"No honey, we can't just kill people"

A friend was sharing his very sad family situation where an elderly uncle had to be moved from his home to a care center, no longer able to care for himself or his home. (neighbors had called the authorities who found him fallen and sick in the house). Unfortunately his uncle no longer recognized anyone, even my friend, who is the only surviving relative. So, the poor uncle finds himself abruptly in a new environment with literally
no one he knows or recognizes and his health is not good.
I encouraged my friend for the compassionate way he attended to the situation, having
literally saved the uncle's life from a precarious balance, alone in that house.
My friend agreed reluctantly, and noted in passing that his young son had asked about the seeming hopelessness of the situation.
"Can't someone do something in these situations?" the youngster asked.
"What else could we do?" my friend asked.
"Well, isn't this where people consider assisted suicide?" came the answer.
My friend handled the question appropriately and explained the slippery slope of "assisting" someone who no longer has their mental reasoning faculties. "It's not 'suicide' in that case," he rightly explained, "we'd have to use a different word for doing that..."
My friend was right--a different word indeed. I sense that we don't share the same Spiritual worldview, but my friend's innate sense of morality is correct. We  can't just kill ("assist in the transition of") people because we feel sorry for their situation or reason that they--or we as care givers--would be better off.
But take note, the baby boomer generation will be facing this reasoning test up close and personal
in the course of the next 20 to 30 years...and the 'adults' who will be helping to decide our 'time of transition' have been raised in a culture that has no problem doing away with inconvenient pregnancies; no problem manufacturing and killing embryos (babies, pre-born humans) to grow spare parts for someone else; and no problem 'selectively reducing' the 
body count of multiple child pregnancies to make the economics more manageable.
"We'd have to use a different word for that..."

What do you believe?

Prayer from Fasting - What's it Like?

I went cross-country skiing at my favorite state park yesterday--took a trail I've known for over 30 years.  I love this one long ridge of rolling hills and straightaways where you can really open up and ski hard.

Here's the thing about classic cross-country skiing technique. Once you hit a certain speed on a straightaway, it's no longer efficient to simply kick off from one foot to the other--you can't push off hard enough to match the speed, so your motion is wasted. So, to "shift gears" you start pulling through with both your poles in between kicks. That propels you even faster as you hit a ryhthm where both arms move forward to plant your poles in combination with alternating kicks of your ski's. 
It takes awhile to learn the technique, but when you're in the "zone" and everything's working together, there's a sublime sense that the whole is more than its parts.

What's this got to do with prayer and fasting?
Just this--when you start to hit that transitional speed on your ski's, you can simply settle into a nice rhythm right where you're at, without bothering to do more (no need to add the double poling).
You can even back off a little, so as to enjoy the kick-glide-kick without missing the need to go faster.
It's all good.
But skiing is more than covering ground for me. I get that sense that I can go a little harder, put in a little more, and...I know that sublime sense of the "zone" is on the other side.
I don't fast very often, but when I do, my sense of prayer and communication with God is heightened. There seems to be more to talk about, and a sense that I can more earnestly express myself.
I woke up around 1:30 a.m., as I usually do, a few nights ago and found myself praying for friends 
of ours who are struggling.
"Oh Lord, please help my friends. Please grant them comfort. Please bring them reassurance," I prayed over and over. 
Kick-glide-kick...kick-glide-kick...
But I really wanted to have an even more earnest conversation with God and do everything I could to cover them in prayer.
Start double-poling...or not?
 
What do you believe?

But is that an Orthodox View?

"orthodox" with a little "o" -- not meaning the "Greek Orthodox Church" as in the Christian denomination that is similar to Roman Catholicism.
I'm thinking more along the lines of a dictionary definition for orthodox:
"...conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved..."
Here's my theory...
I think there are tens of millions - perhaps hundreds of millions -  of people who would affiliate themselves with one of the world's major religions; without actually deciding to accept or conform to what has been established and approved as the central tenents or beliefs.
For example:
A self-defined "Christian" who says, "but I don't actually believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or that he actually came back to life after being crucified."  So...not orthodox in their beliefs.
Or a Mormon (LDS) who says, "but I don't actually believe the book of mormon supersedes the bible or that I can possibly become a god myself"   Then...not an orthodox LDS believer.
Or a Muslim who says, "but I don't actually believe in Sharia Law to restrict conversions to Christianity or that women should be recognized as half that of men..."  More likely considered a "Moderate Muslim,"  but not an orthodox believer.
Or a Buddhist who says, "sure, I like the self-discipline of our beliefs, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in God..."  Philosophically acceptable, but not an orthodox believer, either.

All of these positions are perfectly fine and pretty common for lots of very nice people--including numbers of my friends and family.
But I think they probably have more in common with each other as a separate, distinct group - they are the "secular" believers...secular meaning, "not subject to, or  bound by religious rule."
In fact, the non-orthodox believers often share a willingness to blur crisp lines of belief with self-defined alternatives, possibly to avoid the awkward confrontations of orthodoxy. Better to say, "I'd like to believe there is an alternative view...." than to say,   "I find it challenging, but I do believe that to be truly stated in our beliefs....'

Back in the third century, people, including the Gnostics, were pressing Christians to articulate their orthodoxy. Something called the Apostles Creed has survived since that time:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic [universal] church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

What do you believe?

Part 4: The Global Spiritual Question

Continued from Part 3

Here's the fourth of four looks at,

"Is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ sufficient?"

I'm one of the folks who answers, "yes."

