Not So Funny Humor

I don't watch Saturday Night Live. Frankly, I'm almost always in bed already. Recently I saw a piece on YouTube that showed the guest of the night singing a Christmas Carol with cast members dressed up like Muppet Characters.

If you weren't really listening you would have thought it was a pretty funny piece. The guest sang some words and then various characters sang with funny sounding gibberish.

The song that was sung was "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Interesting that the Muppet's sang every time there was any reference to Christ, the newborn King, or God being reconciled with man. In other words, they took a common and theologically profound Christmas Carol and made it into something that had lost all meaning.

It was a sad and disrespectful thing to do.

Bah and humbug and Shame on Saturday Night Live.
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BOOK REVIEW: Counterfeit Gods

One of the books I read recently is the latest release from Tim Keller, a Pastor in New York. Keller's other books, THE REASON FOR GOD and THE PRODIGAL GOD were both excellent, thought-provoking and enlightening books. COUNTERFEIT GODS is all of those things and also very convicting.

Keller makes the point that our greatest passion in life is our God. It can be

• our family
• the success of our church or ministry
• financial security
• self-righteousness
• influence
• peace
• enjoyment

The point is that anything that becomes our passion that is not a relationship with the Lord of Creation is an idol.

By this definition (which I believe is certainly correct) we all are guilty. I can see in my own life I sometimes most passionately want to be a good Pastor, a faithful teacher, a good dad. Those things are not bad unless they become the thing that drives my life. Then those good things become my idol.

I commend the book highly.

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The Value of Christian Radio

Some people would say Christian Radio is a thing of the past. In the day of iPods, Pandora, YouTube and satellite radio some feel Christian Radio stations have outlived their usefulness. I beg to disagree.

I like Christian music but I honestly don't need a station that always plays Christian music. I have an iPod that I can listen to with the music that I enjoy. I'm also not really interested in a Conservative talk radio station that masquerades as a Christian station. I don't listen to talk radio . . .period.

However, radio that teaches the expounds the Word of God, discusses moral and ethical issues from a Christian perspective, gives us new perspectives on the news and sprinkles in good doses of Christian music . . . . I see great value in such stations for several reasons.

1. There seems to be a real lack of solid Christian teaching. We live in the day of "pop psychology" preaching, of devotional thoughts, and of simple theological liberal undermining of the Christian foundations. In a good Christian radio station you can find truth that is consistent, deep, and life changing. Teachers such as Alistair Begg, Chuck Swindoll, James MacDonald, David Jeremiah, Erwin Lutzer, Steve Brown and many others feed the soul in what are often hungry times.
2. Christian radio introduces us to issues that need to be looked at from a Biblical perspective. What about same-sex unions? Is abortion really an issue? What about cloning, violence, welfare, healthcare and more? If you listen to only the secular media (and we all do even if we only watch regular television) you are receiving a distorted perspective. God's standards do not play a part in the secular media's reporting of moral and ethical issues. We need help in being more discerning.
3. Local Christian radio introduces you to people who share your values. This is not only in the speakers . . . you can also learn from the underwriting spots (sponsors) who are mentioned on the air. These people have invested in Christian radio because they share the values of the station.
4. Christian radio helps us worship the great Lord of the Universe. It takes us from the rush of life to the throne of Heaven.
5. Christian radio introduces us to music that enriches the soul. (I won't listen regularly to a station that plays only a "top 40" of Christian music on a loop over and over again but . . . .) such stations will introduce me to what is popular in Christian circles.
6. Christian radio provides strength for life's journey.
7. Local Christian radio lets you know what is going on in the surrounding area. In other words it enables us to broaden our resources.

Locally we have two good local stations: KAYP at 89.9 F.M. (http://www.kayp.afr.net/) in the Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa area and KMDY/WGNX (90.9 FM, 96.7 FM) (http://www.kmdy.org/) in the West Central Illinois area. Tune in and support them financially as you are able. It's still a very good investment.

Book Review: God in the Wasteland

A few weeks ago I read David Wells' book God in the Wasteland. In it, Wells issues a scathing critique of American Christianity and highlights what he views as many areas where we have gone astray. He argues that Christians and their churches have often neglected God--that God has become weightless in the lives of many people within the church today. Wells claims that many people like the idea of being part of a church and of salvation, but that they really give no weight to God in the way they live their daily lives. In many ways, I think that Wells is on to something. He emphasizes the importance of correct theology, but also emphasizes that the theology we claim is so important must also influence the way that we live our lives. If it does not, then we have missed the point.

Wells does not simply limit his critique to individuals though. He also makes a strong case that the Church has gone astray as well. As evidence of this he points to the movement common in American churches of applying the principles of marketing to the administration of the church. We have become very concerned about the desires of the people outside the church, and we seek to tailor our church services in such a way that they will fulfill the desires of non-Christians. Wells argues that essentially, we have made the gospel into a product to be sold rather than a divine imperative. I'm inclined to agree with his assessment.

While it is certainly important for us to be concerned with the way the non-Christian world views the Church, there is some degree to which non-Christians will never feel comfortable inside a church that is truly preaching the gospel. We do not need to be mean-spirited, but we do need to hold out the truth. If we find ourselves hesitant to preach what the Bible says for fear of the backlash of the world, we fail in doing what we are called to do.

I also think that much of the modern emphasis on "worship" experiences stems from this same mentality. I firmly believe that on Sunday mornings we should come together to worship God, but I fear that for many churches that is not what is happening. These church services really fall far short of worship, and are much closer to entertainment. The motivation behind them is not what will please our Heavenly Father, but what the people will enjoy. We need to ask, why do we do the things we do in our church services? Is the music we sing designed to bring glory to God and to draw us into His presence, or is it simply to help us to have a good time? Do we use multimedia in worship because it is an aid to understanding and building community, or do we use it because it's what we have to do to compete with the church down the road? Do we get rid of extended prayer times and Bible readings and shorten the preaching because they are boring and people enjoy other parts of the service more, or do we stand firm that these are essential parts of our worship of God? Do we greet people warmly because it is a way for us to demonstrate the kind of love that Jesus showed, or do we do it because people are more likely to come back if we do?

Don't get me wrong--I think it is ok to sing contemporary music and use multimedia in worship. I think we ought to be welcoming and kind to people who visit our churches. I also don't intend to talk for hours when I preach. But let's not forget the point of Sunday. The point of Sunday is to spend time in worship of God. Our goal should not be to come out of a church service saying, "Wasn't that a lot of fun?" (though worship can be fun!), but to come out saying that you felt like you encountered God--and that as a result, your life should be different.

I don't know that Wells' book would be something that everyone would find valuable or interesting (it's really written more for pastors and church leaders), but I think some of the insights he puts forth are right on target--that if we don't put God and His Word back in the place of prominence in our lives and in our churches, we are destined for trouble.

