Follow and Lead

Seven Thoughts on Atheism

2010-07-17T12:54:00.003-05:00

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalm 14:1

A Christian brother emailed me recently about a conversation that he had with his atheist cousin. Apparently, he was told that he should keep his Christian convictions to himself. After responding to him, I realized that some of my thoughts might be post-worthy, if for no other reason than to serve as food for thought concerning the Christian/atheist dialogue.

First, it is curious that many atheists are so adamant about Christians not sharing their faith. If they really were atheists to their core, they shouldn't care. I mean, if you know deep down that there is no God, why should you care if people want to believe in him anyway? What would it really matter? If there is no God, there is no ultimate consequence for believing in him or not. I don’t see many atheists adamant against kids believing in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. The reason is that they know it doesn't really matter. If God is just a cosmic myth, like Santa, I suggest that they should not care about that either. And the argument that religion is responsible for all the hate in the world is ridiculous. Surely any reasonable atheist can admit that there are nice people who believe in God and ugly people who believe in God, just like there are nice atheists and ugly atheists. So why all the censorship? It is inconsistent.

Second, I don't buy for a second that anyone is truly an atheist. In fact, the more adamant an atheist is, the more I believe his or her divine conscience is being revealed. The more someone has to say, "God's not real," the more they sound to me like they are fighting their nature which keeps telling them, "God is real." Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God." What David is saying is that a person really has to fight everything within himself or herself to be an atheist. An atheist might reply that Christians are always saying that "God is real," so maybe they are fighting their tendency to believe he isn’t real. I would simply respond, "Exactly, sin inside our hearts is at war with our consciences. Deep inside we know God is real, but we have to preach to our hearts, and others, to fight our sinful tendency to reject him." Giving in by becoming an atheist, is not admirable, it is weak. . . . which leads to the next point.

Third, I don't buy either that atheism is an intellectual issue. It is a moral issue. In other words, the only real reason that people want to be atheists is that they don't want to be accountable for their actions. They want to be god instead of allowing the living God to reign over their lives. That is why the rest of Psalm 14 is about how immoral people are who say that there is no God. The logic goes like this: "If God is real then I will have to give an account. But I want to live how I want. Therefore, I am going to attempt to convince my heart that God isn't real." The atheist doesn’t see it that way of course. But if he really is thinking so foolishly, he is not in a good position to judge, is he? That’s why the Bible uses the metaphor of blindness to describe those who reject God.

Fourth, and this one applies more to Christians than to non-believers. Because of the relationship that I explained above, Christians need to see that all sin is practical atheism. In other words, whenever a Christian decides to do things his own way instead of God's way, he is in action affirming what the atheist affirms in word. When we sin, we are essentially saying to God, "I wish you were dead."

Fifth, a Christian should never fall into the trap of thinking that he needs to prove God's existence to an atheist. The burden of proof falls back on them. According to Psalm 14, Psalm 19, and Romans 1, God existence is a self-evident truth. It is just as reliable a starting point as 2+2=4. After all, who created the laws of mathematics but the designer? God's existence is completely obvious. Only sinfulness clouds the picture. They are the ones attempting to disprove what is slapping all of us in the face.

Sixth, related to all of the above comments, I would encourage Christians to remember that atheism, secularism, and naturalism are all religions. When an atheist attempts to censor Christians, he is really just operating with a double standard: "You can’t promote your religion, but I can promote mine." Just like Christians, they have to base their whole system of thought on propositions that they hold completely on the basis of faith. For example, their insistence that the physical realm is all that exists is unverifiable. If there was a spiritual realm that could only be comprehended through the work of God's Spirit, the fact that science hasn't found it yet is irrelevant. We would never expect science to verify it. Further, the notion that science must verify everything is scientifically unverifiable. Also, just like Christians, their system of faith has moral consequences. To this point I might ask, "Which is more likely to secure a faithful husband and father, the person who believes that there are no moral absolutes because there is no created purpose and no accountability or the person who genuinely loves and fears God?" Of course, the word "genuinely" is extremely important here. There are many who claim to love God who reveal otherwise when life gets tough, but I suggest that true piety is the greatest force for morality that this world could ever know. So the question is not to have a religion or not. The question is, "Whose religion resonates with truth?" For that answer, all we need to do is open our Bibles along with our hearts and read the words of Christ. When we are done, we will say with Peter, "Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)

Seventh, once a conversation turns ugly with an atheist, I would encourage Christians to drop it. Like I said above, the issue is not intellectual, so trying to argue with someone misses the point. Instead show them love and respect and how much more powerful submission to Christ is than submission to ourselves.

.

The Greatest Battle of the Wills

2010-06-24T14:04:00.008-05:00

I just watched the greatest battle of the wills in sports that I have ever seen.

Yesterday afternoon my brother called me to let me know that there was an amazing tennis match in progress at Wimbledon. He said, "Glenn, this isn’t as great as the United States’ soccer victory earlier today, but there is a tennis match that is tied 32-32 in the final set." I said, "Cool." But when we hung up, I just went on with my day, not turning it on. Well, about an hour later the phone rings again, "Glenn, they are now tied 42-42." I turned it on.

When I picked it up, the match was already the longest tennis match ever played. It had started the previous day, and after the first four sets went 2-2, they had to postpone the final set. Now American, John Isner, and Frenchman, Nicholas Mahut, had been playing that final set for five hours and were completely exhausted. Isner, who by the way, is from my home city, Tampa, and who played for my favorite school, UGA, especially looked fatigued. All one had to do was break the other’s serve, but the server held every game. As I watched the unfolding drama, I became mesmerized. Everything else went on hold, because I wanted to see who would snap first.

Then dusk came, and they had to stop again for the night at 59-59. They had started at 2pm.

Well, I was not going to miss the conclusion to a match that had become much more incredible than the U.S. soccer victory. In fact, it had become more incredible than any athletic contest that I had ever witnessed . . . and I’m not even a big tennis fan. So today I watched as the men went for another twenty games, and Isner finally broke Mahut. The final set score was 70-68 and the total match duration is officially eleven hours and five minutes, four hours and thirty-two minutes longer than the previous record.

Honestly, I don’t think there is a comparable battle, in terms of duration and will-power in the history of large venue sports, and especially in any recent history. Attempted comparisons fall far short. Syracuse’s nearly four hour, six overtime victory over UConn in the Big East basketball championship? Not even close. The Kentucky/Arkansas five hour, seven overtime football game in 2003? Sorry. The Rockies twenty-two inning victory over the Padres two years ago after six hours and sixteen minutes? Pancakes. This was a three day, eleven hour, one-on-one battle of the wills. Amazing.

I wonder though if professing Christians understand that they are involved in a battle of the wills that lasts far longer than the longest athletic contest imaginable and is of far greater importance. In Luke 14:27-30, Jesus declares, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’"

Jesus clearly explains that being a Christian involves determination. Those who are not equal to the task "cannot" be his disciples. In other words, starting with Christ only matters if we finish with Christ. Perseverance is necessary. Anything short, receives ridicule.

Do you understand, Christian, that you are in a battle of the wills with an opponent that is ever vigilant to break you? Do you understand that your eternal destiny is at stake? Do you understand that discouragement, apathy, and embitterment are grave temptations that reveal phony followers of Christ? Read the parable of the tired widow in Luke 18:1-8. Study the book of Hebrews. Learn the attitudes of Joseph, Daniel, and Paul. You simply must press forward! You must get off that bench and stay in the match! You have to win the next point! You have to! Fatigue is not an excuse because endurance is the essence of the contest.

I praise God that we are not left to fight alone. God is with his children. He who begins a good work is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). Those who are truly born again will evidence true faith by the sustaining grace of the Holy Spirit in their lives. "We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the persevering of the soul" (Heb 10:39). Praise the Lord! He enables his followers to win the greatest battle of the wills.

.

Dark Shimmering Way

2010-05-11T13:08:00.009-05:00

Steady rain falls on this dark shimmering way,
It’s nearly eleven on familiar strip.

A sunny day yielded evening overflow,
Empty effulgence turned emptying fulness.
But a sudden soaking won’t dampen my eyes,
Because rainy drives offer glimmering sights.

Color multiplies on glassy weathered roads,
As traffic lights reflect in a glossy sheen.
Red commands, yellow cautions, and green consents,
Spill iridescent paint over flat black base.

Store signs also drip their pallet in the mix,
High lights that highlight the curb sides and sidewalks.
Places of import with the bright sun above,
Trivial to travelers at this late hour.

Glowing house windows witness to waiting warmth,
Each frame preaching safety from threatening storms,
That dark dreariness becomes dim memory,
When one enters in his abiding abode.

Bursting beams appear intermittently, paired,
Shining stars, leading travelers through the darkness.
Two wary headlamps guiding two weary eyes,
Like one lamp for the feet and one light the path.

Now a single beam approaches, its twin out.
As it nears, I imagine a tunnel light.
I enjoy the passage since I’m calm and warm.
Then it passes to the left, and my trance breaks.

Silver streams mingle on my windows and shield,
A tribute to the tributaries of life.
For all streams flow to that final river,
Where crossing and trusting must mingle as well.

Golden halos envelop every streetlight,
Hovering above and blessing my progress.
Heavenly mist suggests Heaven’s mystery,
That guardians grace the slippery journey.

Lighting occasionally flickers the scene,
Boltless flashes suddenly flooding the skies.
The brief silent softness of electric blue,
A glimpse of the gleam of that glorious day.

See, this hour won’t dampen my tired eyes,
My mind is at ease in my body’s near rest.
A nighttime shower merely aids reflection;
The light manifests its presence in the pour.

Steady rain falls on this dark shimmering way,
It’s after eleven, and I’m almost home.

Notes:

I have always enjoyed the dark shimmering sights of an evening drive in the rain, especially when driving home. In contrast to a drive to work, the drive home is relaxed. Instead of worrying about being on time or the day’s events, it is a time of solitude and reflection. I have found that the later the hour, the more relaxing the drive but also the more I desire to be home.

This poem compares such a late night drive with being in the last stretch of life. The central idea is that the dim slipperiness of the hour actually gives unique opportunity for light to manifest itself. Likewise, I believe the difficulties of life’s eleventh hour can provide fresh ways to behold the Savior.

Of course, without any light, a late rainy drive would be blind and fearful. So this poem is only for those who know the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. If that is not true of you, I pray that you will see him before that difficult hour arrives.

With regard to the structure, each line has eleven syllables to match the eleventh hour. The poem has an introduction and a conclusion that are both six lines long. The other sections basically stand alone. Each one uses something from the driver’s view as a reminder of spiritual things. I chose to begin with "It's nearly eleven" but end with "It's after eleven" so that even in the reading of this poem the reader is faced with the passage of time.

With regard to devices, especially look for allusion, metaphor, alliteration, double-meaning, and wordplay. For example, consider how the lines, "Empty effulgence turned emptying fulness," and, "A glimpse of the gleam of that glorious day," demonstrate these devices.

.

