Chuck Bomar

More Than 40 Days

Chuck Bomar — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:36:38 -0800

Today marks the beginning of Lent and many people will begin giving up something they really enjoy as a point of focus and preparation for Easter. Typically we give up things like coffee, television, Twitter, Facebook, a certain food, etc. I think this can be a very good challenge, but let’s not get it twisted.

These are not “sacrifices,” they are setting aside a luxury that few people in the world get to enjoy. They can be a focusing point for us and for a brand new believer this might be a very good first step. But someone who has been following Jesus for a while shouldn’t view giving up these little luxuries as a sacrifice and ought to be very leery of feeling super spiritual because they gave them up for 40 days.

Consider putting forth an intentionally gospel focused challenge for yourself this Lent season. Jesus didn’t say in order to follow him we had to give up a luxury for a certain amount of time. He told us we had to give up all of ourselves, for life. So let’s use Lent as a time to focus on that calling. This is a process for all, so let’s commit to using this season as taking a step in this direction. Let’s give up something that is actually hindering us from following Jesus whole heartily. And, let’s not make the challenge for ONLY 40 days….let’s make these the FIRST 40 days of truly working toward the giving up of our entire lives.

Battling Your Relationship With Shame

Chuck Bomar — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:13:28 -0800

Discovering who we are inevitably leads us to discovering the reality that we're not who we desire to be - at least in ways. Shame and guilt over past sin or current struggles can paralyze us....completely. We feel separated from God, the people of God and the things of God.

We have to understand, though, that shame creeps in because we wrongly identify ourselves in sinful actions/tendency/behavior. At it's core this misplacement of our identity is because we view ourselves as bodies that have a soul versus a soul that has a body.

It may seem like a matter of semantics, but it's not at all. It's an entirely different identity. If we view ourselves as a body that continues to sin and do what we ought not - cf. Romans 7:18 - we inevitably end with feelings of shame and guilt. However, if we view ourselves biblically and through Christ as a soul that has been made new, our identity is beyond our fleshly limitations and actions. This is important to understand because our identity, then, is not found in sin, but instead in who God has made us to be spiritually (cf. Ephesians 1:3-14).

Viewing himself as a soul that struggles with fleshly issues is exactly what led to Paul being able to separate his identity from his sinful actions. Paul knows that nothing good dwells in his flesh (Romans 7:18), but it's clear that he doesn't identify himself in his flesh:

"Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me" (Romans 7:20).

This separation of identity, my friends, is critical to battling the shame and guilt we often deal with. This might be a good point to bring up with someone you meet with today. Or, it might just be for you. Either way, I'd like to remind you that you are a soul (i.e. new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:14-17) that has a body. It doesn't give us an excuse to sin (Romans 6:15). In fact, a proper understanding of grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and points us toward godliness (Titus 2:11-14). But it does give us freedom from shame and guilt and condemnation (Romans 8:1!!!!).

I Can't Think Of A Better Word, Sorry

Chuck Bomar — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:04:58 -0800

In a world where Christians, in the name of holiness, arrogantly distance themselves from everything "secular"......and like the Pharisees, can't figure out what it means to be "in" the world but not "of" it........

In a world where Christians, in the name of holiness, arrogantly stand back and bash non-Christians for living like, well, non-Christians......

We need to check these actions and attitudes with the scriptures. I have a word I sometimes use to describe this type of activity. But I want to warn you, this could be bad. I only use this word in conversations where people know my heart and theological convictions. Posting it publicly like this could get me in trouble. I don't mean to be rash by using this word, but I honestly cannot think of one that better describes this type of activity by the very people that are supposed to be following the example of Christ.

Before I say the word, let me (very briefly) explain why I don't think the attitude toward non-Christians I explained at the top is appropriate. Paul clearly states that it's not the right of a Christian to judge outsiders - we are not they're judge, God is (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). We clearly cannot expect non-Christians to live in God-honoring ways. We are in a broken world. We don't have to publicly condemn their actions to prove they are wrong or to make sure we're not viewed as condoning them. In fact, Peter states that we are to simply continue doing good when others do wrong and by this alone their foolishness would be silenced (in other words, we don't need words). He says to treat everyone with respect and honor - even those that are unjust and to even honor an emperor that was killing Christians at the time (1Peter 2:13-18). We are told that this graciousness is being mindful of God (2:19). And, he points back to Christ as the example of these things in the verses that follow.

Instead of following this example, however, we have people publicly standing out against wrong with only words, picketing, arrogantly standing back.....not doing good and respectfully honoring all people, but instead speaking against them and their actions.

But what Paul and Peter are saying gives a completely different perspective of what Christ followers should be doing. It's very different than arrogantly separating from or publicly bashing everyone that is doing wrong or opposing God in their actions. Christians are doing both of these things in the name of "holiness." But they're not holy. They're actually (oh boy, here's the word) "ass-holy."

