stethoscope

Of Christian Duty!

Do not always agree with the Catholic Church. However, there are some things that come about that can be fully supported.

First, there is this: The Connecticut State Legislature has introduced a bill that would restructure the Catholic Church in that state. Yes you read correctly, the state is deciding to change the way the Catholic Church is organized.

While this is a clear infringement of the ‘Establishment Clauses’ of the 1^st and 14^th Amendments to the Constitution, they are still doing it.

How they are doing it is rather simple. Each Catholic Church Parish is incorporated. That is not something new. What the state is doing is changing the law that governs the Church’s incorporation.

Check here for a complete rundown and the text of the bill. Updates as well as possible ways to become involved are there.

Now, this is important. There are even some atheists that understand the consequences of destroying the 1^st and 14^th Amendments.

What does that mean to Christians as a whole? Consider what that would mean to your own congregation.

Some would argue that Christians should not be involved in politics. That is not true, here is an eloquent argument.

It is long, but it is a worthwhile read. In this case, the term Catholic should be taken in its truest form: that is ‘Universal’. Wherever the word Catholic appears, one should read ‘a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and personal savior’.

Archbishop Charles Chaput the Denver Prelate on the Catholic Political Vocation

"Tolerance Is Not a Christian Virtue"

TORONTO, FEBRUARY. 24, 2009. Here is the text of an address delivered by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado, at the University of Toronto.

* * *

I want to do three things with my time tonight. First, Father Rosica asked me to talk about some of the themes from my book, "Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life." I’m happy to do that. Second, I want to talk about some of the lessons we can draw from the recent U.S. election. And third, I want to talk about the meaning of hope.

As I begin, I need to mention a couple of caveats. Here’s the first caveat.

Canada and the United States have a long and close friendship as neighbors. It’s so long and so close that Americans often forget that our histories, our political structures and the ways we look at the world are, in some respects, very different. Obviously I’ll be speaking tonight as an American, a Catholic and a bishop -- though not necessarily in that order. Some of what I say may not be useful to a Canadian audience, especially those who aren't Catholic. But I do believe that the heart of the Catholic political vocation remains the same for every believer in every country. The details of our political life change from nation to nation. But the mission of public Christian discipleship remains

the same, because we all share the same baptism.

Here's the second caveat. Not much of what I say tonight will be new. In fact, I've been saying pretty much the same thing about faith and politics again and again, every year, for the past 12 years. So if you've heard it all before, please feel free to snooze. I've learned from experience, though, that Henry Ford was right when he said that "Two percent of the people think; three percent think they think, and 95 percent would rather die than think."

Ford had a pretty dark view of humanity, which I don't share. Most of the people I meet as a pastor have the brains and the talent to live very fulfilling lives. But Ford was right in one unintended way: American consumer culture is a very powerful narcotic. Moral reasoning can be hard, and TV is a great painkiller. This has political implications. Real freedom demands an ability to think, and a great deal of modern life -- not just in the United States, but all over the developed world -- seems deliberately designed to discourage that. So talking about God and Caesar, even if it wakes up just one Christian mind in an audience, is always worth the effort.

The most important fact to remember about our discussion tonight is this: As adults, each of us needs to form a strong and genuinely Catholic conscience. Then we need to follow that conscience when we vote. And then we need to take responsibility for the consequences of our vote. Nobody can do that for us. That's why really knowing, living and submitting ourselves to our Catholic faith are so important. It's the only reliable guide we have for acting in the public square as disciples of Jesus Christ.

So let's talk for a few minutes about "Render Unto Caesar." When people ask me about the book, the questions usually fall into three categories. Why did I write it? What does the book say? And what does the book mean for each of us as individual Catholics? This last question will be a good doorway into talking about the U.S. election last year, but let's start at the beginning first. Why did I write this book, now?

