When I still lived in my home state of Alabama, it used to bother me when outsiders referred to the "slow pace of life." I don't think most people who made the observation were trying to insult us. We simply knew that the American way of doing things was the fast way; that the schedules of important people are lived frantically, and in the fast lane. By contrast, it seemed to us that calling our lifestyles "slow" seemed to indicate we didn't have enough to do with our time.
When my family moved to Northern Virginia, virtually in the shadow of our nation's capital, we quickly adapted to different pace of life. Now friends from Richmond and other points south comment on how "fast" life seems. Sometimes it feels like I scarcely have time to think- which is unfortunate, since thinking is an important part of my career. There is something or someone demanding time or money at every turn.
So it was a wonderful change of pace when my family gathered after Christmas at the home of my daughter and son-in-law (and grand daughter) in Minnesota. There was already 18" of snow on the ground, and more arrived on the wind yesterday. The temperature varied from 0 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, making it extremely uncomfortable going outside.
True Minnesotans are never put off by snow, but they do slow down when the mercury falls to zero. They have found satisfying alternatives to racing around and looking busy. And so we discovered board games- indeed, board game companies- we'd never heard of before. We played Ticket to Ride (which has about 10 different popular editions) and Farkel. There's a another game called Mystery of the Abbey which I'm eager to play. And of course, there was Scrabble and Sorry.
Minnesotans read more than most Americans. While trapped in the snow, I finished off an amazing book of theology and started a piece of historical fiction about Edgar Allen Poe. I noticed others in the house frequently finding a quiet corner to enjoy a book or magazine.
And I spent a lot of time reflecting on Paul's prison epistles- Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Ironically, Paul often found that a slower pace of life was forced on him by angry goverments, rather than road conditions. He wasn't frantically busy 24/7, but you'd have to agree he was successful!
The day we left home, parts of Indiana and the area around Chicago were suffering frigid conditions, and traffic reports described cars in ditches as far as the eye could see. But even as we began to drive, the temperatures in those areas began to rise suddenly, and rain came in to melt the ice. We drove through without a hitch. For this we thank our Heavenly Father.
Once we arrived, there was plenty of time to share a sofa, sit across the table from each other, and laugh and talk together. Our entire family is stronger for our snowbound experience. We'll be returning home just in time for me to preach the first of four sermons, Letters from Jail, on Sunday morning. It seems like an important series of messages. And if God clears a safe path for our timely arrival in Virginia, I'll take it as confirmation. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Random Thoughts at Year's End
Most of us work tirelessly year after year to get every detail right in order to achieve the perfect Christmas. But reflect for a moment. If you ever achieved one of those Christmases, is that the one you remember so fondly? I've discovered that the Christmases my family and I remember most fondly are the imperfect ones; the ones where plans went awry, surprises occurred, and difficulties arose. Our plans did not work out, but through God's grace, we saw our deepest desires fulfilled. I've decided to be less obsessive at Christmas, and trust God to give me an imperfect Christmas that is completely unforgettable!
Next year I'm going to encourage my family and friends to spend more money at Kohl's Department stores. Virtually every other chain caved in to the PC Police this year. Christmas flyers were adorned with all the usual trees, candles, and garland, but the events being advertised were "Holiday Sales," "After Thanksgiving Sales," and "Season's Best" Sales! Only Kohl's intentionally and consistently dared to use Christmas in every flyer, every commercial, every sale. I plan to reward their integrity in 2009 and encourage others to do so.
Despite all the hysterics in television and news coverage, the Great Depression has still not arrived. Most homes are not in bankruptcy. Most people are not unemployed. As difficult as things are, the malls and stores in this area were jamming every time I passed one last week. And on the two occasions when I went inside, most people were carrying purchases. I know many people are facing difficulties, but let's not lose all perspective as 2009 opens.
Early Friday morning, my family and I will depart for a week in the Great North. We're off on an adventure to see my grand daughter (and her parents, of course) in Rochester, Minnesota. We'll be driving 18 hours straight through wintry weather to get there. If we don't get trapped in a snowbank, I'll share the latest from the Frozen North in a few days.
In the mean time, I hope your new year is full of Jesus!
Next year I'm going to encourage my family and friends to spend more money at Kohl's Department stores. Virtually every other chain caved in to the PC Police this year. Christmas flyers were adorned with all the usual trees, candles, and garland, but the events being advertised were "Holiday Sales," "After Thanksgiving Sales," and "Season's Best" Sales! Only Kohl's intentionally and consistently dared to use Christmas in every flyer, every commercial, every sale. I plan to reward their integrity in 2009 and encourage others to do so.
Despite all the hysterics in television and news coverage, the Great Depression has still not arrived. Most homes are not in bankruptcy. Most people are not unemployed. As difficult as things are, the malls and stores in this area were jamming every time I passed one last week. And on the two occasions when I went inside, most people were carrying purchases. I know many people are facing difficulties, but let's not lose all perspective as 2009 opens.
Early Friday morning, my family and I will depart for a week in the Great North. We're off on an adventure to see my grand daughter (and her parents, of course) in Rochester, Minnesota. We'll be driving 18 hours straight through wintry weather to get there. If we don't get trapped in a snowbank, I'll share the latest from the Frozen North in a few days.
In the mean time, I hope your new year is full of Jesus!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The First Battle for Christmas
American culture has become so current, so edgy, that a whole generation of teen-agers seems to believe the most important things in all of history happened about fifteen minutes ago! It's not their fault. Schools seldom teach history anymore. And whenever history is the subject of popular TV and movies, it comes off so tarted up and politically correct that our forefathers seem more superficial and irrelevant than we are.
And yet, the poster for a current motion picture offers this insight: "Life is understood only by looking backwards. It must be lived looking forward." Isn't that the truth? Faith and courage are vital in living life by looking ahead. But history is essential if we are ever to look back and understand.
The December issue of National Geographic features a cover story titled "The Real King Herod." For centuries we have marveled at the ruins of architectural wonders he accomplished. Last year, archaeologists finally unearthed his tomb which had been lost from sight for centuries. For the overwhelming majority of men of women, Herod would be completely unknown were he not mentioned in the Bible.
Herod's architecture sheds light on the delusions of grandeur with which he entertained himself. No wonder he felt threatened by reports that a new king had been born in Bethlehem! He attempted to deceive traveling magi in hopes of gaining intelligence on the child's location and having him killed. When the wise men were tipped off to his evil intentions and went home another way, Herod ordered that baby boys in Bethlehem who were less than two years old should be murdered. His soldiers carried out his orders. The parents of the Christ child took him into hiding in Egypt after being warned by a divine messenger.
Ironically, Christ's family didn't have to remain in Egypt long. King Herod died a long, drawn out, miserable death with a disease so complex that the symptoms baffle medical researchers even today. Even as he ordered the death of the infants, he was already infected and on his way down. The king who considered himself "the greatest," departed the Earth like that proverbial fist being pulled out of a bucket of water. His lavish grave was quickly forgotten, then neglected, finally vandalized and hidden.
Meanwhile, the stable where that feared Christ child was born has been memorialized with a cathedral! Millions of people flock to Bethlehem every Christmas to be near the spot where Jesus walked. The king who built monuments to himself is now remembered only as a footnote in the story of the King he tried unsuccessfully to destroy!
While you're boldy living life looking forward, take some time periodically to look back and gauge where you've been.
And yet, the poster for a current motion picture offers this insight: "Life is understood only by looking backwards. It must be lived looking forward." Isn't that the truth? Faith and courage are vital in living life by looking ahead. But history is essential if we are ever to look back and understand.
The December issue of National Geographic features a cover story titled "The Real King Herod." For centuries we have marveled at the ruins of architectural wonders he accomplished. Last year, archaeologists finally unearthed his tomb which had been lost from sight for centuries. For the overwhelming majority of men of women, Herod would be completely unknown were he not mentioned in the Bible.
Herod's architecture sheds light on the delusions of grandeur with which he entertained himself. No wonder he felt threatened by reports that a new king had been born in Bethlehem! He attempted to deceive traveling magi in hopes of gaining intelligence on the child's location and having him killed. When the wise men were tipped off to his evil intentions and went home another way, Herod ordered that baby boys in Bethlehem who were less than two years old should be murdered. His soldiers carried out his orders. The parents of the Christ child took him into hiding in Egypt after being warned by a divine messenger.
Ironically, Christ's family didn't have to remain in Egypt long. King Herod died a long, drawn out, miserable death with a disease so complex that the symptoms baffle medical researchers even today. Even as he ordered the death of the infants, he was already infected and on his way down. The king who considered himself "the greatest," departed the Earth like that proverbial fist being pulled out of a bucket of water. His lavish grave was quickly forgotten, then neglected, finally vandalized and hidden.
Meanwhile, the stable where that feared Christ child was born has been memorialized with a cathedral! Millions of people flock to Bethlehem every Christmas to be near the spot where Jesus walked. The king who built monuments to himself is now remembered only as a footnote in the story of the King he tried unsuccessfully to destroy!
While you're boldy living life looking forward, take some time periodically to look back and gauge where you've been.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Jesus Did Not Die for Stress Relief
I was reading a fascinating book this week in which the author, a noted psychologist, complains that the field of psychology is no longer a science or a discipline, but has evolved into a religion. He observes that most of what passes for "therapy" today is actually self-worship hiding behind terms like self-actualization, self-discovery, and self-esteem.
I could sympathize deeply with him because I have a similar frustration. I think something very similar has occurred in the realm of Christianity. Much of what passes for "worship" today has very little to do with God at all, and is much more about self-motivation, self-help, and self-discovery. It's all about marketing church involvement to people who see themselves as consumers rather than disciples. It's useful to forget about sin and even the cross because the god that American worshippers have imagined is a distant deity who can't demand much at all. His assigned job is making us feel better.
It's true that Isaiah 53:5 explains "By his stripes we are healed." But you only have to read the next verse to realize he's not talking about treating cancer or depression. "All we like sheep have gone astray," Isaiah continues, "We have turned every one to our own way. And upon Him God has laid the iniquity of us all." In other words, Jesus didn't die to heal something any first year medical student could fix with a prescription. He didn't die so that you and I could be healed of loneliness. The sickness that he died to heal is more profound than all that: it's sin sickness. Christ died so that you and I could be justified and reconciled to our heavenly father.
It's true that other places in Scripture do address earthly health problems. David confesses in Psalm 103:3 that God has forgiven his sins and healed his diseases. Of course we all know that the Creator of the Universe can heal any disease and repair any problem. We commonly pray about those very things. But those benefits are simply by-products of living in tune with the the Creator of the Universe.
Because I believe every word in the Bible, I have no doubt that Jesus healed leprosy, blindness, and a host of other tragic physical afflictions. And in my own life, I have seen God answer prayers and heal cancer, heart disease, and all manner of addictions. But when I start promising instant pain relief to everyone who comes to church, I am dishonoring God, deceiving consumers, and watering down the Gospel.
