O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our friend!

He knows our need, To our weaknesses is no stranger.

Behold your King, before him lowly bend!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His Name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Christ is the Lord, O, Praise his name forever.

His power and glory every more proclaim!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

A God Who Sings For Joy

"The LORD your God is in your midst, The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

Although the Old Testament Prophet spoke these words regarding the nation of Israel, I believe these words reflect God's love for all His children. I love the last line, "He will rejoice over you with singing". When I read that I picture a mother holding her blanketed infant, humming a lullaby--full of joy and love for her precious child. The little one returns her gaze and coos with contentment.

God loves you like that. In the old King James Version it reads, "He will joy over thee with singing". 'Joy' is used not as a noun, a thing, but as a verb, an action word.

God actively "joys" over you, and bursts into song, overwhelmed with his own love for you.

That is the message of Christmas:

"The angel said to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ (Messiah), the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet (Isaiah 7:14): "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23)

"The LORD your God is in your midst...quieting you with His love...rejoicing over you with singing."

Merry CHRISTmas

Christian Hate Crimes: Honoring the Fallen

A memorial service was held today in Colorado for two young missionaries who were killed this past Sunday. A young man opened fire inside a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) training center dormitory in Arvada, Colorado killing two.

When I was in Asia I was privileged to meet some of the young people affiliated with this organization. They are an inspiration. With a deep love for God, and an equally deep desire to share that love with the world, they demonstrated a great commitment to share the Gospel (Good News) about Jesus.

The Denver Post carried an article on the two "YWAMers" who lost their lives early Sunday morning during a shooting in Arvada. I am reprinting it here so that more people will have the opportunity to read about who these young people were, to see what they believed in and what they gave their lives for.
___________________________

Young missionaries: caring and forgiving. One victim had turned away from gangs; one was called "an angel". Philip Crouse first came to church an angry young man — a member of a skinhead gang. He left it with peace in his heart, say those who knew him. "He had a heart of an evangelist," said Tim Maus, the senior pastor at Peters Creek Christian Church in Alaska. Maus said Crouse would have held no bitterness toward his assailant, the man who opened fire in a training-center dormitory for young Christian missionaries early Sunday. "He had found the power of a giving life," Maus said.

The bullets killed Crouse, 24, and Tiffany Johnson, 26, who grew up in Chisholm, Minnesota. They had been studying with Youth With a Mission. "Tiffany was an angel," said Andrew Strobridge, who also was studying at the Arvada dormitory to become a missionary. "Always smiling, always caring." He recalled how she cared for him when he was sick, helping nurse him to health. Johnson had traveled to the Middle East and Africa as part of YWaM, said Cheryl Morrison, wife of George Morrison, a pastor at Faith Bible Church, on whose property the YWAM dormitory was housed.

After Johnson finished her training with Youth With a Mission, she became a staffer there, organizing housing and guest stays. "She was an amazing young girl who had a heart for what God called her to do," Morrison said. Crouse came to church about six years ago, recalled Maus. The product of a broken family, Crouse had become an angry skinhead, the pastor said. He was under the care of a psychiatrist, who prescribed drugs to battle depression and other ailments. After turning his life over to Christ, Crouse no longer needed the psychiatric care and drugs, the pastor said.

Zach Chandler, the youth pastor of the church, said Crouse was on his way to becoming a missionary in Kazakhstan. "He said he was willing to give his life to do the work over there," Chandler said. "If that meant staying over there for the rest of his life, he would. If that meant dying over there, he would." Crouse taught himself Russian and German and would visit Russian cafes and German clubs in Anchorage to give his testimony, Chandler said. He also took rides on buses, just so he could share the Gospel with other riders, Chandler said.

Chandler said that if Crouse had been a survivor, he would have been the one leading prayers for the killer. "If Phil had ever seen this guy, I'm sure he ministered to him at some point," Chandler said. "If Phil was one of the surviving ones, he would have visited this guy in jail. That's the kind of guy Phil was."
(Staff writer Alison Sherry contributed to this report by Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com)

______________________________

The gunman, 24-year-old Matthew Muray, left Avarado and headed to New Life Church in Colorado Springs (which housed a YWAM office) where he opened fire in the parking lot, fatally shooting two church goers and wounding four others. When he tried to enter the crowded church, he was gunned down by a security guard.

Officials said revenge was one apparent motive for the attacks. Police said Murray had sent hate mail to the Youth With a Mission center in Arvada Denver suburb in the last few weeks after being removed from the program years ago. Murray attended the YWAM school in Arvada briefly in 2002 according to the group, but didn't complete the 12-week DTS training because of health issues.

It appears that Murray posted an anti-Christian diatribe on a web site for people who have left evangelical religious groups. His most recent post was Sunday morning in the hours between his attacks in Arvada and Colorado Springs.

"You Christians brought this on yourselves," he wrote. "All I want to do is kill and injure as many of you ... as I can especially Christians who are to blame for most of the problems in the world."

Hate Crimes are not random acts of violence. They are intended not only to inflict harm on the immediate victims, but intimidate an entire group of people; in this case, Christians. I can't help wondering, "What if Matthew had lived in my hometown?" What if he had lived in your hometown?

Around the world Christians are persecuted: beaten, imprisoned, killed; for no other reason than because of their belief that Jesus is God's Son and the world's Savior. The Voice of the Martyrs reports that more Christians have died for their faith in the past 100 years than the previous 1900 years combined!

These two young people are heroes in my book. Jesus, after his resurrection from the dead, told his disciples that they "would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"--to their own neighbors, their region, across racial and cultural lines, reaching to peoples all around the world. The New Testament was written mostly in the Greek language. It is interesting that the word "witness" is the same word for "martyr". Jesus knew that his followers would be willing to give their lives for the Gospel, and that their sacrifice would be a powerful witness to the truth of their claims.

Phil and Tiffany were killed because they were Christ-followers. Matthew wanted to kill Christians, and sadly he did. We grieve with the families of all who were involved in the tragic events in Colorado this past Sunday. We take comfort in the knowledge that the story of their lives, and even their deaths, may point others to the power of God's love to change lives. Well done, good and faithful servants.

Mike Huckabee Is My Hero

This is not a political endorsement. I am not campaigning on Mike Huckabee's behalf. I am saying that I admire the man. Our stories are similar in that we hail from the same home-state, both have "Pastor" on our resumes, and were about the same size and age when we got a "wake-up call" about our health (or lack thereof).

Today marks day 180 since my own lifestyle makeover began. While the rate of weight loss has slowed considerably in the past month, the weight continues to come off as I continue to eat well and move my body. If you are seeking a healthier lifestyle and/or trying to lose weight, then I hope you find Mr. Huckabee's story as inspirational and motivating as I do.

While Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee knew he was overweight. His doctor had told him so. And at more than 280 pounds, he had trouble fitting into airplane seats and restaurant booths. But his weight problem was made painfully evident in early 2003 at a meeting in a State Capitol conference room. The room had just undergone a renovation to restore its nearly century-old design and Huckabee's usual seat had been replaced with an antique chair. When the governor sat down, there was a collective gasp among the attendees. The chair had collapsed under his weight. Huckabee laughed it off at the time, joking, "They sure don't build them like they used to!" But, in his book, "Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork," he admits, "Deep down, I knew it wasn't the chair that needed rebuilding--it was me that needed a major overhaul."

While Governor, he dreaded climbing the two flights of marble stairs in the Arkansas statehouse. He prayed there would be no reporters at the top because he knew he needed two minutes to catch his breath. Few knew how seriously Gov. Huckabee’s weight affected his health; he also tried to ignore it. His wake-up call came in June 2003 when his friend, former Gov. Frank White, whom he had seen just days before, died suddenly of a heart attack. Huckabee resolved to change his diet and lifestyle, and in about 10 months he had undergone a jaw-dropping metamorphosis: trimming 105 pounds off his 5-foot, 11-inch frame.

Huckabee's parents grew up dirt-poor during the Depression, and he inherited the philosophy that "you should eat what’s here today because there might not be another meal." He observes that “foods that stretch one’s wallet also stretch the waistline – potatoes, meatloaf that’s part breadcrumbs. In the South, we batter and fry everything and eat it with gravy.”

He says his weight ballooned after he got married, but he certainly doesn't blame this on his wife. "My weight is absolutely my own doing," he says. "I ate too much and exercised too little, simple as that."

Even when he had symptoms of heart blockage, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, he didn’t go to the doctor immediately because he knew he would be hospitalized for three days, and he didn’t have the time. This is how stubborn he was: “I can afford to die, but not to be out the next three days,” he explains.

In March 2003, he woke up with his arm numb and tingly. Immediately, the doctor diagnosed the condition as diabetes. “I was devastated and angry at myself. I hadn’t done anything to prevent it,” Huckabee says. His doctor told him that without some lifestyle changes, he was in the last decade of his life. "That meant I wouldn’t see a bunch of grandkids grow up,” Huckabee realized.

In June 2003, under a physician's supervision, Mike went from eating 3,000 calories a day to only 800 calories a day by switching to meal replacement shakes and unlimited vegetables. It was difficult. After three months, the doctor introduced a balanced diet of 1,600 daily calories. To avoid the drive-thru, Gov. Huckabee started taking his meals in a cooler: a salad and some lean turkey or chicken for lunch, apples for snacks, and grilled or steamed vegetables.

After he lost 40 pounds, exercise was added to the program. Though tough at first, after four months, Huckabee could run three to four miles. By March 2004, Gov. Huckabee had lost 105 pounds and reversed all the symptoms of his diabetes!

New World (dis)Order?

Replacing the Ten Commandments is nothing new. Of recent and notable attempts to do away with them include the efforts by billionaire media mogul Ted Turner. As an atheist who is personally offended by the Ten Commandments, he has, as far back as 1988 at the National Press Association, suggested replacing the Ten Commandments with “Ten Voluntary Initiatives,” referred to by many as The Ted Commandments.

Turner claims that with the Ten Commandments “we’re living with outmoded rules, and nobody even pays much attention to ’em, because they are too old. When Moses went up on the mountain, there were no nuclear weapons, there was no poverty. Today, the commandments wouldn’t go over. Nobody around likes to be commanded.”

Some of his ideas are good ones, like helping the downtrodden, and caring for the planet. I can't go along with #3 though, "to limit families to two children...", I don't want anyone telling me how many children my wife and I can have.

Do people really believe that laws against murder (commandment #6), theft (#8), and perjury (#9) are “outmoded rules”? It seems to me that if people don’t follow the Ten Commandments--if they don't like to be "commanded", or to abide by "outdated rules", they are not likely to live under anyone's proposed substitutes.

and #10, "to support the United Nations" may not always be a good idea if we value national sovereignty and independence. Of course, a “voluntary initiative” is not enforceable, and, therefore, is not a law. Not yet, anyway.

Enter The Ark of Hope. Like the ancient Ark of the Covenant that contained the stone tablets upon which were engraved the Ten Commandments, this ark contains a document that some hope will have greater-reaching influence than the Ten Commandments have.

In fact, Former Soviet Premier and President of the International Green Cross, Mikhail Gorbachev, who also co-chairs the Earth Charter Commission, is quoted as saying, "Do not do unto the environment of others what you do not want done to your own environment....My hope is that this charter will be a kind of Ten Commandments, a 'Sermon on the Mount', that provides a guide for human behavior toward the environment in the next century.”

Maurice Strong, a founding co-chairman of the Earth Charter Commission and advisor to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan concurred, “The real goal of the Earth Charter is that it will in fact become like the Ten Commandments.”

Back in 2000, Shafer Parker wrote an article observing:
"The UN is pursuing global peace, even if it has to start a global religion to get it. If prevention of world wars is the standard by which international peace organizations are judged, then the United Nations has been a smashing success, especially when compared to its hapless predecessor, the League of Nations. But by any lesser measure, the UN has failed. Despite an alphabet soup of committees, organizations and commissions striving for the betterment of mankind over 80 at last count the world seems no closer than it ever was to achieving universal peace and prosperity. More than 100 armed conflicts have erupted in over 70 locations during the last decade alone. And since the Second World War ended in 1945, more than 27 million people have lost their lives in various wars. Nevertheless, the UN has not given up searching for the magic formula. For most of the latter half of the 20th century, UN operatives argued that peace would arrive with the eradication of poverty and a reduction of the birth rate in Third-World countries. Now they have added a third ingredient to the mix: religion".

A singular, world-wide religion. Hmmm. Seems like I've read something about that before...oh yeah, in the Book of Revelation, predictions of events leading up to the End of Time. One-world government, One-world religion, One-world Leader. Hmmm...

Tagged!

I was on vacation all of last week: Kayaking, hiking in the mountains, swimming and relaxing in the hot tub at night--it was heaven on earth. A week without cell phone or internet--at first I had withdrawals, but after a couple of days got used to being "unplugged". We had a blast!

So, I get back home and check my e-mail and some of my favorite blogs and find out I've been "tagged". So now I have to share 7 unknown (little known) tidbits about myself and tag seven others to play along. So here goes...

