When I was born, my very Irish Grandfather gave me the nickname “Little Lucky”. I was born on 7/11. It’s kind of ironic because my last name “Mallory” literally means “Bad Luck”. To tell you the truth, never in my life have I ever actually felt…

lucky…

Despite this, I know I’m lucky. In fact, more than lucky, I’m blessed. Wanna know how I know God exists?

Because I don’t know how else I could have ever ended up with a wife who is so beautiful, gifted, smart, and all around wonderful to me.

She must really love me

How did I ever get so lucky?

This is a replacement post for the one I was asked, politely, to delete.

I think that some people get the wrong impression of me when they read my Xanga. I don’t expect to look perfect, and I try not to offend anyone when I give my opinions. When you read my blog, what impression do I give you? Don’t be afraid to be honest.

I just want to let you know that I hope you have a good day today.

… and to be sure you do, I’ve posted this video for you!

The first time I watched this music video was when my family hooked up our first home computer back in 1995. It came with Windows 95. I remember I loved the song. I used to watch “Happy Days” hoping that I can catch the episode where the band known as “Weezer” played. I never did find it.

It wasn’t until years later when Weezer put out their green album that I realized that they never were actually on “Happy Days”.

More years later, my good friend Eric told me that Weezer was his favorite band. He also shared with me about a time where he always watched “Happy Days” to catch the episode where the band known as “Weezer” played.

I guess they were convincing.

Here is another video I’d like to share. Eric and I sing hits from the 90′s.

I used to waste countless hours of my life arguing with atheists (and others) who didn’t agree with what I had to say about Christianity. It turned out that all along, I was more in love with being right than I was in love with God and others. When I came to that realization, I began to listen to what others had to say. I eventually got the hang of treating others the way I’d like to be treated and actually started acting out of love, rather than fear.

To me, it seems safe to assume that that is the reason we tend to go on the defense and bicker rather than have a nice mellow discussion: fear. The idea that atheists have opinions that differ from Christians drives many Christians insane. Of course, I can’t pick on the Christians alone, because many atheists (of new atheism in particular) fear that religion is a terrible thing for our world because it promotes ignorance, encourages delusion, causes war, and discourages human progress. Something I, being a Christian, definitely don’t agree with.

Religious differences aside, I believe it’s possible for all parties to get along. Many atheists have told me that they respect me and my opinions. And this is not to boast. To some Christians, it’s because I give a little too much credit to atheism, I don’t shove their sin in their face, and I don’t stick up for God when He’s being put down. That’s not the way I see it, though. I believe that God is revealed through others. God chose those who believe in Christ to show the world that Jesus is still alive, and that the proof is living in us. Some will see it, but some won’t see it. When there are those that won’t see it though, we have two options.

1. Be paitent
2. Fight

I feel like too many people choose to fight rather than be patient and let the Word of God speak for Himself. Eventually, He will- even if some are deaf to it.

One thing I feel like we have to remember is that it’s one thing to answer a question. It’s a completely different thing to be quick to tear down the views of others that they’ve spent so much time and effort building up to begin with. This is why everyone tends to go on the defense.

I’m reminded of the story told in Luke 9 when Jesus sent his disciples out to minister in pairs. He told them that if someone welcomes them, then to stay in their house. If the town does not welcome them, then they were to dust off their feet and move on. I think we can learn from that. There will always be ones who are willing to receive the Word God has sent us to teach. Others, on the other hand, will not receive it, no matter what you do. We can’t force people to believe, even if what we believe in has totally changed us, reshaped us, and currently motivates us. Arguing will not get us anywhere. In fact, it distances us from each other. A good work is being done when an atheist accepts a Christian. It’s reversed when a Christian attacks an atheist’s position. These matters could and should be handled in love and understanding.

Christians love seeing others come to Christ. However, it is important to see that atheism offers Christianity something that nothing else can: evidence that God loves us. He allows us to have the option to follow and obey Him, or turn our backs on Him. This is true freedom. Freedom shows God’s love.

One last thing. How we react will show what we reflect. When talking with others, are we revealing the kingdom of God, or are we serving ourselves and our own selfishness? This is a good question to meditate on.

A few years ago, while moving some stuff out of storage, I found a red, felt banner with white, felt lettering that said, “JAMES IS A CHILD OF GOD”. Underneath, it said “JANUARY 25 1987″. Also on the banner, in white felt, is a dove, representing the holy spirit, and coming from the dove, drops of water which represents baptism. I got this when I was baptized at a mere 6 months of age in a Lutheran church.

When I was in the 2nd grade, my family started going to a United Methodist church, where they also believe in pedobaptism (child’s baptism or infant baptism). We didn’t talk much about baptism in my church because, normally, if you weren’t baptized as a baby, you were baptized around the time of confirmation. It was rare to see an adult being baptized. 

