Some thoughts on the current marriage controversy:

I'll get back to that third thing that I've been thinking about, but for now, here is something else that a bunch of us have been thinking about.

Steve Cornell is a good thinker.  He comes from a solid conservative Evangelical mindset.

In this article, http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/more-thoughts-on-gay-marriage/, he raises some questions that have been stewing in my mind.

Like many of you, for me, these questions are not merely theoretical.  I love people who have chosen the gay lifestyle (I say that carefully, knowing that they would likely reject that description.  I mean no disrespect.), so I am not only trying to be Biblically correct, but properly compassionate, as well.

Here, in outline form, are some of the things that have been ruminating in my mind, some of which Steve speaks to.  I would appreciate your thoughts.

1. In this as in other areas we cannot expect the government to do our work for us.  Or to put it another way, not everything that we regard as immoral ought to be illegal.
2. Having said that, there are totally secular reasons to regulate issues related to family and marriage.  Balance . . . 
3. We have to, have to, have to realize that the public in general does not keep track of who is who in the Christian--especially Evangelical--realm.  When I say, with a very calm and reasonable manner, "I have some concerns about homosexual marriage."  many of those who hear me speak equate me with the likes of Fred Phelps.  This is one of the areas where I need to remember that I have a responsibility, and privilege to reach out to all kinds of people.  The primary function of the church is the preach the Gospel not lobby for legislation.
4. It is important to proclaim the truth.  I need to make sure, though, in the words of Micah that I not only "do justly," but, also, "love mercy."  (6:8)

It is something we need to think carefully about.

If we had better background, we'd have less need for checks:

Like a great many churches and ministries we are starting to require background checks of those who work with youngsters.  A while back, when we were discussing how to proceed on this matter, I asked the group how many of them had had bckground checks done on them for Little League, Scouts, etc.  It was interesting that the response to the question divided the group almost perfecctly from an age perspective. With almost no exception, those who raised their hands were in the fifty and under demographic, while those with their hands down get a discount on their coffee at fast-food restaurants.
That chronological divide represents several changes in our culture.  Changes that we're not the better for.

We used to be people who tended to put down roots.  My grandmother, for instance, lived in the same little community for forty years.  Before she lived in Huntland Tennessee she lived in a couple of other little places not as far away as the morning commute of many moderns.  I can remember conversations on her front porch.  "You remember Joe Bob Sampson?  He married one of the Luttrel girls."  At this point in time none of the "Luttrel girls" had been girls for thirty years.  But somebody on the porch had gone to school with one of the girls, and another had sold a hog to Old Man Luttrel, etc.  Nobody needed to send out for a background check.  Checking with a couple of neighbors would yield all the information anybody needs, and more. 
That's no longer the case.

That same lack of community-stability that  keeps us from knowing about someone's past also makes it harder for us to do anything about an infraction of what is proper.  Small town justice in earlier times may have sometimes been cruel, but there was a certain effectiveness about it.  Communities knew who to watch for, who to avoid, who to warn others about, and because no one wanted to endure the humiliation associated with such contempt, it also had a preventative effect.  Families were made to feel responsible when one of their own violated community standards, so they helped reign in unacceptable behavior.  There have always been those who do terrible things, but today too many only have to be concerned about being caught by the authorities, and they can be eluded easier than family and neighbors in a close knit community. 

Unfortunately we may think that we are taking better care of our youngsters than we did in the past, by requiring things like background checks.  At this point I need to say that I'm not against responsible ways of checking on teachers and leaders.  I am in favor of doing it, but not because it is best.  It's not.  It is just the best we can do, with what we've got.  Likely you know people who have been through our latest and greatest checks.  Theyr'e reports came back A-OK, but they aren't.  Because you have personal knowledge about them you know that if the security checkers knew what you know, these folk would be sent packing.  It may not be your place to make that information known.  In fact in some cases it is your place to not make it known, but it ought to keep us from placing too much trust in the system.  Systems are poor substitutes for real communities.

