Earth Day - Thank You Email to God

I enjoy the outdoors. One of my favorite Wisconsin stores specializes in canoes, kayaks and all the related gear. They send regular emails about new products and special offers that I find to be very helpful.

This week the store's email focused on Earth Day. Here' what they had to say,

"On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to our one and only planet. We are so grateful for her not only today, but every day. For the air we breathe, for the ground we walk on, for the water that connects us and is our life blood, for all the plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa that make up life as we know it."

What struck me about their message was how specifically they thanked the Earth. Right down to the bacteria and protozoa that "make up life as we know it."

My first thought was the obvious one, "How about sending out a big THANK YOU to God, who made the Earth?"

Those bacteria and protozoan didn't appear out of nowhere. Science has proven just how complex those tiny factories are. Once you start delving into cellular structure, proteins and amino acids, it's become clear that Mother Earth had some help that goes way beyond the limited reach of macroevolution.

Depending on your spiritual side, that help most likely came from the Father Intelligent Designer.


Here's what I wrote back,


"Thank you for today's email!

And in turn, our family is grateful for the Creator, the Lord God who is the author of the intelligent design that enables our shared joy of the earth...for the air we breathe, for the ground we walk on, for the water that connects us and is our life blood, for all the plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa that make up life as we know it.

Thanks be to God."

----

And to his credit, the store owner replied back that same day:

"Ingratitude is the worst thing we can show to the Creator. Thanks for being grateful."

Owner and chief paddling evangelist

----

Fair enough. I'll be interested to see next year's Earth Day email. Perhaps a reference to the Creator? We'll see.

Colossians Chapter 1: 15-17

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

What do you believe?

Margo and the COVID Bully

It was the spring of 1967.  There was a brief knock at the classroom door and Miss Wilson, the principal's secretary, ushered in a shy looking girl name Margo. Our 5th grade teacher, Miss Daley, led Margo over to the empty desk in front of me and introduced her to our class with a friendly smile. "Meet Margo Smith."    [I've changed Margo's name]

From one foot away, I couldn't help examining Margo's appearance.  The poor dear's mousy brown hair raced round in a rollicking tangle of disorder. Her flimsy glasses looked two sizes two small, like she'd borrowed them from a department store doll. There were holes in Margo's frayed canvas shoes, barely covered by a scratchy looking wool jumper with a too-large belt and a shabby, thin sweater that she clutched closer as Miss Daley left her at the desk. Mind you, none of Margo's classmates were from wealthy families, including me. We hailed from modest, blue collar neighborhoods. But we usually had enough sets and combinations of "good" school clothes to be kept separate from rough and tumble "play" clothes. I wondered what the new girl's play clothes might look like.

"Can I borrow a brush?" Margo stage whispered across the aisle to Annette, my classmate. I was shocked at her boldness, having only just sat down and Miss Daley right there at the front of the classroom within earshot. But Annette, bless her heart, perhaps discomforted by Margo's wild tangles, reached into her desk and wordlessly handed over a brush. That set the whirlwind tone of what came to be a very brief, and most unlikely friendship.

For the moment, all was forgotten when I arrived home to find a small brown package left by the postman. For me! This was decades before Amazon would rob of us this unexpected thrill and simple pleasure. I had scrupulously saved six cereal box labels and sent away for a very nifty spy belt with pretend plastic camera and an extendable mirror to peek around corners. I was just hooking on the camera when our front door bell rang. This meant the visitor was not among our friends and family. They would naturally come to the "back" door of our home. You just didn't track wet or muddy shoes through someone's "front room."  Salesman? Political candidate?

I flipped on the porch light, wrestled the rarely used door across our carpeted threshold and there stood Margo. The new girl.  Her eyes darted toward me and I saw the flicker of recognition. By then my mother had walked in from the kitchen and seen me awkwardly holding the door. "Are you the mother?"  Margo quickly asked.  She had a furtive sense of purpose. I suddenly felt silly, standing there with a pretend spy camera mounted on my belt. My mom gave me a nudge and said, "Open the door, let her come in!" It was a cold breezy night and I did as I was told, still quite confused as to why my new classmate was suddenly standing in our living room.

"We just moved here," Margo continued, her words sounding practiced. "Do you have any pie tins? And maybe some wax paper?" She looked my mom dead in the eye. No quaver in her voice, like she'd done this a hundred times. Like she had a schedule to keep. "Of course," my mother answered kindly. I could tell she was bemused by this young girl's pluck. And my mom was street wise enough from her own upbringing to appreciate the implications of worn canvas shoes and nothing but a shabby thin sweater on a chilly evening. "Let's see what else we can find for you in the kitchen. What are you planning to make?"

Margo followed her in and I quickly shed the new spy belt. When Margo returned with her bag of supplies I caught her glancing down to see if I still had it on. She bit back a smile and headed back out into the chilly night. There was nothing the least bit awkward in her demeanor.  "You know her?" my mom asked as she peeked out the window to watch Margo cross our lawn. I explained her arrival in Miss Daley's class. "Smith is her last name? Well, keep an eye out for her. She's going to need a friend or two. It's not easy being the new girl."