Never forget that Stephen died young, a victim of stoning. Paul was beheaded. And Simon Peter was crucified, apparently upside down. The historic Christian faith has always set the followers of Christ at odds with their culture. Jesus calls us to a cross, not a spa. And on those occasions when he comforts us, it's clearly for one purpose: that we can rush back onto the field of battle and bring some other fallen soul to safety.
I could sympathize deeply with him because I have a similar frustration. I think something very similar has occurred in the realm of Christianity. Much of what passes for "worship" today has very little to do with God at all, and is much more about self-motivation, self-help, and self-discovery. It's all about marketing church involvement to people who see themselves as consumers rather than disciples. It's useful to forget about sin and even the cross because the god that American worshippers have imagined is a distant deity who can't demand much at all. His assigned job is making us feel better.
It's true that Isaiah 53:5 explains "By his stripes we are healed." But you only have to read the next verse to realize he's not talking about treating cancer or depression. "All we like sheep have gone astray," Isaiah continues, "We have turned every one to our own way. And upon Him God has laid the iniquity of us all." In other words, Jesus didn't die to heal something any first year medical student could fix with a prescription. He didn't die so that you and I could be healed of loneliness. The sickness that he died to heal is more profound than all that: it's sin sickness. Christ died so that you and I could be justified and reconciled to our heavenly father.
It's true that other places in Scripture do address earthly health problems. David confesses in Psalm 103:3 that God has forgiven his sins and healed his diseases. Of course we all know that the Creator of the Universe can heal any disease and repair any problem. We commonly pray about those very things. But those benefits are simply by-products of living in tune with the the Creator of the Universe.
Because I believe every word in the Bible, I have no doubt that Jesus healed leprosy, blindness, and a host of other tragic physical afflictions. And in my own life, I have seen God answer prayers and heal cancer, heart disease, and all manner of addictions. But when I start promising instant pain relief to everyone who comes to church, I am dishonoring God, deceiving consumers, and watering down the Gospel.
Never forget that Stephen died young, a victim of stoning. Paul was beheaded. And Simon Peter was crucified, apparently upside down. The historic Christian faith has always set the followers of Christ at odds with their culture. Jesus calls us to a cross, not a spa. And on those occasions when he comforts us, it's clearly for one purpose: that we can rush back onto the field of battle and bring some other fallen soul to safety.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Brother Charles of Jesus
Warning: This story ends with a very biblical prayer that you may be afraid to say aloud. Faint hearts and faltering faith should proceed no farther. You have been warned.
Charles de Foucauld began his life in France, but his lifestyle would have seemed very familiar to many present day Americans. Born into wealth and aristocracy, he lived out his youth among the privileged elite. He was only six years old when his parents died, leaving him a fortune which he learned as a young man to lavish freely on wine, foie gras, and willing women. Needless to say, he completely abandoned his Catholic upbringing and embraced the life of a playboy and soldier of fortune.
In 1886 at the age of 28, he personally encountered Jesus Christ for the first time in his young life. That supernatural moment would dramatically change his life forever.
He followed the call of Christ to become a monk, but soon discovered that even the most severe order of monasterial life was not challenging enough. He eventually renounced his family fortune, gave it all away, and ultimately retreated to North Africa to live among the Touareg tribesmen there. Temperatures in the Sahara Desert could rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit by day, and dip below freezing at night. For fifteen years, this amazing man made this place his home and these people his mission field. He shared their poverty, worked alongside them in manual labor, evangelized them, led them in worship, and translated the New Testament into the Touareg language. These simple people he served began to call him Brother Charles of Jesus.
His earthly life was cut short at the age of 58 when he was murdered by bandits from a fanatical Muslim sect. Today he is celebrated for his life of surrender. And he is remembered for his prayer of "self abandonment." Will you dare to pray it for yourself?
"Father, I abandon myself into your hands/ Do with me what you will/ Whatever you do, I will thank you/ I am ready for all, I accept all/ Let only your will be done in me as in all your creatures/ And I'll ask nothing else, my Lord.
"Into your hands I commend my spirit/ I give it to you with all the love of my heart/ For I love you, Lord and so need to give myself/ To surrender myself into your hands with a trust beyond all measure, because you are my Father."
Someday we'll meet this guy in Heaven. Imagine standing beside him when the awards for sacrifice are being passed out. How many of us will be able to look him in the eye and say with honesty, "I finally got the courage to pray your prayer?"
Charles de Foucauld began his life in France, but his lifestyle would have seemed very familiar to many present day Americans. Born into wealth and aristocracy, he lived out his youth among the privileged elite. He was only six years old when his parents died, leaving him a fortune which he learned as a young man to lavish freely on wine, foie gras, and willing women. Needless to say, he completely abandoned his Catholic upbringing and embraced the life of a playboy and soldier of fortune.
In 1886 at the age of 28, he personally encountered Jesus Christ for the first time in his young life. That supernatural moment would dramatically change his life forever.
He followed the call of Christ to become a monk, but soon discovered that even the most severe order of monasterial life was not challenging enough. He eventually renounced his family fortune, gave it all away, and ultimately retreated to North Africa to live among the Touareg tribesmen there. Temperatures in the Sahara Desert could rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit by day, and dip below freezing at night. For fifteen years, this amazing man made this place his home and these people his mission field. He shared their poverty, worked alongside them in manual labor, evangelized them, led them in worship, and translated the New Testament into the Touareg language. These simple people he served began to call him Brother Charles of Jesus.
His earthly life was cut short at the age of 58 when he was murdered by bandits from a fanatical Muslim sect. Today he is celebrated for his life of surrender. And he is remembered for his prayer of "self abandonment." Will you dare to pray it for yourself?
"Father, I abandon myself into your hands/ Do with me what you will/ Whatever you do, I will thank you/ I am ready for all, I accept all/ Let only your will be done in me as in all your creatures/ And I'll ask nothing else, my Lord.
"Into your hands I commend my spirit/ I give it to you with all the love of my heart/ For I love you, Lord and so need to give myself/ To surrender myself into your hands with a trust beyond all measure, because you are my Father."
Someday we'll meet this guy in Heaven. Imagine standing beside him when the awards for sacrifice are being passed out. How many of us will be able to look him in the eye and say with honesty, "I finally got the courage to pray your prayer?"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Clueless Faith in the Information Age
There's no doubt that Romans 8 is one of the most confident, thrilling chapters in the Bible. It begins with the promise that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. It climbs to the discovery that God works in all things to bring good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. And then it climaxes with the joyful realization that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.
Working through all these ideas during my sermon preparation for Sunday, I've been captivated by one chord Paul strikes again and again in this lyrical confession of hope. The apostle assures us that although the present day is full of difficulties, this pain cannot touch the thrill we will experience when we one day realize the heavenly glory of God. Then he asserts (v22) "For we know that all creation has been groaning as in childbirth up to the present time." And that's just for starters:
Working through all these ideas during my sermon preparation for Sunday, I've been captivated by one chord Paul strikes again and again in this lyrical confession of hope. The apostle assures us that although the present day is full of difficulties, this pain cannot touch the thrill we will experience when we one day realize the heavenly glory of God. Then he asserts (v22) "For we know that all creation has been groaning as in childbirth up to the present time." And that's just for starters:
- (v28) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose."
- (v38) "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future... or anything else is all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
When you look carefully at Paul's words, you begin to understand the source of his incredible courage and spiritual vitality. That is, he never seemed to struggle with that crisis of belief that people so often reference today. In fact, the things Paul believed were so clearly evidenced in the Word and confirmed in his experience, that they ultimately hardened into convictions. This amazing evangelist and theologian climbed the ladder of faith by reaching for rung after rung of truths he absolutely knew were certain and reliable.
Today's church conversations are often pitted with phrases like "Who can really know" or "We can't be sure." On better days, we tend to say "I hope..." or "I believe..." But how rarely we hear today's church crowds speaking of biblical truths and spiritual applications by saying, "I know this is true," or "I am absolutely convinced this is the case." God's Word has been delivered to us so that we can know things about God, but in our postmodern age, we are more inclined to wonder, or to live in uncertainty.
I think the issue here is that developing deep convictions requires a lot of thought. I must think about a biblical statement and compare it to similar statements in the Bible. I need to hold it up next to life and history and see how it applies. Then I have to ask the "so what" question: "So what if this is true? How would I need to respond?" Only then can I begin to speak about things I know. Paul must have spent a lot of sleepless nights in dungeons processing the statements of Scripture and weaving them into his thought life.
Tragically, today's pop culture discourages thinking. We are more eager to watch television and experience something. When we are alone at home or in the car, we play music to crowd out our own thoughts and ideas. We are most commonly asked to express how we feel, rather than what we are thinking. Even many of the most popular choruses that resound in worship today are centered on experiences and feelings about God rather than doctrines and convictions.
I know full well that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ. But I am also convinced that many yearning people never find that divine embrace because they are too distracted to think about the things God wants us to know for sure. Just a thought.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Currency of Heaven
You'd be surprised how many people email me with theological questions and personal problems. Some are signed, and others come anonymously through an online forum that refers questions to me. A couple of weeks ago, I received a really thoughtful inquiry. The writer raised an excellent question about the validity of faith, but he did it very respectfully. Here's the anonymous question:
"Hi. I apologize in advance as you may find this offensive. I don't wish to offend you but I have a serious issue with the way I think the Christian message has been portrayed and I was hoping that you could answer my concern.
"My issue is with the concept of heaven. It would be best illustrated with an example, so imagine three people. My apologies for such an extreme couple of examples but I think it illustrates the point better to have such extremes: Mr A is a very evil man. A serial killer or similar who never accepts God and as such on death is sent to hell. Mr B is also such an evil person. On his death bed he accepts God, and by my understanding his asking for forgiveness and acceptance of God means that he could go to heaven. Mr C is a good person. He does work for charity, helps others and acts in a kind, considerate manner. However he does not believe in God. Since quote "the only way to heaven is through me (i.e. Jesus)", he would also be condemned to hell.
"My issue is that a supposedly kind and loving God would treat Mr C the same way as Mr A, simply for not believing in him. This seems to me as vanity on God's part (please forgive me for saying so, but this is what I have the issue with), as it seems that God would ignore everything except whether He was worshipped. Please could you explain how my perception of God differs from the loving and caring God which I would like to know? Thanks."
Many of us have friends and co-workers who have expressed similar concerns over the years. With that in mind, I thought you might enjoy my response:
Dear Friend,
You've raised a good question. I'm happy to try and help you with some perspective here. Your problem is that you are comparing degrees of failure. That is, you are comparing serial killers with moral atheists. In terms of morality, there is no doubt that a charitable atheist is preferable to a serial killer. But morality is not the currency of Heaven.
Imagine three men who leap from a burning ship that is sinking 7 miles from the shoreline. The first man, an Olympic Swimmer, makes it 5 miles before drowning in exhaustion. The second man, an athletic type, covers 2 miles before he drowns. The third man, obese and out of shape, goes down 1/4 mile from the boat. Who swam farther is really not the relevant question. All of them were inadequate for the task and ultimately failed.