My spiritual diversity accepts that Jesus' is the unique, supernatural incarnation of God among us. If he is who he said he is, then other religious expression is unnecessary - Jesus, through his life, death and resurrection is sufficient. My own relationship with God has a point of access (in the name of His Son, Jesus); validity (reconciliation of all that I've done that is sinful, through Jesus' atoning death on the cross), and a promise of an eternal relationship with God, even after my death (the promise of everlasting life, death defeated on the cross).

That is sufficient.

I continue to respect and appreciate the diversity of my other friend's beliefs - and they are many. But I do find myself wondering over the sufficiency of other belief systems.

If an eternal outcome depends on how good someone is in this life, or how well they live their life (merit, works)...then that process is ultimately insufficient - or at least fraught with risk and uncertainty. By what defined standard is someone worthy of keeping company with the Holy God of the universe? 

If a philosophy is only successful if all believers of it achieve a certain level of consistency and discipline at the same time -  then it is insufficient, or at least improbable, as history proves.

Even believers in the 'tenets' of Christianity - if self-separated from the divinity of Christ - are ultimately defining their own, customized religion, perhaps sufficient for a party of one or two, but easily trumped by the next version, and therefore - insufficient.

Is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ sufficient?

What do you believe?

 

Part 3: The Global Spiritual Question

 Continued from Part 2

Next, when asking the conversation starter, "Do you believe that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is sufficient?"

Some candidly open people answer, "I'm not sure..."

"I'm not sure whether this simple belief and acceptance can, or will, actually bring about eternal resolution and residence with God."

My guess is that there are a whole lot more people in this camp than anyone realizes. In fact, I believe that many (millions...perhaps tens of millions) of people who have declared themselves for another monotheistic (Judaism, Islam) or polytheistic (Hindu) religion, or philosophy (Buddhism, atheism), actually fall into the "I'm not sure" category. 

These folks truly wonder whether - and even hope that - the claims of Christianity are true:

 Forgiveness for past wrongs; prayer access to God, eternal life in God's presence...if I could only be sure...

And once again, I believe that many (millions, perhaps tens of millions) of self-proclaimed Christians wonder the same thing.

Can the free gift of God's Grace be that easy - is belief in Jesus truly sufficient?

If you asked the question and started the conversation, the next questions include,

"Why not?" and "What if it were true?" and "If it's most definitely not true--how would you lead your life differently?" 

In Part 4, I'll blog briefly on the "Yes's"

What do you believe?

Part 2: The Global Spiritual Question

Continued from Part 1

As a global spiritual conversation starter, I posed the question:

"Do you believe that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is sufficient?"

Sufficient, meaning sufficient for eternal reconciliation and resolution of the believing person.

There are three conversational answers: No, Yes, and I'm not sure.

Many will answer,

"No, I don't believe that Jesus is sufficient."

People who have already thought this through to a confident conclusion of "no, I don't," either have an alternate spiritual solution, or believe in no spiritual solution.

So, for example,

I have friends who are believers of Islam, Jain, Buddhism and Judaism who love me dearly, but are quite sure that Jesus is not sufficient. Most notably they don't believe in his deity and therefore he alone is not sufficient for any eternal purposes. He is, in fact, insufficient to their way of thinking, since what a person does and how they live is also important to their eternal equation.

That's exactly what you might expect from some globally known religions.

But some of my self-professed Christian friends also squirm a little at the sufficient-question. They too have yet to reconcile whether belief in Jesus' (and his atoning sacrifice on the cross) is truly free of any conditions...truly sufficient. Truly a free gift of Grace. They've even said to me, "well, I hope I'll spend eternity with God in heaven, but I guess we can't know for sure until we die."

So...they're not really sure if Jesus' life, death and resurrection are sufficient. And, they're not all that different in that manner from my friends of other global spiritual backgrounds.

Of course, a confidently believing atheist believes that none of the worlds' spiritual beliefs are consequential in anything other than a social or political context; therefore Jesus is clearly insufficient for any supernatural purpose.

In Part 3, I'll look at the "I'm not sure's"

What do you believe?

Part 1: The Global Spiritual Question

Our weekly Bible study guys touched on the subject of purgatory a couple weeks ago. Does it exist? Is there literally a place that a person's soul might go to immediately upon death--other than heaven (if a person is not cleary destined for eternal separation from God, i.e. 'hell'). 
I blurted out without too much thinking that, "I don't believe purgatory exists - because believing in Jesus is either sufficient, or it's not."

That revealed to me a global question that I think can quickly bring laser focus to most conversations on spiritual matters. Namely,

"Do you believe that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is sufficient?"

So, for anyone believing in Jesus as their redemptive Saviour, will that settle spiritual matters of eternal importance for them?

I think there are three answers worthy of provocative conversation with friends and neighbors:

"No, I don't"

"Yes, I do"

"I'm not sure"

I'll spend a few of my next blogs on each.

What do you believe?