Discipline Don’ts

2010-03-22T20:21:00.009-05:00

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15

The below list is my attempt as a father and teacher to apply a biblical worldview and common sense to the task of disciplining children. I do not mean to suggest that I follow these parenting prohibitions perfectly. Of course not, all parents stumble their way through the issues. But I do mean to suggest that I should follow them perfectly. . . . and I believe you should too. Children deserve appropriate, thoughtful, self-controlled discipline. The fact that parents are not perfect should not stop them from striving to get it right. Therefore, I offer this list for your serious consideration. Here are twenty-five disciplinary mistakes that you should never make. Twenty-five prohibitions makes for a big list, but I think you will find each item to be quite relevant. I recognize that a list of "Don’ts" is a negative angle, but I propose that one of the biggest challenges to proper parenting is controlling our many destructive tendencies. Besides, you may find that in recognizing the "Don’ts," the "Do’s" come into clearer focus.

1. Don’t spoil your children! Parents who spoil their children usually don’t realize that they are. By letting their children get away with disobedience and misbehavior, they may think they are expressing love or saving their children from pain, but they are not. They are actually sending the subtle message that they do not care and setting their children up for a lifetime of pain. One of the major love languages of children is discipline. Appropriate discipline gives them security and stability. If you are not disciplining your child, you are not loving your child, and deep inside the child knows it. Of course, the child doesn’t think that carefully about the relationship between love and discipline, but over time, a child will feel it. Children react to consequences in a number of negative ways, but once those consequences are finished, they will experience the peace and security of having parents who care. Some of my best moments with my daughters have come after they have been spanked. Don’t spoil!

2. Don’t forget God! The ultimate foundation for parental discipline is faith in the God who has revealed himself as "Father." I could not possibly set forth all of the implications of this revelation in a paragraph, but needless to say, it has huge ramifications for parenting. The way you deal with your children will massively influence their view of God. Parents must reflect his gentle yet stern, serious yet forgiving attitude toward disobedience. Parents must pray for their children and with their children. Parents must explain to children that their disobedience to Mom and Dad is really disobedience before God. Parents must put attitude and behavior problems in the category of sin, and must explain that God offers forgiveness only on account of his Son. Parents must lead children in repentance and reconciliation with the One who entrusted those precious children to them. Forgetting God is the biggest mistake parents can make in disciplining their children. So don’t do it. Don’t forget God!

3. Don’t count! Ever! If you are accustomed to giving children a three-count "1 . . . 2 . . . . . . . 2½ . . . . . . . . . . ." Stop it, today! Don’t do it, ever! It is horrible! It is horribly ineffective! All it does is teach children that they can delay obedience. Counting is used because holding children accountable is hard work. It is a way for adults to try to get out of the difficulties of discipline. It is lazy and bad for children. It also makes you look foolish in front of other adults. Oh, and don't follow an instruction with "Now!" either because you are essentially using it the same way as the counting. The "Now" part should be implied every time you give an instruction. Don't say "Now!" Don’t count!

4. Don’t repeat yourself! The only reason to repeat an instruction to a child is for clarity. Sometimes we adults really are not clear enough for a child to get it, or we talk to them before they are able to hear our instructions. In such cases, the adult should repeat the instruction more carefully and explicitly. But adults should never repeat themselves simply because the child is being disobedient. If you know that the child has understood and has chosen to ignore you, give a consequence. Don’t repeat!

5. Don’t give warnings! Don’t ever attempt to control behavior with sentences that go like this: "If you . . . then I’ll . . ." This habit is destructive for a number of reasons. First, it traps the adult in a course of action that may or may not prove to be the best. If you threaten to throw the toy away even though it is the expensive Christmas present, are you really prepared to do it? Or are you just using a scare tactic that children will quickly learn to recognize? Second, it gives the child an option to disobey. The child now can decide if disobeying one more time is worth whatever consequence has been threatened. Many times the child will take that option, and you will feel like you lost even when you give the consequence. Third, it diminishes the importance of simple obedience. In other words, it changes the focus from a need to obey just because it is Mom or Dad and makes the focus a need to obey in order to avoid a particular consequence. The first motive is far more important than the second. Don’t give warnings!

6. Don’t yell in anger! Yelling harms the effort to teach self-control to the child by demonstrating a lack of self-control by the adult. Sometimes adults need to speak pretty loudly in order to be heard over a noisy environment or over a long distance. Yelling in such an instance might be necessary in order to get attention. But yelling out of anger and frustration is never appropriate. It tells a child that he has control over your emotions by pushing all the right buttons. It also uses the relationship instead of the consequence as a tool for punishment. I sometimes wonder if yelling is not just really a reflection of the adult’s own stresses and problems that have nothing to do with the child. If so, the child has become an object for venting, not an object of loving discipline. Yelling is a substitute for real discipline. Don’t yell!

7. Don’t give weak consequences! Spankings need to hurt, or you are wasting your time. Actually, all consequences need to hurt. The painfulness of the consequence is the basis of the hope of correction. Take away the pain, and you take away the hope. Think about it. How fast over the speed limit would you drive if you did not have the fear of a large fine? It is better not to give a consequence than to give one that sends no message. Don’t be weak!

8. Don’t give ridiculous consequences! Kids, like all people, have a built in sense of fairness. They know deep inside when they are guilty and when the adult is attempting to give an appropriate consequence. So even though it is important for a consequence to hurt, it is equally important that it not be over-the-top. Some parents are almost braggadocios about some of the extreme measures they have taken with their children. Well, maybe there is a time and a place for making a statement with a more extreme measure, but I believe that the regular pattern should demonstrate appropriateness. Consistently exaggerated consequences will eventually exasperate a child. They will become discouraged and embittered. Don’t be ridiculous!

9. Don’t settle for ineffective punishments! If a consequence is not working, it needs to change, and usually it will need to get worse. The principle of graduated consequences is fundamental to all discipline. It is in our court system, the military, and our schools. If it becomes evident that a child is stubbornly stuck in a bad pattern, you must press on that child with greater weight. Appropriate increases are important, but a parent simply cannot allow a child to develop a settled pattern of defiance. Don’t settle!

10. Don’t give group punishments! Unless everyone in the room is an offender, don’t punish everyone in the room. Don’t punish the innocent with the guilty. It is easy when three out of four children are going crazy just to punish them all, but you shouldn’t for several reasons. First and foremost, it is unfair. Why should the one child who was obeying suddenly receive a consequence? Second, misery loves company. If a disruptive child knows that he has the power to bring down everybody, he gains a subconscious sense of power and even pleasure. He may also feel like he is getting away with something. These feelings may actually further misbehavior rather than discourage it. Third, children don’t understand group accountability. I think it is a good idea to use group discipline sometimes with mature minds in order to teach teamwork and mutual accountability. Good examples would be college sports teams or military boot camps. But kids don’t get it. Don’t punish the group!

11. Don’t miss opportunities to praise! In other words, don’t just be about corrective discipline. Also be about positive reinforcement. One of the major driving causes of misbehavior is the desire for attention. If your child knows that he will only get attention from you when he or she is misbehaving, then the child will subconsciously do whatever gains attention. And I’m not just talking about rewards. Rewards are important, but compliments are more important than awards. Children need to hear when their parents are proud, and they need to hear it a lot. Don’t forget to praise!

12. Don’t neglect the relationship! "Rules without relationship equals rebellion." You have to invest time and energy into a relationship with any child that receives your discipline. The child has to know that you are interested in them, not just their misbehavior. If a child gets your attention only when you are correcting their behavior, the child will feel unloved and might start misbehaving just to get attention. Besides, why would anyone neglect the joy of time with children? The rewards of the workplace or of leisure activities cannot compare with the rewards of investing in your children. Don’t neglect!

13. Don’t keep punishing a child after the child has been punished! It is a big mistake to stay angry with children, to give children the cold shoulder, or to drop additional unexpected consequences on them after they thought the punishment was over. Such treatment is really additional punishment on top of the punishment that they have already received. It confuses children, and it is a subtle way to undermine your own punishment decisions because you are acting as though they are not adequate. Whatever the punishment, when it’s over, it needs to be over. Don’t keep punishing!

14. Don’t debate with a disobedient child! It is a good thing to explain reasons for obedience to children, but not in the midst of an obedience crisis. When children respond to a clear instruction with the question "Why?" they are attempting to divert the matter of obedience. It is so deceptively effective that some parents probably think it is legitimate even upon reflection. But it is not. Getting trapped in a debate with a non-obeying child is not very different from being wrapped around a child’s finger. Instead, recognize that a diversion tactic is being employed and respond, not with a conversation but with a consequence. Remember this order: obedience first, explanation later. Don’t debate!

15. Don’t punish in public! Shaming a child in front of others is terrible. Don’t yell at children in front of others (Yelling is a no-no anyway. Right?), and don’t spank children in front of others, even their siblings. Some parents might think that embarrassment is an effective tool to prevent disobedience, but the downside is too great. It changes the issue from between the parent and the child and makes it between the child and everyone else. It is also very awkward for everyone present. If the disobedience happens at home, go into a bedroom and shut the door. If the problem occurs in a public place, find a private place for the punishment like a bathroom or the car. It is better to delay the punishment until an appropriate place than to give an immediate embarrassing one. Anyway, delayed punishment creates a fearful anticipation in the child that can be highly effective. Don’t punish in public!

16. Don’t forget to reconcile! When a child disobeys, the relationship has been compromised for the sake of the child’s disobedient impulse. Of course, the child is still the beloved son or daughter of the parent, but the strain on the relationship demands reconciliation. Giving a consequence is not enough. After the consequence is given, the child needs to confess the disobedience and ask forgiveness. The parent needs to listen and forgive. Then the parent needs to reassure the child of his unbreakable love. Hugs and kisses should abound, and the child should feel the security of the relationship. Don’t forget to reconcile!

17. Don’t gossip about your children! Gossip is talking about someone’s problems to people who do not need to hear. It is not gossip for parents to discuss their children’s issues in private or with a school authority or when seeking wise counsel. But it is gossip to talk about your children’s problems just because they provide fodder for discussion. God hates gossip, and I have a feeling that he especially hates gossip against children. And especially don’t gossip about your kids in front of your kids! This offense is particularly destructive because it humiliates children and treats them like they don’t exist. They have sensitive ears and hearts. Don’t gossip!

18. Don’t be inconsistent! Okay, so that is kind of a double negative, but you get the point. Children need their parents to be steady and predictable. They need to know that disobedience and misbehavior will receive a controlled consequence every time. They also need to know that obedience and correct behavior will have their faithful benefits. I wonder if some parents might think that being unpredictable is a strength that keeps children on their toes. Nothing could be more skewed. The goal of parenting is not to keep kids on their toes, but to teach them trust. Trust requires stability. Capriciousness is no substitute for consistency. Don’t be inconsistent!