I told you. I don’t mean to be rash, but I honestly can't think of another word that better fits this attitude. Jesus did bash people.....but if you read the gospels it was the people that I described above that he spoke up against. I think we should take that into consideration before we outwardly and publicly bash non-Christians....in the name of holiness. Jesus treated these people very differently. He hung out with those "secular" people. He actually ate and reclined with them. He didn't arrogantly separate, nor did he flip their tables over. He lived among them and served them. He didn't have to constantly point out their wrongdoings. Yes, he confronted people in their sin. But it was with humble connection, not arrogant separation. He gave us an example of what it means to live in the name of holiness. I think we should get that straight and be careful of our ass-holy attitudes.

Oh, if we would actually follow Christ's example and actually be known for our holiness in our every day lives, in our humility, in our heart for people to be reconciled......

Generational Values Hindering Relationships

Chuck Bomar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:36:23 -0800

Let’s be honest: connecting people of different generations is not the easiest thing to do. We face obstacles like core values being different, older people being intimidated or frustrated by the younger generations, younger people not feeling the value of having an older person in their life…to either generation not knowing how to connect with the other. There are ways we can help with these things (for more on that see chapters 7 and 8 of this book), but there is another issue that is just as obvious – if not more. We just don’t talk about it as openly.

Younger people are desperate for an experience they know is Divine. Of course not all desire this, but many just want to experience God, walk with Him daily, be a part of what He’s doing and be used by Him. Sure, experience based pursuits can be incredibly dangerous if they are separated from truth. But experiencing God can also be rooted in truth. And this is what I find many college age people seeking.

And herein lies the problem. It seems like there is a lack of older adults that authentically experience God – daily. Many of them, if you ask them directly, have a hard time pointing out anything specific they feel like God is teaching them or working on in their life today. Some can’t explain their own testimony of how and why they personally decided to follow Jesus – or why they do today. Much of this is due to, and in some ways this will be an over simplification, older generations not being experience based. They can know scripture, be grounded in doctrine, etc. but as I talk with more and more pastors working with older adults the lack of experiencing God in their lives is a huge issue.

Bridging these generational values together (a high value on experience with a high value on intellectual knowledge of Scripture) is what’s needed. But if these tensions aren’t helped the differences actually hinder sustainable mentor/disciple making relationships. And, I’m not okay with that. More to come…

Meeting Urgent Needs - no strings attached

Chuck Bomar — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:04:46 -0700

On Saturday we put on a free clinic for under-insured people. There were over 1000 people that showed up. Appointments started at 8am, but the line began way before that! When we opened the doors, the energy was amazing! So fun to be able to bring a hot cup of coffee to these people and just hear why they came. We had to completely transform a high school to make everything happen (picture of one of 3 dental rooms on right), but by doing so we were able to offer:

Medical examinations (including X-rays and free prescriptions)
Dental Work (cleaning, extractions, fillings – also included X-rays)
Vision Testing (including free eye glasses to anyone in need)
Podiatry (foot care)
Immunizations (gave out over 600 shots)
Lunch (hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey sandwiches, pizza)

It really was amazing. Our social service fair and all-day childcare proved to be a huge success too. But it wasn’t just about the one day event. We followed up with every person at the clinic to take careful note of any of their ongoing needs. We met their urgent needs (Titus 3:14), but we knew there was much more. So, we took all of those needs and placed them on a brand new website we developed for this type of thing. Now there is a way for Christians to follow up and make more sustainable relational connections with the people that showed up to get served. If you want to check out this site, it’s: www.iampeople.org. We are in the very beginning stages of this and plan on continuing to develop the functionality and breadth of what we can do through this site. But you might want to consider using it for your community as well….it’s also free to use.

"There's A Lot Of Stupid People Here"

Chuck Bomar — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:07:34 -0700

I work from coffee shops. In my church we have space for an office, but nobody works from there. Why? Well, because I have no opportunity to meet anyone new (Christian or non) from the "all-mighty church building." I've had an office for many years so I don't think it's a bad thing. In fact I think it can be helpful at times for many different reasons. But personally, for me, in this season of my life, it's not best, ideal, or even healthy.

I love to meet new people and I do so all the time in coffee shops.

Yesterday I met a wonderful immigrant German woman. For sake of this blog let's call her Rose (great German name, huh!?). I'm guessing Rose is about 70 and she moved to the US 4 1/2 years ago. She is a very sharp lady. She's "not affiliated" with any religion "Catholic or Protestant" (her words). She was a part of the "Protestant Organization" for a time, thought about being a Catholic, but is happily not in either.

