Archive for October, 2007
A subtle undermining of the foundations
There is a subtle undermining of the foundations of our society. Well, at least it is subtle to the vast majority of our population. We have allowed humor and “the arts” to bend our way of thinking, of perceiving the world around us. When I listen to music or “comedy” or watch a movie or read a book or article, I attempt to have filters activated, to seek out things that are subtle and yet dangerous, much like a viper crawling through the grass. You may not pay much attention, but it can kill you.
Last night we watched a movie. I think the title in English is “License to Wed”. It stars Robin Williams as a “cool reverend”, a warm hearted guy who would NEVER do something unconscionable like confront people about the sin in their lives. Bit by bit he is given the place that Christ should have – but without the uncomfortable issue of “Go and sin no more” – after all, there’s barely a mention of sin at all except in a “humorous” way via a catechism class in which the kids learn paraphrased versions of the Ten Commandments via a knock off of a game show. Early on in the movie one learns that “Father Frank is everywhere” – another usurpation of Christ’s position, this is mentioned at least once or twice more, in an attempt to knock home the idea that “Father Frank’s” ideas are an updated and modern and wholly healthy new approach to life in our modern world with none of that old fashioned sin problem to hinder a happy life.
Throughout the movie one is told time after time in various ways that living together prior to marriage is a normal and logical part of the whole marriage process. The movie starts out with Father Frank’s voice narrating the “logical progression” in a “humorous” way, leading from a chance encounter to a first date, a first kiss, a first “I love you”, a first AUDIBLE “I love you” (insinuating that such a declaration logically leads to sexual intercourse) to living together. Only after some time of living together does the guy even consider proposing.
Now, the movie DOES have some good points. It shows the importance of communication. What it DOESN’T show is how early physical involvement pretty much sounds the death knell to genuine communication. It is assumed that early physical involvement is natural and inevitable and is part of life, so there. One can only wonder what would have happened if the couple had actually gotten to know each other prior to getting “to know” each other. What if they’d spent time in conversation about matters of importance? What if they’d actually had their spiritual lives in order and had put Christ first on their agenda?
Another disturbing part of this movie was the idea that horrible conflict is normal and natural in a relationship. In a role playing skit the young couple of soon to be newly weds is asked to act out a scene in which they have to respond to a flat tire while out of cell phone range (can’t call AAA) and basically lost on a back road in a down pour. It is assumed that such a situation will lead to conflict. Their calm acting out of a caring interchange between caring people is said to be fake. Such a situation MUST bring conflict and so another couple is called into play to “do it right” – resulting in an abusive interchange of demeaning comments. Their performance is applauded. Why? Why is it assumed that a couple must abuse each other? There is only ONE example of a semi good relationship between married people – the girl’s parents who’ve been married for 30 years – and yet who also seem to have some issues. I can attest that severe problems on a back road do NOT have to result in mutual abuse. Our years working in Brazil with everything from clutch plates to brake lines breaking while in the middle of no where never once resulted in a relationship melt down. In fact, working together we were able to overcome time after time.
One of the greatest problems in our society today is the use of “humor” to degrade the foundations of s strong society. The shows that cast dads in the light of incompetent idiots who’s only redeeming qualities are the wonderful spouse they somehow managed to entrap subtly tell us that men are idiots no matter what. The kids who precociously solve problems that the stupid adults around them cause show us that kids don’t need parents, they can get along well on their own. The “humorous” allusions to deviant lifestyles as perfectly normal, even desirable, tell us that God’s ideas are dead.
So, why do we allow this things to go unchallenged? Why do we allow this filth to permeate our society? Do we teach our kids what is right? Do we ask them to analyze, to think? If we don’t change the way we think, if we conform ourselves to the current age, then we will NOT be the holy sacrifice that God wants and asks us to be. Only through a renewal of our thoughts and minds can we become again a strong and thriving society.
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Apologetically Christian
Yesterday I read a note about someone being “un-apologetically Christian”. Now, there’s a lot of things that tickle my funny bone and the way we use language is one of those. So when I hear of someone who’s “disgruntled” I wonder what being gruntled is like, and so on and so forth. Therefore it was inevitable that I’d start thinking about being “apologetically Christian”.
