Last week as many as a dozen young people watched a 15-year-old girl get beaten and gang-raped outside Richmond High School in California at a homecoming dance without reporting it. According to school counselors, the 15-year-old victim was a vulnerable girl who attended church and was feared to be trying too hard to please the school's bad boys. Police sources said that some of the bystanders laughed as the attack unfolded while others took photos with their cell phones.
"She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence," Lt. Mark Gagan said. "What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening and failed to report it."
Our culture's deification of sex and popular music's denigration of women have helped set the stage for this kind of tragic event. What is even more disheartening is that we've become desensitized to the molestation and murder of women in our culture. Weekly our female coworkers are being found in the walls of our college campuses, our female friends are being found in suitcases, and our female neighbors are being found discarded in our local wooded areas.
I'm certain the 15-year-old girl's family will sue the authorities for a considerable sum of money. There has even been a fund established for donations to the Richmond High School rape victim: Richmond High Jane Doe, account No. 041-30-1188, Mechanics Bank, 3170 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806. However, such efforts are inadequate. When Jacob's sons discovered that their sister Dinah had been raped and her rapist and his family offered payment, they responded by saying, "But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?" and they avenged the rape of their sister.[1] After the rape of David's daughter Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, her brother Absalom took out a contract on her rapist.[2]
All week I have been incensed by the report of this rape. Yet, in spite of the fact that rape was often avenged with death in the Bible, revenge is also an inadequate response to such violence. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God."[3]
I believe Absalom and Jacob's sons do offer us insight into turning the tide on violence against women. The first step in changing our society's treatment of women, especially young women, is seeing each and every woman as our sister. During the height of the black consciousness movement African Americans began referring to black women as their sister and black males as their brother. During that window of time we offered our society a powerful new approach to viewing others in society. Seeing others, even strangers, as our brothers and sisters meant we were family. Seeing others as our brothers and sisters meant we were to desire good for them and never harm. Unfortunately, today our sisters have become our "w's" and "b's" and our brothers have become our "dogs" and "N's."
In many churches, especially Pentecostal congregations, the women are still called sister followed by their first name and the men are referred to as brother followed by their first name. In some congregations everyone is referred to in this manner, including the children, ministers, and pastor. Even husbands and wives call each other brother and sister in a few congregations.
Howard County Maryland has the Choose Civility project which is an ongoing community-wide initiative to enhance respect, empathy, consideration and tolerance in Howard County. Since language does precede thought, this week I challenge you to consider calling the women around you 'sister' and the men 'brother,' especially the young brothers and sisters you encounter. Given that the young are the most impressionable and the most vulnerable in our society we might once again be able to offer our society a powerful and sustainable approach to respect, empathy, and civility. Will you accept the challenge to start doing something about violence against women? Remember that tomorrow's rape or murder victim could be your sister.
[1] Genesis 34:31 (NLT)
[2] 2 Samuel 13
[3] Romans 12:9 (NLT)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Special Needs Children
For the past month and a half I've been preaching a series on the topic of "spiritual adoption." Therefore, on Monday October 1, 2009 while watching NBC's Today Show I was intrigued by Matt Lauer's interview of a woman who had decided to give up her adopted baby after 18 months. Her reason for giving up the child was her inability to bond with him. However, it became clear during the interview that her child had some special needs that she and her family felt incapable of handling. The mother told Matt Lauer. "I tried to do the same exact thing I did with my biological children, but over time it became clear that our family maybe wasn't a good match for him, that we were unable to meet some of his needs."
It might be rare for adoptive parents to give up a newly adopted child, but it is not unusual for prospective adoptive parents to reject "special needs" children. Whether a child is adopted or ours by birth, there's no guarantee that we will have a child with no problems. The truth is that every child has "special needs." And children with "special needs" grow up to be adults with "specials needs."
Therefore, like it or not, we were all "special needs" children, including you, when God chose to adopt us into His family. The Bible says,
This fact is not meant to be a putdown, but should be a sobering revelation to those with inflated egos and an encouraging eye-opener to those with poor self-images. Everything we are and everything we will become is because of Christ. "Everything that we have-right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start-comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.""[2] And in light of this we ought to be full of praise and thanksgiving in knowing that God that did not choose to reject us but chose to adopt us because of our "special needs."
Therefore, God's family (the Church) is ultimately an entire family of adopted "special needs" children. We can think of it this way. Each individual church (your church, my church, and every other church) is a group home filled with God's "special needs" children. And if you've been in the church as long as I have, you know that this image is not far from reality.
Adoptive parents who bravely and unselfishly choose "special needs" children hope to do more than just love them and care for their disabilities. Their ultimate goal is to enable their "special needs" child to reach his or her full potential. Likewise, God chose us with all of our special needs knowing that He "is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" possible.[3]
Therefore this week, don't be taken when you encounter a brother or sister in Christ who doesn't seem to come up to your standards. Their shortcoming might just be one of their "special needs." As well this week, don't be ashamed or afraid to embrace your disabilities. Embrace your weaknesses. Embrace your afflictions. Embrace the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles. Embrace your special needs in order that God's love, power and potential might be fully released in your life.
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (Message)
[3] Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
[4] 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)
It might be rare for adoptive parents to give up a newly adopted child, but it is not unusual for prospective adoptive parents to reject "special needs" children. Whether a child is adopted or ours by birth, there's no guarantee that we will have a child with no problems. The truth is that every child has "special needs." And children with "special needs" grow up to be adults with "specials needs."
Therefore, like it or not, we were all "special needs" children, including you, when God chose to adopt us into His family. The Bible says,
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose [those] the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose [those] that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose [those] despised by the world, [those] counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.[1]
This fact is not meant to be a putdown, but should be a sobering revelation to those with inflated egos and an encouraging eye-opener to those with poor self-images. Everything we are and everything we will become is because of Christ. "Everything that we have-right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start-comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.""[2] And in light of this we ought to be full of praise and thanksgiving in knowing that God that did not choose to reject us but chose to adopt us because of our "special needs."
Therefore, God's family (the Church) is ultimately an entire family of adopted "special needs" children. We can think of it this way. Each individual church (your church, my church, and every other church) is a group home filled with God's "special needs" children. And if you've been in the church as long as I have, you know that this image is not far from reality.
Adoptive parents who bravely and unselfishly choose "special needs" children hope to do more than just love them and care for their disabilities. Their ultimate goal is to enable their "special needs" child to reach his or her full potential. Likewise, God chose us with all of our special needs knowing that He "is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" possible.[3]
Therefore this week, don't be taken when you encounter a brother or sister in Christ who doesn't seem to come up to your standards. Their shortcoming might just be one of their "special needs." As well this week, don't be ashamed or afraid to embrace your disabilities. Embrace your weaknesses. Embrace your afflictions. Embrace the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles. Embrace your special needs in order that God's love, power and potential might be fully released in your life.
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.[4]
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (Message)
[3] Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
[4] 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Mr. Potato Head
Every time I see Bridgestone Tire's "Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head" commercial, I am reminded of my "Mr. Potato Head" toy. Believe it or not, Mr. Potato Head was actually the first toy to be advertised on television. Although I don't remember the original commercial or whatever happened to my Mr. Potato Head, I'll never forget the events leading up to its purchase.
I was about seven or eight years old and had received a dollar as an allowance. Since this was the first time I had received that large of an amount for an allowance, I felt compelled to show it off to my friends. While outside tempting my friends to succumb to the green-eyed monster, my mother called me into the house to wash up so we could go to the mall. Which at the time Mondawmin Mall was the only indoor mall in the Baltimore area. Both Reisterstown and Westview were still outdoor shopping centers.
After taking a bath and getting dressed I searched the pockets of the pants I had worn earlier that day, only to discover that my dollar bill was missing. I assumed that I had somehow lost it while showing it off to my friends. Now feeling guilty for bragging, I figured I had learned my lesson.
To avoid both admitting to my mother that I had lost my allowance and the consequences of my actions, I came up with the brilliant idea that I would replace the dollar by stealing one from her pocketbook. (Now you're thinking, 'bad idea.' But remember, I was only seven or eight at the time.)However, the challenge was getting into my mother's purse without her seeing me. Since she customarily drove with her pocketbook on the floor in the back of the car, I figured I could take it while we were traveling to the mall. Of course, I normally road shotgun since I was the only child in the home. After convincing my mother that I simply wanted to ride in the back seat for a change, I was now in position to carry out my first attempt at pickpocketing. And like a professional thief I lifted that dollar out of her pocketbook without detection. My con was now successfully completed; so I thought.
As my mother and I searched the toy section of the 5 and 10 cent store for the appropriate item to spend my stolen dollar on, I discovered the Mr. Potato Head game. With Mr. Potato Head in hand, I proceeded to the checkout. When the cashier finished ringing up my purchase, I proudly whipped out my dollar bill and suddenly I heard my mother's voice from behind me ask, while she was opening her purse to pay the cashier, "Where did you get that dollar from?" Confidently I responded, "It's the dollar bill you gave me for my allowance." Her response was, "No it's not, I took that dollar out of your pants pocket while you were taking your bath. So where did you get that dollar from?" Now caught, I responded with my head down, "I took it out of your pocketbook while you were driving."
At that point I was prepared to return Mr. Potato Head to shelf and take my awaiting spanking and lecture on stealing. However, to my surprise my mother allowed me to purchase Mr. Potato Head and she didn't give me a spanking and I don't remember getting one of her tear-filled reprimands. She even took me over my cousins' house where my cousins and I played Mr. Potato Head.
What I experienced that day was not the wrath of Marion Thelma Wharton, but amazing grace. I had earned my mother's wrath, but instead she showed me grace. From that experience I came to realize that grace was a much more powerful deterrent to sin than the threat of punishment. That day was the first and last time that I ever stole anything from my mother. Therefore, Mr. Potato Head is more than a cute tire commercial that evokes a nostalgic memory of a childhood toy. He taught me my first lesson on grace. For me, Mr. Potato Head is a tangible sign of the unearned, undeserved, and amazing grace of God.
I was about seven or eight years old and had received a dollar as an allowance. Since this was the first time I had received that large of an amount for an allowance, I felt compelled to show it off to my friends. While outside tempting my friends to succumb to the green-eyed monster, my mother called me into the house to wash up so we could go to the mall. Which at the time Mondawmin Mall was the only indoor mall in the Baltimore area. Both Reisterstown and Westview were still outdoor shopping centers.
After taking a bath and getting dressed I searched the pockets of the pants I had worn earlier that day, only to discover that my dollar bill was missing. I assumed that I had somehow lost it while showing it off to my friends. Now feeling guilty for bragging, I figured I had learned my lesson.
To avoid both admitting to my mother that I had lost my allowance and the consequences of my actions, I came up with the brilliant idea that I would replace the dollar by stealing one from her pocketbook. (Now you're thinking, 'bad idea.' But remember, I was only seven or eight at the time.)However, the challenge was getting into my mother's purse without her seeing me. Since she customarily drove with her pocketbook on the floor in the back of the car, I figured I could take it while we were traveling to the mall. Of course, I normally road shotgun since I was the only child in the home. After convincing my mother that I simply wanted to ride in the back seat for a change, I was now in position to carry out my first attempt at pickpocketing. And like a professional thief I lifted that dollar out of her pocketbook without detection. My con was now successfully completed; so I thought.
As my mother and I searched the toy section of the 5 and 10 cent store for the appropriate item to spend my stolen dollar on, I discovered the Mr. Potato Head game. With Mr. Potato Head in hand, I proceeded to the checkout. When the cashier finished ringing up my purchase, I proudly whipped out my dollar bill and suddenly I heard my mother's voice from behind me ask, while she was opening her purse to pay the cashier, "Where did you get that dollar from?" Confidently I responded, "It's the dollar bill you gave me for my allowance." Her response was, "No it's not, I took that dollar out of your pants pocket while you were taking your bath. So where did you get that dollar from?" Now caught, I responded with my head down, "I took it out of your pocketbook while you were driving."
At that point I was prepared to return Mr. Potato Head to shelf and take my awaiting spanking and lecture on stealing. However, to my surprise my mother allowed me to purchase Mr. Potato Head and she didn't give me a spanking and I don't remember getting one of her tear-filled reprimands. She even took me over my cousins' house where my cousins and I played Mr. Potato Head.
What I experienced that day was not the wrath of Marion Thelma Wharton, but amazing grace. I had earned my mother's wrath, but instead she showed me grace. From that experience I came to realize that grace was a much more powerful deterrent to sin than the threat of punishment. That day was the first and last time that I ever stole anything from my mother. Therefore, Mr. Potato Head is more than a cute tire commercial that evokes a nostalgic memory of a childhood toy. He taught me my first lesson on grace. For me, Mr. Potato Head is a tangible sign of the unearned, undeserved, and amazing grace of God.
He Looked Beyond My Fault
Lyrics Written by- Dottie RamboAmazing grace shall always
be my song of praise,
for it was grace that brought my liberty;
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
Chorus
I shall forever life mine eyes to Calvary,
to view the cross where Jesus died for me,
how marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Who's Your Daddy?
Since the death of Michael Jackson a number of reports have emerged questioning the paternity of his three known children. Some have even reported, including Michael’s father, that Michael had a fourth child; who was seen sitting among the family at the funeral. Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael’s former doctor and boss of Jackson’s former wife Debbie Rowe has claimed that he might be the biological father of Prince Michael Jr. and Paris. Although the paternity of Michael’s youngest son, Prince Michael, II is unknown, it has been rumored that his mother was an unknown surrogate.
Not only is it likely that Michael’s children don’t know who their real daddy is, they are now without a father, who in spite of his eccentricities was reportedly a wonderful daddy. Therefore, the important question is not, who’s their daddy? But, who’s ultimately going to raise them, now that their father is gone? Will it be Michael’s mother, Debbie Rowe, Dr. Arnold Klein, or Diana Ross? If I had a vote it would be for Janet. She doesn’t have any children, she is definitely more stable that La Toya, and her days as a musical diva are quickly coming to an end.
Several weeks ago I began a sermon series on spiritual adoption in which we are exploring the many parallels between spiritual adoption and natural adoption. The first message in the series was titled Who’s Your Daddy? From a theological perspective, adoption is the overarching Biblical metaphor for the invitation and inclusion of Gentiles into the Judeo-Christian lineage as children of God. Adoption is our pathway to redemption and the family of God. Therefore, regardless of our birth family’s structure, as Christians we are all adoptees. The Bible says,
Michael Jackson may have been the King of Pop and his two sons may be named Prince Michael, but as God’s adopted children there is no question about who our father is. And as children of God we have the assurance that we will never be left parentless. The psalmist David declared, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.”[2] The prophet Isaiah spoke prophetically of Jesus as a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, an everlasting Father, and a prince of peace.[3]
Whether your biological father is deceased, or you lack a relationship with him, or you are not even sure who he is; remember who your real daddy is. This week when you are faced with a major challenge or decision, remember that your daddy is available to provide you with His expert counsel. If you’re faced with an impossible situation this week, remember that your daddy is a mighty God. When life becomes chaotic this week, remember that your daddy is the Prince of Peace.