Part I - Finding Camp in the Dark

I joined a few of my friends who were camping in Ohio this Labor Day weekend. One evening we hiked through thick woods and even thicker brush to get to the lake and watch the sunset. It was a gorgeous, late summer evening and we stayed until we could see the Milky Way against a deep black sky. Two of my buddies shot digital photos, capturing beautiful red hues that traced the tree lined lake silouette.
When we started back toward the trail, we quickly realized no one had brought a flashlight.
We're experienced hikers, having climbed Half Dome in Yosemite (just to drop a name...), so we weren't necessarily worried about getting lost. But dark is dark.
We went single file, slowly feeling our way along the now invisible path. Then a few branches smacked our lead hiker's face and he called back to us to watch out. There were also tree roots, rocks and dips to negotiate--just the kind that will twist an ankle or cause a fall. At one point I put my hand out and rested it on the shoulder of my 2nd-in-line buddy, just for a frame of reference.
We knew that if we could just ease along the path, despite the obstacles, it would eventually lead to a clearing, then to the road, and then to camp. I had that sequence in my mind, trying to recall how long each section was, and the lay of the land we had passed through on our way in. Ultimately, we knew the end game was there - get through dense overgrowth, hit the clearing, find the road and walk into camp. Safety and comfort were waiting, like a promise.
What do people do today when they don't have confidence in, or believe that an end game exists for their life? How scary it must be to repeatedly set out in the dark, not sure of how long the overgrowth will last, or if a clearing will turn up that leads to the road...and the comfort of an eternal outcome, back in camp, with a Creator.
Even if someone is calling out to them, telling them when to dodge branches, how can they be sure if either of them is on the right path? What of the person directly in front of them, hand resting on their shoulder -- they're in the exact same situation of unknown...just a few feet further along in the dark.
Of course, you could ask the same of me at the lake that night. Wasn't I blindly following people who could lead me right off a cliff?
But it was different, and I'll tell you why.
I had confidence in my friends who were taking the lead - because they had seen the path in the Light. We knew One, direct path was there - that much was established and True. We weren't so much anxious about the trail's outcome, but about staying True to its course, not accidently straying from the outline that was now crowded with confusing shapes and pitfalls.
We never considered inventing an alternate path of our own - that would be a sure recipe for diaster...and no experienced hiker would take that risk.
Next: Part II - Through the Glass Darkly

What do you believe?

Part II - Through the Glass Darkly

Continued from Part I -

As we continued to get whacked by branches, we slowed our pace accordingly. Progress became a bit more tentative, a bit more fatiguing, taking concentration and effort to "see" past the obstacles and recall how the trail had wound along in the Light of day. But we encouraged each other and resisted the discouragements, continuing along the path we knew was there.
Then, suddenly, I squinted at a cool, blue glow of light up ahead. And beside it, another. Somehow, the inky veil of night parted just enough to reveal glimpses of the path. Relief. Assurance.
Quite simply, our trail leader had thought to turn on his digital camera screen, and my 2nd-in-line buddie had flipped on his cell phone screen.
It wasn't the full Light of Day, but combined with the trail outline, the auxilliary light was enough to guide us.
Like the Words of the Bible illuminating our way to the comfort of God - Jesus in the lead, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit making all things clear, even revealing what treachery to avoid - branches, rocks and ruts.
Everyone has access to the supernatural GPS of God.
David even wrote of it in the Psalms of the Holy Bible:
Psalm 119:105 -
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

What do you believe?

I Feel Guilty...that's Good!

I think we go a little overboard trying to convince people they don't need to "feel guilty."
Sometimes guilt is just our conscience reminding us we can do better.
And the alternative to acknowledging our guilt (our personal responsibility) doesn't need to be some form of victimhood -- "it wasn't me, it was my circumstances."

Instead, the Bible sees value in humility, in admitting our guilt:

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret..."
2 Corinthians, Chapter 7, vs. 10

When we have a legitimate reason to feel guilty - we really did do something wrong - a Godly conscience can lead us right to God to say, "I'm sorry."
In fact, I realized I had a whole bunch of things to be sorry about - and I couldn't change overnight. In fact, I couldn't change without God's help.

My sorrow (guilt) led to asking Jesus into my heart - to show me how to live my life in His Ways.
And I've never regretted it.
Godly sorrow brought repentance that lead to salvation...and no regrets.

What do you believe?

Debt Free! I owed 500 Denarii...

Dr. Luke tells about the time Jesus had dinner at a religious leader's house.
A woman of questionable reputation makes her way into the gathering and the leader is apalled that Jesus is willing to speak to her (a "sinner").
So Jesus tells the man about two people who owed money to a lender - the one owing only 50 Denarri and the other owing 500 - ten times as much debt.
When the lender released both people from their debt, Jesus asked, which is likely to love that lender more?
The religious leader answered, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled." Of course.
I have to be honest with you. I've read and heard that parable of Jesus many times.
I always used to picture myself as the person who owed the smaller amount.
"Boy, I'll bet people who had to have 10 times the number of sins forgiven in their lives really appreciate Jesus all the more than me," I reasoned.
Now, I'm older, wiser...and, well, steeped in a whole extra helping of humility.
Every day and year that goes by, I realize how far off the mark I've been from God's ways.
Selfish, jealous, a poor steward of the gifts and blessings given me.
But Jesus forgave me - he released me from the debt.
I'm the one who owed 500 Denarii, not 50...and yet He's forgiven me.
As sorry I am for the ways I've let God down over the years -- I love him all the more to realize He's held out his hand and welcomed me home. And He's helping me to do better.

What do you believe?

Creation Museum in Kentucky

I just visited the new Creation Museum in Kentucky July 23rd.

I found it very entertaining and professionally done. From the Universal Studios-like 3D theater, complete with rumbling chairs and spritzing rainfall, to the thoughtful comparisons of evolutionary theory, I highly recommend the trip.
It's easy to get to, just a couple exits down the expressway (I-275) from the Greater Cincinnati Airport in Northern Kentucky.
My personal favorite was the built-to-scale side of Noah's Ark (a 1% section that filled a huge two story room).
Throughout the museum are compelling reminders that evolution is theory, not "science," and that critical thinking methods may lead open minded people to consider alternative origins to the intelligent designs all around us.