19. Don’t discipline a kid for being a kid! Discipline is for disobedience and misbehavior. It is not for being uncoordinated, energetic, or naive. Kids are going to spill their drinks. Kids are going to be loud and rambunctious sometimes. Kids are going to misunderstand. Parents must have patience where patience is due and provide outlets for rambunctiousness. Don’t make rules that are impossible for kids to obey. Don’t squelch all expressions of energy. Don’t get upset at innocent behavior. Don’t discipline kid-stuff!

20. Don’t give rules you are not prepared to enforce! Not every house has the same rules, which is fine. So here is a guideline for determining which rules your house is going to have: If you are not willing to go to battle, don’t draw the battle line. Further, don’t go to battle over things you can’t win. Just war theory incorporates the following two questions: Is the war worth the cost? Is the war winnable? These questions should apply to your home. Before making a rule, you have to ask yourself if it is worth going to battle over and if victory can be accomplished. These considerations are behind why I do not have a steadfast rule about running or squealing in my house. To me, the strain of eradication is not worth the time and effort. Now, you might think I’m crazy to let my kids run around the house. That is your judgment, but you had better enforce the rules consistently and get the victory. Otherwise you are undermining your own authority and confusing your children. Don’t give unenforceable rules!

21. Don’t be deceived by secular psychology! It is a minefield of destruction. Secular psychology starts with the basic premise that every child is fundamentally good and ends with the goal of personally autonomy. These notions are a far cry from the Bible’s teachings about the sinful nature and man’s desperate need for a shepherd. And be careful when you are listening to "Christian" psychologists too. Often times they are simply representing the influences of secular culture. Take every thought captive to the word! I’m not saying that everything that comes from secular psychology is necessarily wrong, but I am saying that I would never trust anything unless I found confirmation for it in the Bible. The combination of a biblical worldview, good Christian mentors, and common sense is far more powerful than the suggestions of the lost. Don’t be deceived!

22. Don’t just sit there, Dad! Dad, if you are sitting on your rear in front of the TV while your wife is dealing with all the discipline, you are a loser. You are neglecting your awesome responsibility as the head the home. If you ever hear your wife being disrespected or disobeyed by your children, an instinctual reaction should trigger in you to go investigate and deal with the problem. The only time that Mom should have to exercise discipline on her own is when Dad is not home. And there will be enough times for that, so if you are home, get involved! Your leadership sets the tone for the entire home. It all starts with you. Don’t sit there, Dad!

23. Don’t present a divided front! Another massive mistake occurs when parents openly disagree with each other’s disciplinary decisions in front of children. Mom, if Dad is involved and he gives a hard punishment, don’t get teary-eyed and upset with him in front of the kids for his attempting to lead in the arena of discipline. If you must cry, go to the back of the house. Dad, if Mom has a rule that you think is silly, don’t disregard it in front of the children. Talk in private about disagreements, but don’t cut each other’s legs out from under yourselves in front of the children. This principle of a unified front is important not just at home but also among the child’s teachers and other authorities. If the child gets the sense that he can play the authority figures in his life against one another, he will. Don’t be divided!

24. Don’t give cheep grace! Instead, give costly grace at opportune times. I have in mind two huge thoughts here that work together. First, children need to receive a just punishment for their misbehavior most of the time. They simply must feel the weight of consequences and the consistency of boundaries. If getting off the hook becomes the expectation, they have become accustomed to cheep grace. Don’t let them get out of punishment on a regular basis. Second, children need to recognize that the grace they do receive has a price. The saving grace of God came at the expense of his Son. It is costly grace. Costly grace is free to the recipient but expensive to the provider. Keep that in mind. The next time you decide to give a disobedient child a break maybe it should come at some evident expense to you. That kind of grace preaches the gospel. Don’t give cheep grace!

25. Don’t give up! They are your children, and you are their only hope. There are going to be times when you don’t know what to do. In those times, God is able to supply you with the strength you need, but he definitely will not approve of throwing in the towel. Don’t underestimate your power as the parent of your child. The fruit of faithful disciple may take years to fully realize, but the number-one influence upon a child is still the parents. Don’t give up!

.

Our Radiant World

2009-07-14T17:50:00.011-05:00

We live in a radiant world,
_____Where sunshine fills the face.
Three suns shine up in our sky.
_____We’re spinning in their space.

It’s hard for clouds to hide the light,
_____For shadows too, to hide from sight.
Each gray is soft, each color bright.
_____Each day is long, and short each night.

We live in a radiant world.
_____The rays are locks of gold,
Flowing through each bend and bow,
_____Where pinks and flowers hold.

Three smiles, they provide the light.
_____Three pairs of eyes give joyful sight.
Three giggles make things warm and bright.
_____Three faces glow in dreams at night.

We live in a radiant world,
_____Where sparkling rivers run.
Sunshine streaming from three girls,
_____Three daughters, our three suns.

Notes:

My wife and I recently learned that we are going to have our third baby girl. We are thrilled because our first two girls bring us so much joy. It will truly be like adding another source of light to our happy home. People sometimes ask me if I wished we were having a boy. This poem is their answer.

In some ways this poem is trying to capture our future reality because my wife is still sixteen weeks from her due date. We have never seen our third little girl’s face nor felt the warmth of her laughter. However, the reality of her life is already here. So in another very real sense, this poem expresses the impact on our hearts that she is already making. Below I have given some explanations of the poem’s construction with the hope that they may help a person to better appreciate my attempt to express my joy.

- The title of the poem is intentionally vague. Upon first exposure, a person may think that this poem applies to everyone. Only after reading the poem, does a person understand that the title-word "Our" is much more personal than representing all people. It simply refers to my wife and me.

- The first, third, and fifth stanzas follow a 7-6-7-6 syllable pattern. The rhyme scheme is obviously a-b-c-b These stanzas are intended to carry the main meaning of the poem. Presumably, a person could read the poem without stanzas two and four and still get the main point.

- In the second and fourth stanzas, every line has eight syllables. The rhyme scheme is obviously a-a-a-a. The last word in each line from stanza two matches those of stanza four. These stanzas are intended to expound on the stanza prior to them. So that stanza two draws out the prevalence of the radiance introduced in stanza one, and stanza four fully explains what stanza three subtly suggests.

- Since the subject matter is childhood, I chose to give the poem both meter and rhyme; however, there are other poetic elements in the poem. I encourage you to read the poem again for conceptual links, alliteration, subtle rhyme, and double meaning. Several entire lines could be taken two different ways. For example, "Three pairs of eyes give joyful sight," could refer to the joyful way that our girls perceive the world or to the joyful way that my wife and I look into their eyes.

.

Shift Barriers

2009-07-08T12:30:00.006-05:00

For seven years, I have been a part-time minister to young adults at my church. During that time, we have wrestled with one of the most difficult realities facing churches: Many, if not most, students who were active as youth quickly disappear after they graduate from high school. I have spent many hours thinking and talking about this dilemma, and I have compiled a list of "shift barriers" that make the transition so frequently unsuccessful. These observations are general of culture and not necessarily specific to any particular church. However, I believe that each church needs to understand these barriers and evaluate how intentionally it is addressing them.

I offer this list for three audiences. Personally, it is an evaluation tool. It is an opportunity for me to articulate my thoughts and review my past efforts in the hope of informing my future efforts. For churches, it is a reality check. These issues must be understood if truly strategic young adult ministry is to take place. For young adults, it is a warning. These things all represent temptations that vie for the souls of young professing Christians. Too often, young adults are not aware of the influences upon their decisions. If young adults do not address these issues in one way or another, they will find themselves in precarious spiritual places.

Shift Barriers (in no particular order):

1. Not Truly Converted: The primary motivation for anyone to be faithful in church is a relationship with Jesus. If a young person is not personally compelled to love and obey Christ, community worship will not be a priority.

2. Newfound Freedoms: Many high school graduates are unprepared for the responsibilities of adulthood and especially poor at managing their sleeping schedule. Church involvement is often the first thing to go.

3. Moving Away: Going away for college is a precarious spiritual move for a young person. Without the old familiarities and the guidance of parents, there is frequently a failure to plug into a new healthy church.

4. Church Neglect of Young Adults: Often a church will pour a fraction of the investment into its young adults that it pours into its youth. Young adults receive a sudden lack of attention, planning, finances, and mentors.

5. New Ministry Environment: The familiarity of the youth group suddenly shifts to a new environment. Many young people do not even attempt the shift while others fizzle before solid relationships can be established.

6. Poor Youth Strategies: If a youth group is all fun and relationships with little spiritual substance and biblical emphasis, young people will have a weak foundation for an adult life that honors Christ.

7. Secular Education: Public school education is based on naturalism, secular psychology, pragmatism, hedonism, and pluralism. The negative influence of these forces is hard to overstate.

8. The Media: Add to the classic three of television, radio, and movies the relatively new trio of internet, cell phones, and ipods, and there is an unprecedented arsenal for the mass media to poison young people’s minds away from Christ.

9. Bad Friendships: The peer environment in schools is increasingly decadent. Most students in high school and college are immersed in a swamp of hedonism with temptations on every side.

10. Consumerism: Our consumer society generates consumer church goers. Many young adults, and older adults for that matter, become "church hoppers" who bounce from one place to another based on what’s in it for them.

11. Distractions: Young adults today are busy and connected. Many find plenty of relational fulfillment outside of the fellowship of the church. Some who are not necessarily opposed to church are still way too active to ever show up.

12. Financial Pressures: Many young adults allow their employers to schedule them during church hours. They are busy and poor so they are looking for needed times to earn needed money. They may also be intimidated by their employers about saying "no" to Sunday morning.

13. Passive Parenting: Parents are the most powerful influence upon their children and are commanded to take the lead in their children’s spiritual development (Deut. 6). Too often they don’t, and the effect is a spiritually confused young adult.

14. Superficial Worship: Young adults can detect the superficialities in shallow preaching, fluffy praise, token prayer, and phony piety. If a church environment is not authentic and open, it will be trivial to young adults.

15. The Cost of Discipleship: On the other hand, authentic discipleship can also keep many young adults away because following Christ is costly. Of course, the cost is worth it to the truly converted so this barrier is closely related to the first.

The church must be aware of the various barriers that stand between young people and Christ and should be addressing them strategically. A simplistic analysis of the problem is naïve. A church must work hard to evangelize its young people, to equip them, to relate to them, to invest in them, to protect them, and to care for them.

But the church should also have a healthy understanding of reality. There are influences upon young people that the church cannot control. Until Jesus returns, sin will reign in the unconverted and their world. The cross will continue to be foolishness to most. Therefore, the church should never confuse coddling for caring and popularity for success. Judging the quality of a ministry by the length of the roll is a precarious business. Many young adults are simply not going to make the transition. However, by God’s grace, others will.

.

Sandy the Elephant

2009-06-15T12:58:00.002-05:00

Took me way too long to do this. Ft. Morgan, AL.

Chocolate Idols

2009-05-29T14:29:00.005-05:00

"Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.’ From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, ‘Save me; you are my god.’" - Isaiah 44:16-17

My four-year-old daughter, Bailey, cracked me up the other day.