One answer is simple. A friend asked me to do it. Back in 2004, a young attorney I know ran for public office in Colorado as a pro-life Democrat. He nearly won in a heavily Republican district. But he also discovered how hard it can be to raise money, run a campaign and stay true to your Catholic convictions, all at the same time. After the election he asked me to put my thoughts about faith and politics into a form that other young Catholics could use who were thinking about a political vocation -- and it really is a "vocation."

That's where the idea started. But I also had another reason for doing the book. Frankly, I just got tired of hearing outsiders and insiders tell Catholics to keep quiet about our religious and moral views in the big public debates that involve all of us as a society. That's a kind of bullying. I don't think Catholics should accept it.

Another reason for writing the book is that when I looked around for a single source that explains the Catholic political vocation in a simple way, it just didn't exist. I found that very strange. Public life is a demanding vocation, but it's not voodoo or advanced physics. As citizens, we can never afford to abdicate our shared civic life to a political or economic elite. A nation's political life, like Christianity itself, is meant for everyone, and everyone has a duty to contribute to it. A democracy depends on the active involvement of all its citizens, not just lobbyists, experts, think tanks and the mass media. For Catholics, politics -- the pursuit of justice and the common good in the public square -- is part of the history of salvation. No one is a minor actor in that drama. Each person is important.

So what does the book say? I think the message of "Render Unto Caesar" can be condensed into a few basic points.

Here's the first point. For many years, studies have shown that Americans have a very poor sense of history. That's very dangerous, because as Thucydides and Machiavelli and Thomas Jefferson have all said, history matters. It matters because the past shapes the present, and the present shapes the future. If Catholics don't know history and especially their own history as Catholics, then somebody else -- and usually somebody not very friendly -- will create their history for them.

Let me put it another way. A man with amnesia has no future and no present because he can't remember his past. The past is a man's anchor in experience and reality. Without it, he may as well be floating in space. In like manner, if we Catholics don't remember and defend our religious history as a believing people, nobody else will, and then we won't have a future because we won't have a past. If we don't know how the Church worked with or struggled against political rulers in the past, then we can't think clearly about the relations between Church and state today.

Here's the second point, and it's a place where the Canadian and American experiences may diverge. America is not a secular state. As historian Paul Johnson once said, America was "born Protestant." It has uniquely and deeply religious roots. Obviously it has no established Church, and it has non-sectarian public institutions. It also has plenty of room for both believers and non-believers. But the United States was never intended to be a "secular" country in the radical modern sense. Nearly all the Founders were either Christian or at least religion-friendly. And all of our public institutions and all of our ideas about the human person are based in a religiously shaped vocabulary. So if we cut God out of our public life, we also cut the foundation out from under our national ideals.

Here's the third point. We need to be very forceful in clarifying what the words in our political vocabulary really mean. Words are important because they shape our thinking, and our thinking drives our actions. When we subvert the meaning of words like "the common good" or "conscience" or "community" or "family," we undermine the language that sustains our thinking about the law. Dishonest language leads to dishonest debate and bad laws.

Here's an example. We need to remember that tolerance is not a Christian virtue. Charity, justice, mercy, prudence, honesty -- these are Christian virtues. And obviously, in a diverse community, tolerance is an important working principle. But it's never an end itself. In fact, tolerating grave evil within a society is itself a form of serious evil. Likewise, democratic pluralism does not mean that Catholics should be quiet in public about serious moral issues because of some misguided sense of good manners. A healthy democracy requires vigorous moral debate to survive. Real pluralism demands that people of strong beliefs will advance their convictions in the public square -- peacefully, legally and respectfully, but energetically and without embarrassment. Anything less is bad citizenship and a form of theft from the public conversation.

Here's the fourth point. When Jesus tells the Pharisees and Herodians in the Gospel of Matthew (22:21) to "render unto the Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's," he sets the framework for how we should think about religion and the state even today. Caesar does have rights. We owe civil authority our respect and appropriate obedience. But that obedience is limited by what belongs to God. Caesar is not God. Only God is God, and the state is subordinate and accountable to God for its treatment of human persons, all of whom were created by God. Our job as believers is to figure out what things belong to Caesar, and what things belong to God – and then put those things in right order in our own lives, and in our relations with others.