What do you believe?

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Wrong Men's Room !

I have an ongoing spiritual debate with one of my oldest friends. She thinks I blindly accept the bible as inerrant truth and I think she's open to just about any 'enlightened' perspective that doesn't reference a scriptural passage. After a recent encounter of with her, I recalled a separate but distinctly non-spiritual confrontation that leaves me with hope for my friend. Here's what happened:
I'm a marketing consultant and I worked in the world headquarters of a Fortune 50 consumer products giant. There were rest rooms on opposite ends of the mezzanine floor in the plush HQ building. For some reason, the men's and women's rest room entrances were mirror images on opposite ends of the hallway. Men's on the right side at one end, but on the left side at the other end. Can you guess what happened?
On a particular morning when I urgently needed the facilities, I checked the door sign - Men's - and pressed ahead through two sets of doors to the well appointed rest room. Sinks and mirrors on the left, separated by a wall and....well...men's-only facilities on the right. However, as you first stepped into the rest room and encountered the sink area, you couldn't see the rest of the facilities unless you peered around the separating wall.
Despite my hurry, I had to stop dead in my tracks.
There, leaning over the sink and peering into a mirror was an attractive young executive, applying her makeup. I had very little time to deliberate. Was I absolutely sure I'd read the sign correctly? I was. In fact, I'd almost mistakenly taken the wrong turn before, so I more purposely checked the doors now. I was in the right place.
"Er, excuse me, but I think you might be in the wrong facility?" I managed.
"Well," she said tersely, "one of us is." And kept on applying her makeup--unhesitantly assuming the mistaken party to be me.
It was true. One of us had to be wrong. There was no subjective reality here.
But with no additional time to argue, I proceeded to the other side of the wall.
A few seconds later, I heard the dainty click-tap of high heels step over to the wall, and then a shocked, "Oh!" followed by a rapid retreat of click-tap, click-taps rushing out the two doors.
I know that's a long way around the bend from spiritual matters--but there is a close parallel. When I share the Gospel with my friend, it's after having done lots of Bible study and prayer, based on a relationship with God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. I already checked the sign on the door. It says, Truth.
What do you believe?

Handling Muggers

We had a very scary and troubling week, as one of our young family members got 'mugged.' Fortunately, after suffering a vicious kick to the head in the midst of the inexcusable assault/robbery, the youngster appears to be recovering.

For us adults, it provided an object lesson in mercy and forgiveness--Jesus style. After the immediate health concerns of the attack appeared to be stabilizing, we turned our attention to discussing the perpetrators, still unaccounted for. Admittedly, there were (still are?) some protective and indignant suggestions concerning "what we'd like to do if we got our hands on those heartless thugs..."
And how satisfying it would be to give them a piece of our mind. At the very least, the thought of "prosecution to the full extent of the law..." should they be caught, was unanimously--and enthusiastically savored.
Up to that point, the line between "justified, righteous indignation" and "resentment and condemnation" was blurred--at best. Pretty natural under the circumstances. But then, realizing a sense of the supernatural--the Holy Spirit of God--we also started talking about the hearts and lives of the attackers.
No one made any excuses for them - their violent actions were categorically inexcusable. They aren't victims, our family member is the victim. But what could possibly lead someone to be that thoughtless, callous and cold? They left the scene before knowing whether their young victim was simply unconscious--or dead.
What do you do with a generation of young people who don't seem to care about the lives of those they hurt? Do you find ways to cut them off from civilized society, bury them in prisons, compartmentalize them in separate neighborhoods, track them with electronic hardware?
I only came up with one sure answer. And I got this from a guy who had plenty of reason to be indignant over the treatment he received from the bullies of his day. His name is Jesus, and he tells this parable:
Mat 13:24
"The kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went his way. When the wheat had sprung up and had produced fruit, then the weeds also appeared.
So the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then where have the weeds come from?
He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them up?
But he said, No, lest while you gather up the weeds you also root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest."
There were three attackers in the assault. Right now they are clearly weeds among the wheat. Or...might even one of the three still be reachable by the power of God's love? Is there a struggling grain of wheat that might get pulled out of the soil if we simply rip out, toss and burn handfuls of other weeds?
First, let's catch them, try them and get them in jail where they belong--that's fair justice for my family member. But let's also give prison ministries--volunteers who ask nothing of taxpayers except freedom of speech--access to these same clumps of weeds, on the chance that God can still rescue a few healthy grains of wheat. Wheat that could bear fruit back in our communities if the true Gospel takes hold in a repentant heart.
Today, after my prayer for healthy recovery and healing of our family - I also pray for the hearts of the offenders, that God will heal what is broken in them and lead them to the Light--through the love of Jesus, our Savior. Otherwise they may have a destiny no different than weeds headed for the trash heap.
And consider this--if we'd be allowed to share the Gospel more freely on this side of prison walls; in schools, at universities, maybe depicted more fairly in movies and TV shows...maybe we'd nip more weeds in the bud.
What do you believe?

Designer Gods

I continue to encounter people who offer a version of this:

• "Well, that's not how I picture God...."
• "I don't think I could believe in a God who____"
• "If that's what God is, then I'm not so sure I want to..."
• "My idea of God is personal."

This 'putting the cart before the horse' approach to spirituality assumes that we define God. I'd like Him to be a little kinder here, more proactive there, miraculous, timely, responsive...or else.

Or else?

"Or I might just pick up my belief system and take it somewhere else. I can vote with my prayers you know."

That is the designer god mentality. I'll conceive of god in my own image - or find a pre-packaged spirituality that's close, and saves me the work.