Trends in Youth Groups

A while ago during my prayer time I was praying for the children of our church and the children of our community. As I was praying, I began to think about my experiences with youth groups and Sunday School classes in the past—both groups that I’d led as well as groups in which I’d participated. I had a startling realization. In many of these groups, when kids who had previously been active and regular attendees of these groups stopped coming, it wasn’t long before those same kids started getting into trouble.

For example, I’ve seen many kids who have stopped participating who I discovered a short time later were involved in alcohol, drugs, and risky premarital sexual activities. Some of these kids have found themselves in jail, others with unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, and still others addicted to substances that now control their lives. I don’t know which came first, these dangerous and destructive behaviors or the decision to stop participating in the ministries of the church, but I do know that in my experience the two have often been closely related.

I don’t mean to be alarmist or to point fingers. I do, however, want to make parents aware of a trend that I have seen many times in the past. When we see kids who begin to pull away from the church we need to be asking some serious questions about what really lies behind that decision. We need to talk to them about the activities they are involved in, paying close attention to where they spend their time, with whom, and what they are doing. I continue to pray for the children in our community that they would be spared these kinds of temptations. I hope that you’ll do the same.

Designer God

I was on the Internet the other day looking up some information on someone I saw on television. Admittedly, it was a weak moment of pointless curiosity.

As I was reading the biography the person was quoted as saying, "I am a Christian but I need to say I am not like the kind of Christian you see on television. I don't believe God condemns homosexuality and he is not against Gay marriage . . . my God is not a God of judgment but a God of love."

There are times when I too want to distance myself from television preachers. I understand that concern. However, the statement....."My God is..." is troubling. It gives the impression that we are free to design a God that appeals to us. If you don't like the exclusivity of the Gospel, then you say, "My God would never send anyone to Hell". If you don't like the claims of Jesus you say, "My God reveals Himself through all religions and isn't confined to just one." I you don't like the Bible you say, "My God speaks to me through nature and through my own conscience, I don't need the Bible." Each of these statements sounds spiritual but they avoid the real issue.

The real issue is not how you have designed God, it is who God IS. People may prefer I be handsome, athletic, and able to visit anyone at a moment's notice. However, your preference does not change who I am. It is the same with God. We can imagine Him to be all kinds of things but that does not change who He is.

The Bible is God's Revelation of Himself to those whom He has created. In the Bible God tells us what He is like. He is indeed a God of love. However, because He is loving He is also a God of justice, and justice does require judgment. God has standards. There is a standard of right and wrong. Christian people do not have the option of designing God . . . but they do have the opportunity to know Him in intimate relationship through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The next time someone says to you "My God is . . . ." perhaps you can respond by saying, "I appreciate what you are saying, however I'm less interested in what your god is like and what my god is like. I want to know what the One True and Living God is like. How about if we open the Bible and examine what He has told us about Himself?"

Who "Failed"

Every so often you will hear people bemoan the fact that the church has failed them. In a time of need the church was absent. A family was a part of the church but it didn't help their children who still wandered from the faith. A person came to the church but found that worship did not "meet their needs". The list goes on and on.

Here is a list of my own titled, "Who failed?"

• When a person has a genuine need and communicates that need and the church does nothing, the church has failed.
• When a church tries so hard to be relevant that it softens the message of the Gospel to make it more appealing, the church has failed.
• When all the church income is spent on the maintanence of property, the church has failed.
• When the church refuses to adapt its methods to changing preferences, the church has failed.
• When a church explicitly or implicitly excludes certain people from being welcomed into the church, the church has failed.
• When the church provides youth programs geared toward entertaining youth rather than discipling youth, the church has failed.

But often the church is not the one who has failed,

• When the church provides solid educational programs but people don't take advantage of those opportunities, the people have failed.
• When opportunities for youth are presented but parents choose to "let the kids decide whether or not they will go to Sunday School, youth etc." The parents have failed to lead their children in the way they should go.
• When the church presents a biblical and relevent worship services and the people come to worship distracted, the people have failed to prepare.
• When people agree to serve on committees but fail to show up for meetings, the people have failed the church.
• When people's devotion to the Lord consists only of what they do in church, the people have failed to be true disciples.
• When parents talk about the importance of the Lord but do not reflect that importance in their own priorities, the parents have failed because they are sending a mixed message.
• If people did not care for you in the time of need because they did not know of the need, the people have failed, not the church.
• If the church is willing to adapt to new styles but no one is willing to serve, the church has not failed, the people have failed to serve the Lord through the church.
• If friends and neighbors remain ininformed about the gospel, it is usually not because the church has failed, but because the people have failed.

It seems to me that if focused less on who is to blame for problems and focused more on what we should be doing to solve those problems we would be a much more effective vessel of God's grace.

Intrusion on the Lord's Day

A couple of weeks ago you may have noticed some letters to the editor that were written by Dad. In the course of a single week he and I had heard about several events in the community that were scheduled to be in direct competition with church services and programs on Sundays. We both decided that it was time to act, because the issue of remembering the Sabbath day and keeping it holy is obviously something that is a big deal to God (it's in the ten commandments, after all!) So, we began to write letters and talk to various leaders who were in charge of planning such events. The response, it seems, was that most people had no problem with us declaring that there should not be events scheduled on Sundays. The response that I heard quite often was, "Good for you! I'm glad you're standing up for this."

As I've had a chance to reflect on this issue a little bit more, I came to a realization. Ultimately, we as individual Christians are to blame for the fact that organizers are scheduling events on Sundays. Think about most of the things that are scheduled on Sundays--sports tournaments, fundraisers, practices for various community and school activities. What do all of these things have in common? They are all events that depend on getting a group of people together. Why do organizers schedule events on Sundays? Because it works! Our schedules have gotten incredibly busy, and trying to find a time when a group of people can all get together is difficult. What organizers are finding out is that people are willing to skip church or forgo youth programs in order to attend these events. They schedule events on Sundays because the competition for time is not nearly as fierce--and it's a competition they are often able to win.

Let me pose a question to you--what would happen if everyone who claimed to be a Christian vigorously adhered to the 5th Commandment? How many of the people who attend these events claim to be Christians or part of a church? If we all followed God's command to keep the Sabbath holy there would be very few people who attended these events! If all the Christians stayed home (or went to church), there would be no benefit to scheduling things on Sundays.

Lots of people are glad that Dad and I were willing to take a stand on this issue--but I suspect that most of those people also think it's a pretty self-serving stand. I hope that we all, as Christians, recognize this as a real problem in our society in general and in our community in particular. What we need to understand is that the problem is not just with the people scheduling the events--far too often we send the message that competing with church is not a big deal, because we support these events. So, if you recognize this as a problem let me challenge you to stop being part of the problem, and start being part of the solution. Take a stand, not just with your words, but with your time and your actions. Whether anyone else likes the stand you take or not, God will be pleased by your faithfulness to His commandment.

Speech on Healthcare

Last night the President spoke to the nation about healthcare reform. To be honest, I did not watch the speech. I seldom watch political speeches because I find them long on rhetoric and short on substance. I prefer to read the highlights in the paper.