It was dusk, and we were out on our porch. My wife was out with a friend, and I had just put my two-year-old daughter, Jenny, to bed. So Bailey and I decided to pick up where we left off in our children’s Bible story book. She climbed in my lap, and I began to read.

Now, I have to say a word about this particular Bible story book. Other than the fact that it is the same exact book that my mom used to read to me, I appreciate it for several reasons.

First, the pictures are not cartoon-like or cheesy. Each story has a well selected print of a nicely painted picture. I’m not saying that books with childish illustrations are necessarily bad, but I appreciate the effort to present children with excellence. Further, the detail in the illustrations provides for good questions and careful inspection.

Second, the author of the book strikes a terrific balance between cautious language and hard truths. Many children’s Bible story books water down the stories of the Bible so much that they are hardly instructive, even for a four-year-old. The Bible isn’t a pretty book. It is a truthful book, and many of its truths involve sin, punishment, and death. I don’t think that people do children any favors if they sugar coat these things for as long as possible. The key is not to avoid speaking about evil but to speak about it on an appropriate level. Our Bible story book represents a commitment to this principle.

Third, the book covers a lot of stories, not just the most popular ones. I think it is pretty comprehensive for a small child. A trip through the book builds a good foundation for a child to understand the scope and message of Bible. There are 184 stories total. The main figures get several stories each. For example, there are six about Abraham, ten about Joseph, twenty about Moses, and ten about David.

And there are four stories about Solomon which is where we were the other night.

The first three are very positive. Solomon judges wisely, builds the temple, and dedicates the Temple. But as in 1 Kings 11, Solomon’s story ends on a shocking note. He worships idols and does "what is evil in the sight of the LORD." So in our Bible story book, the left page depicts Solomon with his hands outstretched in prayer to Yahweh at the Temple, but the right page depicts him with his hands outstretched in prayer to an idol. The idol is in human form with horns. It is dark gray and seated on a throne. The contrast is powerful. On the left stands a man leading the assembly after the living God. On the right, the same man is praying to a lifeless statue. What a picture of the blindness of humanity! Even the best of us are hopelessly tainted by sin.

I wanted to drive home the reality of sin and the stupidity of idolatry with Bailey so I asked her a series of questions. The exchange went something like this:

Me: "Who is that on the left page?"
Bailey: "Solomon."

Me: "What’s he doing?"
Bailey: "Praying to God."

Me: "What is that thing on the right page?"
Bailey: "An idol."

Me: "Who is that standing there praying to it?"
Bailey: silence.

Me: "It’s Solomon."
Bailey: "Why?"

Me: "Because even the best of people are still sinners who disobey God. Isn’t that sad?"
Bailey: "Yes."

Me: "Can that idol hear Solomon?"
Bailey: "No."

Me: "Can it do anything for him?"
Bailey: "No."

Me: "Did that idol make Solomon, or did Solomon make the idol?"
Bailey: "Solomon made it."

Me: "What do you think he made it from? Wood? Stone?"
Bailey: pause . . . "I think it’s made out of chocolate."

"Chocolate." We were both quiet for a second but then exploded in laughter. I think it was funny to her because, well, it really looked just liked chocolate. But it was funny to me because I, of course, had not thought of chocolate. My adult brain told me that idols are made of wood and stone, but after she said it, it was obvious. The dark, horned man who had looked so menacing sitting in that throne now might as well have been a chocolate Easter bunny. My laughter was making her laugh harder, and her laughter was making me laugh harder. It was a great moment.

After we collected ourselves, part of me felt bad that such a serious lesson turned into hilarious laughter. But another part of me realized that the silliness of it all is actually the thing that drives home the point.

In Isaiah 44, God mocks the practice of idolatry. He says that people use wood from the same tree to build a fire and also to build an idol. Then he explains the illogical nature of such behavior: "No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, ‘Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?’" God is complaining that nobody stops to consider the silliness of idolatry. One substance is both the source of the stomach’s subsistence and the soul’s subjection.

In other words, people might as well make their idols out of chocolate.

While Bailey and I were sitting there, I realized that we had some chocolate candy in the kitchen. So we went and grabbed three mini-Snickers bites and proceeded to make a little chocolate man. I wanted to illustrate the stupidity of idolatry. We mushed the squares a bit and then stacked them. It wound up being shaped like a snowman except that the chocolate didn’t look like snow. It actually looked like stone.

Then we had another exchange:

Me: "Why don’t we pray to it?"
Bailey: "No, daddy."

Me: "Why don’t we bow down to it?"
Bailey: "No."

Me: "Why not?"
Bailey: "Because that’s silly."

It was time to stop. I think we both had learned what we already knew, namely, sin doesn’t make any sense.

So then we ate our Snicker’s bites. I enjoyed one, and Bailey had the other two.

.

Happy Easter

2009-04-01T13:50:00.003-05:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The Teeth-Shattering God

2009-01-17T14:04:00.003-05:00

"Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek; Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked." - Psalm 3:7

The thought of having my teeth busted out has always given me the willies for three reasons.

First of all, there is the pain. Have you ever attempted to toss a Skittle into the air and catch it in your mouth only to have it bounce off your front tooth? Well, I did that one time, and let me assure you that it hurts. Fortunately, it did not chip anything, but that little incident gave me a good enough idea about the pain of tooth-bustin’ to know I never want to experience it. Now, the only food I ever catch with my mouth is pop-corn.

Second, there is the sound. In college, my friend Dave and I were playing ultimate frisbee, and I was near him when the man he was guarding decided to throw the frisbee right in his grill from two feet away. Both of Dave’s top front teeth were broken in half. He was bleeding really badly. It was awful. And the worst part of my recollection is the sound. Even as I type, my skin is crawling because I can still hear the "thud/snap" that comes as the result of fris-to-face combat.

Finally, and worst of all, there is the permanence. The thing about teeth is that they don’t grow back. Oh sure, a modern-day dentist can crown and cap and implant, but most of the time he can’t put natural teeth back in their place. Those important aids to talking, chewing, and smiling are permanently altered. When teeth get shattered, they are forever shattered. That thought makes me cringe as much as any.

So why all this shatter chatter? The Bible tells us that God is a teeth-shattering God. Now that’s an image of God that many people would never consider, but nevertheless David reveals in Psalm 3: "Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked."

In order to catch the full impact of this image, we need to recognize the movement in the prior verses that culminate in this triumphant conclusion.

The first two verses introduce a recurring figure in the book of Psalms, the oppressed righteous one. This persona occurs over and over in this book and demonstrates that God does not always plan a life of ease for his children. In the Psalms, life is frequently miserable for the very reason that the psalmist is seeking God. The principle is this: Wicked men love to oppress godly men.

Here, David’s prayer reveals two important things about his oppressors: They are many, and they are vocal. They all say of his soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God." In spite of this oppression, the middle of this psalm expresses David’s resolve to trust in Yahweh. Though David is currently in the dark, he can recall the LORD’s deliverance in the past.

I love the line, "I lay down and slept: I awoke, for the LORD sustains me," for two reasons. First, consider the irony. David is saying that even in his most defenseless state, he has all the defense he needs because of the LORD: "You guys hate me? You guys want me dead? You guys are numerous? . . . Yawn. Sigh. Snore. See you in the morning." Second, notice the verb tenses. The first part of the line is past: "In the past, I went to sleep and got up." But the second part is present/future. "For the LORD sustains me now and always." The significance is that David viewed the LORD’s deliverances of the past as an indication of his relentless relationship with his children. Though David’s circumstances were frequently changing, he knew that his position with God was not.

Now, we can consider the finale.

In verse seven, David actually uses the imperative on God: "Arise, O LORD, save me, O my God!" Does this sound audacious to you? Commanding something of God? I think it is important to see that David’s imperative is not a hasty wish arising from human insubordination. It is, rather, the triumphant cry of a godly thinker. David is not demanding anything from God that God has not already demonstrated he will gladly provide. When the LORD hears dependence on him expressed in confident cries, he responds with favor.

Favor toward his people that is. His enemies find themselves in a terrifying position. Their numerous mouths that once hurled venomous boasts become the target of his disfavor. He strikes his enemies on the jaw and shatters their teeth. The blow is painful, loud, and permanent. Their smile is altered forever.

Notes:
This piece first appeared at http://thehigherrock.blogspot.com/

Sporks and Spaws

2009-01-09T00:57:00.011-05:00

The utensil hybrid,
___The ingenious spork,
The choice provision of the frugal,
___A plastic saver, a money saver,
A statement of excellence,
___A statement of irony,
Prongs too shallow to stab,
___Tips too jagged to scoop,
Making the eater burn calories,
___As he attempts to take them in,
Accompanied by a helpful napkin.
___Able to wipe a whole corner of the mouth.
"Spork," a term of generosity
___The vocabulary of gratitude,
"A spork with my pork?
___How thoughtful of you!"
The complementary complement,
___That receives compliment upon compliment.

Slushy straws, another hybrid,
___The half spoon/half straw, the spaw,
A miniature shovel,
___Forgotten in the overflow,
But when down to the last inch,
___Making its presence known,
Rearing its ugly head,
___Good intentions gone bad,
Too small to lift a satisfying taste,
___Too big to allow an adequate suction,
Would be moments of final satisfaction,
___Actually moments of impossible labor,
Coaxing the mind to flip the device,
___Irritating the lips in the attempt,
Turning joy into anger,
___Causing a premature disposal,
Spawning a desire for scissors,
___While snipping away at happiness.

Worldly Christianity,
___Good intentions at little cost,
Popular for its novelty,
___Useless in its practice,
Friend of light and darkness,
___Of Talkative and By-ends,
Carnal affections under spiritual guise,
___Ironic and ineffective,
Too shallow to stick,
___Too porous to hold,
Accompanying cheap food,
___Packaged with worthless companions,
A tool for drinking pleasure,
___But a weapon for sucking joy,
Gratifying for a while,
___Painful at the end,
Heaven’s heartbreak,
___Hell’s hybrid.

.

Power Reps

2009-01-03T16:36:00.015-05:00

Superman

Superman represents pure physical power. If you could be any superhero, you might initially say that you would like to be some other character, but if you were really given the opportunity, you would choose Superman. No way you choose Spiderman over the man who is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. No way you choose the Hulk over the guy who is more powerful than a locomotive. No way you choose Wolverine over the man of steel. "Ah," you say, "but what about the invisible man? Superman can’t do that!" Are you kidding me? When you can look through walls, you don’t need to be invisible, and besides speeding bullets might as well be invisible. So there is no doubt. Superman is the super superhero. He is the superhero’s hero.

Every element of his physical makeup has immeasurable ability. Sure, he is in constant transition between nerdy glasses and tights, but that thought is only uncomfortable to you because you are not Superman. If you could do what he did, you would have all the self-confidence you need to manage his fashion cycle. Others could think whatever they wanted of Clark Kent, but you would know the satisfying truth. And the issue with the tights would tend to disappear every time you are rescuing people from imminent peril. Observers don’t think about his red boots. They say things like, "That man is a miracle." So instead of calling him Superman, you might as well call him "The Man," because he is.