The next morning our class spilled onto the playground for recess with all the other kids.  I spotted one of the bigger boys (a sixth grader!) fiercely towering over Margo, who seemed to be shielding a smaller boy huddled on the ground behind her. Margo, fists planted defiantly on her hips, stared up at the troublemaker with a little less surety than she'd shown my mother. "He didn't know this was the sixth grader's area. We're new here, just leave him alone." Suddenly I found myself standing beside Margo, unsure how I'd been transported there. And on her other side stood Annette, who'd also wordlessly appeared. Quiet, unassuming Annette whom I'd never even talked to outside of class. An unplanned alliance of unspoken means. 

The confrontation evaporated, the older boy went looking for others to torment and Margo turned to lift her little brother off the damp playground. Jimmy was in the second grade, his clothing every bit as drab and worn as Margo's. The four of us drifted over to the "younger" end of the playground and that was that. Over the course of the next few weeks we spent each recess and lunch hour together. Playing on the swings, tossing a ball. I can remember how it pleased me to see Margo laugh or smile as we played. They were glimpses of an 11 year old girl hidden behind the much older and troubled eyes of her circumstance. 

Then one night I came to the dinner table to find my mom and dad looking intently at the daily newspaper. My dad expected it delivered to our back porch by 4:30 each day and he alone was allowed to have reading material at the evening meal. There on the front page of the Journal was the grainy photo of a man in a silly pointed hat and hood that cascaded down over his shoulders. The caption read,  Daniel Smith, Grand Dragon of the national Klu Klux Klan. It was the 60's and I knew our family had nothing but disdain for the KKK and its beliefs. Still, for the times, this wasn't an unusual article.

My mom gave me a curious look. "Do you know who that is?" she asked. Of course I didn't, but I could tell that she did. "It's your little friend Margo's father," she said with what could have been disappointment or sadness. Or both. "He's been arrested."  In the 1960's, newspapers would include the home address in news stories of anyone local to the area.  To our shared surprise, Margo's family lived only a block away, in the unpainted and dilapidated old farmhouse that sat right next to the neighborhood tavern. "I thought it was abandoned," my dad said. So did I.

After supper I hopped on my bike and slowly rode along the litter strewn sidewalk past Margo's soon to be vacated home. There were already a few packing boxes stacked on the sagging front porch. I saw little Jimmy Smith peek into a box and then run back in through the swinging screen door, shouting something I couldn't quite make out. Maybe he'd forgotten something. There was a lot of commotion behind the windows, people in a hurry to leave. I took one last look over my shoulder, hoping to see Margo. Then I rode away.

Margo didn't return to school. Our teacher Miss Daley acknowledged that their family had indeed moved. She was about to get on with class but she hesitated. Her voice was a little choked up, which bewildered me. "You know," she said quietly, "there were only two people in our class who showed Margo any kindness this whole time she was here. And that's Annette and Tom." She looked like she was going to say more, but either thought better of it or couldn't. It had never occurred to me that we had showed Margo any particular kindness. I could see across the aisle that Annette didn't have any more of an idea than I.  Sometimes you just discover yourself standing next to someone because they're facing a bully. To other people that looks like kindness.  That was the last anyone spoke of Margo Smith. 

It's funny what you remember and how your mind connects the dots. I wasn't drawn to this memory last week because of Margo. It was because of the way little Jimmy had huddled on the ground behind his big sister. It's how I've felt many times in the presence of a bully over the years. "I hope they just leave me alone." or in my lesser moments, "I hope they don't see me and just bother somebody else."   That's how I've wrestled and vacillated with my inner thoughts during the recent COVID crisis. This unseen, unreasoning, fiercely towering bully that relentlessly shows up every day. I hope it doesn't see me or my family and friends as we hunker down under cover of our faith and hope. And as we pray the same for anyone staring it down with fists on hips. 

A few months after Margo and her family left, Milwaukee unleashed a rampage of bullies in all colors, shapes, sizes, metaphors, analogies and political persuasions. The Summer of 1967 riots. I'll never know just how sharp that irony was. Annette and I deflecting a playground bully from the children of a KKK bully who heartlessly and relentlessly tormented countless innocent children of God. 



We came out on the other side of that summer. Many things changed. Not perfect. Not unscarred. Not without some bad memories. But still with the faith and hope and Grace that God provides.



Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. He has promised, no matter the situation, he will never leave us"

What do you believe?

Driving Headlong into the Side of That Building!

I was driving home after a healthcare conference in downtown Chicago last week.

Chicago street names aren't that familiar to me, but I can usually tell if I'm heading away from the Lake, towards the convention center, near the theater district, etc.
Google maps voice told me to turn left off State Street onto Ida B. Wells Drive and head due West, straight for the Interstate 94 on ramp.

The only problem was this building that seemed to be planted into the middle of Ida B. Wells Drive. I couldn't tell how many blocks ahead it was, but sure enough, Wells Drive looked like it would end at a cross street in front of this attractive structure.

This didn't make topographical sense to me.

I could see an I-94 sign at the corner, with its arrow pointing straight ahead. Nothing indicated turns, either left or right.  Not a peep from Google map voice.