I love talking to people like Rose, especially when they are from a different culture! I asked Rose what she thought was the biggest difference between German culture and here. She thought for a moment and was very hesitant to give an honest answer. But I wasn't gonna have any of that. I wanted to know what she REALLY thought. After a moment she simply said, "There's a lot of stupid people here."

I laughed and asked her to explain. Her response was one of the most insightful thought's I've heard lately. Her reason for saying there were so many stupid people here was because "people here seem to find their self esteem in themselves."

She's right, that is stupid.

Community Thru A Gospel Lens

Chuck Bomar — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:16:49 -0700

I've been thinking about the gospel a lot lately. And, in fact, I've been doing a series on the gospel in our church. We're talking about what's at it's core and what it requires of us. We understand that Christ died for the forgiveness of sins (1 Peter 3:18), but we also understand that he died so that we would no longer live for ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). In other words, the gospel is not just about what we are saved from. It's just as much, if not more, about what we are saved to.

This is important to understand.

We are saved to a life that's lived beyond ourselves. Jesus says that whoever wants to gain his life, will have to first lose it. He says that in order to follow him we must first deny ourselves. This is at the core of the gospel. Yes, we are thankful for our personal benefits from Christ's death, but we also understand we are called to something greater: a life that's lived for Jesus.

Now, in John 17 Jesus prays that his people would be one just as he and the Father are one. In John 13 he says that the way the world will recognize his people is by the way they love one another. 1 John is filled with the idea that Christians are to love one another, and if they don't they are clearly not walking in the ways of Jesus (1 John 1:7, 2:9-10, 4:20-21, 5:2).

So, if we were to view community with one another through the lens of the gospel and the heart of Jesus as discussed, what do we need to do? If Jesus' heart is for his people to love one another then pursuing this is one of the ways in which we live for him. In order to do this I'd suggest there are 3 things we need to do:

Watch our expectations. We often approach church and community with unrealistic relational expectations. The bottom line is we too often expect people to be perfect. We know they aren't, but for some reason we expect them to be and when they're not, especially when it results in their imperfections negatively affecting us, we leave bitter and frustrated. But one of the reasons Jesus died was because nobody is perfect and could never be. So if we were to approach community through this lens, instead of approaching church and community with other Christians with an unrealistic ideal of them, we would approach it with a realization of our own sinful tendencies. We wouldn't go into these relationships expecting to give grace to others as much as we would go in expecting to need to be given grace. We would be humble, we would consider others better than ourselves, we would give honor to one another. And, we would be forgiving, which allows for true biblical community.

Adjust why we pursue community. Most of the time we pursue community and relationships for what we get out of it. We want friends, influences, and potentially partners. Actually, as American's we pursue everything as a consumer - if we're not careful. However, if community is viewed through the lens of the gospel we don't pursue it to get community...we would pursue it to give community. A gospel-centered life seeks to live beyond itself. Therefore, it seeks to make sure others are getting community. The beautiful thing is that Jesus says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." So, we have nothing to lose! Plus, when we live in a community of people that are seeking to give community to others we end up getting community ourselves.

Patiently work toward a biblical ideal of community. Again, nobody is perfect and since the church is filled with imperfect people, we ought to be patient. Why patient? Well, because it's the first characteristic used to describe what love is (1 Corinthians 13:4). And if Jesus' heart is for us to love one another, we must then be patient. Those that get bitter and angry with other Christians that "don't get it," aren't being loving and unfortunately are not walking in the light of Jesus (1 John 2:10; 4:21).

If we began to view community through a gospel lens the Church would be so much different.

Everything Labeled "Emergent"

Chuck Bomar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:05:15 -0700

We live in a world of labels and categories. Everything has to fit into something. And perhaps among the widest of these categories is the one labeled, "Emergent."

I've been told that I'm Emergent. Sometimes I'm asked, but recently a few people have just labeled me that. When this issue is brought to my attention I always respond with a question, "What is your definition of Emergent?" I had one person tell me that I'm Emergent because I used the word "journey" in a message. Another was concerned because I did an overview of a book of the Bible (Ecclesiastes) in a talk versus going verse by verse and phrase by phrase. I've had another person assume I'm Emergent because my churches website didn't have the exact words, "Triune God" anywhere on it (as if I don't believe in a "Triune" God simply because it's not explicitly articulate on a website).

Do those things really define someone as "Emergent?" If so, I think that's crazy.

I've yet to hear anyone ask me a theological question. No one has asked me what I think about a specific statement or view proposed in a book by someone that actually claims to be Emergent. I've yet to have anybody ask me my view of Scripture. And nobody has asked me my definition of "Emergent." It just seems like anything outside of anybody's personal realm of normality is to be labeled Emergent...?

My hunch is that if I were asked some of the questions above I would be more conservative than many of those asking the question. And my guess is if I asked for everyone to post their definition of what "Emergent" is we would have hundreds of different definitions. And I would assume if I asked what sort of things would "tip you off" on someone being Emergent, we would have a list thousands of ideas long.