1. 2007 has been one of the "lowest" years of my life. I have battled depression most of this year and have really struggled at times just to maintain whatever level of sanity I usually enjoy.
2. Ironically, in light of #1, during this year I have felt as close to God, or closer, than at any other time in my life.
3. I am still "grieving" my daughter's going to college--I miss her so much and there is an "emptiness" in my life without seeing her everyday (which probably has played a bigger role in #1 than I realize).
4. I don't have any friends that have blogs (other than Brian (who tagged me), and the others he tagged).
5. I hate, despise and detest much of organized religion. Which is perhaps ironic coming from a pastor, but then I read the gospels and the stories of Jesus' reaction to organized religion and I think maybe I'm in pretty good company.
6. I enjoy cleaning the toilets--one of the few areas in my life where I see immediate and positive results.
7. I LOVE to cook.
8. (Bonus factoid, just for fun) I was born in Arkansas.

So there is my list...for now.

So just sitting here wondering how well people really know each other--even the people with whom we work and with whom we spend most of our days. I'm wondering how well most of us really know ourselves. If you're reading this I hope you know (or soon come to know) that there is a God and he knows you, and he's crazy about you.

Peace.
JimT

Living in the Overflow

Is the cup half empty or half full?
For those who cultivate a heart of gratitude it is neither.

I found this little ditty; not sure of who the author is, but thought it was appropriate for the Thanksgiving season:

I’ve never made a fortune and it’s probably too late now,
But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.
And as I go along life’s way I’m reaping better than I sowed,
I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven’t got a lot of riches and sometimes the going’s tough,
But I’ve got loving ones all around me and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for His blessings and the mercies He’s bestowed
I’m drinking from my saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin
But all at once the dark clouds broke and the sun peeped through again;
So Lord, helped me not to gripe about the tough rows I have hoed;
I’m drinking from my saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

As God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and rough,
I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy to help others bear their loads,
Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed!

3 things that keep me from enjoying the overflow:

• Complaining and having a critical attitude;
• Jealousy;
• Lack of prayer.

A Thanksgiving Hymn

In the Ancient Hebrew Hymnal (The Book of "Psalms" in the Bible) there are many songs of praise to God. Perhaps the most popular Psalm is a great song for the Thanksgiving season:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want"
– Thank you God for meeting all my needs.

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul"
– Thank you God for nourishing my body and spirit.

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake"
– Thank you God for giving me wisdom and courage to make decisions that please you.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me"
– Thank you God for your presence and your peace.

"Your rod and staff they comfort me"
– Thank you God for your protection and discipline.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies"
– Thank you God for vindicating me, for blessing me as I honor you.

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows"
– Thank you God for your abundant blessings.

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life"
– Thank you God for your constant care, your patience and forgiveness.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever"
– Thank you God that death is not the end of the road, just a bend in the road. Thank you for meeting my eternal needs as well as me everyday needs.

Giving Thanks

In our church we often sing "The Doxology":
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen."

All kinds of people have a hard time being grateful:
Suffering and/or sick people often feel angry and abandoned;
Poor people may think God’s given them the shaft;
Rich people sometimes take their blessings for granted;
Working people, perhaps, think they earned it with their own sweat and don’t see God as part of the equation.

For me, the path to real "Thanksgiving" is to Focus on God’s character and unfailing love:

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
(James 1:16-17)

It is easy to be deceived about the source of our blessings, or decieved about the apparent lack of blessings.

The truth is our lives are full of blessings and good gifts and God is the source of them all.

I choose to give credit where credit is due. How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Taming the E.G.O.

Phil Hodges gave me some good insight into my all-too-frequent lack of gratitude:

He says I need an Ego Check.

E.G.O. – Edging God Out

We as humans are wired for worship. Whether it be God, or stuff, or self, or someone else we will "worship" something.

The object of worship; who or what a person worships —that is, where one finds security and self-worth— is a crucial question.

Phis maintains that when we put self first, we tend to operate out of fear and pride, focused on our own needs and a sense of self-preservation. This often lleads to isolation, distortion and separation.

On the other hand, when we put God first and worship Him -- whwn we find our security and self-worth in Him -- we tend to operate out of confidence and humility...and this often leads to community.

"For everything in the world--the lust of the eyes (cravings of sinful man), the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life (bragging about whate one has and does) comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

The remedy for "the Enemy's" limited and predictable strategy is:
Lust of the Eyes: instead of focus on one's passions focus on purity.
Lust of the Flesh: instead of focus on possessions ask God for a spirit of generosity.
Pride of Life: instead of pursuing position and titles seek humility.

I find that Phil to be a pretty smart fellow.

Little Nyasha

Our neighborhood was rocked last Saturday evening when three young men, between the ages of 18 and 21, entered an apartment and began shooting.

Three people were shot, one of them fatally. A grandmother frantically tried to protect her granddaughter. One of the bullets went through the woman's hand. The bullet stopped when it hit little Nyasha. Little Nyasha had celebrated her first birthday on October 15.

Upon hearing the shots ring out, the baby’s mother, who had been sleeping in the back of the house after a hard-day’s work, ran about 75 yards to a nearby fire station. By the time the paramedics had suited up, the grandmother arrived at the fire station with the infant in her arms. The ambulance took them to the hospital where little Nyasha later died. Nyasha's body was buried earlier today.

All of this happened within 100 yards of the front door of our church. Our neighborhood is becoming plagued with criminal activity. On the same block in April, a police officer was shot during an attempted robbery at a pizzeria.

Please pray for this family as they grieve the loss of this precious child. Please pray for us as we seek to respond to the increasing gang activity and violence in our community.

Peace.

I'm Okay, You're...You, I'm Not So Sure About!

When I was in Tibet a couple of years ago, my companions and I encountered an old Tibetan woman who stuck her tongue out at us as we passed on the street. "What kind of greeting was that?!"

Out translator laughed and then explained to us the custom. She was showing us that her tongue was pink and not black, thus signifying that she was neither a demon, nor demon-possessed. Of course, she already knew that. She was mainly inviting us to return the gesture because she wasn't so sure about us!

I was recently reading some research by Gallup pollsters about American morality trends. It was interesting that the majority of respondents indicated they had never been unfaithful to their spouse or significant other; had never done drugs, cheated on their taxes or lied to their boss...but they were quite certain the majority of their neighbors and co-workers had done all of the above.

Back in 1969 (I've heard) there was a bestselling book entitiled, "I'm Okay, You're Okay" by Dr. Thomas Harris. He introduced the concept of "Transactional Analysis" and observed that "for a huge portion of the population the feeling is "I'm Not OK -- You're OK." The culture has certainly changed in the nearly 40 years since Harris' work and today a more accurate title might be "I'm Okay--You I'm Not So Sure About."