Scripture explains that the "sin" problem afflicting all human beings is not that we are immoral. It is that we have rejected the Creator God and are completely estranged from him. Hence, the solution is not morality but reconciliation. How can we be at peace with Him again?
God made the standard for reconcilation as simple as possible: faith in His Son, the Christ. If he'd set a financial standard, many would be unable to afford it. If the standard had been bloodline or accomplishments, many would find the bar much too high. But when God decreed that childlike faith, even the size of a mustard seed, will bring us peace with Him through Christ, he set a standard that any human being can fulfill. And in response to simple faith, God grants us all the righteousness we will ever need to live in his presence.
For the biblical promises that support these comments, you can read Romans 4-5. This is the basis for our confidence that God is not only just, but loving and merciful. I hope this helps you along in your journey to faith.
"Hi. I apologize in advance as you may find this offensive. I don't wish to offend you but I have a serious issue with the way I think the Christian message has been portrayed and I was hoping that you could answer my concern.
"My issue is with the concept of heaven. It would be best illustrated with an example, so imagine three people. My apologies for such an extreme couple of examples but I think it illustrates the point better to have such extremes: Mr A is a very evil man. A serial killer or similar who never accepts God and as such on death is sent to hell. Mr B is also such an evil person. On his death bed he accepts God, and by my understanding his asking for forgiveness and acceptance of God means that he could go to heaven. Mr C is a good person. He does work for charity, helps others and acts in a kind, considerate manner. However he does not believe in God. Since quote "the only way to heaven is through me (i.e. Jesus)", he would also be condemned to hell.
"My issue is that a supposedly kind and loving God would treat Mr C the same way as Mr A, simply for not believing in him. This seems to me as vanity on God's part (please forgive me for saying so, but this is what I have the issue with), as it seems that God would ignore everything except whether He was worshipped. Please could you explain how my perception of God differs from the loving and caring God which I would like to know? Thanks."
Many of us have friends and co-workers who have expressed similar concerns over the years. With that in mind, I thought you might enjoy my response:
Dear Friend,
You've raised a good question. I'm happy to try and help you with some perspective here. Your problem is that you are comparing degrees of failure. That is, you are comparing serial killers with moral atheists. In terms of morality, there is no doubt that a charitable atheist is preferable to a serial killer. But morality is not the currency of Heaven.
Imagine three men who leap from a burning ship that is sinking 7 miles from the shoreline. The first man, an Olympic Swimmer, makes it 5 miles before drowning in exhaustion. The second man, an athletic type, covers 2 miles before he drowns. The third man, obese and out of shape, goes down 1/4 mile from the boat. Who swam farther is really not the relevant question. All of them were inadequate for the task and ultimately failed.
Scripture explains that the "sin" problem afflicting all human beings is not that we are immoral. It is that we have rejected the Creator God and are completely estranged from him. Hence, the solution is not morality but reconciliation. How can we be at peace with Him again?
God made the standard for reconcilation as simple as possible: faith in His Son, the Christ. If he'd set a financial standard, many would be unable to afford it. If the standard had been bloodline or accomplishments, many would find the bar much too high. But when God decreed that childlike faith, even the size of a mustard seed, will bring us peace with Him through Christ, he set a standard that any human being can fulfill. And in response to simple faith, God grants us all the righteousness we will ever need to live in his presence.
For the biblical promises that support these comments, you can read Romans 4-5. This is the basis for our confidence that God is not only just, but loving and merciful. I hope this helps you along in your journey to faith.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Slow Road to Fast Relief
Newcomers to the area around the DC Beltway tell me that life seems much more hectic here. The only way to catch a break from the constant traffic jam is leave earlier and drive faster. The most obvious way to reduce a ten hour workday is to use a Blackberry or Smartphone during your commute and after you arrive at home. And there are so many other things people want to cram into their lives- shopping, working out at the gym, taking the family out for a fun evening- that nearly everyone seems to be constantly dashing from one commitment to another. And I suspect the same thing is true of many other cities and metro areas,
Last week after I returned from Zimbabwe with a heavy heart, Jonnel and I realized we needed to decelerate. We stopped by a restaurant we'd been wanting to visit, and settled in for a leisurely meal. The place was not crowded that evening, so the wait staff were especially accomodating. We looked at photos from Africa and I shared details from the last five years that I have never mentioned before. She got to ask questions she'd never asked before about friends whose names she's heard for years.
We spent nearly three hours there that evening. We enjoyed talking about our children, our family, our plans, and how great the food tasted. By the time we finished dessert, it's true that our waistlines were slightly larger. But that overlapping, shared area of our two lives was larger as well. And my heavy heart was much lighter.
The experience of slowing down was so refreshing that we tried it again last night. The evening was cold and rainy, and the television was wall-to-wall with election news. Living so close to DC, we live and breathe politics 24-7. For a change of pace, we lighted some candles, played some quiet jazz and experimented with a couple of new recipes. We ate slowly and talked about details of our day. Then we picked up our Bibles, put a phone call from my son on "speaker," and talked about the mysteries and truths of Romans 7. It's a powerful yet controversial passage, and we all came to agree on God's message to us. And I'll bet all of us remember that practical conversation for the rest of our lives. An unforgettable conversation is a rare treasure.
Industrial reports indicate that Americans are extremely productive. But research shows we are anxious, disconnected, and discontented. By contrast, in stricken Zimbabwe with no food and few consumer goods, my friends move more slowly but with a great deal of laughter and hope. In their vast need, they have discovered a luxury many "rich Americans" can no longer afford: the joy of the moment.
The heavenly father instructs us: "Be still and know that I am God." I confess that I need to do that more often.
Last week after I returned from Zimbabwe with a heavy heart, Jonnel and I realized we needed to decelerate. We stopped by a restaurant we'd been wanting to visit, and settled in for a leisurely meal. The place was not crowded that evening, so the wait staff were especially accomodating. We looked at photos from Africa and I shared details from the last five years that I have never mentioned before. She got to ask questions she'd never asked before about friends whose names she's heard for years.
We spent nearly three hours there that evening. We enjoyed talking about our children, our family, our plans, and how great the food tasted. By the time we finished dessert, it's true that our waistlines were slightly larger. But that overlapping, shared area of our two lives was larger as well. And my heavy heart was much lighter.
The experience of slowing down was so refreshing that we tried it again last night. The evening was cold and rainy, and the television was wall-to-wall with election news. Living so close to DC, we live and breathe politics 24-7. For a change of pace, we lighted some candles, played some quiet jazz and experimented with a couple of new recipes. We ate slowly and talked about details of our day. Then we picked up our Bibles, put a phone call from my son on "speaker," and talked about the mysteries and truths of Romans 7. It's a powerful yet controversial passage, and we all came to agree on God's message to us. And I'll bet all of us remember that practical conversation for the rest of our lives. An unforgettable conversation is a rare treasure.
Industrial reports indicate that Americans are extremely productive. But research shows we are anxious, disconnected, and discontented. By contrast, in stricken Zimbabwe with no food and few consumer goods, my friends move more slowly but with a great deal of laughter and hope. In their vast need, they have discovered a luxury many "rich Americans" can no longer afford: the joy of the moment.
The heavenly father instructs us: "Be still and know that I am God." I confess that I need to do that more often.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Irresistable Appeal of Irrational Fear
Just when you thought that Global Warming would end the world in ten years, the issue has completely dropped off our radar! Who can worry about a disaster ten years away when it seems the world is about to end tomorrow? Right now, Americans are deeply troubled by more tangible issues than their carbon footprint. The housing decline makes most of us anxious. The financial crash in banks and stock markets is unsettling. Rising prices are destroying our family budgets. There's even quite a bit of doom and gloom surrounding the upcoming presidential election.
Alarming headlines and gloomy financial scenarios are feeding our fears. "What if everything goes south tomorrow?" Human nature always tends to assume the worst, but remember this: worst case scenarios don't usually come to pass!
Alarming headlines and gloomy financial scenarios are feeding our fears. "What if everything goes south tomorrow?" Human nature always tends to assume the worst, but remember this: worst case scenarios don't usually come to pass!
- Every visit to the doctor doesn't culminate with a cancer diagnosis! Most of the health problems that worry us are not terminal.
- Every phone call at 2 AM is not tragic news about our family. In fact, most of those calls are just wrong numbers.
- Every mistake our children make does not result in pregnancy, addiction, or death. Most of their mistakes result in useful experience, and little more.
- Every financial downturn does not spiral into the Great Depression. There's only been one of those in US history.
- Every looming crisis played up in the media is not a certainty. Can anyone remember all those dire warnings of crashing planes, jammed computers, and lost financial records as Y2K was approaching on January 1, 2000? Surprisingly, civilization did not end.
The antidote to fear is faith. God has repeatedly brought Ephesians 3:20 to my mind this week, as I have crossed paths with fearful friends and neighbors. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
It's easy to believe that God still does miracles. What's harder to believe is that he will do one for me- just when I need it most. Scripture promises he can. And history shows it's true.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Greetings from the End of the World
In less than a week, four friends and I will depart for Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. Apart from my home, this once glorious nation is my favorite place on Earth. After twenty years of decline and decay, the nation once known as Rhodesia is far from paradise. In fact, you'd swear that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse own a stable here. In spite of everything, the people of Zimbabwe remain noble and inspiring.
Our team will spend our first three days purchasing bulk food supplies with funds provided by our church. Everything must be purchased across the border in neighboring nations. Then we will figure out an equitable way to get these vast quantities of meal, cooking oil, and medicines into the hands of desperate communities. We hope to find some small flocks of goats to provide for the future of at least a couple of villages. It's almost overwhelming to imagine an effort like this when an entire nation is waiting at Death's Door.
Here in the States, the Stock Market is plunging and home prices are descending. The vacant looks and vague assurances from nearly all our political leaders have left us anxious about the future. But there's no anxiety about the future in Victoria Falls: it has arrived, bitter and undiluted.
My friends Rabson and Gainmore called me this afternoon. They are eager for the team to arrive. They didn't complain, but simply answered our questions. The shops are empty and there is no food to be found in country. There are no medical supplies, even at hospitals. Just across the borders of Botswana and Zambia, the food and supplies are stacked on the shelves in great abundance. But gasolene is nearly impossible to find; crossing the border is difficult; and Zim dollars are worthless. ($50 billion will almost buy a loaf of bread in country!)
Gainmore laughed as she spoke of their six month old son. He is growing and doing well. They asked about my own grand daughter who is three months old. I described her features. They laughed again,insisting I must bring lots of photographs. I inquired about what medicines I should bring. Rabson mentioned a variety of illnesses their friends and relatives are enduring. "Whatever you bring will be very fine." The greatest natural resource in Vic Falls is Hope.
There is no food or medicine at the End of the World. Disease and death are rampant. Money is worthless. Fields are empty. Government is broken. But people still find joy and fulfillment in the miracle of family. Friends are a treasure, rare and wonderful. And faith is precious, a lifeline to the God who holds the future in His hand. Greetings from the End of the Earth.