I craned my head, but I just couldn't see past all the traffic to figure out if Wells Drive stopped, veered to the right, or....what?

My sense of direction assured me that the Lake was directly behind me (to the East). Any kid born in Southeastern Wisconsin can tell which way the Lake is, day or night (that's Lake Michigan to any non-midwesterner's reading this).  If the Lake is behind me, the interstate is directly in front of me and I'm on a major east-west street in downtown Chicago, then....oh wait.

It's the Chicago Stock Exchange building. I could see the big gold letters as I got closer. And, as traffic finally crept over a rise in the uneven asphalt, I could make out what every kid born in Chicago probably knows. You drive under the Chicago Stock Exchange building on Ida B. Wells Drive, also known as Congress Parkway.  Sheesh. Never mind!

Isn't that our thought process sometimes as we drive down the paths God has provided?

"But there's this big building standing right in the middle of the road!  I thought I was supposed to head this way, now what?  I don't have a plan for going left or right -- and I'm sure you meant directly ahead, no turns?!"

At least that's how my conversations with God sometime's go.

And then I come over a slight rise, look a little closer.  Oh. Sheesh. I'm going to drive right through this giant immovable object in my life. Right through it.    That is what God will do.

Sure, there are times when we do need to veer left or right. Straight ahead may have been our plan and not God's plan.  But there are ways to check the map.  Stay in daily prayer. Look for affirmation of decision making principles in the Bible.  Truth, humility, unselfishness...these should accompany the direction you take.  Then, if there's a building planted in the middle of that road, it may be one you're intended to drive through, with God's help.

Proverbs 4:26-27

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

What do you believe?

My raincoat and the deluge that is sin

People often question the goodness and mercy of God, basing their measure on world events or the misfortune and hurt of people around us. "If He's so great (loving, kind, merciful, all-powerful), why do bad things happen to good people?"   There are 100's of scholarly books, podcasts and theology courses to tackle this subject.

My workaday, unscholarly, blog-length understanding of bad things happening to good people (our friends and family as well as people in other corners of the world) has unfolded like this,

"We're not pets or puppets for God." That's what my Sunday school teacher said.

God has given us - all of us - free will as proof of that. A supernatural freedom of choice.

With free will for humans comes an infinite combination of decisions and behaviors made every day - across centuries - millenniums! Every person's decisions has consequences that influence future decisions and behaviors.  If you have a moral code of any kind, you see some of these as good or bad, sinister or saintly, helping or hurting. Neutral and meaningless.

For Christians, the Bible is a moral reference point. Things that would displease God (sin) almost always displease us as a matter of course - or the consequences of someone else's sin may do so. Even today's heartbreaking disease and inherited deterioration go back to Eden and the beginning of sinful (detrimental) choices that veered from God's perfection. 

It's not a punishment or shortcoming of God. God did not build-in disease (but he has provided wisdom and technology to combat it). He does not start wars or create gangs (but He architected the elements of peace - forgiveness, mercy, love, humility, unselfishness). Our human bodies are frail vessels that only last a century at best, but God has provided an eternal life to far exceed that time.  Without tears or pain or suffering. 

God can be good and there can be a broken world, both. 

Sin is a rainstorm that you and I walk through every day. We get splashed and sprayed.

If you live in Florida, you're going to see a few hurricanes. If you live in this world, you're going to bump into sin or its conseqences.

We're going to get wet. And let's be honest - sometimes we contribute to the puddles that others must walk through!

We can stay inside. We can hunker down in our homes and wait for a sinless, sunny day. Unfortunately, the cloud of sin is persistent and pervasive. Anyway, why give in or give up? We should be more, not less empowered by the freedom God grants us. By God's love. By the Light that does pierce through.

I try to put on a raincoat of faith and forgiveness in Jesus. Try to distribute umbrellas of hope and encouragement. Be ready with fresh, dry clothing for those who are shivering and cold from the deluge. We can't stop the rain - we're humans who get sick and live in dangerous times - but we can help each other through the worst of the storms with God's Grace. God's assurance.

Colossians 3:12-14
"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

"What do you believe?

Is There a Prayer of Salvation?

Thousands of people respond and inquire to the Billy Graham web site each week (peacewithGod.net). I volunteer and help people with their questions on spiritual matters. 

The inquirers have diverse spiritual (or non-spiritual) and cultural backgrounds. Some people have basic moral questions about sin. Others are curious about Jesus. Their questions range from "Is there a God?" to "How can I have a personal relationship with God?"

For many people who have given sincere thought and consideration, they choose to place their personal faith in Jesus. In years past, I've assisted new believers with this while standing on a mega-football stadium field - while Billy Graham gently led them in prayer from the stage podium. Then Franklin Graham began the internet outreach ministry in 2012, and now these digital inquiries are the "virtual" stadium field, 24x7. 

One recurring inquiry has been..."where is this prayer in the Bible?" Or, how can the "right" words make any supernatural change in a person's life?  The answers are easy - it's not written in the Bible and words don't change a person's spiritual condition. 

Here is how I explain in more depth to these inquirers - the background of what leads to a simple prayer, offered to God with a sincere faith....