Now, at first blush, it’d seem almost like saying “I’m ashamed of being a Christian” – unless you look at it from angle of Christian Apologetics. Now from THAT angle you see something far different. Christian Apologetics is the opposite of being ashamed of one’s beliefs. Apologetics is the reasoned defense of the Christian faith. And even though some folks claim that Christianity is merely superstition based on antique fables from foreign cultures, there is a LOT of evidence upon which we can show that the Christian faith is solidly grounded on factual evidence. The apostle Peter wrote “but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. ” (I Peter 3:15 HCSB) so the idea of giving a defense for our hope is not a recent one.
There are many resources from which the Christian can draw useful material for this purpose. Josh McDowell’s books “Evidence That Demands A Verdict” and “More Evidence That Demands A Verdict” are excellent sources, as is “The Case For Christ” by Lee Strobel. Does God Exist is a website where you can examine evidence for the very existence of God. There are many other sources as well and it is not the purpose of this piece to provide an exhaustive source of material. A good place to start is on the internet. Open your favorite search engine and do a search on “Creation Science” or “Christian Apologetics”. Those will give you hours of reading and study material. Our goal is merely to get you to thinking about the idea of becoming “apologetically Christian” and to urge you to be proactive about it.
Over the years I’ve seen folks get very violent and angry when their beliefs are questioned. My observance is that this is usually the result of having very shallow and unsubstantiated beliefs. When one love’s the truth and seeks it out, when others question one’s beliefs one is better prepared to give a reasoned argument for why one believes as one does. So, get busy! Start digging. There’s a world of evidence for the Christian faith out there. Don’t be lazy about it, take time and learn. Then you will be prepared to be apologetically Christian and will also be prepared to show others the way to The Way.
“People of the Gun”
Here’s an interesting site. Thanks, Hobie, for putting it up on your blog. It was started by folks reacting to a quote about “people of the gun” who support the right to keep and bear arms. It’s pretty funny that something that was meant as an insult was embraced by those it was meant to demean. I like it. Goes along well with “christian” and “johnny reb” and other such “slights” that folks have born in the past – with pride. “The disciples were called “christians” first in Antioch” state the scriptures. So “people of the gun” is yet another insult that many are willing to embrace. Maybe I should send them a link to the Pistol Packing Preachers website…
“… am in the middle of a nasty divorce …”
That is how the message started. And it is one I’ve seen before, too many times. The heartache, anger and sorrow brought about by sundering “what God hath joined” is all to common in our fallen world. Why has it become so common? Why do we no longer seem to care that people no longer are married “until death do us part”?
As a society we take it for granted that folks will sunder their marriage. We take it for granted that a man and woman will be at each others’ throats until finally they “cut the blanket” (as a local saying goes). But it should not be this way. The Bible teaches us that marriage is honorable. It teaches us to live peacefully in our homes. But folks insist on going their own ways.
Perhaps this post is simplistic, but sometimes simplistic things are more profound than they seem on the surface. The fact of the matter is, divorce starts before marriage. Divorce starts within the way we look at life. Our world view is reponsible for the decisions we make and the actions we take. When a man and/or woman goes into marriage thinking “If it doesn’t turn out we can always get a divorce” – that marriage is doomed. When someone chooses a marriage partner because of “how good they are in bed” – that marriage will be raised on shaky ground – probably resulting in a failure.
When my wife and I got married it was with the full intent of “until death do us part”. We got married because we had similar goals and outlooks on life. We got married because of what we had in common. We got married because together we could go further in life than separately. Have we had a “perfect marriage”? No. The first years were hard because I as a husband was not being the leader that I should have been. There were conflicts as there are always conflicts of one kind or another when people live so close to each other. And as the head of the house I knew not how to handle them well. Like Adam it was easier to blame “that woman you made for me” rather than looking inside at my own fallibility. It was much easier to cry to God “Change her!” than it was to come before Him on bended knee to say “Help me become the man YOU want me to be.”
And then it finally started to sink in. The only one I could change was ME. The answer to living better together was to change how I related to her. As I started to look on her as the “help meet” that God had created for me rather than as the “person who drives me crazy”, I also started treating her differently. And she started reacting to me differently too. Have we “lived happily ever after”? No, I still mess up. But rather than try to change my wife I work on the one I CAN overhaul – ME. And gradually we have grown together, like God planned from the beginning.
So, for you young folk out there, how can you avoid divorce? First, keep your pants zipped and your hands to yourself. Allowing yourself to fall into sexual intimacy before you are married blurs your judgment. When the hormones kick in the old brain clicks off. Get to know folks from the opposite sex as people, as friends. When you find someone with whom you share ideas and goals, check and see if you also share the same values – especially when it comes to the lordship of Jesus the Christ in your life. And then start to see if perhaps you could travel along The Way together – towards the goals God has put in your hearts.