Our team will spend our first three days purchasing bulk food supplies with funds provided by our church. Everything must be purchased across the border in neighboring nations. Then we will figure out an equitable way to get these vast quantities of meal, cooking oil, and medicines into the hands of desperate communities. We hope to find some small flocks of goats to provide for the future of at least a couple of villages. It's almost overwhelming to imagine an effort like this when an entire nation is waiting at Death's Door.
Here in the States, the Stock Market is plunging and home prices are descending. The vacant looks and vague assurances from nearly all our political leaders have left us anxious about the future. But there's no anxiety about the future in Victoria Falls: it has arrived, bitter and undiluted.
My friends Rabson and Gainmore called me this afternoon. They are eager for the team to arrive. They didn't complain, but simply answered our questions. The shops are empty and there is no food to be found in country. There are no medical supplies, even at hospitals. Just across the borders of Botswana and Zambia, the food and supplies are stacked on the shelves in great abundance. But gasolene is nearly impossible to find; crossing the border is difficult; and Zim dollars are worthless. ($50 billion will almost buy a loaf of bread in country!)
Gainmore laughed as she spoke of their six month old son. He is growing and doing well. They asked about my own grand daughter who is three months old. I described her features. They laughed again,insisting I must bring lots of photographs. I inquired about what medicines I should bring. Rabson mentioned a variety of illnesses their friends and relatives are enduring. "Whatever you bring will be very fine." The greatest natural resource in Vic Falls is Hope.
There is no food or medicine at the End of the World. Disease and death are rampant. Money is worthless. Fields are empty. Government is broken. But people still find joy and fulfillment in the miracle of family. Friends are a treasure, rare and wonderful. And faith is precious, a lifeline to the God who holds the future in His hand. Greetings from the End of the Earth.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Journey to God
It is said that the Chinese character for crisis is actually a combination of two different word images: "danger" and "opportunity." Your outcome depends on the choices you make when you're faced with catastrophe. Not being a linguist, I cannot vouch for that metaphor. But I can say this: it seems we have come to one of those fearful moments of possibility.
It has been years since I have tapped into so much communal anxiety. People are afraid to talk about the value of their homes for fear of learning that they owe more than the house is currently worth. Others are afraid to check on their IRA accounts because they dread discovering how much they've lost. The rising prices of nearly everything has cut into personal budgets, and the list of bad news just gets longer everyday.
Worst of all, a growing number of Americans have lost all confidence in our leaders. The President seems tentative and distracted. With approval ratings around 10%, Congress remains poisoned, partisan and polarized. We worry that no one is smart enough to have the answers or strong enough to make such difficult decisions. At last, our problems are too big for us.
I recently spent eighteen months trekking through Exodus and wondering why God is so fond of deserts. A few months into the journey, the answer was obvious. God calls people to deserts because sand, sun, and solitude have the power to strip away all the pretense and prepare us to encounter the Most High God. Make us comfortable and we always become proud and independent. Toss us into the desert where the sand is blistering and even basic necessities are hard to find, and we quickly recognize our place in the cosmos. We are simple, needy souls.
Whenever the second book of the Bible is mentioned, most of us tend to imagine the Israelites departing Egypt and making their way to the land of Promise. But that's not really the story line. In fact, Exodus concludes nearly thirty-eight years before the Jews reach the long awaited Land of Canaan. Yes, the starting point of Exodus is Egypt, but the destination is not Canaan.
When the Israelites first arrive at Mount Sinai, God tells them, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself."
The destination was always God. He would finally deliver his people to Canaan, but even more importantly, the desert would bring them to Him! God was their destination. The unrelenting heat, the scorching wind, the absence of food and water, and the sense of nowhere-ness would transform the people and create a different sort of nation- a holy one.
Perhaps God has brought us to such a desert moment in American life. It seems there are no answers for our questions. There is no man or woman who can stand in the gap. The road seems long and winding, with no hopeful sunset in sight. How did we come to a crisis like this so suddenly, so quickly? Perhaps it was eagle wings that brought us here. It may be that our Heavenly Father is once again bringing us to Himself.
It has been years since I have tapped into so much communal anxiety. People are afraid to talk about the value of their homes for fear of learning that they owe more than the house is currently worth. Others are afraid to check on their IRA accounts because they dread discovering how much they've lost. The rising prices of nearly everything has cut into personal budgets, and the list of bad news just gets longer everyday.
Worst of all, a growing number of Americans have lost all confidence in our leaders. The President seems tentative and distracted. With approval ratings around 10%, Congress remains poisoned, partisan and polarized. We worry that no one is smart enough to have the answers or strong enough to make such difficult decisions. At last, our problems are too big for us.
I recently spent eighteen months trekking through Exodus and wondering why God is so fond of deserts. A few months into the journey, the answer was obvious. God calls people to deserts because sand, sun, and solitude have the power to strip away all the pretense and prepare us to encounter the Most High God. Make us comfortable and we always become proud and independent. Toss us into the desert where the sand is blistering and even basic necessities are hard to find, and we quickly recognize our place in the cosmos. We are simple, needy souls.
Whenever the second book of the Bible is mentioned, most of us tend to imagine the Israelites departing Egypt and making their way to the land of Promise. But that's not really the story line. In fact, Exodus concludes nearly thirty-eight years before the Jews reach the long awaited Land of Canaan. Yes, the starting point of Exodus is Egypt, but the destination is not Canaan.
When the Israelites first arrive at Mount Sinai, God tells them, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself."
The destination was always God. He would finally deliver his people to Canaan, but even more importantly, the desert would bring them to Him! God was their destination. The unrelenting heat, the scorching wind, the absence of food and water, and the sense of nowhere-ness would transform the people and create a different sort of nation- a holy one.
Perhaps God has brought us to such a desert moment in American life. It seems there are no answers for our questions. There is no man or woman who can stand in the gap. The road seems long and winding, with no hopeful sunset in sight. How did we come to a crisis like this so suddenly, so quickly? Perhaps it was eagle wings that brought us here. It may be that our Heavenly Father is once again bringing us to Himself.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Good Church is Hard to Find
One of the newest titles on the bookstore shelves is called Quitting Church. Religious columnist Julia Duin explores the recent phenomenon of "faithful" Christians who are fleeing The Church. She suggests that number is more than one million annually. And the book explains that these are not hardened pagans: they are spiritual people who have tried to get connected but have finally given up.
Let me concede from the start that I haven't read the book. I've simply noticed several articles and reviews dealing with the topic in recent weeks. But comments which have been attributed to the author raised some interesting questions in my own mind. For example:
Let me concede from the start that I haven't read the book. I've simply noticed several articles and reviews dealing with the topic in recent weeks. But comments which have been attributed to the author raised some interesting questions in my own mind. For example:
- The author documents that the majority of American Christians belong to a small pool of extremely large churches. "Megachurch" is not a popular term in the culture today, but it's still a popular size.
- The book apparently suggests that many people are abandoning the Church because they do not feel loved and cared for.
- Singles are especially prone to leave the Church as they often feel overlooked or neglected by the all consuming prejudice toward "families."
I would never diminish the problem highlighted by Quitting Church. I have been observing this trend at the national level for years. Despite all the glowing percentages which indicate most Americans are "Christian," the reality is that our share of the population grows smaller each year, and we are clearly losing the teen-aged population. I'll even agree that if there is blame to be passed around, there is plenty of blame to place at the door of individual churches. Some are too combative. Others are too cold and rigid. Still others are so vague that they stand for everything, which means they will fall for anything.
But I haven't heard anyone suggest there might be a problem in the way Americans approach the church. If you really want to be connected and cared for, why would you assume that a very large church would be the first place to look? This is not a criticism of megachurches. There are certainly some well-organized, ministry-centered super churches that offer great small group involvement. But why would most Americans automatically assume that a church with thousands of members would be the best place to enjoy personal care and connectedness?
The author mentions that a growing number of single Americans are having trouble finding a mate these days. Trends suggest it is too time consuming to sort through dozens of "candidates" to find a potential spouse. Many searching singles are trying quick new options: speed-dating, "Just Lunch" dating services, computer dating, online matchmaking, etc. And of course, there are still bars. Recent evidence suggests that while men and women still want to find a life's mate, the search process is just too cumbersome and time consuming for the expectations of today's fast paced men and women. Who has enough time to search through dozens of relationships and blind dates hoping to find what we need? "I want it all and I want it now." Hence, more and more Americans are "quitting marriage."
I wonder if that's one reason for the frustration with The Church today? There aren't just three churches to choose from. There are dozens if not hundreds: some good, some not that good. And denomination is no longer a clear indicator of what a church will be like. So rather than spend months investigating, we just try 2 or 3 of the biggest churches in town. After a couple of months, we're so tired of searching that we settle for one. And we often find the match isn't right. So maybe we'll try one more megachurch in desperation. Or maybe we'll just complain and finally drop out.
Singles are among the most likely to gravitate towards huge churches. They apparently hope the odds are better with a gigantic pool of singles from which to choose. But it's amazing how often singles in our medium-sized church seem to find each other and get happily married, despite the fact we don't have hundreds of twenty-somethings. And along the way, they have enjoyed a sense of family with the church family: loved and cared for.
Quitting Church suggests "faithful" Christians are falling by the wayside because churches are not willing to pay the price. I'm sure that's true to some degree. But I suspect it's also true that many religious people have fallen through the cracks because they were unwilling to pay the price. Faced with one hundred church listings on a website, it takes time to read, think and pray. It's time consuming to visit eight or ten churches of different sizes and locations. And it requires even more time to go back to an appealing church three or four times to be sure it's a good fit. But time is indeed part of the price we pay for a great church experience. And as the wise men say, you get what you pay for.
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Boom in Gloom and Doom
The news was so bad this week that there were a couple of moments when I even found myself being sucked in. Wall Street was plummeting. Housing values were sinking. New home construction was dying. Gasolene prices were still over $3.50 per gallon. And massive hurricanes were rushing our way one after another! Some news broadcasters managed to look sufficiently "concerned," but most could hardly contain their glee.
Can you spell "feeding frenzy?" Cable news channels realize that breaking news keeps us coming back for more, so bad news needs to keep breaking every half hour or so. So for more than a week now, the people who sell us the news have been ratcheting up the intensity. Two weeks ago we had not yet achieved the formal definition of "recession." This week, the Great Depression has struck- or so you'd think from listening to news reports.
How odd that in the midst of the Mother of all Depressions, Americans will still be going out to NFL games this week-end- and baseball games, and Broadway musicals, and rock concerts. Airlines tickets will sell for higher prices, and financially bereft Americans will buy them. Believe me, I understand that finances are tight and housing equity has decreased, but what we have endured this week is not the Apocalyse!
Ric Edelman points out that the foreclosure rate among American home owners is somewhere under 3% of all homes. During the Great Depression, more than 50% of all homes were under foreclosure. Banks could call in your mortgage loan anytime they faced a cashflow pinch, even though you'd made all your payments on time. They can't do that anymore. This is not the Great Depression II.