There are Bible verses you can find online or in your personal Bible,

In the Gospel of Mark 1:15 Jesus said,   "Repent, and believe the Good News”    And James 5:16, to confess our sins as well.  1John1:9 explains God's mercy and response.

A personal prayer based on these Bible concepts would include repentance, saying "I'm sorry for my sins."   And John 3:16 - 3:17 explains what Jesus did for us on the cross and why; "God sent his Son so that all who believe on Him might not perish but have everlasting life."

A personal prayer could acknowledge that as true, as understanding that Jesus’ death on the cross is redemptive - He died for our sins.

And Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that we are saved by Grace through faith (not "earned" by works as some believe), and John 1:12 that in receiving Christ we become children of God;  

We are then new creations in Christ as stated in 2Corinthians 5:17

With that, a personal prayer could affirm biblical faith in Jesus,  and acknowledge receiving God into their life.

And Romans 10:9-13 says that we should do this publicly at some point, "with the heart man believes and with the mouth confesses."  Public declaration.

All this can be said in a person's own words...the specific prayer is not "written" down, but the words offered in the printed example to new believers helps them understand. And then discipleship will continue at their local church, including baptism - Christian growth doesn't stop with a prayer. Otherwise it's not a relationship with God, it's a one-time event.

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Please guide my life and help me to do your will. I ask this in Jesus name, amen." Or use your own words as you express your faith in Jesus.

Hopefully, you can see how these Biblical threads connect in this sample starter prayer we provide, or variations of it. I've stood on the stadium field with new believers, and exchanged digital messages immediately after they profess this in their own words....a change here, a stumble there. 

But as they respond with the peace of God and the Light of the Holy Spirit afterwards, it's made clear that there's more going on besides the wording of a prayer. Eternal life in Jesus.   Ephesians 1:13 is comforting in this regard. And I close my message to an inquirer with,

Please do write again if you have questions about the ministry or spiritual matters. God loves you!

www.peacewithGod.net

What do you believe?

Crete and Titus - Complete the Work

Sometime after his third missionary journey,  c. 67 the Apostle Paul wrote to give Titus a missionary task.

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." Titus 1:5

I don't know about you, but when I get instructions from my boss at work, I don't honestly think in terms of 10 years, let alone 2,000. And yet, when we visited the island of Crete this summer, there was lasting evidence that Titus followed through with diligence.

In the port of city of Heraklion, this beautiful church is a few blocks up from the shore of the Aegean Sea. We arrived just after Sunday services and this father lingered with his young son, echoing Titus 2:6-8

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

So strong was the imprint of Titus' leadership that the Christian community on Crete survived not only time, but centuries of occupation and disruption by the Venetians and Turks before again joining Greece. 

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some of Titus' remains are still kept in this small chapel of the church in Heraklion. It is a rather humble room compared to Europe's grand basilicas and even his mentor Paul's tomb in Rome. I enjoyed this moment and took my photo, pausing for church goers who came in to touch the reliquary and icon with respect for the hometown ancestor of Crete's Christian community. Paul himself had fondly prefaced his instructions to Titus:  

"To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. "

As our ship departed Crete, I watched until I could no longer see it on the horizon. So amazing to me how these early pioneers of our faith navigated nations, seas and souls.

Titus 3:4
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."

What do you believe?

Athens - Acropolis - The Apostle Paul - History

My view of Mars Hill from the Acropolis - Athens 

I was racing the clock a little bit in Athens this past June.

Our tour group had gamely trudged their way  up to the top of Acropolis hill.  There, in the blazing 100 degree heat, we wandered ancient ruins alongside glimmering shadows of the Parthenon's magnificent columns. Our cameras took in the city of Athens below, and on out to the Aegean Sea.

I had my heart set on something a little further down the steep slope - Mars Hill of the ancient Areopagus (Marketplace). But our tour guide cautioned me in her thick Greek accent, "I don't think we'll have time for Mars Hill today, it is so hot. And besides, we walk down a different way."   That didn't sound like a firm "no" to me!

It's well documented that the Apostle Paul visited and preached from Mars Hill of the Areopagus   around 51 A.D.  That the massive granite and surrounding ruins of the marketplace exist has never been questioned. The secular government has even posted one of those "historical markers" next to it, acknowledging Paul's visit to their locality in the first century.  

In the Book of Acts from the Bible, Luke recalls the scene, Chapter 17

"21 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.  22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god."

It's remarkable how far Paul and his group had traveled to reach Athens. Just look on a map and trace the eastern edge of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. From Israel through modern day Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and back down from northern Greece. Antioch, Tarsus, Philipi, Thessalonica...

He didn't just rush through as we did on our  week-long jaunt across Greece. Paul would stay for months at a time, getting to know the people - and fairly earning the right to speak in such a prominent place.

"So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. " Acts 17:17

When the time came to descend the Acropolis' steep embankment our hired guide gave me a bemused look and said, "Come, follow me. We will go this way."  That is the photo you see up above. Mars Hill as we threaded our way down.  "Now listen to me," she said quietly, with a hand covering the wireless tour guide microphone. "When we get to the bottom, everyone will turn left to go back to the buses, do you understand? Because once you get to the bus, you will no longer be able to walk back to see the Aeropagus. Left to the bus, do you understand?"     I did. She turned left and I turned right when we got to the bottom of the hill. Then I jogged along the path until I got to the base of Mars Hill.  