For a Christian there should never be any doubt about whether or not to date someone who doesn’t share your faith. Simply don’t do it. Dating is often the first step towards marriage so only date potential marriage partners, folks with whom you have already developed a friendship – folks who share your religious and other views. Minimizing potential conflicts before marriage (by staying away from folks who don’t share your world view, values and goals) will make adjustments easier later on in your life after you are joined in matrimony.
Once you are married, learn to “fight fair”. There’s a ton of books out there on conflict resolution. Learn to communicate. And guys? Learn to love your wife as Christ loves the church. Learn to be the head of the household who looks after the body with care. Treat your wife with true love, not lust. Look upon her as the Bride that Christ prepared for you, and treat her with honor. Wives? Look with respect upon the man you have chosen. Don’t be caught up in the false feminism of the world. Be transformed by renewing your mind according to God’s design. Don’t be afraid to allow your husband to lead your family. If you have doubts, don’t get married. AFTER you’re married is not the time to try to make that sow’s ear into a silk purse. Marry a man, not a project.
To avoid divorce you should build your life on Christ, and then seek a person who has built their life on Christ as well. That way you’re on the same foundation and can more easily bridge the gaps. Keep your eyes wide open before you ever propose or accept a proposal. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a relationship that isn’t according to God’s plan. This will help you to choose more wisely the person you will marry. And after marriage, keep your eyes half closed. Don’t look for faults, look for the good in the partner you have chosen for Life’s Journey. And above all, keep Christ in the center. He is the TRUE substance and unifying force in the world’s strongest marriages.
Another leader brings dishonor
I just got news that a man I’ve known for years committed a sexual crime against a minor – then skipped the country to evade legal problems. Little things going way back now look like red warning flags. Why did we not pay attention? Why was this allowed to happen, was it due to negligence on the part of folks who should have known?
Warning signs: little children offering to show parts of their anatomy to visitors. Little children acting out things that we thought they’d learned from neighbors. A reluctance to participate in church activities. Always too busy for church activities, leadership meetings. Etc, etc, etc.
And now this. I don’t know the details, nor do I know if I WANT to know the details. This person needs help seriously – and so does his family. Not to mention the minor(s) who have been affected by this man. And once more Christ’s name has been brought low by someone who should have been a “pillar” in the church.
My heart is heavy, even though I know only that my Lord’s name has been sullied. May His light shine through the darkness caused by this situation, that is my prayer.
“a voice, a soft whisper”
I just got back from the weekly ministers’ association meeting. Once more we were regaled with a message of how we should look for the great and mighty moving, shaking glory of the Lord. Once more we were told that if God’s presence is REAL then it’s demonstrated by huge, thundering, glorious displays of unimaginable power. And once more I wondered about how folks can miss things as simple as the Word of God.
First, how does the Holy Spirit of God manifest Himself in the Christian’s life? How can a Christian KNOW that the Lord is “with him always, to the very ends of time”? The answer is simple – God keeps His word. He promised that if a person repents of their sin and is baptized for the forgiveness of those sins that they will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. (Acts 2:38 – a promise to all who believe) Yes, it is true that God’s Spirit gives other gifts to God’s people, but those are not the true mark of the Spirit’s presence. If you’re walking through the forest and you see acorns on the ground you don’t expect to see a walnut tree directly overhead. Rather you expect to see an oak because that is what produces acorns. In the same way, the fruit of God’s Spirit is what the Spirit produces in the Christian’s life. And that is how we KNOW for sure that He is there.
And, just like acorns, the fruit starts small and grows over time. It does not burst full grown and ripe into the Christian’s life. Just as the acorn begins as a small, green bud, so does the Spirit’s fruit. And just as the acorn swells and grows and develops all the characteristics of a ripe acorn, so does the fruit of the Spirit grow and develop and mature over time.
I’d like to hear for once a message from I Kings 19, from when Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel – right after his great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Here’s a man who has just won a serious spiritual battle, showing to an entire nation that God is indeed the Living and Righteous God. And yet he fled in terror at the rage of a hateful woman. And he fled to the desert and told God “I want to die.” God told him to step outside of the cave because He was about to pass that way. Here’s the passage I refer to:
Then He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD’s presence.” At that moment, the LORD passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I Kings 19:11-13 HCSB
God was NOT in the mighty wind. God was NOT in the earthquake. God was NOT in the fire. God spoke to Elijah in “a voice, a soft whisper”. How often we don’t stop to listen, to hear God whispering His will to our ear. How often we seek God in mighty, powerful, showy ways – and miss His voice whispering in the stillness.