In fact, there have been several "take-offs" on the title over the years: "I'm Okay--You're Dead", "I'm Okay--You're a Brat", etc. One of these books with a message for the Christian community in particular is a humorous work by John Shore entitled, "I'm OK -- You're Not: The Message We're Sending Unbelievers And Why We Should Stop."

One reviewer had this to say about the book...

"How refreshing then to find a book on Christianity which is intelligently written and loaded with gentle humor. A book which takes a slap at the arrogance of contemporary Christianity, yet manages at the same time to convey what is truly beautiful about it.

Over-zealous Christians will learn a lot from the quotes of non-Christians used as examples throughout this book. Harris provides some of the best writing on religious themes I've encountered anywhere. This kind of Christian exposition, coupled with the rising tide of ecologically and socially aware Christianity, gives me hope that Christ's church is being reborn as he intended it."

Christians far too often send the message, "I'm okay, you are not." "Arrogant", "judgmental", "intolerant" and "irrelevant" are words often used to describe the church today. A far cry from the one who was known as "a friend of sinners", the compassionate, humble, accepting and always relevant Jesus.

~ Father, help me to be an authentic Christian, more accurately portraying the character and actions of the one I claim to be following. Amen.

What a Deal!!

Curt Shilling, 41-year-old pitcher for the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, signed an $8 million deal for one year, plus an additional $2 million for losing weight!

I wish someone would pay me big bucks for losing weight!

Before and After

I'm still losing weight, eating right and headed toward a more fit and healthy body. I have lost 58 pounds since mid-June, in 148 days to be precise. One of the things that keeps me motivated is to hear other people's success stories and see their Before and After pictures.

You know how it is, you're channel surfing and see some infomercial for the latest exercise equipment or training program and..."Here's Christy...she lost 137 pound in a year...and kept it off..." or see how some guy buys some workout CDs and gets absolutely "ripped" in just 90 days, muscles bulging all over.

I see those pictures and think to myself, "Yes, you can do it! This is possible!" Many people not only need a physical makeover, but a spiritual makeover as well. I love this passage of scripture I ran across in the book of Colossians, in the Bible. It describes my Before and After experience after coming to believe in Jesus and begin following His Way:

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (Colossians 1:21-22)

I like that part about being "free from accusation." There is a verse is the book of Revelation that says "the Enemy accuses the Brothers before God day and night." But the accusations don't stick--it's not that they are not true, they are, every ugly, deadly one of them. The things is that they don't matter to God anymore. When God looks at me He doesn't see my sins and failures. In His sight I am now holy, without blemish, and therefore free from accusation.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, and all things have become new...Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:17, 15)

~ Father, thank you for paying the price to set me free--free from the penalty of sin, and daily freeing me from the power of sin in my life. Thank you for making all things new. Amen.

The Advocate

In yesterday’s post I included a prayer, part of which read: “Father...forgive me for setting myself up as Judge, rather than seeing myself as one in need of a good Defense Attorney. Amen."

In need of a good Defense Attorney; that’s me. That’s you, too. That’s all of us as we stand before a Holy God.

The ancient scriptures tell us "we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another."
Romans 14:10-13 (NIV)

I picture the scene, God sitting as Judge, the Prosecutor, bringing up every bad thought and wicked deed we’ve ever committed; or good deed we could have done, but failed to do.

Many of the ancients believe in an Enemy (the devil, Satan) and the Bible describes him as "the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night..."
Revelation 12:10 (NIV)

There we sit: guilty, scared, hopeless. And then, in walks our Defense Attorney, the Judge’s son, Jesus.

"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate, one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One; and He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2

That is amazing! Even if we are found "guilty as charged", our Defense Attorney has already served our sentence, paying the price for our sins, and not only for "christians", for for the sins of the whole world!!

The word 'gospel' means "Good News". I am convinced that the Christian message of forgiveness and reconciliation is Good News for everyone, not just Christians.

In Isaiah 44:22, God declares, "Return to me, for I have paid the price for your freedom. Come on home, you are already forgiven!" That is good news indeed!

Turning the Tables

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you... Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."
Matthew 21:31, 43 (NIV)

I have found during 25 years of ministry that the church, like the Pharisees in the New Testament, often falls into the trap of judging who's in and who's out. The words of Jesus should be unsettling for those who consider themselves "religious".

Who are the "tax collectors and prostitutes" of our day? Who are the outsiders, the ones the religious elite judge as having no chance of being part of the kingdom as they are?

"The kingdom", says Jesus, "will be given to those who produde its fruit". Those who indicate that the Spirit of God is with them and within them by producing "the Fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5)

Some modern-day Pharisees quote passages that indicate they are the gatekeeper to the kingdom, determining who is qualified, or not, to enter into it. Jesus had a way, and still does, of sending to the end of the line those who promote themselves as the arbiters of grace.

I often hear Christians dodge the charge of being judgmental by saying, "I not judging, I'm just inspecting fruit." Perhaps it's past time for the church to focus more on fruit production and less on fruit inspection--or stick to inspecting our own fruit and not that of our neighbor.

Father, as one who has received grace and mercy, help me not to withhold from others. Forgive me for setting myself up as Judge, rather than seeing myself as one in need of a good Defense Attorney. Amen.

Unraveling

Some have noticed that this blog site has been uncharacteristically silent for the past two and a half weeks (BTW, thanks for checking on me, B.D.). I've been in kind of a funk emotionally, and swamped with demands on my time, but who's not these days?

I have had time to get informed about Christian Nudists, as our friends over at Mr. Beale's Epiphany hosted a lively and informative discussion a couple of weeks ago. I'm not a convert, but had never heard of this before and find the whole "movement" interesting. I uncovered a new segment of the Christian sub-culture in America that I heretofore never knew existed.

My biggest problem is I've been reading Brian Mclaren again, which is always a dangerous endeavor for me. Things are beginning to unravel, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I blame my friend Tom. He warned me it would happen if I kept chasing some of my thoughts and ideas to their logical conclusions.

I guess for the past several month I've been going through a(nother) mid-life crisis. A new crisis of faith, or sorts. Or just the continuation of one that's been going on for the past twenty-seven years. I've been disastrous with relationships (which is not a good thing for a pastor), too frequently silent and/or absent during much of the past ten months.

Questioning everything. Sifting. Holding on the old treasures and tossing aside things proven to be no longer useful. Some "truths" lose their luster as time goes on. Real truth become more precious with the passing of time. When we do something for a long time we delude ourselves into thinking that's the only (or best) way to do it.