Two minutes later I had scrambled up the path and was catching my breath on the slippery granite, handsomely polished by the Apostle Paul's sandals and 2,000 years of wind and rain. As I slowly took in the panorama, tears welled up and I had one of those rare travel moments when you realize it's more than you could have ever imagined. Because up there on the hill, exactly where Paul would have gazed with his audience, was the Acropolis, perhaps one of the most famously celebrated views of ancient history. And now his words made so much more sense. And the Bible rings even more true for me. I quietly recited the verse and swiped at my eyes so I could take the photo below,

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." Acts 17

Paul had spent time getting to know his host city, they'd asked him to share his ideas, and he spoke to them in words and imagery they would understand. I can't help but be inspired to do the same.

What do you believe?

The Spiritual Hypoxia of Airline Oxygen Masks

We logged a lot of airline miles this year. Seattle, New York, Frankfurt, Rome, Athens, Zurich...

Every airline gave us the same pre-flight instructions about the little yellow oxygen masks:If the airplane cabin depressurizes at high altitude, the oxygen masks will automatically drop down.What do you do first?

"Put your own oxygen mask on before helping your children or those around you."

This has always sounded counter-intuitive to me, because as a dad, I would naturally worry about my daughter or wife first. Other people with kind hearts would think to help the stranger next to them before helping themselves.

"Put your own oxygen mask on before helping your children or those around you."

There's a reason for this. Oxygen deprivation to your brain - hypoxia - leads to confusion. It happens so fast that you can quickly lose your ability to think clearly, to use your fine motor skills. You might actually cause more harm than good as you fumble to adjust someone else's oxygen mask in your depleted state. 

I gave this more thought than usual when we flew with our grandson this summer.

If the cabin lost pressure and I floundered trying to help the grandson, I'd be relying on other passengers to make sure he got his oxygen. I trusted my wife and my daughter as immediate backup in our row, but there were some pretty sketchy characters occupying the seats in front of, and behind us. I didn't want to rely on them helping my grandson if we lost pressure.  My plan of action was simple. Be prepared (alert to danger), be in a position to help (stay oxygenated), make sure he's safe (eyes on the kid). See who else we can help.

Consider our current society and culture - the cabin has rapidly depressurized and spiritual levels are plummeting. There's a readily accessible source of eternal life support within reach of every person - all are able to breath in the truth of the Gospel.

But a spiritual hypoxia has already settled over us. It's like watching the slow motion scene of an airplane disaster movie unfold. All through the plane, people are hesitating in the seconds that matter. There are parents with children next to them who are not reaching for the truth themselves and they aren't turning to help their kids, either. "They'll figure it out for themselves, I don't want to force them."

As chaos escalates in the cabin, kids - young adults - adults - grow more worried and disoriented. They sense disorder and look expectantly for someone with perspective and direction. Passengers from the next row step right over the hesitant parents to provide calming reassurance. "Don't worry, you're going to be fine. You don't need that oxygen mask, that's just for the weak minded people. You'll be stronger and more independent without it."

Over in the next row, a like-minded group has convinced several passengers who'd already donned a the yellow mask and are breathing easily...to take it off. "You don't want to appear as though you're judging the other passengers, do you?"  

In the context of all human history, it seems like this entire, disturbing scene has taken place in a manner of seconds.  But it's been many decades in the making. And the hypoxic confusion of our generation is, quite literally, breathtaking.

Each person yearns to find answers to questions they have about God.  About spiritual love, about eternal souls.  We need to be better informed and ready with confident answers. If we aren't effectively helping this generation draw near the Gospel, nor resolving our own confused theology - then it will be people from other rows of spirituality or philosophy that influence and direct those who remain.

Job 33:4"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

What do you believe?

Peace and Love, Ringo, Peace and Love!

Ladies and gentleman....Ringo Starr!

"What would you do if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?"

Not a chance. We stood and cheered and sang along with Ringo for the better part of two hours at a recent concert.  Admittedly, it was a huge thrill for me. Ringo and the Beatles were a major part of my musical upbringing in the 60's. I still tell people at church that I'm most comfortable singing "Beatle harmonies" (the least complicated thirds and fifths).

Besides the great music, there was one thing in full and constant display with Ringo. The two finger, V-shaped "peace sign!"  One hand, both hands. During songs, after songs. Stage left, stage right.

"Peace and love, everybody, peace and love!"  Ringo waved and mugged for photos and we all cheered.  Even song lyrics written since his days with the Beatles featured encouragement to "choose love!"

Ringo's message is crystal clear. For anyone not keeping up with me:
"Peace and love, everybody, peace and love!"

And it seems to agree with the 79 year old from Liverpool. He's trim, fit, charismatic, effervescent, in good humor. Obviously enjoys his bandmates and the audience. The guy seems to emanate peace and love. He seems to thrive on peace and love. And echoing in my head ever since the concert, whenever I see a photo of Ringo in the news or play one of his albums - I can clearly hear him saying...you guessed it, "Peace and love, everybody, peace and love!"