Overshadowing anything the President had to saw last night was the outburst of "You lie" from one of the Republican congressman. It was a great breach of protocol. The congressman apologized for his lack of civility.

I am leery about a government designed health care program (especially one that does not address tort reform which drives up costs). However, the Bible is clear that we are supposed to show honor to those in authority over us. I think part of this is showing respect for the person speaking, even if you disagree.

I long for the days when Capital hill was characterized by "statesmen". These were people who debated ideas rather than sought to push through agendas. The uncivil comments in the halls of congress reflect what we are seeing in classrooms, workplaces, and even homes: a lack of honor and respect.

As believers we must lead the way in "giving honor to whom honor is due". For any public debate to be beneficial it must first be civil.

Lutherans in trouble

If you have paid attention to the news recently you know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has decided that those congregations that choose to have practicing homosexuals as Pastors may do so.

A couple of comments on this matter. First, it must be clarified that that are a variety of Lutheran Churches. The ELCA tends to be the most liberal (theologically...meaning they are shakey on what orthodox believers would consider 'essentials') of the Lutheran denominations. The Missouri Synod Lutherans did NOT adopt this decision.

Second, the nature of the decision, as I understand it, is that the ELCA concluded that though some believed the Bible speaks clearly of homosexuality as sin, others do not see it so clearly. So, in a baffling move, they decided that both sides should be embraced as lovers of the truth. Basically, each church is left to make it's own decision. One more step toward making homosexual relationships an accepted part of this denomination.

The reason this is so perplexing is that at its core the church is watering down its belief in the authority of the Word of God to rule our lives. Anyone who reads the Old Testament and New Testament passages on homosexuality will have no trouble understanding what is being taught. Such behavior is condemned as sinful. The church has basically said, "It is OK to change what the Bible teaches to fit your worldview".

This is one step further toward godlessness. When God's Word becomes subject to the whims of men then we have turned things around. God now serves us rather than we serving Him.

The church does not stand against homosexuality because we hate gays. We stand against this behavior and many others because we are FOR people coming into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Before that can happen we must turn from our sin. Whitewashing what is sinful is not better than painting over a moldy wall. It may look good for awhile but the problem is not taken care of.

Those who belong to the ELCA have some difficult decisions ahead of them.

Who's On First

Listen to the people around you. You will hear things like:

• Family First
• You have to put the team first
• The good of the country comes before everything
• You have to put the business first
• You have to put your health first
• Your spouse has to come first
• You have to put yourself first

When people say such things people who are standing near them will usually nod in approval at the wisdom of what the person has said. Even if they don't nod they certainly do not question such statements because they sound so noble.

In truth, every one of those statements, if sincere, is sinful. God alone should occupy first place and make first demand on our life. He is the only One who has earned that right. Our family, team, country, business, health, spouse and life will all pass away but the Lord will endure forever. If we have any hope of enduring with Him we must stop pushing Him to the side for trifles and start giving Him the honor He alone deserves.

Healthcare

Everyone is talking about healthcare reform. That in itself is not a bad thing. It seems to me that the high cost of insurance and the large number of people who are unable to afford any insurance (and thus tend to be disqualified from any kind of early detection or wellness care) should make us concerned.

However, rushing to change doesn't seem like such a good idea either. 15 years or so ago the government decided that they would make it easier for people to get home mortgages by mandating that many people who used to be disqualified from loans should now be given flexible rate loans. The current financial crisis can be traced back to the decision to move away from good financial sense.

It seems that the idea of forcing Insurance companies to take "bad risk" clients is going to do a couple of things: first, it will drive many out of the health insurance business. 2) It will drive premiums up for everyone else. We are lining things up for another Savinds and Loan mess.

Medical facilities spend hundreds and hundreds of thousands (or more) each year to defend themselves against nuisance lawsuits. This is not addressed in any of the bills I've heard talked about.

Millions is spent in Medical expenses just paying for people who do nothing other than address government regulations and compliance issues. Most hospitals and Drs offices are buried in government paperwork. All that cost gets passed on to the rest of us. Congress is proposing more red tape. That translates into more paperwork = more costs.

This is an issue that demands great wisdom. Pray for our lawmakers to come up with changes that will help us rather than hurt us in the future.

Insight

I read a great quote the other day that has helped me a great deal. I can't remember where I read this but the quote was of this nature, "whatever we focus on will become larger and larger".

Think about this. If I focus on the wrong that someone has done to me (or I perceive they have done to me) that wrong will grow larger and larger. It will gradually take over my life and my thinking.

If I focus on the trials and struggles of my life those struggles will grow so large in my mind that they will crowd out the blessings.

If I focus on the faults and weaknesses of my mate I will no longer be able to see those great traits that drew me to him/her.

If I focus on the critical comments of men in regard to Scriptural authority the Bible will become less and less sufficient for my life.

Now turn this around. If I focus on Christ and his sufficiency His greatness will dominate my life and my problems will lessen in comparison. If I focus on the promises and veracity of God's Word, the threats of worldly philosophy will be seen in their weakness.

In our personal lives if we focus on (and celebrate) the strengths and gifts of our mate and our friends, we will cherish them more and be able to "cover over a multitude of sins". If we focus on our blessings and gifts we will find gratitude growing larger in our hearts rather than discontentment.

I hope this insight helps you as much as it did me. Choose where you focus your mind and it will change the way your experience your life.

"Convenient" Discipleship

Jesus called us to "deny yourself, take up our cross and follow Him." Sadly, we are prone to add words to the command,
"Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me . . . when you have time"
"Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. . . unless you have something more important to do"
"Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me . . . unless you don't like what God is asking you to do (in other words, if you have a "better" plan).
"Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me . . . unless you have family plans"

Does this seem harsh? Maybe. The question is not whether or not the words are uncomfortable. The question is: are the words true? God calls us to unconditionally trust and follow Him. Even though we profess faith we tend to resist truly following Him. Discipleship is not multiple choice where we get to choose when we would like to follow Him.

This certainly has implication for the priority of weekly worship, Bible Study, Youth Group over such things as baseball games, reunions, hobbies, and the need to get some yard work done. But this is not just about Sunday morning and the fulfilling of obligations at the church. We also need to radically follow when

• He tells us to forgive
• When we try to justify behaviors He calls sin
• When we have opportunity to declare Him before others (like our friends)
• When we don't like how things are going at a ballgame
• When a boss seems to make unfair demands
• When someone offends us
• When God prompts us to pray
• When it comes to the use of our time
• When things are hard

It is easy to point our fingers at those who don't follow in the same areas we consider to be important. The challenge is to look at the totality of our lives and ask that penetrating question: "Am I honoring the Lord with my life?"

I find the words of Matthew 7 to be haunting. Jesus, talking about the last days says, "
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
Mt 7:21-23.