Bottom line, I guess I'm glad that we are taking this step.  We ought to do all that we can to protect the children entrusted to us.  I'm just sad that we have to.

A couple of things have been brewing--slowly, kind of like sun-tea--for a while.

The first, the least brewed of the three, I talked about in another blog of mine.  It has to do with that can-do spirit that made America--and I'm sure a lot of other lands as well--great.  I fear it is something we are losing, but maybe not.  A couple of days after I saw the old gent I wrote about on the other blog, I was helping with a big ladies event that our church pulled off.  It was one of those events that you folk involved in church work understand.  Somebody says, "Let's do it."  to which some other folk say, Let's!"  And they're off.  Folk take a limited resources and produce maxi-results.  (See here) 
In this case the limited resources included a group of guys who volunteered to make the women's special evening more special for not having to prepare the food--don't forget the limited resource part. Catering was out. Anyhow at the end of the evening, when the work had turned the least attractive--cleaning up--a teen guy, a son of one of the other guys showed up.  Without any prompting that I saw this young man started busing tables and putting stuff away, all with a kind spirit and sweet attitude.  In addition to accomplishing a lot of work, he sure encouraged me.

Whether we are young and healthy like my teen friend, or old and nearly worn out like the man in the other story, each of us needs to ask, "What can I do?" and then, at least a great deal of the time do it.  I'm thankful for a couple of reminders about the virtue of just plain old hard work.

Soon to come, some thoughts on background checks and jumping to conclusions, prejudice.

A Colossal Misunderstanding, A Disaster Avoided:

(My devotional reading recently took me to Joshua 22.  A misunderstanding fueled, at least in part by zeal for the worship of the Lord, nearly led to a tragedy.  Thankfully, the disaster was avoided.  My thoughts are as much a reminder for me as for others, and probably more so.)

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh had been as good as their word.  Because of their impressive livestock holdings and the lushness of the land taken by the Israelites in the beginning of their occupation of Canaan, these two-and-a-half tribes out of the twelve tribes of Israel asked for and received permission to take their allotment of land on the east side of the Jordan.  The deal they made was that they would take time to build dwellings for their families and corrals for their livestock, and would then join the other nine-and-a-half tribes in conquering the land across the Jordan.  (Numbers 32) Obviously, this arrangement left their loved ones exposed to danger, yet they followed through, even leading the way when the people began the conquest of Canaan proper under Joshua's leadership.  (Joshua 4:12)   
When the conquest of the land was complete.  The east of the Jordan contingent of Israel's army headed home.  As they were getting ready to leave, Joshua told them:

You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.
You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.
Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.  (Joshua 22:2-6)

At this point it appears to be one those rare good-news moments.  Things worked out the way they were supposed to.  People, in particular leaders, did what they said they would do.  I can picture the men marching back to the homes they had never really had opportunity to live in, in an upbeat mood.  The words of Joshua were still ringing in their ears.  The booty of their successful campaigns were in wagons and carts and traveling in flocks and herds with them.  (Joshua 22:8)  As they walked the men talked of longed for reunions with families and plans for developing the homesteads they had recently been given,  As they passed people in the field, or came near a village of fellow Jews, they probably straightened their back and quickened their step, taking on more of a martial air.  They would politely, but modestly acknowledge the cheers and the "Thank-you"s that came from their grateful countrymen.


But then the great misunderstanding, or "almost misunderstanding" kicked in:

Joshua 22:10 records that they "built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance."
Their motives, which will see in a moment, were entirely good.  
But, "When the sons of Israel [that is the other nine-and-a-half tribes] heard of it, the whole congregation of the sons of Israel gathered themselves at Shiloh to go up against them in war."  (Joshua 22:12)

The people on the west side of the Jordan fell into a pattern of thinking that I observe in me and in others way too often.  They saw not only what their brethren to the east had done, they concluded that they knew why they had done it.  Read verse 16 of Joshua 22.  Note the accusation.  "What is this unfaithful act which you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the LORD this day, by building yourselves an altar, to rebel against the LORD this day?"
Especially those words "to rebel," speak of motive. Other translations put it "in rebellion," or "that ye might rebel."   "This is an act of rebellion, a willful act against the will of God."  (my paraphrase)  All other explanations--ignorance, stupidity, misinformation, that this was really a monument that had no relation to the worship of Jehovah at Shiloh, etc.--were brushed aside.  This, the indignant army said, is an act of rebellion. It must be dealt with for their good, and to prevent it from spreading.
 