Many Americans living along the Texas Gulf Coast are experiencing a crisis today. Their homes have been destroyed, the neighborhoods are gone, and the infrastructure has been decimated. The rest of us are not in a crisis.
Wednesday night, I asked members of my church family if we could double our giving during the month of October to catch up on our missions giving, feed starving people in Zimbabwe, and send a relief team to Houston/Galveston. They responded enthusiastically that with God's help, we can do this. We are not "tapped out."
Then a missionary stood to tell us about a hospital in Zimbabwe. Although most hospitals in that desolate nation have neither medicines for sick people nor sheets for beds, one hospital in Sanyati has managed to maintain a resource lifeline to the outside world. Consequently, desperate people from across that land are constantly descending on that isolated outpost of hope. The economic conditions are worse than dreadful. Epidemics are always a threat. The courageous doctors and nurses work long, long hours with very limited supplies. Their families are always at risk.
The missionary asked them why they stay. What keeps them from relocating their families to the USA or Canada or England? They could work in high-tech medical centers and rack up financial fortunes for themselves. The doctors replied, "We love our country and God has placed us here for a time such a this."
Some people in the world are truly suffering. You and I are simply anxious.
Can you spell "feeding frenzy?" Cable news channels realize that breaking news keeps us coming back for more, so bad news needs to keep breaking every half hour or so. So for more than a week now, the people who sell us the news have been ratcheting up the intensity. Two weeks ago we had not yet achieved the formal definition of "recession." This week, the Great Depression has struck- or so you'd think from listening to news reports.
How odd that in the midst of the Mother of all Depressions, Americans will still be going out to NFL games this week-end- and baseball games, and Broadway musicals, and rock concerts. Airlines tickets will sell for higher prices, and financially bereft Americans will buy them. Believe me, I understand that finances are tight and housing equity has decreased, but what we have endured this week is not the Apocalyse!
Ric Edelman points out that the foreclosure rate among American home owners is somewhere under 3% of all homes. During the Great Depression, more than 50% of all homes were under foreclosure. Banks could call in your mortgage loan anytime they faced a cashflow pinch, even though you'd made all your payments on time. They can't do that anymore. This is not the Great Depression II.
Many Americans living along the Texas Gulf Coast are experiencing a crisis today. Their homes have been destroyed, the neighborhoods are gone, and the infrastructure has been decimated. The rest of us are not in a crisis.
Wednesday night, I asked members of my church family if we could double our giving during the month of October to catch up on our missions giving, feed starving people in Zimbabwe, and send a relief team to Houston/Galveston. They responded enthusiastically that with God's help, we can do this. We are not "tapped out."
Then a missionary stood to tell us about a hospital in Zimbabwe. Although most hospitals in that desolate nation have neither medicines for sick people nor sheets for beds, one hospital in Sanyati has managed to maintain a resource lifeline to the outside world. Consequently, desperate people from across that land are constantly descending on that isolated outpost of hope. The economic conditions are worse than dreadful. Epidemics are always a threat. The courageous doctors and nurses work long, long hours with very limited supplies. Their families are always at risk.
The missionary asked them why they stay. What keeps them from relocating their families to the USA or Canada or England? They could work in high-tech medical centers and rack up financial fortunes for themselves. The doctors replied, "We love our country and God has placed us here for a time such a this."
Some people in the world are truly suffering. You and I are simply anxious.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
We're Not Hungry Enough
This morning I shared the story of William Tyndale with our congregation. This amazing young man had earned advanced degrees from Oxford and mastered 8 languages by the time he set out to become the first to translate the Greek New Testament into English. Because the leaders of the Church were bitterly opposed to an English translation, Tyndale was forced into hiding as a fugitive. So while fleeing from house to house and one country to another, he somehow managed to achieve his ambition: an excellent English translation of the Greek New Testament and most of the Hebrew Old Testament. His work was accurate, lyrical and memorable for the common men and women.
As you may know, Tyndale's quest cost him much more than the comforts of life in the mainstream. He never enjoyed the bliss of wife or children. He never enjoyed the security of his own home. He missed most of the world's tourist locations. And he ultimate lost his life. In 1536, he was strangled and then burned at the stake for his crime of "laying the Holy Scriptures open and naked before the unwashed masses."
When the King James Version was authorized just about 70 years later, the translators used Tyndale's vocabulary almost entirely. In fact, until very recently, virtually every English translation of the Bible contained heavy percentages of English words selected by Tyndale. He actually coined certain terms like Passover, scapegoat, and atonement.
But here's the question we sometimes ask in response to stories like this one: what made these gigantic figures of faith like Tyndale so different? Why are their lives able to leap across the barriers of space, time and culture to inspire and bless generations like our own hundreds of years later?
Some would say their faith was greater. But in fact, Christ constantly diminishes the significance of size in regard to faith. A mere mustard seed of faith can vanquish unthinkable obstacles.
Some would insist that their courage was greater. The saints of earlier generation were absolutely fearless. But in fact, courage is simply the ability to disregard one's fears for the moments. Today, you and I seem to have very few fears to conquer- except for the possible fear of rejection by others. Our tiny fears are not the issue.
I have come to believe that heroes like Tyndale were different from you and me only because they're appetites were greater. They yearned for more than self-fulfillment and the latest toy for their collections of things. No, the great ones of earlier generations were focused on the glory of God and the needs of others. That focus made all the difference.
Tyndale knew that his effort to translate the Bible could cost him everything and yet still he persisted. Don't miss the fact that he didn't need to do this for his own spiritual health- he could read Greek, Hebrew and Latin. All the words of Scripture were available to him in legal languages which he could understand. He could have read them in safety for the rest of his life. And he could have quoted them to others with no risk to himself.
But Tyndale wanted more than comfort and self-fulfillment. He wanted to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and offer a timeless gift to all posterity. He wanted a Bible others could read and embody. So he laid everything on the line and went for the gold. We are all the better for his sacrifice.
You and I would all do well to remember William Tyndale on days when we complain that we have been treated unfairly, or that our financial burdens are so stressful that we can scarcely go on. The problem with us Post-moderns is not the size of our bank accounts or the stressful nature so many consumer decisions. As C.S. Lewis once opined, our desires are not too large: they are too small. So we settle for the joy of making pud pies in a ghetto because we cannot imagine the pleasure of an ocean cruise. And so we miss the adventure of faith, and the impact of living among the great ones.
On the gallows, Tyndale prayed that God would open the eyes of the King of England. Indeed, may he open ours as well.
As you may know, Tyndale's quest cost him much more than the comforts of life in the mainstream. He never enjoyed the bliss of wife or children. He never enjoyed the security of his own home. He missed most of the world's tourist locations. And he ultimate lost his life. In 1536, he was strangled and then burned at the stake for his crime of "laying the Holy Scriptures open and naked before the unwashed masses."
When the King James Version was authorized just about 70 years later, the translators used Tyndale's vocabulary almost entirely. In fact, until very recently, virtually every English translation of the Bible contained heavy percentages of English words selected by Tyndale. He actually coined certain terms like Passover, scapegoat, and atonement.
But here's the question we sometimes ask in response to stories like this one: what made these gigantic figures of faith like Tyndale so different? Why are their lives able to leap across the barriers of space, time and culture to inspire and bless generations like our own hundreds of years later?
Some would say their faith was greater. But in fact, Christ constantly diminishes the significance of size in regard to faith. A mere mustard seed of faith can vanquish unthinkable obstacles.
Some would insist that their courage was greater. The saints of earlier generation were absolutely fearless. But in fact, courage is simply the ability to disregard one's fears for the moments. Today, you and I seem to have very few fears to conquer- except for the possible fear of rejection by others. Our tiny fears are not the issue.
I have come to believe that heroes like Tyndale were different from you and me only because they're appetites were greater. They yearned for more than self-fulfillment and the latest toy for their collections of things. No, the great ones of earlier generations were focused on the glory of God and the needs of others. That focus made all the difference.
Tyndale knew that his effort to translate the Bible could cost him everything and yet still he persisted. Don't miss the fact that he didn't need to do this for his own spiritual health- he could read Greek, Hebrew and Latin. All the words of Scripture were available to him in legal languages which he could understand. He could have read them in safety for the rest of his life. And he could have quoted them to others with no risk to himself.
But Tyndale wanted more than comfort and self-fulfillment. He wanted to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and offer a timeless gift to all posterity. He wanted a Bible others could read and embody. So he laid everything on the line and went for the gold. We are all the better for his sacrifice.
You and I would all do well to remember William Tyndale on days when we complain that we have been treated unfairly, or that our financial burdens are so stressful that we can scarcely go on. The problem with us Post-moderns is not the size of our bank accounts or the stressful nature so many consumer decisions. As C.S. Lewis once opined, our desires are not too large: they are too small. So we settle for the joy of making pud pies in a ghetto because we cannot imagine the pleasure of an ocean cruise. And so we miss the adventure of faith, and the impact of living among the great ones.
On the gallows, Tyndale prayed that God would open the eyes of the King of England. Indeed, may he open ours as well.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Jezebel's Powder Room
The Harris Poll recently discovered that when American's are asked to name their favorite book, the Bible is their overwhelming first choice. Researchers were surprised to find that #2 varies from one demographic group to another and includes favorites like Gone with the Wind or The Lord of the Rings. But across all demographic groups- political party, race, sex, educational level, etc- the Bible is far and away #1. The Harris people explain that in no other area can one find such universal consensus among Americans!
It's no wonder, of course. The Bible points us to our Creator God. It meets our deepest needs. It informs our decisions and it comforts us when we are in despair. And unlike any other "inspirational" book, it just has the ring of truth!
Here's a great example: quirky but true. After years of instigating violence and corruption, King Ahab's wicked wife Jezebel was finally called on the carpet. Her influence was fading, her defenders were melting away, and she learned that Jehu, the leader of the rebel forces, was just arriving in town. At this point, 2 Kings 9:30 comments, "When Jezebel heard this, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window." Two verses later she was thrown to her death on the pavement below.
Four years ago, a Harvard University team of archaeologists announced they had discovered the ruins of Ahab's royal palace in Samaria. Not surprisingly, they found evidence of a lavish lifestyle. The walls of one chamber were apparently covered in ivory. And there among the rooms and corridors once haunted by the evil queen, the team actually found her make up kit. Among the pottery shards and objects from everyday life were tiny containers lined with coal dust for black accents, turquoise for green, and ochre for red. There were even tiny holes in the lid for use in mixing the colors. The Bible's characterization was spot on- exactly right!
That's just one tiny example of the Truth we constantly experience when we read God's Word. It's a book for the ages, but it's also a book for today. Wise people read it every day.
It's no wonder, of course. The Bible points us to our Creator God. It meets our deepest needs. It informs our decisions and it comforts us when we are in despair. And unlike any other "inspirational" book, it just has the ring of truth!