By the way, I’m glad to be back blogging again and I hope you have missed the Bishop’s Blog.
[1] Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
[2] Psalm 27:10 (NKJV)
[3] Isaiah 9:6
Not only is it likely that Michael’s children don’t know who their real daddy is, they are now without a father, who in spite of his eccentricities was reportedly a wonderful daddy. Therefore, the important question is not, who’s their daddy? But, who’s ultimately going to raise them, now that their father is gone? Will it be Michael’s mother, Debbie Rowe, Dr. Arnold Klein, or Diana Ross? If I had a vote it would be for Janet. She doesn’t have any children, she is definitely more stable that La Toya, and her days as a musical diva are quickly coming to an end.
Several weeks ago I began a sermon series on spiritual adoption in which we are exploring the many parallels between spiritual adoption and natural adoption. The first message in the series was titled Who’s Your Daddy? From a theological perspective, adoption is the overarching Biblical metaphor for the invitation and inclusion of Gentiles into the Judeo-Christian lineage as children of God. Adoption is our pathway to redemption and the family of God. Therefore, regardless of our birth family’s structure, as Christians we are all adoptees. The Bible says,
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.[1]
Michael Jackson may have been the King of Pop and his two sons may be named Prince Michael, but as God’s adopted children there is no question about who our father is. And as children of God we have the assurance that we will never be left parentless. The psalmist David declared, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.”[2] The prophet Isaiah spoke prophetically of Jesus as a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, an everlasting Father, and a prince of peace.[3]
Whether your biological father is deceased, or you lack a relationship with him, or you are not even sure who he is; remember who your real daddy is. This week when you are faced with a major challenge or decision, remember that your daddy is available to provide you with His expert counsel. If you’re faced with an impossible situation this week, remember that your daddy is a mighty God. When life becomes chaotic this week, remember that your daddy is the Prince of Peace.
By the way, I’m glad to be back blogging again and I hope you have missed the Bishop’s Blog.
[1] Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
[2] Psalm 27:10 (NKJV)
[3] Isaiah 9:6
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Superhero Spotted in Baltimore
Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes have dominated American comic books, television, movies, videogames, and other media. Most parents, especially those with boys, have wasted many hours as well as gallons of liquid gold (gasoline)during the days leading up to Christmas trying to locate and purchase the current year's must-have superhero toy. Raising our three sons during the 80's we saw the rise of techno-superheroes like the Transformers and the bioscience-superheroes like the Teenage Mutant Ninjas. Although superheroes vary widely, all have extraordinary powers and abilities.
During the 1960's, I spent many hours in front of our black and white television set watching such superheroes as Superman, Batman, and the Green Hornet. By the 1970's, I was watching shows like the Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman. And thank God for the invention of color television, because I can't imagine looking at Wonder Woman's costume in anything else but living color.
However, unlike many boys my age and many adult men as well, I was not interested enough in the subject to read and collect superhero comic books. In part, because as a child I was not a big reader; which is hard for even me to imagine since now I typically read several books a week. As well, I suspect my lack of fixation with fantasy heroes was the result of having a few of real heroes in my life--one or more of these individuals I would classify as superheroes.
During the mid 60's I was privileged to meet a preacher who would eventually become a superhero in my eyes. Beneath his short stature, balding head, horn-rimmed glasses, mild demeanor, articulate speech, intellectual brilliance, and innovative thinking, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. could be described as nothing less than a superhero to those who knew him. His personal intervention in the lives of thousands of individuals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean could easily have been chronicled as a superhero series in DC Comics or Marvel Comics. Gotham City might have had Batman, but Baltimore had Bishop Monroe Sr. Saunders, Sr. However, on August 7, 2008, the amazing adventures of this superhero came to an end at the age of 89.
Like most superheroes, Bishop Saunders, Sr. always seemed to miraculously appear when someone's life was in the most desperate need of rescuing. His presence, wisdom, and sense of humor had a way of bringing calm to the most chaotic of situations. The many times that Bishop Saunders came to my rescue could probably fill a book as well as a cinematographic epic as long as Gone With the Wind. When my dad was dying of colon cancer Bishop Saunders, Sr. would show up at our home every morning to pray and encourage my dad with his words of wisdom.
I recall on another occasion Bishop Saunders, Sr. coming to my rescue when my mother was going through treatment for cervical cancer. After finishing a lengthy course of weekly outpatient radiation treatments, my mother was giving radiation implants (a solid form of seeds or capsules placed in the body in or near the cancer cells) to complete her course of therapy. This several week period of hospitalization required my mother being isolated from the general hospital population. Also, staff and visitors had to wear lead gowns to enter her room and remain at a distance of at least six feet from her bed. On the day that she was scheduled to have her implants removed, her doctor was nowhere to be found. As my mother became anxious about the delay, the hospital staff repeatedly tried reaching her physician. When her anxiety began approaching the point of hysteria, I had no one else to call to our rescue but Bishop Saunders, Sr.
Despite his busy traveling schedule and extensive civic duties, Bishop Saunders, Sr. always seemed to be available in the time of crisis. On some occasions he would just show up at your hospital room, your house, or your office before anyone could call him. He would even walk into the Mayor's office or the offices of top corporate executives without an appointment. When asked how he knew to come, he would simply say something like, "I dwell in the spirit" or "I frequent the heavenly realm."
On the evening I called him to come to the hospital for my mother; just knowing he was coming began to calm my fears and anxieties. At the point that I could see his silhouette coming down the hospital corridor, it no longer mattered to me what time the doctor was going to arrive. All I knew was that my superhero had come to my rescue bringing the peace and presence of God. Knowing that he walked with God and heard from the LORD was the intervention I needed that evening. And after Bishop Saunders, Sr. prayed and left the hospital, who should come into the room but my mother's physician.
While preparing to leave the initial funeral service for Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. a parishioner went into cardiac arrest in the church parking lot. And like his father, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Jr. stopped his grieving to accompany the family to the hospital; where he spent most of the night by their side. On the evening of the final funeral service, as the Saunders family was preparing to enter the church, I received a message that the parishioner was being taken off life support. And like a superhero, he was ready to strip off his mourning garment and soar to the family's rescue. However, like Batboy or some other superhero's trusty sidekick, I reassured him that his place was to be with his own family and that I would take care of this crisis for him.
In this advanced technological age, our spiritual heroes seem to no longer walk among us like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, and Monroe Saunders, Sr. Today, the spiritual heroes of the church are esteemed for being media stars, financial tycoons, and marketing executives.
Nevertheless, those who save the lost, raise the sick, feed the hungry, counsel the confused, and visit the imprisoned-- although barely recognized by the masses and rarely praised for their services--are the world's real superheroes. They go to court with us or our children. They pray, fast, and cry with us. They feed us with God's word week after week and year after year. And like our comic book superheroes, they quietly return to their mundane lives after performing their miraculous feats.
During the 1960's, I spent many hours in front of our black and white television set watching such superheroes as Superman, Batman, and the Green Hornet. By the 1970's, I was watching shows like the Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman. And thank God for the invention of color television, because I can't imagine looking at Wonder Woman's costume in anything else but living color.
However, unlike many boys my age and many adult men as well, I was not interested enough in the subject to read and collect superhero comic books. In part, because as a child I was not a big reader; which is hard for even me to imagine since now I typically read several books a week. As well, I suspect my lack of fixation with fantasy heroes was the result of having a few of real heroes in my life--one or more of these individuals I would classify as superheroes.
During the mid 60's I was privileged to meet a preacher who would eventually become a superhero in my eyes. Beneath his short stature, balding head, horn-rimmed glasses, mild demeanor, articulate speech, intellectual brilliance, and innovative thinking, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. could be described as nothing less than a superhero to those who knew him. His personal intervention in the lives of thousands of individuals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean could easily have been chronicled as a superhero series in DC Comics or Marvel Comics. Gotham City might have had Batman, but Baltimore had Bishop Monroe Sr. Saunders, Sr. However, on August 7, 2008, the amazing adventures of this superhero came to an end at the age of 89.
Like most superheroes, Bishop Saunders, Sr. always seemed to miraculously appear when someone's life was in the most desperate need of rescuing. His presence, wisdom, and sense of humor had a way of bringing calm to the most chaotic of situations. The many times that Bishop Saunders came to my rescue could probably fill a book as well as a cinematographic epic as long as Gone With the Wind. When my dad was dying of colon cancer Bishop Saunders, Sr. would show up at our home every morning to pray and encourage my dad with his words of wisdom.
I recall on another occasion Bishop Saunders, Sr. coming to my rescue when my mother was going through treatment for cervical cancer. After finishing a lengthy course of weekly outpatient radiation treatments, my mother was giving radiation implants (a solid form of seeds or capsules placed in the body in or near the cancer cells) to complete her course of therapy. This several week period of hospitalization required my mother being isolated from the general hospital population. Also, staff and visitors had to wear lead gowns to enter her room and remain at a distance of at least six feet from her bed. On the day that she was scheduled to have her implants removed, her doctor was nowhere to be found. As my mother became anxious about the delay, the hospital staff repeatedly tried reaching her physician. When her anxiety began approaching the point of hysteria, I had no one else to call to our rescue but Bishop Saunders, Sr.
Despite his busy traveling schedule and extensive civic duties, Bishop Saunders, Sr. always seemed to be available in the time of crisis. On some occasions he would just show up at your hospital room, your house, or your office before anyone could call him. He would even walk into the Mayor's office or the offices of top corporate executives without an appointment. When asked how he knew to come, he would simply say something like, "I dwell in the spirit" or "I frequent the heavenly realm."
On the evening I called him to come to the hospital for my mother; just knowing he was coming began to calm my fears and anxieties. At the point that I could see his silhouette coming down the hospital corridor, it no longer mattered to me what time the doctor was going to arrive. All I knew was that my superhero had come to my rescue bringing the peace and presence of God. Knowing that he walked with God and heard from the LORD was the intervention I needed that evening. And after Bishop Saunders, Sr. prayed and left the hospital, who should come into the room but my mother's physician.
While preparing to leave the initial funeral service for Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. a parishioner went into cardiac arrest in the church parking lot. And like his father, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Jr. stopped his grieving to accompany the family to the hospital; where he spent most of the night by their side. On the evening of the final funeral service, as the Saunders family was preparing to enter the church, I received a message that the parishioner was being taken off life support. And like a superhero, he was ready to strip off his mourning garment and soar to the family's rescue. However, like Batboy or some other superhero's trusty sidekick, I reassured him that his place was to be with his own family and that I would take care of this crisis for him.
In this advanced technological age, our spiritual heroes seem to no longer walk among us like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, and Monroe Saunders, Sr. Today, the spiritual heroes of the church are esteemed for being media stars, financial tycoons, and marketing executives.
Nevertheless, those who save the lost, raise the sick, feed the hungry, counsel the confused, and visit the imprisoned-- although barely recognized by the masses and rarely praised for their services--are the world's real superheroes. They go to court with us or our children. They pray, fast, and cry with us. They feed us with God's word week after week and year after year. And like our comic book superheroes, they quietly return to their mundane lives after performing their miraculous feats.
"I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD."--Jeremiah 23:4 (NKJV)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Dog Days of Summer
Several years ago--it was actually a decade ago when we lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland--we had a black Labrador Retriever, named Max, as a member of our family. Most summer days when no one was to be home we would tie Max to a tree in our backyard or to a post on our deck. His lead was 100 feet long, so he was able to freely move around. And during the heat of the day he was free to go under the deck to enjoy the shade or lie under one of the many shade trees in our heavily wooded backyard.
On one summer day Max decided that he didn’t want to take a nap under a tree or under the deck, but on the sofa in the family room. So Max climbed up and opened the patio door and proceeded to enter the house. Unfortunately, Max had somehow wrapped his lead around the legs and wheels of the barbeque grill on the deck. Therefore, as Max tried entering the house, the barbeque grill followed him until it reached the raised sill of the door. Unable to continue rolling across the sill and Max unable to reach the sofa, he pulled the grill until it toppled over and he was able to drag it completely into the house.
When my oldest son arrived home, he found Max laying on the family room sofa sound asleep on his back, enjoying the cool from the air conditioner. Obviously, exhausted from the ordeal of getting into the house, Max was snoring so hard that he never realized someone had come into the house. What a sight; the dog asleep on the sofa, the barbeque grill turned over in the floor, and the carpet covered with charcoal soot and old grease.
The phrase Dog Days or "the dog days of summer", was used by the Greeks and the ancient Romans to refer to the hottest days of summer. The ancient Romans would sacrifice a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days of Summer to appease the rage of Sirius (the “Dog Star”), believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather. Despite the fact that was not an expert in ancient mythology; having to clean up all of Max’s mess by his self, my son felt like sacrificing that black dog, on that hot summer day to appease his rage.
There are times when we are thrust into situations where we find ourselves having to clean up someone else’s mess. For instance, parents seem to always have to clean up their children’s mess--from an infant’s dirty diapers to a toddler’s toys out of place to a teenager’s pregnancy to a young adult who has broken the law. Siblings throughout their lives find themselves having to cleaning up each other's mess--of course some siblings seem to make more messes than others. Spouses have to clean up each other mess as well--one refuses to curb their spending or one fails to keep their vow to be faithful. Pastors as well are often forced to clean up messes that have resulted from parishioners refusing to live by the word of God or sound pastoral advice.
As frustrating and preventable as cleaning up someone else’s mess might be, and as much as you would like to throw them to the dogs, don’t forget the times that someone lovingly chose to clean up the messes you made in your life. Also remember that, today, you may be cleaning up someone else’s mess, but tomorrow someone might have to clean up a major mess you have made.
On one summer day Max decided that he didn’t want to take a nap under a tree or under the deck, but on the sofa in the family room. So Max climbed up and opened the patio door and proceeded to enter the house. Unfortunately, Max had somehow wrapped his lead around the legs and wheels of the barbeque grill on the deck. Therefore, as Max tried entering the house, the barbeque grill followed him until it reached the raised sill of the door. Unable to continue rolling across the sill and Max unable to reach the sofa, he pulled the grill until it toppled over and he was able to drag it completely into the house.
