The View Through My Keyhole:

Satan is still going "to and fro in the earth, and up and down in it."

2012-02-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

I really had no intention of reading about Satan’s activity, but lately some powerful warnings have come my way. The first two are from Chuck Swindoll’s book The Church Awakening. The second batch come from a daily emal that I receive, Thought for Today. For a week or so E. C. Haskell complied statements that scripture makes about Satan’s activity.

“Clearly we enter a battle zone—true spiritual warfare—when we claim Christ as Lord and determine to follow Him no matter what. We should not be surprised by conflict. We should expect it! Understand then, where the real war is. The battle should never be fought among Christian brothers and sisters. . . . The church needs to realize that the real battle is spiritual . . . and to complicate matters, our real enemy is invisible.

“. . . We need to know there is a conspiracy occurring . . . an insidious war is being waged. . . . Satan heads the world’s system. It is a plan that leaves God out, that is hostile to the Holy Scriptures, and that has as its goal to destroy the church that Jesus is building. . . .

“. . . The enemy of our souls wants to tap into our own sinful natures so that he can drive a wedge between God and us.” (Swindoll, The Church Awakening, pp. 151-152)

“Everything God’s people love, Satan hates. He hates your Christian marriage. . . . Our adversary hates harmony in the family. You’ve likely seen ugly fights in your own church. . . . More than likely, the conflicts occurring in your occupation have reached such an intense level you may be thinking, I don’t even know if Christianity works anymore. It’s all part of the enemies strategy. (The Church Awakening)

From a Thought for Today:
When the Apostle Paul encountered people trying to hinder his ministry and dissuade hearers, he saw the hand of Satan. See Acts 13:10

When the Apostle Paul looked over an audience of unsaved individuals he blamed Satan for their lostness. Acts 26:18

The Apostle Paul lamented to young Timothy that those who reject the gospel are "caught in the snare of the devil." II Tim. 2:26

When the Apostle Paul encountered trouble makers in the church he discerned the crafty hand of Satan. Romans 16:17-20

When the Apostle Paul became sick he believed Satan had a hand in it. He referred to his illness as "a messenger of Satan to buffet me." II Cor. 12:7

When the Apostle Paul was unable to visit the Thessalonian church he wrote, "We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us." I Thes. 2:18

When the Apostle Paul exercised discipline on an erring member, he was turning such an one over to Satan. I Cor. 5:5

When the Apostle Paul came upon the Gentiles worshiping idols, he knew Satan was behind it. I Cor. 10: 20-21

In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual warfare that goes on all around us. He tells us that we must be prepared to face this enemy.

Evil, A Demonstration of God's Love:

2011-12-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I presented the first message in a three part series on John 3:16. I found my thoughts stimulated by J. Sidlow Baxter. In the opening pages of his book he raises some objections to the concept of God’s love. One of the problems he and others raise has to do with the horrendous evil in this world.

The following few paragraphs, taken from my sermon notes, are some of my thoughts on the matter.

How can you talk about a God who loves when you look around at the mess this world is in? Read the newspaper, or if you are more up to date, surf the web. Either way you will find this world is a mess.
Disasters manmade and natural abound.
In a 15 minute span the other day I personally—not via any public media--heard of two, one an utter display of depravity, the other a severe blow to a family. I have no doubt that some research would have revealed thousands of instances of injustice, tragedy, and mayhem that took place in that quarter of an hour.

God’s plan is not thwarted by this evil around us. The fact of the matter is that God’s glory—and that is the grand purpose of creation—will ultimately be enhanced by God’s redeeming a group of people for His very own, from out of this suffering, perishing world, to live with Him in harmony for all eternity. (See Romans 8:16-39)

The concept of God having people who would love Him and the possibility of evil in the world are not incompatible at all, in fact they are more related than you might think.

Love, by its nature, involves a choice. As any person who has tried and failed at love knows, you can’t make someone love you. God did not create a race of automatons who are programed to act like they love Him--a world full of Stepford Christians.
Rather He created humans, who have the capacity to love. The same abilities that enable us to love, also make possible sin and rebellion, and all the ugly results that brings.

It will likely make your head hurt for a while as you try to wrap your mind around it, but there is evil in this world because God is a loving God. God is so committed to the concept of love that He made the world so that people—the pinnacle of God’s creation in this world—could choose to love Him. In making them with that ability to choose, it was necessary that we also have the ability to choose not to love, to not relate to God as we should.

In the end having the new heaven and the new earth populated with people who genuinely love Him will bring the greatest glory to God and greatest good to all creation.

Why some (too many) teens leave church:

2011-11-22T07:03:00.000-08:00

This article (link at end) has some overlap with the last one I posted. Here is a quotation that strikes way too close to home: ""I felt so badly about what I had done. The last place I felt I could turn was to God and the church." Rebecca ran away from God and from the church just when she needed them most."
I have to wonder how many "Rebecca"s I have known, and how many times I have let them down.

I'm not placing all the blame on the church or my church, but I know we can't escape all guilt.

Let's be looking for ways to reach out in meaningful ways.

Here is a place for we oldsters to start. Let's make sure that we let young people know we care.

Young and old, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2011/11/why_teens_drift_away_from_fait.html

Parental Blindspots:

2011-11-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

Josh Harris, you remember the guy who became well known for kissing dating good bye, is now a respected pastor.
He recently published a piece, Homeschool Blindspots, written by Reb Bradley, on his blog. The article was also published in the Virginia Home Educator Magazine.

The article is intended to make home-schoolers think, but all parents, and those of us who promote sound family living need to consider what the article has to say.
It is one of those articles that appeals for balance and profitable conversation. The emphasis rings true with me.

Here is the link to Harris's posting: http://www.joshharris.com/2011/09/homeschool_blindspots.php

Leave their car alone:

2011-11-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

Every old black and white movie that had a wedding in it, featured the car leaving the church with a "Just Married" sign and a string of cans tied to the back. It was a good-natured way of having some fun and wishing the new couple well. I can remember different times when I saw cars similarly adorned going down the road. My wife and I would honk and wish them a happy wedding day.
I've been doing weddings since 1975. Things have gone way beyond a few tin-cans.

I've seen cars jacked up and put on stands so when the couple gets in the wheels turn but they don't go anywhere.
When my younger son got married it took me about four hours to clean up his car. I think it took my daughter-in-law's dad even longer to clean her hers up. The newly weds had wisely planned to leave in a borrowed vehicle, which arrived at the church at just the right time.
When that son was just a kid, he was offered an impressive bribe to let the "buzzardly friends" into my garage where the grooms pickup truck was hidden. It turned out that it was only a decoy anyhow.
I've heard of paint jobs on cars being ruined.
Some folk's cars are essentially undriveable for a few weeks, while the stench from whatever wears off. Sometimes it doesn't.
I could say more, but I don't want to give the buzzardly crowd any new ideas.

Trust me, I know more about this than the average buzzardly friend. Wedding days are stressful, especially for brides. Let's not add to it.

Granted many a groom shows up at a wedding having built up an incredible debt of bad matrimonial Karma. He has messed up many a car. He is one of the buzzardly friends that I warn couples about. To all the other buzzardly friends, figure out some other way to get even with him, leave the young lady out of it. If she married a guy who did all that to other people, she probably already has enough issues to deal with.
Or, here is a really novel thought. Show some mercy.

To all of those who do not fall in the buzzardly friend category. Thanks. Don't join their ranks. Dare I say it? Do what you can to curb their enthusiasm for automotive mayhem.

I figure this has as much of chance of gaining a following as my campaign for President on the Curmudgeon ticket, but I feel better.

If you must do something to the new couple's car, put a $100 in the console. Believe it or not, it is fun to be nice.

The Centrality of the Gospel:

2011-11-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

My associate, Pastor Doug Williams, and I were privileged to attend the Centrality of the Gospel Conference held in Charleston WV, last Friday and Saturday.
I wish to the Thank Randolph Street Church, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the musicians--I presume from RSC--and the two speakers, Burk Parsons and Phil Johnson for their ministry to Doug and I. As the pastor of a small church I was incredibly impressed with the fine job the folk at Randolph did in hosting this conference.
Prior to the conference my only real point of reference with the conference was Phil. Johnson--he is an integral part of John MacArthur's ministry. I have benefited immensely from Dr. MacArthur's ministry. I know that Phil has been the editor of most of his books, and I have read some of Phil's postings on various issues of our day and found them to be helpful. Phil also had the good fortune to marry a friend of mine, Darlene. So, since the conference was relatively close, I had friends in the Charleston area where I could spend the night (Thanks Marty & Lee), the registration was cheap (The food I ate was worth far more than the price of admission.) and the conference came along at a time when my spirit was thirsty for some preaching on the Gospel of Christ, I attended. I wasn't disappointed. On several levels I found it to be a refreshing time. Thanks to all who made it possible.
As any of you know who follow this blog, my attendance at this conference also intersected with some searching in regard to Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism, and my identity. (For those who may rightly observe that I'm way to old for an "Identity Crisis," let me say I think I know who I am. I'm just trying to figure out where that puts me in the nomenclature of Christianity in the 21st Century. (Note the end of my October 22 post on this blog.)

This conference perhaps made the question more pointed.
The two speakers, in question and answer sessions both kinda seemed to back away from Gospel-Centered as a definition of what the church ought to be. If I remember correctly, there were suggestions that "Gospel-Centered" is too narrow a focus. If I understood, I tend to agree with that.
My thoughts/questions were also piqued by a statement in the conferences handout, "The Appalachia region has been long neglected by God-centered, gospel-saturated movements." If they mean by that there is a need for more, I'll give a hearty "Amen!" I don't think that is what they meant, though. It appeared to me that a great deal of ministry that I would regard as Gospel saturated, and God-centered was being ignored or rejected in that comment. I know a great many ministries in that region which I would regard as God-centered and Gospel-saturated. Many of these ministries have withstood the inroads of gimmickery that has marked way too much of Evangelicalism.
The same handout contains one of the great old God-centered, Gospel-saturated songs. "And can it be that I should gain . . ." I found myself wondering, based on what I saw to be the general ethos of the conference, if the author of that hymn, Charles Wesley, would be considered to be conducting a God-centered, Gospel-saturated ministry? (Were it only a matter of one 2 day conference I would not raise the question. This conference is one expression of a considerable movement.)

Let me finish by asking the same question several ways:

Is Calvinism an integral part of the Gospel? (One passage from Spurgeon that was shared from the platform would lend me to think that the answer is yes. Though, the reading of that passage was accompanied with a statement to the effect that in general Spurgeon did not make a big deal of his Calvinism, put Arminians down, etc.
Did John and Charles Wesley conduct a God-centered, Gospel saturated ministry?
Is Calvinistic purity a requirement for conducting a God-centered, Gospel saturated ministry?
Does the kind of statement made in the conference program create a needless and unhelpful division within the body of Christ?

Again I thank all who made the Centrality of the Gospel conference possible. My heart was blessed. These folk were incredibly kind and giving. Thank you.
My questions are sincere. Should anyone enter into dialog, I hope to learn from the exchange.

To God be the glory!

A definition of Fundamentalism?

2011-11-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

I am doing my reading in a Kindle reader on my computer, so I don't have page numbers, but what I'm writing about is toward the end of the book, Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)
It is near the beginning of John Stackhouses response to Al Mohler's chapter--neither of these guys regards himself as a Fundamentalist, yet it appears to me that in essence Stackhouse is accusing Mohler of being one. (Elsewhere in the book, Kevin Bauder, the Fundamentalist representative, tongue in cheek, tries to protect his friend, "Brother Al," from such a fate.)

Anyhow, it looks like Stackhouse's accusation makes a definition that sounds pretty good to me:

I respectfully suggest that his position is not “confessional” so much as it is “conservative,” and in exactly the way American fundamentalists understand “conservative”: conserving what they understand to be the basics of the Christian faith, regardless of when or by whom in church history they might have been formulated. As far as they are concerned, what they defend is simply what true Christians have always affirmed—and it comes right out of the Bible. (emphasis mine)

Hansen, Collin; Naselli, Andrew David (2011-09-20). Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) (Kindle Locations 1795-1798). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Fundamentalism, Fundamentally understood, may be more correct than some of us have been willing to admit:

2011-10-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some thinking/reading/even a bit of writing, about my Fundamentalist roots.
Maybe I've just started paying attention, but it looks to me like some people have been writing some really good stuff on Fundamentalism recently. The fact that Fundamentalism was given one of the four places at the table in Zondervan's recent book, Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism, is significant in itself. That some thoughtful Fundamentalists are presenting their position with scholarly sensibility, and that thoughtful leaders from outside the movement are taking these Fundamentalists seriously is highly significant.
I was saved and grew up in a church aligned with the Independent Fundamental Churches of America. My pastor, who liked me so much that he became my father-in-law, knew William McCarrell, founding father of that movement, on a first name basis. I attended 2 Fundamentalist Bible Colleges, and later received a Masters from Liberty Seminary--back before it had broken into the big time. For some reason I never received the Sword of the Lord; you card-carrying types will have to forgive me.
For all of my adult life I have pastored a church that is firmly rooted in the "come out from among them" mentality that marks Fundamentalism.
I have great respects for the battles that my Fundamentalist forebears fought. I am incredibly thankful for what I received from that heritage--a rock solid respect for the Bible, a believe in the power of the Gospel, the commitment to Christian living that is distinct, in Biblically defined ways, from the life of the world, that sort of thing. Yet, I've never been all together comfortable with the title, or with what I regarded as some of the more troubling realities of Fundamentalism. While I think I have continued in the road on which my early church and college training set me, I'm not sure I can call myself a Fundamentalist. That's not a big deal, but it would be nice to know what box to check.

One of the problems I had with the movement is, it just seemed like Fundamentalists were mean. Apparently I'm not alone. Kevin Bauder, the capable writer who capably gives the Fundamentalist position in the book mentioned above, talks about some of his early observations here. The ones that were held up as heroes didn't seem like the kind of folk one would want to spend time with. I remember reading back in the old days (for me) the innuendo filled articles. They dripped with the syrupy sweetness of avoiding "naming names," yet were loaded with coded certainty as to just who was being talked about and put down. The authors professed great sadness at having to say what they said, but there often appeared a clear element of self-promotion in the process. Thankfully, I can't remember any specifics. I just remember the repeated impression.
I often wondered if Bob Jones University offered a class on creating a stink. It seemed that many of those who claimed BJ as their Alma Mater were good at it. I remember one time when a delegation connected with BJ publicly boycotted a Billy Graham rally. (Years before, the old original Dr. Bob had told Billy he wouldn't amount to anything when he left BJ.) Anyhow, I remember how cool I thought it was when Billy quoted the old Fundamentalist war-horse. "If a hound dog is howling for Jesus I'm on the hound dog's side." I agreed with, and still do agree with much of the rationale behind the boycott, but I thought the protest was utterly wrong.. In making a decision about what to do about a local Billy Graham Evangelistic Association meeting, I remember siding with the hound. I didn't get involved, prayed that folk would get saved, and mostly kept quiet. I lacked the mean-gene that seemed to be in the DNA of the big-gun Fundamentalists.
I remember sitting in my living room talking to one of the finest--maybe the finest--men of God I ever knew. One of the Fundamentalists watchdogs who ruled a domain that overlapped with the sphere of ministry of my friend was trying to pressure my friend into conformity with the "truth." My friend resisted, hung in there, and survived. It wasn't pretty. It was mean. In more recent years I watched as Fundamentalist enforcer "A" exerted pressure on Fundamentalist leader "B" to exclude leader "C" from some of the perks that come with belonging to the "club." There is always an unfortunate cost to be paid if one stands up to these strong-arm tactics. I've been fortunate enough to have ministered in a place that is off the radar. I'm sure that the apologists for "Taking a stand," (For any non initiates who might read this, that is an old Fundamentalist code word.) can give another, more spiritual explanation, but it sure came off as mean to me.
When Fundamentalism began to be popularly associated with extremes like King James Only-ism, the easiest thing for many of us to do--this is still pretty much my position-- is to just note use the title. A former card-carrying Fundamentalist, Charles Wood--his Woodchuck's Den emails are well worth reading (Write LORCHUCK@aol.com & tell him I sent you.). The Woodchuck now calls himself a Conservative-Evangelical. You can find out more here and here. Pastor Wood says there is a group of Evangelicals and Fundamentalists who could be described as "conservative" who have much more in common with each other than they do with their brethren to the left (Evangelicals) or to the right (Fundamentalists). Another recent blog post takes this thought further.

Bauder affirms what confessional evangelical, Mark Dever, recently said: “There is nothing wrong with our having fences. But let us keep our fences low and shake hands often.” I concur with Bauder’s response: “That remark nicely summarizes the sense of a growing number of fundamentalists” (Ibid., p. 103). (http://sharperiron.org/, "Moving Toward Authenticity: Musings on Fundamentalism, parts 1 & 2)

I find this conversation refreshing.

Let me close with a question. Bauder talks about what he calls "indifferentism." It appears to me to be a distinction between Evangelicals who hold to all the Fundamentals, and even act Fundamental, and true Fundamentalists. I don't feel I am indifferent to the errors of others, but when those faults are of a secondary nature, and they don't impact on my ministry, I don't feel nearly as much motivation to take a stand as the Fundamentalists I grew up with did. I would rather say that I hold to "Leave-them-alone-sim." I find Rodney King's Theology to be somewhat attractive, "Can't we just get along?"
So, who am I?

Pole-what?

2011-10-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

Polemics:

If the word looks utterly strange to you, let me encourage you to stay with me for a few minutes. I think you might find this interesting and useful.

Polemics has nothing to do with a long piece of wood or a basic system for erecting a building. It is, according to Mirriam Webster: "an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another." or "the art or practice of disputation or controversy."

If I am engaged in trying to prove myself right, and therefore someone who holds a differing view wrong, especially if I do so with some enthusiasm, I am involved in polemics.

For a guy like me, who grew up as a Fundamentalist, polemics is almost second nature, though for a long time I was totally unfamiliar with the term, and even yet almost never use the word.

My message this Sunday morning will be somewhat of a polemic--as is the book from which I draw my text. Paul wants to show that the Gospel he shared with the Galatians is true, worth holding onto, and in every way superior to the works-oriented, wrongly Old-Testament tainted version that was being offered to these churches in Turkey. He is arguing his case. Since teachers that I regard as false are still offering a similar substitute gospel, I will argue mine.

It is one thing to engage opponents who have been dead for two millennia in argument. It becomes much more difficult and fraught with danger when our opponents are alive, well, and someone's brother-in-law. Many today identify with Rodney King who pleaded, "Can't we just get along?" To which I answer, "No. sometimes we can't." Ideas have consequences. Truth needs to be argued for and defended, but--and this is a big "BUT"--it needs to be defended in the most winsome way possible.

Here is where a fellow preacher/pastor Tim Keller helps us out.

He recently published a three-part series he called Gospel Polemics. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) I encourage you to read Pastor Keller's thoughts. Some of you, however, may find the New York preacher's article a bit long or challenging, so I hope you will at least stay with me to the end of my much shorter, simpler summary and thoughts.

Another online distiller captured Keller's six rules of engagement here. You could fit his summary on a business card, and it would be good to remember these six guidelines before we give somebody the business.

I would simply summarize Keller's counsel as, Fight Fair.

The first part of my statement is is simply to fight. As I have already said, truth has consequences and so does error. If we believe that God is a God of truth, then we have to believe that we are better off living lives based on truth than on falsehood. I fear that in this post-whatever-is-the-current-thing-we-are-supposed-to-be-coming-after world we have gotten too comfortable with the idea that truth doesn't matter or that it needs to be redefined, and often after the redefinition process we find ourselves sincerely, and pathetically asking Pilate's question, "What is truth?" or we become so humble in our hermeneutic that we end up vigorously defending a truth-claim that we just as vigorously claim we can't be sure about. Listen it is incontrovertibly true that what I just wrote is a horrible example of a run-on sentence. English teachers everywhere ought to engage in polemics against that kind of writing. By the way shop-teachers, if there are any left, ought to vigorously argue that following safety rules when using power tools is the way to go. I'll send a picture of my thumb on request. It can serve as exhibit A. There is truth. It is consequential. It ought to be argued for, but it ought to be done fairly.

Don't misrepresent your opponent.

I see this most often when people assign motives. I saw it not long ago in a letter to the editor. The writer fairly accurately described what his opponents wanted to do. When he began to tell why they wanted to do it one could hear the thin-ice cracking.
If I listen to you carefully, I may--notice I leave the clear possibility that I may not--understand what you want to do. However, when I get to the level of your motives I am generally without any real data with which to work. I offer as evidence the fact that I frequently can't even clearly identify my own motives. I'm often left with this lame answer when asked why I did something or the other: "At the time, it seemed like the thing to do." If that is the best I can do when explaining my own actions--and often it is--then I better be a whole lot more humble in my claims to know why you are doing what you do.
This is a caution that is found in 1 Corinthians 4:5. BTW, just because Jesus addressed motives doesn't give me license. See John 2:24-25.
I also see this when one person saddles another with his logical conclusions. Let me see if I can explain it like this:
Mr. A says "I believe X." or, "I have concluded that X is true."
Mrs. B says, "It is impossible to hold that X is true without also believing Y"
Y is a much more damning, more easily argued against position than X so Mrs. B jumps on Y when arguing against X.
She may very well be right. It may be logically impossible to hold to X without therefore upholding the truth of Y. However,
Mr. A says I believe X. I reject Y.
If the opportunity is right it is perfectly OK to point out the logical fallacy of holding to X while denying Y. However, illogical though it may be, I can't blame poor illogical Mr. A for promoting whatever wrong is represented by Y. I can, and often should, point out that one leads to the other, but in my argument I need to honor what Mr. A is saying. "My friends, Mr. A, here, has said that he holds to X. I believe and think I can conclusively demonstrate that X leads inevitably to Y, but, in fairness, I must say that Mr. A does not hold to Y.
Again I offer my own thinking as evidence. It is a swamp of contradictions.
And, using myself as exhibit A, again, following this guideline can save embarrassment. I may be sure that X leads to Y until someone points out the exception. It might be just the exception that applies.

Be nice:

Maybe my opponent is wrong, but she or he (not to mention the other folk listening) is a child of God and ought to be treated as such. (James 3:9-10)
Everyone says dumb, stupid, or wrong stuff. It is wrong and unkind to jump on that, while ignoring the general tenor of this person's life and work. It is one of the reasons so many people hate political campaigns.

Keep the goal straight:

It is to establish truth, not to win an argument. Read First and Second Timothy and I think you'll see people hanging around who were taking shots at the wrong goal.

I'd like to hear from you. Especially those who read Keller's articles.