That is how I would like to share the Good News of Jesus. God loves you! Jesus loves you!

It's how I wish people would see me - and you - emanating God's love. Thriving on God's love. Living the light of Jesus. Enjoying our audience of spiritual inquirers.  Charismatic, effervescent in the Holy Spirit.  God loves you! The peace of Christ that is beyond understanding -- not just as Ringo (the world) gives it, but as only God can.    Peace and love!  We could even write songs about it.

What is Ringo doing that is so right?  He's winsome, happy and sincere.  His message is simple, memorable and endlessly repeated. And it accompanies a delightful shared experience of his signature music and personality - repeated over 50+ years.  Has he transformed the world? In some musical and cultural ways perhaps.  Can he reconcile people supernaturally to God?  Of course not - but he doesn't claim to.

Maybe that's where we need to step in. "Jesus loves you, everybody, Jesus loves you!"  Start telling people now, share your sincere joy and peace. Keep it simple, memorable and I do believe you can make a difference over the next 50 years. - with a little help from your friends (in high places).

What do you believe?

The Wrong Rental Car

Not long ago,  I had a business meeting in Minneapolis, which is about a 6 hour, very picturesque drive from our town. Airfare was more expensive and it would have taken 5 - 6 hours of my time to get to the airport, park, go through airport security, fly and then arrange transport to the meeting location once I landed in Minneapolis. So instead, I rented a car.

The rental car agency has a remote office at a local hotel, not far from where I live. I called ahead and the agency let me know I could pick up the keys in their office at the hotel. My wife dropped me off at the entrance and I rolled my small suitcase along two carpeted corridors before finding the tiny rental office. The cheerful agent handed me an envelope with the keys and said, "It's the blue mid-size in our parking lot right outside, you can't miss it," and she jerked the thumb of her hand in a left-ish pointing motion.

Less than a minute later I shouldered my way out the side door and onto the sidewalk facing the parking lot.  Spotting the blue mid-size just a few feet away, I eased my suitcase into the back seat. Slide my backpack over to the front passenger side and set my phone in the cup holder in one fluid motion. Seasoned traveler, ready to roll!  I put one foot on the brake pedal and pressed the car's "start" button. Nothing.

Try again?  Nothing.
Car is in park? Check.  Gas tank full, check. What's the problem?

That's when I looked out the front window at the other blue mid-size car just across the lot. Any chance that....yup. The license plate on that car matched the license number written on my key. I'm in the wrong car!

Not only the wrong car, but this wasn't even a rental car! I was sitting in somebody's personal ride. Very embarrassed, I yanked my backpack and suitcase and strode over to the "correct" sedan, repeated the process and drove off. Smiling once again as I sped toward the freeway on ramp, I decided to call my wife and tell her my story, except...no phone. It was still in the cup holder of the other car!  Fortunately, it was still there a few tense minutes later as I hoped against hope the owner would not come out and accuse me of stealing something!

So many lessons learned and so many life applications came to mind as I drove away. Again.

1. Make sure you match the key to the license plate and don't just slide into a similar looking sedan.   Our culture is offering up a lot of alternate forms of spirituality and worship these days.  They may "look" the same and seem ready to drive - but the spiritual "engine" is a non-starter.  Check for Biblical truth, core belief in Jesus as Savior, Son of God and Him crucified. The one name under heaven by which we can be saved, Acts 4:12.  To whom every knee will bend and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, Philippians 2:9-11
2. You may just have to get out of the wrong car, pick up your stuff (your family, your friendships) and walk across the parking lot - in full view of everyone - acknowledging your mistake. It's ok. I've done the same thing!   
3. You could reach out and help someone else who might be confused - call back the people who sent you out with weak instructions in the first place. Help them to see that there are other cars out there - maybe counsel them to tell others..."be sure you match the keys to the license plate!"  Doesn't everybody?  No, they don't, and we're partly to blame for not making it clear - with love, patience and respect, who Jesus is, and who He is not.  Don't jump into the first blue sedan you see!   Believe me, I've learned my lesson!

What do you believe?

The Power Station at LAX Airport

I had an hour to kill before my flight home from Los Angeles.

After you clear security at LAX, the departure gates numbered 31 - 36 form a semi-cirlce at the end of a long, carpeted corridor. My Delta flight was scheduled to leave from Gate 36.

The combined waiting area of this semi-circle is deceptively large. There were hundreds of people scrunched into chairs, sprawled on the floor and pacing in between. Typical airport.

I looked across the expanse, searching for an empty chair, hoping for a nearby outlet to charge my iPhone. I spied a small alcove with several rows of chairs wide open, so I made my way over. Jackpot!  I could see power outlets built right into the metal frame beside every seat. Surprised that more of the seats weren't taken, I plugged in.

"Not charging" flashed on my iPhone screen.  Probably a loose connection in that one, so I pulled the plug and tried another outlet. "Not charging."  I raised my head to look around and a fellow traveler caught my eye from a few chairs over. He gave me a half-smile and shrugged his shoulders to signal his plug didn't work either. Taking a closer look, I could see that this entire alcove of chairs was "unplugged." They had power cords dangling from each row that went nowhere.

