We Can't Change What We Do Until We Change Who We Are

Today Doug Wolter posted the following clip from Toy Story at his blog, Life2gether.

Quick aside: If you are at all interested in family ministry and the church as community, I hope you already follow Doug's blog. If you are and you don't...rectify that situation immediately!



Anyway, much as I was borrowing this clip from Doug, so too he was borrowing it from Chad Nuss, who comments:

In this classic scene, Buzz is convinced his role is to save the galaxy. However, Woody knows who Buzz really is and is trying his best to get through to him. This is what preaching is all about. Preaching is not primarily about what we are supposed to do or not do. Preaching is about reminding us of our identity. We are like Buzz, convinced we are good, spiritual people. The preacher comes to us like Woody, yelling at us to get us to see we are really sinners separated from God without Christ. But once we become followers of Christ, the preacher continues to come to us like Woody, yelling at us to remember who we are in Christ. Christianity is not about a list of do’s and don’ts. Christianity is about identity. We cannot change what we do until we change who we are. Preaching reminds us of who we were without Christ and who we are in Christ. Preaching reminds us that we can’t save the galaxy because we can’t even save ourselves. Only Christ can do that.

Radical Together

Saw this today at Doug Wolter's great blog, Life2gether:

Why Do We Love Underdogs?

Each year, the NCAA tournament is one of my favorite sporting events. There's a reason they call it March Madness. It's because the best part about it is the upsets by the no-name schools from the tiny conferences, who annually knock off the big boys like Georgetown, Wisconsin, Villanova and (especially!) Kansas. If you're anything like me, you don't mind seeing your brackets completely implode if it's becasue Cinderalla has shown up at the dance.

Doug Wolter suggests that our love for underdogs is rooted in the fact that Jesus was the ultimate underdog.

He came as a tiny baby from the little town of Bethlehem. He worked in obscurity as a humble carpenter. He grew to be a poor man despised by the world and betrayed by his friends. And he died a humble death on a cross. But there was victory. Victory and glory seen through humility.

I love the line from one song that says, “Who would’ve thought that a lamb could rescue the souls of men?” That lamb is our Victor. That’s our Champion. The lamb who was slain. The Savior who came out of nowhere to defeat the greatest opponent ever-sin and death. And we will spend eternity in awe of this humble, crucified King.

So, why do we love the underdog? Because we follow the One who lived humbly, suffered greatly, and died horribly, but now reigns in victory.

You can read Doug's whole post here.

President Obama's School Speech

President Obama is going to address school children across our nation on Tuesday. This has been met with some trepidation on the part of conservative Christians who fear that their children might have their impressionable young minds shaped by the smooth talking of a President who does not share their values.

Regardless of your political bent though, Doug Wolter has what I would consider some good thoughts for Christians regarding this topic.

Some Great Parenting Advice

Saw this from Doug Wolter yesterday and thought it was particularly sound parenting advice. If we want to be better parents, why not be shaped and molded by our perfect Father?