Here's a great example: quirky but true. After years of instigating violence and corruption, King Ahab's wicked wife Jezebel was finally called on the carpet. Her influence was fading, her defenders were melting away, and she learned that Jehu, the leader of the rebel forces, was just arriving in town. At this point, 2 Kings 9:30 comments, "When Jezebel heard this, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window." Two verses later she was thrown to her death on the pavement below.
Four years ago, a Harvard University team of archaeologists announced they had discovered the ruins of Ahab's royal palace in Samaria. Not surprisingly, they found evidence of a lavish lifestyle. The walls of one chamber were apparently covered in ivory. And there among the rooms and corridors once haunted by the evil queen, the team actually found her make up kit. Among the pottery shards and objects from everyday life were tiny containers lined with coal dust for black accents, turquoise for green, and ochre for red. There were even tiny holes in the lid for use in mixing the colors. The Bible's characterization was spot on- exactly right!
That's just one tiny example of the Truth we constantly experience when we read God's Word. It's a book for the ages, but it's also a book for today. Wise people read it every day.
Monday, August 4, 2008
When He Calls Your Name
I've been reading about William Tyndale, a brilliant young man who became an outlaw and literally gave his life to translate the Bible into English. Today most Christians have no idea what he did for us, even though modern translations often use his word choices from 1530! In a world where everyone wants 15 minutes of fame, five hundred years is a long time to celebrate anybody.
Pay the price, sacrifice, give your life, but don't expect your fellow earthlings to remember your labor of love. We all forget a lot more than we remember, and history books go out of print every year. In Washington DC, they're having to remove statues of forgotten heroes to make room for this decade's patriots.
But here's the great news: the One who matters most never forgets!
Pay the price, sacrifice, give your life, but don't expect your fellow earthlings to remember your labor of love. We all forget a lot more than we remember, and history books go out of print every year. In Washington DC, they're having to remove statues of forgotten heroes to make room for this decade's patriots.
But here's the great news: the One who matters most never forgets!
- 1500 years before Jesus, two women named Shiphrah and Puah helped rescue little Hebrew boys from death. History forgot, but God wrote their names in the Bible.
- Bezalel and Oholiab were craftsmen whose skill and love for God uniquely qualified them to construct the first Tabernacle and all its furnishings. They lovingly fashioned the Ark of the Covenant with a mercy seat of pure gold. The world forgot, but the Father remembered.
- The same is true for all those people listed in those endless geneologies scattered through the Bible. We have no idea what many of those people ever did for God, but He still delights in their names.
Ray Bolz inspired us all with that great song "Thank You (For Giving to the Lord.)" It really is fun to try and imagine how little ministries here might have a big impact in Heaven someday. And wouldn't it be fun to walk down the streets of Heaven and be thronged by people who were blessed by your life? Well, don't get your hopes up. The song is great, but memories are short.
Matthew 25 reminds us that no matter how many people forget, Jesus will remember the times we offered food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, rest to the weary. He will remember the deed because He knows you by name. The privilege of making Him smile will be worth it all.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Those Church People Aren't So Bad, Part 2
Our culture tends to bash Christians, churches and "the Christian Right." We are frequently depicted as judgmental, harsh, angry, not very compassionate, and opposed to progress. But as I indicated last week, no one does feature stories or news segments on Christians sending teams and funds to areas devastated by floods, earthquakes and typhoons. Things like that aren't newsworthy because they are so commonplace. Christians do those kinds of things all the time!
But here's another bit of news you ought to know. Not only are followers of Jesus Christ more responsive to tragic emergencies, but we routinely give more than unbelievers to all charitable causes. In researching his book Who Really Cares, Arthur C. Brooks expected to find that political conservatives are more likely to give to charity than political liberals. But his findings surprised even him!
For instance, Brooks found that families in South Dakota give almost exactly the same amount to charity in a year ($1300) as families in San Francisco. That's interesting because, as you'd suppose, the average family in San Franciso enjoys 74% more personal income than a family in South Dakota. So how does one explain why families in one small rural state give away 75% more of their income to charitable causes that families in a big, sophisticated, well educated California metro area?
Research shows one factor makes a difference: religion. Specifically, Christians in South Dakota report that they have been taught to tithe since they were children. By contrast, when the Director of a major San Francisco foundation was asked to explain the difference, she replied, "This is a pretty #$#$ godless place. People don't feel very obligated to give." In South Dakota, 50% worship weekly and only 10% never attend church. In San Francisco, 49% never participate in worship and only 14% do.
Brooks has stacks of data which he breaks down into dozens of categories. But in every category, Americans who worship are far more likely to be generous than Americans who don't. They are more likely to give their time to charitable causes. They are more likely to give money to friends in a pinch. They were 57% more likely than unbelievers to help a homeless person at least once a month!
And they don't simply give to their churches. Christians were far more likely than unbelievers to give to causes related to 9-11 directly after that tragedy. Brooks reports that worshippers are far more likely to support secular causes like the United Way. Typically, about 37% of a religious family's total donations go to non-religious causes.
Again, this is not a cause for boasting. The only recognition most Christians desire, is the pleasure of our Heavenly Father when we stand before Him someday. But for people who need evidence that there is someting different about people of faith, this should be Exhibit A.
But here's another bit of news you ought to know. Not only are followers of Jesus Christ more responsive to tragic emergencies, but we routinely give more than unbelievers to all charitable causes. In researching his book Who Really Cares, Arthur C. Brooks expected to find that political conservatives are more likely to give to charity than political liberals. But his findings surprised even him!
For instance, Brooks found that families in South Dakota give almost exactly the same amount to charity in a year ($1300) as families in San Francisco. That's interesting because, as you'd suppose, the average family in San Franciso enjoys 74% more personal income than a family in South Dakota. So how does one explain why families in one small rural state give away 75% more of their income to charitable causes that families in a big, sophisticated, well educated California metro area?
Research shows one factor makes a difference: religion. Specifically, Christians in South Dakota report that they have been taught to tithe since they were children. By contrast, when the Director of a major San Francisco foundation was asked to explain the difference, she replied, "This is a pretty #$#$ godless place. People don't feel very obligated to give." In South Dakota, 50% worship weekly and only 10% never attend church. In San Francisco, 49% never participate in worship and only 14% do.
Brooks has stacks of data which he breaks down into dozens of categories. But in every category, Americans who worship are far more likely to be generous than Americans who don't. They are more likely to give their time to charitable causes. They are more likely to give money to friends in a pinch. They were 57% more likely than unbelievers to help a homeless person at least once a month!
And they don't simply give to their churches. Christians were far more likely than unbelievers to give to causes related to 9-11 directly after that tragedy. Brooks reports that worshippers are far more likely to support secular causes like the United Way. Typically, about 37% of a religious family's total donations go to non-religious causes.
Again, this is not a cause for boasting. The only recognition most Christians desire, is the pleasure of our Heavenly Father when we stand before Him someday. But for people who need evidence that there is someting different about people of faith, this should be Exhibit A.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Those Church People Aren't So Bad, Part 1
I always wince when a Christian character turns up in a popular TV show or motion picture. Here's why: if it's a murder mystery, there's a 95% chance the Christian will ultimately be the murderer. If the plot involves having fun, or celebrating music, or doing something humane and compassionate, there's a 70% chance the Christian character will be leading the charge against it! Our culture is relentless in its passion for bashing "church people."
Earlier this week, I was reviewing a church brochure that explains our vision and philosophy of ministry. And as I read the summary about missions and relief, it brought to mind all the deeds of compassion our folks do quietly and behind the scenes.
Earlier this week, I was reviewing a church brochure that explains our vision and philosophy of ministry. And as I read the summary about missions and relief, it brought to mind all the deeds of compassion our folks do quietly and behind the scenes.
- In the last five years, we've sent four teams to Zimbabwe to distribute food, anti-malarial treatments, reading glasses, and school supplies. Our work to encourage churches and show compassion to people in Victoria Falls receives our attention year round.
- In 2005, we raised $50,000 for expand facilities caring for AIDS/HIV orphans in Kampala, Uganda. We sent 12 volunteers to help with construction.
- That same year, we dispatched volunteers to deliver three truck loads of refrigerators and freezers to an emergency shelter for people who were flooded out by Katrina. Our trucks arrived before most of the National Guard and FEMA fleets came wheeling in.
- In 2006 we sent another team of volunteers to help people in New Orleans reclaim their flooded homes.
- Last month we dispatched a team of volunteers to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to help locals recover from a 500 Year Flood. They saw only 1 government vehicle in their days there. Assistance from the outside came overwhelmingly from Christian volunteers, churches and organizations.
Don't misunderstand: I'm not boasting. Based on what our teams have seen at disasters sites, tens of thousands of other churches do similar things- maybe even to a greater degree than we do. I think missions and relief projects are routine for most Christian churches: some members go and others raise funds to support them. Nobody expects publicity. Ten protesters demanding an end to the war will always make the evening news. Ten thousand Christians volunteering in flooded New Orleans is not newsworthy. It's commonplace.
And that's just one of the amazing facts about Christians. We don't need an entourage of reporters or a "photo op" in order to pick up tools and get dirty. In fact, we commonly arrive before the TV cameras show up, and remain months after they have departed for the next breaking story. And we don't hold press conferences because Jesus encourages us to do it all quietly and behind the scenes. The only coverage we really want is His.
So take some time to thank God for His people and His churches. That's what a lot of flood victims in the American Midwest are doing this week. I'll share more good news in next week's blog.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Say Hello to the Beast
After more than a decade of analyzing The Revelation, I finally came up with an interpretation that makes sense and can be remembered. Over the years, I've gotten standing ovations from groups who think John's Apocalypse makes sense for the very first time. My approach allows the Old Testament to explain the mysterious images of the Bible's closing book. There's not nearly enough space here to unpack the whole approach, but I simply have to share one idea.
The evidence has convinced me that the Beast, the end times super villain whose logo is 666, is government trying to be God. It was the government who sought to crush the church at the time John committed his vision to writing. It was the government, a church run government at that, which nailed Christ to the cross. And through the centuries, it has been out of control government that spawned Nazi concentration camps, dominated Eastern Europe, and stamped out freedom in China.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution is designed to protect the church from the government- not the other way around! That's why history and our founding fathers have a powerful message for believers: Be suspicious of big government. Be very suspicious.
With that warning in mind, take a look at the events that dominate serious news today:
The evidence has convinced me that the Beast, the end times super villain whose logo is 666, is government trying to be God. It was the government who sought to crush the church at the time John committed his vision to writing. It was the government, a church run government at that, which nailed Christ to the cross. And through the centuries, it has been out of control government that spawned Nazi concentration camps, dominated Eastern Europe, and stamped out freedom in China.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution is designed to protect the church from the government- not the other way around! That's why history and our founding fathers have a powerful message for believers: Be suspicious of big government. Be very suspicious.
With that warning in mind, take a look at the events that dominate serious news today:
- There is a widespread effort underway to give Big Government control of our healthcare system. This is happening despite horror stories from Canada and the United Kingdom.
