Suicide used to be far more common in history, before the advent of the church. Suicide is still an acceptable way out, or in some cases a required way out, in cultures where the Gospel has not permeated the thinking of people.
The influence of the Christian church changed culture, because the church views all life as God-given. As long as there is life there is hope. From the Christian perspective, life is an opportunity for the unbeliever to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. For the believer, there is a surrender to the will of a loving Heavenly Father who wills and purposes all things for His glory and our good. Suicide is a way to take back control over life from the Creator and Giver of life - it is inconsistent with the Christian view of the nature and character of God as expressed in Scripture.
Not surprisingly, as western culture has gone away from its Christian roots, the "right" to suicide and to assistance in taking one's life has re-surfaced as a part of the modern liberal mindset. This is occuring in the U.S. and in Europe. It is easy to see why someone who is Darwinistic in their outlook, believing that they are just a product of random chance and an accidental compilation of molecules that is destined to return to the universe, supports the right to suicide. There is no eternal soul and there is certainly no God before whom every knee will bow and give an account. Thus, controlling their own destiny, at whatever time, for whatever reason, and in whatever way they chose, is their last great exercise of self-will and a triumph of their own self-determination.
So, why should the Christian object? Why should the Christian care?
If what the Bible has to say about eternity is true, then the death of every person without Christ as their Savior means that person is headed to hell for ever and ever and ever with no more chances for the glory and blessing of heaven. The story that Jesus tells in Luke 16:19-31 is an excellent illustration of what that means - torturous agony for ever and ever and ever.
For the follower of Jesus Christ, this world and its pains and problems is the closest they will ever get to hell. For the one who has rejected Jesus Christ's gift of eternal life, this world and its pains and problems is the closest they will ever get to heaven. The great exchange of life for death is not an escape from pain and suffering, but a guarantee of the certainty of pain and suffering for ever and ever and ever.
The lie of suicide for the unbeliever is that it will end suffering. The Christian knows that the opposite is true. For the believer who is contemplating suicide as a way of escape from the pain and misery of this life and a way to get to heaven sooner, the issue is whether they want their last act in this world to be an act of self-will instead of surrender, before they come face to face with Jesus Christ. They won't miss heaven, but there is likely to be a sense of loss in not completing the course/the race of this life until the Lord was ready to take them home. For the Christian, every day is an opporunity to bring glory and honor and praise to our Savior. Often, the joy and faith of the person in pain and suffering is the clearest mark of the reality of the presence of Jesus Christ in this world. God never wastes pain.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
SUSAN BOYLE - GIFTED OR LUCKY
A few months ago, an obscure 48 year old Scottish woman - Susan Boyle - took Britain and the world by storm with a shockingly beautiful and moving singing voice. She was slightly brain-damaged at birth, and lived most of her life with her mother.
She was recently interviewed on network television. The interviewer used the word, "gifted," to describe her voice. Susan Boyle cut off the interviewer and said, "not gifted," just "lucky." She then insisted that her voice was the result of luck, not a gift.
What is the difference between a "gift" and "luck"? A gift implies a purposeful Giver. In fact, the only One who can give such a voice is the Creator God. Luck, on the other hand implies a random, senseless chance event. There is no purpose or meaning. There is no One to Whom thanks may be given.
Even our sterile, secular schools have classes for "gifted" students - not lucky students. Most people recognize that there is gifting in life. For those who choose to honor God with their gift, there is worship and praise for the Giver of all good things (see James 1:17). For those who deny the Creator, there is no one to Whom to give thanks and praise. There is no One worthy of such gratitude.
What a dull, boring, purposeless life when there is no One to Whom to give thanks and praise for gifts and talents and opportunities and for life itself.
What are your gifts? We all have them. What can you give God thanks and praise for today? He is worthy of your worship. If you have trouble coming up with things for which to be thankful, spend some time in the Psalms. David took the time to contemplate and be thankful. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV)
As John Piper says in Don't Waste Your Life, what a blessing it is to be able to climb to the top of the Swiss Alps, look out over God's creation, and know that He gave all of this to us so that we will praise and worship Him. How tragic to see the wonder of the Alps and be so pre-occupied with self that no thought is given to praising Him. May all of us look for every opportunity to praise Him. He is worthy!