When my oldest son arrived home, he found Max laying on the family room sofa sound asleep on his back, enjoying the cool from the air conditioner. Obviously, exhausted from the ordeal of getting into the house, Max was snoring so hard that he never realized someone had come into the house. What a sight; the dog asleep on the sofa, the barbeque grill turned over in the floor, and the carpet covered with charcoal soot and old grease.
The phrase Dog Days or "the dog days of summer", was used by the Greeks and the ancient Romans to refer to the hottest days of summer. The ancient Romans would sacrifice a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days of Summer to appease the rage of Sirius (the “Dog Star”), believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather. Despite the fact that was not an expert in ancient mythology; having to clean up all of Max’s mess by his self, my son felt like sacrificing that black dog, on that hot summer day to appease his rage.
There are times when we are thrust into situations where we find ourselves having to clean up someone else’s mess. For instance, parents seem to always have to clean up their children’s mess--from an infant’s dirty diapers to a toddler’s toys out of place to a teenager’s pregnancy to a young adult who has broken the law. Siblings throughout their lives find themselves having to cleaning up each other's mess--of course some siblings seem to make more messes than others. Spouses have to clean up each other mess as well--one refuses to curb their spending or one fails to keep their vow to be faithful. Pastors as well are often forced to clean up messes that have resulted from parishioners refusing to live by the word of God or sound pastoral advice.
As frustrating and preventable as cleaning up someone else’s mess might be, and as much as you would like to throw them to the dogs, don’t forget the times that someone lovingly chose to clean up the messes you made in your life. Also remember that, today, you may be cleaning up someone else’s mess, but tomorrow someone might have to clean up a major mess you have made.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.--Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Abandoned In a Bus Station
A favorite childhood pastime was listening to my mother and her sisters share their childhood stories. I’ve regretted not recording my mother telling those stories before her death, because she was a master storyteller. However, I do have a good memory and would like to share with you one of my favorite stories.
The Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York is where my mother and her family spent their summers during the Great Depression. As soon as Baltimore schools officially closed, my grandmother would pack up the kids and head for New York for the summer. Because of his job, my grandfather would remain in Baltimore. Because the family was relatively, spending their summers in Sheepshead Bay was less of a family vacation and more of a medical necessity for my grandmother. Suffering most of her life from asthma, my grandmother found that living in New York by the water was far more conducive to her health than Baltimore’s hot and humid summers. While many generations of Marylanders have used Ocean City, Maryland as respite from the summer heat, segregation barred African Americans from the popular summer spot’s hotels and motels until as late as 1963.
One summer day in Sheepshead Bay my grandmother received a message that her oldest daughter who lived in New Jersey had been suddenly hospitalized. Desiring to visit her daughter, my grandmother carried my mother and her younger sisters to the bus station. However, only one bus ticket to New Jersey was purchased; leaving my mother and her sisters to wait in the bus station for their mother’s return. After a number of hours station employees became concerned about the length of time the girls had been left alone. Employees offered to feed them, but my mother, the oldest in the group and the one left in charge, refused to allow her sisters to take any food from the strangers. Insisting that her mother had told them to never take food from strangers; however her protectiveness was not well received. She was told, ‘You don’t have to eat anything, but you should at least allow your little sisters to eat.” Yet, in spite of being called mean and selfish, my mother stuck to her guns. Of course, they were all hunger and her younger sisters were not happy with her decision.
As the evening went on and the last bus from New Jersey had finally arrived without their mother, the bus station employees came to the conclusion that their mother had abandoned them. During the depression it was not uncommon for poor families to abandon one or more of their children in hopes of giving them a better life, or at least food and shelter. One African American employee offered to take them home with him; but again my mother refused his offer. Surrounded by bus station employees and interested travelers the girls were repeatedly told, ‘The last bus has come and your mother isn’t coming back.’ Yet in spite of what the adults were saying and what the evidence was looking like, my mother continued to say, “I know my mother and she would never abandon us. My mother said she was coming back and she will be back.”
Sometime during the middle of the night the girls looked up and there was their mother coming through the bus station doors. She had apparently missed the last bus from New Jersey and had spent hours trying to finding someone to drive her back to the bus station in Brooklyn to pick up her little girls. Today of course, everyone would have had cell phones; including each of the girls. They would have been texting their mother throughout the night. Their mother would have possibly called someone in Brooklyn to pick up her girls. And I would not have had an interesting story to share.
Nevertheless, in the absence of cell phones and everyone saying your mother has abandoned you, what enabled that little girl to stand firm? My mother would always say, “It was my faith in my mother.” She not only had the words of her mother to hold onto, but she had her mother’s character to trust in. She was able to defy the advice and speculation of all the adults in the bus station because they did not know her mother, but she did. She knew her mother would never abandon her children.
When it looks like the Lord has abandoned you, are you able to say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he would never abandon his child?’ When the opinion of others is contrary to what you’re hoping for, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, but you don’t?’ Are you presently waiting on the Lord for some special need in your life? Is the clock is ticking on you having a financial need met? Is the clock ticking on finding a solution to a legal situation you’re facing? Is the clock ticking on finding a medical cure that you or a family member is in need of? Is the clock ticking on you finding a compatible mate to spend the rest of your life with? If so, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he will arrive at just the right time?’ “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.” 1 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV)
The Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York is where my mother and her family spent their summers during the Great Depression. As soon as Baltimore schools officially closed, my grandmother would pack up the kids and head for New York for the summer. Because of his job, my grandfather would remain in Baltimore. Because the family was relatively, spending their summers in Sheepshead Bay was less of a family vacation and more of a medical necessity for my grandmother. Suffering most of her life from asthma, my grandmother found that living in New York by the water was far more conducive to her health than Baltimore’s hot and humid summers. While many generations of Marylanders have used Ocean City, Maryland as respite from the summer heat, segregation barred African Americans from the popular summer spot’s hotels and motels until as late as 1963.
One summer day in Sheepshead Bay my grandmother received a message that her oldest daughter who lived in New Jersey had been suddenly hospitalized. Desiring to visit her daughter, my grandmother carried my mother and her younger sisters to the bus station. However, only one bus ticket to New Jersey was purchased; leaving my mother and her sisters to wait in the bus station for their mother’s return. After a number of hours station employees became concerned about the length of time the girls had been left alone. Employees offered to feed them, but my mother, the oldest in the group and the one left in charge, refused to allow her sisters to take any food from the strangers. Insisting that her mother had told them to never take food from strangers; however her protectiveness was not well received. She was told, ‘You don’t have to eat anything, but you should at least allow your little sisters to eat.” Yet, in spite of being called mean and selfish, my mother stuck to her guns. Of course, they were all hunger and her younger sisters were not happy with her decision.
As the evening went on and the last bus from New Jersey had finally arrived without their mother, the bus station employees came to the conclusion that their mother had abandoned them. During the depression it was not uncommon for poor families to abandon one or more of their children in hopes of giving them a better life, or at least food and shelter. One African American employee offered to take them home with him; but again my mother refused his offer. Surrounded by bus station employees and interested travelers the girls were repeatedly told, ‘The last bus has come and your mother isn’t coming back.’ Yet in spite of what the adults were saying and what the evidence was looking like, my mother continued to say, “I know my mother and she would never abandon us. My mother said she was coming back and she will be back.”
Sometime during the middle of the night the girls looked up and there was their mother coming through the bus station doors. She had apparently missed the last bus from New Jersey and had spent hours trying to finding someone to drive her back to the bus station in Brooklyn to pick up her little girls. Today of course, everyone would have had cell phones; including each of the girls. They would have been texting their mother throughout the night. Their mother would have possibly called someone in Brooklyn to pick up her girls. And I would not have had an interesting story to share.
Nevertheless, in the absence of cell phones and everyone saying your mother has abandoned you, what enabled that little girl to stand firm? My mother would always say, “It was my faith in my mother.” She not only had the words of her mother to hold onto, but she had her mother’s character to trust in. She was able to defy the advice and speculation of all the adults in the bus station because they did not know her mother, but she did. She knew her mother would never abandon her children.
When it looks like the Lord has abandoned you, are you able to say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he would never abandon his child?’ When the opinion of others is contrary to what you’re hoping for, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, but you don’t?’ Are you presently waiting on the Lord for some special need in your life? Is the clock is ticking on you having a financial need met? Is the clock ticking on finding a solution to a legal situation you’re facing? Is the clock ticking on finding a medical cure that you or a family member is in need of? Is the clock ticking on you finding a compatible mate to spend the rest of your life with? If so, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he will arrive at just the right time?’ “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.” 1 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV)
Monday, July 20, 2009
“One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first two men to walk on the moon. The moon landing was witnessed by millions of people across the world on live television broadcasts. Although I was only eleven at the time, I will never forget watching and listening to CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite's broadcast of the moon landing. Regrettably, Walter Cronkite died this Friday at the age of 92; just two days before Apollo 11’s 40th anniversary.
Although it has been 40 years, I can vividly recall not wanting to turn myself away from the television on that Sunday afternoon. It was at 4:17 p.m. when the Lunar Excursion Module touched down on the surface of the moon, but it wasn’t until 6½ hours later that Neil Armstrong finally emerged from the capsule. Now those of you who grew up in the church should recognize the apparent dilemma that thousands of truly dedicated churchgoers were faced with on that evening. We had to be in church while one of the most important events in world history was happening. Consequently, only heathens and backsliders were able to hear Neil Armstrong muff his famous lines, when he planned to say “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” And for those of you who are too young to have witnessed the event: VCRs and On Demand technology had not been invented and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not perform Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk slide on the lunar surface.
However, missing the actual moon walk because of church isn’t one of negative memories I have of the moon landing. I did get to see the event later that evening and like most major news events it was rebroadcasted over and over and over, again. Would you like to know what did spoil the event for me and still annoys me today?
The day of the moon landing I was invited to Sunday dinner at my cousins’ house because we were all going to church that night. Therefore, it was actually in their dining room that we sat in front of a small black and white television watching the moon landing. Unfortunately, their father believed then and until the day he died, that the moon landing was a NASA hoax filmed at a television studio in New York City. I’m certain that many of you also had or still have relatives who enjoyed ruining our greatest scientific advancement at the time with their conspiracy theory.
As late as 1999, a Gallup poll found that 6% of the American public doubted the Moon landing occurred and 5% had no opinion. In 2001, Fox television aired a program called Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon? Guests on the show argued that NASA technology in the 1960's wasn't up to the task of a real Moon landing. Instead, anxious to win the Space Race any way it could, NASA acted out the Apollo program in movie studios. So, was my uncle actually a prophet or was the “moon hoax” one of those conspiracy theories that refuse to die? I’ve usually found that people who are quick to believe in conspiracy theories are the same ones who refuse to believe that professional wrestling is staged. Need I say more?Conspiracy theories always seem to surface around major events. There’s the JFK conspiracy, the MLK conspiracy, and the Elvis is alive theory. I wonder what the conspiracy theorists have dreamed up regarding Michael Jackson’s death. Two thousand years ago conspiracy theories had even surfaced around the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel records the following event:
Many today--even those who consider themselves Christians--deny it, ignore it, or try to explain away the resurrection of Jesus. However, the bible says,
Oswald Chambers wrote: “The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him…. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.” [3] Consequently, the real proof of Christ’s resurrection cannot be found on film footage. Neither is the final piece of evidence found in the testimonies of the more than 500 people who saw him after his resurrection. [4] The final proof of the resurrection of Christ is the change that He has brought to your life. The resurrection was more than a giant historical event for mankind; it is to be a life altering event for each and every person who comes to Christ by faith. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”[5] Is your life proof that Christ was raised from the dead? Or can your life be used by conspiracy theorists as evidence that the resurrection was just another hoax?
[1] Matthew 28:12-15 (NLT)
[2] 1 Cor. 15:12-14, 17 (NKJV)
[3] My Utmost for My Highest, Moral Divinity
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:6
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Although it has been 40 years, I can vividly recall not wanting to turn myself away from the television on that Sunday afternoon. It was at 4:17 p.m. when the Lunar Excursion Module touched down on the surface of the moon, but it wasn’t until 6½ hours later that Neil Armstrong finally emerged from the capsule. Now those of you who grew up in the church should recognize the apparent dilemma that thousands of truly dedicated churchgoers were faced with on that evening. We had to be in church while one of the most important events in world history was happening. Consequently, only heathens and backsliders were able to hear Neil Armstrong muff his famous lines, when he planned to say “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” And for those of you who are too young to have witnessed the event: VCRs and On Demand technology had not been invented and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not perform Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk slide on the lunar surface.
However, missing the actual moon walk because of church isn’t one of negative memories I have of the moon landing. I did get to see the event later that evening and like most major news events it was rebroadcasted over and over and over, again. Would you like to know what did spoil the event for me and still annoys me today?
The day of the moon landing I was invited to Sunday dinner at my cousins’ house because we were all going to church that night. Therefore, it was actually in their dining room that we sat in front of a small black and white television watching the moon landing. Unfortunately, their father believed then and until the day he died, that the moon landing was a NASA hoax filmed at a television studio in New York City. I’m certain that many of you also had or still have relatives who enjoyed ruining our greatest scientific advancement at the time with their conspiracy theory.
As late as 1999, a Gallup poll found that 6% of the American public doubted the Moon landing occurred and 5% had no opinion. In 2001, Fox television aired a program called Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon? Guests on the show argued that NASA technology in the 1960's wasn't up to the task of a real Moon landing. Instead, anxious to win the Space Race any way it could, NASA acted out the Apollo program in movie studios. So, was my uncle actually a prophet or was the “moon hoax” one of those conspiracy theories that refuse to die? I’ve usually found that people who are quick to believe in conspiracy theories are the same ones who refuse to believe that professional wrestling is staged. Need I say more?Conspiracy theories always seem to surface around major events. There’s the JFK conspiracy, the MLK conspiracy, and the Elvis is alive theory. I wonder what the conspiracy theorists have dreamed up regarding Michael Jackson’s death. Two thousand years ago conspiracy theories had even surfaced around the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel records the following event:
A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. [1]
Many today--even those who consider themselves Christians--deny it, ignore it, or try to explain away the resurrection of Jesus. However, the bible says,
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection ofthe dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is emptyand your faith is also empty…. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! [2]
Oswald Chambers wrote: “The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him…. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.” [3] Consequently, the real proof of Christ’s resurrection cannot be found on film footage. Neither is the final piece of evidence found in the testimonies of the more than 500 people who saw him after his resurrection. [4] The final proof of the resurrection of Christ is the change that He has brought to your life. The resurrection was more than a giant historical event for mankind; it is to be a life altering event for each and every person who comes to Christ by faith. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”[5] Is your life proof that Christ was raised from the dead? Or can your life be used by conspiracy theorists as evidence that the resurrection was just another hoax?