A couple of resources on the 10/9 message:

2011-10-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

The message in our morning worship services for 10/9 is the second, and last for now, message from Song of Solomon. The focus is on married people.
"Johnny Lingo and His Eight Cow Wife" is one of my favorite stories about building up your mate.
You can find it here:http://www.angelfire.com/tx/morninglory/lingo.html , or a movie version here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-PLyy0XM3Y

The song I used at the close of the message, "A Daisy A Day": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5AzmEX-txw

Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism:

2011-10-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'm reading the book, Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism. It is one of the Zondervan Counterpoint books.
Thus far I have read the first view by Kevin Bauder. Before I even read his chapter, just the inclusion of Fundamentalism as one view of Evangelicalism was informative. The fact that a serious Fundamentalist (Though in good Fundamental fashion some Fundamentalists will likely criticize Bauder of doing so) leader would be a part of the project provided further insight, light and encouragement. I also read the first response to Bauder's position, a CONFESSIONAL EVANGELICAL RESPONSE R. ALBERT MOHLER JR..

I have come to appreciate both of these men in the past couple of years. Their contribution to this book--what I have thus far read--is encouraging. I look forward to reading more. I welcome conversation with others who are reading the book.

Superficial study?

2011-09-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

Some of you get the local paper, here in Covington VA. Some of you even read it. I am a regular reader. If you are, then you know there has been a lot of news and comment about the upcoming vote on consolidation. A ministerial colleague wrote a letter to the editor, on Sept. 23, about truth-telling and fact-checking in regard to public discourse.
A good word of caution.
I'm not commenting on whether I agree or disagree with Rev. Caperton.
I would not have written a letter in reply to his letter to the editor if his comments had only been political. However, as you will see in my letter, in getting to his main point, he made an unfortunate comment about the authorship of the New Testament.
I'm not sure if my letter will make it to the pages of the Virginian Review, and for those of you who don't get the paper, I post it here.

A letter to the editor, September 23, sounds an important warning. Be sure of our facts, when entering into public discourse. It is counsel that the writer should heed. He states, ". . . a superficial study [of the New Testament] would indicate that we do not really know who was responsible for writing letters and books identified as by someone, for example, like Paul." [sic] If he means there is not universal agreement among scholars, he is right. To imply that confidently holding that the authors named in New Testament books were, indeed, the human authors of those books, indicates inadequate study, is simply incorrect.
A few examples will suffice to show the fallacy of this contention. One might disagree with these scholars, but that they have done more than superficial study is beyond doubt.
A. R. Fausset (of Jamison Fausset and Brown) “The . . . evidence for Paul’s authorship [Galatians] is conclusive." He references Irenaeus, Polycarp, and Jusin Martyr.
Everett F. Harrison, Senior Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary calls the Pauline authorship of 1 Thessalonians the "accepted view." He likewise holds that Paul is the author of 2 Thessalonians.
Concerning 1 Corinthians 1:12, Clement of Rome wrote, "Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle." (First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. c. 100 AD)
William Hendriksen, Th.D., Princeton Theological Seminary professor of New Testament literature at Calvin Theological Seminary, said “the attempt to disprove their [1&2 Timothy & Titus] Pauline authorship must be considered a failure.”
“[T]he [early] church . . . with one accord named Paul as the author [of Ephesians] . . . There was no doubt or dissent. . . .There is no reason to depart from these traditional convictions.
Leon Morris, Principle, Ridley College, Melbourne, said about his commentary on John, that for a period of ten years it "has been constantly in my thoughts." Well beyond superficial. After 20 pages discussing pro and con as to John's authorship of the Gospel. (John is not named as author in the book, but early tradition, including Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian, considered John to be the author.) Morris concludes: "I accept the view that John the Apostle was the author."
Similar statements can be found concerning the authorship of the other books of the New Testament. There is no doubt that substantial evidence has been raised that would oppose the references I offer. It is not my purpose here to argue the matter. I do hope that I have made the point that some of us who claim with confidence to know the identity of most of the human authors of the New Testament are not guilty of holding those views because our study has not achieved the level of superficiality.
As to the other points in the 9/23 letter, I make no comment and none should be inferred.
I thank the writer for his appeal for careful, truthful consideration of the consolidation decision.

Rev. Howard Merrell

Finding God's Will For My Life:

2011-09-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most difficult matters to understand in regard to basic Christian living is, "How do I discern God's will?"
Intuitively, we know that decisions related to schooling, vocation, marriage, and finance have great impact on the course of our lives, so making right choices in these areas, and others, is incredibly important. God desires that my life be lived in a way that is pleasing to Him, so He must care how I make these choices. How do I know what He wants me to do?

Being sensitive to the Lord and desirous of living life in a way that is pleasing to Him is highly virtuous. The Bible is clear that everything I do ought to demonstrate a life of surrender to God. I am to be a "living sacrifice." (Romans 12:1-2) All that I do is to be done to His glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) The reality of life is that even the smallest of decisions can have major impact on my life and others. (See "Other Stuff #3, Three Little Things with Large Impact" )

The Bible gives solid guidance on a great many matters, but it doesn't speak to what school I should attend, job I should take, or woman I should marry, much less what car I should purchase--or even if I should purchase one, or whether I should take the expressway, or the back roads to work.

I was raised on what Gary Friesen and J. Robin Maxson call the "Traditional Approach." I was encouraged to seek the" perfect will of God." My goal was to be "in the center of God's will." As I considered the decisions above, I really did want to do God's will. The problem, or one of the problems, was I was using a very imprecise means to attempt to arrive at a perfectly precise goal. The counsel of other Godly people was supposed to help, but they often didn't agree, and observation indicated that they were frequently wrong. Circumstances were offered as indicators. Was the door opened or closed? Yet my observation of the door-ajar-or-closed-fast system of guidance was not very encouraging. Two well-motivated, seemingly Godly people would approach the same open door. One would conclude it was opened by God and was a divine directive to proceed, while the other would conclude it was a temptation from Satan to distract from the real objective. Likewise there was no unanimity on how hard one ought to push on a closed door before concluding God was directing one elsewhere. The same uncertainty existed in regard to other "indicators of God's will," the desires of my heart, my abilities and inclinations, the need, the call, etc. etc.

The book Decision Making and the Will of God . . . , linked above, as well as a message by Cary Perdue, pretty well sealed the deal in my thinking that the approach I had been raised with didn't work. You can read Friesen and Maxson's book, as well as find abundant material about it, so I won't comment on it. Perdue, a pastor, educator, and first rate student of the Word, arrested the attention of those who heard him speak at a Bible college alumni event when he said something like this: "You can be absolutely sure of the will of God for your life." (speaking of the kind of decisions I have described) Here Dr. Perdue inserted a pregnant pause. "After the fact."
I don't want to do an injustice to my colleague, but if I remember correctly what he went on to explain in the rest of the message is that we should be living a life of practical faith. I saved a copy of the handout that Dr. Perdue gave out that day. On the last page of his notes he said:

Act in confidence.Check the discussion in James 1:5-8 about wisdom, faith and lack of double-mindedness. Having followed the six previous steps [Be willing to do God's will. Obey what God has already told you. Pray about it. Study the Bible. Get counsel. Think.] make a decision being confident of God's guidance. It will be a step of faith . . . [Emphasis mine]

If Cary gives me permission, I'll scan and post his article. It is no less relevant today than it was nineteen years ago.

My interest about the ongoing issue of the will of God was piqued anew by an article by Steve Cornell. His thoughts are mainly expressed in a series of brief quotations from sound Biblical thinkers like Friesen, Maxson, J. I. Packer, D. A. Carson, and John MacArthur.

I forwarded the article to several colleagues.
My son told me it was very timely. He had just taught a group of potential missionaries on this subject. He used the article as a follow-up.
An associate told me, tongue in cheek, I think, that it was a good article. "God told him so."
Another, David Owen, who works with college-aged folk--the group for whom these questions are most important--commented after expressing agreement with the gist of the article:

Most times the “voice in the head” is our own. I am a little nervous however with going too far the other direction by completely dismissing the voice of the Spirit which we see operating in the Bible from beginning to end. The Spirit spoke and acted occasionally in scripture in some strange ways and there is nothing definitive in scripture that says that this has stopped. I would see it as being rare in Bible times and it would probably still be rare today. Of course the Spirit of God will always lead within the framework and boundaries of scripture. In 30+ years of ministry I would say that I have heard what I know is the voice of God leading me three times – and it was always within the boundaries of scripture.

Before Al Gore invented the internet, Cary expressed agreement via a mimeograph with Dave.

Does God ever reveal specific parts of His plan for our lives? Yes, probably not very often, but occasionally. Can we expect Him to. Probably not if we expect Him to give us some special, direct revelation. Should we ever seek such direction? Yes, but we cannot demand it [and] we should not become indecisive it we have no clear direction from God.

For what they are worth I shared the following in response to Dave's thoughts.

I think you expressed the matter well.
The way I try to deal with it is to admit the subjectivity of this kind of "leadership" or "direction." Call it what it is. "I have an inner impression that this is what I should do. I think this is where the Lord is leading."--even more-so when it is what "we should do." That leaves the matter open for discussion and counsel. When I begin with some variation of "God told me" about the only rejoinder is, "No He didn't." Not the stuff from which profitable conversations are built. To paraphrase our former president from your home state, "Heed, but verify." Yes, God does lead through inner impressions. I think generally in ways that I don't even recognize. I end up where I am because included in God's sovereign oversight is His access to my mind. When I consciously enter the conversation on that level I am liable to mess it up. I know you agree that it must be stated that any disagreement between the clear teaching of scripture and God's word, must be decided in favor of God's word.Inner voices, when they are valid, are not the only guidance mechanism God has given. Already stated is the Bible. The Body of Christ, and the gifted individuals in the church cannot be ignorred either. I am wise to run inner impressions that I think are Divine by such resources. In the day in which we live, I would consider those resources to include print and internet options--what I am doing right now. (two guys on different sides of the world sharpening one another.)Any action I take whether guided by inner impression or not ought to be taken with faith in God's sovereignty. It is too cold to call it a contract (at least it seems so to me) but there is nearly a contract in passages like Prov. 3:5-6, Psalm 37:4, & Rom. 12:1-2. If we do ____, God will be out front preparing the way, give us the desires of our heart (context) & allow us to live in such a way that we will prove like an assayer the worth of His good and perfct will. Or as Phillips put it, "so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good"God is so great that He is even soveriegn over my mind. Talk about order out of chaos. Keep in mind, however, that I still live in the "not yet." I still need a lot of mental cosmetics."

Then today I read a follow-up post from Cornell, "Ten Principles for Godly Decisions."

Hopefully all of this will provide some profitable grist leading to confident, Godly living.

I welcome your comments.

Law, Grace, Harmony:

2011-09-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday we start a consideration of the Book of Galatians, so I was vary glad to see a couple of online articles on the subject of law and grace come my way.

The first one

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/09/12/luther-on-law/?comments

contains a summary of Luther's teachings on the matter. Here are a couple of quotes:
"when Paul sums up the salvation-logic of the Law he quotes Leviticus 18.5b: “the one who does [the commandments] will live by them” (Gal 3.12). Here, there is a promise of life linked to the condition of doing the commandments and a corresponding threat: “cursed is everyone who does not abide in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them” (Gal 3.10 citing Deut 27.26). When this conditional word encounters the sinful human, the outcome is inevitable: “the whole world is guilty before God” (Rom 3.19)."

"In other words, once a person is liberated from the commonsense delusion that acting righteously makes us righteous before God, and in faith believes the counter-intuitive reality that being made righteous by God’s forgiving and resurrecting word precedes and produces righteous action, then the justified person is unlocked to love."

The second post was (I think) encouraged by the first one.

http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/should-we-obey-old-testament-law/

Both are worth reading, and rereading, which I intend to do.

Thank God for Little Things

2011-09-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

THREE LITTLE THINGS WITH LARGE IMPACT

That wisest of men, Solomon, often spoke of the power and importance of little things. He encouraged the lazy man to consider the ant (Prov. 6:6). He admired the little conies (Prov. 20:26) for their tenacity. He warned about the moment that could ruin a life (Prov. 7:22).

A recent biking accident has left me with a lot of time to think. I’ve spent a good bit of that time thinking about three little things. One involved a tiny amount of time, another a rather insignificant amount of space, and a third that in comparison to so much more that was going on just doesn’t seem so big, but it was, and is:

#1: If I had only looked over my shoulder before making that left hand turn into the path of a pickup truck that was passing me, none of this would have happened. A split second of neglect has affected me for the rest of my life.

#2: If the pickup truck had been six inches the right, I would be dead.

#3: We’ll wait on that one for a while.

Too many of us assume that life is made up of a sequence of big events: birth, graduation, marriage, having children of one’s own, death. To be sure these, and other events like them, are seismic happenings that leave the landscape of our lives changed, but the bulk of our life is not lived there. If we picture our life as a container filled with various sized rocks, from quite large down to grains of sand, we would find that the most volume is taken up with sand and pebbles--little stuff. I’m not saying we ought to ignore the boulders, but I fear too many of us live life in an attempt to jump from one big rock to the next. In the process of only living our life looking back to the last great happening, or ahead to the next big event, we fail to appreciate the cumulative power and weight of the little things in our lives. Furthermore, as my experience demonstrates, one never knows which little thing will swell up to instantly life-altering dimensions.

On the lovely fall day when I smashed my hip and collarbone on the side of a pickup truck, my heart, with the rest of my country was heavy. A few days before terrorists had attacked New York, and Washington DC, killing thousands of men, women, and children. Others had died in Pennsylvania, apparently able, at the last moment, to prevent the hijackers from crashing this plane into yet another public building, but unable to save their own lives.

When a little girl at my church heard about my wreck, her response was, “Didn’t he look?” No, I didn’t. I’ve been biking for years. I always look. Such a little thing, yet on this occasion, as the sound of the approaching truck was masked by the noise of a departing car, that failure to look was a near-deadly, certainly costly oversight.

In the time since the accident, I’ve thought numerous times of the perversity of me being laid up by such a small matter, when all around me events that will fill the pages of history were transpiring. I even felt guilty that my little-thing-inspired calamity would sidetrack others from praying about, and showing concern over the big one that was going on all around us. I’m coming more and more to realize as I contemplate the whole matter, that I just have to leave that with the Lord. He was not busy in conference with President Bush, when I was distracted just at the moment I needed to be paying attention. He was not wringing His hands over the whereabouts of terrorist leaders, when flesh met steel on that country road. He was there. He is here. I think “little” and “big” are concoctions of my mind, not His. He keeps a running total of the sparrow population. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He can tell you how many times I get up and lie down (For a while now, that number has been zero.). He is intimately acquainted with all my ways, not just the “big” ones.

Perhaps there is another way of putting it. It humbles me to even type the words. Anything that has to do with one of His children is a big thing.

One of the first questions most of us learn to ask is, “Why?”

So why did this happen? I mean, I was out there trying to get some exercise. Numerous health-care workers have commented on my “good veins,” no doubt the result of years of aerobic activity. But look where it has gotten me now. Lots of folk with cholesterol laden blood, and waistlines that done-lapped a long time ago are up and about and doing their thing, while I huffed and pumped and dieted, and now am stuck in a space about the size of a baby’s playpen. Why?

I pastor a great church. We had just entered what I think is the greatest time of potential growth in our history. Plans were in motion. Things were beginning to happen. It’s fun to get up and go to church at Covington Bible. I didn’t even want to go on vacation, though I was planning to visit some missionaries in a couple of months. Day after tomorrow will be the third Sunday I haven’t even been able to be at church. I figure there will be at least that many more before I get to roll or hobble in. My participation in the mission trip is cancelled. The disappointment compounds—the ticket is nontransferable and for me to use it later will cost a considerable amount of money. Why?

I could go on about the incredible inconvenience it is for my wife to have an invalid husband, about how all the kindness being directed toward me could be funneled in much more profitable directions, if only I hadn’t . . .

I find many reasons to ask, “Why?”

So, Why did this happen?

It happened because, in the words of the little girl, I didn’t look. I’m not being flip when I say that. God has so constructed His universe that the choices we make, the actions we take or neglect to take, the words we say, or withhold, have real consequences. Yet, in the light of Romans 8:28, from another perspective, I have to say that this bed represents God’s will for me. I can be sure that God watches over and cares about the little things. Often those little things bear such incredible consequences. Could God have prevented this accident? Not only do I answer, “Yes,” but I am inclined to believe that on other occasions God has sovreignly, providentially, guided me away from disaster. Not only was God in control in relation to my failure to look at its critical timing, He likewise gave the six inches that saved my life.

God has so made His universe that my actions and yours are truly significant—they matter—yet He is not wringing hands in worry over how it will all come out. If there is one little thing in this world over which God’s sovereignty does not extend, then He is not truly Lord. To follow the logic of the old poem, if God is not sovereign over the horseshoe nail, then He cannot be in control of the battle, the nation, or the world.

I figure on that Saturday afternoon I was about six inches from dying. I was making a left hand turn off of the blacktop onto a dirt road. I slowed to allow the car that was behind me pass, then I quickly stuck out my arm for a signal and started to turn. The little pickup’s noise, must have been covered up by the sound of the car that had just passed. When I signaled a turn he was probably already in the left lane passing me. He almost succeeded in his attempt to miss me. If he had gotten the truck six inches further left, I would have been badly scared, upset at myself for not looking, not much more. If he had failed to get as far to the left as he did, by just six inches, I’d almost certainly be dead.

I love the Lord, and I’m looking forward to heaven, but I’m glad to say that I’m still here. Call me carnal if you wish, but I have a wife to love, work to do, sons to watch continue in their growth, grandkids to love and spoil. I’m very glad for that six inches that spared my life. I enjoy my food. I’m incredibly impressed at the kindness of my wife and others. I guess you could say I’ve gained a new appreciation for little things.

Really, though, that day is no different than any other. God is not like the airbag in the steering wheel of an automobile—the only time it comes out is in time of real danger. Rather it is just that God’s care for me was clearly evident that day. Paul told the Athenians that “in [God] we live, and move, and exist.” (Acts 17:28) Jesus taught that our life is not maintained by the food we consume, but by the word of God. (Matt. 4:4) David pointed out that his times are in the Lord’s hand. (Psalm 31:15) Amid the twin-tower like destruction of ancient Jerusalem, Jeremiah saw that it was God’s mercy, God’s mercy renewed each day, that kept us all from being consumed.. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Indeed, Paul points out that not just we, but all the creation is held together by the power of God. (Colossians 1:17) Not only in the sense of my creation, but moment by moment, I am because God in His providence makes it so. It was not only that day that he gave space to live. He does so everyday.

In a morphine fog I was talking to my physician. He had in his hand the paper that would give him permission to operate on my bashed-up hip. There were all kinds of really discouraging “could happen”s on that sheet: You could develop a rupture at the site of the incision. It might not work, we might have to do a total hip replacement, etc., etc. I thought about a man I know who recently came to this point concerning a surgical procedure, and just said, “No.” I understood perfectly.

More than anything else on my Doctor’s list of horrors, a statement about a little nerve grabbed my attention. Sometimes the nerve that allows one to pick up his foot (pull your toes up) is damaged, and one has a “drop foot.” I was told if that happened I’d have to wear a brace. Somehow that one really got to me. Visions of special shoes and walking sticks and me walking “funny,” filled my mind. “I’m not sure I can bear that.” I thought. But it was clear, even in my less than alert state, that this was what I ought to do, so I signed.

“Mr. Merrell, I’m going to give you the drug to put you to sleep now. The next thing you know you’ll be in the post-op.” I nodded and for all practical purposes died.

I blinked my eyelids closed and opened them to an intensity of awareness that I had never known. It was as if a pure white strobe light was firing at a million times a second. One flash was the ceiling of the post-op, the next some image from my memory, then to a dream scene, back to post-op, more rapidly than I can possible explain. “Where am I?” “Am I dead?” “Is this heaven?”

“Pastor Merrell,”

I looked at the foot of my bed and saw Laura. She’s a nurse, a friend of my son. I don’t know what else she said, but her presence pulled me back to reality. My focus lowered to my left foot. My brain sent the signal and I watched the toe wag up and down.

Thank God for little things.

The Doctrine of the Depravity of Man:

2011-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

The STTA I am sending out/posting today is about the Biblical doctrine of the Depravity of Man.

It occurred to me that this is a teaching from the Scripture on which we are not very conversant. In fact it is a concept that we ignore. Here are some statements and thoughts on the matter I've collected.

Scripture:
Genesis 3, Romans 1-3, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 7:14-25

The Ins and Outs of Christians living in an ungodly world:

2011-08-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

This is rough. It is merely a cut-and-paste from some old sermon notes.
I'm posting this as a follow-up or further explanation of the STTA for August 30, 2011.
As followers of Christ, our relationship with the world is complex. Perhaps these bones from a past sermon will be of help to you.

Christians in an Ungodly World.

#1 The "In"s and "Out"s of Christian Living in an Ungodly World, John 17

Read John 17.

Do a worldliness quiz:

How many of you use

car?

music?

wear neckties?

jewelry?

vote?

have ever held public office, school board, etc.?

are involved in public institutions, work for government, kids in public school, etc.?

watch movies?

read non-christian magazines?

swim or go to the beach where both sexes are present?

All of these are regarded as worldly activities by various groups.

Give a few examples.

While I reject the position that would characterize all or any of these activities as necessarily worldly I think that most of you would agree with me that each of them and a great many other things and activities can become negative in a person's life.

Consider another aspect of the problem:

Multitude of problems in the world:

How to solve?

Military?

Government agencies?

Is a particular view of politics "Christian"?

What should be the Christians involvement in these secular agencies?

As followers of Christ what should be our relationship to the world in which we find ourselves?

Explore this issue over the next several weeks. It will be an exploration together, because I am still very much a learner on these matters.

H. Richard Niebuhr, in his book Christ and Culture, summarizes 5 ways that Christians have typically responded to the culture around them, the world.

1) The first view is (move to one side of stage) is characterized by monks and present day Amish.

Our own heritage is a modification of this. There is nothing in common.

2) The second move to the other end. Is represented by classical liberals and many polyannaish type people that we meet everyday (move to other end of stage) We can work together totally, denial of any fundamental differences.

In between these Christ is creator of world, Christ is redeemer of church therefore there is some commonality.

3) These three positions that lie between the poles are a little tough to grasp. They may be artificial distictions, so let me simply summarize them this way.

there are those who recognixe the difference but see that the church and culture have similar goals. We can agree with the world and work together. We can fine tune and adjust the world so that it will work for us.

4) There are those who see the world here and the church here in constant tension. The relationship of the church to the world is confrontational.

5) Finally there are those who see the mission of the church as to recreate culture. I think that this is the reason for the fear expressed by many about the so called, "Christian Right." Rightly or wrongly they have seen this goal and they fear it.

OK, where should we be.

It is fairly easy to cut off the ends. I think our look at the words of the Lord this AM will do that.

Since the question is bound to come up. As I read Niebuhr's book I found myself saying yes and then later saying no to the three other positions. I find the most agreement with the position expressed by tension and confrontation.

My plan at this point is to center our thoughts around the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ just bfore He went to the cross, John 17.

Our relationship to the world, expressed in the prepositions used by John.