Jesus says many people will arrive at the door of Heaven trumpeting all the good things they have done. Some of those things will even be significant. Some of these people will be those we have admired in this world. Yet, they will be turned away as being false disciples. I believe most of these people will be those who were "convenient Christians". They served the Lord when it served their purposes. God wants to us to honor Him as Lord. We can't do this simply when it is convenient.

Forgiveness BOOK REVIEW

I recently finished a very engaging book, TOTAL FORGIVENESS by R.T. Kendall. Kendall argues that much of the discomfort of our lives is caused by our unwillingness to TOTALLY forgive another person. His argument is strong.

When we fail to forgive we usually are only hurting ourselves. Kendall says 90% of the time the other person doesn't even feel they did anything wrong. Consequently we think we are punishing them but in truth we are the only ones suffering.

Kendall says total forgiveness means

1. We don't talk to others about the offense (because it is a subtle way of trying to exact punishment on the other)
2. We relate to the person as if the offense has not happened
3. We leave the offense with the Lord
4. We pray for God's rich blessing on the one who hurt us (perhaps the hardest part of total forgiveness).

Here's a quote:

It may be far easier to forgive when we know that those who maligned or betrayed us are sorry for what they did, but if I must have this knowledge before I can forgive, I may never have the victory over my bitterness.

I'm currently reading Kendall's follow up book: "How to Forgive Yourself". I commend both books as helpful and Biblical approaches to this tough subject.

A Law to Keep in MInd

I believe the Law of Non-Contradiction is one of the most important laws we have. It's not a law in the legal sense, it is more like the law of gravity. It is a law that makes sense of life and in this case thinking. It comes from the area of Logic.

The Law of non-contradiction means something cannot be true and false in the same sense at the same time. In other words if I say my car is solid blue in color and then say my car is solid red in color, both statements cannot be true. If one is true, the other is not.

Now I could say that I am a Cub fan and a Cardinal fan (though why would I?). It is possible to root for both teams. There is no contradiction. I cannot however say that my favorite team is the Cubs and then say my favorite team is the Cardinals. It would have to be one or the other.

It seems like an obvious law doesn't it? However it is violated in many ways today. Probably the most obvious violation is in terms of religion. People say "all religions teach the same thing" or "all roads lead to heaven". This cannot be true. Why? Because of the Law of non-contradiction!

Christianity teachs that Jesus is the only way to Heaven ("no many comes to the Father except through me"). Many other religions teach that they are the only way to enlightenment, happiness, nirvana etc. If Christianity is not the only way to Heaven then it is not true. It cannot be both the only way and one of many ways . . . it violates the law of non-contradiction.

This is important. This isn't about who is better than someone else. This is about truth and falsehood. If Christianity is true, then people who follow other faiths are lost. If other religions are true, Chrsitians are deluded. Adopting the position of the contemporary society that we should all just embrace each other and affirm the good in each other's religions sounds noble but it is really to deny truth. It is to live in the land of make believe. If Jesus was telling the truth (and I believe he was) then I cannot simply sit back and say, "Hey, whatever you believe is fine." Because it is not.

Some of the "new" views of Jesus have come not from archaeological discoveries or manuscripts that have been recently discovered, these ideas come from those who understand the law of non-contradiction and don't like the implications of the words of Jesus. They understand that if what Jesus says is true, lots of people are in trouble. Their approach is to simply try to change the words of Jesus! If they can soften Jesus' words then Christianity can be more "politically correct". (However, to be politically correct and eternally lost is not an option I find attractive).

Look around. Listen to newscasters. Really think about what people are saying and the implications of their words. If you do, you will find that the law of non-contradiction is violated over and over. The result is muddled thinking that only leads to confusion and in too many cases it will lead to eternal condemnation.

Of the making of blogs there is no end...

It doesn't take a scientist to recognize that I am not an avid blogger. The time between posts is often weeks. This appears to be an evidence of sloth at this time when texting and twitter seem to provide a constant "stream of consciousness."

I'm probably old fashioned. I happen to think that not everything people say is worth taking time to read. We are inundated by information in our society. We can keep "busy" on Facebook for hours. You can subscribe to blogs, listen to podcasts, and read on any subject you want on the Internet. We live in an age of instant information.

I like being able to get answers to questions quickly. I love using the Internet. However there are some dangers.

1. People seem to find it increasingly difficult to think for themselves. We are so buried in the words of others that we find it hard to think clearly.
2. We have lost our sense of discernment. We tend to assume that anything that is written in a post is accurate. This is the same danger we face with television. People assume that something must be true if they heard it on the news, Oprah or the History Channel. It is a bad assumption to make.
3. We find it difficult to "be still and know that he is God". The times of quiet listening have been replaced by frantic researching. This is to our detriment.
   

So, if you become frustrated that we are not posting more blog entries . . . think of it as our gift to you. It is the gift of the opportunity to be quiet and to think for yourself. Maybe you could use the free time to read your Bible or talk with the King.

Wedding

Today is my daughter's wedding. Everyone has told me that I won't be able to get through the ceremony without crying. Probably not . . . but my goal is to honor my little girl by officiating at her wedding, not to keep from crying.

The tears today are truly tears of joy. It has been a busy week with much going on. I have seen some of the heartache that goes on in the lives of others and as I look at my life I realize that I am such an undeserving recipient of a tremendous grace. We have been blessed with tremendous children, wonderful grandchildren, and a marvelously supportive family. My cup overflows.

Rachel is a remarkable, talented, and delightful woman and I like to think she has also found a remarkable man. He knows the Lord, is tender, patient, kind and seems to delight in making my dear Princess happy.

There is so much I'd like to express to Rachel today but I know there won't be time to say much. Hopefully, I've said it all already. I don't think there is any "unfinished business" between us. All that's left are the moist eyes of a very proud father.

Is the Bible Reliable

There was a recent article in USA Today that asserted that the Bible was inconsistent and that we shouldn't take it literally. The argument was that the Gospels contradict themselves even on an event like Easter.

The man quoted in the article is a guy by the name of Bart Ehrman. Ehrman and his cohorts Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan are notorious for their attacks (the ones I've read are quite feeble) on the Word of God.

A couple of things in response to the article. First, the so-called inconsistencies are really just different dimensions of the same event. For example,

As Jesus was dying on the cross, was he in agony, questioning why God had forsaken him? Or was he serene, praying for his executioners? It depends, Ehrman points out, on whether you're reading the Gospel of Mark or Luke. Regarding Jesus' birthplace of Bethlehem, had his parents traveled there for a census (Luke's version) or is it where they happened to live (Matthew's version)? Did Jesus speak of himself as God? (Yes, in John; no, in Matthew.)

On the cross Jesus faced a whole gamut of emotions. When Jesus uttered his cry he was quoting Psalm 22 which leads us to ask if he was even really questioning God. Jesus did come to Bethlehem for a census and then apparently took up residence in Bethlehem. Not at all an unlikely scenario since those back in Nazareth would have considered Mary to have been unfaithful to Joseph. And the whole "Did Jesus claim to be God" thing . . . Jesus claimed to be God in a number of different ways. John records him being much more direct but Jesus certainly claimed the authority of God in Matthew too. These authors were writing to different people and would have approached the issue differently. Big deal.