[1] Matthew 28:12-15 (NLT)
[2] 1 Cor. 15:12-14, 17 (NKJV)
[3] My Utmost for My Highest, Moral Divinity
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:6
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Monday, July 13, 2009
No Pain, No Gain!
Saturday afternoon our Youth and Young Adult Ministry had a cookout. After wondering whether my presence might stifle their fun, I decided I should probably make an appearance. Once arriving at the pinic and waiting for the food to finish cooking, someone brought out an official volleyball kit. Unfortunately, the last person to use the net did not store it in an official manner. The net was twisted and tangled to the point that it took nearly forty-five minutes and four of us to finally figure out how to unravel and set it up. Several times through the process I felt like cutting the thing up and tossing into the woods. To make things worse the owner of the volleyball kit, who obviously put it away last, kept asking what was taking the three of us so long. Once he came to assist us, we paired up in two teams to unravel the net from each pole. That was all the motivation my competitive nature needed to figure out the maze of ropes and netting. And you guessed it; my two person team had our side completed first.
Once we finished eating and individuals became interested in playing volleyball, I set on the deck wanting to play but wondering whether my volleyball days were officially over. After finally convincing myself that volleyball is a spectator sport for fifty year olds, my wife decided that she was going to play--bad knees and all. I’m still not sure what made her think that she was still capable of playing volleyball. It wasn’t the punch, because there was no punch for someone to spike. However, it actually only took about five minutes for whatever it was to wear off and for her to realize--‘girl, your ball playing days are over.’
Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell who she called to come in as her replacement. And I proudly trotted towards the field, emptied my pockets of keys and a cellphone, ticked off my sandals, and took my position on the second row. Here I am playing with preteens, teens, twenty and thirty year olds, and a couple of forty year olds. But clearly, I was the veteran on the field. At least once I heard someone on my team remind the other team that the pastor had to preach tomorrow. I suspected that they may have been deliberately keeping the ball away from me. Because no matter what position I rotated to the ball rarely came to me. But when it did, I did my best to support my team, because I was determined that if I was going to put my body at this kind of risk my team was going to win. This 51 year old was literally as good as some 15 year olds--at least in my mind I was.
My team did win our first game with 25 points; which is required for an official volleyball game. But when you’re 50 years old, the difference between 21 and 25 points seems like a lifetime. However, my team eventually lost the rematch. But I was smart enough to retire after the first game. And of course, I have convinced myself that my team lost the second game because of my retirement.
The infamous athlete’s motto is: “No pain, no gain.” And of course, I did leave the field with my share of pain: a bruised fingernail and a sore wrist. But surprisingly, I was more than able to preach a lively message the next morning. Yet it has always amazed me how much real athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than the average person. While most of people protect themselves from any form of discomfort, athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While most people remain satisfied with mediocre performance, athletes pay any price for excellence.
If an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for an earthly reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an eternal one? If an athlete will labor day after day and suffer excruciating pain in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought we to work to hear our Lord say, “well done?” This week I encourage you to consider the following questions: Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God? Are you training your mind to think godly thoughts rather than worldly thoughts? Are you disciplining your life in prayer and fasting? Are you studying God’s word diligently so that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face? Are you ready for the Spiritual Olympics or are you still playing Spiritual T-Ball; where no score is being officially kept?
Once we finished eating and individuals became interested in playing volleyball, I set on the deck wanting to play but wondering whether my volleyball days were officially over. After finally convincing myself that volleyball is a spectator sport for fifty year olds, my wife decided that she was going to play--bad knees and all. I’m still not sure what made her think that she was still capable of playing volleyball. It wasn’t the punch, because there was no punch for someone to spike. However, it actually only took about five minutes for whatever it was to wear off and for her to realize--‘girl, your ball playing days are over.’
Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell who she called to come in as her replacement. And I proudly trotted towards the field, emptied my pockets of keys and a cellphone, ticked off my sandals, and took my position on the second row. Here I am playing with preteens, teens, twenty and thirty year olds, and a couple of forty year olds. But clearly, I was the veteran on the field. At least once I heard someone on my team remind the other team that the pastor had to preach tomorrow. I suspected that they may have been deliberately keeping the ball away from me. Because no matter what position I rotated to the ball rarely came to me. But when it did, I did my best to support my team, because I was determined that if I was going to put my body at this kind of risk my team was going to win. This 51 year old was literally as good as some 15 year olds--at least in my mind I was.
My team did win our first game with 25 points; which is required for an official volleyball game. But when you’re 50 years old, the difference between 21 and 25 points seems like a lifetime. However, my team eventually lost the rematch. But I was smart enough to retire after the first game. And of course, I have convinced myself that my team lost the second game because of my retirement.
The infamous athlete’s motto is: “No pain, no gain.” And of course, I did leave the field with my share of pain: a bruised fingernail and a sore wrist. But surprisingly, I was more than able to preach a lively message the next morning. Yet it has always amazed me how much real athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than the average person. While most of people protect themselves from any form of discomfort, athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While most people remain satisfied with mediocre performance, athletes pay any price for excellence.
If an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for an earthly reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an eternal one? If an athlete will labor day after day and suffer excruciating pain in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought we to work to hear our Lord say, “well done?” This week I encourage you to consider the following questions: Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God? Are you training your mind to think godly thoughts rather than worldly thoughts? Are you disciplining your life in prayer and fasting? Are you studying God’s word diligently so that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face? Are you ready for the Spiritual Olympics or are you still playing Spiritual T-Ball; where no score is being officially kept?
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. --1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Steve McNair: Never Got the Message!
This Fourth of July, my youngest son and I joined an old friend at the Congressional Country Club for the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods. What a perfect day to spend on a beautiful golf course watching the pros play golf; especially the golfer of all times Tiger Woods.
By the way, the friend who invited us to see Tiger Woods is the one who worked so hard preparing to beat me at golf last month. However, I am truly grateful that he chose to share with me his prized club house tickets given to him by his daughter. I’m also grateful to have spent the day with someone who was a role model and spiritual mentor to me when I was a young husband, father, and minister. As well it was an honor to spend the day with my youngest son. Believe me; I never want to take for granted or miss opportunities like this one to spend time sharing words of life and wisdom with my sons.
Like many others, my son and I were shocked and sadden Saturday when we finally learned of the death of former Ravens’ player Steve McNair. The four-time Pro Bowler, who shared his NFL’s MVP award with Peyton Manning, was known on the football field, simply as “Air McNair.” Publicly, McNair was portrayed as a happily married man and a proud father of four sons. However, Saturday McNair was presumably shot to death by his 20 year old girlfriend, who was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head.
All of us are aware of the easy drugs, alcohol and women that athletes and entertainers are tempted with. However, a simple father-to-son talk or a man-to-man conversation by some wise male in McNair's life might have prevented his death.
The truth is that many men either never got the message that might have saved Steve McNair’s life, or simply deleted it from their mental rolodex. We can assume former president Bill Clinton, former mayor Kwame Kirkpatrick, soon to be former governor Mark Sanford, and the Laker's Kobe Bryant also never got the message. Therefore, let me share with you the message I have shared with my own sons, as well as the sons under my spiritual care.
The message is not new. It is actually one of many ancient lessons taught my King Solomon to his son.
By the way, the friend who invited us to see Tiger Woods is the one who worked so hard preparing to beat me at golf last month. However, I am truly grateful that he chose to share with me his prized club house tickets given to him by his daughter. I’m also grateful to have spent the day with someone who was a role model and spiritual mentor to me when I was a young husband, father, and minister. As well it was an honor to spend the day with my youngest son. Believe me; I never want to take for granted or miss opportunities like this one to spend time sharing words of life and wisdom with my sons.
Like many others, my son and I were shocked and sadden Saturday when we finally learned of the death of former Ravens’ player Steve McNair. The four-time Pro Bowler, who shared his NFL’s MVP award with Peyton Manning, was known on the football field, simply as “Air McNair.” Publicly, McNair was portrayed as a happily married man and a proud father of four sons. However, Saturday McNair was presumably shot to death by his 20 year old girlfriend, who was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head.
All of us are aware of the easy drugs, alcohol and women that athletes and entertainers are tempted with. However, a simple father-to-son talk or a man-to-man conversation by some wise male in McNair's life might have prevented his death.
The truth is that many men either never got the message that might have saved Steve McNair’s life, or simply deleted it from their mental rolodex. We can assume former president Bill Clinton, former mayor Kwame Kirkpatrick, soon to be former governor Mark Sanford, and the Laker's Kobe Bryant also never got the message. Therefore, let me share with you the message I have shared with my own sons, as well as the sons under my spiritual care.
The message is not new. It is actually one of many ancient lessons taught my King Solomon to his son.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path.
They'll protect you from wanton women,
from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty,
nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread,
but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Adultery is a brainless act,
soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye,
and a reputation ruined for good.*
This week, help spare the life and reputation of the males that you know by sharing with them this important message. I would also encourage fathers and spiritual fathers to find some time to walk your sons through the goldmine of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. A chapter a day will only take one month. A chapter a month will be completed in about seven months. The life you save might just be your own.
*Proverbs 6:23-34 (The Message)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Michael Jackson, King of Pop: The Man in the Mirror
It was Thursday evening on our way to church when my wife and I heard CNN’s breaking news broadcast that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson had been reported dead by the Associated Press. Like the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the explosion of the Challenger, and the toppling of the Twin Towers, the announcement of Michael Jackson’s death was a moment that I will never forget. Although I did not faint in hysteria like some of his fans; I did have to fight back a tear or two.
The uniqueness of Michael’s career is that his fame transcended generations. Not only was I a fan in the late 60’s and 70’s, but my children were fans during the 80’s and 90’s. Ironically today, one of the four year olds in our child care center asked me if I knew Michael Jackson and when I said “yes,” he began to sing, “I’m bad, I’m bad. That’s Michael Jackson’s song.” Tell me; what other musical artist has both hits and fans covering three to four generations?
Being the same age as Michael Jackson, he was more than a preteen idol; he was major competition. Every little girl my age, including my wife, and even those who liked me at the time, were madly in love with Michael Jackson. How could I ever compete with his fame, his wealth, his voice, his looks, and his perfect afro? Worse still, Michael even had five other famous cute brothers (when Michael was still a ‘brotha’) for girls of every age to be in love with.
While the world watched Michael’s fame transcend generations, we also saw his image transform from a black male to a white androgyny to a sad and hideous recluse. And of all the songs he'll be remembered for, “The Man in the Mirror” probably describes best his internal struggle: “A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart, and a washed-out dream….” Plastic surgery, bleach cream, and permed hair might have changed his image in the mirror, but not the man in the mirror. Or should I say, the little boy in the mirror, because I believe his distinctive prepubescent voice, was more than a vocal phenomenon, it was the voice of a wounded child that never became a man.
As Christians it is important for us to recognize that the image we see in the mirror is insufficient; for it can deceive us and after the age of 50 it can even depress us. However, according to the Bible there is an image in another mirror, the word of God, [1] which reflects both our image, as well as the image that we’re being made into, which is the likeness of Jesus of Christ.
This week when you look in the mirror, I challenge you to purposely pause for a moment to look beyond the physical image. Look beyond the makeup, the wrinkles and the crow’s feet, the dark circles around the eyes, the grey or colored hair, the weave or resending hairline and look to see if the person being reflected back to you is looking, acting, and thinking each day more like Jesus Christ. Not the image of Christ that western culture has painted with blue eyes and long hair or the image that your church tradition might have painted as an icon you can worship but not emulate. But the Christ that Matthew, Mark, and John personally knew and were compelled to write about, live like and give their lives for. The Christ that stopped Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the gospel. The Christ that the Bible reveals as the King of Kings.
[1] James 1:24 (NLT)
[2] 2 Cor. 3:18 (NLT)
[3] James 1:22-24(NLT)
The uniqueness of Michael’s career is that his fame transcended generations. Not only was I a fan in the late 60’s and 70’s, but my children were fans during the 80’s and 90’s. Ironically today, one of the four year olds in our child care center asked me if I knew Michael Jackson and when I said “yes,” he began to sing, “I’m bad, I’m bad. That’s Michael Jackson’s song.” Tell me; what other musical artist has both hits and fans covering three to four generations?
Being the same age as Michael Jackson, he was more than a preteen idol; he was major competition. Every little girl my age, including my wife, and even those who liked me at the time, were madly in love with Michael Jackson. How could I ever compete with his fame, his wealth, his voice, his looks, and his perfect afro? Worse still, Michael even had five other famous cute brothers (when Michael was still a ‘brotha’) for girls of every age to be in love with.
While the world watched Michael’s fame transcend generations, we also saw his image transform from a black male to a white androgyny to a sad and hideous recluse. And of all the songs he'll be remembered for, “The Man in the Mirror” probably describes best his internal struggle: “A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart, and a washed-out dream….” Plastic surgery, bleach cream, and permed hair might have changed his image in the mirror, but not the man in the mirror. Or should I say, the little boy in the mirror, because I believe his distinctive prepubescent voice, was more than a vocal phenomenon, it was the voice of a wounded child that never became a man.
As Christians it is important for us to recognize that the image we see in the mirror is insufficient; for it can deceive us and after the age of 50 it can even depress us. However, according to the Bible there is an image in another mirror, the word of God, [1] which reflects both our image, as well as the image that we’re being made into, which is the likeness of Jesus of Christ.
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.[2]
This week when you look in the mirror, I challenge you to purposely pause for a moment to look beyond the physical image. Look beyond the makeup, the wrinkles and the crow’s feet, the dark circles around the eyes, the grey or colored hair, the weave or resending hairline and look to see if the person being reflected back to you is looking, acting, and thinking each day more like Jesus Christ. Not the image of Christ that western culture has painted with blue eyes and long hair or the image that your church tradition might have painted as an icon you can worship but not emulate. But the Christ that Matthew, Mark, and John personally knew and were compelled to write about, live like and give their lives for. The Christ that stopped Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus and transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the gospel. The Christ that the Bible reveals as the King of Kings.
But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.[3]
[1] James 1:24 (NLT)
[2] 2 Cor. 3:18 (NLT)
[3] James 1:22-24(NLT)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Baby Plant Closed, but Not Out of Business!
A few years ago when my wife and I were still in the baby manufacturing business some of the saints of the most high would disparagingly say, ‘My God, how many children do you have now?’ This kind of statement, of course, was a rhetorical question with the answer obviously being, ‘My God, too many!’ However, by the time our baby manufacturing plant was closed down and my wife and I, officially laid off, we only had four children; three boys and one girl.