"Out of" ek (6): Eph. 2:1-2

"in" en (11): Acts 1:8

(note, en, is used again in 17.)

"not of" ek (14,16): I John 2:15-17

"out of" ek (15): I Cor.5:10

Note the purposes for all of this in 1-5 & 19-26

That we might be His witnesses in the world and bring glory to God.

Dealing with Discouragement:

2011-08-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

I regularly read Pastor Charles Wood's thoughts. I often find him helpful.

After nearly four decades of ministry in church that is smaller than I wish it were, and much larger than I have any right to expect, I have concluded that periodic discouragement is inevitable. Unless it is dealt with effectively, it will lead to ineffectiveness. Here are some thoughts on dealing with down-times that "Woodchuck" recently shared.

1. Luke 24:13-35.  God is there: The problem of the disciples was depression resulting from disappointment (sound familiar?). A sense of the presence of Christ in the midst of our turmoil should bring relief, and I know of no other way to tangibly achieve that divine reality than through time spent in the Word and in prayer.
2. Mark 6:45-52.  God knows where you are: Although the disciples were on the sea, Jesus saw them and was aware of their problem. Remember: God always knows where you are and is aware of your situation.
3. John 11:1-45.  God’s timing is perfect: Mary thought Christ’s arrival was too late, but He had greater purposes in mind. As this is an area of struggle for my impatient soul, I have to keep reminding myself that God’s timing is always right in the light of His knowledge of His perfect plans and purposes.
4. Matthew 9:35-38.  God is genuinely concerned about you and your situation: Life was even tougher then than it is now. Common people were used and abused. Jesus is always moved with compassion when His people are in trouble (particularly that caused by other people, saved or unsaved).
5. Mark 5:25-34.  God’s power is always unlimited: The woman’s problem was physical. She had found no relief in spite of spending all she had in quest for it. Never forget that God is always able to do anything He chooses to do. There is more help in spending time praying for His intervention than there is in wasting it in whining and complaining.
6. Matthew 19:16-26.  God’s wisdom is supreme: Jesus knew this man’s real problem and dealt with it.. God always knows what we really need; we usually know what we want but seldom what we really need.
These suggestions are neither profound or “sure fire.” They are an attempt to drive us back to Scripture and to remind us that facts must always trump feelings. I would also offer this suggestion contained in the chorus of an old Gospel song:

O cling to the promises,
They never will fail;
O cling to the promises of God;
In Christ are the promises Yea and Amen!
Then cling, O cling to the promises of God.

Preach the Word to the world:

2011-08-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Al Mohler just republished an interview he did with John R. W. Stott.

Especially for you fellow preachers it is well worth the read. Anyone interested in understanding and applying the Bible will find the article interesting. Here is a quote.
". . . when a man of God stands before the people of God with the Word of God in his hand and the Spirit of God in his heart, you have a unique opportunity for communication."

Follow-up on last week's message--"husband of one wife"

2011-07-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, 7/24, I dealt with the lists of qualifications for leaders in 1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1. Obviously, it was an overview. You can listen to the message & get the accompanying note sheet at http://sermon.net/covingtonbiblechurch.

I just received an article by Steve Cornell in which he deals with one of the more contrversial qualifications, "the husband of one wife." http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/husband-of-one-wife/.
It is worth the read.

THE PASSING OF A GIANT:

2011-07-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

John Stott Anglican Pastor and prolific writer just died.
Stott's influence reached far beyond the Anglican fellowship. His books and articles have been a help to many.
In particular I found his commentary of 1 John of great help in understanding--to the extent I do--and preaching from that book.

Christianity reposted an interview with Stott from 15 years ago. It is wide-ranging and thought-provoking.
Below is a quote that I especially like.

"If we can recover true expository preaching as being not only exegesis but an exposition and application of the Word of God, then congregations will learn it from us preachers and go and do the same thing themselves. We need to help our congregations to grasp and use the hermeneutical principles that we are using ourselves. We need to be so careful in the development of our evangelical hermeneutic that the congregation says, "Yes, I see it. That is what the text means, and it couldn't mean anything else."

The worst kind of preaching allows people to say, "Well, I'm sorry, I don't agree with you. I think you're twisting the Scripture.""

Watch where you are going!

2011-07-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

I often read Charles Wood's, Woodchuck's several-times-a-week email.
He describes himself as "Retired pastor and educator, current husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Bible teacher, writer and contrarian." Charles is in his retirement years. You can write him at lorchuck@aol.com, and request to be put on his mailing list.

Part of today's Woodchuck's Den jumped out at me.

WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING!

Every time I hear the words vision and drive, I am reminded of an amusing exchange I had with my eye doctor some time ago. I asked him if it was really safe for me to drive. He answered with a question, “Do you see the cars before you hit them?” I replied, “I haven’t even come close to hitting a car.” He said, “Then you are perfectly capable of driving safely.” He then paused for a moment and said, “In fact, your vision is as good as 75% of the people your age currently driving.” My response? “I think maybe I’ll just stay here in the office for good; it’s dangerous out there.”

This is just an introduction to some things that increasingly bother me in the conservative evangelical and fundamentalist movements. There are a lot of people who are driving while looking in their rearview mirrors when they should be looking through the windshield. What do I mean? Now the past in Christianity was pretty good for most of us, but it was never the golden age that some would make it. Even if it were, however, there is no way we are going to go back to it or even replicate it in any meaningful way. Our world - including the evangelical portion of it - is changing at such a rapid pace that I think it resembles a carousel on speed, Where change contradicts or seeks to attack the basics of Scripture (think Love Wins, BioLogos, and the numerous attacks on inerrancy), I will continue to resist it and insist that we must look at the rearview mirror of historical theology from time to time. Where there is no genuinely Biblical issue involved, however, I think we have to keep our focus on the windshield, or we will quickly become irrelevant.

Change that doesn’t challenge the unchanging God and His infallible Word is an absolute given. Our reaction to it is not. We can resent it, resist it or deny it, but we can’t stop it. It seems far wiser to evaluate it, respond intelligently to it and manage it.

Tradition probably has more to teach us than some of us are willing to learn, but a life focused on the past is going to cause us problems and keep us from ministering to anyone other than those who already believe as we do. Your church has changed? So has the world to which it is trying to minister. If all church is about is giving us more information and making us feel good, I guess it is ok to drive by the rear view mirror. If we are going to reach people that live in the world of today, however, we had better get our eyes off what is behind us and start looking to the future. The rearview mirror has its purposes, but safe and successful driving depends on looking ahead, through the windshield, to the future.

Peace at any cost is too high a price.

2011-07-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Barton Gingerich spent his High School years at Covington Bible Church. It is always good to see him when he is here in town.
He has a keen mind and a sharp wit. Most importantly, he loves the Lord.
Bart recently began work with the Institute for Religion and Democracy. A recent assignment to cover the Convention of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America resulted in an excellent article. The article contained some good news, such as, "It’s good to know that the divine Son of God makes the top four in the Religious Left." but mostly not so much. You need to read it. http://www.theird.org/page.aspx?pid=1951

Good job, Bart!

Happy Fourth of July:

2011-07-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

Wow!
Surely it is a sign of my age, but I have a big problem wrapping my mind around the fact that this is the Fourth of July weekend. It is--fireworks and all.

This weekend is personally significant for me for several reasons:

My lovely wife is on her way back from an 8-day visit with some of her family, so this weekend is a much longed for reunion.
My daughter-in-law and grandson are in Wales having an incredibly blessed time with a team from their church, First Baptist of West Monroe. (They represent the incredible missionary heritage of our land.)
My friends, coworkers, and missionaries to Central-America are traveling back to the US for furlough. It may be the first Fourth of July fireworks their kids will see.

We recognize the birth of our nation, though, for reasons that ought to be important to us all.

There are some excellent reasons for us to rejoice in God's blessing on our nation. (For my friends who salute flags other than the "Stars & Stripes," I hope you can say the same about your country. I don't say these things to say my nation is "better than;" I simply rejoice in God's goodness.)

Here in the USA we have the freedom to worship as we choose.
God has blessed us with a bounty of natural beauty and resources.
We have an impressive heritage. Our nation ". . . conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. . . . under God . . . [with a] government of the people by the people and for the people." (Lincoln's Gettysburg Address) has not only been a blessing to those of us who live here but has served as a model for many other nations who have found our model of government to be a blessing as well. In spite of the postmodern tendency to be critical of all authority--ours especially, my observation indicates that our nation has been a good force in the world.
I was privileged to visit Italy and Germany, including some of the former East. Had not my dad and his brothers beaten Hitler and Mussolini, those would be different places. The same can be said of various other regions. Sure we have made our mistakes and we ought to point them out, but we ought to give ourselves permission to celebrate. To my friends who disagree, I mean no insult, but I will salute my flag. When I see the fireworks explode I will be thinking of explosions at Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Flanders Field, Normandy, Korea, Yap, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and Manhattan/Washington DC. I may unashamedly shed a tear.
We have opportunity to make a difference. In fact, I think, we have a responsibility to do so.

More and more, however, I am convinced that the solutions our nation (and, to those from other lands, your nation) needs are not primarily political. I do not discount the power of the ballot-box. I simply maintain that the power of the pulpit-and-pew is far greater. Our nation is not and has not been great because our founding fathers came up with the perfect form of government. Our nation has been great because our workable/usable form of government has been empower by a population powerfully influenced by Biblical principles.

This weekend I'm praying for those who serve in our nation's military, and remembering those who did. But I'll also realize that unless we maintain the solid morality and ethics that can be seen in Lincoln's address as well as thousands of other historical documents, their dedicated service will be in vain. "It is for us the living . . . to be dedicated here to the unfinished work"--a work that is not primarily military or political but spiritual. (quote for Gettysburg Address)

Gettysburg address - http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

Have a happy Fourth.

Steve Cornell draws together some good reminders on Freedom, http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/before-we-celebrate-freedom/

A Break With Culture:

2011-06-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is from India. He is also a missionary to India. The subcontinent of India is a very diverse place. John & Maria came to the USA for their education and then returned to their homeland, but to a place that is completely different--new language, culture and people.

I just received an email from John that described a wedding where he was asked to share a message. He called the wedding a "Wonderful disaster."
He was given dirty water to drink. The generator that supplied electricty was unreliable, making the sound system malfunction. The temperature was over a hundred degrees. Children ran around, old people talked and cellphones interupted.
"By most standards this wedding would be considered disasterous, but these people were following Christian principles. . . . In this tribal culture the bride often goes to the groom before marriage. After a few weeks or months of living together they may or may not get married. These Christians decided to follow Biblical principles and get married before their union. That is why it was a wonderful wedding. They left their unhealthy traditions and embraced Godly principles. . . ."

I thought, as I read John's account, that this is precisely the response I long to see more of, here in my culture, that is becoming less and less effected by Christian principles. Jesus left His people in this world, but He said that we are not to take our way of life from it, John 17.

John said he received a bag of peanuts for preaching. No, John, the pay is much more than goobers.

A new blog:

2011-06-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

For the 2 or 3 of you who like to, or are willing to, read my stuff, I just started a new blog. Hogback Ridge is where I'll be posting some stories and essays--stuff that would be called "more literary" if it were truely worthy of that description.
Some of the pieces are from Hogback Ridge. Others like the one I just posted for Father's Day have to do with raising boys.

Enjoy.

Hogback Ridge

Christ and Culture, a refresher:

2011-05-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I read Richard Niebuhr's book Christ and Culture, but to the extent my memory serves, I found this brief commentary, by Dr. Kevin Bauder, to be on target and helpful. I can't vouch for the accuracy of all of his examples, but the ones with which I am familiar seem to ring true.

The relationship of Christ, and, more particularly His Church, to the culture in which the church finds itself is a question that must constantly be answered.

How does the church respond when it is a culture that is hostile--much of the Muslim world and some of the former communist lands for example?
How does the church keep from becoming the civic-religion in a land that is largely friendly to it?
How does a church that values clear doctrine behave when it is in a situation where another version of Christianity, one that doesn't share the doctrinal distinctives of the church in consideration, dominates and has a friendly relationship with the dominant culture--Protestants in predominantly Roman Catholic or Orthodox cultures, or vice-versa, and any number of other combinations?

The article, as well as the book, is worth a read. I have added the book to me "to reread" list.

Some thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden:

2011-05-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a great deal of time to reflect on the death of Osama, or is it "Usama" bin Laden. Here are a few barely more than random thoughts.

I am thankful to and proud of our armed forces and the people who serve in them. It took incredible skill, discipline, dedication, courage, cooperation, and strength of will to accomplish what was done. Romans 13 reminds us that the civil authorities do not bear the sword in vain. In this case it is a very complicated, expensive sword . . .

Our President was right in his handling of this--at least as far as I can see.
Does this action provide political fodder? No doubt.
Do I agree with all of President Obama's decisions and positions? Not at all.
This action was right. In the words of old cowboy movies, "He needed killin'." Whether we consider what bin Laden did as a crime or as an act of war, our action as a nation was justified.

I can't help but have some conflicts in my thinking.
Am I not supposed to look on sinners with compassion? Yes, I am. I do not say what I am about to say because bin Laden is different than me, but because, in this sense, he is like me. From all I know, I have to conclude that simultaneously with feeling the sting of the bullet, Osama bin Laden felt the fires of Hell. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 3:23 & 6:23) Yet, God, Himself, says that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11) Every sinner who dies rejecting the grace of God in Jesus Christ is a loss, a tragedy.
We desire perfect clarity, non conflicting conclusions and emotions, "this-and-not-that" kind of categories in our thinking. That isn't available here. In a sense it is part of living in two kingdoms--I am a child of God, and I am citizen of the United States--there is some conflict here. On one hand, I can say that I am pleased that justice was done (more in a moment). I'd like to shake the hand of the man who pulled the trigger, look him in the eye, and say, "Thank You." On the other hand I need to recognize that here is one who spurned God's message of mercy. I am sorry. If I let either the "either" or the "or" dominate my thinking to the exclusion of the other my thinking as a Christian citizen will be distorted.
John 17 makes plain that "This world is not my home." (I'm quoting an old song, not scripture.) But Romans 13, and 1 Peter 2:13, among other passages of scripture, make clear that I have a responsibility to my earthly home, as well as my heavenly. Under the guidance of the Bible and the Holy Spirit, and in conjunction with the body of believers with whom I worship and serve I need to maintain that dual status and the tension it sometimes brings.

I am well aware that all actions by human leaders, and agents are imperfect.

Were there political considerations at work here? DUH!

Were the hearts of all those who carried out this mission pure? I doubt it.

Should greater efforts have been made to take the terrorist alive? You chew on that one.

Were there casualties in this raid who were more accurately described as innocent victims than co-conspiritors? Perhaps, maybe even probably.

I'm quite sure that Paul had no illusions about the purity of those who bore the sword in their day. Most of them--like most of our military today--were just guys doing a job. Yet the Apostle spoke clearly of the respect that should be given to those who represent the power of the state.
In short, the imperfection of the justice, need not prevent an appropriate rejoicing in the fact that it was rendered.

Finally--for now--let's not forget what a small world we live in. A guy who doesn't deserve the title of "Pastor" in Florida burns a copy of the Qur'an and riots take place on the other side of the world. My fellow Christians in predominantly Muslim lands end up paying a high price for lack of restraint here in the USA. One of the things that impresses me about the Apostle Paul is that though he ministered in a world that was in many ways hostile to his message, he did so with respect, and even on occasion restraint. There is no way you can accuse the Apostle of compromise, but he refused to needlessly act in ways regarded as sacrilegious to others. In fact Romans 2:22 contains a slightly veiled condemnation of those who do.

I'm sure there are many good articles out there on this matter. Here is one that has some worthwhile thoughts:

A friend just posted this one;

Tsunamis, unimaginable pain, and boundaries in my mind:

2011-03-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

I posted this on my STTA site, but since it is a longer than usual STTA & since it will stay on top longer here, I decided to post it here, as well.

The earthquake and tsunami that have devastated Japan, and beyond, are off any scale that exists in my thinking. Massive waves that move across the ocean at 500 miles per hour, and tremors that cause buildings to sway like reeds in the wind don't exist in my mind. When "experts" explain these phenomena I gain a new appreciation for their magnitude, but I understand them only in the sense that I learn to parrot back some of what these specialists say. It is not dissimilar to my "understanding" of this computer. I know that when I press the "I" key that the letter appears on the screen in front of me, and that the code that produces that "I" can be stored on a hard drive or sent by digital signals across vast distances. (I'm going to date myself here.) I remember when manual typewriters were popular. I could examine the levers, springs, and gears and understand how it worked. I am confident that if I had put forth the effort I could have explained, complete with pictures, how my old Remington worked. This computer: in broad terms I can explain it, but much of it is a mystery. That is where I am in explaining the cataclysmic events of the past few days--my knowledge base is inadequate.
I think I know enough, however, to be confident that the correct answer to why this tragedy erupted in Japan, is "I don't know." Beware of those who have neat, tidy answers. The vast debris fields that once were neighborhoods in the Island nation, are matched by the clutter in our minds. I'm not sure we can altogether understand what has happened. What we can do, however, is "contain" the disruption in our mind and heart with some reality barriers.
"I don't understand, but I do know this."
What are some of the "this"es we can know?

Disasters like the one that struck our neighbors on the other side of the globe, are tragic, in particular, because they are an accumulation of personal, totally real disasters. This morning the estimates are that 10,000 people died in the earthquake/tsunami. Each of them is a mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparent, or friend. Every one of those buildings was someones home, their place of employment, house of worship, school, etc. One of the dangers of the worldwide communication/news environment is we tend to see the devastation as if it were the tide washing away children's sand-castles. People talk of good that can come from this tragedy. We can identify good that has come from past tragedies, and I already hear of God's people reaching out with the Love-of-Christ. That is definitely good. One of the boundaries we must respect is to call things like this bad--in this case bad beyond my scale of reckoning. In the Old-Testament the word "evil" is used not only to describe the morally corrupt, but natural disasters. This kind of evil will be eliminated in the heavenly realm, Revelation 21:4. The natural disasters that afflicted Job were seen by him and his loved ones as evil, Job 42:11. Let us never be guilty of calling bad things good. Romans 8:28 does not say, "all things are good," but, "all things work together for good." Look in the context and you'll see that a short time before the Apostle pronounced the truth of verse 28, he wrestled with the presence of bad things in the world.
God is in control. Sometimes we feel like God needs our help. We think that we need to lobby on His behalf and make sure others know this isn't His fault. It is true that God is not the author of evil, but He is in control in this world. His sovereignty extends from the falling sparrow to the culmination of all things. God was not napping when the earth moved with violence. Other than what He has revealed, I don't know why, but I do know the world is in His hand.
People are responsible. The choices we make have consequences. When aggregates of people make choices--national policies, the direction of cultures, etc. those decisions have far reaching consequences. Where we build cities, how we provide them power, and how the people there live can have consequences far beyond what we see. The Old-Testament is full of examples of societies that became ripe for the judgment of God. The later part of Romans 1 records a pattern that is all too common. Fatalism is never the answer. We need to make wise, right decisions, and encourage the groups we are a part of to do so as well.
We are to reach out with love and compassion whenever we are able. One of the reasons Christianity came to dominate the Roman world was because Christians reached out with compassion to those afflicted by plagues and other disasters. We must avoid being opportunists. At the same time we must, with courage and hope, reach out with the love God in the face of this world's darkness.

There is much that I don 't know. I am able to cope because of what God has graciously made sure for me.

It's STTA.
Some further thought:
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/evil.html

A cheering crowd and a bellowing friend:

2011-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me to this video.
It is great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52AOPQvCTv4

It reminded me of a friend that I never really met:

RUN CAREY RUN (c. 1995)

By the time the young women who run the distance events began their last minute stretches, stride-outs and psych-ups the track-meet had taken on a certain subdued character of its own. At any one time you could observe some athlete totally focused on giving his maximum exertion to his event, while nearby another participant would be taking a nap. Groups of participants, who had already competed earlier in the day, stood around and talked. Spectators were hot, hungry, and tired. Their attention to the events was sporadic.
As the parent of a distance runner I had become familiar with the pre-race ritual. The routine had an almost religious regularity. Those of us who knew the liturgy could tell that the girls 1600 Meter race would begin soon. The talk in the stands, among those of us who knew and cared, turned to: "Who was fast?" and, "Who wasn't doing well?" We wondered what kind of time the pre-race favorite, last year's state champ, would have. The parents and loyal fans were moving to places where they could see better and more effectively yell encouragement to their favorite runner. Watches were cleared. The fans have their ritual too.
Then I heard it--not the real thing, only a weak imitation--from out of a group of fans, "Run Carey, run." The three words uttered by a veteran fan brought instant chuckles and conversation from all of us who heard.
"Is he here?"
"I think he's on the bleachers on the other side of the track."
"I wonder if we'll hear him over here?"
Those of us who knew him had no doubt he would be heard--maybe in the next county. Everyone else was soon convinced.

The crack of the starter's pistol had hardly died--the girls were still accelerating; the faster contestants had not yet distinguished themselves from the starting pack--when we heard the voice, the real thing. It boomed across the infield with a power that defied one to not look for its source. The voice, sort of like an articulate chainsaw, the two end words elongated for effect, the last slightly less than the first, "RUUUUN CAREY, RUUUN!"
We were in the presence of a phenomenon, before whom lesser mortals had to shrink. I am loud, and I often yell myself hoarse at sporting events, but this man is the Babe Ruth of cheering, the Sultan of Chant.
Like a fog-horn on a stormy night the chant repeatedly fills the track, the bleachers, the surrounding countryside. The three words of encouragement so fill the air that it is difficult to find the point from which they emanate. Just the other day I found the source.
I was near enough to him that I could hear not only the famous three words, but words of endearment and quiet encouragement he shared with his daughter when she ran near his seat--or standing place--or pacing area. The famous chant came from the heart of a dad who loved his daughter so much that he was willing to make a spectacle of himself to help her run. She chose to run. He was going to do everything he could to see to it that she did it to the best of her ability.

"Run Carey, run!" was still echoing in my mind when I thought about the kid to whom I had given a thumbs up, a "Way to go!" after his event. I remembered another youngster I had congratulated about a good finish. I wondered about the disappointed kid for whom it just hadn't happened that day, or the one for whom everything had clicked; he had the performance of his life. Don't get the idea that these are generic kids, made up to flesh out a story. Each of them has a name. Each of them is real. Each participated in the same track meet as Carey, but there was no one there for any of them.
I had never seen a mom or dad there to yell for these kids. Oh, there were those of us who seek to encourage them to run, throw or jump, but it isn't the same. It can't be. Our cheers are sincere, our wishes genuine; our desire to encourage, console, and challenge is real. I'm sure they appreciate the recognition, but I'm equally sure that all of it together wouldn't measure up to one single heartfelt word of praise from someone who really cares today, cared yesterday, and will still care tomorrow.
Carey didn't win that race. She came in second, behind the state champ, but she ran a good race. I am confident she did her best. I don't know Carey or her dad, but I think she will continue to do so.