Christianity is different. We believe God is. In fact, He calls himself, "I am." He's done His best to explain His nature to us--so that we can understand Him better, and enter into a relationship with Him. Not so we vote for Him.

God is not insecure. He loves you enough to be accessible and approachable. A supreme being doesn't have to do that. It's His option, not our design feature.

The prophet Isaiah recorded this insight from God:

Isa 44:6 So says the Lord, the King of Israel, and His redeemer Lord of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and besides Me there is no God.

Isa 44:24 So says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb, I am the Lord who makes all things; who stretches out the heavens alone; who spreads out the earth.

There are thousands of insights like this in the Bible -- ways to learn how God is. But you might also be pleasantly surprised by how much His Words speak of Love, forgiveness, mercy, Grace, abundant blessings and compassion--for us. The very people who keep trying to re-imagine him as we would have him be.

Rather than anguishing over how you would set out to 'design' the perfect God for your life (and for the rest of us to join with you...), try turning the tables to read the Bible and learn more about how you can meet God as He is - through His Son, Jesus - our Saviour.

What do you believe?

I prayed...therefore God exists?

Whenever I promise to pray for someone--maybe they have a family problem or illness--I pray to the Living God, the Creator of the universe (His Son is Jesus, the Redeemer). I don't need extra time to sort out whether God's listening or engaged...whether He's out there. In fact, I thought that was kind of self-evident...if I'm praying to Him, I must believe that He exists.
But I'm learning that's not always the case when people say "I prayed to god that wouldn't happen," or "I offered up a prayer right then and there."
There's an interesting verse in the Bible's New Testament--Paul's letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11:
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists..."
Randomly directed prayers to the universe--or even focused prayers directed with laser intensity to "my higher power"--aren't going to get anywhere, or accomplish anything, if we aren't ready to acknowledge and place faith in the existence of God.

Jesus had a conversation with a man after he healed him of blindness:
JN 9:35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
JN 9:36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
JN 9:37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
JN 9:38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
Then the man said...Lord, I believe.

What do you believe?

Oh...my...God!

We don't usually think of the 10 Commandments when we're listening to TV, movies or casual conversation at work. But how many times does someone say 'oh my God' or in combination with 'damn' or a more specific expletive of His Son's name without intending it for spiritual reverence--that's the definition of using it "in vain" - and going against God's specific third command. They go like this:

1. Have no other God's
2. Make no idols or images of other gods - or bow before them
3. Do not use God's name in vain [misuse it]
4. Keep the Sabbath day Holy [observe it]
5. Honor your mother and father
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie
10. Do not covet [long for] things that other people have that you don't

Few people in today's climate of diversity exhibit the sensitivity to exclude God's name from exploitation around those it offends -- namely the majority of people in the U.S. -- according to polls.
Would there be any outcry if we start casually cursing other prominent religious figures' names in our oaths?
Fill in the blank with a highly visible eastern or middle eastern religious name.... "Damn _______ ! "
No, I don't think that's appropriate either - so can we start taking God and his Son Jesus' names out of the scripted swearing and cursing lexicon of Hollywood and network TV?
Then maybe people who are not Bible believers could also speak up at restaurants and coffee shop conversations to say..."you might want to watch your language, you could offend someone who's spiritual diversity revere's the god you're casually cursing...."
Or substitute some other religious leader's name and check the reaction.

What do you believe?

Absolute Absolutes

Relativism is taken for granted now. Your "truth" is fine, it's just not my "truth." We used to apply the concept on a more philosophical plane - "well, I can see your perspective...but I don't really agree."
Now, anything is fair game. If you disagree--even on obvious things like children thriving best with a mommy and a daddy--it's just a relative truth.
In fact...many people are absolutely convinced that there are NO absolute truths. None.
So I can't help but see humor in some of the more outrageous claims to diversity of thought, and a radio preacher put it nicely (paraphrasing his comments):
"...so a guy goes into the bank and writes a withdrawal slip for $5,000. The clerk says, 'well Mr. Smith, you have an account with us, but you only have $500.' Mr. Smith says, 'well, that may be your perspective of the truth, but in my truth, there's really $5,000--and that's what I expect you to give me.'"
So, is one of them "absolutely right?"

Jesus lived, died, rose again--not to condemn or capture anyone, but to free and release us all from sin...to abundant blessings now--and for eternity. I'm absolutely sure.

What do you believe?

God's Love - Underestimated, underutilized?

The older I get, the less I suffer angst over the specific question..."how can I get out and evangelize today?" I've wrung my hands for many years wondering if "I'm doing enough" to share the Gospel at work and off hours. Am I doing my part to reach people with the saving message of Jesus' redemption? If you keep score by the number of professions of faith, I don't show up on the radar. Even the oft quoted St. Francis of Assisi paraphrase..."Share the Gospel, and use words if necessary" hasn't always soothed my results-oriented persona.
But now, decades into my business career, I better appreciate just how many of the people I've worked with respond powerfully to the very essence of what God has to give--through me (a most assuredly imperfect vessel!).
Namely, they take keen notice of...humility, love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, mercy--shared in large, consistent doses. For a multitude of reasons we could debate--spiritually adopting God's interpersonal skills notably differentiates us in today's culture.

Just read the instruction manual in Galatians, Chapter 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These features of Christianity don't seem to get much attention in the media today--there's more about our "fundamentalism" and extremism. But Jesus' message was extreme for his time and ours--and it was fundamentally about love, and sharing that love with our neighbor.
It's a good place to start if we want to tell everyone the rest of the Gospel when they're ready.