My blog on October 1, "The Glory of the Longing Heart" quotes the lyrics of a song by John Fischer. That is an apt description of where I've been most of 2007, but sometimes it feels far less than "glorious". I've been undertaking an outward makeover since my birthday, more out of necessity (make changes or die, literally) than vanity. All the while God has been undertaking an inward makeover of sorts. Destroying old assumptions and long-held, but misguided, "certainties."

Lately I have found spiritual resonance with King David of Israel who lived nearly 3,000 years ago:

"I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live." Psalms 116:1-2 (NIV)

I like to pray it back to God in present tense: "I love you, Lord, for You hear my voice; You hear my cry for mercy. Because You turn Your ear to me, I will call on You as long as I live." Amen.

The Glory of the Longing Heart

Once again, our friend John Fischer left a "Catch of the Day" in the FISCHTANK that is worth repeating:

"I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of human beings; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11).

It is part of the supreme wisdom of God that he made us and put us here on earth to “seek him, and perhaps find him, though he is not far from any one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:27-28 (NIV)

In light of what it takes to find the truth, a longing heart is our most prized possession. And it is important to realize that seeking isn't over once you find. In truth it has only just begun.

The Longing Heart
O the glory of the longing heart
O the aching of the wind
The groping fingers straining in the dark
To know what lies beyond the end.
Eternity is trapped in time
Beauty tarnished by the beast
Hope expires at the finish line
Where the universe is creased.

State the answer; don the uniform
Throw conclusions at the soul
Cash the question; kill the unicorn
Press neatly at the fold.
But still it opens at the budding rose
Still it wonders at the child
Still it knows what it refused to know
Who makes wild horses wild?

O the glory of the longing heart
Casting questions to the wind
Let it carry the soul searching far
Let it bring it back again.
But not so far that it will lose its way
Not so near that it will scorn
Near enough to give itself away
Far enough to know it's torn.

So give the longing heart room to roam
Let the truthful seeker speak
For in the seeking it will find its home
And in the finding it will seek.
O the glory of the longing heart
O the aching of the wind.

Preposterously Good News

I'd like to share a post from one of my favorite authors, John Fischer.
You can see more of his writings or subscribe to his "Catch of the Day" at The Fischtank.

I have some really good news for everyone today, but it's not just good news; it's preposterously Good News. I found it as I was reading in Isaiah this morning.

"I, the Lord, made you, and will not forget to help you. I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free." (Isaiah 44:21-22)

Here it is: God forgave us first; then He invites us home. It could just as easily have been: Return to me and I will forgive your sins. That would have been remarkable enough. But instead, it's: Come home because you've already been forgiven.

This was precisely the case for the prodigal son. He was forgiven before he ever reached the front driveway. That's why his old man was running to meet him. There was no discussion. No lesson. No: "I hope you learned your lesson." He needn't even ask for forgiveness, for it had already been granted.

This is our message to the world: You have already been forgiven, so come home. Christ has already paid the price to set you free. He has removed the barrier between God and us. How can anyone resist so great a love? No wonder Paul calls it Good News. Can you imagine anything better when it comes to God and our sin?

We know we are guilty. Our consciences tell us that. We know the demands of the law. We have the commandments for that, and we aren't doing very well by them. We know that if we mess up in just one thing, we are charged with breaking the whole law. God does not grade on the curve. Instead, He offers us a blanket pardon -- the only thing that could ever save us.

"Oh, return to me, for I have [already] paid the price to set you free."

Icon of God

On my computer desktop are little "icons". If I want to access a particular program I double click on the icon. But how does a person access God? The Bible gives us the answer:

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV)

The above passage was written by the Apostle Paul about Jesus Christ (Messiah). He wrote that "Jesus is the image of the invisible God." Paul wrote in the Greek language. The word translated "image" in English is the Greek word "icon".

Jesus is the ICON of the invisible God. The message of the New Testament is, "If you want to access God you go through Jesus."

People often wonder if there is a god, and if so what is this god like. Some people and cultures believe in many gods. What is true in our time, was true in the time of Jesus. People believed in different gods. People of the same faith tradition argued about what God was like. There has always been much confusion and disagreement.

Jesus came to clarify once and for all what God was like and how to relate to Him. Jesus said, "If you've seen me you've seen the Father." He told us that a soul-satisfying kind of life ("eternal life" He called it--not just quantity life without end, but quality life with purpose and joy) comes from knowing God.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (words of Jesus as recorded in John 17:3)

Jesus is the ICON of the invisible God. If you are searching to connect with God I believe the fulfillment of your search is found in the person of Jesus. Not the Jesus portrayed by the movies, most TV evangelists, or popular ficticious novels, but Jesus as revealed in the Gospel accounts of the New Testament.

Jesus was, and still is, revolutionary. "This man is not just another revolutionary, he is calling for a revolutionary new sort of revolution." (Brian McLaren, "The Secret Message of Jesus", p. 16)

His radical message and lifestyle have been distorted by culture and the church. Personally, I tried many pathways "up the mountain" to encounter God. Different relgions and philosphies, for me, all resulted in dead ends, short of my goal.

Then I discovered that Jesus had cut a path down the mountain to show me what God is really like! Jesus came so we could restore relationship with our Creator. "God was in Jesus, reconciling the world to himself, not counting men's sins against them..." (2 Corinthians 5:19)
I pray you will give the Gospels a fresh reading and discover the real Jesus, the icon of the invisible God.

~ Father, thank you for sending Jesus to show me who you are and how to have a relationship with you. Amen.

Lifestyle Makeover: Day 100

On June 10, Father's Day, I had to come to grips with reality. Physically a mess, due to neglect and a sedentary lifestyle, the wake call came when I threw out my back.

Nearing my 46th birthday, carrying nearly 270 pounds on a 5 foot, 11 inch frame, no exercise and a fast food diet; it was a toxic combination which was taking a deadly toll.

Today, September 18th, day 100 of a new lifestyle, the scales this morning read 221 pounds--nearly 50 pounds shed in 100 days! The blood pressure has dropped from 180 over 100, to 110 over 70.

Four Key Factors are helping to make the difference:

1. Prayer: for me, the poor diet and deteriorating health was not just a physical issue, but spiritual and emotional as well. I had to get in touch with what made me anxious and full of stress, what triggered my heading to the fridge or snack box. I am learning how to find comfort from God and not Little Debbie.

2. The Food Choices Completely Changed: "if it's white, don't bite", was the advice of another of my doctor's patients. In place of things made with flour and sugar; fresh fruits, high protein and low carbohydrate items became the order of the day. Water replaced sodas. The advice to "feast like a king at breakfast, dine like a queen at lunch, and eat like a pauper at suppertime" became very helpful. There is no deprivation, meals are filling, nutritious and delicious. Cutting off all food and drink 2-3 hours before bedtime is becoming a new habit. I am learning to eat the right amount of the right thing at the right time.