- The advocates of Manmade Global Warming- and they are many- are calling for massive government control of what we drive, how we set our thermostats, how we travel. The term "Big Brother" comes strangely to mind.
- Last week, a prominent US Senator called for "nationalization" of the US oil industry. Yes, let's do for the price of oil what the Pentagon did to the price of military spare parts.
- This morning's Washington Post featured an editorial calling for government control of the entire mortgage industry. Does anyone remember the disaster we called the Soviet Union?
- At least one political party is calling for higher taxes next year if they win the presidential election. Say what you like about overbearing right-wing Christians. Only the government can reach into your pocket and take your money legally without your permission.
Someone has observed that a government that has the power to give you anything you want, also has the power to take away everything you have. Bad News, America. Uncle Sam is quickly morphing into something our forefathers and the prophets always warned us about. Uncertain times always prompt citizens to demand some kind of Big Government Lifeguard. But we should all read Revelation 13. There's someone in the sea swimming toward us, but he has a dorsal fin, not a life preserver. Can anyone spell 666?
Monday, July 7, 2008
God is Not My Co-Pilot
There's an old story about a man who crashed his car while driving carelessly. It happened that a drunk was leaving a nearby bar, and came stumbling over to help the victim out of his car. When the driver realized that he had escaped without a scratch, he sighed, "The Good Lord was riding with me."
The drunk replied, "Well, you'd better let him ride with me, because you're going to kill him!"
One of my Bible Study leaders mentioned in passing on Sunday that his class had debated the validity of the old bumper sticker, "God is my co-pilot." I never got to hear about their discussion, but it's useful to challenge our popular confessions. And it started me thinking. I've always disliked that bumper sticker, and I've disdained it for several reasons.
First, I've always wondered why Christians prefer slogans to Bible verses. The Bible never compares Christ to a co-pilot... or a designated driver, or an assistant manager. The Bible says "Jesus is Lord." Why would anyone want some vague metaphor on his automobile or his jet, when a biblical option is more succinct. "Jesus is my Lord." What's wrong with that?
Second, if you insist on placing a slogan on your bumper, why not select one that expresses biblical truth? For example, I've noticed bumper stickers which say "My boss is a carpenter." One variation is "I work for a Jewish carpenter." No, that's not a quotation from the Bible, but it does express a biblical truth in a slightly amusing manner.
Third, no matter how you stack it up, it's simply inaccurate to boast "God is my co-pilot." If you are merely referring to who's driving the car, it's not likely that He's going to take over if you fall asleep at the wheel. Christians commonly have automobile crashes, just like pagans do. I doubt we should attribute 50% of the blame to God.
And if you are speaking in the larger sense of God being the co-pilot of your life, you're flying smackdab in the face of Jesus. Go through your New Testament and count the number of parables which compare us to servants who must do what the Master commands. Read the Lord's prayer and ponder what it means to ask God to "give us our daily bread." Think about what it means that I am an organ in the Body of Christ in which Jesus is the head. What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?
It means, essentially, that I consent to be ruled by Him. God has no intention of being my spiritual advisor, my motivator, or my co-pilot. My goal is not to someday grow up and fly solo. Rather, maturing in faith means learning to be more surrendered everyday. (See Romans 12: 1,2.) Crucifying myself in faith means that I allow Jesus to be Lord of my life.
We are failed sinners who instinctively long for things that will destroy us. We need more than a nice co-pilot. We need a Great Physician, a loving Savior and a Lord.
The drunk replied, "Well, you'd better let him ride with me, because you're going to kill him!"
One of my Bible Study leaders mentioned in passing on Sunday that his class had debated the validity of the old bumper sticker, "God is my co-pilot." I never got to hear about their discussion, but it's useful to challenge our popular confessions. And it started me thinking. I've always disliked that bumper sticker, and I've disdained it for several reasons.
First, I've always wondered why Christians prefer slogans to Bible verses. The Bible never compares Christ to a co-pilot... or a designated driver, or an assistant manager. The Bible says "Jesus is Lord." Why would anyone want some vague metaphor on his automobile or his jet, when a biblical option is more succinct. "Jesus is my Lord." What's wrong with that?
Second, if you insist on placing a slogan on your bumper, why not select one that expresses biblical truth? For example, I've noticed bumper stickers which say "My boss is a carpenter." One variation is "I work for a Jewish carpenter." No, that's not a quotation from the Bible, but it does express a biblical truth in a slightly amusing manner.
Third, no matter how you stack it up, it's simply inaccurate to boast "God is my co-pilot." If you are merely referring to who's driving the car, it's not likely that He's going to take over if you fall asleep at the wheel. Christians commonly have automobile crashes, just like pagans do. I doubt we should attribute 50% of the blame to God.
And if you are speaking in the larger sense of God being the co-pilot of your life, you're flying smackdab in the face of Jesus. Go through your New Testament and count the number of parables which compare us to servants who must do what the Master commands. Read the Lord's prayer and ponder what it means to ask God to "give us our daily bread." Think about what it means that I am an organ in the Body of Christ in which Jesus is the head. What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?
It means, essentially, that I consent to be ruled by Him. God has no intention of being my spiritual advisor, my motivator, or my co-pilot. My goal is not to someday grow up and fly solo. Rather, maturing in faith means learning to be more surrendered everyday. (See Romans 12: 1,2.) Crucifying myself in faith means that I allow Jesus to be Lord of my life.
We are failed sinners who instinctively long for things that will destroy us. We need more than a nice co-pilot. We need a Great Physician, a loving Savior and a Lord.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Who Luvs Ya, Baby?
Had you heard that we've discovered an 11th Commandment? It's true. Recently some archaeologists were going over the two surviving tablets of the Law and they found an additional commandment concealed in the decorative etching at the bottom. When they translated the Hebrew into English,it said "Thou Shalt Not Offend."
I'm joking about the archeologists! Unfortunately, I'm not joking about the new commandment- at least in the minds of this generation. Take one step back for a bit of perspective and you realize that most of us aren't competing for souls- or even fruit, or holiness, or service. We are competing with everybody else to be liked. It's almost as though we have this pink sheet of paper pinned to our backs, pleading "Like me. Please." We will offer tacit approval of depraved choices, deny Jesus, or abandon a friend to Hell, but we dare not risk offending anybody. If they don't like us, we'll never reach them. Isn't that biblical?
When did the people of God begin worrying about what other people think of us? Good grief! In His inaugural sermon that launched the church, Jesus reassured us "Happy are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you because of me." Jesus didn't care if people liked him. His example said, "It is what it is! This is what God is like, whether you approve or not."
Of course he loved people tirelessly, but he didn't fawn all over them trying to schmooze them. He called some people hypocrites and told others to stop sinning. He drove the money changers out of the temple with a whip. He rebuked Peter's sinful excuses, and called him Satan. He did controversial things. Some people overlooked all this because he had amazing power to help. Others got so mad they wanted to kill Him.
Today, many of Christ's churches are competing for the Miss Congeniality Award. What can we do to make you like us? Can we endorse Global Warming to win your approval? Can we change the subject when the topic of sin comes up? Can we serve you lattes in the winter and ice cream in the summer? Can we make the sermons shorter and talk endlessly about motion pictures and TV shows? Then will you like me?
Hey, can we be finally be honest with ourselves and face the facts? You know this: as hard as we've tried, most people still don't like us. And the ones who do like us are not being transformed by faith. They're simply tolerating our convictions that are apparently so backwards that even we'd rather not talk about them.
Take a look at the US Church today and you quickly see that everything is up for grabs- everything! Some "Bible" churches won't even mention the virgin birth lest intellectuals be offended. Other Christians are asking if one man-one woman is really the biblical standard for marriage. Some churches have banned the word "sin" from their Sunday vocabulary. The world doesn't know God, but they know this: when everything is up for debate, nothing seriously matters.
Simon Peter, Paul the apostle, James the brother of Christ, and Simon Peter were just a few of the First Century saints who died prematurely. They didn't contract cancer or AIDS. They were murdered by the large numbers of people who were offended and didn't like them. But in the short time they lived here, their lives called down so much power from Heaven that they changed their world.
Good News: God loves you. If your ministry pleases Him, you'll win some of your neighbors whether they like you or not. Let's take the stupid signs off our backs and stop acting like a bunch of losers.
I'm joking about the archeologists! Unfortunately, I'm not joking about the new commandment- at least in the minds of this generation. Take one step back for a bit of perspective and you realize that most of us aren't competing for souls- or even fruit, or holiness, or service. We are competing with everybody else to be liked. It's almost as though we have this pink sheet of paper pinned to our backs, pleading "Like me. Please." We will offer tacit approval of depraved choices, deny Jesus, or abandon a friend to Hell, but we dare not risk offending anybody. If they don't like us, we'll never reach them. Isn't that biblical?
When did the people of God begin worrying about what other people think of us? Good grief! In His inaugural sermon that launched the church, Jesus reassured us "Happy are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you because of me." Jesus didn't care if people liked him. His example said, "It is what it is! This is what God is like, whether you approve or not."
Of course he loved people tirelessly, but he didn't fawn all over them trying to schmooze them. He called some people hypocrites and told others to stop sinning. He drove the money changers out of the temple with a whip. He rebuked Peter's sinful excuses, and called him Satan. He did controversial things. Some people overlooked all this because he had amazing power to help. Others got so mad they wanted to kill Him.
Today, many of Christ's churches are competing for the Miss Congeniality Award. What can we do to make you like us? Can we endorse Global Warming to win your approval? Can we change the subject when the topic of sin comes up? Can we serve you lattes in the winter and ice cream in the summer? Can we make the sermons shorter and talk endlessly about motion pictures and TV shows? Then will you like me?
Hey, can we be finally be honest with ourselves and face the facts? You know this: as hard as we've tried, most people still don't like us. And the ones who do like us are not being transformed by faith. They're simply tolerating our convictions that are apparently so backwards that even we'd rather not talk about them.
Take a look at the US Church today and you quickly see that everything is up for grabs- everything! Some "Bible" churches won't even mention the virgin birth lest intellectuals be offended. Other Christians are asking if one man-one woman is really the biblical standard for marriage. Some churches have banned the word "sin" from their Sunday vocabulary. The world doesn't know God, but they know this: when everything is up for debate, nothing seriously matters.
Simon Peter, Paul the apostle, James the brother of Christ, and Simon Peter were just a few of the First Century saints who died prematurely. They didn't contract cancer or AIDS. They were murdered by the large numbers of people who were offended and didn't like them. But in the short time they lived here, their lives called down so much power from Heaven that they changed their world.
Good News: God loves you. If your ministry pleases Him, you'll win some of your neighbors whether they like you or not. Let's take the stupid signs off our backs and stop acting like a bunch of losers.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Energizer Church
The bad news keeps coming and coming and coming from the American Midwest. Rivers are cresting at levels higher than forecast. Levees and dams are being threatened. Homes, schools, and businesses are being inundated and washed away.