That to say, I'd love for the label to disappear. Not because I've been labeled it by a few people, but because it's not really a label or category anymore. It seems to have simply become anything different than we're used to. But, if me at times being a little "unorthodox" in order to bring the unchanging gospel message to a lost world labels me Emergent, I guess I'll take the label. Even if I went to one of the most conservative seminaries our country has to offer...

Awkwardness Of Present Giving

Chuck Bomar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:22:40 -0800

It's amazing to me how stressful it is buying presents for people, especially at Christmas. Some people might say it's not stressful (some might actually say they enjoy it), but it's still a pressure. For some reason we feel like it's a "need" to buy someone a gift at Christmas, their birthday, wedding anniversary, Valentines day...

It's actually to the point where our feelings get hurt if someone doesn't buy us something for these occasions. Is that not weird? Is it not weird for our culture to be at a point where we feel loved and cared for as long as someone buys us something? It's almost as if our joy of receiving the gift is based on the fact that we feel loved and cared for. I'm not a psychologist, but again, think about that...is that not at least a little weird?

Now, I know, some might say that they don't base the love another person has for them on whether or not they get a gift. But, what if they don't get you a gift? Do you feel loved and cared for? As an honest American you'd have to admit your feelings would at least be hurt a little - and especially so if you bought them one. And this is where the pressure comes in.

And what about those times when you get a gift from someone, but didn't buy them anything? Do you not feel the need to get them one? Or how about those times when you send out your Christmas cards, then get one from someone you didn't send one to? Do you not put one in the mail the next day? And why do we do this? Because it's nice, loving and just the way things work.

I know it's cool to get a present from someone, it's always nice, it is fun to both give and receive gifts. That to say, I certainly don't think buying gifts for other people is a bad thing. I actually think it could be a way we show love and care for someone. I do surprise my girls and even my wife sometimes by bringing home a little something. But it seems like our culture is way out of whack on this, making it a need, and to the point where we can actually hurt someone's feelings if we don't buy them something.

I happen to think this drastically affects our idea of what Christmas is about. It's really hard to "feel" the love God showed on this day we celebrate in the midst of the awkward hectic pressures around present giving.

My wife and I don't buy each other any presents - ever. On our birthday's or Valentines day we might get a card, but no presents. We don't have any expectations for buying anything, in fact our expectation is that we don't. We do however try to do something for our anniversary every year. But we still don't buy presents. We just make sure we can spend time together, whether it's having a nice dinner together or a weekend away.

We don't even buy presents for our girls. I know, horrible, huh? But the fact is for Christmas they get so many presents from other people it's crazy anyway. And on their birthday it's the same. For their birthday we do have a party, making sure they can invite their friends. We do want to celebrate their birth, we just don't feel the need to buy them something in order to celebrate.

But the bottom line for me is this: if my wife or my kids feel unloved and not cared for because I don't buy them something, there's something drastically wrong with our relationship and the way I show my love toward them. And, that would be weird.

Feminine God...

Chuck Bomar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:08:07 -0800

There is much discussion today about masculine references to God. Questions arise as to why it is we always refer to God in a masculine way, when the fact is He is Spirit - neither sex. Some woman perhaps have felt like they are undervalued when God is constantly referred to as a "He." Some (men or women) suggest it's simply a cultural idea. It's said that in the times Scriptures were written men dominated society and therefore it would've been absurd to refer to God as a female. And some suggest today is different. And thus now only refer to God as a "She" - some in spite, but some simply feel more comfortable. Possibly more accepted.

I recently had a very good and interesting conversation with someone that has a hard time with only masculine references. This person was to the point of frustration and, frankly, bitterness. This person preferred feminine references and only feminine references. Admittedly it was partially out of spite and to prove a point, but that's just where this person was. Which I appreciated the perspective and conversation.

Personally I don't have an issue with God being referred to only in a masculine way. Maybe that's because I'm a guy, maybe it's because Scripture always refers to God in the masculine and I desire to stick with what Scripture says, or possibly it's because I'm just more comfortable (for whatever reason). My point is NOT to argue the situation, but out of curiosity to bring this up for discussion - because I'm interested in what you think.

Either way you refer, clearly God is neither male or female as we understand the sexes. Scripture tells us God is Spirit, has no flesh and is who He says He is.

So my curiosity and interest in this discussion leads me to ask 3 questions:

If people have an issue with God being referred to in a masculine way, and use the argument that God's Spirit, then why make feminine references?
For those whom prefer a feminine reference to God, do you then also only refer to Satan in the feminine voice? Because Satan is spirit too.
If you were to change your reference from one to the other (whichever direction), how would that alter your relationship with God?