3. Food and Exercise Journal: I write down everything I eat and drink every single day, along with time and distance walked. I am learning where the "weak spots" are in my daily routine, changing the patterns at the points of weakness.

4. Walking: only able to go about half a mile at the beginning, now the rountine is 4 to 5 miles before breakfast every morning, not increasing the distance, but trying to shorten the time each day. These pre-dawn excursions are also the best time to focus on the first factor, prayer. At the end of the walk my mind is clear and focused, new ideas and insights have often been birthed, and the "furnace" is ready to burn up the calories with which I fuel my body. I am learning to take care of my body, mind and spirit in new and invigorating ways.

Nothing tastes as good as feeling good feels!

As my friend Brian says, "I'm not together, but I'm getting there"; with God's help, and my wife's encouragement, I'm getting there.

Second Chances

"It's not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance--much less someone who will give you a second chance every day."
(From "No Wonder They Call Him the Savior" by pastor and author Max Lucado)

Grace. Mercy from God, unearned and unearnable, undeserved. Lavish love, just because.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

~ Father, help me to be mindful of, and grateful for, your grace. Help me to not only be a partaker of your grace, but a proclaimer of your grace; extending kindness and mercy to others as I have received it from you. Amen.

Infidels?

I’ve been thinking about the word “infidel” lately. I’ve heard it frequently on TV this week, remembering 9/11 and hearing newscasters talk about terrorism. There are those who would say that anyone who doesn’t follow their religion is an “infidel”.

Infidel stems from the word “infidelity” which is unfaithfulness, disloyalty, betrayal. The infidel is the one who breaks a contract or who breaks covenant. The married partner who commits adultery is an infidel. The person who makes a promise and doesn't keep it is an infidel. The business partner who secretly embezzles funds is an infidel. A person who doesn’t follow a particular religion, to which he or she never made a commitment, is NOT an infidel.

You can’t hold someone to the terms of a contract that they never entered into. So the problem is when people, especially religious people, impose the terms of their covenant with their god on everyone else. The ones who made the commitment are expected to keep it, not those who never agreed to be in that relationship in the first place. So the infidel is the one who is unfaithful to a contract or relationship that THEY entered into.

I’ve also heard a lot of talk this week about “Islamic fundamentalist”. I don’t have a problem with fundamentalists; Muslim, Evangelical Christian, Atheist or otherwise. I have a problem with terrorists (whether they be Muslim, Evangelical Christian or some other group) who use fear-based tactics to silence anyone who disagrees with them, their "enemies."

A “fundamentalist” means one holds to the fundamentals, or core teachings, of their particular belief system (and yes, Atheism has core beliefs, too). I would like to see us quit using the word "fundamentalist" as a derogatory title, no matter which group we are using it to describe. There is nothing wrong with holding the the fundamentals on one's faith, as long as those who hold to the tenets of that religion do not harm others or force their religious covenant on others against their will.

Fidelity, faithfulness, keeping covenant--all the same thing, and born in the heart of God:

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV)

The problem is, no matter how sincere our intentions, we are all unfaithful at some point. We mess up. We are inconsistent. We miss the mark. The good news of Jesus is that even though we are all "indidels" on occasion God offers hope:

"If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV)

God is no infidel. He is never unfaithful. He never goes back on His word. He never breaks a promise. One thing He has promised is to forgive those who are heartbroken over their sins and turn to Him in genuine repentance:

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10, NIV)

That's the good news about Jesus:
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." (2 Corinthians 5:19, NIV)

Everyone on the planet is an infidel, because all of us at some point have been less than perfect, have been unfaithful to One who created us. The good news is that there is hope for all we infidels, hope of having the relationship with our Creator restored, hope of being reconciled to the One who loves us.

~ Father, forgive my unfaithfulness to you. Empower me to be faithful to you as you have been faithful to me. Help me to love my neighbor in such a way that they may come to know and love you, too. Amen.

Civilly Disobedient Pharmacists

Pharmacists in Washington State are suing that state over a new regulation that requires them to sell emergency contraception, also known as the “morning-after pill." The state ruled earlier this year that druggists who believe emergency contraceptives are tantamount to abortion cannot stand in the way of a patient's right to the drugs.

Sold as “Plan B”, emergency contraception is a high dose of the drug found in many regular birth-control pills. It can lower the risk of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The FDA made the morning-after pill available without prescription to adults last year.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court, a pharmacy owner and two pharmacists say the new rule violates their civil rights by forcing them into choosing between "their livelihoods and their deeply held religious and moral beliefs."

Under the new state rule, pharmacists with personal objections to a drug can opt out by getting a co-worker to fill an order. But that applies only if the patient is able to get the prescription in the same pharmacy visit. Doctors do not have to perform abortions if that violates their personal ethics or moral conscience, and pharmacists are seeking to have the same latitude.

Opponents argue that health care providers should not be allowed to withhold legal treatments and medications based on their own moral beliefs, but must serve the needs of the patients.

At the heart of the debate is the question of when life begins. The pill prevents the fertilized egg from being implanted. For those who believe life begins at fertilization, they wee the pill's effect as ending an innocent life.

Does life begin at conception? Even some who would affirm that it does, say that conception occurs not when the egg in fertilized, but when the fertilized egg is implanted, and see no problem with the pill.

I am not sure what the penalty is for the pharmacists who deny to fill such a prescription; whether it is a fine, loss of license, or imprisonment. It the courts uphold the regulation and force pharmacists to comply, it will be interesting to see how many will risk their careers by exercising a little civil disobedience by fefusing to comply with a law they feel is unjust.

It will be interesting to see what happens if pharmacist exercise their "freedom of choice" in keeping with their own religious convictions. Keep your eyes on this case: I believe the court's ruling will impact "abortion rights" and "religious liberty" cases for years to come.

What do you think? I'd be interested in hearing your comments.

Mother Teresa: Doubt and Faithfulness

News that Mother Teresa suffered a 40-year-long crisis of faith during which she sometimes doubted even the existence of God made the headlines this week and sparked a great deal of discussion. While her honesty about her questions and at times less-than-desirable prayer life have been known for several years now, her spiritual life was put back in the news with the release of a new book entitled 'Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light', containing 40 of her letters and edited by Fr Brian Kolodiejchuk, a close friend.

At one point Mother Teresa writes: "I am told God loves me, and yet the reality of the darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. I have no faith. I dare not utter the words and thoughts that crowd in my heart."