During those production years others, especially those in the church, would make us feel less than blessed for having more than the "ideal" 2.4 children. I’m not sure whether a 0.4 child is one that’s considered being still in production or one that came off the production line as a factory second. However, this picture of the perfect wholesome American family was painted by Twentieth Century American television sitcoms. Nevertheless, today the actual average number of children is 3.18 nationally, while the average in 1940 was just 3.76. Our family is only 0.82 of a child above the national average. Obviously, my wife and I chose to round up to a complete 1.0 child rather than a 0.18 child. I’m not sure what you can do with 18% of a child; which is probably all you do get out of the average teenager.
Over the years I’ve had to remind myself that the bible says,
Indeed, today I can proudly confront any of my accusers without any reservations and say that I am a blessed man because my quiver (home) is full of children; which are now all adults. I have two sons, a daughter, and an adopted daughter still at home. Father’s Day was a blessed and happy day primarily because my home was filled with my children and grandchildren. I say primarily, because my greatest blessing is having all of my children in our heavenly Father’s home; the church. However, my oldest son, who is my assistant, was not in church with us this Father's Day, due to a speaking engagement at another church; but he was able to join us for dinner after church. My youngest son, as well was away out-of-town on a business trip. But, he did send me a text message wishing me a happy Father’s Day. I hope text messaging is the 21st Century equivalent to a phone call. Please let me know if it’s not. Because, if it’s not, I’ll have to address this issue when he returns home this week. While we may be out of the baby manufacturing business, I’m still the CEO and can recall and remanufacture any of our existing products still on the market.
During those production years others, especially those in the church, would make us feel less than blessed for having more than the "ideal" 2.4 children. I’m not sure whether a 0.4 child is one that’s considered being still in production or one that came off the production line as a factory second. However, this picture of the perfect wholesome American family was painted by Twentieth Century American television sitcoms. Nevertheless, today the actual average number of children is 3.18 nationally, while the average in 1940 was just 3.76. Our family is only 0.82 of a child above the national average. Obviously, my wife and I chose to round up to a complete 1.0 child rather than a 0.18 child. I’m not sure what you can do with 18% of a child; which is probably all you do get out of the average teenager.
Over the years I’ve had to remind myself that the bible says,
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame
when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.--Psalm 127:3-5 (NLT)
Indeed, today I can proudly confront any of my accusers without any reservations and say that I am a blessed man because my quiver (home) is full of children; which are now all adults. I have two sons, a daughter, and an adopted daughter still at home. Father’s Day was a blessed and happy day primarily because my home was filled with my children and grandchildren. I say primarily, because my greatest blessing is having all of my children in our heavenly Father’s home; the church. However, my oldest son, who is my assistant, was not in church with us this Father's Day, due to a speaking engagement at another church; but he was able to join us for dinner after church. My youngest son, as well was away out-of-town on a business trip. But, he did send me a text message wishing me a happy Father’s Day. I hope text messaging is the 21st Century equivalent to a phone call. Please let me know if it’s not. Because, if it’s not, I’ll have to address this issue when he returns home this week. While we may be out of the baby manufacturing business, I’m still the CEO and can recall and remanufacture any of our existing products still on the market.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Spiritual Homelessness
Sheep are mentioned more frequently than any other animal in the Bible--about 750 times. The Bible makes many comparisons between the ways of sheep and human beings. In the New Testament the church is often compared to a sheepfold. It is therefore not surprising that God’s people are consistently referred to as sheep--they are helpless, easily led astray and lost, unable to fend for themselves or find their way back home. However, sheep are easy to lead and can live safe and prolific lives as long as they remain in a flock. Consequently, like sheep believers cannot survive outside of the flock or sheepfold--the local church.
The local church is essential to the lives of believers; which is the New Testament reality that God intended for local congregations. The present day reality is that the vast majority of churches have become nonessential to the lives of church dropouts, those who left the church after becoming adults; and the dechurched, those in general who once were part of a local church. Indeed, the church is seen by many today--especially most young adults and the unchurched, those who have never belonged to a church--as no more important than the local shopping mall, movie theatre, or some other leisure activity.
With more than 80 percent of North American churches stagnant or declining, the church is becoming nonessential to society. Even in some of the most relatively healthy denominations, conversions to Christianity have stagnated. Among churches that are growing, their membership rolls are typically increasing due to church transfers rather than new converts to Christ. Therefore, with nearly four thousand churches closing their doors permanently each year, a turnaround is imperative.
At the beginning of this year the Lord mandated that our congregation strategically work to wipe out spiritual homelessness among Christians. This mandate has involved ensuring that our church is essential to the lives of the people as well as persistently reminding our members to do their part in ending spiritual homelessness by reaching people for Christ. Our Saturday morning prayer meetings include focusing on God’s Spirit working in the lives of friends, family, and co-workers who are being invited to church. We will pray for these people by name, and within a few weeks we will see them show up at church.
Since the beginning of this year we have seen record numbers join the church--not church transfers but the unchurched, dechurched, and church dropouts, with the major being those ages twenty to thirty. We’ve discovered that the dechurched and church dropout often just needs a gentle nod to become the rechurched. And that gentle nod came most often from friends, family, and strangers sitting close to them in the pews (audience). When someone comes forward for membership the entire congregation exuberantly celebrates with cheers and clapping as we envision the angels in heaven are rejoicing over this one who has returned to Christ and His church.
Are you doing your part to wiping out spiritual homelessness in your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace? When’s the last time you walked into the church facility with someone you invited to church? My challenge to you this week to allow the Holy Spirit to indentify an unchurched, dechurched, or church dropout in your personal circle that you can invite to your church this week. James writes:
If you’re presently spiritually homeless--unchurched, dechurched, church dropout or have not attended your home church in the past 90 days--I challenge you this week to employ the Holy Spirit as your real estate agent to find the right church home for you; that you might do your part to wipe out spiritual homelessness.
The local church is essential to the lives of believers; which is the New Testament reality that God intended for local congregations. The present day reality is that the vast majority of churches have become nonessential to the lives of church dropouts, those who left the church after becoming adults; and the dechurched, those in general who once were part of a local church. Indeed, the church is seen by many today--especially most young adults and the unchurched, those who have never belonged to a church--as no more important than the local shopping mall, movie theatre, or some other leisure activity.
With more than 80 percent of North American churches stagnant or declining, the church is becoming nonessential to society. Even in some of the most relatively healthy denominations, conversions to Christianity have stagnated. Among churches that are growing, their membership rolls are typically increasing due to church transfers rather than new converts to Christ. Therefore, with nearly four thousand churches closing their doors permanently each year, a turnaround is imperative.
At the beginning of this year the Lord mandated that our congregation strategically work to wipe out spiritual homelessness among Christians. This mandate has involved ensuring that our church is essential to the lives of the people as well as persistently reminding our members to do their part in ending spiritual homelessness by reaching people for Christ. Our Saturday morning prayer meetings include focusing on God’s Spirit working in the lives of friends, family, and co-workers who are being invited to church. We will pray for these people by name, and within a few weeks we will see them show up at church.
Since the beginning of this year we have seen record numbers join the church--not church transfers but the unchurched, dechurched, and church dropouts, with the major being those ages twenty to thirty. We’ve discovered that the dechurched and church dropout often just needs a gentle nod to become the rechurched. And that gentle nod came most often from friends, family, and strangers sitting close to them in the pews (audience). When someone comes forward for membership the entire congregation exuberantly celebrates with cheers and clapping as we envision the angels in heaven are rejoicing over this one who has returned to Christ and His church.
Are you doing your part to wiping out spiritual homelessness in your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace? When’s the last time you walked into the church facility with someone you invited to church? My challenge to you this week to allow the Holy Spirit to indentify an unchurched, dechurched, or church dropout in your personal circle that you can invite to your church this week. James writes:
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.--James 5:19-20 (NLT)
If you’re presently spiritually homeless--unchurched, dechurched, church dropout or have not attended your home church in the past 90 days--I challenge you this week to employ the Holy Spirit as your real estate agent to find the right church home for you; that you might do your part to wipe out spiritual homelessness.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Suicide Watch
I was a kid of the 70’s and a fan of the martial arts. And yes, I went around Karate chopping and kicking walls, friends, and anything I could find. And no, my parents were not stupid enough to allow me to have a set of nung chucks. Yet, I must admit I was not a big fan of the TV series "Kung Fu." David Carradine’s role as a Shaolin monk was a little too calm, collective, and mysterious for my taste. The 19th century Far East/Old West theme just didn’t work for me. However, thirty years later, I am a fan of the Quentin Tarantino cult films “Kill Bill,” in which Carradine plays a prominent role as Uma Thurman’s diabolical former boss.
By now you have either heard or read that David Carradine, 72, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room last Thursday, hanging naked in a closet with ropes tied around his wrists, neck and genitals. It remains unclear whether his death was a suicide or an accident, but two of Carradine's ex-wives have revealed that the "Kung Fu" star got his kicks with kinky sex.
We Christians tend to form our own subculture; spending most of our time with other Bible believers. Consequently, when we hear of the lifestyles or “deathstyles” of those who have not accepted Christ’s teaching, we are flabbergasted. The reality, though, is that unbelieving people cannot be expected to live or even die as believers would. Worldly behavior from unbelievers should not surprise Christians; it is perfectly consistent with their worldview. However, the lifestyles and “deathstyles” of unbelievers should greatly grieve us.
Clearly, every human being is prone to destructive attitudes and habits. There are many people today engaging in "potentially deadly" acts--kinky sex, unprotected sex, gang involvement, drug trafficking, illicit drug use, etc.--who are all on the verge of committing suicide. But when God saves us, He places His Holy Spirit within us, and at the point of our spiritual rebirth, God begins to transform us to reflect His image as humanity was originally designed to do.
As Christians, our calling is to not only live in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s name, but to treat others in a way that is a direct response to our understanding of the destructiveness of sin and the saving power of the gospel. We’re commissioned by God to be on a “suicide watch” for unbelievers around us. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”[1]
According the book of Acts, there was an occasion when Paul and Silas were in prison and they encountered a guard who was on the brink of suicide.
I wonder if there were any Christian television or movie stars that traveled in David Carradine’s circle who could have cried out to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are here for you!”? All around us are people needing a suicide intervention (both figuratively and literally), but we can’t help them if we are not there when they need us or are oblivious to their need. Our natural tendency is to be ever on the lookout for what will benefit us, not others.
Opportunities to rescue others will arise this week, but you have to ask God to remove the blinders from your eyes. If you ask the Holy Spirit to free you from self-centeredness, He will give you at the right time, the right words to say or the right prayer to pray that will save someone's life.
When’s the last time an unbeliever asked you, “Sir” or “Madam, what must I do to be saved?”
[1] 2 Cor. 5:19-20 (NLT)
[2] Acts 16:26-28 (NLT)
[3] Acts 16:29-30 (NLT)
By now you have either heard or read that David Carradine, 72, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room last Thursday, hanging naked in a closet with ropes tied around his wrists, neck and genitals. It remains unclear whether his death was a suicide or an accident, but two of Carradine's ex-wives have revealed that the "Kung Fu" star got his kicks with kinky sex.
We Christians tend to form our own subculture; spending most of our time with other Bible believers. Consequently, when we hear of the lifestyles or “deathstyles” of those who have not accepted Christ’s teaching, we are flabbergasted. The reality, though, is that unbelieving people cannot be expected to live or even die as believers would. Worldly behavior from unbelievers should not surprise Christians; it is perfectly consistent with their worldview. However, the lifestyles and “deathstyles” of unbelievers should greatly grieve us.
Clearly, every human being is prone to destructive attitudes and habits. There are many people today engaging in "potentially deadly" acts--kinky sex, unprotected sex, gang involvement, drug trafficking, illicit drug use, etc.--who are all on the verge of committing suicide. But when God saves us, He places His Holy Spirit within us, and at the point of our spiritual rebirth, God begins to transform us to reflect His image as humanity was originally designed to do.
As Christians, our calling is to not only live in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s name, but to treat others in a way that is a direct response to our understanding of the destructiveness of sin and the saving power of the gospel. We’re commissioned by God to be on a “suicide watch” for unbelievers around us. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”[1]
According the book of Acts, there was an occasion when Paul and Silas were in prison and they encountered a guard who was on the brink of suicide.
Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”[2]
I wonder if there were any Christian television or movie stars that traveled in David Carradine’s circle who could have cried out to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are here for you!”? All around us are people needing a suicide intervention (both figuratively and literally), but we can’t help them if we are not there when they need us or are oblivious to their need. Our natural tendency is to be ever on the lookout for what will benefit us, not others.
Opportunities to rescue others will arise this week, but you have to ask God to remove the blinders from your eyes. If you ask the Holy Spirit to free you from self-centeredness, He will give you at the right time, the right words to say or the right prayer to pray that will save someone's life.
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”[ 3]
When’s the last time an unbeliever asked you, “Sir” or “Madam, what must I do to be saved?”
[1] 2 Cor. 5:19-20 (NLT)
[2] Acts 16:26-28 (NLT)
[3] Acts 16:29-30 (NLT)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Improving Your Game
This past week my wife and I spent several days vacationing in the mountains with our friends; doing what pastors rarely get time to do--just hanging out with friends. When our friends invited us to their timeshare, I was hoping to play my first game of golf for the season. Unfortunately, when I suggested to my bishop friend that we play some golf, he obviously thought I was officially challenging him at the game of golf. To keep his identity unknown, I will only reveal his initials, JML, and simply refer to him from now as John.
The day we had planned to play golf, John was up at 6 am to get in some practice time at the driving range without me. When he returned from the driving range nearly all of his fingers, on both hands, were blistered from trying to ensure that he would beat me at golf. He had also arranged to attend a golf clinic that morning, as well as a private lesson with a golf pro before our game. John was seriously determined to beat me at golf. However, as John was preparing to leave for the golf clinic I asked if I could go with him. Since I had my own car available, I was going to the clinic whether he agreed to take me or not.
Interestingly, what the golf pro taught that morning was designed to help us improve our game in just four basic areas, which he called GASP: grasping, aliening, spacing, and positioning the ball. (John’s Band-Aid wrapped fingers were an obvious indication to all the golf clinic attendees that grasping was an area that he desperately needed some improvement in.) After demonstrating the four basics, the golf pro sent us off to put his instructions into practice, while he came around periodically observing our techniques and answering our questions.
There were a lot of different things we could have learned about golf that day, but our time was spent learning how to do a few things, which would improve one essential aspect of our game--hitting the ball where we wanted it to go. I’m sure the pro could have taught us a lot more about the game, but he taught us only the basics that we needed to become better golfers. That’s what a good coach is supposed to do. A good coach doesn’t waste time on anything that really doesn’t help you improve your game. Can you imagine the golf pro spending time discussing the history of golf with his clinic attendees? Or giving a detailed lecture about the best kind of grass for a putting green? I wonder what would happen if the church coached or discipled God's people this way? What if we gave people a clear and simple message and then asked them to put it into action?