THE REBIRTH OF MICHAEL VICK
At one point, Michael Vick was the highest paid football player in the NFL. However, he just emerged broke from two years of prison and parole for his role in a nasty dog fighting ring.
Among the encouraging signs of his rehabilitation is that Tony Dungy has been mentoring him. Tony Dungy is the former head coach of the Superbowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. His autobiography is titled, "Quiet Strength," and describes his faith and his trials - such as the suicide of his son. Tony Dungy is undoubtedly sharing his faith and trying to build faith through discipleship in the life of Michael Vick - one of the best athletes ever to play in the NFL.
So, if Michael Vick is signed by an NFL team and makes it back to the top, it will undoubtedly be because of the work of God in the life of Tony Dungy, who in turn is investing in the lives of other men.
That is exactly what we are called to do with our lives: 2 Tim. 2:2: "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach (train) others also."
ATHLETES WHO GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST
There have been a number of articles in the N.Y. Times and other media about the number of athletes who are bold about their faith. It drives some people crazy. For myself and others, however, what a glorious blessing to see athletes boldly honor Jesus Christ as savior and Lord!
One of the reasons I enjoy watching sports is to see and hear the testimonies that often follow a great game. There are many examples, including the bold, exuberant faith and example of Tim Tebow. The number one pick in the NBA draft this year, Blake Griffin, comes from a godly family where faith is always front and center. The surprise winner of the British Open this year, Stewart Cink, went out of his way to thank the Lord for the victory.
Last night, I watched an ESPN special on Kurt Warner, currently the 38 year old quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. For those of you who don't know his story, it will be a movie some day, because it is so amazing. He and his wife just published a book, First Things First, about their life journey and God's amazing grace. His First Things First Foundation is found at the website, www.kurtwarner.org, and displays Matt. 6:33 as the theme of his life - to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
The First Things First theme comes from the television interview with him as the Superbowl MVP with the St. Louis Rams, where he was asked a question that started with, "First things first." Kurt responded that if he is going to put first things first, he has to give glory to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From then on, everyone knew the meaning of First Things First in the life of Kurt and his wife. Consider ordering the book - Kurt's life illustrates the truth of James 1:2-4.
The next time you watch your favorite sport, pray for God to be glorified in the lives of the athletes!
PRAY FOR NIGERIA RIGHT NOW
Right now in northern Nigeria, Muslim terrorists are attacking and killing Christians, destroying homes and businesses, and attacking schools, school children, teachers and others whom they believe are involved in "Western" education of Nigerians, or whom they believe to be Christians.
Please pray for evil to be crushed, for the protection of the innocent, for the glory of Christ, for the government to intervene and do justice, for what is good and right to be protected and exalted and for those bent on evil to be stopped. May God's people know His presence and power and protection and peace.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Selling Yourself as a Slave
What if you lived during a time when there were tens of thousands of slaves who had no opportunity to hear the Gospel? How would you reach them?
Leonard Dober chose to sell himself as a slave in order to reach the slaves. He gave up all of his rights and privileges and voluntarily became the property of another. Within a few years, he reached more than 13,000 slaves for Christ. See the full story at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=108927471273&ref=nf
What do you think? How does this reflect what Jesus did for us?
Leonard Dober chose to sell himself as a slave in order to reach the slaves. He gave up all of his rights and privileges and voluntarily became the property of another. Within a few years, he reached more than 13,000 slaves for Christ. See the full story at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=108927471273&ref=nf
What do you think? How does this reflect what Jesus did for us?
Spiritual Discernment
In Lesson 8 of The Truth Project, we saw Flash, a tatoo ink artist, rail against the church, using profane and bleeped out language to express his anger at "the church." It wasn't hard to see that under the mask of his anger was deep pain from past experiences that crippled his outlook on life and the church. Many wanted to respond by reaching out to flash and helping him understand that the God whom he cursed is a God that passionately loves him.