But here in the real world, relief agencies say that the rest of us have "donor fatigue." You might not know the term, but you can probably guess the definition: we're weary of giving. When the cyclone struck in Myanmar, it was easy to think "Just yesterday I was giving to Thailand! What's wrong with these people anyway?" Then the massive earthquake leveled schools and cities in China. One could easily say, "That's too bad, but I've already given to another international disaster at the office this week!"
Now the floodwaters are raging in the American heartland, but the milk of human kindness has run dry in the American heart. The Red Cross is out of money. Samaritan's Purse reports that even as the need for relief teams is growing massively, some teams that were scheduled have actually fallen through. There is this overwhelming need for volunteers and money, but the rest of us are completely focused on vacations, the frustrating presidential campaign, the rising price of gasolene.
The Holy Spirit gave me a serious case of conviction this week-end. He called to mind that old familiar scripture, "Do now grow weary in well doing, for in due time you will reap if you faint not." It occurs to me that I'm not really weary. I haven't sacrificed that much for the needs of the world. I'm just comfortable and distracted.
So I've asked the Lord and some of our guys to help me. We're putting together a relief trip to the Midwest ASAP. We're already collecting groceries to be distributed to local folks who have run out of money in recent weeks. We're looking at our next trip to Zimbabwe in the Fall. That's not a lot, but at least it's a start.
Everybody's seen the cool bunny with the drum who keeps going... and going... and going. God is calling churches to outlast that little varmint! Are you down with it?
But here in the real world, relief agencies say that the rest of us have "donor fatigue." You might not know the term, but you can probably guess the definition: we're weary of giving. When the cyclone struck in Myanmar, it was easy to think "Just yesterday I was giving to Thailand! What's wrong with these people anyway?" Then the massive earthquake leveled schools and cities in China. One could easily say, "That's too bad, but I've already given to another international disaster at the office this week!"
Now the floodwaters are raging in the American heartland, but the milk of human kindness has run dry in the American heart. The Red Cross is out of money. Samaritan's Purse reports that even as the need for relief teams is growing massively, some teams that were scheduled have actually fallen through. There is this overwhelming need for volunteers and money, but the rest of us are completely focused on vacations, the frustrating presidential campaign, the rising price of gasolene.
The Holy Spirit gave me a serious case of conviction this week-end. He called to mind that old familiar scripture, "Do now grow weary in well doing, for in due time you will reap if you faint not." It occurs to me that I'm not really weary. I haven't sacrificed that much for the needs of the world. I'm just comfortable and distracted.
So I've asked the Lord and some of our guys to help me. We're putting together a relief trip to the Midwest ASAP. We're already collecting groceries to be distributed to local folks who have run out of money in recent weeks. We're looking at our next trip to Zimbabwe in the Fall. That's not a lot, but at least it's a start.
Everybody's seen the cool bunny with the drum who keeps going... and going... and going. God is calling churches to outlast that little varmint! Are you down with it?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Darwinists in Denial
I always admired the candor of Sir Francis Crick, a legendary scientist who won the Nobel Prize for his breakthrough research in DNA in the 1960's. Afterwards, Crick reached the conclusion that it was absolutely impossible for life to have randomly evolved on this planet. He argued that the complexity of life is such that no amount of time could plausibly account for its miraculous appearance. But since he was a devout atheist, the only logical explanation for him was that life had been seeded here by aliens from outer space!
Crick called his theory panspermia, and he was quickly mocked by the evolutionary community. His idea was outrageous! Every Darwinist worth his salt was sure that if the origins of the earth could be pushed back several billion years, there would be plenty of time for life to have emerged from the infamous slime pools! So the origins of the earth were conveniently pushed back another billion years, but the Eureka moment never came.
To the contrary, when researchers finally cracked the Genome Code, they found that life was infinitely more complex than we'd ever before imagined- even at the microscopic level. The result has been a growing number of researchers who insist this kind of sophisticated design requires a designer. They don't mean Christian Dior!
Recently, I had noticed a change in the tone of the debate. It seemed that there was a new "consensus" building in the scientific community. The voices of Darwinism confessed it was true, they could not explain how the first non-living cell became a living one. But who knows, maybe life was introduced here from afar! If Dr. Crick were still alive, he'd surely be smiling.
Today I smiled when I read the headline, "We May All Be From Outer Space." That's right. You've guessed it. Just at the most convenient moment researchers have taken another look at a meteorite that's been lying around for a while. And they've made a "breakthrough." Two tiny microscopic particles of life which we'd always assumed stuck to the meteorite upon impact are now theorized to have arrived onboard from outer space. Other scientists still insist the particles are earthbound, but who cares what a bunch of dissident scientists say if the community can reach consensus? Right?
Watch for the snowball effect over the next few years as more Darwinists shove the origins of life into the distance and darkness of some other galaxy. The evidence here on Earth is so inflexible that the search must either turn to God or turn to outer space. Since God is out of the question for disciples of Darwin, I expect Sir Francis Crick will soon be awarded his second Nobel Prize- posthumously.
Crick called his theory panspermia, and he was quickly mocked by the evolutionary community. His idea was outrageous! Every Darwinist worth his salt was sure that if the origins of the earth could be pushed back several billion years, there would be plenty of time for life to have emerged from the infamous slime pools! So the origins of the earth were conveniently pushed back another billion years, but the Eureka moment never came.
To the contrary, when researchers finally cracked the Genome Code, they found that life was infinitely more complex than we'd ever before imagined- even at the microscopic level. The result has been a growing number of researchers who insist this kind of sophisticated design requires a designer. They don't mean Christian Dior!
Recently, I had noticed a change in the tone of the debate. It seemed that there was a new "consensus" building in the scientific community. The voices of Darwinism confessed it was true, they could not explain how the first non-living cell became a living one. But who knows, maybe life was introduced here from afar! If Dr. Crick were still alive, he'd surely be smiling.
Today I smiled when I read the headline, "We May All Be From Outer Space." That's right. You've guessed it. Just at the most convenient moment researchers have taken another look at a meteorite that's been lying around for a while. And they've made a "breakthrough." Two tiny microscopic particles of life which we'd always assumed stuck to the meteorite upon impact are now theorized to have arrived onboard from outer space. Other scientists still insist the particles are earthbound, but who cares what a bunch of dissident scientists say if the community can reach consensus? Right?
Watch for the snowball effect over the next few years as more Darwinists shove the origins of life into the distance and darkness of some other galaxy. The evidence here on Earth is so inflexible that the search must either turn to God or turn to outer space. Since God is out of the question for disciples of Darwin, I expect Sir Francis Crick will soon be awarded his second Nobel Prize- posthumously.
Monday, June 9, 2008
When Skeptics Ask
Some people watch too much Oprah and read too much Newsweek. The result is that they pick up on fascinating ideas that they never really think about or examine further. And one day when you or I mention the benefits of faith in Christ, we get this knowing reply: "Sure, but how to you explain all those horrible things done in the name of Christ throughout history?"
Next time it happens, I dare you to smile and ask, "Which atrocity did you have in mind?" Half the time, your pop philosopher friend will have no response at all other than a blank look and silence. But about half the time, neighbors and co-workers will cite one of the Big Three: the Salem Trials, the Spanish Inquisition, or the Crusades. Reasonable Christians can quickly apologize for the Witch Trials and the Inquisition. They were un-Christlike and stood in defiance of everything Jesus died for. (I never apologize for the Crusades, because they were basically a defensive war by ordinary people against Centuries of advance by the armies of Mohammed across the Middle East and into Europe. Islam's Armies were the aggressors.)
But ask your friends if they know when those things happened. The Witch Trials were 300 years ago. The Inquisition fizzled out nearly 200 years ago. And the Crusades, a clearly defensive effort, ended 500 years ago! Do skeptics ever read recent history?
It seems most skeptics are blissfully ignorant of the 70 million people killed by an atheist named Mao between 1930 and 1975. Many of those millions were Christians. And why is it so difficult to remember the 20 million killed by an atheist named Joseph Stalin in the 1940's? We still speak of 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust, but nobody finishes the sentence to mention that more than 10 million people were ultimately wiped out by that leader- an atheist named Adolph Hitler. Unlike the Spanish Inquisition which took place in a remote time when violence was more widely expected, the atheists I just mentioned killed 100 million people during peace time in a world where their deeds were clearly deemed atrocities.
I shared these ideas in a sermon on Sunday. Afterwards, a friend with ties to China mentioned that he has actually met Christians who endured the reign of terror led by Mao Tse Tung. When he encountered them years ago, they still bore the broken bodies and the scars that were inflicted by Mao's Red Guard. And it was their faith which fueled the amazing revival that had made the underground Church in China the fastest growing and possibly largest church in the world.
Don't let your skeptical friends off the hook. Bring them up to date and let them ponder if they'd rather live in China (with an atheist tradition;) Saudi Arabia (with an Islamic tradition;) or the USA (with our Christian roots.) If they're honest, their answer will close the book.
Next time it happens, I dare you to smile and ask, "Which atrocity did you have in mind?" Half the time, your pop philosopher friend will have no response at all other than a blank look and silence. But about half the time, neighbors and co-workers will cite one of the Big Three: the Salem Trials, the Spanish Inquisition, or the Crusades. Reasonable Christians can quickly apologize for the Witch Trials and the Inquisition. They were un-Christlike and stood in defiance of everything Jesus died for. (I never apologize for the Crusades, because they were basically a defensive war by ordinary people against Centuries of advance by the armies of Mohammed across the Middle East and into Europe. Islam's Armies were the aggressors.)
But ask your friends if they know when those things happened. The Witch Trials were 300 years ago. The Inquisition fizzled out nearly 200 years ago. And the Crusades, a clearly defensive effort, ended 500 years ago! Do skeptics ever read recent history?
It seems most skeptics are blissfully ignorant of the 70 million people killed by an atheist named Mao between 1930 and 1975. Many of those millions were Christians. And why is it so difficult to remember the 20 million killed by an atheist named Joseph Stalin in the 1940's? We still speak of 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust, but nobody finishes the sentence to mention that more than 10 million people were ultimately wiped out by that leader- an atheist named Adolph Hitler. Unlike the Spanish Inquisition which took place in a remote time when violence was more widely expected, the atheists I just mentioned killed 100 million people during peace time in a world where their deeds were clearly deemed atrocities.
I shared these ideas in a sermon on Sunday. Afterwards, a friend with ties to China mentioned that he has actually met Christians who endured the reign of terror led by Mao Tse Tung. When he encountered them years ago, they still bore the broken bodies and the scars that were inflicted by Mao's Red Guard. And it was their faith which fueled the amazing revival that had made the underground Church in China the fastest growing and possibly largest church in the world.
Don't let your skeptical friends off the hook. Bring them up to date and let them ponder if they'd rather live in China (with an atheist tradition;) Saudi Arabia (with an Islamic tradition;) or the USA (with our Christian roots.) If they're honest, their answer will close the book.
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