I don't know what kind of a father he is. I only know that on race days he models something that our culture, our kids, could use a lot more of: parents who are willing to give their kids the priority in their lives that they desperately need and deserve.

My bellowing friend went to the track meet to encourage his daughter to run. In the process he encouraged me to be a better dad.

Leaders?

2011-03-01T04:24:00.000-08:00

"I'm sure that many of today's leaders find it easier to sound evangelical than to be evangelical."

Read more from Ralph White, a guy who had a great impact on my life, http://dailydoseofencouragment.blogspot.com/2011/02/leadership-qualities-part-2.html

Translation/Contextualization Issues

2011-02-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine who is involved in translating the Bible into the language of a small people group, was discussing with me just how to translate the word "week" from Daniel 9:24 >>.
Among the people with whom he was working, week typically means 8 days. So far my friend's best efforts at translating in a fairly literal way was resulting in a paragraph to translate a single word. The smoothest solution--one he isn't entirely comfortable with is--is to give the number of years involved (See Daniel 9:2). Part of the problem stems from the fact that some of the people are bilingual and sometimes read the Bible in another language.
My friend will work it out.

Here is a much more troubling translation issue. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/february/soncrescent.html?start=1
If nothing else, reading the article will encourage prayer for missionaries to the Muslim world.

2011-01-22T17:13:00.000-08:00

One of the problems with contemporary dialogue about Christianity is the difficulty with terms. It has always been a problem, but it seems much worse lately. Here are a couple of issues.

There is often a spectrum of beliefs that uses the same title. Fundamentalists shade from the wacko, KJV-Only, to those essentially indistinguishable from those called Evangelicals. Evangelicals range from those like the Fundamentalists to those who barely hold to the essentials of the Evangel. The Charismatic title includes some who just want to worship in a free-er style to those who hold views that historic Christianity regards as heretical. ETC. etc.
Those who use a term as an insult will often focus on the worst, while those who defend a particular group will choose its best exemplars.
Some people who use a label, use it because they associate with only a part of the Theology that marks that group. Those who are critical may be criticizing a portion of the system that a particular individual not only doesn't hold, but of which he is unaware.
Then there is deliberate distortion, in both directions--maybe more.

John Piper recently posted a thought. Rather than say I am a _______, why not say this is what I believe. You tell me what I am. It is a little unwieldy but what we have is a mess.

Paul's word to Timothy is crystal clear. "Preach the Word!"

2011-01-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

Schuller['s] enterprise is filing for bankruptcy on more than one front. . . .
Schuller was only leading the parade of those who believe they are responsible for making the gospel relevant. . . . The lesson is that our attempts to find and exploit a point of cultural contact inevitably end in bankruptcy.

I have always had a problem with the attempt to make the Gospel or the Bible relevant. It is like making water wet. God's word, especially the message within it related to forgiveness and eternal life, is supremely relevant. What is important is for us to not muck it up, so we in some way hide the relevance of the message. Our attempts to be trendy often do just that.

The Christianity Today editorial quoted above does a pretty good job of job of pointing out that what has gone wrong at the Crystal Cathedral was not just a matter of a lack of Windex, but of the very foundations of that ministry and many others. "Today both the Crystal Cathedral and the theology that undergird it seem woefully inadequate buildings in which to house the gospel." Several times the editorial refers to Schuller's theology as Evangelical. Perhaps it started there, and maybe in the formal categories of different kinds of belief-systems his "gospel of self-esteem" belongs in the file folder labeled "Evangelical." I'll leave that to the categoriticians. Clearly, though, a message that avoids the "Woe is me of Isaiah, the Damascus Road of Paul, the "Unless you repent, you too will all perish," of Jesus, and cuts out the first two and a hlaf chapters of the Book of Romans, is not based on the Evangel of the New Testament. I am encouraged that there is a growing group of conservative Evangelicals, moderate Fundamentalists, just plain Bible believers and proclaimers--call them what you will--who are rejecting this kind "relevance."
Os Guiness has some good things to say on attempts at relevance-making that end up making our message totally irrelevant--Prophetic Untimeliness. (I'm not trying to sell books for Amazon. I only include the link so you can get a taste of the book.)

It seems to me that Paul's word to Timothy is crystal clear. "Preach the Word!"

The Christmas story retold in a surprising way:

2010-12-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

If you want to cut to the chase, just skip my musings and go the bottom of this post and click on the link.

Merry Christmas.

I always thought it was kind of strange that some Renaissance artists would paint pictures of Biblical scenes but dress the characters in the garb of their day. I figure Raphael and the other artists of the 16th Century knew that Mary didn't wear the clothing of the Italian women of their time. They had to have known that there was no reason for the infant Jesus and John (the Baptist) to be playing with a cross--think of what the cross meant at the time. They knowingly placed their Biblical scenes in surroundings that were a millennia-and-a-half out of synch.
I'm way far away from being an art expert, but my guess is that they were trying to communicate a timeless message in a way that would communicate with with their contemporaries. You can let me know if I'm wrong, and I'll leave it up to better heads than mine to comment on whether or not they succeeded at all. You can see some examples of this kind of art here.

All of this was really a fairly long-winded introduction to a video that someone sent me. I have in mind some friends of mine who decry against the use of technology in regard to worship to such an extent that they feel it necessary to defend themselves against the accusation that they are Luddites. I received the link to this imaginitive video from a friend. Someone took the story of Christ's birth and presented it in a totally anachronistic way. I'm not trying to say it is high-art or anything, but it worked on me.
What if the ubiquitous ability to post online messages were available to the characters who make up the Christmas story?
I encourage you to look.

Hauling Water to a Thirsty, Unbelieving, Unconvinced World:

2010-11-25T07:26:00.000-08:00

The view through my keyhole is narrow--bound as it is by my perception--but, magnified by the Internet, it is long.
Some friends of mine serve as Christ's witnesses in Phnom Penh. The tragic bridge collapse, of a few days ago, took place in their neighborhood. T. recently wrote:

We're writing with sad hearts. As you've probably seen or heard on the news, the
Water Festival ended with tragedy here in Phnom Penh last night. The latest
reports are claiming about 400 people died and 400 more were hospitalized after
a stampede on a bridge not too far from our apartment.
. . . To be honest, we are feeling sad and frustrated. . . . 400 people almost all of whom did not know Jesus suffocated or were crushed to death, 400 families lost
children, parents, siblings and just as many are in hospitals fighting for their
lives.
Because there was no way to really help besides praying for the families, I spent the day driving my motorbike with as many cases of water as I could carry to deliver to families waiting outside three of the major hospitals which received stampede victims. . . .
At the last hospital, the people in charge directed me to take the water to the place where families came to claim bodies. There were so many exhausted, hopeless faces. I felt incredibly inadequate showing up on a motorbike loaded down with a measly 10 cases of water in the face of such loss; but the workers there were kind and thanked me. . . .

The scripture comes to mind, "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42, NASB95)
My friend sees his act as insignificant, and by the metric of the horrendous scale of the disaster, I have to agree, but apparently there is a Divine measurement that imputes far greater significance to a moped loaded with water delivered by a kind, though foreign face.
A few days after receiving the note above, I happened to see T. online. We chatted for a moment. He observed that most of the people affected by the tragedy believe in reincarnation. They are comforted that because these loved ones died in such a terrible manner while participating in a religious event, they would come back in a better state in the next life. He asked,
"How do we argue with that?"
I don't think my friend's question was primarily intellectual. He is well versed in apologetics, and knows how to share the Gospel. His query came from the gut more than from the head. How can we take away this shred of hope--false, though it may be--when lack of language, trust, and cultural awareness make it nearly impossible for me to share the real hope. Like his meager offering of water in the face of such overwhelming need, T. felt that what he had to offer was inadequate.
My reply to T.'s question, "How do we argue with that?" was brief.
"We don't."
I went on to offer some further explanation about how we trust God to penetrate hearts with the Good News. He and I know, however, that such penetration is usually frustratingly slow and sporadic. I wished for a jet plane, a couple of cups of coffee and time to listen and talk.

I share some further thoughts here not only, not even primarily, for my friends there on the front-line--I figure they already know more than me--but mostly for all of us who constantly struggle with questions related to tragic events.

First, T., though your offering of water is literally a drop in an ocean, you were precisely and profoundly right to offer it.
I don't have his book in front of me but Theologian and pastor, Millard Ericson, in his book, Christian Theology, makes the important distinction between a pastoral and a Theological answer to the problem of evil. People who are hurting are much more in need of a drink of water, offered from a kind hand, than they are a tightly reasoned Theodicy offered from a brilliant mind.
While my answer was brief--partly due to the constraints of i-chatting & slow-typing--I still think it is right. Clearly there is at least (I say "at least knowing that many, to one degree or another, hold to and practice evidential-apologetics.) an element of truth in presuppositionalism. Our task is not so much to prove the validity of the Gospel as to proclaim it. We believe that "Life and reality make sense only on the basis of Christian presuppositions." (http://home.comcast.net/~webpages54/ap/presup.html) As Jesus said, "If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17, ESV) There is always an element of risk in faith, at least on the front end. No apologetic safety line can make the plunge into faith--especially when the starting point is a culture largely devoid of Christian influence--totally free of fear. Examples abound of those who received the Good News when it appeared to many outsiders that it was totally unreasonable for them to do so. Later they found it made perfect sense. Often those Saul/Paul-like conversions lead to significant penetration of the truth of God into a people-group. Keep hauling water, both in plastic bottles and the "Living" kind.
We cannot get away from the reality that our security in the Lord is not primarily based on our complete understanding of His ways, but in our trust of Him. We need to refer to Deuteronomy 29:29 often.
We are far better to offer no answer than to traffic in easy, pat, feel-good pseudo-truths. Following another disaster, Al Mohler shared some words worth reading in this regard, "God and the Tsunami."

To my friends in Cambodia, thanks. To the rest of us, Let's haul some water.

2010-11-19T07:17:00.000-08:00

We were sitting around the THANKSGIVING table. Ours was not a wealthy home, but it was one where the ample provision of the Lord could be seen in many ways.

We were all healthy.
My dad had a good job, with which to provide for the family.
Our home was warm and secure.
It was the time of the "Cold War." Vietnam was still on the horizon. My dad, a vet of WW2, and neighbors who had fought in Korea were home on that Thanksgiving Day. Though from an earthly viewpoint our peace was secured by M.A.D.. It was peace. The boys were home.
Our table was indication of the plenty that we had. There was a car in the driveway, a TV in the living-room, beds for all, and blankets on the beds. We had bikes, ball-gloves, roller-skates and dolls that cried. Christmas planning, if not shopping, had likely already begun.

Yet on that day of plenty, a Day that had been set aside to acknowledge that, there was an awkward pause before the meal. I don't remember all the details. Perhaps the presence of guests created embarrassment. At that time none of us was particularly "religious." I don't remember whether a prayer was offered or not. I do remember the strangeness. We were gathered for Thanksgiving dinner, and no one was interested in offering thanks.

I hasten to add that this condition was corrected in my family. Later my dad became one who delighted in reminding his kids of God's blessings and leading us in offering thanks. I think I can confidently say that all my siblings are living lives of gratitude. I know I'm trying.

I write this with the knowledge that Thursday in a great many homes Thanksgiving Dinner will be served, but no thanks will be offered. I'm hoping that perhaps in a few homes this will encourage a family, blessed like mine was fifty, or so, years ago to hold hands and praise Him from Whom all blessings flow.

Happy Thanksgiving.

THE NEW PRESODISTS:

2010-11-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

The Barna group recently posted some interesting results from a survey related to Calvinism in today's evangelical world. "Is There a "Reformed" Movement in American Churches?"
Those of you who read magazines and blogs have likely noticed descriptions like "The New Calvinists," or, the "Reformed Movement." Until I read this article I was one of those who would have said that the theological wind was blowing in the direction of an emphasis on Divine sovereignty. My thoughts in that regard had to do with the popularity of some writes and preachers who it seems to me are on that end of the spectrum--Piper, Keller, DeYoung, Begg, Harris, and Mohler. A number of magazines have covered the phenomenon, here.

I won't quote any numbers from the survey, you can read it, but, at least it seemed to me, the survey results do not bear out any move toward Geneva. I would appreciate your take on these numbers and observations on the trend, or lack thereof, in general.

There was one aspect of the crunched numbers that reinforced a personal observation--"nobody is any one thing anymore." It used to be that if you identified a trait associated with say Calvinism, or Wesleyanism in a person's Theology, that you could with reasonable confidence conclude that this person also held to most of the other tenets of that Theological system. No more. Note this observation from the survey: "The study found that 31% of pastors who lead churches within traditionally charismatic or Pentecostal denominations were described as Reformed, while 27% identified as Wesleyan/Arminian."

It kind of reminds me of the pastor who went to a pastor's fellowship that had experienced a schism along Calvinist/Arminian lines. When he registered, for no reason that he could identify the receptionist sent him to the Arminian group. Not recognizing him, some of the delegates asked who he was and why he decided to join their part of the fellowship. When he told them that he had no choice, but was sent, they threw him out. Not knowing where else to go, he chose to go to the Calvinist meeting. You can finish the story. :) The moral is there are a lot of folk who don't fit in either end of the convention hall.

Maybe we can help each other understand what is going on.

It's Complicated . . .

2010-11-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

but politics often is.

Since it involves Sarah Palin, and she's been good enough to call my house several times in the last week, I thought I'd share something with her here. She didn't leave a number for me to call her back. I'm sure it just slipped her mind.

Anyhow:

I may not have all the details, but here is what I understand. Joe Miller, a friend of yours, won the Republican primary.

Incumbent Republican, Lisa Murkowski was not willing to rally behind Miller. Instead, with the blessing of much of the GOP establishment Ms. Murkowski is mounting a write-in campaign.

One can make a case that Murkowski had somewhat of a contract to respect the will of the primary voters. She lost. What she did seemed like bad style to me. I think her explanation, she wants the "people to have a choice," is pretty lame. Seems they had a choice and it wasn't her. I'll let others decide whether what she did was ethical. Is there such a thing as political-ethics? If so, my guess is a lot of politicians skipped that class.

I live a long way from Alaska, so I don't know much about what happened next. I understand that Murkowski's campaign was able to get some consessions from a judge, making it easier for a voter to write in. Included in these consessions was a ruling that poll workers would have a list with the names of write-in candidates who asked to be put on the list. Write-ins have to be spelled correctly. Murkowski is not the most common name.

Now, a radio talk show host--who looks a lot like a young Rush Limbaugh--gets involved. As I understand it, Dan Fagan, began promoting the idea that every Tom, Dick, and Mary, especially if their last name ended in "ski," should call the judge and get their name on this list. The idea being, this would make it harder for voters to find and copy Murkowski's name. Understandably, the Murkowski campaign was not happy with the radio voice. They made threats and Mr. Fagan found himself suspended.

There were some other media misactions, directed at Miller, that took place about the same time. While not directly related, they no doubt helped fuel to the ire.

OK, I'm not commenting on Politics, Governor Palin, I just want to talk about what is right.

I agree that as long as Fagan is not violating a law he has the freedom to spout his stuff. I have weighed-in, in the past, on protecting the freedoms of folk with whom we don't agree. (See my post from 8/24) I don't know, so I won't argue with you when you say that Miller is being treated badly.

What bothers me is I don't hear you saying that political decisions should not be decided by tricks and obfuscation--tricking people into spelling a name wrong. We should help people get the truth, persuade them to act on that truth, and pray. Winning by tricks may produce a short-term victory. It is a sure route to long-term disaster.

We can't tolerate underhanded behavior on the part of those who support our causes. If we don't condemn this stuff, at the least we appear to support it.

2010-10-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

Not only this month, but all year there are people in my life who let me know I am appreciated. A week or so ago a lady who attends my church told me that she appreciated the fact that her son "got" the message. It had given her good opportunity for conversation. A new couple expressed appreciation for the investment that I and others at CBC are making in their lives. A colleague in leadership has graciously, and conspicuously worked with me in hard times. My wife not only thanks me for sharing the Word of God in my messages, she does so with an obvious awareness of, and yieldedness to the word that was shared in the sermon. A gentleman who is part of my church just let me know that he would help me get to a meeting to which I need to go.

Perhaps the greatest appreciation: I just got off the phone with someone in whom I have invested years of ministry. We were talking about plans to invest what she/he has gained in a new generation of ministry.
There are those I have pastored who show their appreciation for what I have passed on by making tough, but right decisions.
My wife and I received gifts from our congregation this month. We appreciate each sincerely given offering of appreciation, but these "life-gifts" mean the most.
Thank you.

With that in mind I want to take a moment and mention pastors I appreciate.
Rev. Eugene Marsceau was my pastor in my later childhood and teen years. He became my Father-in-law. He taught me to love the word of God, and that people matter. Most of the churches he pastored were not successful in the way that gets one written up in a book. He succeeded with me. He is with the Lord now. I appreciate him.
Rev. Victor Decker was my pastor my last two years in college. He didn't treat me like one of the boys from the college. He regarded me as a young man headed into ministry who needed all the guidance and challenge he could give. Pastor Decker traveled more than 500 miles for my ordination. He modeled faithfulness. I appreciate you, Pastor Decker.
A pastor in another town ministered to a loved one of mine. As I put it Pastor Kirk "walked to Hell and back" with him and held his hand the whole way. I appreciate that, brother.
My Son, Chris, is Pastor of Global Outreach in a church that has more people in it on Sunday morning than live in the town where he grew up and I still pastor. I appreciate your passion, son. I greatly enjoy the relationship of colleagues in ministry that is ours. One of the most fun phone calls I ever made was calling first First Baptist in Mound City Kansas, and asking for Rev. Merrell, adding, "This is Rev. Merrell calling."
A appreciate my guys who are in Ecuador, Honduras, New Zealand and Allentown PA. It is an incredible joy to see Doug, Fred, Pink, and Daniel serving the Lord, making a difference for Him in this world. On days when things look black I hope it helps to know that I appreciate you.
I am privileged to have two friends in ministry, Billy and Dan. All three of us are pastoring our first churches. Two of us have grown gray and one nearly bald in the work of the Lord in this little mill town. These guys have pastored me, visiting me in the hospital, helped me bury my dad, and labored to keep me on track. I have breakfast with them most Thursdays. I appreciate you guys.
One of the titles by which my Lord goes is the "Chief Shepherd" (Pastor).
Lord, I so much appreciate the fact that You never leave or forsake me, and for more than thirty-seven years You have given me the opportunity to share in the work that You are doing.
Thanks!

Some Further Thoughts on Fundamentalists and Evangelicals:

2010-09-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

In a recent post I referred to a series of articles by Kevin Bauder. My knowledge of Dr. Bauder is limited. He is the president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis. He is a self-described Fundamentalist. A friend of mine who moves in those circles indicated as much. Reading the articles I am referring to will confirm this. I make this point, because what he has to say is much more significant because of who he is.
While Dr. Bauder espouses historic Fundamentalism, he levels some much needed criticism at some of the misdirected rancor, and foolish distinctions within the movement. I thank him for writing about a subject that needs to be carefully and bravely explored--. My previous post gives some of my thoughts on the matter. Though I applaud the gist of Dr. Bauder’s series and appreciate the courage that it took for a person in his position to write this series, I do have some problems with some of his thoughts. Apparently Dr. Bauder doesn’t even entirely agree with himself. If I understand his most recent post in the series, it is a rebuttal of the post prior. I guess arguing with one’s self is a sure way of assuring that you have a worthy opponent.
My intention had been to write somewhat of a critique of Bauder’s series. I have since given up that idea. I encourage others to read the series. Perhaps this blog can be the venue for a conversation about the ideas the series raises.
Here is one thought, another seasoned servant who observed the same problem but proposes a slightly different corrective:
A fellow pastor who has also raised this issue is Charles Wood (Woodchuck). He sends out a daily email, The Woodchuck’s Den, with content of interest to guys like me. For decades Pastor Wood identified himself as a Fundamentalist. He is a Graduate of Bob Jones University and he pastored churches aligned with Fundamentalism. In a recent email Wood identified himself as follows, “I consider myself a conservative evangelical, with that position delineated by the wall of Biblical inerrancy and authority.” This is not the first time Wood has used this description. In previous emails he has articulated an observation that I have made as well. Those who call themselves Fundamentalists but who live close to the boundary that separates them from the Evangelicals near the line on the other side have much more in common with their near neighbors on the other side than they do with many who also identify themselves as Fundamentalists. The same can be said from the other side. Like Wood, I frequently use the Conservative Evangelical nomenclature.
I hope I am not misrepresenting my cyber-friend, Pastor Wood, but I think he proposes forming a new group out of the Fundamentalists and Evangelicals who live close to the border. In my thinking I have already done that. Bauder wants to maintain the distinction. He sees the differences as important enough to do so. But he very much wants us to ratchet down the name-calling. He praises the Conservative Evangelicals for their defense of sound doctrine in recent decades. He speaks with approval of some within his own camp who have reached out to Conservative Evangelicals in constructive ways. “They are aware that historic, mainstream Fundamentalism has more in common with conservative evangelicals than it does with many who wear the Fundamentalist label.”
I sincerely hope that others will add their voices to these men’s. These posts on this blog represent my attempt.

An Open Letter on Quran Burning:

2010-09-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am double posting this. I just put it on my STTA blog.