So having said all this, what does a book like "Render Unto Caesar" mean, in practice, for each of us as individual Catholics? It means that we each have a duty to study and grow in our faith, guided by the teaching of the Church. It also means that we have a duty to be politically engaged. Why? Because politics is the exercise of power, and the use of power always has moral content and human consequences.

As Christians, we can't claim to love God and then ignore the needs of our neighbors. Loving God is like loving a spouse. A husband may tell his wife that he loves her, and of course that's very beautiful. But she'll still want to see the proof in his actions. Likewise if we claim to be "Catholic," we need to prove it by our behavior. And serving other people by working for justice, charity and truth in our nation's political life is one of the very important ways we do that.

The "separation of Church and state" does not mean -- and it can never mean -- separating our Catholic faith from our public witness, our political choices and our political actions. That kind of separation would require Christians to deny who we are; to repudiate Jesus when he commands us to be "leaven in the world" and to "make disciples of all nations." That kind of radical separation steals the moral content of a society. It's the equivalent of telling a married man that he can't act married in public. Of course, he can certainly do that, but he won't stay married for long.

Partly because I'm a bishop and partly because I'm older and a little bit wiser, I don't belong to any political party. As a young priest I worked on Bobby Kennedy's campaign. Later I volunteered with the 1976 and 1980 campaigns for Jimmy Carter. So if I have any partisan roots, they're in the Democratic Party. But as I say in the book, one of the lessons we need to learn from the last 50 years is that a "preferred" Catholic political party usually doesn't exist. The sooner Catholics feel at home in any political party, the sooner that party takes them for granted and then ignores their concerns. Party loyalty for the sake of habit, or family tradition, or ethnic or class interest is a form of tribalism. It's a lethal kind of moral laziness. Issues matter. Character matters. Acting on principle matters. But party loyalty for the sake of party loyalty is a dead end.

I wrote "Render Unto Caesar" with no interest in supporting or attacking any candidate or any political party. The goal of "Render Unto Caesar" was simply to describe what an authentic Catholic approach to political life looks like, and then to encourage American Catholics to live it. And that brings us to the 2008 election and its aftermath.

Three weeks before last November's election, I wrote the following words:

"I believe that Senator Obama, whatever his other talents, is the most committed 'abortion-rights' presidential candidate of either major party since the Roe v. Wade abortion decision in 1973. [T]he party platform Senator Obama runs on this year is not only aggressively 'pro-choice;' it has also removed any suggestion that killing an unborn child might be a regrettable thing. On the question of homicide against the unborn child -- and let's remember that the great Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer explicitly called abortion 'murder' -- the Democratic platform that emerged from Denver in August 2008 is clearly anti-life."

I added that, "To suggest -- as some Catholics do -- that Senator Obama is this year's 'real' pro-life candidate requires a peculiar kind of self-hypnosis, or moral confusion, or worse. To portray the 2008 Democratic Party presidential ticket as the preferred 'pro-life' option is to subvert what the word 'pro-life' means."

I like clarity, and there's a reason why. I think modern life, including life in the Church, suffers from a phony unwillingness to offend that poses as prudence and good manners, but too often turns out to be cowardice. Human beings owe each other respect and appropriate courtesy. But we also owe each other the truth -- which means candor.

President Obama is a man of intelligence and some remarkable gifts. He has a great ability to inspire, as we saw from his very popular visit to Canada just this past week. But whatever his strengths, there's no way to reinvent his record on abortion and related issues with rosy marketing about unity, hope and change. Of course, that can change. Some things really do change when a person reaches the White House. Power ennobles some men. It diminishes others. Bad policy ideas can be improved. Good policy ideas can find a way to flourish. But as Catholics, we at least need to be honest with ourselves and each other about the political facts we start with.