I always saw something special when parents would take their babies to get baptized. There was normally a glow to what was going on. It kept a smile on my face, that’s for sure, but as I was getting older, I began to question the theology behind pedobaptism. Is it ok for a baby to get baptized in the name of Christ since the baby doesn’t really know what it means to follow Christ? Since it takes a personal choice to follow Christ, shouldn’t it be a personal choice to be baptized?

It took me awhile to gather my thoughts to come up with what is now, my stance on baptism.

The first thing I thought about is baptism is a sacrament- meaning, it is a gift from God to man. A “grace”, if you will. I don’t believe that a person has the right to deny God’s grace (in any form) to anybody. No one deserves the grace of God. It’s gifted to us. Surely, if it can’t be deserved, then it could be gifted to those who don’t understand it, right?

I think so. Who fully understands the commitment made to Christ when one first decides to be a Christian? In addition, if one doesn’t fully understand what it means to be a Christian, then one doesn’t fully understand his baptism. If an average person accepting Christ does not understand his baptism in full, what difference would it make if he was baptized as a baby? A choice? I’m not so sure. Many people choose to accept Christ and become baptized, only to later apostatize.

In the UMC, we baptize infants knowing full well that they may step away from the Church when they get older, just like anybody could. However, the Church realizes that the responsibility of living the faith isn’t on the individual who was baptized alone, but on the family who had the individual baptized, as well as the Church. When we baptize, we make an oath to the Church that we will help raise the child to know God, to know Christ, to know the Church, and to be supportive. If the Church follows through with this oath, the chance that those who were baptized would later apostatize is really slim. Also, because a baby doesn’t make the choice to be baptized, it becomes a choice later, during confirmation. It is during confirmation when one confirms his or her baptism. One has the choice to say, “Yes! I am a believer and I believe in my baptism!”

In short, my pastor baptizes no one. My church baptizes no one. Baptism is a gift from God. The pastor is simply the tool God uses to baptize. Because it is God who baptizes, who am I to have the right to deny that grace to anyone, including an infant? I know in my baptism, I got a full measure of God’s grace. I know that because I remember it; not mentally, but spiritually and emotionally. I see my baptism present in my life. My sins are washed away. I’ve emerged from the waters into a covenant with God… and it’s been like that my entire life. That banner I got from my baptism… I keep it in my room because it’s a great reminder.

What are your thoughts on pedobaptism (baptism of infants) and credobaptism (believer’s baptism)?

If you haven’t yet, check out my wife’s Xanga page. t_sheffield.xanga.com

She is writing her perspective on how she and I ended up getting married.

My church, Concord UMC, like many churches today, is trying to focus on getting younger generations to come. Our mission statement is, “We are a spiritually vital, multi-generational, diverse church family where Christ, faith, and community come together.” For the most part, we are pretty spiritually healthy. We have numerous former pastors, Christian professors, and seminary students in our congregation, and for that, we are very blessed. Because of this, I do believe we are spiritually vital. We are fairly diverse in the fact that there we have many conservative Christians, as well as many liberal Christians in our congregation- politically and spiritually speaking. As far as racially, it is mainly a white congregation, but the fact that many families have chosen to adopt helps us to have a bit of diversity in that aspect. It isn’t too multi-generational though. Like most churches, the elderly make up about 80% of the congregation.

To improve this, my church has started to focus more on hospitality. When most of the people in the church see a new face, they keep to themselves. I am fairly shy, so I am also guilty of this, but that’s a weakness I am trying to work out.

There are two schools of thought in my mind when it comes to hospitality- 2 sides to the same coin, if you will.

1. Many new faces may feel unwelcome if no one approaches them to let them know what our church is about, even introducing them to the pastors and others in the congregation.
2. Some visitors may be wary of those who come to welcome them- as if the welcomers are trying to sell them something. It could seem freaky, or even cultish. This could be a turn-off to prospective church attendees.

I think that there is an art to hospitality that needs to be learned in the Western church. How do we balance these two opposites to make people feel comfortable in a new surrounding?

I don’t think that new people should be crowded when they first walk in the door. I believe there needs to be a select few who are trained in welcoming new comers. On the other hand, the congregation needs to be receptive to new people too. This is where the real problem is.

For too long, we’ve made Christianity a personal religion when it’s not. At its best, it only functions as a body.

One day, I was talking to my uncle about the Church. He claims to be a believer, but he doesn’t live like one, nor does he ever attend church. He’s a great guy, but like many good people, he lets his vices get in his way from truly experiencing the freedom that Christianity provides. He and I had a back and forth about what it is to be a Christian. He doesn’t believe that you have to go to church to be a Christian. He told me, “You know what my church is? I go outside on a nice warm night, look up at the stars and see how amazing God is. That’s how I worship God.”