Just as understanding the basics of golf can dramatically improve our golf game, understanding the basics of prayer can significantly improve our daily lives. Note that I did not say improve our spiritual lives, because most of us know that. What we tend to lack knowledge of is prayer’s effectiveness in the day-to-day aspects of our lives. Attending Sunday worship is essential, as well as reading the Bible, memorizing scripture and reading good Christian literature. However, one of the most overlooked and most powerful tool that a believer has available, regardless of his or her spiritual maturity, is PRAYER.
Prayer is one of the most basic of the spiritual disciplines. You don’t need be able to read, to pray. You don’t need to know scriptures, to pray. You don’t need to know theology, to pray. You don’t need to know religious language, to pray. You don’t need to know how to speak in tongues or in King James English, to pray. You can pray in Ebonics, broken English, bad English or no English at all. You don’t need to attend a prayer clinic or take private lessons from a prayer pro to be able to pray(in the church we call prayer pros prayer warriors). You don’t even need to know how to pray, to pray. Prayer is simply communicating with God; with whatever language you communicate with. God understands our prayers, regardless of the words we use. Jesus actually criticized the Pharisees and other religious folk for their eloquent prayer styles. If we feel the need to practice our prayers it should not be to impress or out perform other prayer warriors, but to master the basics in order that our prayers will go exactly where we want them to go.
The day we had planned to play golf, John was up at 6 am to get in some practice time at the driving range without me. When he returned from the driving range nearly all of his fingers, on both hands, were blistered from trying to ensure that he would beat me at golf. He had also arranged to attend a golf clinic that morning, as well as a private lesson with a golf pro before our game. John was seriously determined to beat me at golf. However, as John was preparing to leave for the golf clinic I asked if I could go with him. Since I had my own car available, I was going to the clinic whether he agreed to take me or not.
Interestingly, what the golf pro taught that morning was designed to help us improve our game in just four basic areas, which he called GASP: grasping, aliening, spacing, and positioning the ball. (John’s Band-Aid wrapped fingers were an obvious indication to all the golf clinic attendees that grasping was an area that he desperately needed some improvement in.) After demonstrating the four basics, the golf pro sent us off to put his instructions into practice, while he came around periodically observing our techniques and answering our questions.
There were a lot of different things we could have learned about golf that day, but our time was spent learning how to do a few things, which would improve one essential aspect of our game--hitting the ball where we wanted it to go. I’m sure the pro could have taught us a lot more about the game, but he taught us only the basics that we needed to become better golfers. That’s what a good coach is supposed to do. A good coach doesn’t waste time on anything that really doesn’t help you improve your game. Can you imagine the golf pro spending time discussing the history of golf with his clinic attendees? Or giving a detailed lecture about the best kind of grass for a putting green? I wonder what would happen if the church coached or discipled God's people this way? What if we gave people a clear and simple message and then asked them to put it into action?
Just as understanding the basics of golf can dramatically improve our golf game, understanding the basics of prayer can significantly improve our daily lives. Note that I did not say improve our spiritual lives, because most of us know that. What we tend to lack knowledge of is prayer’s effectiveness in the day-to-day aspects of our lives. Attending Sunday worship is essential, as well as reading the Bible, memorizing scripture and reading good Christian literature. However, one of the most overlooked and most powerful tool that a believer has available, regardless of his or her spiritual maturity, is PRAYER.
Prayer is one of the most basic of the spiritual disciplines. You don’t need be able to read, to pray. You don’t need to know scriptures, to pray. You don’t need to know theology, to pray. You don’t need to know religious language, to pray. You don’t need to know how to speak in tongues or in King James English, to pray. You can pray in Ebonics, broken English, bad English or no English at all. You don’t need to attend a prayer clinic or take private lessons from a prayer pro to be able to pray(in the church we call prayer pros prayer warriors). You don’t even need to know how to pray, to pray. Prayer is simply communicating with God; with whatever language you communicate with. God understands our prayers, regardless of the words we use. Jesus actually criticized the Pharisees and other religious folk for their eloquent prayer styles. If we feel the need to practice our prayers it should not be to impress or out perform other prayer warriors, but to master the basics in order that our prayers will go exactly where we want them to go.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them… When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! [1]
Frank Lauback, a missionary to the Philippines in the early 1900s, came up with a basic practice to improve our prayer life; which involves asking God two questions throughout our day:
- Lord, what do you want me to say?
- Lord, what do you want me to do?
This week, try improving your prayer game by practicing asking the Lord those two basic questions whenever there’s a need to say something or do something. Before you make a phone call, send a text message, or answer your phone, ask, “Lord, what do you want me to say?” Before you do anything--such as make a purchase, attend a meeting, or go on vacation, ask, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Following Laubach’s basic prayer plan will not only keep your prayers focused, but will enable you to powerfully connect with the heart of God.
By the way, John and I never did play a game of golf, nor did John join the rest of us in playing Scrabble and UNO. Obviously, practicing the basics of golf helps us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We can also assume that practicing the basics of prayer will enable us to become more honest in our evaluation of ourselves.
[1] Matthew 6:5, 7, 8 (NLT)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Cold Cases
There’s a television series called Cold Case, which is a drama revolving around a police division that specializes in investigating cold cases--crimes or accidents that have not been solved. In most episodes, it is many years after a death that the detectives of the homicide division of the police department are prompted to reinvestigate the old case gone cold following, a revelation of new evidence, discovery of the victim's physical remains, or a witness who has decided to come forward. The detectives then give the cold case a new look and begin researching the victim and interviewing their friends, acquaintances, and family. In spite of the fact that Cold Case is not one of my favorite programs, I am always moved by the thought that after a case has been sitting cold for many years in a storeroom and most people have long forgotten about the deceased person that someone cares enough to open their file. Usually at the end of each episode, having solved the case in less than one hour, the detectives mark the case as "closed," putting the evidence box back on the shelf.
Memorial Day is a bit like reopening the evidence boxes of both veterans and nonveterans that have been stored away in our nation’s cemeteries. This Memorial Day my wife, her mother, and myself made plans to visit the gravesites of my wife’s grandparents, her father, my grandparents, and my parents. Our trip involved visiting four different cemeteries. We began at the National Cemetery in Catonsville, from there we traveled to Woodlawn, then to Randallstown, and we finally ended up in Laurel. The stories shared at my wife’s grandparents’ graves in the National Cemetery were familiar. However, in spite of being married for 30 years and having passed the cemetery thousands of time, my wife and I never knew that this was where her grandparents were buried, and I never knew that her grandfather was a veteran of WWI.
As mentioned earlier, our final stop was my father-in-law's grave in Laurel, Maryland. This year actually marks the 20th anniversary of his death. Interestingly, my wife’s stepfather is also buried in the same cemetery and in the same section, however this was actually unplanned. My wife's stepfather is buried next to his first wife and her mom has a plot next to her first husband. By the time we arrived it was raining too hard so we remained in the car for more than an hour waiting for the rain to subside. (Since we were in the 4WD SUV, you know what I was tempted to do.) Once the rain slowed up I left the car with half an umbrella and a gravesite map in search of the gravesites. Unfortunately, the map was rather useless and I spent another hour walking through foot-deep puddles looking for my father-in-law and step-father-in-law’s grave. I was determined not to leave without finding at least one of the graves; although I thought several times about giving up and just putting the fake flowers on some stranger’s grave. However, what kept me persevering was my belief that my father-in-law’s life meant more than the inconvenience of rain and hours of searching. It amazes me the amount of money family members spend on elaborate funerals and expensive granite gravestones, yet rarely visit their loved one's resting place. My parents never started a Memorial Day celebration without first visiting my grandparents’ graves.
After the rain stopped and my pants were soaked to my knees, I finally found my father-in-law’s grave. And I am glad to have spent the entire holiday visiting graves and reopening the files of our relatives. Nevertheless, as I walked from grave to grave reading the headstones, I sensed the thousands of stories filed away in those graves. Many of the files, if not most, will one day be forgotten; they will be cold files. No one will visit, no one will search for the grave, no one will remember them. However, for those of us who are believers, we can take comfort in knowing that even when our descendents have forgotten us and have stopped searching for our graves and our stories have gone cold, we won’t be forgotten forever. Jesus Christ has a map with each of our names or graves clearly marked. And unlike me, He won’t have any trouble finding us. The Bible says,
[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NLT)
Memorial Day is a bit like reopening the evidence boxes of both veterans and nonveterans that have been stored away in our nation’s cemeteries. This Memorial Day my wife, her mother, and myself made plans to visit the gravesites of my wife’s grandparents, her father, my grandparents, and my parents. Our trip involved visiting four different cemeteries. We began at the National Cemetery in Catonsville, from there we traveled to Woodlawn, then to Randallstown, and we finally ended up in Laurel. The stories shared at my wife’s grandparents’ graves in the National Cemetery were familiar. However, in spite of being married for 30 years and having passed the cemetery thousands of time, my wife and I never knew that this was where her grandparents were buried, and I never knew that her grandfather was a veteran of WWI.
As mentioned earlier, our final stop was my father-in-law's grave in Laurel, Maryland. This year actually marks the 20th anniversary of his death. Interestingly, my wife’s stepfather is also buried in the same cemetery and in the same section, however this was actually unplanned. My wife's stepfather is buried next to his first wife and her mom has a plot next to her first husband. By the time we arrived it was raining too hard so we remained in the car for more than an hour waiting for the rain to subside. (Since we were in the 4WD SUV, you know what I was tempted to do.) Once the rain slowed up I left the car with half an umbrella and a gravesite map in search of the gravesites. Unfortunately, the map was rather useless and I spent another hour walking through foot-deep puddles looking for my father-in-law and step-father-in-law’s grave. I was determined not to leave without finding at least one of the graves; although I thought several times about giving up and just putting the fake flowers on some stranger’s grave. However, what kept me persevering was my belief that my father-in-law’s life meant more than the inconvenience of rain and hours of searching. It amazes me the amount of money family members spend on elaborate funerals and expensive granite gravestones, yet rarely visit their loved one's resting place. My parents never started a Memorial Day celebration without first visiting my grandparents’ graves.
After the rain stopped and my pants were soaked to my knees, I finally found my father-in-law’s grave. And I am glad to have spent the entire holiday visiting graves and reopening the files of our relatives. Nevertheless, as I walked from grave to grave reading the headstones, I sensed the thousands of stories filed away in those graves. Many of the files, if not most, will one day be forgotten; they will be cold files. No one will visit, no one will search for the grave, no one will remember them. However, for those of us who are believers, we can take comfort in knowing that even when our descendents have forgotten us and have stopped searching for our graves and our stories have gone cold, we won’t be forgotten forever. Jesus Christ has a map with each of our names or graves clearly marked. And unlike me, He won’t have any trouble finding us. The Bible says,
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. [1]
[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NLT)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Charlie’s Angel
This past Friday, the documentary, “Farrah's Story,” was aired in America. The film was NBC's most-watched program in its Friday night time slot in more than a year. "Farrah's Story" details the former Charlie's Angels star's treatment and hopes for recovery, following her through chemotherapy and other grueling treatment. Fawcett, 62, was diagnosed in 2006 with anal cancer that has sadly spread to her liver.
Farrah Fawcett and Charlie’s Angels are American pop culture icons. Farrah’s hairstyle was once sported by millions of young women, and she was a sex symbol for millions of men in the 1970s and 1980s. In a 1977 interview with TV Guide, Farrah said: "When the show was number three, I thought it was our acting. When we got to be number one, I decided it could only be because none of us wears a bra". For those too young to remember Farrah Fawcett and the original television version of Charlie’s Angel, the series inspired two feature films: Charlie's Angels (2000) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), which has sparked a whole new generation Charlie’s Angels fans.
Regarding the documentary, Kate Jackson, former Charlie’s Angels co-star, stated that Fawcett "didn't do this to show that she is unique, she did it to show that we are all unique... (T)his was...meant to be a gift to others to help and inspire them.” Although probably more heart-wrenching than inspiring, I believe the documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” shows the commonality of the human experience rather than the uniqueness of all. Fame and fortune, beauty and youth, do not insulate us from the painful side of life. As Job in the Bible states: “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.”[1]
Farrah Fawcett has not only been battling with cancer for 2-1/2 years, but her son Redmond, by actor Ryan O'Neal, has struggled with addiction. In April 2009, on probation for a DUI, he was arrested for possession of narcotics while Farrah was in the hospital. Oh, how familiar a story. Think of all the millions of less known mothers and fathers who have a chapter like this in their undocumented life story.
I too can identify with Farrah’s story. In 1981, my father lost his battle to colon cancer after it had spread to his liver. Twenty years ago I too had a colon cancer scare; which is why today I am a vegetarian. My mother-in-law is a survivor of colon cancer, but unfortunately my father-in-law lost his fight against colon cancer. Cancer is like a reoccurring nightmare in my family. I can recall the weekly radiation treatments and radiation implants that my mother had to endure before losing her battle to cervical cancer. Farrah says, "I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle.’" Whether we die of this disease or that disease, or simply fall asleep and not wake up, we all will die. Death is an inevitable part of our human experience.
Your battle today may be your health, a family member’s health, a child’s addiction or incarceration, or you may be grieving the recent loss of a loved one, or watching a loved one fade away. Maybe your life is going well; you are young, beautiful or handsome, and healthy, and there’s no trouble in sight and your only battle is trying to fulfill your life's aspiration. Whatever your story, it’s not unique. As the Bible says, "...people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field." Therefore, let us all think on the following words of advice this week:
Farrah Fawcett and Charlie’s Angels are American pop culture icons. Farrah’s hairstyle was once sported by millions of young women, and she was a sex symbol for millions of men in the 1970s and 1980s. In a 1977 interview with TV Guide, Farrah said: "When the show was number three, I thought it was our acting. When we got to be number one, I decided it could only be because none of us wears a bra". For those too young to remember Farrah Fawcett and the original television version of Charlie’s Angel, the series inspired two feature films: Charlie's Angels (2000) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), which has sparked a whole new generation Charlie’s Angels fans.