Unfortunately when it comes to the current administration that will be very hard for Catholics in the United States, and here's why. A spirit of adulation bordering on servility already exists among some of the same Democratic-friendly Catholic writers, scholars, editors and activists who once accused pro-lifers of being too cozy with Republicans. It turns out that Caesar is an equal opportunity employer.

I think Catholics -- and I mean here mainly American Catholics -- need to remember four simple things in the months ahead.

First, all political leaders draw their authority from God. We owe no leader any submission or cooperation in the pursuit of grave evil. In fact, we have the duty to change bad laws and resist grave evil in our public life, both by our words and our non-violent actions. The truest respect we can show to civil authority is the witness of our Catholic faith and our moral convictions, without excuses or apologies.

Second, in democracies, we elect public servants, not messiahs. It's worth recalling that despite two ugly wars, an unpopular Republican president, a fractured Republican party, the support of most of the American news media and massively out-spending his opponent, our new president actually trailed in the election polls the week before the economic meltdown. This subtracts nothing from the legitimacy of his office. It also takes nothing away from our obligation to respect the president's leadership.

But it does place some of today's talk about a "new American mandate" in perspective. Americans, including many Catholics, elected a gifted man to fix an economic crisis. That's the mandate. They gave nobody a mandate to retool American culture on the issues of marriage and the family, sexuality, bioethics, religion in public life and abortion. That retooling could easily happen, and it clearly will happen -- but only if Catholics and other religious believers allow it. It's instructive to note that the one lesson many activists on the American cultural left learned from their loss in the 2004 election -- and then applied in 2008 -- was how to use a religious vocabulary while ignoring some of the key beliefs and values that religious people actually hold dear.

Here's the third thing to remember. It doesn't matter what we claim to believe if we're unwilling to act on our beliefs. What we say about our Catholic faith is the easy part. What we do with it shapes who we really are. Many good Catholics voted for President Obama. Many voted for Senator McCain. Both parties have plenty of decent people in their ranks.

But when we hear that 54 percent of American Catholics voted for President Obama last November, and that this somehow shows a sea change in their social thinking, we can reasonably ask: How many of them practice their faith on a regular basis? And when we do that, we learn that most practicing Catholics actually voted for Senator McCain. Of course, that doesn't really tell us whether anyone voted for either candidate for the right reasons. Nobody can do a survey of the secret places of the human heart. But it does tell us that numbers can be used to prove just about anything. We won't be judged on our knowledge of poll data. We'll be judged on whether we proved it by our actions when we said "I am a Catholic, and Jesus Christ is Lord."

Here's the fourth and final thing to remember, and there's no easy way to say it. The Church in the United States has done a poor job of forming the faith and conscience of Catholics for more than 40 years. And now we're harvesting the results -- in the public square, in our families and in the confusion of our personal lives. I could name many good people and programs that seem to disprove what I just said. But I could name many more that do prove it, and some of them work in Washington.

The problem with mistakes in our past is that they compound themselves geometrically into the future unless we face them and fix them. The truth is, the American electorate is changing, both ethnically and in age. And unless Catholics have a conversion of heart that helps us see what we've become -- that we haven't just "assimilated" to American culture, but that we've also been absorbed and bleached and digested by it -- then we'll fail in our duties to a new generation and a new electorate. And a real Catholic presence in American life will continue to weaken and disappear.

Every new election cycle I hear from unhappy, self-described Catholics who complain that abortion is too much of a litmus test. But isn't that exactly what it should be? One of the defining things that set early Christians apart from the pagan culture around them was their respect for human life; and specifically their rejection of abortion and infanticide. We can't be Catholic and be evasive or indulgent about the killing of unborn life. We can't claim to be "Catholic" and "pro-choice" at the same time without owning the responsibility for where the choice leads -- to a dead unborn child. We can't talk piously about programs to reduce the abortion body count without also working vigorously to change the laws that make the killing possible. If we're Catholic, then we believe in the sanctity of developing human life. And if we don't really believe in the humanity of the unborn child from the moment life begins, then we should stop lying to ourselves and others, and even to God, by claiming we're something we're not.