Second, you are going to read more in the media about these authors (they espouse what the liberal media wants to believe is true...so they are turned to for quotes often). I tried reading one of their books once....I couldn't get past the presuppositions that the Bible could not be true because it records miracles and things that surely didn't happen. Their presupposition is an anti-supernaturalism. In other words, anything supernatural had to be added later to make Jesus or the apostles look good. (They also really don't like the apostle Paul....but that's OK, Paul probably wouldn't have liked them either.)

In fairness, we all have presuppositions when we look at a topic. My presupposition is simple: the Bible is God's Revelation to men, inspired and preserved by the Holy Spirit. Unless I am shown otherwise by solid reason and evidence, here I stand.

So here's a quick guide. Whenever you hear one of these guys quoted (Ehrman, Borg, Crossan) understand that they believe in a Bible that they change to say whatever they want.

Why Go to Church?

This past week a friend of mine posted some theological thoughts on Facebook, one of which was that the Bible doesn't really say that we need to go to church. He argued that when the Bible talks about "the church" it is really talking about the global body of believers, not the place you go on Sunday morning. His said that our ideas about the church came from our society, not from the Bible.

I think there are many people who ask this same question--and who believe the Bible doesn't say that we should go to church. In one sense, they're absolutely right--nowhere in the Bible does it say that Christians should go to church every Sunday. But just because those exact words don't appear in the pages of Scripture doesn't mean that the Bible doesn't teach it.

The idea of a body of believers coming together on a regular basis to encourage each other and to minister to others is seen throughout the New Testament. In Acts chapter 2, we see that the believers actually were meeting together every day! In Hebrews 10:25, we read that Christians should meet together regularly in order to encourage each other.

So why did we settle on meeting together every week on Sunday? Because it follows God's original plan! Remember that God created the world in 6 days. What happened on the 7th day? God rested. The Jewish people used that day to come together and reflect on what God had done and remind themselves and how He wanted them to live. In the New Testament, the early Christians decided that if they were going to choose a day of the week to reflect on what God had done for them, maybe they should move it to the day Jesus rose from the dead, because that's when everything changed. Of course, that day is Sunday.

So, that's why we meet every week. But the question remains, is this weekly meeting necessary according to the Bible? I think it most certainly is. In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul talks a lot about spiritual gifts, and he says that we all need to use our gifts to build each other up and reach out to non-believers. The only way that works is if we meet together to use them. Some people are given the gifts to lead and teach, and others are given gifts of encouragement, administration, the ability to help people, or any number of other gifts. All of us are supposed use our gifts to benefit the others. It seems to me that the only way that can really happen is if we are involved in a church.

Notice the most important part though--we are supposed to be involved in the church. There's no such thing as a passive Christian. We are all given gifts and are expected to use them for God. If you aren't involved in a weekly meeting of believers, you can't use your gift(s) to minister to others--and you can't receive the ministry that others have to offer you. We are supposed to be working together to grow in our faith. The only way to work together is to actually be together.

Rick Warren's About Face

The news is reporting today that Rick Warren on CNN stated that he never endorsed Proposition 8 (about marriage being between a man and a woman) and he has apologized to all his gay friends.

A couple of things. First, though I have read what Pastor Warren said both to his church (encouraging them to support Proposition 8) and what he said on CNN, the fact is that I heard neither of these statements. It is possible that Pastor Warren is being misquoted.

Second, you can withhold support from a measure such as Proposition 8 and still be a Christian. I believe homosexuality is clearly sin according to the Bible but I could possibly see someone not supporting a law that restricts certain behaviors.

Third, it is possible for people to change their mind on issues.

What concerns me (if the quotes are true) is the blatant lie. Pastor Warren (according to the quote) supported the proposition strongly before his church. During the course of the Presidential discussions Warren addressed the issue with both candidates. Even in the Inauguration prayer controversy he never denied his support. Why deny this now?

Is Warren trying to keep the door open to reaching homosexuals? I don't see how lying about your convictions helps you reach anyone. I don't understand how negotiating the truth is going to lead people to Christ. Showing love and respect to people regardless of their sexual preference is something I think the Bible would admonish us to do. What will be next? Will Warren agree to do homosexual weddings?

Is Warren caving in to the limelight? He is a buddy of the President. Is he trying to stay in the inner circle by adopting a politically correct position?

I'm disappointed. If things are as they have been stated, Pastor Warren has compromised the truth. He has let us all down.

Is this the result of the limelight? Warren has been seen as a man on the "inner circle" of people near the President. He is a popular author. Is he tailoring his message to popular opinion? I don't know. What I do know is that this makes me sad.

Unseen Idolatry

I have been reading Mark Driscoll's book VINTAGE JESUS. In one chapter he talks about worship. Driscoll points out that the idols of our day are very subtle. They are the things that demand devotion and call for us to sacrifice. These idols take the form of sports involvements, extracurricular commitments, the media, politics, and even video gaming or texting on the phone!

Here's a list of questions he suggests for identifying the idols of our lives.

1. Who or what do I make sacrifices for?
2. Who or what is most important to me?
   
3. If I could have any thing or experience I wanted, what would that be?
4. Who or what makes me the most happy?
5. What is it that gets me most excited/enthusiastic?
6. What do I spend my money on?
7. Who or what do I devote my spare time to?

The greatest danger to our faith is the embracing of idols that we do not recognize as idols.

Lessons from AIG

There has been a great deal in the news about the bonuses paid to executives of the financial group AIG. The payouts have irritated Americans for many reasons. Probably chief among the complaints is the question: "Why would you give bonuses to people when you are in need of a handout from the Government?" The bonus certainly can't be a merit bonus for the good work you have done! People should not be rewarded when they are borrowing money from the government (and generations to come).

I'm sure this is a much more complex issue than we understand, but these bonuses certainly send the wrong message. They lead us to believe that these people are ripping the government (which is us) off.

My point is not to discuss the de-merits of the stimulus plan enacted by Congress. (Isn't it interesting that some people have now lost their jobs because companies are postponing work they were going to do because they now believe they can get the government to pay for the work?) I'm more concerned about a Biblical lesson contained here.

The Bible commands that we avoid even the appearance of evil. We are to avoid those things that might lead people to think we are doing wrong (even if we are not). In other words, if we have the choice between doing two things that are legal and above board but one of those things will look like we are doing something wrong, we should choose that which will be recognized as good and pass on that which gives the wrong message. . . even if it is more personally beneficial.

The Bible's point is that our integrity is worth more than any material benefit we may be able to gain from the world We should rather be wronged than undermine our position as a representative of Jesus Christ.

So, if you were a Christan and an official at AIG, even if your contract required the payment of the bonus, you should be willing to give up the bonus (as many of the officials have done) in order to avoid the appearance of ripping people off.