Sure… that is……. one way to worship God. However, the church is set up as a body, where we each play a role. Church attendance is a must because we need to be in community of worship with one another, otherwise, the body doesn’t function. You don’t have to go to church to believe in God. You don’t have to go to church to have faith in Christ. However, church attendance is a must because it is the Church in which we find our identity as followers of Christ. My uncle had it wrong by claiming that Christianity is a personal matter… and about how it’s about how each individual worships. That is the folly of the modern church.

That very idea is why people don’t feel welcomed in the church today. No one pays interest to new people because the congregation has made their spirituality solely self-centered. This is part of the reason why I don’t agree with the self-help sermons that are popular among churches today. We are breading a narcissistic Christianity which unintentionally turns strangers away. The focus on getting young families in the church is useless when no one welcomes them, helps them to be plugged in, and makes them feel like a they are a vital part of the church.

If you are a Christian and you are celebrating the death of Osama Bin Laden, you are worshiping your nation above Jesus Christ. Christ plays no part in the politics and the wars of the US. I firmly believe this.

If you are one of these people shouting “God Bless America!”, lighting fireworks, waving US flags, Chanting “USA, USA, USA”, or participating in any other celebration over the death of Bin Laden, consider this: The US military killed a man who was fighting for his faith. He went to great lengths for his faith. He wanted to die as a martyr- for his faith. He didn’t want to die as a typical man. What happens when a movement has martyrs? It grows. Especially if the martyr already goes through great lengths to promote whatever issue he is promoting. Bin Laden’s death is revenge for the US. To Al-Qaeda, to the Taliban, to Islamic extremists, Bin Laden’s death is the start of a bigger movement.

Bin Laden’s death is terrible news for the US.

When I first found out about his death, I smiled. Then quickly, my smile faded as I realized that I’m not out for revenge, but to teach others about Christ’s awesome love. I’m out to show others how Christ lives in me. That’s something that can’t be seen if we are celebrating the death of a man who, despite his sins, is loved by God.

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to forgive, to turn our cheeks, to pray for those who persecute us, to serve “the least of these”. And there are Christians out there who dare contradict Jesus’ teachings by pointing to forceful acts of God in the Bible? As if that cancels out everything he said? Jesus’ ministry is based upon upside down notions like peace and love. At the end of the day, you need to choose which god you are going to serve. The US, who naturally, believes in retaliation for those who wrong us, and celebrates the death of tyrants, or Jesus Christ- who teaches love, peace, grace, and mercy- who was killed as a tyrant for us.

Whatever- it happened. He’s dead. But choose who you will serve.

God, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

When I was younger, I didn’t realize that there was a difference in theological implications between an empty cross and a crucifix. All I know is that I used to see Jesus hanging on a cross and I’d wonder, “Does Jesus really want to be seen like that?” Then I’d look at an empty cross and wonder, “Does Jesus really need to be reminded about this?”

One day, I talked to my dad about that very issue. He told me that Catholics tend to use the crucifix- unlike most Protestants- and that we don’t use the crucifix because we are being reminded that Christ is no longer dead- that he has been raised from the grave. That made sense to me, and it stuck with me for many many years. Because of this, I used to look upon a crucifix with disdain.

It took me years to get over that.

When I look at the crucifix now, I don’t see a dead Jesus. I see hope. I’m reminded of what I am- a fallen human being. I see salvation. I see grace.

When I look at an empty cross, I am reminded that the crucifix isn’t the end of the story. That Christ became alive again, and never died since. I see him sitting at the right hand of the Father. I see faith. I see resurrection.

Both, the empty cross and the crucifix are essential to our faith. Without one, we couldn’t have the other. Let’s not forget the entirety of Christ’s story- even that there is still more to come.

Easter was a few days ago, but I think we forget about Christ’s resurrection too quickly. I say that because, too often, we treat Jesus’ teachings as sayings and proverbs from an old, wise, sage. We treat him as a man who spent his time teaching over 2,000 years ago.

The reality is, he is more than a sage. He is more than just a man who lived and died 2,000 years ago. He is the living God. He is still living with us, even now- and He is still teaching us.

Real change in a person’s heart will occur when they quit forgetting that Christ rose from the dead and is now and forever with us. He didn’t show us how to live at one time. He is still active, and he shows us how to live. He is still showing us what it means to be in union with God and one another. He is still showing us what it means to live in obedience, thankfulness, and brotherhood- just as God intended.

If you believe it, say it out loud- Christ is not dead. He is risen!

If you want to believe it, but can’t, shout it- Christ is not dead! HE IS RISEN!

Shout it out!
Christ is not dead. HE IS RISEN!

He is risen indeed.