Is God great and powerful and mighty? Obviously. But most often He shows Himself in the small things, the quite voice of His Spirit speaking to our need – if we would just listen.
“…tired of feeding fat sheep.”
I received an e-mail from a friend who is looking at ways to revitalize his ministry. A quote from the e-mail states that he and his wife are “…tired of feeding fat sheep”. Interesting choice of words and for those of us involved in the Lord’s church for quite a while I’m sure that they strike a chord. How often do we have to deal with folks who are happy “playing church”? You know, the ones who are there every week (or so) and who join in the singing and praise time enthusiastically – but can never be bothered to minister to others, whether it be in teaching a Sunday School class or visiting someone who is ill. They want fed, and fed, and fed, but don’t want to take that next step of feeding others. I’m reminded of Hebrews 5:11-6:3
We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God’s revelation. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature–for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And we will do this if God permits. (HCSB)
I’m reminded of a chicken we had years ago. We got her along with several other chicks. They’d been hatched in an incubator and we bought them when they were just a day or so old. We put them with a broody hen to take care of them and raised them just like “normal” chickens. One by one they succumbed to various diseases, the inbreeding inherent in their background did not prepare them for the tough life of barnyard fowl. They were bred to be quick growers in a sterile environment. But despite the difficulties that little chick grew, and grew and outgrew her mother. The night the neighbor kid hopped into the chicken pen to steal dinner for the next day, Sheri saw him pick her up (she was white, easy to see and a tempting target for a thief) and then set her down, apparently deciding she was too heavy to run with under his arm. So she escaped dangers from disease and thieves and became a regular member of our flock. She’d come running at meal times and crowd right in with the rest of them. The ol’ rooster would breed her, just like the other hens. And yet, she never laid an egg. She never reproduced. It was strange, but since she was a favorite we let her run around and eat like crazy and enjoy life to the fullest – even though she did nothing productive at all.
And then, we had an upcoming trip to the US. We’d be gone for quite a while (just over a year) and our plan was to lock everything up in the house, entrust it to the neighbors who were good friends and head to the US for “furlough” (hilarious term that, but subject matter for another post). And the chickens had to go. There was no way to keep them while we were gone so we started “thinning the herd” and enjoyed a number of chicken based meals. When that one white hen’s turn came we finally understood why she was so unproductive. After we killed and plucked her I cut her open to finish the processing. And I’ve NEVER dressed out a chicken that was as fat as she was. Huge yellow masses of fat crowded her abdomen, packing her intestines and other inner organs so tightly that it was no wonder she never laid an egg. The fat had simply shut down the normal reproductive processes. She ate and ate and never reproduced – in other words she lived an unproductive life.
And many Christians are like that too. They are content to feed at the Lord’s table of bounty but never take the important step of reproducing their faith in another. For all intents and purposes, they are spiritual infants, not mature sheep at all. And they submerge themselves in such rich spiritual food that they become fat and complacent, afraid of venturing out and losing their rich repast. And so, time after time they are fed, and fed, and fed… just like that crazy chicken. We never got tired of feeding her, but couldn’t understand her non-reproduction.
Many of today’s preachers specialize in making fat sheep. They teach prosperity and abundance and comfort, somehow having forgotten that the Apostle Paul himself knew what it was to be hungry, naked, abused and shipwrecked. Somehow I can’t imagine the Apostle Paul being a “fat sheep”. He knew what it meant to use spiritual food for his own growth – and yet provide sustenance for others so that they too could grow and mature and reproduce themselves. He wrote in I Corinthians 4:11-13:
Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless;
we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world’s garbage, like the filth of all things.
That doesn’t sound like soft, fat sheep living to ME. And yet, too many of those he labored to teach did not understand what it means to grow strong and reach out to others – reproducing one’s self spiritually and helping them to mature and reproduce as well.
Do fat sheep need fed? Yes, they do. And yet they ALSO need to be stretched and exercised. They need to be challenged and perhaps even driven from the table to the surrounding community so take some of the banquet to those who are starving from want of spiritual food. How do we manage to do this? I don’t have all the answers, but will continue to seek them – starting with myself as we seek ways to take the message of God’s good news to a dying world.