Catholic social teaching goes well beyond abortion. In America we have many urgent issues that beg for our attention, from immigration reform to health care to poverty to homelessness. The Church in Denver and throughout the United States is committed to all these issues. We need to do a much better job of helping women who face problem pregnancies, and American bishops have been pressing our public leaders for that for more than 30 years. But we don't "help" anyone by allowing or funding an intimate, lethal act of violence. We can't build a just society with the blood of unborn children. The right to life is the foundation of every other human right -- and if we ignore it, sooner or later every other right becomes politically contingent.

One of the words we heard endlessly in the last U.S. election was "hope." I think "hope" is the only word in the English language more badly misused than "love." It's our go-to anxiety word -- as in, "I sure hope I don't say anything stupid tonight." But for

Christians, hope is a virtue, not an emotional crutch or a political slogan. Virtus, the Latin root of virtue, means strength or courage. Real hope is unsentimental. It has nothing to do with the cheesy optimism of election campaigns. Hope assumes and demands a spine in believers. And that's why – at least for a Christian - hope sustains us when the real answer to the problems or hard choices in life is "no, we can't," instead of "yes, we can."

Seventy years ago the great French writer Georges Bernanos published a little essay called "Sermon of an Agnostic on the Feast of St. Théresè." Bernanos had a deep distrust for politics and an equally deep love for the Catholic Church. He could be brutally candid. He disliked both the right and the left. He also had a piercing sense of irony about the comfortable, the self-satisfied and the lukewarm who postured themselves as Catholic – whether they were laypeople or clergy.

In his essay he imagined "what any decent agnostic of average intelligence might say, if by some impossible chance the [pastor] were to let him stand awhile in the pulpit [on] the day consecrated to St. Théresè of Lisieux."

"Dear brothers," says the agnostic from the pulpit, "many unbelievers are not as hardened as you imagine. … [But when] we seek [Christ] now, in this world, it is you we find, and only you. … It is you Christians who participate in divinity, as your liturgy proclaims; it is you ‘divine men' who ever since [Christ's] ascension have been his representatives on earth. … You are the salt of the earth. [So if] the world loses its flavor, who is it I should blame? … The New Testament is eternally young. It is you who are so old. … Because you do not live your faith, your faith has ceased to be a living thing." Bernanos had little use for the learned, the proud or the superficially religious. He believed instead in the little flowers -- the Thérèse of Lisieuxs -- that sustain the Church and convert the world by the purity, simplicity, innocence and zeal of their faith. That kind of faith is a gift. But it's a gift each of us can ask for, and each of us will receive, if we just have the courage to choose it and then act on it. The only people who ever really change the world are saints. Each of us can be one of them. But we need to want it, and then follow the path that comes with it.

Bernanos once wrote that the optimism of the modern world, including its "politics of hope," is like whistling past a graveyard. It's a cheap substitute for real hope and "a sly form of selfishness, a method of isolating [ourselves] from the unhappiness of others" by thinking progressive thoughts. Real hope "must be won. [We] can only attain hope through truth, at the cost of great effort and long patience. … Hope is a virtue, virtus, strength; an heroic determination of the soul. [And] the highest form of hope is despair overcome."

Anyone who hasn't noticed the despair in the world should probably go back to sleep. The word "hope" on a campaign poster may give us a little thrill of righteousness, but the world will still be a wreck when the drug wears off. We can only attain hope through truth. And what that means is this: From the moment Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life," the most important political statement anyone can make is "Jesus Christ is

Lord."

We serve Caesar best by serving God first. We honor our nation best by living our Catholic faith honestly and vigorously, and bringing it without apology into the public square and its debates. We're citizens of heaven first. But just as God so loved the world that he sent his only son, so the glory and irony of the Christian life is this: The more faithfully we love God, the more truly we serve the world.