Jesus was able to perfectly see behind the mask - he knew the heart and experiences and deep hurts and longings of every person. In John 2:23-25, many people excitedly believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but he did not entrust himself to them, because he knew that their human nature was very fickle. We see in Jesus a discerning spirit, insight into human character and "commitment." Jesus knew the heart and spirit of every person he encountered. No one could pull the wool over his eyes.
A rich young man came up to Jesus and wanted to be one of the disciples - he sincerely wanted to follow Jesus. Most of us would have told the man, "great, we need someone like you on our team. Come join us." Not Jesus, he saw behind the nice appearance and sincere spirit that this was someone for whom his wealth was of paramount importance. Jesus told him to give it away and then come follow him. The man went away sad, because he had no intention of giving up his wealth to follow Jesus.
While we will never discern like Jesus, we can develop a discerning spirit that helps us be more effective in living out this life of faith. As we spend time in the Word of God and yield our spirits to our Heavenly Father in prayer, He gives us a stronger sense of right and wrong, he gives us insight into what is false or hypocritical or misleading. We are less gullible and more real in understanding people and life. We gain a wisdom that can't be taught, but is only caught from time with our Heavenly Father.
Discernment also requires holiness in our lives. Giving in to sin and temptation interferes with our spiritual antennas, our spiritual sensitivity and kills discernment. Passionate pursuit of a life that is set apart for God's purposes results in a discerning spirit. Out of time with our Lord Jesus Christ comes both authenticity in our own lives and sensitivity to what is authentic and real in the lives of others.
Most people live with masks covering up the real person. God is in the business of getting behind the mask and helping people come to grips with who they are, why they are like they are, and how they can become who He intended them to be. We can help in that process by being sensitive, authentic, and gracious, yet also truthful and direct - not avoiding the truth for the sake of offending, but speaking truth in love. Jesus was very direct in confronting people, but he was also gracious in responding to confession and repentance.
I pray that this week you will sense the discernment and insight that comes out of your time with your Heavenly Father, who knows how to reveal truth to His children.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
I highly recommend the movie, Slumdog Millionaire. The movie accurately depicts the human depravity that exists in many countries where the Christian faith was not part of the development of the culture. Most people in the west undervalue the effect of our Judeo-Christian heritage on our culture. We forget that the Roman culture into which the early Church was born was full of every form of evil, from euthanasia, infanticide, abortion, killing for sport, every form of sexual deviancy and vice, and treated children and women as property, to be used, killed or disposed of at will. Two good books on the subject are How Christianity Changed the World, and What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? Clearly, western values were transformed by Christ-imbued values.
A recent article from a ministry that I support in India describes abandoned street Children who have been taken in by the ministry and how their lives and futures have been permanently altered by people living out the Gospel - these are the real life slumdogs, who have now become children of the High King of Heaven. A missions team from our church recently worked with such children in Brazil. Tens of millions of such children populate many of the largest cities in developing world, suffering as the result of the natural sinful depravity that exists apart from Judeo-Christian values.
While we support separation of church and state to an extent, we absolutely believe that secular government must be strongly influenced by Judeo-Christian values, otherwise we will regress back toward Gomorrah and depravity. When government loses any sense of accountability to a higher moral law - a divine or natural law, government becomes all powerful in deciding right and wrong, good and evil, and then "might makes right." We have a better heritage in the west and these children from the slums help us to remember our calling.
A recent article from a ministry that I support in India describes abandoned street Children who have been taken in by the ministry and how their lives and futures have been permanently altered by people living out the Gospel - these are the real life slumdogs, who have now become children of the High King of Heaven. A missions team from our church recently worked with such children in Brazil. Tens of millions of such children populate many of the largest cities in developing world, suffering as the result of the natural sinful depravity that exists apart from Judeo-Christian values.