An Open Letter to the Pastor and congregation of Dove World Outreach Church in Gainesville, Florida: Pastor Jones, you and I have not met, and I'm not familiar with your church. I was glad to read a statement attributed to you, that your ministry stands for the "truth of the Bible." That is a passion that I share. It is on that basis, and that we both lead flocks entrusted to us by the Chief-Shepherd, that I ask you not to burn a copy of the Quran.Several of the news articles I have seen and heard ask you to reconsider Saturday's ceremony, because it is offensive to Muslims, or because it endangers people--in particular members of our armed forces. I agree in part with your reply to these critics. While these ought to be, and I am sure are, matters of grave concern to you, they are not sufficient reasons to compromise the truth. However, I would ask you to consider the following: Islam is a religion that knows no separation from the state. In the mind of the Muslim there is no secular and sacred. A "good" Muslim government provides an environment in which its citizens can--in a sense must--be good Muslims. Of course the Mosque is in total support of such civil rule.The church, on the other hand, always has been, and very much needs to continue to be, counter-cultural. While Christians are instructed to be good citizens, we do so in full awareness that we are citizens of another, a greater, an eternal realm. The civil authority put our Lord to death, and sentenced millions of our sisters and brothers to the same fate. The Bible does not encourage us to expect much more from the goverment. We are to be the conscience to our nation, not the Bureau of Publicity-stunts.Yes, we are at war--ideological as well as military--but it is not the task of the church to wage that war. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the Crusades.
While we disagree with the truth claims contained in the Quran (and other purportedly holy books that contradict the Bible) we ought to treat these books with respect--at least in the presence of those who honor them.When the Apostle Paul was building his case that all the world stands guilty before God, one group of people he addressed was his own nation, the Jewish people. Of course Paul's countrymen were adamant about avoiding any hint of idolatry (Romans 2:22). The apostle challenged them, however, with the possibility of having desecrated temples through robbery. Apparently this was a practice that was not unknown. When Paul and his companions were brought before the judgment seat in Ephesus it was said in their defense that they were "neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess [Artemis]." (Acts 19:37)Acts of desecrating the objects of worship of others--even false objects of worship--are not in keeping with the pattern we find in the New Testament. (The fact that we do find such actions in the OT I can't consider at this point, beyond saying that we know things this side of the cross that were unknown in that era.)
When Paul found himself in one of the most pagan places in the world, Athens, he did not go about knocking down or defacing the idols and altars to false gods that were there in abundance. Rather he used the presence of these objects of worship, and the hunger in the hearts of the Athenians that these objects brought to light, to engage in one of the most brilliant pieces of evangelistic discourse ever recorded (Acts 17).
We are told, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14, NASB95) And to not "pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . . If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." While burning a copy of the Quran might make some of us feel courageous and righteous, I would recommend that which takes far more courage, and not only feels righteous, but is righteous and spreads righteousness.
Some folk I know have offered to study the Quran with nominal Muslims. As the emptiness of the book--and even more so, the emptiness it leaves in the heart--is made clear, my friends have been able to share the truth of Jesus Christ with these folk.
Another friend of mine--a tall red-head (well, it is mostly gray now)--pastors a church and leads a school in a Muslim land. He has not led followers of Mohammed to to become followers of Christ by burning copies of the Quran. He has done it by loving those whom others--even their own Muslim neighbors--have rejected. That kind of love will shine brighter and farther than any fire you will start this Saturday. Pastor Jones, I urge you not to burn the Quran, not because it is risky, but because it is wrong. Sincerely in Christ, Howard Merrell It's STTA.

Well worth reading . . .

2010-09-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

I plan to read it again.
This is from Billy Graham's grandson. Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian.
Pastor Tchividjian makes a point I have been making for years. I love it when people--especially well-known people--agree with me.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2010/08/22/we-are-one/

Folk thinking about what is going on in New York:

2010-08-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten about the Fundamentalist - Evangelical article. I'm letting it digest a bit & will get back to it.
Meanwhile, on my other blog, Something to Think About (See sidebar), I recently posted something about the controversy over the Mosque near ground zero. Since I also send STTA to a mailing list I received some replies.
Below for your convenience, I have copied the original post. After I have cut-and-pasted some of the thoughts I received. Good stuff. It would appear that folk are doing what I always hope they will do with STTA--think about it.

Monday, August 23, 2010

This could get me in trouble, but think about it:
At this point I can't imagine that anyone in the whole country is unaware of plans to build an Islamic-Center/Mosque at a site so close to where the twin towers were destroyed on 9/11 that the building currently on the site is damaged from the landing-gear of one of the planes. Various polls indicate that most Americans are opposed to it being built there. If Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf calls me and asks my advice, I'd encourage him to build the center elsewhere. (If you are reading this Feisal, my number is in the book.) However . . .Whether our nation is a "Christian" nation or not, from a historical perspective is a subject of sharp debate. Based on influence that the Bible and Christian thought have had on our culture and institutions, it seems to me that in that sense we are. We need to be aware, though, that our Founding Fathers clearly, and purposefully chose not to create a government that supported a particular religion over others. I doubt that their thinking went much beyond a consideration of the spectrum of Christendom, and perhaps Judaism, but the laws they left us, confirmed by two-and-a-quarter centuries of practice clearly extend freedom of conscience even to those whose faith is radically different than the majority view. One of the wonderful freedoms we enjoy in these United States is that minorities are protected by law. As long as the few are exercising their rights lawfully, the majority cannot deprive them of that freedom.In recent years many communities have become opposed to churches being built in their "back-yards." Objections range from traffic congestion, to noise, to loss of tax revenue. I wonder if there are other reasons that lurk below the surface. I'll not step in the same mud-hole as our President, but I do think we have to be careful how we frame our argument. Some of the rhetoric being used to discourage the building of the Cordoba Center in Lower Manhattan could be, with little change, used to oppose my grandmother's church from building a new Worship-Center on the south side of Hometown USA.Let's just make sure that we speak in favor freedoms that we might need.It's STTA.

Comments:

One respondent corrected some information: "Its not a mosque though, nor is it called the Cordoba center any longer. Its just called I think Park 51." I'll not take the time to sort out what is the current working name, etc. The respondent did go on to say that the Islamic Center would include a "prayer space." I'm not sure what the distinction, if any, between that and a mosque would be. I'll leave that to others.
The same respondent: "It was supposed to promote tolerance and inclusion of multiple faiths, but so much for that now.Some folks brought dogs to protest the morning prayers at a prayer space a few blocks away from the proposed Park 51.. classy.Ballot initiatives and movements are growing to make new mosques illegal. (I should note that similar things have just occurred in France and Denmark)
Its pretty ugly up here about it.. really embarrassing stuff. Its mainly related to the election cycle. . . . shameful."

Several respondents agreed with my sentiments--it shouldn't be built there, but it is legal for them to do so. One said, "I really hope it doesn't go up."

Interesting comparison: "Should the Japanese build a monument to their victory at Pearl Harbor AT Pearl Harbor? Probably not."

One reply recommended that if they do build it, the best response would be to ignore it. Don't let them control how we feel. "So many choose to offend. So many choose to be offended."

As I expected some readers had another view:
"You must not listen to talk radio, or you'd know there's a whole lot more to this issue than meets the eye, rendering your position way off the mark." (For the record, I had been on the road & listened to 3 radio talk-shows on the subject. It was partly what encouraged me to write.)
After referring to the similarity between interpreting scripture and the US Constitution an old friend said, "The intent of the authors has long been set aside by both conservatives and liberals, making the verbiage of the constitution fair game for most any agenda. And so the argument goes . . . until Christ returns.The building of a mosque is not a religious matter with Islam. It is an act of aggression by an enemy of the state. To apply religious freedom concepts to it is to use the wrong constitutional sections in a very unwise and improper manner." [emphasis added]

Finally, one reader offered some thoughts on even-handedness and government neutrality:
" I am concerned that the Orthodox church that was destroyed is about ready to give up fighting with the Port Authority on rules and regulations that are keeping them from building. Will the mosque encounter the same rigid standard? I thought government was to be separated from the church? If so, why is the government giving the impression they are pushing this matter forward and paying for some of the groundwork?"
This concern is bolstered by the fact that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is currently on a good-will tour as a representative of the United States.

Think on, pray much. The answer is not in a hole in New York, but on a hill in Jerusalem.

I Both Embrace and Reject Fundamentalism:

2010-08-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

Several years ago a Bible College instructor whom I greatly respect came up to me after I had been privileged to preach in chapel at the conservative, I think in the good sense of the word, Fundamental, Bible College where he teaches, and observed, "You are on a crusade, aren't you?"
I was glad he noticed. I'm not sure if he intended his comments as I took them, but I was encouraged. Perhaps I am the ecclesiastical version of Don Quixote, tilting at windmills hung from steeples, but I do continue on, lance in hand.
As far as I understand what it means to be one in the historic sense, I am a Fundamentalist. As far as how Fundamentalism has come to be defined at this point in history, I utterly reject the label. Too many Fundamentalists became too committed to too many principles, convictions, and conclusions that weren't fundamental at all. They allowed--in some cases caused--themselves to be defined by what music they didn't use, what Bible translations they rejected, which well known Evangelicals they separated from, etc., etc. They made silly distinctions, such as separating from Theologically solid people who failed to do due diligence to some Fundamentalist sacred-cow, while continuing to tolerate--in too many cases even embracing--those who hold to heresies like King-James-Only-ism. No wonder many young people who grew up watching these contradictions rejected the whole business.
When I've had the opportunity--they are few, and my circle of influence is small--I have challenged this drift in our movement. Thus my friend's observation: It may be a tempest in a Theological teapot, but I am crusading when I have opportunity.

Recently I came across an article by Dr. Kevin Bauder, President of Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis. Bauder appears to be a Fundamentalist with solid credentials, yet in his article, "Let's Get Clear On This," he chides his colleagues for some of their foolish distinctions and lack of sound thinking. I highly encourage you to read the article and then the follow-up articles, http://www.centralseminary.edu/resources/nick-of-time. The follow-up articles are listed in reverse order. As of today there are eleven. You need to scroll to page two in order to find the first one, "Now, About Those Differences, Part 1 - Why This Discussion?"

The whole set of articles is well worth the time it will take to read them. I'm so impressed, I'll be taking time to read them again. I hope to post some comments on this blog. I welcome yours.

I'm not saying buy the pants, but . . .

2010-07-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

I'll say "Amen!" to the ad.

http://www.us.dockers.com/season/landing.aspx

The consequences of a life lived based on lust:

2010-07-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we dealt with the horrendously ugly story of John the Baptist's death by beheading in Mark 6.
The consequences for John were obviously tragic. I found that it didn't work out so well for Herod, either.
William Hendriksen comments based on extra-biblical records:

a. "The increased displeasure of many of the Jews." Matthew records that Herod Antipas had been afraid to kill John because he feared the people. They recognized John as a Prophet. (Matt. 14:5)
b. "The wrath of Areta, the father of Herod’s rejected wife.
Aretas bitterly resented what Herod had done to his daughter. He therefore waged war against him and “in the ensuing battle the entire army of Herod was destroyed” (Josephus, Antiquities XVIII.114, 116, 119, for points a and b)."
c. "Banishment.
Herod Antipas later allowed himself to be persuaded by Herodias to go to Rome in order to be elevated to the rank of king, the same rank that had been granted to her brother Herod Agrippa I. However, when the latter informed Emperor Caligula about the aspirant’s plotting against the very ruler whose special favor he was now seeking, the result for the conspirator was perpetual exile to Lyons in Gaul."

Antipas was driven by a habitual pattern of giving way to whatever he wanted, and an unwillingness to do the right hard thing.

It didn't work out well.

2010-06-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

Al Mohler has posted 3 great articles related to the family--specifically the family in America--June 17, 22, & 25.

The first has some troubling thoughts about all the digital input that comes into our homes and lives--especially the lives of young people. I saw an illustration of the problem just yesterday.
The second asks some questions and makes some observations about the shift in the workplace from predominantly masculine to feminine.
The third is based on a Newsweek article. Is the family needed?

http://www.albertmohler.com/category/blog/

They are worth the time to read.

There are still ladies who desperately need to touch His garment.

2010-05-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

We are working our way through the Gospel of Mark on Sunday Mornings at CBC, so a few months ago, when I saw this article, I made a note of it. Tomorrow I'm dealing with the passage of Scripture that contains the account of the woman afflicted with a hemorrhage for 12 years, Mark 5:25-34--the lady referenced in the article's title.
We too easily divorce ourselves from the world of Scripture. "That was then; this is now." we too eagerly say. This article brought me up short. Not only does it talk about a group of ladies who are dealing with a horrendous disability--often totally unnecessarily--but it helped me realize in a new way that people haven't really changed all that much in the past two millennia. When it comes to needing the Lord, they haven't changed at all.
Jesus and the Unclean Woman

Desperately Searching for Balance:

2010-05-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

As I get older it is harder to stay balanced.
It certainly applies to me physically. I used to come down stairs in a sort of controlled fall. I could kind of kick my feet over the edge of each stair-tread and let gravity do its work. Now, with the stiffening of joints and the slow-down of my synapses, I tend to have a definite one at a time gait, and I often use the handrail. Staying upright, adapting to rapidly changing conditions and sensations, and doing so without looking like an utter fool has gotten harder--much harder.

What is true about descending a staircase is more-so in regard to mental/emotional/spiritual matters:

Part of the problem is I see and have seen the damage that comes from a lack of balance. In the same way that part of my perceived--or actual--clumsiness on a set of stairs results from my awareness of what a fall can do to my old body, my struggle with balance in other areas comes from disasters that I have seen--and caused--over the past decades. How much time do I allow "Joe Waste-a-day" take up in my schedule? I have offended Joe's sister because I didn't take time to listen when he was hurting, and I've shown up on Sunday morning unprepared because I allowed him to cut into study time. Balance!
I know that to be effective in ministry I have to be me. I've tried, and failed miserably, to exposit like MacArthur, tell stories like Swindoll, command a platform like Stowell, and administer like Maxwell. Yet I know that Popeye was on a route to failure with his, "I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam." In so many ways "I yam" not good enough. I need to grow, to become, to expand.
Balance!!
Everyday I face decisions about doing things that will benefit me, my family and my ministry in the long-term. Often focus on those big-picture matters are crowded out by the mundane. Sunday is always coming. There are always people with current needs. My desk needs cleaning & my grass has to be mowed. I know that if I will invest time and effort into long-range preparation that my right now tasks will be easier to do tomorrow and next year. I can't afford, though, to neglect a "must do" today for the sake of a "need to do" to be ready for tomorrow. Sometimes the urgent really is tyrannical to ignore its siren--as on an ambulance, not in mythology--call is to assure disaster. Yet to let it rule my life is to assure a painful death by a thousand undressed wounds.
Balance!!!

I'm trying, but not coming as near to success as I wish I were, to remember, and act on the basis that:

People matter. My computer will return to silicon. People will be somewhere for ever.
Yet properly used, the computer can enable me to do my job better than I would with just a pencil.
I shouldn't flatter myself, I'm not nearly as important or essential as I often think I am.
Having said that, if God can use others who put on their pants one leg at a time, He can use me. By His grace and enablement I am significant.
Don't spend more time on something than it is worth. A significant part of balance is proportion. For instance, I figure I've spent enough time on this. . . .

If you agree with me, I'll be glad to listen:

2010-05-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

I read a post today on Rod Dreher's blog, that jogged several things in my mind. They settled back in what seems to be a pattern that clarifies some things for me. Maybe this will help you see some things more clearly, as well.
Dreher's post is about epistemic closure--what we mere mortals would call closed-mindedness--and how to avoid it. Embedded in the post is a video by David Logan that is worth watching. It is part of what helped things gel in my mind.
The video is about tribes--not exactly Navajo or Apache, though in a sense these people-groups would fit the definition, but tribes in the postmodern sense--the clumping together of people to protect one an others mutual interests under the pressure of living in a culture where there is no overarching morality that provides security.
There is no need to repeat his stuff, I encourage you to watch the video, but looking at things through his paradigm there are the Timothy McVeys of the world--thankfully a distinct minority--the people who truly love life and bless others, and three other gradations in between. There is kind of a social inertia in these groups. Upward mobility is hard, partly because of isolation, much of it self imposed.
The video, though, is not the main point of Dreher's post. He gives a summary of a list by Will Salitan about keeping a properly open mind. He has a link to the original list of 10 points. Dreher picks four. Since the list by Salitan was published on SLATE it isn't surprising that it is critical of political conservatives. The point is basically that conservatives choose to only allow input that would confirm what they already believe. Not only is it true about some (many?) conservatives, it is a syndrome that is applies to a great many of us in a variety of realms.
I'll comment on some ways this filter-the-input mentality affects my realm:
We are instructed in scripture to guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, but that cannot mean to never entertain a thought that challenges our mental status quo. The Apostle Paul for instance was knowledgeable of the pagan philosophers of his day. Peter's command to be ready to give an answer for the reason of the hope . . . (1 Peter 3:15) implies a dialogue with those who hold another view. Yet, many evangelicals live in a world in which every element of their lives is hyphenated with "Christian." They listen to Christian-radio, shop in Christian-stores, wear Christian T-shirts or ties, etc, etc.
In our fear of not being polluted are we failing to influence? And, just perhaps, are we failing to learn some things that might be good to know?

Some other quickies:
I've read a number of criticisms of John Piper for inviting Rick Warren to speak at his conference. Maybe we should cut them some slack. Could it be that the contact will be profitable?
Many specialists in "discernment" seem to major on rationale that sounds an awful lot like:

We know that buzzards sit on eggs. This activity results in the proliferation of buzzards, an obnoxious bird, covered with germs, declared unclean by the Old Testament. A recent article in a well known periodical documented Daisy the beagle-hound incubating a clutch of eggs. Buzzards were seen circling above Daisy--clear evidence that these were buzzard eggs--at the least, Daisy showed a lack of proper regard for decency by appearing to contribute to the buzzard population. Howard Merrell once owned a beagle. Clearly he is a buzzard-sympathizer--if not a vulture in disguise.

I understand the need for proper separation, but could it be that in our fear of being exposed to something bad that we fail to be challenged to learn something greater?
There is a tendency to ridicule, or be dismissive about that, and those, with which, or with whom, we disagree. I'm somewhat of a fan of a very well-done blog, Front Porch Republic. Reading the thoughts of the ladies and gentlemen there helps keep my epistemic door open. My measurement of the discussion on FPR is "how far over my head is it this time?" Yet for all of the intellect on display, on the site, there is an unfortunate tendency to caricature and make-fun-of folk who hold views that the learned authors there choose to not consider. Sarah Palin is called a sex-pot, and evangelicals are presented as buffoons.
I would be amiss if I did not confess my own tendencies in this regard:
Yesterday I had to stifle an urge. In a magazine I saw an ad for a big gathering of Christians featuring well-known preachers. There on the page was a gentleman who a few years, ago if memory serves me well, did Fundamentalism a great disservice by doing a very good job presenting a very wrong concept. He was one of the best known proponents of the King James Only Movement. There on the same page was a man I admire greatly. I almost went into the guilt by association mode. Thankfully, I stopped--As Barney Fife used to say, "Nipped it in the bud." A practice I hope to practice more.

Her price is far above rubies:

2010-04-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

(I want to let as many of you as possible see this, so I'm putting it here as well as on the Something to Think About blog. Thanks to Janet Patton for reminding me about the description from Proverbs 31 that I put in the title.)

When I was in my fourth and fifth years of college I attended a small church in northeast Pennsylvania. The first year I was there I was separated from my fiance', Kathy. Just a few weeks after we were married we moved into our first home, a mobile-home out in the country between Baptist Bible College and the Osterhout Bible Church. There were many reasons why those two years in the little church by Susquehanna were a great time in my and our young lives. High on the list, though, of benefits of worshipping and serving with that group of country and small-town folk was the fact that Agnes Decker was the pastor's wife.
She was a pastor's wife in the old sense of the role. The life of the church was marked by her hard work, hospitality, teaching, compassion, willingness to do what needed to be done and prayer. She helped a guy who missed his girl feel at home and embraced us as newly-weds. We were welcomed to the Decker home on several occasions. Mrs. Decker, and her daughters, whom she had trained, were great hostesses and cooks. There was nothing fancy there, just good and plenty served with love.
In her later years, until her health declined, Mrs. Decker carried on a ministry via email. It was much the same as her ministry in person--she passed on what she had gained, shared kind words, and offered and encouraged prayer.
Mrs. Decker's funeral is tomorrow. To all the family, Kathy and I celebrate with Agnes Decker's life lived to the glory of God, and we pray for you in your time of loss.
Heaven will be sweet. Let's lay up treasures there. I think Mrs. Decker modeled that. I hope at one of the suppers in glory--surely there will be supper there--I can wait on Mrs. Decker. I fear, though, that she'll already have her apron on.

It's STTA.

The New Athenians:

2010-04-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

In Acts 17, Paul met a group of people who "used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new." (Acts 17:21, NASB95) So, when this little Jewish guy showed up talking about a strange god and the teaching associated with his worship they were ready to show up and jaw about it.
OK, I'll confess I just got something in my email in box that smacked me a little, so make allowances for the personal, here, but I'm struck by how many of the decisions and changes that people, especially young people make are motivated by the quest for novelty.
It seems that the folk who met Paul on Mars Hill were looking for something new to think about it. "Tell us something that will stimulate our minds, challenge the old ways of thinking, or give us an opportunity to practice our skills of argumentation. Some of my New-Athenian friends share that spirit. They are constantly reading, searching the web, blogging, and talking over their favorite adult-beverage. More of them, though, in my limited experience are not after something new to think about a novel experience. I have noticed for years that Boomers like me tend to buy stuff, houses--then bigger houses, cars--then nicer cars, clothes--then more clothes, etc.--closets, garages, and storage units full of stuff. The late George Carlin's routine about stuff was so funny because it was true. (I'm not posting a link, because his routine is also somewhat vulgar.) But I digress, back to the NewAthenians, they come from a generation who seem to be more interested in buying experiences than stuff. Their parents have full houses, they have passports full of stamps and frequent-flier accounts overflowing with points.
Mom says, "You would think since our son-in-law, has decent job, that he and Sally could afford a decent bed for the guest room." Dad replies, "Well, I don't wonder. Have we ever been to Europe?"
Paul told Timothy, "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." (2 Timothy 4:3, NASB95) If possible I think we are beyond that. Not only do the New-Athenians want to have their ears tickled, but the other four senses as well. Music is not evaluated based on whether it communicates truth, but by whether it is contemporary, cutting-edge, relevant, in a word new. Churches spend a great deal of effort and money making things look, feel, sound, and smell right (I'm not talking merely about properly cleaning bathrooms, but incense, etc. Since many new ministries adopt a coffee-shop motif, and other contemporary pastors and evangelists seem to think that it is impossible to have a meaningful conversation with a person of this generation without sharing beer or ale, even taste must be included in the mix. Stuff comes to my inbox all the time, from church decor, to stuff to project, to new paradigms for preaching and ministry, to new music, to books that promote new stuff, it is clear that a who industry has built up around reaching out the New Athenians.

That day on Mars Hill Paul presented something revolutionary. A concept so out-of-the-box that it stretched the impress-me-with-something-new minds of all but a few of the Athenians to the point of rejection. I fear that in the same way New Athenians reject this truth.
I fear that Athenians Old and New are looking for something with which to amuse themselves, something to tickle their ears (and other senses). The truth Paul was presenting, if accepted, radically changes lives. "Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33) So Paul went out of their midst. 34) But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them." (Acts 17:32-34, NASB95)
The five senses are gateways for the communication of truth. There is certainly nothing wrong with presenting that truth in stimulating, artistic, even entertaining ways, but bottom-line the question cannot be:
"Is it new?"
"Did I like it?" or
"Do I feel better?"
But, "Is it true?" and if it is, "Am I willing to change my life accordingly?"