Amen

Palin vs. The Bible

Alternatively, should I vote for a woman?

A brother-in-law recently stated, “I see three jurisdictions that God has ordained in this world: the family, the church, and civil government. All three must act in obedience to God's law to function correctly within themselves and in relationship to one another.” ^[1]

Unfortunately we live in a fallen world (corrupted by sin) ruled by imperfect leaders (corrupted by sin). Fortunately, we have a Sovereign God whose plans come to fruition as He dictates regardless, in spite of, or because of the actions of fallen men. Romans 13:1-5 tells us this if fact. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.”

In conservative Christian circles, there are (at least) two schools of thought.

One believes that it is the ordinance of God is that a woman’s place is in the home. She has no business out in the world, working. This is especially true concerning work in a position where she has authority over men. Feminists will rail at this thought, calling it ‘religious misogyny’. ^[2] Far from misogynistic, these individuals believe it is demeaning to women for them to be other than what God intended. They generally care very much about the personhood of the women in their households and related to them.

Additionally, they believe that the Bible clearly states the requirements that an elected official must have. Deuteronomy 1:13 Moses said, “Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” Additional examples, Deut 16:18-20; 17:14-20; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Chron 19:6-7; Neh 7:2; Prov. 29:2

This school of thought is quick to point out that ALL of these passages refer specifically to men.

The other school of thought (sometimes called complimentarians) ^[3] believe it is acceptable for a woman to work outside the home. Additionally, to various degrees they can have authority over men. They point to Lydia, a business woman in Acts 16, ‘The Virtuous Wife’ of Proverbs 31: 10-31, and the Biblical example of Queen Esther.

There is a prelude to Sarah Palin’s arrival on the national scene. There have been (not a few - many) concerned, godly people praying constantly for this country and her leaders. They pray diligently, churches hold ‘Days of Prayer’, and we have students in the news gather around the flagpole to pray for this country and its leaders. This has been ongoing for many years.

When Sarah Palin arrived on the scene, complete with video of her addressing a church as Governor of Alaska, a cry of praise went up. There was also a groan.

For many, the thought that God had a raised an Esther for the United States was a welcome relief. Here is an apparently human but godly woman, thrust from nowhere into the national spotlight. Here she was a potential future leader of this country. Praise God.

There was also a groan from another camp of godly people. Oh, how this country has fallen. First, Sarah Palin is no Esther. Esther was the WIFE of the king. There is no evidence she had any authority over anything but the women’s house. Her use by God was restricted to her influencing the decisions of the King. If America is looking for an Esther, they should be looking to Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain. Additionally, they look to Isaiah 3 to further emphasize that it is a sign that a country has abandoned God when a woman rules.

Indeed, what seemed like a Godsend has become a controversy even within the church.

Personally, reading Isaiah 3, it sounds a lot like the USA today. Perhaps a woman should be in charge. However, Esther was not the Biblical example that came to mind.

Consider this:

“When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.” ^[4]

Consider this description. Has America, as a nation done evil in the sight of the Lord? Is there an ongoing sale of conservative America to liberal anti-Christians? Are both internal and external forces harshly oppressing America? Consider that the ‘War on Terror’ is against representatives of the largest religion on earth. Russia’s tense reemergence on the world scene is no little thing. Are there not COUNTRIES vowing the destruction of the USA?

God did something for Israel.

The Israelites doing evil in the sight of the Lord was nothing new.

God’s solution was new. It was unheard of. It was a precedent in the Bible, never repeated.

“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.” ^[5]

This is very interesting. It does not say, “Deborah was judging Israel at this time.”

Remember the beginning of the article, there are three jurisdictions in this world: the family, the church, and civil government.

The significance of the sentence provides that Deborah was a Wife (family), Prophetess (church) and Judge (civil law). God provided a woman to act in obedience to God’s law to function in the highest position in the land of Israel.

There is no doubt she was unique in every aspect.