Although atheists were having a field day with this recent publication of Mother Teresa’s letters, for most believers it is not news. As shown in an excellent article by David Quinn, what these letters explode is not faith, but "the myth that she was a woman of simple faith. Her faith was anything but simple, much less simple-minded."

We all have doubts and questions, even the heroes of the faith, past and present, had doubts-–Moses, David, The Aposle Peter, the Apostle Paul, Billy Graham. Faith is not the absence of doubt or questions. Faith is trusting God even though we don’t have all the answers to our questions, and even though we stuggle with doubt from time to time.

A couple of quotes from Quinn’s article are especially noteworthy:
“Some of the biggest-hitting atheists of the last few decades, intellectual heavyweights several classes above a Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens, among them AJ Ayer and Anthony Flew, came in later life to doubt aspects of their non-belief.”

Quinn concludes his article with this statement:
“Should we think more or less of Mother Teresa now that we know what we know about her inner spiritual life? Probably more. Her essential goodness is not in the least diminished by these letters…In fact, these letters should recommend her to an age that celebrates religious doubt, and actively encourages it. She is, and will remain, a saint to Catholics. But her inner doubts should now endear her more to an age plagued by doubt. If she can doubt, but still believe, it gives believers permission to have doubts, and doubters permission to have beliefs.”

We’re all a mix of doubter and believer, sinner and saint. The problem is when people fake it--believers masquerade as saints who have no doubts or sin, or skeptics who pretend like they don’t flirt with faith, privately wondering in the deepest part of their being if there might really be a God.

After the ressurection of Jesus we are told in Matthew's Gospel that "the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20, NIV)

Worshipper, doubter, witness, teacher, missionary--Mother Teresa was all of these, just like the first disciples, and just like many disciples of Jesus today. That fact that she struggled with her faith on occasion is no big deal, the fact that she kept the faith and lived it out is a very big deal. She touched millions of lives and will do so for generations to come.

~ Father, help me to see that the goal is not to be perfect, but to be faithful. Help me to be a consistent witness of your love and mercy. Amen.

Permission to Pray

For Buddhist monks in Virginia Beach, government permission is needed to pray in their own home. And that permission was granted...for one year. Jason Marks, of Norfolk's NBC affiliate, filed the report on last night's City Council meeting.

Some neighbors argued that the monks' home sits on land zoned for residential use, and the house should not be used to hold worship services. While residents voiced their concerns, members who attend services say not allowing them to pray would be a violation of their rights.

Last year the monks moved to the area and began to hold their services. They wanted to build a temple on the land instead of using the home. Instead city council sent the message that there will be no temple and the praying must stop by next year.

The monks wanted to pray for three hours on Sundays and a few holidays during the year. In the end, the city council decided to grant a one year permit for the monks, but only to give them time to find a new building for worship. Neighbors say that's a fair deal. "I feel that a vote against this is a vote against freedom, which is what our nation was built on," said Samantha Neizgoba, one of the worshippers.

The noise would not be an issue, as the monks don't engage in communal singing, but in quiet meditation. Folks who live nearby say the Sunday prayer services would cause unnecessary traffic. "First five cars," said neighbor Dan Franken."Then ten. Twenty. Thirty. Forty. Fifty. Tour buses, port-a-potties, etc.,"

I live in a neighborhood with homes in close proximity to one another. We have neighbors who throw a party almost every weekend. Both sides of the street are filled with cars, lining up nearly the length of the block. They do not need a special permit to host a gathering in their home. But if the gathering is religious in nature then you need the permission from the city council?

Citizens shouldn't need government permission to have a gathering in their homes. The purpose for the gathering shouldn't matter as long as the peace of the community is not being disturbed and no illegal activity is taking place. It seems this group is being discriminated against because the gathering being hosted is religious in nature.

Meeting for worship should not be against the law, especially in a private residence. To say you cannot erect a building is one thing, but to say you cannot pray in your own home is ridiculous!

No one should need the government's permission to exercise a right that is already guaranteed in the first Amendment to this nation's constitution.

My understanding of Amendment I to the Constitution of the United States of America:
"Congress (the government) shall make no law respecting (in respect or regard to) an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble (even in their own home), and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

As an American and a Christian I enjoy this "right", but also feel an obligation to make sure it is defended and extended to other religious groups as well.

August 29: Modern Ancients

Early Teusday morning, (around 4:45am EST) in the western sky, we were treated to a total lunar eclipse.

We were up earlier than usual to take my Mother-in-law to the airport for a break-of-dawn flight. With coffee in hand and rubbing the sleep from our eyes we saw the "blood moon".

The moon slipped behind the Earth, going into a total eclipse. I understand that lunar eclipses happen fairly regularly, but most are only partial eclipses. The folks from NASA explain that the Earth's shadow is composed of two cone-shaped parts. Within the outer shadow the Earth blocks only some of the sun's rays. Within the inner shadow all direct sunlight is blocked.

"In the case of a total lunar eclipse, the moon will slip into that inner cone.
Thus, with Earth serving as a celestial umbrella, the moon will be illuminated only by light refracting through our atmosphere. And given that only red light penetrates in that way, the moon should turn dark orange or a bloody red."

The stars around the moon, which are usually hard to see because of the brightness of sunlight reflecting off the lunar surface, shone brightly during the eclipse -- it was beautiful!

As the eclipse ended it appeared as thought the moon had disappeared. Scientists theorize that without the stabilizing influence of the moon, the Earth would spin much faster and wobble dramatically. We'd have four-hour days, huge temperature shifts and near-persistent wind storms with the polar caps growing and receding rapidly. It's amazing how precise everything has to be for life to be maintained on our tiny planet.

The ancients believed that an all-powerful being (God) designed and created the natural order of the universe. Some 3,000 or so years ago, King David of Israel penned these words: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim His handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." (Psalms 19:1-2)

I am a modern ancient. I look at the heavens and see intelligence, order, design, precision and don't believe for a moment that it is accidental. I am a modern ancient who believes an Intelligent Designer created it all. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

I look at the human body, and again hear the words of King David echo: "For you, O Lord, created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalms 139:13-16)

Ben Stein has a documentary called Expelled coming to theaters in February of 2008. It reportedly explores how the belief in intelligent design and creationism have been expelled from classroms on American campuses. The latest Gallup Polls reveal that a significant number of Americans believe in intelligent design and/or creationism. I won't comment on the movie until I've seen it, but I really want to see it.

Some of my readers will no doubt think I'm ignorant or insane. I assure you I am highly educated, though I must admit my sanity is "up for grabs" at times. This morning was a moment of clarity and sanity. It was a time of worship as the heavens declared the glory of the Lord.