While we support separation of church and state to an extent, we absolutely believe that secular government must be strongly influenced by Judeo-Christian values, otherwise we will regress back toward Gomorrah and depravity. When government loses any sense of accountability to a higher moral law - a divine or natural law, government becomes all powerful in deciding right and wrong, good and evil, and then "might makes right." We have a better heritage in the west and these children from the slums help us to remember our calling.
The Persecuted Church
There was an AP report this week of a 33 year old woman in North Korea who was publicly executed for sharing her faith in Jesus Christ - she handed a Bible to someone. Her husband and children were sent to a labor camp and will likely never be heard from again.
Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of South Koreans pray and fast regularly for the people of North Korea, that the Spirit of God would break through the bondage of evil and the chains of darkness that grip North Korea. The South Koreans have a prayer mountain where they can look into North Korea and pray.
This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Church in Pakistan. Christians are regularly killed and imprisoned and mistreated without any justice or recourse in Pakistan. Church leaders in Pakistan have asked Christians around the world to collectively intercede before the throne of God on their behalf. Will you plan on participating?
There are many other countries where persecution of the church is increasing, but the fields continue to be white for the harvest, so continue to pray for these faithful, courageous brothers and sisters in Christ who give up everything in this life to follow Jesus.
The Scripture is clear in calling us to pray for these God-exalting brothers and sisters:
Heb. 13:3: "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body."
How are you doing? Are you remembering these brothers and sisters in Christ as though you are there with them?
Matt. 5:10-12: Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are insulted and persecuted and spoken evil of on account of Jesus. They are to rejoice and be glad for great is their reward in heaven.
Eph. 6:18: "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."
Eph. 19-20 and Col. 4:2-3: Praying for those in prison (Paul) that the Lord would open doors for sharing the Gospel of Christ.
Col. 4:12: "Laboring earnestly" in your prayers for one another.
Thanks for joining me in laboring for these saints.
Some ideas on what to pray:
That the chains of evil and the scourge of darkness would be lifted so that the light of Christ fully covers these nations.
That there would be transformation in the hearts of the government leaders. Daniel Chapter 4 is an encouraging example of the transformation of one of the most pagan kings on the face of the earth.
That the followers of Jesus would be courageous, encouraged, have their needs met, be full of hope and joy, reflect the supernatural presence of Christ, and be rescued from their suffering.
That those of us living in freedom would understand how best to minister to and encourage these saints.
Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of South Koreans pray and fast regularly for the people of North Korea, that the Spirit of God would break through the bondage of evil and the chains of darkness that grip North Korea. The South Koreans have a prayer mountain where they can look into North Korea and pray.
This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Church in Pakistan. Christians are regularly killed and imprisoned and mistreated without any justice or recourse in Pakistan. Church leaders in Pakistan have asked Christians around the world to collectively intercede before the throne of God on their behalf. Will you plan on participating?
There are many other countries where persecution of the church is increasing, but the fields continue to be white for the harvest, so continue to pray for these faithful, courageous brothers and sisters in Christ who give up everything in this life to follow Jesus.
The Scripture is clear in calling us to pray for these God-exalting brothers and sisters:
Heb. 13:3: "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body."
How are you doing? Are you remembering these brothers and sisters in Christ as though you are there with them?
Matt. 5:10-12: Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are insulted and persecuted and spoken evil of on account of Jesus. They are to rejoice and be glad for great is their reward in heaven.
Eph. 6:18: "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."
Eph. 19-20 and Col. 4:2-3: Praying for those in prison (Paul) that the Lord would open doors for sharing the Gospel of Christ.
Col. 4:12: "Laboring earnestly" in your prayers for one another.
Thanks for joining me in laboring for these saints.
Some ideas on what to pray:
That the chains of evil and the scourge of darkness would be lifted so that the light of Christ fully covers these nations.
That there would be transformation in the hearts of the government leaders. Daniel Chapter 4 is an encouraging example of the transformation of one of the most pagan kings on the face of the earth.
That the followers of Jesus would be courageous, encouraged, have their needs met, be full of hope and joy, reflect the supernatural presence of Christ, and be rescued from their suffering.