Roeder, Tiller, Obamacare, & Me:

2010-04-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Two recent news stories have raised the issue of submission to government authority--or looked at from the other direction, civil-disobedience--to a higher level of discussion in Christian circles:
Scott Roeder, who readily admitted killing abortionist George Tiller has been sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of parole for fifty years. Since Roeder is fifty-two years old. It is almost certain that he will not leave prison alive. In his trial Roeder claimed that his killing of Tiller was justifiable homicide. His defense consisted of arguing that his killing of Dr. Tiller was justified because it resulted in saving many innocent lives--the many unborn children that Tiller will not abort. This defense is inhanced when one considers that Tillers' death might cause other abortionists to quit, saving even more lives. The fact that Tiller was well known as an abortionist who would perform late-term abortions, even when other abortionists and clinics refused, certainly raised the outrage of pro-lifers in reaction to his practice, which came to a sudden stop, when Roeder pulled the trigger.
I spoke with a Godly, law-abiding, gentle man last night. I think his take on the case is typical. "I can't condone what he did, but I don't like the fact that he was sent to jail while nothing is done to the abortionists who kill babies."
I ask myself: Suppose Roeder were released from prison on some odd appeal--one of the jury members owned stock in an abortion-center, something like that. Mr. Roeder decided to leave Kansas and was looking for a nice quiet place to live--a place like Covington, where I live. At the same time a retired George Tiller-like retired abortionist was looking for a house to buy. Both of them looked at the house next to mine. Which one would I want as a neighbor?

The other item of news, is one that was impossible to miss. The massive Health Care Reform Bill just became law. In spite of the Executive Order signed by President Obama many who have looked into the 2,000+ pages of regulations have concluded that it will mean money that comes from American tax-payers will pay for abortions.

So, was Scott Roeder justified in killing Dr. Tiller? There is no doubt that killing the abortionist prevented him from killing hundreds of children. Is killing Tiller the equivalent of shooting a man running toward a loaded school bus with a bomb in his hand?
The law and the court say no. You can do some web search on JH and you'll find that from the accepted definition Roeder's guilty verdict was appropriate. Among other criteria the threat has to be immediate. Dr. Tiller was not scrubbing for an abortion in church, where Roeder killed him.
When Paul told the Romans to submit to civil authorities, I think we can be sure that ths government of Caesar was involved in taking innocent life. In a short time some of those innocents would be Christians slaughtered in the arena. That knowledge was not hidden from the Holy Spirit as He moved Paul to write, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." (Romans 13:1, NASB95)

A similar, though less violent, question relates to taxes. If in fact it is demonstrated that, in spite of assurances made to Representative Stupac, my tax money is used to kill unborn children, should I then refuse to pay my taxes?
The question wasn't related to abortion, but Jesus was asked in Matthew 22:15-22, "Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
Famously, Jesus replied, ". . . render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

I'm looking forward to hearing from some of you, but my answers are:

While I sympathize with Roeder, and would much prefer him as a neighbor to a retired abortionist, had I been a member of the jury I would have had to vote, "Guilty."

And, I figure that, yes, indeed, some of my taxes will fund abortions--which I totally oppose--yet in a few days, I will go through my yearly tribulation associated with paying my tax. I'll work hard to pay the government no more than I owe, but I'll conscientiously pay what I owe.

What do you think?

Here is the conclusion. You may find the way he gets there informative and interesting.

2010-04-01T19:39:00.001-07:00

From an Article on Al Mohler's blog:

The modern world does not exist without science and technology, but science does not rule the world. In a democracy — especially a democracy governed by the First Amendment — a healthy debate on all these issues will reach virtually every American institution, including the public schools. School boards and legislatures are answerable to the people — not to a regime of scientists.

Science is a cultural product that inevitably reflects the society it serves. This can be as breathtakingly impressive as the NASA missions to the moon, or as morally reprehensible as the Nazi medical experiments. Modern cultures cannot exist without modern science, but science is not the non-ideological and non-political world of knowledge many presume it to be. That presumption, to borrow Charles Haynes’ words, is “both wrong and dangerous.”

(Read it all)

They are wacko, nut-jobs. Just because they quote the Bible, that does not make them Christian!

2010-03-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

I heard a snatch of this on the news, while I was doing something else, so I didn't get it all, then a colleague sent me this link about the Hutaree. A so called "Christian" militia group in the Midwest. The members of this group are arming for a battle that they claim is predicted in scripture. According to the article linked above, the Hutaree

planned to "levy war" against the U.S. government. To incite such a war, the group planned to murder law enforcement officials and then follow up their initial attacks with a separate attack on the fallen officers' funeral(s), where a large number of law enforcement personnel would no doubt be gathered.

When I looked at the Hutaree website I didn't see that plan, but I can't say.

A couple things concern me--maybe alarm me:

First, these folk appear to be serious nut-jobs. We can't totally ignore the websites and rhetoric of groups like this.

Second,the story about a member fleeing from the FBI, crawling through a creek and then traveling by car, checking in on the Internet at WIFI spots, reminded me of some friends from my youth who were caught up in a similar cultic organization. The sad thing is the communist takeover that my friends felt was sure to come and that caused them to run and hide, never did come. Sadly, their life has decimated by other problems. Could these real problems have been avoided or dealt with had my friends not used up so much time and effort fighting--or preparing to fight--a menace that never materialized?

Third, some elements of the media seem to be implying that this is normal behavior for Christians, or at least those dreaded right-wing evangelicals. The article referenced above contains this:

With other news of vandalism and harassment from right-wing activists angry about the passage of health care reform, some commentators are already depicting the arrests as a further sign of how conservative activists are promoting violence in their ranks.

Fourth: When we as Bible believing Christians use language that is needlessly inflammatory, and when we fail to condemn groups like Hutaree we give credence to the view that puts Millions of Americans who will worship the Lord this Easter morning on the same plain the camo-wearing, gun-toting radicals who were just arrested.

The Huteree has an unbiblical eschatology, they hold to the idea that if God says He is going to do something that He needs people to help Him along, and they completely miss what the Bible says about being a good citizen (Romans 13, for instance).
I don't know who they are, but I know what the Huteree is not--Christian.

Pictures from my 60th:

2010-03-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Click Here:

Our Ethical Health is What Really Needs Reform:

2010-03-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the recently passed health-care bill, and the "process" that led to its passage. I'm amazed at how many people I run into who are angry, sad, afraid, or in other ways very upset about what happened in Washington. Comments contain words like, trickery, liars, flim-flam artists, devious, weak, sold-out, just-in-it-for-what-they-can-get. To say the least a great many people are upset.
There are thinkers and doers more capable than me who are encouraging political action. I'm listening, and I hope you are, as well. Rather than add my voice to the political conversation, what I want to do is seize on this teachable moment to point out how this monumental legislative/political struggle has shown that our culture is no longer standing on a foundation of truth and an ethic of right and wrong. Congress, and way to many of those of us who vote for congress-persons have taken our ethical motto from a popular advertising campaign and comedy routine, "Git-er-done!" I would add one word. "Just git-er-done!" Whatever it takes, whatever corners must be cut, however deeply the truth must be trampled into the mud, no matter if people less powerful than we must be hurt, just make sure at the end of the day that the task at hand is done.

Herewith I offer my top ten (maybe with a bonus or two) ways you know your ethics are slipping (or are already gone):

10 When you have start most of your statements with, "What I really meant was . . ."
The Bible puts forth this simple ethic, "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no." (James 5:12)
9) When the question that precedes any promise made is what, "What will you give me if . . . ?"
In describing the man of sterling character, the Psalmist describes him as someone "Swears to his own hurt and does not change." (Psalm 15:4, NASB) He keeps his word even when it costs him. From beginning to end, many of those who have populated the news have offered their oath to the highest bidder.
8) When your attitude about rules is, "If they will help me accomplish my goal, I support them, but if they are in my way I'm prepared to ignore, distort, or change them in a suspect way.
7) When those who are weak are looked at not as someone to be protected, but someone who can be used, ignored, or run-over to accomplish my goal."
6) When the ethical positions of others are instantly labeled as prejudices, thus making it easier for me seek to buy, beat, or ignore them.
5) When I am prepared to introduce totally unrelated incentives to accomplish my goal.
"If you won't tell mom, I'll give you my ice cream." can easily become, "If you don't tell the boss about me padding me my expense account I'll take your weekend on-call shift." which is just a short distance from, "If you'll vote for this bridge in my district, I'll give my vote on this legislation that affects an entire nation for decades."
4) When you are willing to listen to, and act favorably on the kind of approach in #5.
>3) When self-interest, like keeping my job, not getting caught, being reelected, or ending up with more at the end of the day, trumps all other concerns.
Look at Habakkuk 1:16. The ancient Chaldeans were so dedicated to the God of "WHAT WORKS" that offered sacrifices to the tools of their trade.
2) When you outsource matters of conscience to others.
I.E. Students who figure it is the teacher's job to keep them from cheating, workers who only work when they have to, drivers who only obey the law if they think there is a cop watching, or congressmen who say, "'If you don't tie our hands, we'll keep stealing." Character is what you are when no one is watching. Only a culture that has no respect for character continues to honor those who demonstrate that they have none.
1) When the prime question ceases to be, "What should I do?" and becomes a combination of, "What do I want?" and, "What can I get by with?"

11) When the word "principle" is almost always preceded by some version of "compromise" or followed by "but."

12) When people are expendible but getting what I want is not.
Read the rest of Psalm 15 and note the restraint of the man of integrity. The Archangel Michael showed Satan more respect than many of the addressed as "The Honorable" show one another.

2010-03-22T09:03:00.001-07:00

When I got up this morning my health was not significantly different than it was last night when I went to bed. My knees are still a little stiff--not bad, though, for an old guy who wrestled, jogged, skied, and in other ways used them fairly hard. Though I haven't checked, I assume that my cholesterol still tends high. I took my meds. My gutter still needed fixing, and last night's storm caused some water to leak in my basement. I don't want to diminish the importance of last night's "historic," "precedent setting," and "breaking" legislation.
But more important than my knees, and blood-stream and anything that happened in any capital last night, God is still on the throne. The Lord Who gave comfort to the Jews in Exile in Assyria and Babylon, Who encouraged the Maccabees as they fought the Greeks--elephants and all--Who kept the early Christians calm as they faced lions in the arena, and gave courage to Wycliffe, Luther, Huss, and thousands of modern Christians who stand firm in hard-times, is still on the throne.

Yes, write your congressman, vote to "throw the rascals out," or keep the less rascally in, but don't forget the source of our real security.

I've been thinking about hope--Easter is coming. There is hope on this side of the cross, no matter what congress does or doesn't do.

Sausage, Laws, A Dead-Horse, and US:

2010-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of my Father-in-law's favorite jokes had to do with a man who decided to market rabbit-meat by grinding the little critters up into sausage. It turned out, though, that it takes a lot of bunnies to make a batch of sausage so the entrepreneur came up with a solution. He'd simply mix in a little non-rabbit meat. He had no trouble getting horse-meat in large quantities so he began a little. No one seemed to notice, so he added a little more, and so on.
One day a suspicious consumer asked him about the mix. He assured the consumer that his sausage was 90% rabbit--Nine rabbits to one horse.
Lately the news has been full of references to sausage-making. The references, or course, are to law-making,
ot meat-packing. A lot of us smell some equine in our hare.
Instead of just griping about the "mess in Washington," perhaps it would be profitable to do some self-examination. Is my speech marked by integrity, or am I trying to hide a dead horse?

It's STTA.

Two worthwhile pieces by other guys:

2010-03-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

I read stuff on Front Porch Republic fairly often. I find Mark Mitchell to be thoughtful, and kind, even when he is taking on issues with which he very much disagrees. Here is an article he wrote about Ms. Coach. I've been teaching a group of Junior Hi kids in Sunday School about gender-role models, etc., so I found the article quite interesting.
(I need to say that there are some articles on FPR with which I disagree. In fact I find some of them needlessly insulting. It is not a Christian site, but if you know how to eat fish, you may find some stuff worth thinking about there.

Then there is an aritcle that encourages me greatly. My son, Chad, has been on a major Christian-growth curve for the past couple of years. Here is an article that gives some of his thoughts on a rich Old-Testament passage. Not bad for a guy who manages chickens.
He's still working on it, but it is worth thinking about.

Micah 7:16-20

16 All the nations of the world will stand amazed
at what the LORD will do for you.
They will be embarrassed
at their feeble power.
They will cover their mouths in silent awe,
deaf to everything around them.
17 Like snakes crawling from their holes,
they will come out to meet the LORD our God.
They will fear him greatly,
trembling in terror at his presence.
18 Where is another God like you,
who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever,
because you delight in showing unfailing love.
19 Once again you will have compassion on us.
You will trample our sins under your feet
and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
20 You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love
as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.

I think that I am finally, maybe, starting to understand God’s grace. I have been thinking about this passage for a long time. I used it as an example in a lesson I taught a few Sundays back, and realized that there was just so much more here, than I had originally seen. Verse by verse, we see so much of who God is, and what His grace is all about. We see a picture of who God truly is and what makes Him happy. He is powerful, sovereign, Holy, fully at rule. Yet unfailingly loving, faithful, compassionate, timeless.

V16-17
We see a picture of the awesome power of the Lord. Nations will be embarrassed by their feeble power! Even crawling out of their holes like snakes to come and meet the Lord our God, in total awe! Sheepishly, scared, reverent, yet compelled to come. This is an amazing picture of a sovereign God, completely at rule. His rule can not be questioned! Even nations, powerful nations, are feeble in comparison. I picture leaders stricken silent, with the sudden knowledge that their words don’t measure up in HIS presence. Snakes crawling out of their holes, fearing Him but coming to meet Him. It is impossible to view a right picture of God, seeing Him for who He truly is (Holy, Sovereign) and not be in awe, not fear Him and tremble at our unworthiness to be in His presence. Our unworthiness in comparison to His Holiness demands consequence. There is no hiding, so we come out of our holes, trembling at the thought of what we deserve, knowing that He has all power, knowledge and authority to exact our deserved consequences on us.
As I read the verses again, I wonder, “Do I ever come to a place where I am in awe of the Father? Where the sounds of the world around me, all its distractions are inaudible due to my complete attention on Him?” Am I ever intentional about seeing Him for all He is? Then bowing in awe?
V18-20
This is fast becoming one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Maybe the truest picture of God’s grace that I have ever read.
In verse 18, the author recognizes that ONLY God can pardon. The same God who causes nations to be embarrassed and feel feeble as they tremble, is the God who pardons! He hates my sin, but does not stay angry with me! And why? Because He DELIGHTS in showing me unfailing love. It makes Him happy to love me! The God who puts nations to trembling, DELIGHTS in showing me his unfailing love.
His Power is shown in v19, and His power stems out of compassion. Even in His power HE is showing me unfailing love. Out of compassion he exacts consequence upon my sin, and NOT upon me. Out of compassion he acts in great power, not toward me, but toward my sin. He sees me separate from my sin.
V19b, I love this part: He TRAMPLES my sins under His feet and he throws them into the depths of the ocean! He ALWAYS wins over evil. Sin has no place with Him, and puts it away from Him! Picture that, a rock being thrown into the ocean. How insignificant and forgotten that rock becomes in the expanse of an ocean! It barely makes a ripple, maybe a small splash and then, it is consumed, it disappears, it is gone. And not only is it under water, but the waves of the ocean and the currents of the water continually bury it further under. Even breaking it down further, until it is gone, unrecognizable, forgotten forever.
I can in my mind picture throwing enough rocks into a river or a small lake to be able to finally discern a pile of rocks, maybe even change the flow or landscape of the body of water, But an ocean? Dumptrucks of my sin (rocks) could be dumped into an ocean of grace and still they would be buried, and rendered insignificant under the waves. His grace is like the ocean! He throws my sin into an ocean of grace. He forgets my sin, but remembers me with unfailing love. That is what God’s grace looks like.
And finally, verse 20, He will show me His faithfulness and unfailing love just as He promised Abraham and Jacob. His promises are still true, and just as relevant as they were in the Old Testament. Our God is timeless, and His promises never expire. I can rest on the same promises as Abraham and Jacob. God is eternal. Eternally Good. Eternally powerful. Eternally Loving. Eternally Holy. Eternal Grace.
Thank you Father for your ocean of grace. For trampling sin underfoot. For loving me unfailingly. For Delighting in your love for me.

Just, Don't Bother Me. Radical Independence:

2010-03-12T03:48:00.000-08:00

There has never been a time in the history of mankind when we have not resisted the obligations that come to us because of relationships. Cain plaintively, and probably angrily, asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
I see the question/objection being posed louder and more frequently, than ever.
Each of us are in a variety of relationships--family, work, church, teams, friendships, citizenship, etc. To one degree or another we all gain benefits from these circles of connection.
I'd appreciate your input on this matter, but it appears to me that there is a growing unwillingness in our culture to allow those various interconnections to meaningfully affect the life we live. It's as if we join the "Ford Drivers Club" so we can enjoy the good times, but then get terribly upset when one of our fellow "Fordies" questions our decision to buy a new Chevy.
It shouldn't surprise you, since my life is very tied up in the church, but I see it clearly in the way people regard their relationship to the community of faith. "Church should comfort and encourage me, never confront me."
My post on February 4, a review of the book Sex and the iWorld, speaks to this point, as well.
Like I say, I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Some Thoughts from a Friend on Lent:

2010-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

(If you aren't a regular follower of this blog--and that would include most of you--you won't have any context for the well-thought--primarily because they aren't my thoughts--comments that follow. I wrote several short spots about Lent "from a guy who is more likely to have lint on his sweater than ashes on his forehead." These were sent out as daily Somethings to Think About, and can be found at http://sttaspots.blogspot.com/. I also posted some articles in an earlier entry on this blog.)

A friend who identifies himself as one of the "younger, thinking Christian[s] who is turning back to tradition," that I mentioned in one of the earlier article. I can tell you that he is a thouhtful person. LIke many young people, he is in a time of transition. His thoughts are worth considering.

While I have been enjoying your reflections, there is something lacking that I would like to comment on. There is very little discussion on the aspect of community in Lenten tradition, as well as other liturgical tradition. Is Lent Biblical? In the strictest sense, certainly not. However, it is a long standing church tradition that has been observed my many different theological traditions in the Church. It varies of course. I am giving up meat, so should I eat fish on Fridays? Or is Sunday a Sabbath from my fast where I can eat whatever meat I want? But you have covered all of that.

What I think is lacking in STTA is a reflection on the drawing into community that Lent and other traditions bring to traditions. There are certainly people who practice Lent in isolation. But I would argue that that lacks a fundamental understanding of liturgy. Tradition [liturgy] is necesarrily tied to community. It is its fundamental means of continuation. Tradition does not come about because individuals engage in a practice. It is passed from one person to another historically. That is how it becomes tradition. It is passed through community. This can be cross-applied to a contemporary community as well. An individual engages in tradition as a member of a community. Without a broader community engaging in the practice, there is no tradition. For Lent that broader community is the Church. (Hopefully, it is also a local church, such as mine, that is practicing aspects of liturgy together and being drawn together through that practice.)

So I guess what I am trying to say, is that community is at the heart of Lent, and tradition. That is what makes it beautiful. That is why it is important to me. In practicing Lent, I am being drawn in to Church tradition and taking part in a specific practice with others world-wide. I am also taking part in this with my local church community in a way so that we can engage in communal reflection and repentance. The individual sacrifice is important, but it's not a draw for me. I am far from an ascetic. But once you bring in the broader community, there is an aspect of 'should.' Not in a "I'm a better Christian because I don't eat meat for the next 40 days," kind of should. But in a "As a member of this community, you should join with us in practicing Lent, whether that means giving up chocolate, TV, or something else." So that's what I think about.

I would have to say that my young friend is right, not only specifically in regard to a missing element in this discussion, but more generally and profoundly, in that God never intended for Christianity to be a solo performance. While my assembly of believers is not one where we encourage one another to observe the Lenten Season, it is an assembly that nurtures me in pursuing a more Godly life. That is an aspect of Christian experience that I need more of, and I need to do more of.
So, thanks to my young, thinking, backward-looking (in a good sense) friend, for giving me something to think about.
By the way, as I get my heart ready for the somber observance of Christ's death and the joyful celebration of His resurrection, I'm planning to read through--using a Gospel Harmony--the life of Christ.

A Different View from My Keyhole:

2010-02-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

As I type, I'm looking out on green, and flowers, and palm trees. I'm a guest of my friends David and Joyce Owen. They are missionaries with Liebenzell Missioun USA, and Dave is the President of Pacific Islands University. We just finished our annual, three-day Board meeting.
Serving on the board of PIU is great privilege. It has given me opportunity, in a very small way, to have an impact on the growth of the church, and indeed the entire future, in this unique part of the world.
I'll share some more later, but let me simply say right now, I'm reminded of the little children's song we sing, "Red, brown, yellow, black, and white . . ." Not only does Jesus love all the people of the world, but in their heart all the people of the world have the same needs.
You folk back home, enjoy the brisk air.

Lent?

2010-02-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

For the next several days I'll be sharing some daily thoughts about Lent on STTA. If you don't receive it via email you can find these thoughts on the STTA Blog. It is linked on this site. I guess you could call these posts, "Thoughts on Lent from a Guy Who Doesn't Do It."
I'll be putting some additional information here.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Here is an article from the Catholic Encyclopedia, which will likely tell you more than you want to know about the subject of Lent, but hopefully will contain somethings that will interest you: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm

Here is an article from one of the more thoughtful Evangelicals of our day, John Piper, about some ways you might want to consider that might help you accomplish some of the good purposes of Lent in your heart: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1987/3673_Lenten_Preparations_for_Good_Friday_and_Easter/

The Reformers made these points against unreformed Rome, but they were well aware that in making them they were fighting over again Paul's battle in Romans and Galatians against works, and in Colossians against unauthentic traditions, and the battle fought in Hebrews against trust in any priesthood or mediation other than that of Christ. And (note again!) they were equally well aware that the gospel of the five "onlies" would always be contrary to natural human thinking, upsetting to natural human pride, and an object of hostility to Satan, so that destructive interpretations of justification by faith in terms of justification by works (as by the Judaizers of Paul's day, and the Pelagians of Augustine's, and the Church of Rome both before and after the Reformation, and the Arminians within the Reformed fold, and Bishop Bull among later Anglicans) were only to be expected. . . .
To the Reformers' doctrine of justification by faith alone Reformed theology has held down the centuries, maintaining it to be both scriptural in substance and life-giving in effect.17 This tenacity has, however, involved constant conflict, as it still does. Two things have long threatened the truth as stated: first, the intruding of works as the ground of justification; second, the displacing of the cross as the ground of justification. Both are familiar weeds in the church's garden; both express in very obvious ways the craving for self-justification which lurks (often in disguise!) in the fallen human heart.

Read the entire article by J. I. Packer,SOLA FIDE: THE REFORMED DOCTRINE
OF JUSTIFICATION

Helping boys become the right kind of men:

2010-02-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Right after the Superbowl I posted a Something to Think About piece that spoke about an obvious theme in the Superbowl ads--the struggle with being a man in today's world. (Click here, and scroll to Monday February 7) In that post I referenced an article by Al Mohler.
Since then several readers commented on the my piece. One mom of a young teen guy, after commenting on the difficulty of encouraging guys to defend the honor of women in today's nonviolent era, said of her son, " He is very protective of [his sister]. I get that this is an internal "thing," a built-in impulse, probably a God-given reaction to defend, but isn't it just easier to give the kid a bottle of masculinity? [referring to a new line of "hyper-masculine" cosmetics for guys, mentioned by Mohler in his article]Problem noted--yes, but solution found--no."
I also noticed since I wrote the article that I actually had missed a couple of commercials about the issue. Several talking heads on TV have also picked up on the theme. I'm not sure if he intended it as such, but Mohler posted another piece about young men that is a good follow-up.