Regarding the documentary, Kate Jackson, former Charlie’s Angels co-star, stated that Fawcett "didn't do this to show that she is unique, she did it to show that we are all unique... (T)his was...meant to be a gift to others to help and inspire them.” Although probably more heart-wrenching than inspiring, I believe the documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” shows the commonality of the human experience rather than the uniqueness of all. Fame and fortune, beauty and youth, do not insulate us from the painful side of life. As Job in the Bible states: “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.”[1]
Farrah Fawcett has not only been battling with cancer for 2-1/2 years, but her son Redmond, by actor Ryan O'Neal, has struggled with addiction. In April 2009, on probation for a DUI, he was arrested for possession of narcotics while Farrah was in the hospital. Oh, how familiar a story. Think of all the millions of less known mothers and fathers who have a chapter like this in their undocumented life story.
I too can identify with Farrah’s story. In 1981, my father lost his battle to colon cancer after it had spread to his liver. Twenty years ago I too had a colon cancer scare; which is why today I am a vegetarian. My mother-in-law is a survivor of colon cancer, but unfortunately my father-in-law lost his fight against colon cancer. Cancer is like a reoccurring nightmare in my family. I can recall the weekly radiation treatments and radiation implants that my mother had to endure before losing her battle to cervical cancer. Farrah says, "I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle.’" Whether we die of this disease or that disease, or simply fall asleep and not wake up, we all will die. Death is an inevitable part of our human experience.
Your battle today may be your health, a family member’s health, a child’s addiction or incarceration, or you may be grieving the recent loss of a loved one, or watching a loved one fade away. Maybe your life is going well; you are young, beautiful or handsome, and healthy, and there’s no trouble in sight and your only battle is trying to fulfill your life's aspiration. Whatever your story, it’s not unique. As the Bible says, "...people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field." Therefore, let us all think on the following words of advice this week:
Stand firm…, be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sister all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are…. So after you have suffered a little while, [God] will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.[2]
[1] Job 14:1-2 (NLT)
[2] 1 Peter 5:9-10 (NLT)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Motherless in Niagara
I assume other motherless people have asked themselves: How do I celebrate Mother's Day when my mother is deceased? Since my mother's death in 1988--on my 30th birthday--Mother's Day has actually been 'My Children's Mother's Day' and 'Mother-in-law's Day.' Of course I have enjoyed honoring the mother of my children, as well as my mother-in-law. My wife is a wonderful mother who was taught by one of the best. However, I have missed being able to celebrate my mother on Mother's Day. Many years ago, if your mother was deceased, on Mother's Day you would wear to church a white corsage on your lapel or a red or pink corsage if your mother was still living. That tradition has seemingly gone away with black and white televisions and 8-track tape players.
Today I have a much greater appreciation for my mother. Each year her wisdom becomes more and more apparent; she is probably one of the wisest individuals I have known. Therefore as the years have passed I have felt a greater need to celebrate my mother on Mother's Day. This weekend my wife and I went to Niagara Falls after attending a conference in Toronto. Since my wife and I were alone on Mother's Day the day felt less like 'My Children's Mother's Day' or 'Mother-in-law Day.' For the first time in 21 years I felt like I celebrated my mother on Mother's Day. Just in case you are wondering; no, I did not buy a Mother's Day card for my deceased mother. Given the variety of cards now available, I'm surprised that card companies haven't thought of 'Mother's Day' cards for us motherless people. I guess that would be a card that none of us would be too anxious to hand deliver.
Niagara Falls has special memories for me. My wife and I spent time this weekend remembering our family vacation in Niagara Falls; which was nearly eighteen years ago. Niagara Falls is also where my mother and father spent their honeymoon. Looking at the same magnificent waterfalls and floral clock that they posed at in their honeymoon pictures was like stepping back into time. Being in Niagara Falls also brought back fond memories of the vacations I took with my parents as a child in Niagara Falls. The highlight of this Mother's Day was finding the Michael's Inn, which is the hotel my family stayed at more than forty years ago. It is as if the city has left standing a monument honoring my mother by not demolishing the old inn to erect another posh high-rise hotel. Maybe one day I can return to Niagara Falls for Father's Day and honor my deceased dad. However, I must confess that I am writing this blog from the 18th floor of one of those posh high-rise hotels overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. I'm nostalgic, but I'm not nostalgic enough to stay at the Michael's Inn; it's actually too far from the falls and it looks exactly like it did forty years ago.
How did you celebrate this Mother's Day? Was it just another day? For those who have recently lost their mother, Mother's Day can be a very unhappy day. Remember, you are not alone; there are other people like us who have to celebrate a motherless day on Mother's Day. If your mother is deceased, have you found a way of honoring her in a special way on Mother's Day? Even if she's not deceased but you have found a unique way to honor your mother, share it with us.
Jesus demonstrated for us the importance of honoring our mothers. While dying on the cross for the sins of the entire world, he took time to acknowledge and honor his mother.
[1] John 19:26-27 (NLT)
Today I have a much greater appreciation for my mother. Each year her wisdom becomes more and more apparent; she is probably one of the wisest individuals I have known. Therefore as the years have passed I have felt a greater need to celebrate my mother on Mother's Day. This weekend my wife and I went to Niagara Falls after attending a conference in Toronto. Since my wife and I were alone on Mother's Day the day felt less like 'My Children's Mother's Day' or 'Mother-in-law Day.' For the first time in 21 years I felt like I celebrated my mother on Mother's Day. Just in case you are wondering; no, I did not buy a Mother's Day card for my deceased mother. Given the variety of cards now available, I'm surprised that card companies haven't thought of 'Mother's Day' cards for us motherless people. I guess that would be a card that none of us would be too anxious to hand deliver.
Niagara Falls has special memories for me. My wife and I spent time this weekend remembering our family vacation in Niagara Falls; which was nearly eighteen years ago. Niagara Falls is also where my mother and father spent their honeymoon. Looking at the same magnificent waterfalls and floral clock that they posed at in their honeymoon pictures was like stepping back into time. Being in Niagara Falls also brought back fond memories of the vacations I took with my parents as a child in Niagara Falls. The highlight of this Mother's Day was finding the Michael's Inn, which is the hotel my family stayed at more than forty years ago. It is as if the city has left standing a monument honoring my mother by not demolishing the old inn to erect another posh high-rise hotel. Maybe one day I can return to Niagara Falls for Father's Day and honor my deceased dad. However, I must confess that I am writing this blog from the 18th floor of one of those posh high-rise hotels overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. I'm nostalgic, but I'm not nostalgic enough to stay at the Michael's Inn; it's actually too far from the falls and it looks exactly like it did forty years ago.
How did you celebrate this Mother's Day? Was it just another day? For those who have recently lost their mother, Mother's Day can be a very unhappy day. Remember, you are not alone; there are other people like us who have to celebrate a motherless day on Mother's Day. If your mother is deceased, have you found a way of honoring her in a special way on Mother's Day? Even if she's not deceased but you have found a unique way to honor your mother, share it with us.
Jesus demonstrated for us the importance of honoring our mothers. While dying on the cross for the sins of the entire world, he took time to acknowledge and honor his mother.
When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home."[1]
[1] John 19:26-27 (NLT)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pigs Led to the Slaughter
Egypt began slaughtering its 300,000-350,000 pigs last Wednesday as a precaution against swine flu even though no cases have been reported there. Health Minister Hatem el-Gabaly told reporters, "It has been decided to immediately start slaughtering all the pigs in Egypt using the full capacity of the country's slaughterhouses." Most in the Muslim world consider pigs unclean animals and do not eat pork because of religious restrictions. One Islamic militant Web site carried comments last Wednesday saying swine flu was God's revenge against "infidels."
Pigs are banned entirely in some Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Libya. However in other parts of the Muslim world, they are often raised by religious minorities who can eat pork. In Egypt, pigs are raised and consumed primarily by the Christian minority, which some estimates put at 10 percent of the population. "We are uneducated people, just living day by day and trying to make a living, and now if our pigs are taken from us without compensation, how are we supposed to live?" said Gergis Faris, a 46-year-old pig farmer in Cairo who collects garbage to feed his animals.
At some point we have all felt like innocent sheep or pigs being led to the slaughter. However, these days this perception has reached epidemic proportions; and for good reason. Many are unemployed and suffering financially today because of a recession largely due to the excesses, mismanagement, and recklessness of others. Retired individuals and those nearing retirement have seen their nest egg disappear overnight as a result a weak economy and a bear market. Responsible homeowners with conventional mortgages have watched their home values plummet due to the collapse of the subprime lending market. Credit cardholders have found themselves exploited through excessive fees and exorbitant interest rates charged by the very banks being bailed out with taxpayers' money. Healthy growing congregations have been forced to delay building projects due to tightened lending practices resulting from the banking crises and the unprecedented number of mortgages going into default by irresponsible ministries.
Has life recently led you into a difficult place where it seems unlikely that you will emerge in one piece or even alive? Remember that situations of impending trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, and threatened death do not mean that God does not love us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.[1] No matter how unfair your predicament might be, God has not forsaken you. As the Lord's sheep, we might find ourselves time after time being led into life's slaughterhouses, but we have a promise that we will always emerge as victors and not victims.[2]
This week if you find yourself being led into a slaughterhouse at work, or at home, or at church, or at school, or by a friend or foe, or by some other uncontrollable situation, expect to see some of those goat and pig like characteristics in your nature slaughtered and some sheep-like (Christ-like) qualities emerging.
Pigs are banned entirely in some Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Libya. However in other parts of the Muslim world, they are often raised by religious minorities who can eat pork. In Egypt, pigs are raised and consumed primarily by the Christian minority, which some estimates put at 10 percent of the population. "We are uneducated people, just living day by day and trying to make a living, and now if our pigs are taken from us without compensation, how are we supposed to live?" said Gergis Faris, a 46-year-old pig farmer in Cairo who collects garbage to feed his animals.
At some point we have all felt like innocent sheep or pigs being led to the slaughter. However, these days this perception has reached epidemic proportions; and for good reason. Many are unemployed and suffering financially today because of a recession largely due to the excesses, mismanagement, and recklessness of others. Retired individuals and those nearing retirement have seen their nest egg disappear overnight as a result a weak economy and a bear market. Responsible homeowners with conventional mortgages have watched their home values plummet due to the collapse of the subprime lending market. Credit cardholders have found themselves exploited through excessive fees and exorbitant interest rates charged by the very banks being bailed out with taxpayers' money. Healthy growing congregations have been forced to delay building projects due to tightened lending practices resulting from the banking crises and the unprecedented number of mortgages going into default by irresponsible ministries.
Has life recently led you into a difficult place where it seems unlikely that you will emerge in one piece or even alive? Remember that situations of impending trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, and threatened death do not mean that God does not love us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.[1] No matter how unfair your predicament might be, God has not forsaken you. As the Lord's sheep, we might find ourselves time after time being led into life's slaughterhouses, but we have a promise that we will always emerge as victors and not victims.[2]
This week if you find yourself being led into a slaughterhouse at work, or at home, or at church, or at school, or by a friend or foe, or by some other uncontrollable situation, expect to see some of those goat and pig like characteristics in your nature slaughtered and some sheep-like (Christ-like) qualities emerging.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.[3]
[1] Romans 8:38
[2] Romans 8:36, 37
[3] Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
America's Next Top Model
This season of America's Next Top Model shocked the world when it casted a contestant despite her having second- and third-degree burn scars over 26 percent of her body. Sharing her story, Tahlia Brookins, 18--who has endured 14 surgeries to treat her wounds--writes: "When I was only 9 months old...I rolled [my walker] over to the counter, yanked on the cord, and dumped boiling tea all over my hands, stomach, and leg."
Her volleyball coach's insistence on shorts got her over "being ashamed," of her scars Brookins says. He also helped her say yes when her father suggested she try out for America's Next Top Model. A March 2009 issue of People Magazine reports that Tahlia feels that regardless of her success or failure on the runway, "learning to embrace her body is her real triumph." Tahlia is now at the point where she's able to say that she "loves [her] scars." Her beauty," says Tyra Banks, the host of America's Next Top Model, "is matched by her inner strength."
I can recall as a child loving to touch the smooth, baby-soft, burn-scared cheek of my father's face. His scar was the result of accidently being dropped against a potbelly stove as an infant. Scars like those embodied by Tahlia and my father (now deceased) have a story behind them. By their very nature, scars imply there's a story to tell. Perhaps the most painful scars we have experienced are those that cannot be seen; scars on our hearts-- from rejection, abandonment, abuse, and disappointment. Each scar representing a moment in time when something happened to us; resulting in a wound that we will never forget.
While we cannot forget the details of our wounds, we can choose to forgive the person who has hurt us and not allow the memory of the offense to control our lives. In that sense, we can choose to replace our wounds with scars. By its very definition, scars imply wounds that have healed.
If Tahlia can learn to love her burn scars and no longer feel "ashamed," as she puts it, then we can learn from her example and embrace our scars and be willing to tell the healing story behind them.
Do you have wounds yet to heal? The good news is that Jesus never encountered someone whose wounds were greater than His power to heal. Rest assured, Jesus specializes in not only healing physical illnesses but brokenhearts and wounded souls as well.
For more on finding healing from the wounds of our past, check out this week's Divine Living blog.
Her volleyball coach's insistence on shorts got her over "being ashamed," of her scars Brookins says. He also helped her say yes when her father suggested she try out for America's Next Top Model. A March 2009 issue of People Magazine reports that Tahlia feels that regardless of her success or failure on the runway, "learning to embrace her body is her real triumph." Tahlia is now at the point where she's able to say that she "loves [her] scars." Her beauty," says Tyra Banks, the host of America's Next Top Model, "is matched by her inner strength."
I can recall as a child loving to touch the smooth, baby-soft, burn-scared cheek of my father's face. His scar was the result of accidently being dropped against a potbelly stove as an infant. Scars like those embodied by Tahlia and my father (now deceased) have a story behind them. By their very nature, scars imply there's a story to tell. Perhaps the most painful scars we have experienced are those that cannot be seen; scars on our hearts-- from rejection, abandonment, abuse, and disappointment. Each scar representing a moment in time when something happened to us; resulting in a wound that we will never forget.
While we cannot forget the details of our wounds, we can choose to forgive the person who has hurt us and not allow the memory of the offense to control our lives. In that sense, we can choose to replace our wounds with scars. By its very definition, scars imply wounds that have healed.
If Tahlia can learn to love her burn scars and no longer feel "ashamed," as she puts it, then we can learn from her example and embrace our scars and be willing to tell the healing story behind them.
Do you have wounds yet to heal? The good news is that Jesus never encountered someone whose wounds were greater than His power to heal. Rest assured, Jesus specializes in not only healing physical illnesses but brokenhearts and wounded souls as well.
For more on finding healing from the wounds of our past, check out this week's Divine Living blog.