I have noticed how often the Lord Jesus answered the thoughts of people's hearts, thoughts they didn't speak out loud.  John 2:25 says about Jesus that "He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man."  I don't.  I may think I do, I may claim I do, I may flatter myself at being very adept at reading between the lines (or the ears), but the fact is that I, like these people in Joshua, often get it wrong.  I need to hear the counsel of 1 Corinthians 4:5, "[D]o not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God."
The Jews in Canaan proper saw what was done--an altar had been built.  They were right to be concerned.  God had clearly spoken that at that time worship was to centralized. (Deuteronomy 12:5>>).  Their zeal, especially when you consider their war-weariness was commendable.  But, they had it wrong.  


Wisely a delegation was sent to make inquiries before the army was sent to make war.  (Joshua 22:13>>)  After the necessary (so it seems) outrage and bluster, they let the east-side folk actually tell why they had done what they had done.  I would love to have been there to see the changes that came over the faces of the delegation of the righteous, who had just been making such vociferous, bellicose statements, when they heard the real reasons the two-and-a-half tribes had built their altar by the Jordan.

 “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, the Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows, and may Israel itself know. If it was in rebellion, or if in an unfaithful act against the Lord do not save us this day! ²³ “If we have built us an altar to turn away from following the Lord, or if to offer a burnt offering or grain offering on it, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings on it, may the Lord Himself require it. ²⁴ “But truly we have done this out of concern, for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your sons may say to our sons, “What have you to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? ²⁵ “For the Lord has made the Jordan a border between us and you, you sons of Reuben and sons of Gad; you have no portion in the Lord.” So your sons may make our sons stop fearing the Lord.’ ²⁶ “Therefore we said, ‘Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; ²⁷ rather it shall be a witness between us and you and between our generations after us, that we are to perform the service of the Lord before Him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings, so that your sons will not say to our sons in time to come, “You have no portion in the Lord.” ’ ²⁸ “Therefore we said, ‘It shall also come about if they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, then we shall say, “See the copy of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; rather it is a witness between us and you.” ’ ²⁹ “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle.” (Joshua 22:22–29)   

It turns out that the reasons the east-side Jews had for building the altar were exactly the opposite from the reasons assumed by their outraged brethren, to the west.  In eloquent understatement the text says when they heard the explanation, "It pleased them."

I've battled this on two fronts lately.
I find myself creating elaborate scenarios, much like the mobilization of armies in Joshua 22, based on motives that I assign to the actions of others.  Truth be told, I often don't even know why I do what I do.  Lord, help me to realize that generally I don't know why others do what they do.  Amen.
On the other hand, words that I have spoken have been taken in the precise opposite way from the way they were intended, and I recently heard that I had taken a position on a matter, concerning which I am mostly ignorant, and, concerning which, as I can remember, I have never spoken at all.  
Would that folk would send a delegation to investigate before they declare war.  Lord, help me to remember that I don't know, and to inquire first, even when--especially when--I, in my arrogance, think I know why . . .


If we would talk more, and in particular listen more perhaps we would see more results like this from the end of Joshua 22.

 [T]he sons of Israel blessed God; and they did not speak of going up against them in war to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad were living.
 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar Witness; “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.” (33-34, see also John 13:35)  

 

Blessed Are the Peacemakers,

Blessed are the peacemakers, but it doesn't pay so good.