Another quick walk through the other endless rows, I could see that none of them were plugged in! So where the heck can you charge your mobile device.....?

Then I spotted a tall, narrow island of a kiosk with shiny white counter tops on two sides. "Power Station." Travelers crowded all around it and others hovered nearby, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and connect their own thirsty device. I smiled as the same scenario played out. Travelers entered the gate area, spotted the empty chair alcove, plugged in, frowned, got up, walked around, and eventually spotted us by the working power island where we waited our turn. It was obvious that we had discovered the real source of power. And all mobile technology formats, shapes and sizes were in abundance.

I often see a spiritual version of this same "unplugged power outlet" scenario.
Many people are looking for that short, direct route to plug into a higher power. They have a sense of somewhat careless urgency, hoping to plop down in an open chair and take a break from their busy lives.

But many of the beckoning alcoves of spirituality have an unseen dead end. It is an illusory connection with no real source of power. Philosophies of good works,  prosperity, self-discipline or balanced karma are in fact "not charging." They will eventually drain the hope and confidence of a sincere seeker, sometimes replacing it with cynicism toward all things spiritual.

It's not always easy to admit that, to get up and search again.  But for some, it's actually the perfect motivation to more carefully, thoughtfully walk through the ocean of disconnect to discover that singular island kiosk of Truth. There are other people there to welcome you and share their own journey to God's counter. To affirm a sure and confident connection to God through Jesus. There is room for everyone. All formats, all versions, all shapes and sizes, all are welcome at the table with Jesus.

Romans 15:7
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

What do you believe?

Artificial Intelligence and Jesus

"10 minutes to your destination...."

My bride of 36 years turned to me in our car and mused, "It usually says, '20 minutes' when I'm driving to work."   She picked up her phone and looked at the screen. The destination address was that of our church.
"How does it know where we're going!?"

Answer, its Sunday.  And on most Sunday's when we get in the car, our destination is the church where we've worshiped for 15 years.
It's a simple artificial intelligence algorithm. The phone has paid attention with location tracking and time. It gets 'smarter' as it learns a repeated pattern, like going to church on Sunday and work on Monday.

I gave this some thought as we waited for the service to begin.
Our phones and tablets and laptops are all paying attention to patterns of behavior.
We all know that amazon.com will suggest purchase ideas related to this new item or our past purchases.
I get a lot of CD reminders for 60's and 70's music, boating equipment and kindle books.
Amazon video and Netflix both provide a "just for you" list of topics (action and mystery/thriller).

Those are simple. But think bigger. God not only sees our behavior in real time, he knows our thoughts and our hearts. He is before us and after us with no boundary of time. Wouldn't his "Siri" or "Alexa" comments be interesting to hear on your smart phone?

"You have 1 hour available with nothing else scheduled, during which you could pray or read your bible, or check on a loved one, but you will instead flip through sports scores and news while wishing you had more time to relax."

Ouch.  Or,

"You have just received a bonus check, you will struggle with your decision to tithe 10% off the gross or after-tax amount."

Hey!  How did he know that?!

I smiled and thought of other combinations God could share which I most certainly would not want blurted out over a phone. And I realized, as we all do, that God doesn't need a phone app to pull the "drive time to church" magic trick.  We have something with much greater nuance, subtlety, depth and breadth.
You're probably way ahead of me on this one, it's...your conscience.

God knows right and wrong and so do we. We are made in his image.

Romans 2:15
"They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."

What does your Siri say?

My Boss Left the Company - We Got Empowered

John 15:26-27
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.  And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning."

I work for a large corporation and we have a lot of management "layers."  Sometimes we gripe amongst ourselves about "micro-managing" done by unnecessary middle managers. On the other hand, some team members adapt. They start waiting for the manager to decide everything for them, its easier. They may even lose confidence in their own ability to get things done.

18 months ago, my team's immediate manager left the company. I really liked her even though her role sometimes represented that extra "layer" of oversight. Still, I got the resources I needed to get my projects done and I knew she had my back. So I was disappointed to see her go and we waited for her replacement. None came. Further up the chain, management announced they had eliminated her "layer." 

Our new, higher level manager had many people and much broader responsibility. He simply didn't have time or capacity to consider each of our day-to-day decisions. In the short term we floundered a bit as a team. We are all highly driven, seasoned marketers, but we had adapted to the team dynamic of another person calling the most significant plays on our behalf. 

Then, without saying so, we each started filling in those manager "gaps" for our team. We made more influential, higher risk decisions. We consulted each other for support. Things got done. Nobody "up the chain" second guessed our work. And now 18 months later, we are a well oiled machine - still consulting our business leader at times, but strongly independent and encouraged to function on our own.  We know the boss' overall message and goals, so we often incorporate that saying, "I think this aligns with his plan," or similar. We're empowered, but we do recognize and respect a higher purpose and road map.

