ‘doesn’t please God’ overnight, or right at that very second, for that matter. Change is a process. Life is a process. We have to realize that. I have to realize that. Not only in the people’s lives that I pastor, but I can’t be discouraged, when change isn’t coming in my own life as fast as I want it to.

I, also, have to remember that I can get to God through works…but not mine. CHRIST’S WORK on the cross gave me access to God! I don’t have to work for it! When he said ‘It is finished’ before his death on the cross, that meant that all the work, and following all these religious rules are done! We don’t have to jump through hoops to get to God! Just accept and receive what’s been done for us! We get to be with God because of Christ’s finished work.

No hoop jumping…no more working for God’s approval…just embracing what’s already done.

Transatlanticism

TRANSATLANTICISM-a word, phrase, or idiom in English that is common to both Great Britain and the United States.

This song by Death Cab For Cutie has been stuck in my head for weeks now. Its funny, because 5-6 years ago, I would never dream of listening to this band…or John Mayer…or Journey…or Justin Timberlake. This isn’t about music…just know that my musical taste has involved, since I started trying to find truth outside my Christian musical bubble. It moves me in a way that nothing else can.

Anyway…

The song talks about how a certain series of events has created distance between two people. That happens a lot. We graduate from high school, go away to college, and suddenly have a new BFF. A husband and wife are only in it for the kids, so even though they are in the same house, they’re miles apart. A brother (sister) betrays his (her) brother (sister), and don’t speak for years. Your girlfriend (boyfriend) decides to take a job 1500 miles away.

Space…

Distance…

Lightyears…

That happens to me and God a lot. Things happen, and I’ll forget about him. The ‘s’ hits the fan, and I create distance. I ignore him.

From Texas to Scotland…

That’s how far away I feel at times. Just like the singer, I’m in a rowboat, rowing to Scotland. Yeah…that distance is way too far for me to row. I can see myself screaming, “So, come on God! I’m in this freakin’ rowboat! I’m rowin’ here! Doesn’t seem like I’m getting ANY closer!” He seems farther than ever before.

Can you sense the frustration? Didn’t know if that was subtle enough. Do you think Jesus knows about frustration? If not…just remember that he spent three years teaching twelve kids. He is closer than the bone is to the marrow…

Yeah…I need him so much closer than that.

ineedhimsomuchcloser.

Closer than a hash tag on Twitter. I can’t look at God and say that i need some ‘space.’ I can’t say “Its not you, its me,” because ‘me’ needs him so much closer. I can’t even understand the magnitude of this. My mind is a bit too feeble to do so.

I think this could be understood in the United States or in Europe…

‘Transatlanticism’

The Atlantic was born today, and I’ll tell you how
The clouds above opened up and let it out

I was standing on the surface of a perforated sphere
When the water filled every hole
And thousands upon thousands made an ocean
Making islands where no island should go
Oh no

Most people were overjoyed; they took to their boats
I thought it less like a lake and more like a moat
The rhythm of my footsteps crossing floodlands to your door
Have been silenced forever more
The distance is quite simply much too far for me to row
It seems farther than ever before
Oh no

I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer

I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer
I need you so much closer

So come on, come on
So come on, come on
So come on, come on
So come on, come on

Single…and looking.

*No, this is not an internet ad to put myself out there to say that I’m ready to launch a full out relationship.*

Let me, however, set the backdrop to how I’m feeling…

My best friend got married this weekend. I’ve never really teared up at a wedding…until last Friday. I know, I know…what a punk, right? This wedding was special to me. You see, I was real young when my brother got married. We are 15 years apart, so naturally when they got married when I was in the 5-6 year old range, you can understand that my memories of their wedding are few. This particular best friend is not a best friend at all, but my brother. I have made a covenant with this man that is thicker than blood.

Just follow me here…

This is the same covenant that God has made with us. A bond that is thicker, stronger than any bloodline.

‘To have and to hold…’
‘For sicker or poorer…’
You get the point…

Do you think God hears wedding bells when a sinner comes home? I have heard that all of Heaven rejoices, when a person repents, and says ‘I do.’ Is that rejoicing the reception? Were the ‘Cha-Cha Slide,’ the ‘Electric Slide,’ and the ‘Stanky Leg’ taking place? I can only hope there was a ‘Holy Ghost Hop!’ I’m pretty positive that the joy I felt, and the families represented felt, were just a glimpse of what God feels when we choose him above any other.

I can’t imagine what this will be like for me, when ‘its my turn,’ as my mom says. I think she’s readier than I am! I will say this…I have looked for this ‘love.’ I have looked high and low. In cities and in little country towns. All throughout the South, and Scotland. From Seagoville to Houston. In the past two months I have called off the search for that lucky lady (roll with the humor and sarcasm there, please). Being single is okay. Its not bad. I know God will reveal her to me. I’ve, at some points in life, exhausted myself in this area so much that my pursuit of God has lacked. He spoke to me two months ago…

‘Just chill out…’
‘Relax…’

He assured me that even though I’m still single, I’m not alone.

Single…and looking…for God…

-Brett O’Connor

Camp…Where My Life Was Changed

Camp time is probably the most intense time of the year for high school and junior high students. I mean, there’s competition, the excitement of meeting new people, and the best part is…God does work in our hearts and in our relationship with him. I love seeing that. I love camp. Students seeking and experiencing God everyday for a week…that’s priceless to him. Camps are the atomic bombs of the spiritual side of life.

The worst part is…they leave that experience in the altars.
some even forget that experience on the way back to the dorms or room.

The thing is…we cannot be the same after an experience with God. It doesn’t matter whether its a camp, an encounter, a Wednesday night service, or a tuesday morning prayer time. We have to refuse to be the same. That’s how I approached this camp. I refused to take shelter and let the bomb hit me straight on. A lot of counselors, or youth pastors for that matter, kinda just coast through these events.

I didn’t want to fall into that group….

As most of you know, God has been doing a lot in me when it comes to my purpose, desires, job opportunities, etc. Am I really called to be a coach? I think yes. But am I really called to coach sports? Not so sure. I think that whichever road I take, it will be a good, tough, emotional, one. God’s favor will be on me. My heart loves the 12-18 year old age bracket. I want to do what I can to help/coach them through their emotional rollercoasters (that’s what life is composed of at times).

I love sports, but I want to be accessible to students from all schools, sports, races, backgrounds, countries, neighborhoods, states, clubs, etc. Its been a confusing few months, but I think I’m seeing some clarity. I’m a pastor, a brother, and a father.

I’m grateful of the work that God did in me at this camp….

…because that’s where my life was changed.

-Brett O’Connor