Yoda

Yoda represents pure mystical power. What if you had to choose between having Superman on your side or Yoda? For me, I’m going with Yoda. Though the metropolis marvel has unlimited physical abilities, Yoda has capabilities of a different sort that Superman cannot equal. Yoda’s power comes from his mystical connection with the power behind the whole universe and extends far beyond his immediate sphere. The breadth of the force reduces Superman to a mere dot. And even on an individual combat level, Yoda mystically finds the ability to do what ever he needs to do. You might say that Superman would punch Yoda from Dagobah to Krypton, but I’m not so sure. Yoda would feel the attack before it happened, and his reflexes just might land his light saber into some melting steel. Do you think it is a coincidence that Yoda’s sword glows the same color as Kryptonite? I don’t.

It is interesting that Yoda’s power, like Clark Kent’s, is also cloaked in a veil of weakness. Without prior knowledge of his character, you would never pick Yoda for a bodyguard. If the proverbial wisdom is, "White men can’t jump," then a similar principle reasons, "Little green men can’t fight." And not only is he tiny; he is ugly. Who would ever choose to look like him? Several years back, my friend played Yoda in a Star Wars sketch complete with green facial paint and duct-tape ears. Trust me; it wasn’t pretty. But do you think Yoda cares about his appearance? Of course not. For the same reasons that apply to Superman above, Yoda operates with a confidence that prevents his appearance from being of any concern to himself. His feeble fascade is actually the storyteller's means for exagerrating the power of his resources. Now, it would be incorrect to call Yoda "The Man" because we really don’t know what species he is. However, Yoda is definitely a dude. So you might as well call him "The Dude," because he is.

Jesus

Jesus represents pure spiritual power. All four Gospel writers report the manifestation of the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism. The significance is to emphasize that Jesus is divinely anointed and empowered. After the account of Jesus’ baptism in Luke, the author proclaims three times in the following chapter that the Holy Spirit was the key to Jesus' ministry. Luke states that Jesus was "full of the Holy Spirit" (vs. 1) and "in the power of the Spirit" (vs. 14). Then, Luke reports Jesus’ bold claim: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me" (vs. 18). In Acts, Luke’s sequel, we find Peter emphasizing this same truth at the first official presentation of the gospel to the Gentiles: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power" (Acts 10:37). The apostle Paul also understood that Jesus’ power was a demonstration of his spiritual status. He explains in Romans that Jesus "was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead" (1:4).

"Resurrection from the dead" leads to the next point of the discussion, that is, the capability of Jesus’ spiritual power. He has what the author of Hebrews calls "the power of an indestructible life" (7:16). In other words, the resurrection is everything. It means that Jesus is everything. Everything he claimed to be, everything he claimed to do, and everything he claims he will do is true, accurate, and unstoppable. His word is completely endowed with power. Jesus, by virtue of his identity as the Son of God has the ultimate of all power connections. He is in perfect spiritual relationship with the Father, and therefore his relationship to everything else is one of authority and strength: "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Heb 1:3). He speaks and things appear. He speaks again and they are gone. His glory maintains the universe. Therefore, Superman and Yoda are completely dependent on the will of Jesus to exist, and just for the record, they don’t. Now you know why.

Jesus possesses pure spiritual power, and yet he presented himself in weakness. He came with "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isa 53:2b-3). What a paradox! What a stumbling block for Jews! What foolishness to Gentiles! (1 Cor 1:23) Why would the sustainer of all things present himself in such weakness? Why would he willfully carry our sorrows?

The answer begins with the same explanation that applies to both Superman and Yoda. The Son knows his power regardless of anyone else’s impression. After all, physical appearance is pretty insignificant to the one who created physical appearance. But the answer reaches much farther than any imaginable for our two fictional heroes. Jesus decided to use his power to save men from the consequence of their sins: "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isa 53:5). The last time I checked wrath bearers aren’t pretty. The ugliness of the cross is deceptive to the uniformed, but "to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18b). It is the power that demonstrates ultimate love and ultimate glory (Rom 5:8).

If the ability of Clark Kent to appear weak and clumsy makes Superman more impressive, if the fragility of Yoda exaggerates the resources of the force, then how great is the work of Christ for demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit! How glorious is the gospel of the incarnate Son hanging on a cross! He is the Sovereign who laid himself down for his people and then raised himself up again on their behalf. So you might as well call him "The King," because he is.

.

A Great Object

2008-12-18T11:16:00.002-05:00

Taken at Cherokee Park, Louisville KY at the top of the big hill.

Ascend

2008-06-30T03:31:00.008-05:00

Everest is a thousand atmospheres below you.
-----Because altitude pales to its maker.
But it is high above me.
-----Six feet pale to six miles.
This mountain reveals two things:
-----Your magnitude and my limitations.
To know you would be glorious.
-----But this mountain is an inadequate means.
A climb is a difficult prospect.
-----And success would still be failure.
----------An ascent towards infinity bares no approach.

Sinai stands higher than nature.
-----Because law shows the maker’s heart.
But it also shows my own.
-----Ten fingers fail to ten commands.
This mountain reveals two things:
-----Your righteousness and my sin.
To know you would be good.
-----But this mountain is a miserable means.
A climb is an impossible prospect.
-----A failure could never succeed.
----------An ascent towards holiness bares only shame.

Calvary is higher indeed.
-----Because the promise proclaims grace.
But it also lays a condition.
-----One cross nails one man.
This mountain reveals two things:
-----Your accomplishment and my opportunity.
To know you would be life.
-----And this mountain is a beautiful means.
A climb is a simple prospect.
-----Where failures become successes.
----------An ascent towards sacrifice bares forgiveness.

Zion towers above all.
-----Because it is where you are.
And a city will have its citizens.
-----Myriads of angels hail to myriads of saints.
This mountain reveals two things:
-----Your joy and ours.
To know you would be love.
-----And this mountain is a present means.
A climb is a daily prospect.
-----Where success swallows failure.
----------An ascent towards Jesus bares worship.

Author’s Notes:

I just spent a week at my home church’s youth camp in Florida. I was privileged to be one of the high school speakers along side one of my best friends. The camp theme was "Ascend," and the focus was on true worship. This poem is simply a reflection on some of the things that we studied. It compares the possibilities of ascending four different mountains.

Everest represents the limitations of natural revelation. The creation reveals God’s existence and power, but it cannot help us to know him rightly.

Sinai is obviously about the special revelation of God’s moral law. The Ten Commandments go beyond natural revelation in that they explicitly reveal God’s goodness and his holy standard for men. However, they are woefully inadequate to bring us into a true knowledge of God because they do not address the idolatrous condition of man’s fallen heart.

Calvary of course refers to the work of Jesus on the cross. His redemption purchased forgiveness for men and made the regeneration of fallen hearts possible.

Zion is about the full glory of living in God’s presence. The imagery in this stanza is greatly derived from Hebrews 12:22-24. Though Jesus died on Calvary, he is not there anymore. He is seated at the right hand of God and is the Church’s present and future possession.

The first and last words of each stanza summarize the meaning of each mountain. Everest - no approach; Sinai - shame; Calvary - forgiveness; Zion - worship.

Beyond the symbolism of the four mountains, I decided to structure the four stanzas identically in order to aid the nuances of comparison. I encourage the reader to compare lines that are located in the same place in different stanzas. For example, compare line 4 in each stanza or line 10.

.

September Chill

2008-02-06T12:41:00.001-05:00

Yikes. The air is crisp this morning.
___ And it smells different.
Smells clean, even with this bag over my shoulder.
___ And tastes fresh.
Is that my breath?
___ The only cloud in sight.
And when did the trees begin their change?
___ The yellow rays seem to stain the fringes,
And deliver little warmth.
___ The thin breeze delivers goose bumps.
And geese.
___ Though now their honking fades.
These dewy blades cut with cold.
___ Nippy today, slippers tomorrow.
I’ll hurry the moment.
___ Though I don’t mind the September chill.

Because the chill always comes,
___ As certain as the fall, yet surprisingly.
A quick change in outlook interrupts the routine,
___ Life’s ancient reality confronts the present.
Nature reports, shining new old light.
___ Time is short before the long cold night.

But what about the garbage on my back?
___ It has its place.
Not on a curb, on a hill.
___ Not under a mail box, under a tree,
___ ___ Where the wood reminds me.
I have a reliable spot for clean-up.
___ My chore is simple and brief.
The shiver is soon enough replaced with warmth.
___ No, I won’t mind the September chill.

Notes:
This poem was inspired by two things: First, morning garbage trips in the fall. Second, my wife's uncle Buddy. Some explanation is in order.

Buddy recently finished a year long bout with cancer that ended in his death. However, his testimony through his final year was one of hope and confidence in Jesus Christ. Buddy and his family exuded a degree of strength that I believe is very rare. I want to learn from this example. This poem is my attempt to personalize the lesson taught by Buddy.

In this poem, I compare the surprize that a crisp September morning can bring to a man taking out his garbage with the surprize a man experiences when he finds out that he is dying. Both experience a new sensitivity to their surroundings. Both are faced with the coming winter. And both have garbage that they need to deal with.

The response of the Christian should be like the man who knows he only has a quick brisk walk before he is back inside where it is warm. He can take in the chill and appreciate it as a necessary experience while knowing that his time with Christ is coming soon.

Here are some structural helps:

The first section of the poem describes the common experience of a garbage trip in September and emphasizes the sensory nature of the event. This section moves through all five senses as they are linked by either verbal or conceptual means.

The second section begins the metaphor about death. There are several referrences to the origins of this long-standing consequence to sin: "the fall," "ancient reality," "nature," "old light" and "night."

The only couplet that rhymes in the poem contains the key for interpretation. Here, the metaphor is most explicit and most carefully verbalized. There are three instances of rhyme: "report-short" "old-cold" "light-night." There are three instances of paradox: "new-old" "short-long" "light-night." There are four instances of double meaning: "Nature" refers back to the autumn experience in section one and to fallen human nature that is given over to death. "Report" refers to the sensory signals that nature gave in section one and is also a common term for receiving news from a doctor. "Light" refers to the sunlight from section one and to the realization that one is dying. "The long, cold night" refers to a winter night and to death.

The third section is about sin and the cross. The only triplet in the poem indicates its own importance. The entire triplet is a reference to the cross, and the line "Where the wood reminds me" refers to both the cross and uncle Buddy. His full name is Buddy Wood.

An Ultimate Answer

2007-04-13T02:30:00.001-05:00

"He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." - Colossians 1:15-20

Have you ever struggled with one of these ultimate questions? "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Or "Why does evil exist?" The Apostle Paul did.

I have been studying Colossians with my Sunday night Bible study group, and we have been working together to memorize the above passage from chapter 1. It is one of the most dense passages of Christology in the New Testament.