If our previous leader had not left and gone away, we might not have stepped up like that - why would we? But this way, and to our senior manager's credit -  the company has unleashed so much more energy and creativity and entrepreneurship. We are busier than ever, but it is much more satisfying and purposeful.  Much more has been accomplished.

John 16:7-11

"But truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment."

This recent business experience reminded me once again why Jesus' ministry may have been so brief.
I got a tiny glimpse of what Peter and his teammates might have felt.  "What do we do now that we're on our own?"
Jesus had already taught them - they knew the fundamentals of his message.  Prayer gave them access to upper management - their Father in heaven. And the Holy Spirit was present to inspire and guide and affirm them.
The apostles could have shut down after the crucifixion and waited for the next "replacement leader."  But they knew. Jesus had told them. It was with them and through them that he intended to get the work done.  No comfort zone ahead.

We are all of us empowered with the redemptive message of Jesus and the cross. His Father in heaven. The guidance of the Holy Spirit.   We are the people with whom God intends to accomplish His purpose. 


2 Corinthians 1:24

"But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm."

What do you believe?

Down Syndrome and God-Syndrome

[Update: as of June 26, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned for its faulty logic and lazy jurisprudence. Looking back now on this 50 year span of my life where our country promoted abortion - 60 million lives lost - it's heartbreaking to wonder how many millions of wonderful families and societal contributions are forever lost because of poor decisions. Ideas have consequences, bad ideas have victims.]

Original blog text 3/30/18

 

I was one of them.
One of the pragmatic people who logically concluded that some babies (or their families) might be better off "not being born" for reasons that included the "health of the mother." 

Pragmatic and logical - that's how I saw it. Sincerely so.  Looking back, looking in the mirror, it's better to say I was self-absorbed and breathtakingly uninformed - on many levels.  I take full responsibility. 

We got what we advocated, all us pragmatic, open minded people - the ability to choose. It's proved a devastatingly slippery slope. Choosing for the "health of the mother," quickly became choosing "for the convenience of the mother or other involved parties," and eventually "for any reason, at any time."  
And now 54 million babies have been "pragmatized" in this fashion.  In the USA. 
My heart breaks for any mother or father who now regrets or was coerced or mislead into their decision - and Christians owe them love and support to recover, through Jesus' mercy and Grace. I offer my prayers up for anyone hurting as they read this now. 

Personally, I woke up to the disturbing truth about 10 million babies after Roe v. Wade.  I was an adult "cultural" Christian. A God believing church-attender who had begun writing gospel music. Searching for material,  I started reading the bible more earnestly. Soon I was no longer uninformed, having read Jeremiah 1:5      
In fact, I was without excuse, having read Romans 1:20    (As any Christian is...without excuse..if they counsel others against God's plan for life.  Luke 17:1-2)

Not long after I got that biblical wake up call, I saw the ultrasound of our own daughter. It was a transcendent, electrifying movie moment when all my past college debates and snarky "pro-lifer" jibes went rocketing in front of my eyes. I blurted out to my wife on the drive back home..."how could anyone see these images and not believe it's a baby?"  How indeed.  At the local pregnancy center we now fund and support, there is an almost 100% decision for birth after seeing an ultrasound. Any surprise that Planned Parenthood doesn't invest tax dollars in ultrasounds?  They are without excuse...

Just a ways down the slippery slope is Down Syndrome.  Pragmatic, logical people - governments - are now advocating a no-survivor policy. They will then be "Down's-free" zones. This has been reported as a "courageous" stance.

My buddy Jake is a black belt. He loves orange soda, prefers a hug over a handshake, has a mischievous sense of humor and is just one of the guys when we all hang out together on league night.  I enjoy spending time with him and his loving, supportive family. He has Down Syndrome. 
(Iceland has thus become a no-Jake-or-his-family zone. Somebody explain this to Icelanders, for Christ's sake.)    In this current cultural debate - I find myself labeled as unconscionably intolerant - because I have matured past cold-blooded pragmatist to become chromosome-blind to Jake and his family.  

One statistic I read suggests that more than100  million adult women are "missing" in other countries, because they got gender selected out of the womb in hopes of a boy baby on the next round. This is heartbreaking for everyone involved - including coerced, mislead and victimized parents who fight against it and are overpowered by others.

The other shoe has also dropped...now some countries who had "assisted suicide" laws have begun to advocate "proactive euthanasia" -- since it can be both "humane" and pragmatically expedient in economically troubling times.  

That's made the slope slippery on BOTH sides of the womb. 

The same cold logic that converted Roe v Wade to 1 million deaths per year (more than cancer, more than heart disease) for the "health of the mother" will soon be trained on "what's best for the health of 80-somethings."   We know how that math will progress, thanks to abortion's test case. Ironically, it's just in time for the 20-something activists of the Roe v. Wade era to come under similar scrutiny for their own aging process and euthanasia. 

None of it seems as complicated to me as it used to - I simply go with God on this topic. And it leaves me somewhat embarrassed for how intolerant I was of the early "pro-lifers" who had simply articulated an objectively informed, biblical worldview:  "Let the babies live."

"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:10

Every life is precious. Let's let God determine the outcomes. We've proved ourselves unworthy to take his place.

What do you believe?