What do you believe?

Strategic Prayer

Last night, after a full day at work and some chores around the house, I shifted focus to human rights issues and China, the genocide debacle of Darfur, recovery of hurricane victims and the safety of missionaries in some Islamic countries (so they could work effectively to share their views freely). Then I kept up a campaign to unveil Truth to media professionals, abortion clinic workers and volunteers, as well as to House and Senate leaders. After spending additional time on decision-making at the Supreme Court and White House, there was still lots to petition with challenges troubling our family and friends before falling asleep.

I wasn't on the internet, or working the phones...I was talking to God.

God doesn't intrinsically need or rely on my prayers. But we've been given powerful--supernatural access to His Grace and Wisdom. For whatever reasons God has...our prayers are heard, considered and answered. Outcomes are God's business, but petitioning His interaction is ours--so think big as well as small. The hurts of our own children are important, but so are the intricacies of global events and public policy. Direct your prayers wherever they can make a difference!

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

2Th 3:2 And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have the faith.

Jam 5:16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.

What do you believe?

Empty Cross

Like some of you, I've attended church at a variety of denominations this past year.
Some have crosses without a figure of Jesus at the front of the sanctuary, some with the crucified figure of Jesus, and some with nothing but multimedia screens or banners.
I've encountered bible study conversations where friends question the need/appropriateness of seeing Jesus on the cross--because it confuses the reality that he defeated death and rose again. (I'm sure there are even deeper theological debates that would go over my head.)
But on Good Friday 2006 I attended a church service with a huge (15 ft?) cross and statue of the crucified Saviour. In that beautifully crafted, larger than life piece of art, there was no mistaking the exquisite price Jesus paid for my sins. An empty cross wouldn't have diluted His gift to me, but the crucified Jesus didn't deny His resurrection either.

What do you believe?

Podcasting Preachers

If you're reading this from your computer connection, you probably have the ability to download files.
I received an mp3 player for Christmas and I've been downloading radio preacher "podcasts" on a daily basis. Oneplace.com is just one of the sites where you can fine good Christian audio.
http://www.oneplace.com/
Steve Brown (Key Life); David Moore; Allistair Begg; Greg Laurie all have free podcast subscriptions available (with donations accepted).
Even conservative talk show hosts like Laura Ingraham have commercial free versions of their daily shows.
So, whether I'm at the gym, working on the yard, or in my car, it's encouraging to listen to a sermon topic, Bible study or simply get a balanced perspective on world news.
If you're like me, you'd never be able to hear all this great content at the scheduled program times -- but download it to your computer or mp3 player, and you've got on-demand access to wonderful teaching.

What do you believe?

Designer Gods

Sometimes people debating the nature of God will say something like,
"Well, I'm not sure I want to believe in a God who allows this to happen..."
as though God might try harder to earn their vote or approval. Or that God might disappear altogether if His poll numbers dropped sufficiently.

Isn't it more realistic to believe that if there really is a Supreme Being (God) who created the universe -- He doesn't need our opinion? The reverse is actually how I choose to look at it - what is it about God that I don't yet understand? Fortunately, there's His revealed and inspired writings for us to explore (The Holy Bible). And to help that effort, we can pray for insight and wisdom -- which God generously provides through his Holy Spirit. It helps to mix all this with the trusted fellowship of other Believers -- at church or in Bible studies.

It's one thing to question or doubt God in our frustration - He can handle it...but it's another to try and re-create God in our own image. When we say, "I'm sure God is really more like this...because I can't picture a God who would be like that..." then we're flirting with idolatry -- following a manufactured God, rather than the Living God.
Idols are anything we place above, or make more important than God -- even our expectations for how He should do His job. It takes humility to say, "Lord, your ways are above my ways."

What do you believe?

What Makes Your Worldview Christian?

Having a Christian worldview doesn't make you better or worse than anyone else, but it does define your perspective.

I like to say to my friends..."I'm having trouble seeing your point, I've got this plank in my eye..." That's a reference to Jesus admonition that we should not try to remove the 'splinter' of disagreement from our neighbor's perspective when we might actually have an entire wood plank blocking our own vision of truth. Fair enough - we've got to hear and listen to what people have to say about today's challenging list of hot button topics. And we can't assume we have all the answers--individually.

Still, it's made easier for me when I think, "now I'm going to go and see what the Bible says about that--and what Jesus taught about that." Reading the news, discussing cultural topics with friends and colleagues...I'm doing my best to keep it all in perspective--in a biblical perspective. And I hope to follow those thoughts on this blog.

What do you believe?

Seder Meal - Passover

It had been 25 years since my wife and I attended a Seder Meal during Passover.
This year, two of our dear cousins invited us to join about 30 other people at a local hotel. It was a simple banquet hall set up with six large tables.
One couple, who had obviously led many Seder meals in the past, did a great job guiding everyone through the evening, complete with bitter herbs, matzo and songs - even prayers in Hebrew.
In addition to renewed insights of what Jesus and his disciples shared during that fateful passover before his death and resurrection, we enjoyed a nice time of fellowship with these believers of the messianic tradition.
A particular item struck me as they reviewed meanings of the original passover elements. The matzo, a yeastless flatbread, was said to commemorate the quick exit made by Moses and the Hebrews to escape their Egyptian captors. The bread cooked in it's flat form thanks to the hot sun--and because there was no time to let it rise beforehand. From a Christian perspective, the matzo also has lines across it - perhaps foreshadowing the stripes of lashes which would strike Jesus' back, and when you hold a piece of the flat bread up to the light, you notice the tiny holes...and remember how his hands and feet were pierced.
All in all, the Seder experience was a welcome addition to our Holy Week observance.
As they taught us to say following the seder, "next year in Jerusalem!"