This principle is not just for those at AIG . . . it is for all of us.

The Stem Cell Debate

President Obama made news by lifting the ban on government funded embryonic stem cell research. This decision was hailed as an advance for science.

I have read Michael J. Fox's book. I know he desires a cure for Parkinson's. I want him to be cured of Parkinson's. However, I believe the President's action actually makes that more difficult.

Throughout this whole debate about stem cells the spin was that President Bush was against stem cell research and anti-science. That wasn't true. He was against embryonic stem cell research. In other words he was against creating life in order to kill it. What is seldom mentioned is the fact that President Bush encouraged and put government funds toward adult stem cell research and other generic forms of stem cell research.

In President Obama's rescinding the order of President Bush he effectively stopped the funding for adult stem cell research and alternative stem cell research (such as iPSC research). The Pastor's weekly briefing points to the great results this research has yielded.

"Many believe that Bush could have been ahead of his time in promoting both adult stem-cell research and alternative research, such as regression, also known as direct reprogramming. In this process, differentiated cells from adults are reverted into stem cells, with no destruction of human life. As recently as last week, researchers announced that they had successfully turned ethically created cells into the neurons that break down in Parkinson's disease. The week before, scientists produced evidence that they had treated Parkinson's in a patient with his own adult stem cells. Almost daily, researchers are celebrating new breakthroughs without compromising a single human life. Over 70 diseases and conditions have already been treated through adult stem cells, helping patients overcome everything from juvenile diabetes to heart disease. "While the Obama administration and its supporters claim to be on the cutting edge of science, the new President is pursuing old technology," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council." (Pastor's Weekly Briefing 3/13/09).

During the term of President Bush the government was not funding embryonic stem cell research but it was still going on with private funds. These studies have yielded NOTHING.

The President appears to be wrong on this one. He is supporting (and helping underwrite) the destruction of human life in it's most defenseless state, and there is not one reason to do so.

The bane of technology

I will readily admit that I enjoy things related to the computer. I love updating the website, shopping for books online, reading reviews and much more. I have a page on MySpace and Facebook. I carry a cellphone (most of the time) and use an iPod. I like technology.

Unfortunately, I am finding my time increasingly taken up answering e-mails, uploading broadcasts, and answering requests from Facebook. I am amazing how much time can be spent tracing some thread of information on the Internet. I don't want technology to control my life. That is a job that is reserved for the Lord God Almighty.

Here are some steps I am taking to loosen the grip of technology.

1. I don't give out my cell phone number.
2. I have stopped feeling that I had to drop everything to answer the phone. People can leave a message and I will call them back when it is convenient
3. I have turned my status on Facebook to "offline" permanently so I don't get caught instant messaging with people. Most of the time that is just playful.
4. I don't text message. I'd rather use full words and talk to people directly.
   
5. I will limit my trips to Facebook to no more than once a day. Friend requests and other requests can wait.
6. I will delete e-mails that aren't personal correspondence or addressing a need I want to address.

If you have some other suggestions I hope you will add them below the post.

The Hollywood Worldview

At the Academy Awards (the show where egoists stroke each others egos) Sean Penn probably had the quote of the night when he chastised those who opposed homosexual marriage admonishing that their grandchildren would be ashamed of them. The he added, "It is time for civil rights to be given to all (I'm sure he meant to say . . except the unborn)."

Penn is arguing from a "man is the center of the universe" worldview. When man is the center of the universe the only thing that matters is for us to try to help as many people do what they want as possible. As the mindset grows, chaos swells.

When we leave God out of our worldview creation is an accident; a work of chance (whatever that means). We are headed nowhere and any exist to grab all the gusto in the now. Once we adopt that mentality, the dignity of human beings is lost. Murder, terrorist acts, abortion, human trafficking, disrespect in the home, school and workplace all naturally follow.

In response to Sean Penn (though he would not likely understand what I am saying) I would say:
1) This is an issue of authority, not political clout. Christians do not oppose gay marriage because it is against the law and we don't want the status quo disrupted. We don't oppose gay marriage because we dislike homosexuals. We oppose gay marriage on Biblical grounds. The Bible is our authority. We must obey God rather than men. When we toss aside this authority the measure of truth becomes our own imaginations. We believe this is the height of foolishness.

2)My concern is less with what my Grandchildren say about me and more about what God will say about me on the last day. For me, I can think of nothing greater than for my Grandchildren to say, "Grandpa sure believed in the Bible . . . He made it the foundation of His life"

3) Equal rights should not equal license (you can do whatever you want). We are moving in that direction as a society but it is a destructive mistake. Rights without parameters is chaos. Our country was founded with Judeo-Christian values as our parameters. (Basically that means the Bible set the guidelines for our freedom). Letting your children do whatever they want is not good parenting. A good parent tries to guide their children to good and productive choices. The mere existence of restrictions is not a violation of rights, it is evidence of love.

No Complaining

This last week I read the motivational book "The No Complaining Rule" by Jon Gordon. It's an easy and quick read but Jon has some good observations and ideas. At this time when the attitude is so negative Gordon's ideas are worth sharing.

There are three key tools for combating a negative attitude toward life.

1. When you realize you are complaining, add the word "but" and then add a positive thought or positive action. (e.g. It is snowing again BUT I am glad I have a warm home to live in)
2. Focus on what you "get to do" instead of what you "have to do". The key is to focus on being blessed rather than on being stressed.
3. Turn complaints into solutions. Resolve you will not complain about something unless you can also present a couple of positive solutions. At the same time decide to dismiss the complaining of others unless there are suggested solutions.

As we listen to reports on the economy, government corruption or the slide to paganism, our challenge is to keep focusing on the positive.

This should be much easier for the believer because we know who holds the future. We know God is good. We know He has promised to take care of His children. If we focus on these truths we will be among those who restore those around us rather than dragging them down further.

I'm going to work on this. I hope you will too.

Essential Truth

I am troubled by a trend in the church. We tend to measure churches by the "style" of worship rather than the content of worship. People talk about the great music or the cool events. The focus seems to be on what you can do that will surprise people.

I am not against creativity. I think we should present the gospel in creative ways. I'm not against music . . . I love music. I think music touches the soul in a special way. However, music and creativity does not equal worship. These are not the main things!

Essential truth is the core teaching of the Gospel: the character of God, the nature of sin, the person of Christ, the place of the cross, the reality of the resurrection, and the nature of faith and discipleship. On these we must focus and on these we must agree.

Frankly, I don't get very concerned about how we worship. I don't worry about the amount of water someone uses in baptism, the frequency with which they take communion, the style of music they sing, the way they dress for worship, the form of government by which they function. In my mind theses are all "little things".

On the other hands beliefs that diminish the character and nature of God; truths that diminish the work or nature of Christ, or beliefs that undermine the authority of God's Word . . . these are significant. These things are eternal in their significance.