Monday, April 20, 2009
America's Favorite Addiction
Do you know why more people watch American Idol than watch the nightly news on the three major networks combined? Why seemingly normal, educated people care about Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's dating life? Or why People, Us Weekly, and Entertainment Weekly have seen their circulation increased by 18.7 percent during this recession? America is addicted to celebrities and addictions are recession proof. I refer to this phenomenon as 'celebrititis'; which is as contagious as hepatitis.
Now, a more troubling question. Has the church subjected itself to this celebrity obsession? Do we create and promote our own celebrities? Do you remember the television program Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Today, the church has its own version on cable television called Faith and Fame.
Israel's most famous Old Testament prophet Elijah was so highly regarded that some people thought he was superhuman. However, James, the brother of Jesus, reminds us that:
Now, a more troubling question. Has the church subjected itself to this celebrity obsession? Do we create and promote our own celebrities? Do you remember the television program Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Today, the church has its own version on cable television called Faith and Fame.
Israel's most famous Old Testament prophet Elijah was so highly regarded that some people thought he was superhuman. However, James, the brother of Jesus, reminds us that:
Elijah was as human as we are, yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would
fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.[1]
When you study the life and ministry of Elijah, you discover that he was a loner who suffered from loneliness, fear, depression, as well as ministry burn-out. His depression became so intense that he struggled with thoughts of suicide. Obviously, our biblical heroes, sheroes, and celebrities were not supernatural people; and neither are today's apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. God uses ordinary people to do supernatural things through his supernatural power.
One of the major problems with 'celebrititis' is that it causes people to live vicariously through the lives of those they view as celebrities. 'Celebrititis' allows the believer in the pew to become content with his or her spiritual celebrities being the only ones experiencing the supernatural power of God. Subsequently, the believer in the pew ends up not doing the work of ministry, because he or she believes doing nothing is the only thing they are capable of doing.
The Bible states,"Their responsibility (apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers) is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."[2] Do you realize that the person in the pew is God's greatest potential asset? Are you part of the 20% presently doing the work of ministry; who should be equipping the 80% for the work of ministry? Or, are you a committed member of the 80% Celebrity Fan Club that is content watching the 20% "build up the church, the body of Christ?"
[1] James 5:16-17 (NLT)
[2] Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Devil in the Details?
Most of us are familiar with the slang proverb "the devil is in the details;" which is actually a variant of the proverb "God is in the details." Either version of the proverb is a note of caution that it is the small details of something that often determines its success or failure. From a spiritual standpoint, it is often what we might consider the small details in our lives that end up hindering our spiritual progress. In other words, it is those little demons that taunt us and torment us and keep us from self-transcending in our relationship with God.
This week as I mediated on Mary Magdalene and the other women going to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, I remembered one of the demons that tormented me as a child; it was the fear of death. I was afraid of everything that had to do with death: funerals, funeral homes, and the dead. The encounters I had with the dead would give me nightmares for years. It wasn't until the Lord saved me that that demon (fear of the dead) became powerless in my life. Imagine this, during my days as a research scientist, I actually performed a number of autopsies with no fear at all. Now that's deliverance!
If you search closely into the details of any of our lives you will discover that we all have had one or more demons that have tormented us at some point. For some the demon is fear, for others it's depression, or addictions, or mental illness, or low self-esteem, or feelings of inferiority, or loneliness, or shyness, or speech impediment or OCD or ADD or ADHD, or other psychosocial or physical disorders that have kept us bound. However, because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we can transcend our human nature, with all of its flaws. We can rise above our own ability, go higher than we could go on our own, grow in ways that are theoretically impossible from a purely human standpoint, and be transformed into the image of Christ.
The Bible says the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, however I believe Mary Magdalene's motivation was completely different; which is why she was the first one to see the resurrected Jesus. It was imperative for Mary Magdalene to see an empty tomb, because her deliverance depended upon it. If Jesus was still dead, he was not divine; therefore she was still possessed by her seven demons. At best, her demons were only temporarily in remission, but she was not permanently healed. For the Bible says, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!"[1]
Easter Sunday is more than a holiday for Christians. It's more than a time for dyed eggs, jelly beans, and Easter bunnies--these details are the non-essentials. The essential detail of Easter is the empty tomb vacated by the risen Jesus. Easter Sunday is the Christian's hope of salvation, deliverance, and eternal life. Churches should to be packed on Easter Sunday. Every professing Christian ought to be in the house of God during the Easter season to confirm once again that Jesus' tomb is still empty.
If there are particular demons still making havoc in the details of your life, you can continue to confidently look for deliverance, because your faith is not futile and you are not still bound by your sins, since Christ did rise from the grave on the third day.
[1] 1 Cor. 15:17 (NKJV)
This week as I mediated on Mary Magdalene and the other women going to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, I remembered one of the demons that tormented me as a child; it was the fear of death. I was afraid of everything that had to do with death: funerals, funeral homes, and the dead. The encounters I had with the dead would give me nightmares for years. It wasn't until the Lord saved me that that demon (fear of the dead) became powerless in my life. Imagine this, during my days as a research scientist, I actually performed a number of autopsies with no fear at all. Now that's deliverance!
If you search closely into the details of any of our lives you will discover that we all have had one or more demons that have tormented us at some point. For some the demon is fear, for others it's depression, or addictions, or mental illness, or low self-esteem, or feelings of inferiority, or loneliness, or shyness, or speech impediment or OCD or ADD or ADHD, or other psychosocial or physical disorders that have kept us bound. However, because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we can transcend our human nature, with all of its flaws. We can rise above our own ability, go higher than we could go on our own, grow in ways that are theoretically impossible from a purely human standpoint, and be transformed into the image of Christ.
The Bible says the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, however I believe Mary Magdalene's motivation was completely different; which is why she was the first one to see the resurrected Jesus. It was imperative for Mary Magdalene to see an empty tomb, because her deliverance depended upon it. If Jesus was still dead, he was not divine; therefore she was still possessed by her seven demons. At best, her demons were only temporarily in remission, but she was not permanently healed. For the Bible says, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!"[1]
Easter Sunday is more than a holiday for Christians. It's more than a time for dyed eggs, jelly beans, and Easter bunnies--these details are the non-essentials. The essential detail of Easter is the empty tomb vacated by the risen Jesus. Easter Sunday is the Christian's hope of salvation, deliverance, and eternal life. Churches should to be packed on Easter Sunday. Every professing Christian ought to be in the house of God during the Easter season to confirm once again that Jesus' tomb is still empty.
If there are particular demons still making havoc in the details of your life, you can continue to confidently look for deliverance, because your faith is not futile and you are not still bound by your sins, since Christ did rise from the grave on the third day.
[1] 1 Cor. 15:17 (NKJV)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Barack Obama, Britney Spears, and Jesus Christ?
Last year, Senator John McCain compared Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears to mock the pop-star treatment Obama received during his overseas trip. This past week, President Obama was welcomed with thunderous cheers as he attended the G-20 summit in London. The G-20, or Group of 20, is an international body made up of leaders from 19 countries and the European Union that convened to hash out solutions to the economic downturn. "Obama remains a superstar in the eyes of European publics," said Nile Gardiner.
President Obama's superstar reception in Europe reminded me of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Christians on this past Sunday celebrated this event known as Palm Sunday. Everyone coming to Jerusalem for the Passover festival had heard of Jesus, and for a time, he was the people's superstar. The people lined the road, praising God, waving palm branches, and throwing their clothes in front of Jesus as he passed before them. "Long live the King" was the meaning behind their joyful shouts. However, before the end of the week, the same crowd was shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him, crucify him." Therefore, it is important for us to remember that human praise is fickle. The crowds praising President Obama today can turn to condemning him tomorrow. Those who love us today can easily hate us tomorrow. The old adage is true: 'Never believe your own press.'
Instead of being excited, flattered, and smitten by the crowd's praise, Jesus entered Jerusalem weeping. "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace."[1] Jesus' life goal wasn't personal fame or fortune but our salvation. He did not die on the cross for us to become American idols and he has not promised us fame or fortune in life, but peace. Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."[2]
Like the Jews in Jesus' day, we're typically looking for peace in all the wrong places. Those in Jesus' day were looking for external peace--no more war and oppression--but what they needed first and foremost was internal peace (peace on the inside). A good paying job, an attractive mate, beautiful children, a gorgeous home, luxury automobiles, designer clothes, a booming economy or even a thriving ministry will not guarantee us peace or happiness.
What are you weeping about today? What things are troubling your heart? Is it the economy's instability, your job's uncertainty, your financial vulnerability, your marital discord, your children's problems, your academic success, your ministry's growth, or your personal notoriety? Paul wrote,
[1] Luke 19:42 (NLT)
[2] John 14:27 (NLT)
[3] Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
President Obama's superstar reception in Europe reminded me of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Christians on this past Sunday celebrated this event known as Palm Sunday. Everyone coming to Jerusalem for the Passover festival had heard of Jesus, and for a time, he was the people's superstar. The people lined the road, praising God, waving palm branches, and throwing their clothes in front of Jesus as he passed before them. "Long live the King" was the meaning behind their joyful shouts. However, before the end of the week, the same crowd was shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him, crucify him." Therefore, it is important for us to remember that human praise is fickle. The crowds praising President Obama today can turn to condemning him tomorrow. Those who love us today can easily hate us tomorrow. The old adage is true: 'Never believe your own press.'
Instead of being excited, flattered, and smitten by the crowd's praise, Jesus entered Jerusalem weeping. "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace."[1] Jesus' life goal wasn't personal fame or fortune but our salvation. He did not die on the cross for us to become American idols and he has not promised us fame or fortune in life, but peace. Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."[2]
Like the Jews in Jesus' day, we're typically looking for peace in all the wrong places. Those in Jesus' day were looking for external peace--no more war and oppression--but what they needed first and foremost was internal peace (peace on the inside). A good paying job, an attractive mate, beautiful children, a gorgeous home, luxury automobiles, designer clothes, a booming economy or even a thriving ministry will not guarantee us peace or happiness.
What are you weeping about today? What things are troubling your heart? Is it the economy's instability, your job's uncertainty, your financial vulnerability, your marital discord, your children's problems, your academic success, your ministry's growth, or your personal notoriety? Paul wrote,
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."[3]This week let's take Paul's advice and not worry about anything; but instead, pray about everything; including President Barak Obama.
[1] Luke 19:42 (NLT)
[2] John 14:27 (NLT)
[3] Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Love Driven Life: A Love Drive Believer
Slumdog Millionaires
Have you ever wondered why some literature is called classic literature? What makes a story a classic isn't necessarily that it appeals to the masses, but that it speaks to the masses. Every now and then a story comes along that communicates not only to a particular generation in history, but to generations throughout history. A classic sums up our thoughts and emotions and describes us and our world more powerfully than we can. It is not simply a story or my story, but it is our story.
The recent film Slumdog Millionaire might very well become a contemporary classic. Set against a graphic depiction of poverty, crime, human trafficking, and violence, a story of love and hope is presented. Without disclosing the ending of the movie, a young man from the slums of Mumbai appears on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? His drive to play the game comes from his deep desire to find his one true love, but his ability to successfully play the game comes from the knowledge he has obtained as a result of his horrific life experiences.
Two Sundays ago, I began a series of messages on a story about a "slumdog millionaire" in the Bible. In John chapter 4, Jesus intentionally goes through Samaria in order to bid a particular Samaritan woman to give him a drink of water at the public well in Sychar. The woman is surprised by Jesus' request because in the eyes of Jews, Samaritans are "slumdogs." Yet, Jesus' reply to the woman is: "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."[1] The gift he offers her is not millions of dollars, but the far more valuable gift of salvation. She eventually leaves her water pot and runs through the town, as if she has just won the lottery, telling everyone about her encounter with Jesus.
This story is a classic because it is not simply about a woman with five ex-husbands, that is now 'living in sin,' it is our story. It is the story about the priceless gift of salvation that God has given us, despite many of us having been "slumdogs" in the eyes of the social and religious elite. The Apostle Paul wrote:
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.... God chose [those] despised by the world, [those] counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.[2]If we could only believe that God is lovingly pursuing us in spite of the things we've done--not to mention the things we're presently doing or the things we've yet to do. He longs for an intimate relationship with us and for us to believe, to truly believe, that in spite of our unlovable, incompetent, inconsistent, "slumdog" sinful selves, he loves us unconditionally.
Because God is much more devoted to pursuing us than we are to chasing him, I urge you this week to look for Jesus beyond your usual spots; like the church sanctuary. Listen for his pursuing voice early in the morning as well as late in the evening. Turn off your television, IPOD, computer, and 'Crackberry' for one hour each day to let him know that you truly value his priceless gift of salvation, as well as your relationship with him, and are available for him during primetime this week.
[1] John 4:10 (NLT)
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Retention Bonuses Announced
This past week we have seen massive outrage over the $165 million retention bonuses paid to AIG executives in the unit which lost so much money that it brought the firm to collapse; ultimatealy requiring a taxpayer bailout. With millions of American taxpayers out of work and thousands of families having either lost their homes or sitting on the verge of foreclosure, the lavish bonuses appear to be not only excessive but offensive. Since news of the bonuses broke, there have been death threats, angry letters flooding e-mail inboxes, and irate callers lighting up AIG phone lines.
Although all of us might be outraged, there is no need for Christians to join the vigilantes, because we know that God is not oblivious to these apparent inequities in our society. The following passage is only one portion of scripture that addresses our nation's concerns by reminding us that God will take action even if AIG, Congress, the administration, or the courts fail to do so.
Although all of us might be outraged, there is no need for Christians to join the vigilantes, because we know that God is not oblivious to these apparent inequities in our society. The following passage is only one portion of scripture that addresses our nation's concerns by reminding us that God will take action even if AIG, Congress, the administration, or the courts fail to do so.
Don't you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth, the triumph of the wicked has been short lived....They will vomit the wealth they swallowed. God won't let them keep it down.... They will give back everything they worked for. Their wealth will bring them no joy. For they oppressed the poor and left them destitute. They foreclosed on their homes. They were always greedy and never satisfied. Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about.
Nothing is left after they finish gorging themselves. Therefore, their prosperity will not endure.[1]
On a lighter side, believers can also take comfort in knowing that God has announced that he has lavish retention bonuses for his people too. The believer's life is often faced with suffering and pain; however the Bible repeatedly reminds us that God promises rewards or bonuses to those who endure suffering. "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."[2] Job was restored with double for all of his suffering.[3]
Immediately following his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven."[4]
Have you checked out your eternal compensation plan lately? Take some time this week to review in the Bible some of the promises God has placed in his covenant with you. See if you won't find it much easier to handle the corruption and craziness of daily living this week.
[1] Job 20:4-5, 15, 18-21 (NLT)
[2] James 1:12 (NLT)
[3] Job 42:10
[4] Matthew 5:11-12 (NLT)
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