What do you believe?

One perspective on "Respecting Life"

I explained it to my daughter this way:
- You're my daughter and I love you, so if you were to die, or someone were to hurt you, I would be terribly upset and sad. Your mother and I would grieve any harm that came to you. We would do anything in our power to keep that from happening.
- I love you when you're inside our home, but if you go outside in the yard, I love you just as much. You're my daughter whether you're inside our house or on the other side of the door.
- When you were a very little baby, I also loved you very much--when you were in the crib, and when you were in my arms. If you start going back a day at a time, you eventually come to the day you were born. I loved you then.
- The last seconds, right before you were born, when you were on the other side of your mother's womb, I loved you. And you were still my daughter. And the day before that, and the day before that. Which day weren't you my daughter?
- There was never a moment after you were conceived that you weren't my daughter. Never a time that I loved you differently. And I would grieve any harm that came to you out in the yard, inside our home, at your birth, or in your mother's womb. Same daughter, same love.

What do you believe?

Evolution and faith in schools?

From a Christian worldview, the evolution and schools debate is pretty easy to describe.
- Since we now know that evolution is a theory, but not a science (science can produce evidence, test for repeatability, and answer for conflicting evidence), evolution should simply be taught as a theory -- rather than an unchallengable truth. Scientists usually agree that theories should be taught as theories..
- Evolutionary theorists should also be identified by that title, and not as "scientists" in school literature. Why mislead teachers and children?
- Textbooks should be updated to remove the false evolutionary claims that have stacked up and been propogated for decades, despite evidence to the contrary (e.g. "Piltdown man," and "tails and gills during the early weeks of human gestation")
- Textbooks and curriculums should simply acknowledge that there is no true "evolutionary" path demonstrated for any animal, of any kind. Instead, simply explain the scientific evidence that there is a "sudden appearance" in the fossil record of complete, finished species - and no fossil evolutionary trail of how one "kind" mutated into another. Cats have always been cats; slugs, slugs; birds, birds; reptiles, reptiles, etc.
- Have the public debate acknowledge "irreducible complexity," that the "simple cell" is actually a high-tech factory of complexity; and that no molecular biologist today actually believes a cell could come into being by chance - without the equally complex building blocks of amino acids and proteins...which need cells to produce them. A scientist would ask, "how could you generate the first cell, if you need that cell to produce the components that combine to make it?"
- Why censor experts and textbooks that disagree with evolution? We don't censor magazines and internet sites in school libraries, and yet we censor intelligent arguments about evolution...

In the end, evolution in schools isn't really about what Christians think the Bible says about it - none of the problems with evolution that I noted above require belief in God - it just points out that evolution is faulty science (actually not really "science" at all, by definition).
Let's call evolution what it really is: theory - or better yet, faith...believing in something that you can't see or prove. At least in that, evolution has a lot in common with Christianity...

What do you believe?

How do Christians "accept Jesus?"

There are a million ways to say this, and this is just one of many.
Try sharing it with someone, in 60 seconds or less.

(Just remember, PPRR. Plan, Problem, Remedy, Receive):

“God has a Plan for your life and He loves you unconditionally—without conditions. He offers you a relationship of peace, even in restless times, and an abundantly blessed life, now and for eternity. (See Romans 5:1)

But we humans have a Problem with that plan because of sin, as Adam introduced it to the world, and as we ourselves continue with it. Sin is anything we do that is unacceptable or displeasing to God, despite his great love for us. We all sin, in spite of our desire to do better. We are unable to eliminate or rise above sin on our own, thus we risk eternal separation from the benefits of a relationship with God. (See Romans 3:23)

Fortunately, God sent Jesus to demonstrate his perfect love and to take on himself all our sins. Jesus died on the cross in our place - a substitute for our sins - a redeemer and a Remedy for our problem. (See Romans 6:23)

All that's left to do is to accept and Receive Jesus in his rightful role - the Son of God who died and rose again for our sins. Turning from sin, believing in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life seals our eternal relationship with God. (See Romans 10:9)

"Lord God, I acknowledge that I do things to displease you--that I am a sinner, but I want to turn away from this way of life to follow you. I now welcome Jesus into my life, realizing that he is the Savior of the world, having died on the cross for my sins. Please bless and guide me now and for eternity, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

That’s the Good News!”

What do you believe?

Good Friday 2006

This is the third year I've attend the Good Friday noon service at my local church since moving here.
It's a spirited enactment of the passion by the junior high students, complete with soldiers, brown robed bystanders and a wooden cross.
They cleverly combine some contemporary music with participative prayers of the congregation - is it OK for me to say that I really enjoy this Good Friday service?
But the eyewitness accounts are the most moving element of the service. As the stations of the passion take place, the last supper, the betrayal, the scourging, the crucifiction...one "eye witness" steps up to the podium to share their perspective on Jesus - Peter explains his remorse over denying Jesus, a soldier his anguish over seeing a just man suffer, a woman her awe over his inclusive love for all people...
One by one, these young people get into character and remind me - in riveting fashion - that there was a lot more going on that day 2,000 years ago. There were real people watching Jesus suffer - including those who hated him and those who loved him.
There was probably a confusing rush of emotions and fear in the hours before Jesus died on the cross. But when it was all said and done, each person had to determine in their own heart what it really meant, and what Jesus meant to them. Just another thief dying on the cross? Or the Son of God who came to redeem our sins? That's still something we have to decide for ourselves.

