A Fire in Your Bones

Jeremiah was whipped and and put in stocks by Pashhur, the priest of the temple, for speaking the truth about future judgment upon Judah. In response to this, Jeremiah says to the Lord that essentially the Lord has overpowered him in order to speak with such passion and honesty. Pashhur told him never to speak of this judgment again. However Jeremiah says to the Lord, "If I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones. I am weary of holding it in." (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

Does a fire burn in your bones when it comes to the compelling message of the Gospel? Jeremiah was no doubt a passionate preacher. He connected daily with his Lord and that became the fuel to keep the fire burning.

I fear I haven't seen enough passionate preaching in these modern days. Many pastors are doing a good job of exposing the scripture but the passion is missing. I fear the Evangelical church could become the church who lost its first love because the pastor doesn't have a fire in his bones.

Technological Facade

With the advent of e-mail, face book, twitter, and text messaging, we have fallen into the trap of substituting technology for face to face relationships.

We have found it easier at times to hide behind the screen. It doesn't take as much courage to write a scathing editorial or a confrontational message when we don't have to be in the room with the person. Technology can't interpret tone or perceive body language, or give us a hug.

I have witnessed in the last 3 years, churches who use the web and other forms of technology very effectively to communicate to their constituency. Technological advancements have been a tremendous blessing for sure in getting out the message of the gospel. However I have also seen the devastating effects of those who use e-mail and face book as a tool of control and gossip in the local church. Bulk e-mails can give a very angry or critical person an avenue of venting and fostering a selfish agenda to a much broader audience with just the touch of a button. Even a well intentioned e-mail in the hands of the wrong person can end up being misinterpreted because of our tendency to read between the lines.

So what is the solution?

- We need to teach our people that technology can enhance "body life" but is no substitute for it.

- We might need to pray before we press send.

- We need to ask ourselves if we are using a quick e-mail to avoid a relational connection that maybe God wants us to have.

- We need to ask ourselves if are we using e-mail as a shield of cover, because we don't have the courage to go face to face?

Praise God for all the new modes of keeping in touch. But let's remember that there is no substitute for a literal touch.