OK there is the background for what can be a great conversation. I am confident that my friend is not the only one who has questions about guiding boys into becoming solidly Christian men. Some books by good people have been written on the subject.
What ideas do you have?
What has worked?
What books or other resources have you found helpful and why?

Try to keep your input short. Check back, read the comments, and let's help one another.

Let's see where it goes.

A review of the book by Dale S. Kuehne, SEX and the iWORLD:

2010-02-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

In a world where the Ten Commandments are banned from court houses and social Mores are consistently ignored or overthrown what rules are there to guide us in our social interactions? Dale S. Kuehne observes that there are three taboos which govern the “iWorld,” his descriptive title of the dominant culture of the West in the Twenty-first Century:
1. One may not criticize someone else’s life choices or behavior.
2. One may not behave in a manner that coerces or causes harm to others.
3. One may not engage in a sexual relationship with someone without his or her consent. (p. 71)
Brave or not, this is the new world in which we live.
In Sex and the iWorld Kuehne contrasts three paradigms for finding meaning in life—the tWorld, traditional, the past; the iWorld, individualistic, the present; and the rWorld relational, proposed. While a discussion of sexual matters is very much a part of the book, the presentation of the three worlds is much broader than that. Sex, being an important part of who we are and our relationships, serves in the text as a window into relationships in general.
The first four chapters provide a description of, and contrasts between, the tWorld and the iWorld. The fourth chapter is devoted to an examination of “humans, human relationships, and sexuality” in the iWorld (p. 44). The rest of the book is devoted to describing the rWorld. While Kuehne is not heavy handed in his treatment, he does make it clear that a world in which relationships, with our God and others, dominate is superior not only to the individualistic way of life that dominates the West at the beginning of this millennium, but to the traditional patterns that gave meaning to life from the Greeks through the Cleavers (Ward, June, Wally, and The Beaver).
The difference between the three worlds can be seen by asking a denizen of each realm a basic question: How does one achieve happiness? The tWorlder would reply that one achieves meaning in life by accepting the role into which she or he is born, respecting the boundaries that define how one lives in that realm and then living life fully in that capacity. The citizen of iWorld is all about removing all impediments to freedom and self-expression as the means to achieving the good life. While the rWorld advocate would say that we were made to relate; we are at our best when we respect and develop relationships—with our Maker, with family, and others. While the tWorld and rWorld have some key similarities, Kuehne makes plain:

I do not want to return to the tWorld, and this book does not recommend that we try. The tWorld contained much that was good and that is consistent with my faith, but unfortunately it also contained many evils. . . . Instead I am arguing that in rediscovering the relational essence of Christianity and in seeking to live accordingly, society would actually be doing something that has never been done well. In short, I am asking you to be open to the possibility that what I am about to describe is something that has been often misunderstood and never fully lived. (p. 97-98)

Anyone who is aware of the radical changes that took place in our world around the 60s will be familiar with most of what Kuehne has to say about the contrast between the t and the i Worlds. Anyone familiar with the Bible’s teaching on sexuality, relationships, and meaning in life will likewise be disappointed if he is looking for something new in the author’s proposal for a new paradigm. But, then, didn’t Solomon say that the quest for the novel is a fruitless search? In spite of the book dealing with mostly familiar material the organizational matrix Kuehne provides is worth the read. Actually, if a reader figures that he already mostly knows about the information referenced above, what he might want to do is read the introduction, then read chapter 10, and then decide whether to read the rest of the book.
The author labors the point that this is not a Christian book per se. Kuehne identifies himself as a pastor and professor of politics. He claims to be writing primarily as the latter. A non-Christian will likely find the disclaimers disingenuous. As a conservative Christian I found them unnecessary. As one who preaches from and seeks to live by the Bible, I found little if anything with which to disagree. The author is in favor of traditional marriage, does not accept homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle, and rejects the idea that for a person to not fulfill his sexual desires—whatever flavor they be--is the sure road to unfulfillment, if not downright neurosis.
From my perspective in the pastoral trenches it was a worthwhile 220 page read.

The Blind Side

2010-01-23T05:54:00.001-08:00

Last week my wife and I went out on a date and watched the Movie, The Blind Side.
We liked it. My interest in the movie was piqued by a review/news-story in World Magazine,http://www.worldmag.com/articles/16071. A couple of other folk that I know and trust spoke well of it, so . . .
The Tuohy family, though like many of my friends in some ways, is differnt than the average church family with which I am familiar. As their son says, they own like a million Taco Bells. (I'm drawing that from memory, so cut me some slack.) They live in a house that tempted my wife to envy, drive BMWs, and have their kids in a private school that is obviously a place where the kids of well-healed Christians can go be educated safe from the unwashed masses.
The movie milks that stereotype for a while. The school is devoid of people of color, except for Big-Mike, the young man the Tuohys rescue. At first most of the teachers--in particular one old, very-white male--portray the snooty attitude that the critics of Evangelicals love to characterize us with. This tension comes to a head at a lunch with Mrs. Tuohy and some of her friends. They are giving the commonly held view that we should help the unfortunate, but let's not get involved to the point that it gets messy. Leigh Anne Tuohy--whom my wife greatly admired for feistyness--let them know in no uncertain terms that she could buy an overpriced salad somewhere else.
One of the reasons that I would recommend that Evangelical Christians watch this movie is it challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. In one scene Leigh Anne is interviewing a potential tutor for Michael. All the questions have been asked when Miss Sue--this is Memphis--says that she needs to reveal something before they are done. Is she a convicted felon, was she fired from her last job for stealing family heirlooms? No, she is a Democrat. It is almost over-the-top, but not quite. Having some friends who fervently believe in the Inspirtation of Scripture, the Diety of Christ, the Substitutionary atonement, and that Ronald Reagan was our greatest president--all on an equal footing--I understood the line. Mr. Tuohy's joking response about having to adopt a black son before becoming friends with a Democrat helped redeem the mood.
All of us who have ever tried to do anything for someone have heard lines similar to one offered to Leigh Anne, "You have changed his life." Likewise all of us who have ever tried to help someone for the right reason understand Leigh Anne's response, "No, He changed my life."

I liked Quintin Aaron's (Michael Oher)acting job. He kind of reminded me of Clint Eastwod in an old Italian Western. Most of his lines were facial expressions. If I don't say I liked Sandra Bullock my wife will be mad at me, but I liked the way she played the role even without the threat.
In short, these are real people. They come across that way. The movie entertained me, and challenged me. There is some languqge I wouldn't particularly want younger kids to hear, and there are some intensly emotional scenes. The Plugged In review gives plenty of information about the films content. http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/blindside.aspx

Some Thoughts on New Year & The Old One:

2010-01-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Kathy and I were able to visit with both our sons and their families over the holidays. We attended church with Chad, Tanisha, Christopher, Carrington, Madeline, and Kendal on the last day of last year. Chad wrote following after processing the introduction to his pastor's message. Amen! to Pastor John & Chad:

NO REGRETS FOR 2009:

I hear so many people saying "good riddance" or "thank God that year is over" about 2009. As our pastor pointed out last week...."God was still on the throne during 2009" and "will be still in 2010." I have been thinking on this alot this week. While God is not a vindictive God and does not hurt his people, and does not deal in vindictive punishment, He does however allow us the consequences of our decisions, our actions. He is sovereign, fully in charge and fully at rule, and nothing caught him off guard in 2009 or any other time. In his Omnipotence He knows what we need, and what needs to happen. In his Sovereignty he interjects where He knows he should, and allows things to happen so that we will eventually have the chance to make the decision of coming to the end of ourselves, and turning to Him. I am thankful for the good and the bad from 2009. The good that blessed me, and the bad that blessed me in "pruning me" for new growth, and turning me toward the Sovereign Father!

I pray that 2010 will bring more growth, in me and in my family. and that I will more than any other year be able to lead my family closer to HIM.

New Year's Eve Thoughts, Especially for my church family:

2009-12-31T09:28:00.001-08:00

It's New Years Eve.
For me the transition from one thing to another is palpable. Right now my son is off finishing up business in the Global Outreach Department of the church where he ministers. In a ministry the size of theirs, tomorrow will be too late; certain things have to be finished today so that important good deeds can be done in the New Year. The accounting folk at Chris's church remind us of, and reinforce, a universal truth--What we do today always leads to what we can do tomorrow.
There is another reason that I feel the transition. Before the day is done I will have departed my son's house. Last week with Chad and his family, and this week with Chris and his, have been wonderful, in a way that only a grandparent can understand. Half a work-week of driving is in front of us. I expect to use a good portion of it doing just that, working--laptop + cellphone + place to sit = office. At the moment nothing else is going on, so I'm already working. As another preacher famously said, "Sunday's Comin'."
Often times sermons coalesce around a question, or a contrast. I'm note sure yet which category to put this thought in, but in rough form, here it is in interrogative form: Do we spend too much time thinking of what we can do, and not enough about what we should do? I'm thinking not only about Sunday's sermon, but 2010 in my life and the life of my church. Since I'll turn 60 in a few months I'm thinking as well of the outcome of this mostly spent life of mine--but I'll avoid the maudlin. I'm thinking of the disciples looking in a little boy's lunchbox and concluding--by mathematic certainty--that they couldn't feed the 5,000, and Jesus insistence that they consider what they should do. Or, Esther very correctly telling her uncle that if she appeared uninvited before the king it would likely lead to her death--pretty good support for "I can't"--and Mordcai's insistence on, "Yes, but you should." Or Daniel, faced with the King's trumped up edict against prayer to anyone other than the King, himself, who refused to say "I can't."--sounds reasonable to me--and instead said, "I should continue my pattern of prayer unchanged." Many of you readers will remember my son's message about Jonathan, who with his armor-bearer crawled up the cliff to the Philistine camp. The question, "Can we?" was ludicrous--on a level with, "If we feed pigs bird-seed, can they fly?" Clearly he was motivated by should rather than could, and his energy came from a potential resource that we desperately need to factor into our equations for future plans, "perhaps God."
For the past couple of years at Covington Bible we have begun the year with serious doubts about whether we could achieve the budget put before us. God has enabled us to finish each year in the black. Adopting a yearly budget always puts us on a spectrum. On one end are the disciples looking at the little boy's lunch, flanked by charts and spreadsheets saying, "Here is what we can do." On the other end of the spectrum there is Jonathan, already climbing, waving a beckoning arm to his companion, saying, "I'd rather die on the cliff doing what I should do, rather than rot back in the camp doing what I can--PERHAPS GOD . . . !"

In my personal life what should I do? How does my conclusion about what I should do stretch the limits of what I conclude that I can do?
In my family . . . ?
In my career . . . ?
In my ministry . . . ?
In (fill in the blank) . . . ?
Collectively, in the life of my church . . . ?
The Spirit-inspired author of Esther does his job so effectively, that though God is never mentioned in the book I cannot hear the scene played out with out hearing God's name. Perhaps (God) has brought you to a position of royalty for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14)

Clearly we are here for a reason. What should we do?
I'd appreciate your input.

Some Christmas Foolishness--Really, nothing serious here:

2009-12-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

My Brother-in-law sent this to me. Make sure that you read below the picture:

This explanation was with the picture:

"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down.First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

The Manhattan Declaration--and it has nothing to do with an Atomic Bomb:

2009-11-20T17:59:00.000-08:00

A number of leaders from the various branches of Christendom gathered in Manhattan to issue a clear statement about a number of cultural/social/ethical issues that threaten the ethical fabric of our world today.
The Manhattan Declaration begins with a summary of the impact of Christianity on nations where the shadow of the cross has fallen. From the rescue of abandoned children in Rome, to the preservation of learning in the middle ages, to the opposition to slavery, to the civil rights movement of the last century, the church has, in spite of its "imperfections and shortcomings," been a blessing in this world.
Continuing this tradition of standing for righteousness, the declaration speaks to issues related to

Life: The declaration speaks against a "culture of death [that] inevitably cheapens life in all its stages and conditions by promoting the belief that lives that are imperfect, immature or inconvenient are discardable."
Marriage: The signatories endorse the view that marriage is a unique institution. "Marriage then, is the first institution of human society - indeed it is the institution on which all other human institutions have their foundation. In the Christian tradition we refer to marriage as "holy matrimony" to signal the fact that it is an institution ordained by God, and blessed by Christ."
With compassionate firmness Christians must resist the various attempts to redefine, or diminish the respect for marriage.
Religious Liberty: "religious liberty is grounded in the character of God Himself . . . the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the example of Christ Himself and in the very dignity of the human person created in the image of God. . . . No one should be compelled to embrace any religion against his will, nor should persons of faith be forbidden to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. . . .

Perhaps most significant is the commitment to resist the erosion of ethical standards in our culture. Commenting on the dual-citizen-status of God's people the declaration says, ". . . we take seriously the Biblical admonition to respect and obey those in authority. . . . The biblical purpose of law is to preserve order and serve justice and the common good; yet laws that are unjust - and especially laws that purport to compel citizens to do what is unjust - undermine the common good, rather than serve it. . . ." The declaration goes on to promise noncompliance to government edicts that compel actions that violate these Biblical standards.

"We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar's. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God's."

You can read the Manhattan Declaration in its entirety at http://www.demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers

The leaders who put the Manhattan Declaration together didn't ask me to sign it, but I do agree with it, at least enough so that I would. I'll have more to say in days to come. The guys who signed the MD, as well as the rest of you, are welcome to comment.

Helping People Do Right, or Helping Them to Feel Better About Doing Wrong?

2009-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

In doing some research for Sunday's message I ran across an excellent article related to idolatry and psychological health, http://jamiehart.typepad.com/files/idols-of-the-heart-powlison.pdf

Here is a sample:

The solution, without exception, is to offer different and
presumably more workable idols, rather than repentance unto
the Bible’s Christ! Secularistic therapies teach people
eufunctional idols, idols which do “work” for people and
“bless” them with temporarily happy lives (Psalm 73).
So, for example, self-esteem is nurtured as the replacement
for trying to please unpleasable others, rather than esteem for
the Lamb who was slain for me, a sinner. Acceptance and love
from new significant others, starting with the therapist, create
successful versions of the fear of man and trust in man rather
than teaching essential trust in God. Self-trust and self-confidence
are boosted as I am taught to set expectations for myself
to which I can attain. The fruit looks good but is fundamentally
counterfeit. Believers in false gospels are sometimes allowed
to flourish temporarily.
Therapy systems without repentance at their core leave the
idol system intact. They simply rehabilitate and rebuild fundamental
godlessness to function more successfully.
The Bible’s idolatry motif diagnoses the ultimately selfdestructive
basis on which happy, healthy, and confident
people build their lives (eufunctional idols), just as perceptively
as it diagnoses unhappy people, who are more obviously
and immediately self-destructive (dysfunctional idols).

I have observed, in my time as a pastor, a shift in the counselling community--a trend that is present in Christian as well as secular counseling--from helping people to do what is right to helping them to feel good about the way they are.

Read the article.

Follow-up on Sunday's message:

2009-10-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, 10/25, we looked at the defeat of the Egyptian goddesses and gods, in the ten plagues God used to bring about the relaease of his people. Here is a video that does a good job creating the mood of the Exodus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl8dazS0FeQ

Covington Bible Church, once again, presents the Live nativity:

2009-10-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

If you live in our area we hope that you will join us one of the evenings, September 18-20.

The LIVE NATIVITY is a presentation of the birth of Christ, and what it means to us. Be our guest in the Village of Bethlehem and view scenes including:

The Annunciation to Mary,
The Stable where Christ was born,
The Visit of the Magi, and more.

Visiting the Life Nativity will take about hour, but many people choose to stay and visit in Bethlehem or find out more about what these events mean to each of us.
It is a great family outing--help your children understand the real meaning of Christmas.

To find out more, write.

With apologies to Handel:

2009-10-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is a hoot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU&feature=related

Enjoy!

Here we go again: Why would a Baptist pastor want to burn Bibles?

2009-10-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

You have probably heard it by now, but if you haven't gotten the news about the church in North Carolina that is planning to burn Bibles on Halloween, go to the following link and watch the video: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/10/13/VI2009101301831.html

Or you can read the story here: http://www.mercurynews.com/weird-news/ci_13567852

Nearly four decades ago when I began ministry, I knew about the King James Only movement. My hope was that when that generation died we would be done with them. We aren't. They have multiplied like rabbits--yeah, verily they hath been exceeding prolific in the spread of their view of scripture.

A couple of folk from the church where I pastor ran into some of these King James zealots recently. Thankfully, these devotees of what they call the "Authorized Version" aren't planning a Bible-burning, though I figure they wouldn't do much to talk the North Carolina pastor out of his event. One accusation, among others, is that modern translations like the NIV or NASB somehow downplay the Deity of Christ. Jesus Christ and Who He is are at the core of my faith, so I don't take those accusations lightly.
Here are a couple of good articles, if you want to read further:

This article does a good job refuting the accusation that translations other than the KJV are substandard in regard to Christology:
http://contenderministries.org/biblestudy/kjodeityofchrist.php
Here is an article understandable to the layman that discusses the Greek manuscripts:
http://www.onenesspentecostal.com/kjvevaluation.htm
Here is an article that begins with a brief statement about why we need an English translation other than the King James and then goes on to do a good job of presenting, in essentially bullet-point format, a brief description of the popular modern translations and paraphrases.
http://www.firstpresb.org/translations.htm
While this article needs to be updated, it is still useful in making a decision as to which Bible translations are dependable and useful:
http://covingtonbiblechurch.org/DevotionalAidsResources/HelpinChoosingaBibleTranslation/tabid/235/Default.aspx

A Video About God's Plan, & a Couple of Other Web Resources:

2009-09-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

I recently, presented a message about the mess our world in. It was the first message in a three-part series on the Good News. The cause of the mess, both out there in the world, and in here--our hearts--is the same, sin. The remedy is likewise the same. Romans 8 shows all creation waiting for the redemption of God's people to be completed. As we are transformed so is the world.

I also had the privilege to share a through the Bible session with Coffee Break, The ladies ministry that my wife helps to lead.

Since I have been thinking of the global impact of sin, and the broad stroke view of God's work, the video below hit a responsive chord with me. Anytime you can get from Genesis to Revelation in less than 7 minutes it is worth the trip. Thanks to Shawn Thornton for posting the video on his blog: http://pastorshawn.com/

Here is another resource. At first I thought this one was pretty off the wall. I mean, who uses a $20,000 prize to encourage folk to learn the Bible? But after I looked at it I found it to be a pretty good presentation of the Ten Commandments. It is a cyber opportunity to take the hand of the Law and be led to Christ.

http://www.tenandwin.com/index.html

Finally, Evantell has provided some online training in evangelism. There is a mix of video, exercises and text. There are some specialized programs for youngsters, parents, etc. You will likely find one that meets your needs. If you like, you can print workbooks, as well. They do ask you to register. I did, and they haven't bugged with emails, etc.

ACT 111, one gospel. one person. one day.

2009-09-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I figure that most of the readers of this blog--both of you--are also readers of Something to Think About. Since I don't have any fresh blog-fodder, and on the off chance that someone unfamiliar with STTA will wander this way, I'm posting two reeent STTAs. Both of them are about some recent very uncivil actions that have been in news.

Are people less polite than they used to be?
I’m not sure. I figure that athletes have argued with officials as long as there have been games—“Are you blind? That discus was clearly in bounds!” Politicians are well known for spouting off, and much worse. Julius Caesar would have been glad to merely have his veracity challenged. When have you not known rich spoiled entertainers to act like—well—rich spoiled entertainers?
The essence of good manners is not snootily looking down one’s nose at people who don’t know which fork to use to eat their escargot. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the standard of civilized behavior in a compact statement: “. . . treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” (Matthew 7:12) The news the last couple of days are but the tip of the impolite iceberg. Way too many people turn the Lord’s maxim upside-down, “I demand that you treat me the way I want to be treated; I don’t care how it makes you feel.”
I’m not sure if folk are less polite than they used to be. I am confident that we are less considerate than we ought to be.
It’s STTA.

Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West have actually done us a favor. In case you haven’t seen the news lately, these three have been in the spotlight for their outbursts of impolite activity. I’m not saying their outbursts are entertaining, but the coverage of their antics has diverted part of the news from the decidedly non-entertaining subjects of healthcare and the economy.
Could it be, though, that the lack of polite behavior and our nation’s economic woes come from a common source?
If you look below the surface you find the common denominator of selfishness—whatever it costs, however it may affect you, I want what I want.
And there are people who say the Bible is irrelevant to our culture today.
It’s STTA.

Here is an interesting website dealing with this issue:
http://www.civilityproject.org/

2009-08-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

I was not a fan of Ted Kennedy's politics. He was the leader of the Left. I am mostly a conservative. While he may have argued against various expensive, and expansive, programs at different time in his career, he was clearly part of the movement that stretched the US government envelope in the direction of bigger government, impacting, even controlling, a steadily increasing portion of the personal lives of US citizens. In his younger years Senator Kennedy became well known for his failure to control various appetites. I regretted, and continue to regret the fact that the well-known politician was clearly part of the redefining of what is accepted, and even expected, morally and ethically, in the realm of public service. Apparently, in his latter years, the Senator gained the victory over some of these personal demons.

I did, however, observe a trait in Kennedy's public career that is admirable; one we could use more of in politics on a local, state, and federal level; one that many conservative and even Christian leaders need to learn. Ted Kennedy once spoke at Liberty University. He did not compromise on his liberal views, but he made his points in a gracious way. There was no doubt that the late Rev. Jerry Fallwell was his political counter-pole, yet he graciously responded to Fallwell's invitation and behaved like a gentleman. (BTW, he was treated like one, while on the Liberty campus.) In the Senate Orin Hatch was close friends with Kennedy. Again these men were, on most issues, political enemies, yet they were united by a profound friendship. Brent Alderman comments on this unexpected trait in the Lion of Senate, referring to the remarkable friendship between Kennedy and conservative columnist, Cal Thomas. http://capminmd.wordpress.com/ I'm not suggesting that we compromise on matters that are non-negotiable, or that we adopt a go-along-to-get-along mode. I am appealing for a more civil tone. I fear that too many of us look to Sean "Never-Let-Them-Finish-A-Sentence" Hannity rather than to our Lord, Who though He clearly confronted evil, was always more concerned about people's souls than their politics.

This is not just a concept that I am recommending for the big guys up in Washington. My little part of the world is currently involved in an argument over consolidation. A friend told me that some former friends were still divided because of the last consolidation vote, twenty-five years ago. My church, not long ago had to make a decision related to our building. Unfortunately, in the discussions leading to the decision, eternal values sometimes were sacrificed for stuff that won't even last a lifetime. Even when talking politics over a cup of coffee, I need to maintain a civil tone.