That those of us living in freedom would understand how best to minister to and encourage these saints.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Delgation and Government Order
Exodus 18 contains an interesting story about advice given to Moses by his father-in-law, Jethro. Moses was the only judge for more than a million people. Everyone came to him as judge, mediator and counselor. He was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted by this role and the people who had to wait for service and advice were really frustrated.
Jethro advised Moses to delegate so that the people could have their issues addressed at a local level by local leaders. Only the big issues that could not be decided locally were to be decided by Moses.
Most of us would call that wise counsel, whether it is for a large business or a government. Local people best understand local issues and make the best decisions, unless the issue is too big or complex for a local control and direction.
The Founding Fathers similarly created a federal government of limited power. For example, federal courts are very limited in the issues that they address and decide - reserving all other issues to state courts. The Bill of Rights to our federal Constitution includes the Tenth Amendment, which essentially states that all powers not expressley delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states.
As the federal government has attempted to expand its influence and control of every issue - not limiting its reach to the big/broad issues and to those that are specifically delegated under the Constitution, there has been a movement in the states to assert the Tenth Amendment right to independently decide state/local issues without the pernicious strings of the federal goverment dictating local decisions. In one of her last acts as Governor of Alaska, Gov. Palin signed a resolution, approved unanimously by both houses of the state legislature, that asserts Alaska's Tenth Amendment rights under the Constitution. Thirty-six other states are evaluating similar measures.
Do you think the biblical principle of local control of most issues works best? Is there a reason that citizens of the states should send tax money to the federal government in order to have it processed and returned to state and local governments with strings attached? What are the forces at work that cause the federal expansion and intrusion? What can we do to keep taxes and issues in the control of state and local governments?
Jethro advised Moses to delegate so that the people could have their issues addressed at a local level by local leaders. Only the big issues that could not be decided locally were to be decided by Moses.
Most of us would call that wise counsel, whether it is for a large business or a government. Local people best understand local issues and make the best decisions, unless the issue is too big or complex for a local control and direction.
The Founding Fathers similarly created a federal government of limited power. For example, federal courts are very limited in the issues that they address and decide - reserving all other issues to state courts. The Bill of Rights to our federal Constitution includes the Tenth Amendment, which essentially states that all powers not expressley delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states.
As the federal government has attempted to expand its influence and control of every issue - not limiting its reach to the big/broad issues and to those that are specifically delegated under the Constitution, there has been a movement in the states to assert the Tenth Amendment right to independently decide state/local issues without the pernicious strings of the federal goverment dictating local decisions. In one of her last acts as Governor of Alaska, Gov. Palin signed a resolution, approved unanimously by both houses of the state legislature, that asserts Alaska's Tenth Amendment rights under the Constitution. Thirty-six other states are evaluating similar measures.
Do you think the biblical principle of local control of most issues works best? Is there a reason that citizens of the states should send tax money to the federal government in order to have it processed and returned to state and local governments with strings attached? What are the forces at work that cause the federal expansion and intrusion? What can we do to keep taxes and issues in the control of state and local governments?
The following is a slightly modified post from Pastor John Stoos. What do you think about the issues that he raises? Is this true? Are these good ideas? Why?
"We live in a very busy age: An age that is sadly busy with many of the wrong things! Many of us were raised in families where the ‘school schedule’ was sacrosanct and all church or family functions had to be worked around that schedule. We have come to think about the weekends being OUR time with church as sort of optional or maybe a priority if it does not take too much time. We have arranged three-day weekends for most of the national holidays so we can get away and don’t even know most of events on the church calendar.
. . . we have tried to restore some proper Biblical perspective by teaching that Sunday is the Lord’s Day where we gather for worship and rest from our labors. We move through the church calendar each year to remind us that Jesus and His work at the center of history and should be the center of our lives. We have also largely lost, as a church and as a society, the concept of festivals or special gatherings of the Saints. These have been replaced by family reunions and vacations, which are certainly not wrong in and of themselves, but cannot replace the gatherings that are patterned for us in the Scriptures. We are working to restore these Biblical events through special feast days . . . and our annual family camp. In the Old Covenant God called His people together for three major festivals each year, so we think having at least one per year would be a good idea in the New Covenant! [LET'S REALLY CELEBRATE WHAT GOD HAS DONE AND IS DOING AMONG US!] . . . We encourage all of our members to attend and to use some of their regular tithes if necessary to cover the costs. The biggest challenge is to make [a priority of] setting aside [the time to do this]."