This passage has the tone of an early hymn that was written to articulate the glory of Jesus Christ. Paul probably either composed it himself or simply incorporated it into his letter. Based on the imagery and Greek grammar, there are some structural markers that may help a reader to organize and better understand this passage. I attempt to explain the structure below and show some of its significance. If you are not a language person, you probably should just stop reading now.

Still here? Well, then I think you are pretty cool. Let’s dig in!

First, notice the similarity in the clauses "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" and "He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead." Not only do these two phrases repeat the imagery of Christ as the "first-born," but both are actually dependent clauses in the Greek introduced by the relative pronoun. Literally translated, these lines begin, "Who is . . ." instead of "He is . . ." The NAS above has smoothed the reading by making independent clauses of these two lines, but if you check your dusty King James Version, you’ll find that the old guys nailed it.

Also, both of these "who" clauses are followed by a causal clause that begins with the subordinating conjunction "for/because." These clauses explain how the assertion of the "who" clauses are true.

These similarities suggest that the "who" clauses begin two separate sections within this passage.

Second, notice the similarity between the lines "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" and "He is also head of the body, the church." Again, we see two independent clauses beginning with "He is . . ." Well, this time, they really are independent clauses in the Greek. In fact these two lines, which are right next to each other in the middle of the passage, are the only two independent clauses in the entire passage. The other verbs in these six verses are governed by either the relative pronoun or subordinating conjunctions. I take from this observation that these two lines provide the focal point of the hymn around which every thing else revolves.

This observation distinguishes these two lines from the rest of the passage. So the structure is as follows: "who" clause with its constituents, the focal point in two lines, and another "who" clause with constituents.

Third, notice that there are some interesting structural plays in the dependent clauses that fill this passage. For example, verse 16 is a dependent clause that is a chiasmus with an "A B C C' B' A'" pattern, and even within this larger chiasmus there is a smaller one. Consider the mirror symmetry of "heaven and earth" with "visible and invisible."

Other structural plays exist between verses 16 and 20. Notice that verse 20 ends with the inverse of the phrase "heaven and earth" from verse 16, "things on earth or things in heaven." Also, there is an inversion of the order of the last line of verse 16, "All things . . . by Him," in verse 20, "through Him . . . all things." (The word for "by" and "through" is the same in the Greek.)

Now, based on these grammatical notes, I have attempted below to more accurately reflect the Greek and to structure this poem. There is some debate over the exact structure, but I think of it in terms of a two stanza hymn with a chorus in the middle:

[Stanza 1]
Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.
Because by Him
all things were created,
in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--
All things have been created
through Him and for Him.

[Chorus]
And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
And He is the head of the body, the church.

[Stanza 2]
Who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead;
So that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.
Because it was the Father's good pleasure
for all the fulness to dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself,
having made peace through the blood of His cross;
through Him, I say,
whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Hopefully, you can more readily see now that Paul has integrated into his letter a structured hymn that either he wrote or the early church was already using.

So what does all of this mean beyond the fact that Scripture contains structural beauty? Well, now we can analyze the context of the individual lines in the poem within the broader structure. Here are some observations.

1. Stanza 1 is about the eternal, divine supremacy of Jesus. One of the clearest evidences of divinity in the Bible is creatorship; thus, this stanza emphasizes that all things exist because of Jesus. Because Jesus is the creator, he has ownership rights over everything. In this sense, he is the "first-born over all creation."

2. Stanza 2 is about the redeeming, resurrected supremacy of Jesus. In this stanza, Jesus is the "first-born from the dead." Here we learn that Jesus is not only the divine creator of all things, but he is also the appointed reconciler of all things.

3. Stanza 2 contains the only purpose clause in the poem. This clause is very important first, because purpose clauses are always important but also because it is alone in this hymn. It is an addition to the poem so important that Paul was willing to break the structural symmetry between stanza 1 and stanza 2 to include it.

In this clause, we learn that Jesus was raised to life "so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything." Paul asserts that not only did the Father want his Son to receive glory through his creative work, but he also wanted his Son to receive glory through his redemptive work. God allowed Jesus to die for sins and be raised to life so that in every sphere imaginable he might be supreme.

4. Notice how the chorus is a great summary of stanzas 1 and 2. The first line of the chorus emphasizes Jesus’ creatorship, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." The second line emphasizes his relationship to his redeemed people, "He is the head of the body, the church." And both lines emphasize his supremacy with the words "before" and "head." "Head" of course, is an intimate way of expressing Christ’s leadership of the church which is his "body."

5. So the main point of this hymn is that Jesus is supreme in every possible way. He is supreme as the creator, and he is supreme as the redeemer, especially as the redeemer of his people. He is supreme over mankind, and he is supreme among mankind. He is the supreme giver of life, and he is the supreme reclaimer of life.

Now let me carry this just a little bit further. Creation is a term associated with existence, and redemption is a term associated with the tragic nature of human history. In other words, for Jesus to be the supreme creator, something has to exist, and for him to be the supreme redeemer, something had to go wrong. Therefore, I believe that this passage teaches that everything that exists and everything that has ever gone wrong with existence has been for one over-arching purpose: that Jesus Christ receive the supreme glory and honor.

So I boldly claim that in Colossians 1:15-20, Paul gives the answer for the questions at the beginning of this piece. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that Paul gives every answer to these questions; I am saying that Paul gives the ultimate answer to these questions.

"Why is there something rather than nothing?" "So that Christ can be shown as the supreme creator."

"Why does evil exist?" "So that Christ can be shown as the supreme redeemer."

The only reason I can muster that a person would not be content with these answers is if he did not understand his own subordination to the all-surpassing greatness of Christ. But I personally am happy to be subordinate. I don’t believe I have a choice anyway. After all, I need what his supremacy provides, to exist and to be saved from my miserable existence.

.

Disadvantages and Disobedience

2007-03-27T01:08:00.000-05:00

“I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.” - Judges 2:21-22

A big problem in our society is that people view disadvantages as excuses for wrong behavior.

Here is my thesis for this thought piece: Disadvantages may be reasons for wrong behavior, but they are not excuses for wrong behavior.

Judges chapter 1 describes the war campaigns of Israel after Joshua had died. Unfortunately, these campaigns reveal Israel’s disobedience to God. They did not drive out all of the pagan nations that God had commanded. Therefore, in Judges 2 God decides that he will not help Israel to drive out any more pagan nations but, rather, to leave them in the land to coexist with Israel.

Toward the end of chapter 2, God explains a further reason why he chose to leave these nations. God wanted “to test Israel by them.” In other words, God decided to leave Israel in a less than ideal situation in order to evaluate their obedience to him. They were now disadvantaged but nonetheless accountable.

Let me explain further. There is no question that the temptations of the Canaanites upon the people of Israel were powerful. For God to leave idolatrous nations scattered all around his people was for God to leave his people in a tough position. If God had wanted, he could have raised up a new generation of Israelites to drive out the evils of idolatry completely from the promised land, but he did not. According to Judges, God decided to test Israel’s future generations through this difficult scenario. They inherited a disadvantage, yet they were still expected to worship Yahweh alone. This example indicates a common biblical principle: People are not excused to disobey God even in disadvantaged circumstances.

We can observe this principle throughout the Bible. Take the Garden of Eden for example. Now, we usually don’t think of the beautiful garden as a place of disadvantage. However, God did not have to include the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden’s center. It certainly would have been more advantageous for Adam and Eve if God had left the tree way to the eastern fringe of the garden or simply not included the temptation at all. But God did include this tree, and with desirable fruit on it, while still expecting Adam and Eve’s obedience.

Another example is the person of Job. God allowed Job--he actually volunteered Job–-to suffer from many circumstances that could have potentially destroyed Job’s faith. Even Job’s wife was ready to “curse God and die.” However, we learn from the book that God allowed such difficulties so that Job could show the true depth of his obedient heart.

Another example is the prophet Jeremiah. God told Jeremiah that his ministry would be exceedingly difficult. God told him that the people would be opposed to his message. Nevertheless, God expected Jeremiah’s complete obedience and perseverance in his calling. Had Jeremiah eventually given out because of the difficulties, he would have certainly displeased God.

Another example is the lame man whom Jesus healed in John 5. After Jesus had performed his miracle, he told the man to “stop sinning” (John 5:14). Jesus did not say to the man, “I know that you have been in a disadvantaged state your whole life. So you are not accountable for your bitterness, anxieties, and disbelief.” No, he said that the man had been living the life of a sinner who needed to repent. Even though he had been disadvantaged, he had not been excused.

Peter actually learned this principle firsthand from Jesus. After Jesus had indicated that Peter would die a harsh death and after Peter inquired about John’s destiny, Jesus simply said to Peter, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22). What was Jesus saying? He was saying that the various advantages and disadvantages to which his followers are subjected are a matter of his sovereign decision. Jesus explained to Peter that the temptation of a difficult death was no excuse for not following him in obedience.

I could go on and on with illustrations of individuals or groups of people who were subjected to disadvantages and difficulties while still expected to obey God: Joseph, Habakkuk, Hosea, Paul, the recipients of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, etc. In fact, I submit that you can see in virtually every biblical character’s life, disadvantages that could have led to sin.

Here is my big point. In all of the above examples, the disadvantages were potential reasons for disobedience, but in none were they potential excuses for disobedience. So then, a reason for Israel’s persistent disobedience to God was that they were in a difficult environment, but this reason did not count as an excuse before God.

I started this piece by saying that a big problem in our society is that people view disadvantages as excuses. I suggest that this problem is evident all around us.

Here are some conjured up examples.

Example 1: Many in our society would consider a person who has had a tough week on the job or who has experienced a wrecked relationship as legitimately excused to go out and get drunk for the weekend. The reasoning? “He was really struggling so he just lost a little control for the night.” This reasoning is frequently the focus of popular music where “wasting away in Margaritaville” is celebrated. The problem with this logic is that it fails to understand that the tough work week and the relationship loss are opportunities to show God an obedient heart. When people romanticize drunken coping skills over godly behavior, they use disadvantages as an excuse for evil. You see, a bad week may be their reason for getting drunk, but it is not an excuse.

Example 2: Many in our society believe that homosexuality would be justified if it could be shown to have genetic factors. But again, the biblical principle of expected obedience in spite of personal disadvantages refutes this thinking. Now, I don’t believe that such a genetic link could ever be proven given the incredible complexity of life influences upon a person. But my point is that God expects obedience to his righteous plan regardless of genetic influences.

Example 3: Many in our society would consider an employee as completely justified who gossips about his boss because of difficult work expectations. Many would excuse employee blow-ups as mere venting that helps to relieve stress. Many would even say that if the boss is an “idiot,” he brings the slander upon himself. But according to God, a difficult employer is no excuse for a gossiping employee.

Example 4: Many in our society would consider a high school student who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder as having a special excuse for not paying attention in school. The reasoning? “Because he struggles with attentiveness, he should not be disciplined for his sloppy work.” Now, I am not denying that A.D.D. is a reality and a struggle. What I am denying is that it is an excuse for sloppy work. The biblical principle is that a high school student is still accountable for proper behavior even if he is somewhat disadvantaged. The disorder may be a reason, but it is not an excuse.