Sarah Palin certainly has a unique background. Her meteoric rise to the national spotlight eclipses even Barack Obama’s rise. Is Sarah Palin a new Deborah for a country in dire circumstances? Only God knows the answer to that.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

A thing known is that if Sarah Palin ascends to the second highest position in the land, knowledge of Deborah certainly encourages.

One is certainly encouraged to vote responsibly. Using the criteria from the Bible [Deut 1:13; Deut 16:18-20; 17:14-20; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Chron 19:6-7; Neh 7:2; Prov. 29:2 et.al.]

Some have said they cannot cast a vote because, of the candidates, none meets the Biblical criteria. That is for you to consider prayerfully.

[1] Certainly, this is the ideal, but it will not happen until Christ is on His Throne in Jerusalem ruling over all the earth.

[2] Misogyny is the hatred of women.

[3] Complimentarians are a tough crowd. There are varying degrees of complimentarians, and bitter discourse between them. The major discord is between a woman’s place in secular society and a woman’s place in the church. One group claims that a woman may have authority over men outside the home and outside the church. One group claims that a woman may have authority over men outside the home (hence the ordination of women as Pastors). A third group claims that a woman may have authority over a man - in any situation. There are bitter rivalries here and church denominations have split over these arguments.

[4] Judges 4:1-3

[5] Judges 4:4

Big Things, Small Packages

The Bible is replete with epic stories that show the power, purpose, and majesty of God. Stories like ‘Jonah and the Whale’, ‘Noah’s Ark’, ‘The Ten Commandments’, and ‘Sampson and Delilah’. Sometimes these stories take whole chapters or even whole books of the Bible, like the story of Job.

Additionally, though, there are places where true treasures are obvious (and not so obvious) in one or two verses.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Or

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Then there are some not so obvious treasures. Consider Acts 17:10-12. These three verses show us a great treasure. Verse 10 simply tells us where Paul and Silas where, a town called Berea (it is the only place in the Bible it is mentioned - Acts 20 mentions by name a missionary from Berea). Verse 11 says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

First, who is ‘they’? They were the Jewish religious (and some Greeks). We know from verse 12 that study of the Scriptures led many to become Christians, “Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”

Acts 17:11 is memorized and posted on the sidebar of this blog.

What a shock it was to realize one simple thing. The New Testament did not exist yet. Jewish religious leaders would not read it, even if it had. They certainly would not have been searching the New Testament to determine whether Jesus of Nazareth was THEIR Messiah! They went to ‘their’ Bible - the Old Testament.

Having read the account of the meeting on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32, Mark 16:12 & 13). The subject has always been “Christ appeared to them in the Flesh”. Repeatedly have missed verse 27, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Again, the Scriptures here relates to the Old Testament.

That one not so obvious treasure is simply that the primary purpose of the Old Testament is not to provide us with a history lesson of the Jews. The primary purpose is to ‘prove’ that Jesus of Nazareth was who He said He was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the means of Salvation. There are 109 specific Messianic prophecies in The Old Testament, a document that spans 5000+ years of history and whose manuscripts predate Christ by hundreds of years. There are prophecies as specific as the place and manner of His birth to manner of His death. The odds of all those prophecies fulfilled in one person are astronomical. (The estimate is that the number is somewhere approximately 10 to 157^th power. To get an idea of how big that number is; 10 to the 100^th power is the largest number we have a name for - a googol.)

How fitting it is that this is the Easter Season. How fitting it is that one of the first, best introductions of harmonizing the Old Testament and the New Testament into a cohesive whole is “The Sufferings and the Glory”. This is an account of the betrayal, arrest and crucifixion of Christ as recorded in the New Testament and prophesied in the Old, as well as the intimate thoughts of Christ as recorded in the Old Testament hundreds of years before He became flesh and died for our sins.

Jesus was made flesh, lived and died and was resurrected for one purpose. The Bible has one primary purpose. John 20:31, “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

I encourage you to read the “Sufferings and the Glory”, whether you are Christian or not, it is one of the best ‘books’ I’ve ever read and always wrenches my heart.