"We live in a very busy age: An age that is sadly busy with many of the wrong things! Many of us were raised in families where the ‘school schedule’ was sacrosanct and all church or family functions had to be worked around that schedule. We have come to think about the weekends being OUR time with church as sort of optional or maybe a priority if it does not take too much time. We have arranged three-day weekends for most of the national holidays so we can get away and don’t even know most of events on the church calendar.
. . . we have tried to restore some proper Biblical perspective by teaching that Sunday is the Lord’s Day where we gather for worship and rest from our labors. We move through the church calendar each year to remind us that Jesus and His work at the center of history and should be the center of our lives. We have also largely lost, as a church and as a society, the concept of festivals or special gatherings of the Saints. These have been replaced by family reunions and vacations, which are certainly not wrong in and of themselves, but cannot replace the gatherings that are patterned for us in the Scriptures. We are working to restore these Biblical events through special feast days . . . and our annual family camp. In the Old Covenant God called His people together for three major festivals each year, so we think having at least one per year would be a good idea in the New Covenant! [LET'S REALLY CELEBRATE WHAT GOD HAS DONE AND IS DOING AMONG US!] . . . We encourage all of our members to attend and to use some of their regular tithes if necessary to cover the costs. The biggest challenge is to make [a priority of] setting aside [the time to do this]."
God's Perfectly Created Structure and Order
This week, a number of articles appeared in the popular press that describe a huge gash on Jupiter that was just formed by a collision with a meteor. Here is the link to the LA Times story on the phenomenon:
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-jupiter22-2009jul22,0,5215362.story
Hugh Ross, a Christian Astrophysicist, has written about how miraculously finely tuned Jupiter’s size and location and path of travel in the solar system is in order to keep earth from being struck by space objects. Jupiter is so large that it could hold 1,400 earths! See http://www.reasons.org/jupiters-size-and-location. If the size and location and path of travel of Jupiter were just slightly off, life on earth more than likely would have long ago been destroyed.
In The Truth Project, we learn that this created order also applies to social systems – that just as Jupiter is finely tuned to protect the earth, God’s created order of the family is essential to protect who God made us to be.
I was contemplating this as I swam laps in the pool and lost count. I started thinking about how many laps I “felt” like I swam. You can imagine playing golf and entering your score based on how you “feel” like you did, or playing baseball based on how you “felt” like you hit the ball. As soon as we allow our feelings to circumvent the order and rules of the sport or activity, we destroy the activity or sport. There is a clear objective standard governing how we are to play the game. We have to follow the rules. If you are pulled over for speeding, a claim that “I didn’t feel like I was driving too fast,” isn’t likely to cut it. When you weigh yourself on the scale, it is not a question of how much you feel like you weigh - there is an objective standard by which things are measured.
The same is true with God’s created order in marriage. Marriage is glorious and fulfilling when we follow God’s design and order. When we don’t “feel” like it and try to remake it in our own image, according to our feelings, it loses the glory and purpose of God and the results are usually disastrous.
As Del Tackett stated, we have taken the glory of the word “submit” (Jesus Christ submitting to the will of the Father for the glory of God and the blessing of all of us) and replaced it with how we feel. We have also taken the “authority” of the husband and used it in ugly ways that destroy God’s design for marriage and crush the life of the godly wife. How we all need to continually be transformed into the image of the nature and character of Jesus Christ, that we may bring glory to God’s design and blessing to others. As men sacrificially and unconditionally love their wives as Christ loved and sacrificed Himself for the church, and as wives demonstrate respect and honor for their husbands, people around us will see the cycle of grace and blessing in our lives and be attracted to the author and perfecter/finisher of our lives and our marriages. Words like submission are not legalistic mandates in Scripture, they are intended to help us thrive within the structure and order of God's glorious design. The best way to counter the attacks on marriage and the family, and efforts to redesign these institutions, is to model the grace and love and glory of marriage and the family that wholeheartedly reflects the presence of Jesus Christ.