Example 5: Many in our society would consider a two-and-a-half-year-old who is tired and cranky as excused from obeying a clear instruction from his mom or dad. The reasoning? “That poor kid just needs a nap so he should not be accountable for that temper tantrum.” Again, I believe this reasoning is dead wrong. Certainly, parents should not be foolish about a child’s need for a nap and a for parental patience, but sometimes parents have to ask their children to obey even when it is difficult. At these times, children should be held accountable, not excused. Their fatigue may be a reason for the tantrum but not an excuse.

I do not have time to continue to list examples of the improper excusing that takes place in our society, but I suggest that if you watch for this mentality, you will readily see it around you and even in your own walk before God. I further suggest that a sugar-coated view of human responsibility does not help another person or yourself to overcome vices. In our society, we desperately need more accountability, both personal and external.

Let me finish by offering two disclaimers.

First, I am not saying that there are never extreme circumstances that may excuse people from otherwise inappropriate behaviors. Such possibilities are not the focus of this piece, nor are they the norm in our society. This piece is, rather, meant to address the many common disadvantages that people tend to use as moral excuses.

Second, I am not saying that there isn’t a place for grace and understanding when people go through disadvantaged circumstances. I think that we should view the dejected drunk with compassion, the inflamed homosexual with love, the gossiping employee with understanding, the distracted teen with patience, and the tirading two-year-old with tenderness, but I also think that their behaviors should carry consequences. According to the Bible, their behaviors are not acceptable regardless of the disadvantages.

We need to help people see that disadvantages are opportunities to show the depths of a pure and obedient heart. If someone learns this lesson when he is two-and-a-half, maybe he won’t ever visit Margaritaville as an adult.

A Father's Mirror

2007-03-22T01:48:00.001-05:00

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was." - James 1:23-24

At 1:45am on March 1st, my wife and I welcomed our new baby girl into the world. Jenny is nine pounds of treasure like her big sister was two years ago. So I am now the father of two beautiful little girls. Without a doubt, birth is wonderful! . . . But birth is also dreadful. I am now the father of two beautiful little girls!

Let me explain how I could feel both of these sentiments at the same time.

From the day that my wife told me about her second pregnancy, I was overjoyed. I did not experience any regret or worry. However, as the months till delivery turned into weeks, and then days, I found myself growing numb to the encroaching reality. Now, don’t get me wrong. The deep sense of joy remained; however, a blank kind of feeling began to slip into my daily routine. My energy at times left me, and I occasionally found myself in thoughtless silence.

I choose words like "numb," "blank," and "thoughtless silence" because I could not figure out what was causing my qualms concerning the imminent experience. When I tried to express my issues to my wife, I couldn’t. I became frustrated that this joyful occurrence was being rivaled by inexplicable emotional paralyzation. Jenny’s coming was making me nervous, and I didn’t know why.

Then Jenny was born, and like I said above, the experience was wonderful.

However, two days after Jenny’s birth, I was as numb as ever. It was Saturday night, and I was scheduled to teach the next morning at church. As I sat up in bed, I read and re-read the focus passage, 1 Peter 1:3-5:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

As I dwelled on this passage, something happened that, quite honestly, I was not expecting. These verses became my mirror. As I gazed at my Bible, I started to see myself. Through the truths of this passage, the Lord helped me to both articulate and address my struggle.

Here are the truths that God used:

In verse 3, Peter glories in the fact that Christians have been born again by the mercy of God. This truth refers to the identity of the believer. Because he has experienced the regenerating work of God, he lives with a new perspective on life. The Christian’s new gaze is fixed on his living Savior. He is a child of God, born by the Spirit, focused on Jesus.

In verse 4, Peter explains that the Christian’s inheritance is imperishable because it is "reserved in heaven." The word "inheritance" teaches us that the hope found in our resurrected Savior consists of an entire package of blessings. God is prepared to give his reborn children an inheritance that is beyond this world, and since it is beyond this world, it is not subject to factors of decay.

In verse 5, Peter further explains that Christians themselves are preserved by the power of God as they await their ultimate salvation. For God’s children, not only is there an eternal inheritance, but there is also a temporal preservation. Verse 5 follows from verse 4. The truth of God’s future blessing demands the truth of God’s present care. Peter is not promising that Christians will be kept from all persecution, but he is promising that each reborn soul will be present on the day of God’s final salvation.

Now, the Bible and a good mirror are similar in that they both give a true reflection of yourself. Sometimes, like a mirror, the Bible’s message is pretty ugly. But for Christians, the Bible also has a positive image to reflect. On this particular night, God’s Word revealed to me these three positive images. It affirmed my identity in Christ, confirmed my inheritance in heaven, and assured my protection in time.

And these truths helped a blanked Bible study teacher address his parental paralysis. As I dwelled on 1 Peter, I began to realize that each of these truths addressed a different form of anxiety that was present in my life and that these anxieties were working together to mess me up. Before, I had been frustrated because I could not articulate my problem, but these verses helped me to realize that my problem was difficult to articulate because it was really three problems in one.

Problem 1: I was a dad numbed by the passage of time. Though I am overjoyed at seeing my newborn daughter, she makes my first daughter look so old. I am only twenty-nine, but I feel the passage of time more and more every day. Humans especially feel time's passage when we go through major life transitions. I think many would say that the passage of time is depressing, but I think that it is more accurate to say it is oppressing. In fact, time is by nature oppressive. It hangs over us and will not be ignored. It tells us that an end is coming. It reminds us of death. I am not exaggerating to say that I hate time. I really hate it.

But Peter tells me in verse 4 that I have overcome time. I have an inheritance that will never fade away. If my inheritance is located in the eternal realm of heaven, I am moving toward an experience that time cannot rob. Time is only a factor for the perishing. Where relationships do not end, time does not matter. Though my present experience with time is very painful when I consider my family, such a struggle is not the ultimate destiny of Christians.

Problem 2: I was a dad numbed by the fear of evil. As I go through life, I not only grow more aware of time, but I also grow more aware of evil. And I am most acutely aware of the dangers that evil poses against my family. My little girls are so defenseless, and there are so many ways that they can be harmed . . . natural evils, wicked men, demonic forces. And furthermore, I know from the Bible that they themselves are tainted with sin. They are pre-programmed for self-destruction. The most important thing in the world to me is that they be saved from the consequences of sin, and it terrifies me to imagine what evil would do to them.

But Peter tells me in verse 5 that Christians are protected by the power of God. Now, the connection of verse 5 with what precedes is very important for a dad. The ones described in verse 5 are the same ones who, in verse 3, were reborn by "His great mercy" and who, in verses 1 and 2, "are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God." In other words, if God has chosen my daughters for his mercy, they will be preserved and protected for the day of salvation, and no manner of evil will interfere. As a father, I need to rest in the merciful purposes of the Father even when I am confronted with my own fears for my children.

Problem 3: I was a dad numbed by a frustration with himself. As I go through life, I am not only bothered more and more by time and more and more by evil, I am also bothered more and more by my own weaknesses. I am a fragile vessel. Yet I am entrusted with this beautiful family. I am entrusted with modeling the Father’s discipline and love, with imaging Christ’s passion and leadership, with reflecting the Spirit’s submission and power. I am the single greatest influence on two little hearts, and yet I am frequently of little heart.

But Peter tells me in verse 3 that I am born again. I am a new man. Though I am weak, I am no longer identified by weakness. I am, rather, identified by "the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Though I am a sinner, I am regenerated by God’s mercy. This truth tells me that I am equipped for fatherhood. It would be arrogant to say this of my natural capabilities, but it would be equally arrogant to neglect the power of God’s Spirit in my life. Though my sinful nature is a legitimate cause for sober reflection, my new nature is a greater cause for hope.

James 1:23-24 states a truth that, on that night, I found to be true. When I needed to see myself clearly, I saw myself in God’s Word. The only thing left for me was to take it to heart, to be a "doer." I needed to do these truths by laying down my anxieties about time, evil, and myself. I needed to put my numbness to rest by resting in God’s promises. So I closed my Bible and then closed my eyes.

.

American Christianity and Democracy

2007-02-12T23:52:00.001-05:00

"But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." - Psalm 2:6

Democracy can be a proud topic for Christians who have grown up in America. It is easy to develop a perception that our nation’s form of government corresponds with God’s established ideal. We know of the Pilgrims’ voyage for religious freedom. We are aware of the faith of many of our founding fathers. We grew up under the umbrella of Patriotism, and we experience daily the blessing of being able to worship God in freedom. Clearly, democracy is God’s ideal way. . . . Maybe not.

It may prove curious to some Americans that in the Old Testament God does not establish the democracy of Israel; rather, the nation of God’s choosing has kingly rule. Why would God do that, especially if democracy is the ideal way? A thoughtful reading of Psalm 2 can shed some light on the democratic dilemma.

We know from the New Testament that Psalm 2 contains important prophesies about Jesus. He is ultimately the "Anointed One" of Israel. In order to apply this Psalm’s teaching about Jesus to the discussion on government, it is helpful to first note a few points by way of interpretation.

First, it is clear in Psalm 2 that the ideal government God establishes is a monarchy that has a flawless king. There is no rule by the people. There is no vote taken. The only criteria for total authority is begotteness. The Son is begotten of the Father and, therefore, receives the anointing as King. Because this monarchy is the rule of the Son of God, it is more precisely a theocracy.

Second, this government established by God is indestructible. All rival governments are confidently called to humbly submit. No other ruler or system can match up to the establishment of the Son’s reign.

Third, those who take refuge in the Son will receive blessing. This blessing contrasts the horrible wrath that will fall on those who persist in opposing the Son’s kingdom.

The implications that flow from Psalm 2 can be applied to the American Christian mind-set in several ways:

1. We should have no delusions that democracy is God’s ideal way to do government. Clearly, theocracy is what God has ordained as ideal. He says, "I have installed My King Upon Zion." We should not expect the American system to work flawlessly or lead to lasting peace. With an awareness of the rampant godlessness in our country, Christians in America should have a sober mind about the limitations of a system that operates under the principle of majority rule. Democracy creates an avenue for fair representation, but those represented are sinners.

2. We should not think that we are better than other countries because we have a democratic system. The source of such thinking is empty pride. Other countries with various governments have successes and failures just as America does. Psalm 2 places all of the world’s rulers in the same boat. All rulers are called to account by the psalmist. All nations are the Son’s "inheritance." All rule that is not the Son’s rule is hopelessly deficient of true lasting power.

3. We should recognize that our nation is not indestructible by virtue of its configuration. Verse 12 of the psalm suggests that the duration of earthly kingdoms is based on the will of the Son. It is his mercy that maintains America. If we do not understand our utter dependence on Him and, instead, find hope in our system, the Son’s "wrath may soon be kindled." He can make any nation "perish in the way."