Unfortunately,we have turned these things around. We have emphasized the minor truths and glossed over the major truths. This is why, for the most part, churches are full but they are having little impact on our society. People are talking about how cool their church is instead of pointing to how wonderful Jesus is. [B]

BOOK REVIEW: Culture Shift

Book Review: CULTURE SHIFT by R. Albert Mohler Jr. (Multnomah 2008)

Albert Mohler has a radio program that says it is the place for "intelligent Christian Conversation". Mohler points out that all three words are important. This book carries on an intelligent Christian conversation about the culture in which we live. This is a great introduction for how to dialogue with the culture in which we are now living.

Mohler looks at topics such as: Secular arguments, secular myths, "the culture of offendedness", chapters on terror, torture, public education, abortion, science, honesty and tragedy (the Tsunami, New Orleans flooding and Hiroshima). The book is fast paced, readable yet intelligent, and is sure to make you think about issues of the day.

I sometimes find myself putting my head in the sand regarding current events. This is a mistake. Mohler's daily program is excellent and his books appear to be the same. Hopefully I'll review a second of his books on my shelf later this year.

Blago, Daschle and Haggerty

The news has been filled with stories about former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich regarding his impeachment and criminal charges; the tax problem of Tom Daschle which has led to the withdrawl of his name as the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and the recent HBO documentary about former Evangelical leader and Pastor Ted Haggerd, who was dismissed from his church after alegations of immoral conduct and drug problems.

What is a Christian response to such issues? There are some who argue: "Everyone makes mistakes" and "No one is perfect". That is most assuredly true. We do need to remind ourselves that God forgives sinners. He will forgive any sinner who truly repents. We do need to allow for people to disappoint us and to fail. Even the best of men are only men at best.

Does this mean these men are getting a raw deal? I don't think so. The Bible is clear that those in leadership position are held to a higher standard than others. Leaders require the public trust. In selecting elders we are told they are to be "above reproach". An elder is to have "a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap." Deacons are to be men worthy of respect." (1 Timothy 3) Leadership calls for consistent integrity and character.

This is not the same as expecting perfection. However, what happened with each of the men listed above is that their actions resulted in the loss of public trust. The removal of all three of these people from these positions is right. Leaders need to call people higher.

We must however be careful! Removing these people from positions of leadership and treating them as those cast away by God are not the same thing. We should pray for all of these men. We must pray that God opens their eyes to help them take responsibility for their actions. We should pray for their families. The spotlight, disgrace, and meanness of public scrutiny is horrible. We should pray that these men work hard to once again demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness. They should nto be tossed aside as people even though they should be removed from leadership.

Thank you Mr. Presidents

This has been an eventful week in the USA. The peaceful transfer of power is always quite a spectacular display of democracy and freedom. This week was no exception. I found myself proud of the character displayed by both of this week's Presidents.

First, I sat with admiration as the first person of color was sworn in as the President of the United States. I remember the days of race riots. I remember watching Martin Luther King Jr. walk down a street near our home. At the time I wondered: Why does everyone seem so angry? This last summer we visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It was a sobering visit. The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. has been realized.

I am proud of President Obama for thanking President Bush for his hard work at making a smooth transition. I am proud that one of his first acts as President was to establish an ethics mandate for his own staff. I am proud he has selected a variety of people to the cabinet. Way to lead by example, Mr. President! It is my prayer that President Obama will continue to lead with wisdom and with the special wisdom that comes from the Spirit of God.

I am also proud of President Bush. Though vilified in the media for four years he held to his principles. Though dismissed during the Republican convention and abandoned by his own party, he remained kind. Though blamed for everything from the missing WMD (that was at least partly his fault) to the economic situation (not really his fault) he did not strike out. He did not blame. Though he was ridiculed on talk shows by people who acted like children, President Bush continued to act like the President. He continued to act honorably. He was gracious to President-elect Obama even though he knew this man opposed many of the things he fought for. I hope both men have as much class as they seemed to have this last week. President Bush kept us safe for eight years. I'm sorry he was not treated with the honor and respect he deserved.

It may seem unusual to express both of these men because they come from different parties and ideologies. However, they both exemplify what is good about the United States of America.

Now, if we could get some work done in the State of Illinois!

Defining Truth

Much of the debate about religion in our society stems from a single question: "What is our standard for measuring what is true?" Is it personal opinion, political clout, public opinion, the Bible, the Koran or some other standard?

I would contend the Bible is the only true standard of truth. It is indeed God's Word delivered through the hands of men who have been supernaturally guided by God's Spirit to communicate the heart of God to sinful humanity. We are to measure our views by what the Bible says.

I don't intend to go into the arguments for trusting the Bible in this post. I do want to make an observation. Increasingly there are those who claim the Bible as their authority who feel free to dismiss various parts of the Bible as not truly from God or as no longer relevant. This is troublesome.

Let's be clear. Christians who submit to the Word of God as their authority do disagree on issues. Sometimes it is hard to know how to apply Scriptural truth. These discussions are usually helpful.

It is also very difficult to know how to interpret some of the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. I understand this struggle. How are we supposed to view the food laws of the Old Testament in light of the New Testament that seems to argue that all things are clean in Christ? How do we view the purification laws and the sacrifices? How do we view the capital punishment commands of the Old Testament in light of the emphasis on love and forgiveness in the New Testament? Christians will continue to struggle with these questions.

I'm more troubled by selective readings of New Testament passages (such as passages on greed, homosexuality, prejudice, the definition of marriage, and the way of salvation). When people dismiss what the New Testament clearly teaches and conclude that such things are no longer authoritative, then the Bible is no longer the standard of truth . . .we are! When we stand as "editors" of Scripture we take up a position of authority over the Word of God!! The Bible calls that idolatry.

When we no longer submit our thinking to the Word of God but instead submit the Word to our opinions, truth becomes slippery. Truth then will be defined differently for each person depending on what that person wants to call authoritative. That's not truth, that's confusion.

We need to once again be people of "the Book".

BOOK REVIEW: Approaching God

Rick and I thought it would be valuable to add reviews of the books we are reading to our blog. I recently finished reading APPROACHING GOD Accepting the Invitation to Stand in the Presence of God. by Steve Brown (New York: Howard Books 2008)

Steve Brown is often called irreverent because of his sometimes brash and unorthodox style. I think of Brown as uncommonly honest.

The thing that was refreshing about this book was that it was not a push to spend so many minutes praying about certain things. The book is an invitation to a relationship with God. It is penetrating in it's appraisal of some of our shallow spirituality. Brown recognizes that too often our prayer times are stiff rituals that lack intimacy.

Brown believes in prayer. In fact, scattered throughout the book are stories of people who testify of God's remarkable answers to their prayers. Brown believes prayer is vital and important. He believes prayer's power comes not from the form of our prayer but the heart of our prayer. His emphasis is on developing a relationship with God.

This is a book that everyone can understand. It is a book that will leave you saying, "I can do this". [BAG]

The Abortion Debate Confusion

I must admit the whole abortion debate confuses me.