I'm reminded of a comment from my Uncle Mc.  "If you are going to break up a dogfight you better have a big stick."  Thanks, Unc.  That has kept me from getting bitten more than once.  You, readers, do know that human bites are much nastier than canine ones, don't you?

Frequently those who get into the peacemaking business, only end up uniting the warring factions on one point--both agree that their pacifistic (former) friend ought to but-out and mind his own business. 

Some friends of mine were recently on a couple of peace-making missions.  I'm glad to say that their efforts, at least in one case, show some promise of success.  I don't mention their names, nor identify the belligerents, because I don't want to undermine their efforts.  (They know who they are.  My intent is to encourage them, so, guys, when you read this be encouraged.  Furthermore, if you are an ignored, or maligned peacemaker--and most are--that I don't know, I hope this will encourage your efforts and spirit.)  My friends spent considerable time understanding the situations, then talking to each side individually, and brokering, or attempting to do so, meetings between the two sides.  They pressed the Biblical truth that peace is good.  We might not--in fact I'm sure we don't--get all the Old Testament Jewish allusions in this Psalm, but still we can see that peace is good.

Psalm 133

The Excellency of Brotherly Unity.

    A Song of Ascents, of David. ¹ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
² It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
³ It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.

 My friends were miles from Hermon--and I will reveal that none of them are named "Herman"--but if their attempts at peacemaking yield fruit it will be "good and pleasant."  I'm praying it will be so.

The other end of the Lord's beatitude about peacemakers is "they shall be called sons of God."  James and John were called "Sons of Thunder" because of their thunderous ways.  The "sons of the prophets" were disciples of Elijah and Elisha.  They learned from them and learned, at least in some ways, to be like them.  In Luke 10:6 a peaceful man is called a "son of peace."  While the worthlessness of Eli's sons, and some other "worthless fellows, was indicated by the title "son's of Belial." Belial basically meaning worthless.  In this since we are sons of something or someone when we exhibit the distinctive quality of the father.

It reminds me of a plumber's truck that I heard about.  On one side it said:

Joe Jones & son

Plumbing Contractor

The sign on the other side of the vehicle read

Joe Jones Jr. & dad

Plumbing Contractor

When one thinks highly of his father it is a privilege to be in the same business as dad.  Even in my case, though I followed a different career path than my dad, I very much want to exhibit the sterling qualities that I remember seeing in him.  Don't miss this:

When I am involved in peacemaking.  I am involved in my Father's business.

 

So, guys, I know that peacemaking often doesn't pay well.  Frequently, as my Uncle's homey proverb indicates, it will earn one a bite on the leg, or worse.  Just know this:  It is a task that is worth doing.  If you don't get anything else--and if your attitudes are what they appear to be, I know that before the Bema Seat (here, & here) you will get a great deal more--I offer you this.

You done good!

   

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

(I just finished reading Chuck Swindoll's book, The Church Awakening, so I'm updating this with some more thoughts from him.)

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)

New, 3/27:

Swindoll refers to Paul’s words to the Ephesian Elders in Acts 20:28-31.




“The first three words sum up Paul’s charge to the Ephesian church: Be on guard. This phrase translates a single Greek term that means “to be in a continuous state of readiness to learn of any future danger, need, or error, and to respond appropriately.”


He goes on to say, “Ultimately all attacks from Satan against the church are assaults against God’s people—first personally, then corporately” (220&221)


“Jesus predicted that the ‘Gates of Hades will not prevail against’ the church (Matt 16:18, NRSV). But that’s not to say that the adversary won’t attack it any way he can.” (240)


In his conclusion, Swindoll gives a good overview of the devil’s activities. “. . . even in healthy churches, we learned, the devil is alive and well, doing all he can—through worship wars, moral pollution, and doctrinal erosion—to dismantle what Jesus is building.” (267)

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.    

Quite an impressive list.  We wrestle not against flesh and blood . . .
Satan is going about like a lion--a smart lion.  He wants to devour those who are doing the most good.  That certainly includes churches who are preaching the Gospel.

Evil, A Demonstration of God's Love:

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.