~ Father, I blieve that you are, and that you are creative. Help me to increasingly see your fingerprints in the natural order of things. Amen.

August 28: Finding Jesus

NFL star, Michael Vick, began his quest for public redemption Monday. Vick made a formal 'guilty' plea to gambling and dogfighting conspiracy charges. He has lost his lucrative sports career, at least for now, and will probably spend some time in prison.
In his first public statements since charges were filed, Vick spoke of how terrible dogfighting is, took full responsibility for his actions, spoke about being a role model for young men who idolize him about what NOT to do. Vick also revealed that he had "found Jesus" and had asked for forgiveness.

I was watching the news with a group of people and everyone sat in silence listening to his remarks. The only line that really drew a reaction was his comment about "finding Jesus". Laughter erupted from the group, as one man asked, "How come everyone facing jail time all of sudden 'finds Jesus'?"

The general concensus seemed to be that Vick was saying all the right things in hopes of getting a lighter sentence from the judge or finding mercy with NFL officials. Most doubted the sincerity of his words. (When did Americans become so cynical? One too many scandals involving sports heroes, politicians and religious leaders, I suppose.)

For me, hearing Vick say he how found Jesus was good news. I hope it's true--time will tell. If it is true, there was a party going on in heaven when it happened. Jesus said, "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)

While the Apostle Paul was "in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there... Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD."

"Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

"From one blood he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:16-17, 22-31)

America is a lot like the city of Athens during Paul's days: we are very religious (check any Gallup Poll), our society is proudly diverse and pluralistic, granting religious liberty and freedom of expression to all our citizens. Our people worship many gods.

Paul would stake his life on the fact that their was one, true God--the God that Jesus worshipped-- and that this God wants more than anything for people to find him, to have unhindered friendship with Him. So I hope that Michael Vick has indeed found Jesus. And I hope and pray you find him, too.

~ Father, help me not to be cynical and not to judge another man's words or motives. Thank you, that in our game of 'Hide and Seek' you let me find you. Amen.

August 26: The Loving Judge

“God loves everyone” is popular thinking, but is it true? Some people or groups focus on God's wrath and judgment to the point of ignoring His love. Other people or groups do the exact opposite, focusing on God's love while disregarding His warnings about a coming judgment day.

It is absolutely true that God loves everyone. But that doesn't mean that everyone is going to heaven, that God never gets angry or that God is not displeased with people's defiance and disobedience. It doesn't mean that God forgives all sins (There is a sin that God will not forgive--Matthew 12:30-32). It does not mean that God is accepting of all behaviors or that God is not a God of judgment or has no standards.

God is loving, but He is also the Judge who has the final word. Look at what the Apostle Peter wrote:

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our Fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed (The Flood of Noah's day). By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:3-8)

When you and I die our judge will be “righteous and just” (2 Timothy 4:8). A good and loving God created us and we must give account to him for our lives. Romans 2:16 says there is a day when God will judge our secrets. History has a destination. We have a date with God. God keeps perfect records and will “give to each according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6). God does not show favoritism. If God judges us, then how can he be loving at the same time?

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up and laid bare." (2 Peter 3:9-10)

The most popular verse in the whole Bible is John 3:16, which tells us that God does love everyone:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

But don't ignore verses 17 and 18:

"For God sent hot his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved... He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten God."

2 Samuel 14:14 reveals the true heart of God:

"Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him."

Even though God has spoken that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and “the soul that sins shall surely die” (Ezekiel 18:4), his love is so great that he is devising ways for people to be forgiven and reconciled to Himself.

Forgiveness is often difficult for us and we are often bent on revenge or "evening the score". God doesn't act and react like we do. God is constantly looking for ways to draw people back into relationship. God desires reconciliation.

“God is able to save completely those who come to God through Jesus, because Jesus always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Remember, God does not desire for anyone to perish, but reconciliation comes about through repentence. Some will perish because they are too stubborn to turn to God.

~ Father, it seems like contradictory that a loving God would also pass judgment. Thank you that you are always seeking reconciliation and devising ways to bring prodigals home. Amen.

August 24: Erasing Racism

I was out on my morning walk (I do 4 or 5 miles each morning before 7:00am) and needed to make a "pit stop". There are some ball fields near my home. The Little Leagers hone their skills there, and middle-aged, pot-bellied softball players try to hold tightly to their fleeting youth. I slipped into the port-a-pot and was confronted with some of the most hate-filled, racist, profanity-laced graffiti I've ever read in my life. I stood there and began to boil with anger at the thought of children and teenagers going in there and being confronted with that filth, that hate.

Later in the day I drove past the ball fields, got out of my car and re-entered the toilet. With a can of black spray paint I covered over the revolting words. Now there was a big, black blob on the wall. So I'm confessing that I defaced someone else's property with my own brand of graffiti. As I walked back to my car I was well aware of the fact that I hadn't really changed anything. The person full of racially-charged hatred hadn't had a change of heart, hadn't been held accountable for discharging his venom in our community.

Why so much hate? The outermost layer of a person's skin has more or less pigment than their neighbor's, but beyond that they are made of the same stuff. Racists come in all colors--it's not just "white" against "black" or vice-versa--but it is always ugly.

There is one race--the human race. One species--homo sapiens. When the Apostle Paul spoke to the crowd in Athens, Greece nearly 2,000 years ago he pointed out this truth:

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one blood He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:24-28

From one blood we are all made, and with one blood we have the possibility of being made new. The Bible describes the scene in heaven:

"You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9

God is not a racist. Racism is born out of ignorance, fear and/or pain. If I could find the person who spewed his hate on the inside wall of portable toilet, I'd ask who hurt him. I'd want to know why he's so afraid and full of anger. I'd want to know who taught him to look with disgust at a fellow human being just because their skin tones vary by a few shades.

I try to make the posts here upbeat and inspirational for the most part, but I'm kind of bummed out right now. It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to. Racism is such a cancer in our communities. I keep wondering when we, as a people, are ever going to get this lesson right.

Racism is deeply ingrained in our society and some view change as an idealistic dream.

1 John 2: 9-11: “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

We need a radical wake-up call about the evil of racial prejudice.

"But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

“Fellowship” is a wonderful word. My friend and mentor, Pastor Charlie, used to say that "fellowship means we are 'joined together at the heart.'”. How can you possibly reject someone because of one thin layer of skin when you are joined together at the heart?

One blood. One blood. One blood.

~ Father, forgive me for reacting to people different from me out of my own fear, ignorance and pain. Help me to see my neighbor through your eyes. Amen.