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-jupiter22-2009jul22,0,5215362.story
Hugh Ross, a Christian Astrophysicist, has written about how miraculously finely tuned Jupiter’s size and location and path of travel in the solar system is in order to keep earth from being struck by space objects. Jupiter is so large that it could hold 1,400 earths! See http://www.reasons.org/jupiters-size-and-location. If the size and location and path of travel of Jupiter were just slightly off, life on earth more than likely would have long ago been destroyed.
In The Truth Project, we learn that this created order also applies to social systems – that just as Jupiter is finely tuned to protect the earth, God’s created order of the family is essential to protect who God made us to be.
I was contemplating this as I swam laps in the pool and lost count. I started thinking about how many laps I “felt” like I swam. You can imagine playing golf and entering your score based on how you “feel” like you did, or playing baseball based on how you “felt” like you hit the ball. As soon as we allow our feelings to circumvent the order and rules of the sport or activity, we destroy the activity or sport. There is a clear objective standard governing how we are to play the game. We have to follow the rules. If you are pulled over for speeding, a claim that “I didn’t feel like I was driving too fast,” isn’t likely to cut it. When you weigh yourself on the scale, it is not a question of how much you feel like you weigh - there is an objective standard by which things are measured.
The same is true with God’s created order in marriage. Marriage is glorious and fulfilling when we follow God’s design and order. When we don’t “feel” like it and try to remake it in our own image, according to our feelings, it loses the glory and purpose of God and the results are usually disastrous.
As Del Tackett stated, we have taken the glory of the word “submit” (Jesus Christ submitting to the will of the Father for the glory of God and the blessing of all of us) and replaced it with how we feel. We have also taken the “authority” of the husband and used it in ugly ways that destroy God’s design for marriage and crush the life of the godly wife. How we all need to continually be transformed into the image of the nature and character of Jesus Christ, that we may bring glory to God’s design and blessing to others. As men sacrificially and unconditionally love their wives as Christ loved and sacrificed Himself for the church, and as wives demonstrate respect and honor for their husbands, people around us will see the cycle of grace and blessing in our lives and be attracted to the author and perfecter/finisher of our lives and our marriages. Words like submission are not legalistic mandates in Scripture, they are intended to help us thrive within the structure and order of God's glorious design. The best way to counter the attacks on marriage and the family, and efforts to redesign these institutions, is to model the grace and love and glory of marriage and the family that wholeheartedly reflects the presence of Jesus Christ.
How God Works Through History - His Story
My son, Miles, and I will be visiting Greece, Israel and Jordan in late August and early September. We will see the Acropolis in Athens, the location of Paul's encounter on Mars Hill in the Book of Acts. That is where Paul explained to the Athenian leaders about the Unknown God to whom they had constructed an altar. In describing the Unknown God, Paul mentions that "in Him we live and move and have our being." That expression came from a Greek philosopher, Epimenides, who is also the man who introduced the concept of the Unknown God to the Athenians.
Epimenides was a Creten poet and philosopher who visited Athens 600 years before Paul. Paul also quotes him in his letter to Titus, an elder in the church on Crete. (See the first chapter of Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson and see http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190020/Epimenides). Thus, we see that 600 years before Paul that God was already preparing the people for the knowledge of the One True God. Paul kept his eyes open and was attuned to the way God was writing the story of history - His Story (a phrase used by Sam Ericsson of Advocates International, who signs everything, "Living in His Story").