What do you believe?

Da Vinci Code's claim: "the facts are accurate...."

Honestly, I haven't read the Da Vinci Code. Don't plan to.
Check me on this, but here's what I understand the author states in the preface pages:

"All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." Dan Brown

Now, so far, I've run into many articles, podcasts and books that state in excruciating detail why Dan's claim is...well, not a fact.
I have no problem with someone writing a fictional page turner about Jesus (...think Ann Rice...), but...why try to claim that your fictional book is based on proven fact when it's so obviously not? For that, I'm taking a pass on the book and movie.

What do you believe?
http://www.leaderu.com/focus/davincicode.html
http://www.davincidelusion.tv/
http://www.rejesus.co.uk/davinci/index.html

Holy Week on DVD ?

My favorite religious movie of all time is Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_of_Nazareth_(film)
You can still find it on amazon.com and at Barnes and Nobles.
I watch it every Lent/Easter season and every Christmas.
Whenever I read the gospel accounts, many of the images come alive as depictions from the film. It's well worth the $25 DVD version, or a library checkout.

I've also begun watching Mel Gibson's Passion as part of my Holy Week reminder that Jesus died a horribly brutal death in my place.
Our forgiveness was purchased at a high price and the reminders of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter are great opportunities to meditate on that in prayer and great thanksgiving -- it is the Good News!

By the way...I always thought that Jesus was crucified from noon to 3 pm -- "from the 6th to the 9th hour.." However, check out Mark 15:25.
Jesus was actually crucified at the 3rd hour, about 9 am - but darkness overcame the land from the 6th to the 9th hour. Check out the accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke to see.

I'm grateful for what Jesus did to reconcile me to a full relationship with God.
What do you believe?

Other Worldview Topics?

What other Christian worldview topics should we blog?
and...what do you believe...?

Isn't a "Good and Moral" Jesus Enough?

Many worldviews acknowledge that Jesus was most likely a good person with some good moral directives. He did in fact state the "golden rule" of 'Love your neighbor as yourself ' (Mark 12:31).
But they prefer not to acknowledge him as truly the Son of God, God with us, God incarnate - or as having risen from the dead after dying on the cross for the remission of sins.
So...by definition, Christianity is truly different from every other religion and moral worldview. Christians believe that Jesus is the risen Son of God. Not only a great and gifted teacher, but One with God. Not as some would say that 'we are all god, or parts of god.' We believe that Jesus is God.
And, if one were to believe the good and moral teachings of Jesus, you would have to reconcile that he also said, "The Father and I are one." (John 10:30); and his many miracles, even raising people from the dead! These accompany his good moral teachings.
And Jesus allowed his followers to worship him.
"My lord and my God!" Thomas said to him. (John 20:28)
The bible goes on to say, that "in him dwelt the fullness of deity." (Collasians 2:9)
And as a closing thought to this post, the Bible teaches this:
"Everyone who denies the Son, neither has the Father." (1st John 2:23).
Of course, there's nothing wrong with other worldviews disagreeing with, or debating Christian beliefs--that's diversity. But believing that Jesus is the Son of God is the Spiritual diversity of Christianity. It's either true or it's not -- but there is no 'shared truth' in the middle ground.

What do you believe?

Christianity is inclusive

I frequently hear two questions related to the Christian worldview:
1. "so then...you think all other religions are wrong?"
and
2. "so...you think you're somehow better than everyone else?"
Both miss the true inclusiveness of the Christian worldview.

First, everyone on the planet is welcome to believe in Jesus, the Son of God. No one is excluded or prevented. Every person of every worldview, religion or belief system is welcome at any time. And it's your free will to decide, there is no threat of harm or death if you do not believe.
If you choose not to believe in Jesus, you're still considered no better or worse than any other human being, including Christians -- However, Christian spiritual diversity teaches that your life would be better off believing--both in abundant blessings received here on earth, and in eternal life with God after you die. That's a free choice though, available until you die.
Answering the first question--does believing Christianity make other religions "wrong"? There's nothing wrong with comparing and debating our worldview beliefs. It's healthy. But it's disingenuous to try and reconcile every belief system as "the same truth."
If Jesus lived, died and rose again as we believe in the Bible--as the subtitute sacrifice for our sins--so that by God's Grace, we can have a relationship with God, now and for eternity, thanks to Jesus' free gift of atoning death--if that's true, then you can easily answer the question for other religions or belief systems:

• If you believe that a person "earns" their relationship with God now and qualifies for heaven based on living a "good life" then that is not the teaching of Christianity. It disagrees with Christian spiritual diversity.
• If you believe that Jesus was a "good, moral person" but did not die on the cross for our sins, and was not God incarnate, that is not the teaching of Christianity.
• If you believe there is no God, or that all is god, or all are god...that is not compatible with Christianity. It disagrees.

Answering question 2, None of these belief alternatives makes you better or worse than your Christian neighbor, since our sins are only forgiven by God because of Jesus--we are not sin-less, we are forgiven. But belief in Jesus and his teachings does tend to move people away from sin and towards what God would prefer them to do, as taught in the bible. Not because they are superior to others, but because the Holy Spirit of God leads to better ways, by Grace (by His free gift of love and blessings). And yet, even after believing in Jesus, we still sin - we're not suddenly perfect. But we are able to turn to God and ask forgiveness, in Jesus' name. (see 1st John 1:9)

Christians, by definition, do not judge others as "worse or inferior" because Jesus himself taught humility:

"Why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

What do you believe?