We need to remember that hindsight has shown us that there are times when we are sure that we are right, but we aren't.

We need to be reminded that the person who holds to whatever ridiculous view we are arguing against is a creature of God, a person who bears His image, and one for whom Christ died. How can we have such disdain for one whom Christ loves so much?

Ultimately, the answer is not the president, senator, governor, or dog-catcher we elect, but the Savior we serve.

Last night I prayed for Senator Kennedy's family. I encourage you to the same--whatever your political persuasion.

A Family Time:

2009-08-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

We are finishing up a week at Sandbridge, near VA Beach.
It has been one of those rare times when all of us have been able to be together.

We have had perfect weather and a wonderful time.

Chad and Tanisha & crew leave in the morning for PA. They'll be packing up to move to Louisiana. They leave on Tuesday. Chris and Nancy and their two fly back to Texas on Saturday, as we'll be driving back to Covington.
Above: Chris's daugheter, Kira, Kendal, Chris's son, Silas,
Madeline, Carringtom, Christopher, Tanisha & Chad, H&K, and
Chris and Nancy.

Sand & surf & family:

2009-08-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Sandbridge, near Virginia Beach.

Christopher is trying to catch a wave, while his uncle watches.

Three of my grandkids found a memaid lying on the beach
Kira running from a wave, and Carrington looking more grown up than her dad or I are comfortable with.

It is a lovely start to a week with family.

Michael Vick apparently has another advisor:

2009-08-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Interesting connections abound, in this life.
Though I'm not sure if he has been reading, I've been offering advice to former--and probably future--NFL quarterback Michael in this column. At the same time that I was advising Vick, I've been receiving advice from another football great, Tony Dungy. We are going to be using Tony Dungy's book, Quiet Strength, as the guide for our study in our Men's Prayer Breakfast series this year. I hear that Michael and Tony have been getting together. I say "Amen!" to that.

About the same time that I got news that these two football stars were hanging out together I was reminded of the importance of reaching out to those who are hurting, who have been hurt. and even those who have hurt others, if they are willing to repent.

Michael, I have been impressed with Dungy's dedication to the Lord, his desire to right the thing, and his commitment to service. I encourage you to hang with the man.

Tony, thanks.
When we invest in others we are doing the Lord's work. BTW, if you are going to be in the neighborhood in the next several months, let me know. I'd love for you to have breakfast with my guys. Bring Michael along. He used to play ball just down the road at Blacksburg. We'll have some good biscuits and gravy, and a great time in the Lord.

Our first Men's Prayer Breakfast is September 12, at 8:00.

Power of Prayer:

2009-08-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Many of you let me know of your prayer on my behalf in relation to the funeral last Saturday.

Thank you.

Daniel was a young man of exceptional promise. He had a passion for sharing the Good News that is way too rare. He was a budding scholar, learning Hebrew, Greek and Theology. He was also a naive youngster, who plunged ito situations he should have avoided. I'm not sure the precise route, but one of those plunges proved deadly.
In his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Rabbi Harold Kushner says that the question of evil--especially as stated in the book's title--is the only Theological question that really matters. Of course, I don't agree with that assessment (nor with the conclusion of the book) but I do appreciate the emphasis. It is a question that often trips up unbelivers, who may be moving toward the cross, and it often causes the believer's ship of faith to wreck on the reefs of doubt.
I felt that Daniel's death required wrestling with the issue.

Part of the problem is that we assume that what think--or more accurately feel--as bad really is. Not necessarily.
Here is a summary of some of what I shared:

What we want is peace . . . It doesn’t come as a result of more knowledge. It comes from greater intimacy with and greater trust in the God of the Universe.
Peace will not come as a result of knowing something more; it will come as a result of trusting Someone.

Here are 4 things we need to know:

Know that you don’t know, and know this, that those who claim to have a greater knowledge don’t know either.
Anybody can claim ignorance. I’m ignorant about far more than I’m knowledgeable about.
A greater level of maturity leads us to know what we don’t know. That is a powerful piece of knowledge.
The greatest maturity of knowledge is when one comes to the place that he knows that there are some things that in the here and now are unknowable. It is beyond us. I read a moment ago that passage of scripture from Romans. “who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35) Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36) For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.”
I would submit, that knowing everything that we want to know about this tragedy is beyond us. I’m not saying that looking for more answers is wrong. In fact, if I have the opportunity, I’ll probably look into it some more. What we absolutely need to know is that no matter how much we know, we will never get to the place where this whole thing will make perfect sense. That is beyond us.
What we want is peace . . . It doesn’t come as a result of more knowledge. It comes from greater intimacy with and greater trust in the God of the Universe.
Peace will not come as a result of knowing something more; it will come as a result of trusting Someone.
Know that evil is an ever present reality in this world.
Now don’t check-out on me, because what I am about to say is definitely not the final word, whether the ultimate attack was from outside of Daniel, or whether it was from a battle that raged within his own heart and mind, on August 1, 2009 Satan won a victory.

I told you to not check-out, because we need to know that any victory that our great enemy won was only temporary—even illusory. His ultimate defeat is sure, and for Daniel Aaron Livick it is already accomplished.

Let me put 2 passages of scripture about death together:
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15) and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (Hebrews 2:14-15, NASB95)
54) But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57) but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, NASB95)
We need to know that while death is an enemy, it is also a tool in the hand of God to accomplish His will, and do what is best for His child.
In 1 Kings 14 the prophet Ahijah uttered this strange prophecy about King Jeroboam’s young son. He was dying. 13) “All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. (1 Kings 14:13, NASB95)
The rest of the King’s family would suffer through the coming calamity . . .
In a couple of New Testament passages it appears that death is the Heavenly Father’s ultimate tool to keep His child as His own. He will not allow his child to continue in sin, but will take him or her to Himself.
Know that it is ight to take a chance and invest in people—that is the essence of love.
Length of life is not a valid criteria. I would venture to say that there will be more people in heaven because of Daniel’s witness during his short life than there will be as a result of the 80 year long lives of most Christians.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB95)

Sadness and Bewilderment:

2009-08-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Our church family has been clobbered with devastating news.
A young man who appeared, to me, to be on track to becoming a Bible teacher of rare ability, and even rarer passion, has been taken from us at the young age of 24.
It would have been bad enough if his death had been the result of a car wreck, or cancer, but his death had a bizarre element to it, unexplainable. There are many unanswered questions. Every time I think I have a handle on it, something else comes up in my mind or some new piece of information surfaces. I'm sorting out what I know, and what I don't know. My pile of ignorance is way higher than my comfort level.

I'm acutely aware that I'm the one folk are looking to for answers. I don't have any, or many.

Perhaps that is the answer. Job didn't know either. God told him to trust.

Does He still have value?

2009-08-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

As is often the case, AOL is following and exploiting the popular media. This time it was about someone I've been looking at through my keyhole. There is a nice, in a football sort of way, picture of Michael Vick. Next to it there is a question: "Does Quarterback still have value?" Let me cut to the chase, "Yes, yes he does!" And it has nothing to do with whether Vick can still pass and run, and elude defenses.
OK, in AOL's defense, I need to let you know that if you click on the link it opens up an article about Fantasy Football; the question has to do with whether or not Vick will be a good pick for a fantasy team. In a way though, I still find it subtly disturbing. People playing a pretend version of a game deciding whether a pretend version of a real person has worth, and doing it based on a rather narrow set of criteria in real life. That's cold.
All of us, talented athletes, and those who only passed Phys. Ed. because the only way to flunk was not to dress-out, need to understand that our worth does come from our performance. I am worthy because God says I am. I'm created in His image and He loves me and that gives my life worth.
I've been reading Tony Dungy's book, Quiet Strength. That lesson of where ones worth comes from is a question with which he struggled. And the answer he came to was "Not football." It is not the answer for you, either, Mike, and for me it has nothing to do with how well I preach.
I'm not saying we shouldn't do what we do well. We just need to understand that that isn't the source of our worth.

By the Way: I'm still expecting--though I am wondering because it is taking so long--that invitation for a beer at the White House. I understand that Joe Biden drank a non-alcoholic beer substitute, at the recent beer-lubricated public-relations meeting. I guess that is a possibility, but to be honest why would I want to drink something that I don't like, just because it is a substitute for something else that I don't like either? Would the President be offended if I asked for Diet Dr. Pepper, or a cup of coffee?

More words for Vick & I'm still waiting on my White House invite:

2009-07-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

It's late, so just a quick word or two on doing good.
Ephesians counsels theives--I'm not accusing you of stealing; stay with me for a minute--to go get a job. Their goal should be to not only meet their own and their family's needs, but to have a surplus so they can help others.
I say, "Amen!" to Paul.
I'm going to give you credit, Michael. If and when you get that chance on the gridiron I figure you will be show some generosity. Any of us who are blessed to have regular incomes ought to do so.
When you do give to someone less fortunate than yourself, make sure it looks like you are helping them, not helping yourself look better. Jesus said a good bit about that in the first part of Matthew 6. One graphic line he used is about not letting one hand know that the other hand is giving someone a gift. I think that pretty much leaves out a publicity agent. Come to think of it, we preacher-types have to be careful about that one too. We sometimes "let slip" from the pulpit news about how we helped someone.
Maybe we can work on that one together. I figure there are some other folk who struggle with that one as well.

Speaking of struggling. I'm still not sure: When the President invites me over to sit down at the picnic table with a "cold-one," I'm still struggling for the right answer. I certainly don't want to be the cause of a needless decline in his his poll numbers, or mine.

Advice for Michael & Beer with the President:

2009-07-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

I need to continue my advice for the former Virginia Tech star, and I need some help:

OK, Michael, first let's talk about debt.
First you don't want to get in it, at least no more than you are, or were. I say "were," because from TV commercials that promise to eliminate credit card or IRS debt, to celebrities who claim to need $10K a week just to live in spite of the fact that they owe $10 gazillion, it seems that our culture regards it as acceptable to not pay our debts--or at least to put debt retirement way down on our list of financial responsibilities.
If you get the job you are after, #1 on your list of things to do with your salary is not:

To be seen with two lovely ladies at a posh New York restaurant.
To by a car that costs more than most people's house.
A new earring.
Don't even think about buying a dog. (Adopt, maybe)
For more on this matter listen to Dave Ramsey.

Psalm 15 speaks about the person of integrity keeping his word even when it costs him. Proverbs says that when we are debt we are servants of the one we owe (22:7).

The honest way to get free is to pay what you owe. In this regard we need to remember that not everything that is legal is right. Here is a headline to make:
"Second-chance Quarterback Makes Paying Debts #1 Priority."
Drive a used car. Live in a modest apartment. Buy your clothes at Walmart. You have no right to live high, while you have unpaid debts.

If people figure out you are serious about this, you'll get a lot of interviews.

(If anyone else is reading Michael's mail, translate the above to your own situation. One of the tragic transitions I have observed in my lifetime is how people have gone from asking the question, "What do I owe?" to the query, "How little can I get by with paying back?)

Help me out. I need advice.

I figure it is just a matter of time. I need to know what to do when President Obama invites me to the White House for a beer. We all know that his rapport with older preachers who are of a persuasion that used to be called "Fundamentalist" (before that word got ruined by the radical fringe). So I figure any day now at a Rose Garden press conference, my name will be mentioned--"I'm having my people get in touch with him to see if we can sit down and have a beer."

Here's my problem. I don't drink beer. I know that the Bible doesn't prohibit it, but I conclude, based on Biblical principles, that not drinking is the best course of action both for me personally, and as an example to others.
So do I turn President Obama down? My wife would never forgive me. She would love a trip to the White House. She doesn't drink beer either, (If alcohol becomes an option I figure she's be a wine person.) but I figure she'd get a courtesy invitation to talk decorating with Michelle.
Or maybe I show up and just kind of move the glass around--or maybe since I make less than $100K it would be served in the can or bottle. No doubt there is an under-secretary of style who makes such decisions.
Do I have an obligation to tell the Leader of the Free World about the dangers of alcohol? Some of my preacher brethren would think I had failed if I didn't.
Or should I memorize 1 Corinthians 9 and drink away? It seems that another group of my preacher-type brethren have concluded that unless I get over my alco-phobia I will never get to talk to upwardly-mobile movers and shakers like the Obamas. (Not to mention the good-ol-boy crowd, who emblazzon their brew preference on T-shirt, truck, and Junior's diaper bag.)

I'd appreciate advice as soon as possible Officer Crowley and Professor Gates are up. Sean Hannity is angling to be on deck. I need to be ready for the nod.

Some unasked for coaching for Michael Vick:

2009-07-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

I'm a casual football fan--at best.
I don't keep up with the scores, who's playing what position, and there are aspects of the game I don't understand. OK, guys, go ahead, make fun of me. From time to time something about the game will get my attention, though. It was a long time ago, but being a kid from the suburbs of the Windy City, I enjoyed the Bears big run--Refrigerator Perry, Walter Peyton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, and of course Iron Mike Ditka became fairly familiar names to me.
I follow college football even less than NFL, but when Michael Vick played for Virginia Tech, I would watch whenever I could. I was in awe. When he went to the NFL I figured he would get clobbered, broken up, crippled, but he continued some of the same escape-artist magic. Instead of being brought down by linebackers, and defensive-linemen, he became a victim of stupidity, arrogance, immaturity and just plain old-fashioned sin.
I just heard that the NFL commissioner has cleared Vick to play.
If you happen to see Michael at 7-11 please pass this on to him.

Michael, I read shortly after your arrest that you professed to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. I sincerely hope that is true. A lot of people will tell you that your sins can't be forgiven--or at least can't be forgiven that easily. Not so. Moses, David, Mary Magdalene, the woman taken in adultery, the thief on the cross, Peter, and Paul all give testimony to the contrary. Yes God forgives those who trust Christ. (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13, and Ephesians 2:8-10)
Know that we are not forgiven because we change. We change because we are forgiven. Michael, if you have trusted Christ you don't want to be what you once were--the you that drove your life to the tragedy it became.
I figure you struggle. I know I do. The Apostle Paul recorded his conflict in Romans 7. Know that God has given us the resources for victory. Prayer, God's word, the support of God's people. The ability to build new Godly habits to replace the old wrong ones.
There is no doubt that you have an incredible gift. At least you had one. I know you desperately hope that you still do. I don't know you, but I hope you can still elude defenders and throw and run like you did. If you are sincere in your statements that you have changed, I hope someone gives you a chance. Know that if someone gives you a chance, that it is a gift and that it is chance. Nobody owes you anything. You are trying to reenter a profession that depends on people buying tickets and tuning in. Really you need not just one person to give you a chance, but a few million. If we do, don't make us regret it.
Maybe some people who read this will chime in with some thoughts of their own, but let me share with you some thoughts, not just for you, but for all of us. You see the Bible says that not just football stars, but all of us have received a gift from God. (See James 1:17)
I, and maybe some others, will share some specifics later, but all of us need to know that if what I have is a gift from God then what I get from investing that gift, ought not to be used selfishly. 2 Corinthians 5:15.
Stay tuned.

TEENWEEK Report:

2009-07-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Just briefly:
As I said in a previous post, our numbers have been down some this year, but we have great group of kids, and an outstanding bunch of leaders: We have several new additions to our staff.

My grandson pronounced tonight's message as awesome. I can't argue.

I heard reports of several teens who trusted the Lord this evening. There were 12-15 who responded to the invitation in some way.

Tomorrow we finish up at Jackson River Sport Complex. The band from Sunday, One Day Closer, will be back. John will be speaking again.

Thanks for praying.
hm

It's TEENWEEK!

2009-07-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

I begin with the words to an old song, "I made it through the rain."
Sunday we began TEENWEEK. We were supposed to have a combination of kayak/canoe-ing and outdoor activities. I can't remember ever looking a weather report where the chance of precipitation was "100%," but when I looked at the forecast on Sunday morning that was the case. For mid-day the forecasters regarded rain as a certainty.
Thanks to the good work of the folk over at Faith Baptist, we were able to move the operation inside.
Last night we had nearly 140 teens over at Jackson River Sport Complex. I'll post some photos as soon as I'm able, but for now picture this: The picnic shelter at JRSC full of kids and leaders listening to a message about Real Love--God's love.
Tonight we are at Faith Baptist for mud and water-balloon games.
Wednesday at Clifton Middle School.
Thursday at JRSC--One Day Closer will make a return appearance.

for more info. go to ahteenweek.com

Progress is really cool!

2009-07-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here is Kathy where she spent almost a week at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon PA. (Point of trivia: I understand that "Lebanon Bologna" refers to Lebanon PA, not the Near-Eastern country.) The staff at GSH were competent and very pleasant. I was able to spend the nights at Tanisha and Chad's house, about 15 minutes away. I think this was on Kathy's last day. She is surrounded by some of her favorite people--clockwise from upper right, Christopher, Madeline, Kendal and Carrington. We had just stopped in for a visit with Chad & Tanisha when we decided that Kathy needed to go to the ER. (Read previous posts for more info.)

I'm glad to say she is home now, improving.

We at CBC have been involved in a fairly major remodeling project. Our Worship-Center had not really had an upgrade since it was built, nearly 30 years ago. While I was away the CBC family made remarkable progress on this project. That might be significant.

The major part of the project involved removing the sheetrock ceiling and replacing it with a pine, tongue and groove ceiling. It is done, & it is lovely. Paiting is well underway, and carpet is going down this week.

Thanks to all who worked, and are working, so hard on this project.

Quick update on Kathy

2009-06-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

Kathy was kind of worn down this morning. Better in early afternoon. Tired when I left this evening--up & down. Still has IV.
Thanks for the prayers.

Service--When It Is Needed:

2009-06-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

(Report on Kathy at the end of this post)

If you have followed this blog for the last few days you know that I have spent a lot of time with people who help--nurses, aids, doctors, etc. I have very much appreciated the help that these folk have offered to Kathy & me. I think one reason I am so appreciative is I am very aware of the need that we have.

Kathy is dealing with pain. They offer relief.
We are dealing with issues that we don't all-together understand. They give us answers.
We afe beset with issues that tend to drive one to worry and be in despair. These folk offer the soothing message that things will likely be fine.

I appreciate the compassion, competence and concern that is offered.

I find some great lessons for the church in all of this. Your comments are welcome.

Kathy is progressing slowly. She is still hurting. She has been drinking some juice today. She has been for a walk 2x already today. No news on when she gets out.

Two kinds of progress: one quick & the other slow:

2009-06-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Kathy is doing OK.
The folk here at Good Samaritan Hosp., in Lebanon PA, have been very good to us. I think Kathy is improving, though not yet to the point that she feels it. She is still nothing by mouth. She enjoys her few ice-chips. She is quite sore. Getting up to go to the restroom is quite a chore. She walked 2x today out in the hall.
She is still on antibiotic and painkiller in her IV.
No word on when she gets out, yet.

Thanks to all for the calls, emails, flowers, etc. She hasn't been up to talking on the phone, yet.

On the other progress:
I hear that the folk back home are making great progress on the Worship-Center remodel. I look forward to being there Sunday. Hope to see you.

My experience this last weekend, as well as the reports of Farrah Fawcet, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson's deaths have reminded me how uncertain life is. Live for Jesus!

Things Change Quickly:

2009-06-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

As I said in the last post, we very much enjoyed Bethany and Robert's wedding.
Our plan was to go from the wedding to Chad and Tanisha's home (our son & daughter-in-law), & spend the rest of the weekend with them.
We did arrive at the kid's house, but then our plans changed.
Kathy had not been feeling well all weekend. We decided that we should take her to the ER last night. About 4:30 this morning she had an appendectomy. She is at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon (home of Lebanon Bologna), PA.
Her appendix was not ruptured, but was gangrenous--there was a good bit of infection. She will be in the hosp. for a couple of days.
Thanks for your prayers.

Romans 8:28

I'll keep you posted.

Howard

A lovely Couple:

2009-06-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

One of the answers that I have learned to give, is: "I am not in the marrying business. I am glad, however, to help people build Christian Homes.

It was my privilege earlier today to take part in Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gingerich's wedding.

Rob. and his bride, Bethany (Barzee) are graduates of Patrick Henry College, where they met.

The wedding took place in Ithaca New York. .

Living in Construction Kind of Reminds Me of Life:

2009-06-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the picture when we met for worship this past Sunday our Worship-Center looked a little different than it did just a week before, and, I hasten to had, how it will look in a short time.

(In honor of DADs we had a picnic Sunday after church. [below]

Can't let a little construction get in the way of a great meal.)

It's like life. Life goes on in the midst of construction. We are all figuring it out as we go along. This past Sunday, as we met under a partially finished ceiling surrounded by patched and unpainted walls, and over a carpet that will be removed in short time, we continued to look at the portion of Ephesians that describes how we ought to "walk." That is Paul's metaphor for living. A current term that is similar is, "journey." Both terms imply a process--even an adventure.

Sometimes the fact that we have to figure it out, deal with the old, and build the new, while we continue on with life can be frustrating, but the Lord has promised to walk with us. Look at Ephesians 5:15-21 for some insight on this process.

(At the left, our drywall contractor, Mike Averill, works on patching a bad spot over the stairs in our foyer. No hymnbooks were used to get Mike up where he could work on this spot. :)

For the CBC family (The rest of you might want to stop here.):

This Sunday we'll still be in a transition, but it is exciting to see the progress. Bill Schuit the Global Ministries Director for Liebenzell USA is working us in between trips to Germany--where he is now--and Papua New Guinea--where he will be early in July. Bill is a great guy and on target preacher. I encourage you to come and hear what God has to say to us through him.

In the mean time, if you would like to get involved in the ongoing remodeling project, drop me a line at covbc@ntelos.net, or call the church at 540 965 4256.

(Continued progress on the ceiling. Moving upward 6 inches at a time.

Sand, brush on and wipe off tung oil out in the picnic-shelter & tent. Let them dry. Move them in, and put them up.)

Continued Progress:

2009-06-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

We are mostly past the tearing down phase.
It is good to see things going back.

I had the privilege of taking my Sunday School class, the Jr. Hi Class to Lake Moomaw. It was a lovely outing to a lovely place. Also a great group group of kids.

A Couple More Pictures of the Remodeling Project:

2009-06-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

We are using the picnic shelter together with our party tent as an area for finishing the tongue & groove, pine boards that are making up the new ceiling in the Worship-Center

Here are couple of our CBC ladies working on the finishing project.

We have been doing two batches a day. The boards get finished with a coat of tung oil and begin drying under the picnic shelter & tent. They get transferred to the Activity-Center to finish drying, from there on to the ceiling.

It is amazing how deceptive a photo can be. You might look at this one and think we are done. No, far from it, but we have a good start. Really, just a few boards have been put up. But I think they look nice.

I have always like the look of natural wood. It is God's artistry on display.

You can see the real product on Sunday.