In considering the Meta-narrative – the big picture/story – of what God is doing in history, I came across this story last week about the Christian churches in the province of Nineveh (part of Iraq), and I thought about Jonah and his ancient connection to this story. By Jonah’s obedience to carry the message of repentance to the people of Ninevah, he preserved the people of that region (Assyrians) for receiving the Messiah 700-800 years later. Those early Assyrian (and Chaldean - descendents of the Babylonians whose King Nebechudnezzar embraced the One True God) Christians have persevered there in Nineveh and the enemy is still trying to eliminate them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302043_pf.html
Thus, God’s plan for the people of Nineveh at the time of Jonah has transcended thousands of years right up to the present. Could Jonah have imagined that you can now view a website, www.nineveh.com, which is for Assyrian Christians?
Aren’t you amazed at the way God works out His Story? Are you looking for the plan of God unfolding around you? Do you see His hand and His amazing work?
Epimenides was a Creten poet and philosopher who visited Athens 600 years before Paul. Paul also quotes him in his letter to Titus, an elder in the church on Crete. (See the first chapter of Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson and see http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190020/Epimenides). Thus, we see that 600 years before Paul that God was already preparing the people for the knowledge of the One True God. Paul kept his eyes open and was attuned to the way God was writing the story of history - His Story (a phrase used by Sam Ericsson of Advocates International, who signs everything, "Living in His Story").
In considering the Meta-narrative – the big picture/story – of what God is doing in history, I came across this story last week about the Christian churches in the province of Nineveh (part of Iraq), and I thought about Jonah and his ancient connection to this story. By Jonah’s obedience to carry the message of repentance to the people of Ninevah, he preserved the people of that region (Assyrians) for receiving the Messiah 700-800 years later. Those early Assyrian (and Chaldean - descendents of the Babylonians whose King Nebechudnezzar embraced the One True God) Christians have persevered there in Nineveh and the enemy is still trying to eliminate them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302043_pf.html
Thus, God’s plan for the people of Nineveh at the time of Jonah has transcended thousands of years right up to the present. Could Jonah have imagined that you can now view a website, www.nineveh.com, which is for Assyrian Christians?
Aren’t you amazed at the way God works out His Story? Are you looking for the plan of God unfolding around you? Do you see His hand and His amazing work?
Accelerating The National Debt
A simple, but creative way to understand the national debt and how it is affected by President Obama’s proposals.
Is this really a burden that we want to impose on our kids and grandkids? What does this mean for taxes, government control over our lives, and free enterprise in the United States?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yxFtTwDcc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvolokh%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded
Is this really a burden that we want to impose on our kids and grandkids? What does this mean for taxes, government control over our lives, and free enterprise in the United States?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yxFtTwDcc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvolokh%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
SHOULD MEDICAL EMPLOYEES BE FORCED TO PERFORM ABORTIONS
ADF issued a press release today about a nurse who was coerced by an employer to participate in an abortion against her will and her conscience.
http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/2694
The California Attorney General has threatened to enforce a California law that requires medical employees to participate in abortion under penalty of criminal statutes and loss of medical license.
What do you think? Should our U.S. and California constitutions protect our right of conscience? Doesn't this come squarely within our First Amendment right of expression? How can an employer or government be allowed to punish people who love life and want to honor God with their lives, regardless of the personal cost? What kind of government would want to do that in the first place?
The Bible answers a similar problem in Acts 4:19-20, where Peter and John were mandated to stop talking about Jesus. They asked the authorities: “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” (NLT)
As followers of Jesus, we are called to honor our government, but where government edicts call us to violate God's clear instructions to us, there is only one option - to wholeheartedly and joyously follow Jesus.
http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/2694
The California Attorney General has threatened to enforce a California law that requires medical employees to participate in abortion under penalty of criminal statutes and loss of medical license.
What do you think? Should our U.S. and California constitutions protect our right of conscience? Doesn't this come squarely within our First Amendment right of expression? How can an employer or government be allowed to punish people who love life and want to honor God with their lives, regardless of the personal cost? What kind of government would want to do that in the first place?
The Bible answers a similar problem in Acts 4:19-20, where Peter and John were mandated to stop talking about Jesus. They asked the authorities: “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” (NLT)
As followers of Jesus, we are called to honor our government, but where government edicts call us to violate God's clear instructions to us, there is only one option - to wholeheartedly and joyously follow Jesus.
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