The Bible tells us that each person is created in the image of God. This means they are of intrinsic value. I know some say this doesn't relate to the abortion debate because a baby does not become "human" until they are born. Yet parents talk to this baby, view their pictures, and perform surgery on them . . . all before they are "alive". Preemies survive at earlier and earlier ages. I don't understand how this baby could be seen as "not human" until they are delivered. Most mothers are excited the moment they learn they are pregnant. If they lose that baby through a miscarriage, try telling them that what they were carrying was really "nothing."

I'm confused because many of the same people who campaign for the ethical treatment of animals have no problem supporting and cheering for the killing of innocent children in the womb. Many of those who clamor for tougher rules for the protection of the environment so that our children will also be able to enjoy the world are also OK with killing those children in the womb. Some of the same people who protest any military actions support ending a babies life. That confuses me.

The soundbite talks about "pro-choice" yet it seems to me that no one is trying to take a woman's choice away from her. Men and women can freely choose to engage in activities that have a risk of pregnancy! However, once a person has freely chosen why should they not have to live with the consequence of their actions? Freedom and consequence go together. If a person freely chooses to engage in intercourse I don't understand why it should be law that the person does not have to live with the consequences for that choice. Why must the baby lose it's freedom so that the parents don't have to live with the consequences of their free choices? Why is this position called pro-choice rather than anti-consequence?

I wonder if this idea that we should not have to live with the consequences of our choices in this issue isn't the foundation for all the frivolous lawsuits (I put my hot coffee between my legs and got burned so now the restaurant should compensate me for the consequence of MY stupid choice). Is this what is leading to the truckload of cases where people feel they should not be punished for murder? I just don't get it.

I am confused by those who say an abortion is a "simple procedure". Really? This is a real surgery with the risk of bleeding, scarring and more. I also find it hard to believe that these women don't look back one day and wonder what life would have been like if they had kept the child they destroyed. Every time they see a child around the age of the child they destroyed I find it hard to believe there is no regret or sadness.

I know there are people having children who are not fit to be parents. I know there are people having children simply to get the welfare money. I know there are people who are raped and turn up pregnant. These are tough issues but I'm just not convinced that ending the life of the baby and creating this idea that you can be sexually reckless without consequence is the way to address even these toughest of issues.

I hear all the debates but I have to tell you . . . I just don't get it.

What is a Good Church?

The church (speaking generally, not of the Union Church) is certainly in a state of disarray. Leadership often denies the authority of the Bible, negotiates spiritual truth, and is more concerned about size than message.

I'm currently reading the book Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris (I recommend it to you.) It's a small book that contains some pretty good wisdom. In one of the chapters Harris gives ten guidelines when looking for a good church to commit to. Here they are:

1. Is this a church where God's word is faithfully taught? Every church reads the Bible but not all of them truly teach the Scriptures. Another way of stating it is this, Do the messages teach the scriptures or are the Scriptures used to support the teaching of men?
2. Is this a church where sound doctrine matters? Does the church know what it believes and care about these beliefs?
3. Is this a church in which the gospel is cherished and clearly proclaimed? In other words, does the church believe people need to be changed by trusting Christ?
4. Is this a church committed to reaching non-Christians with the gospel?
5. Is this a church whose leaders are characterized by humility and integrity?
6. Is this a church where people strive to live by God's Word?
7. Is this a church where I can find and cultivate godly relationships?
8. Is this a church where members are challenged to serve?
9. Is this a church that is willing to kick me out? In other words, does it take sin and its consequences seriously?
10. Is this a church I'm willing to join "as is" (rather than thinking I need to change the church) with enthusiasm and faith in God?

Harris points out that no church does these things perfectly. He also cautions us to have the right attitude when looking at churches.

The point is important: we need to pick our church carefully. We are careful about selecting our food, our vehicles, our partners in life . . . . we should be equally careful (if not more so) about choosing the place that will help us prepare to serve God now and to enjoy Him in eternity.

Do All Roads Lead to Heaven

A survey at the end of the year provided some disturbing findings. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life did a survey that concluded

"A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. Indeed, among Christians who believe many religions can lead to eternal life, 80% name at least one non-Christian faith that can do so. These are among the key findings of a national survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life from July 31-Aug. 10, 2008, among 2,905 adults."http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=380

In other words, many "Christians" believe that you can get to Heaven in ways other than through faith in Jesus Christ.

The New York Times had an Op-ed piece where the writer suggested that this is a good thing because it means we are being nicer to each other.

There is no doubt that our society believes that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere (unless of course you believe that there is an ultimate standard of truth . . . then you are just plain wrong, empty-headed and apparently mean). The fact that people claiming to be Christians are saying these things is very troubling for several reasons.

First It is not what Jesus teaches. Jesus told us that He is "the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him." This is the consistent message of the New Testament . . . we do not simply believe something and we will be saved . . .we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second It negates the work of the cross. If we can get to Heaven without Christ then His death as a payment for our sin was unnecessary. Jesus is no longer the King of King and Lord of Lords . . . He is a messenger from God who has called us to love each other.

Third It diminishes the character of God. Now some people would disagree with me. They would say that inclusiveness reveals God as more loving. No . . . I think it makes Him less holy.

The cross of Jesus says God cares about sin and evil. It is an offense to Him. It also says God cares about us . . . so much so that Jesus took the penalty we deserved upon Himself so we might have the opportunity to know forgiveness and a measure of amnesty for our past without compromising God's holy and good character.

If there was a Judge who refused to hold to the Law but simply let everyone off because he believed everyone was good at heart we would hopefully get that guy off of the bench. He is not a just Judge. It is the same with God. To simply shrug at sin does not make Him good . . . it actually makes Him less than good.

Fourth it is actually unloving to adopt such a belief. If the Bible is the standard of truth (which I believe wholeheartedly), and Jesus is the only way to Heaven (as the Bible says), then to simply shrug and let everyone do their own thing is an act of indifference, not kindness. To not tell someone the truth of the gospel simply to be "nice" to others, is to do nothing as they head to an eternity facing Hell.

I know such teaching isn't popular. However, it's the truth . . .and it is the truth alone that can set people free.

Obamamania

In a couple of weeks Barak Obama will become President of the United States. I believe Mr. Obama is a good man who wants to do what is best for the country. What concerns me are the incredible expectations. As the old saying goes: "even the best of men are only men at best."

When such huge expectations are placed on someone things can get terribly distorted. People make foolish decisions trying to live up to expectations. People may begin to put the confidence they should place in God, in an earthly leader and a system, that has proved to be anything but flawless.

We must be careful! The problems that we now have as a country were not caused by George W. Bush. They are the culmination of years and years of short-sighted decisions and runaway greed. Our problems will not be solved by throwing money at them. Such well-meaning actions may just make things worse (as we learn from Herbert Hoover). This is a time for careful wisdom. This is a time for cautious action. This is not a time to put our hope in men. This is a time when prayer for wisdom and God's influence should be our top priority.