4. American Christians should be actively involved in the democratic process. We should promote the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ among our elected leaders and in our legislation. We should oppose those who practice "vain devisings." Psalm 2 commands earthly rulers to recognize the Son’s rule. The election of Christian leaders is a legitimate concern of the church in America.

5. We should live in the constant anticipation of a better government. Trusting in the reality of Jesus’ kingdom provides Christians with stability for the righteous navigation of temporal government structures. As American Christians attempt to help our imperfect democratic system pay "homage to the Son," we must remember the promise, "How blessed are all those who take refuge in him!"

.

Ten Reasons Why The Pro-Abortion Movement Is Wrong

2007-01-23T01:25:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the 34th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a ruling celebrated by many throughout our nation.

But here are ten reasons why the pro-abortion movement is wrong.

First, the movement is so obviously driven by human selfishness. It’s fundamental cry is "My right!" and its fundamental motivation is convenience. Millions of babies are destroyed every year simply because many women care more about themselves than their own babies.

Second, the movement exists because of human irresponsibility. Abortion functions as a form of birth control for the promiscuously unmarried and for women who value a workplace more than a family. The felt need for abortion is usually in reaction to the fears associated with irresponsible relationships and desires.

Third, the movement stands on an false dichotomy, "choice vs. no choice," as if women get pregnant without making some very significant choices. Obviously, rape is an exception, but every pro-life advocate believes in a woman’s choice concerning having a baby. They believe that a woman chooses to participate in sex. This choice carries with it the possibility of pregnancy. If a woman cannot cope with the possibility of becoming a mother, she is not ready to have sex.

Fourth, the movement rests on a ridiculous criteria for determining human life, as if a an unborn baby becomes essentially different simply because it passes through a birth canal. It is amazing to believe that one moment a baby is completely expendable and the next it is beautiful and priceless simply because of a change in location. It is equally amazing to apply an arbitrary point of viability to the gestation period as if a baby’s value hangs in the difference between a few days of pregnancy.

Fifth, the movement denies the very obvious fact that the result of human conception is human life. The embryo is obviously human. It is in a human stage of life. It has human parents, and it has human DNA. Further, the embryo is obviously alive. It is growing. It is feeding. It is moving. To deny either is a denial of science and reason. It is human life.

Sixth, the movement holds forth arbitrary judgment concerning whose life is valuable and whose is not. It tells women that their babies are only important if they want them to be. Because the simple fact of human life does not ensure human rights, human rights must be arbitrarily decided upon by people in power. Down syndrome babies, rape babies, impoverished babies, etc. are undesirable to many abortionist on purely subjective grounds.

Seventh, the movement exchanges the beauty of a birth day for the horror of an extraction date. Instead of the joy of welcoming life, it prefers the sorrows of death.

Eighth, the movement is destructive to women. It denies that the instincts of motherhood are a mark of a woman’s basic identity. It tells women that pregnancy is not a blessing but a problem and then leaves women in the emotional aftermath of their own selfish decisions.

Ninth, the movement preys on the weak and defenseless. Instead of protecting the weakest among us, the pro-abortion movement supports the abuse of power. In every society, the strong are capable of destroying the weak; in the pro-abortion society this activity is admired.

Tenth, the movement denies the sovereignty of Almighty God. Instead of telling women to trust in the Creator who has made them pregnant for a purpose, the pro-abortionist tells women that their babies are a mistake. Instead of telling women to trust in the provision of the God of love, the pro-abortionist tells women to trust in the perversion of a procedure of hate.

.

Thirty Thousand Feet

2007-01-17T15:46:00.002-05:00

Thirty thousand feet can provide a new and needed perspective.
___ A steady hum and a small window serve to clear the mind and re-frame one’s outlook on the world.
From above, my cumulus companions look more like attainable peaks than threatening rain transports.
___ Here the clouds are bright, white, and beside, not dark, gray, and overhead.
In fact, the only thing above me is deep blue . . . royal blue.
___ Even the sun has moved from her place of dominance to her place of beauty.
She now hangs to the front, well into her descent.
___ Not above, not below, just ahead . . . bright, beautiful, and ahead.

And the earth? Vast, green, open.
___ Mountains look like rolling hills. I see a road through every forest.
And those roads are narrow.
___ The paths of the majority are indiscernible from the hard paths.
The buildings are small.
___ The tops of penthouses cannot be distinguished from those of warehouses.
All man’s works are nearly impossible to identify.
___ Man’s efforts are lost in the expansiveness of the view.

Of course, I can sill recognize the occasional baseball diamond.
___ From a height where busyness and business have disappeared, a game has not.
This is a meeting place for the adult and the child,
___ I have found that my new and needed perspective is very much like an old perspective that I now
___ remember,
A perspective in which life’s worries are lost in life’s joys,
___ A place where lofty hopes are not hindered by surface realities.

In this seat, the world is far away.
___ The creator is close. He embraces me in the midst of his heavens.
From thirty thousand feet, man is small,
___ But he is reminded that there is more beyond the daily grind.
___ ___ Thirty thousand feet is a place of rest.

.

Follow and Lead

2007-01-09T21:47:00.001-05:00

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." - Mark 1:17

A while back I was picking up some fries from the McDonald’s inside my local Wal-Mart. While I was waiting, I noticed that a wildly dressed teenage guy and girl were standing across from me also waiting for an order. I guess they were of the grunge variety or alternative or maybe punk. The hair was very extreme. The pants did not fit, and there were some awkward looking piercings visible. In spite of the extreme appearance, I probably would not have given them a second thought except for the white imperative on the guy’s black t-shirt: "Conform to no one."

Well, I was intrigued. Here was a guy who wanted others to know that he was not a conformer. He nevertheless appeared very similar to a hundred other teenagers who I had seen in similar settings. Even his companion was another teenager who dressed just like him. I was intrigued because this "non-conformist," who no doubt dressed to be distinct, had unwittingly conformed to a large segment of teen culture.

Come to think about it, he didn't look so different from me either. We both happened to be wearing t-shirts, pants, and shoes in basically the same places on our bodies. We were both waiting on french fries while standing inside our Wal-Mart. We both had just returned our wallets to our back pockets after swiping our debit cards. To top it all off, we both had just ordered in English. Here was a person that I had never seen before in my life, and yet we were so similar. And all of these similarities came from the conformity of our personal choices to societal influences. Of course, he might say, "I didn’t choose to learn English." But I would say, "Yes, but you chose to order in it." My point is simply this: He was a walking illustration of a basic truth. Actually, we were both a walking illustration of a basic truth: "Though humans want to be individuals, we cannot escape conformity."

So after I received my fries. I politely approached him and challenged his shirt. He responded, also politely, by saying that he had never really thought about the shirt; a friend had given it to him. I said, "Oh," and went shopping.

When I had finally meandered my way to the express check-out, I couldn’t help but notice a teen magazine’s bold red letters: "Be More Popular." Again, I probably would not have given this second imperative a second thought except for the first imperative from my first purchase. This new thought was startling in relation to the other because inside this magazine was a list of tips for teenagers to follow in order to "fit in." It was a conformity list! This magazine advocated something completely different from the philosophy of my fry-counter encounter. Before it was: "Conform to no one!" Now: "Conform to everyone!"

What especially intrigued me was that the girl on the cover was so distinct. She certainly didn’t look much like me. She didn’t even look like any other females around, especially the one in line in front of me. In fact, I had never seen a face just like her’s before . . . ever. Apart from her looks, reality told me that this girl has desires, personality traits, talents, and relationships that make her quite unlike anybody else. She was the magazine’s choice to epitomize conformity to its list, yet she was unmistakably distinct, one-of-a-kind. No girl in Wal-Mart could have possibly conformed to her. Then I realized that she represented another basic truth that is completely opposite to the one mentioned above: "Though humans want to be conformists, we cannot escape individuality."

So we appear to have a catch twenty-two: It is desirable to be both a mold-breaker and a group-fitter. Move toward one desire; get nailed by the reality of the other. These realities are especially harsh in the ruthless world of teenagers where they are used as weapons. Try to fit in and someone is sure to yell, "Wanna-be!" Try to stand out and someone mutters, "Freak."

Well, obviously we all do something with this perplexing human issue because we're not all frozen in thought over it. What is it? Well, there is a middle ground which I think people must inevitably walk even if on a subconscious level. This middle ground finds distinctiveness not in the ability to avoid conformity, but rather in the ability to embrace particular types of conformity. That’s what the guy at McDonald’s was really doing, and that’s what the magazine was really promoting. It’s ironic I know, but people conform so they can feel special. When they feel special, they feel able to influence. Therefore, in reality we cannot simply lead, nor can we simply follow. Rather, we lead in our following, and we follow in our leading.

It seems to me that the human problem of sin flows out of the improper handling of this reality. The problem is not that people want to be followers nor that people want to be unique leaders. The problem is that people follow unworthy things and then lead toward those unworthy things. Proverbs 14:24 says it like this: "The folly of fools yields folly." This observation provides us with a pretty simple definition of sin: Sin leads others into negative types of conformity. Think about it. A sinner focuses on things that are not worthy of emulation and runs after them with his friends. Sinners follow sinners while believing that they are doing something special and unique. Sin chooses the small instant gratifications that come from following deceived leaders while sacrificing the fulfillment that comes from right conformity and right leadership. Sin follows the world, Satan, and self while leading to destruction.

I thank God that there is an alternative, Jesus. Jesus offers his own imperative, but it is quite different from "Follow no one," and from "Follow everyone." He says, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Those words are bold. They claim that he is worthy to be followed, and they also claim that he is capable of making unique leaders. In essence, Jesus says, "When you follow me, men will follow you. When you conform to me, I will make you dynamically distinct. When you pursue my image, I transform yours."

Jesus’ way is not of this world. His is the way of confession, the way of repentance, the way of obedience, the way of righteousness, the way of the cross. He explains his imperative later in the Gospel of Mark: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mk. 8:34). Denial? Cross? The world knows very little of these things. Christ’s expectations move far beyond worldly origins which means that conformity within this world could never be as radical as conformity to him. This world could never produce a uniqueness that surpasses the uniqueness of Jesus’ disciples. It could never produce leaders like Jesus can produce.

I wonder what would happen in the heart of my McDonald’s neighbor and the heart of that teen cover-girl if they came to realize that the distinctive marks of Christ exist on a far deeper level than that of clothing and popularity. A person will not follow Jesus as long as he embraces the mentality that thinks he can "conform to no one." This idea is pure deception, and only the duped conformist believes it. A person is also not likely to follow Jesus if he is searching for the quick road to popularity. Popular people don’t hang on crosses. However, a person is likely to follow Jesus if he sees the folly of naive individualism and of human popularity.

He is likely to follow Jesus if he recognizes that the most powerful distinctiveness comes from the most radical conformity.

The closer behind Jesus that a man follows, the more he will feel the over-spray of rejection being spewed at his leader, but he will also better feel the warmth of love that radiates from his leader. From a distance, most think he’s crazy proclaiming the glories of the mist, but some will fall in line. These learn that a man who joyfully follows the Savior powerfully leads among the lost.

.