An odd note I knew but it never sank in before today: Loren Bishop at Pulpit of the Last Days compiled the accounts in “The Sufferings and the Glory”. He sometimes uses the blogger name ‘Cleopas’. Of the two men on the road to Emmaus to whom Christ revealed Himself in The Old Testament, one’s name was Cleopas.

TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2008*

(Guaranteed to come true!)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

(Personally, quite often it is the brick)


*Received this as an email, author unknown - but still poignant and eloquent.

How Simple Is That?

[This is an edit of an article originally Posted Monday 26 September 2005, titled: “What Was His Name? or How Simple Is That?]

‘Learned’ people, in religious circles, like to throw around 'big' words. Words like justification, sanctification, imputed, imparted, dogma, doctrine, and propitiation are just a few… That is fine, but these words often confuse. Sometimes when these types of conversations start, one feels like “a hog looking at a wrist watch”.

It gets murky quickly. The ‘gospel made simple’ becomes a confusingly litany of do and do not. [†] After re-reading this quote, “Any clear presentation of the gospel of grace would include the following in some measure:” followed by a list of twelve ‘necessary’ requirements. The ‘response’ to the gospel is a list of nine evidentiary requirements. In other words, to ‘present the gospel’ requires twelve elements - someone responding to the gospel would require nine elements of ‘evidence’. I decided to ‘re-post’ this (edited) article.

I am a K.I.S.S. person. K.I.S.S. is the acronym Keep It Simple I am Stupid. So let us K.I.S.S. this whole salvation ‘thing’, (with its 12 & 9 requirements) with a little Bible history lesson.

What was the name of the first person to die a ‘believer’? Who was it that first died believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and only through His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, one could receive salvation instead of being condemned and sent to hell?

Many people will say, “That is easy, it was Steven in Acts 7:60-8:2.” Um, wrong, Steven was the first recorded martyr, that is the first person executed for believing it, and teaching it. However, he was not the first one to die believing.

No, the first ‘believer’ to die was a thief. We do not even know his name. The Bible does not record his name… Just that he was the first.

Who was he and why is he important to us?

When Jesus was crucified (hung on a cross), He was crucified with two other men. The Bible tells us that they were thieves (convicted criminals). We read ‘their story’ in Luke 23:39-43.

One of the thieves reviled and mocked Jesus.

The other did not, in Luke 23:40-41, he defends Jesus, “But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

He goes on in verse 42, “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

This in the simplest terms is the ‘gospel of salvation’!

Was this some kind of ‘special’ salvation (as some religions claim)? Alternatively, was this the entire ‘gospel’ message in the K.I.S.S. format?

This is the K.I.S.S. ‘gospel’.

Let us look the ‘elements’ of the thief’s declaration.
The thief admitted that he deserved to be condemned, that he deserved to die for his own crimes (vs. 40 & 41).
The thief recognized Jesus’ was blameless (vs. 41).
The thief recognized that Jesus was ‘his’ master by using the title ‘Lord’ (vs. 42).
The thief recognized Jesus was more than just a man and in fact ‘The King’ (which meant The Messiah) (vs. 42).
The thief asked to be ‘remembered’ (vs. 42).

The thief admitted that he was getting ‘what he deserved’. The thief ‘knew’ because of his own actions, there was nothing but a guilty verdict and death. The thief ‘knew’ that the only way ‘out’ of his condemnation was Jesus Christ. That is, nothing the thief could do was worth anything, only Jesus’ actions could save him.

How did Jesus Christ answer this thief?

“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”” Luke 23:43.

Jesus Christ saved the thief. This unnamed thief was the first person to die ‘believing’ the ‘whole’ “gospel of Jesus Christ the power of God for salvation”. He was the first ‘Christian’ to die. Ephesians 2:8-9, tells us it is not of ourselves, it is a gift. Jesus Christ did not ‘owe’ the thief anything; He gave the thief a place in ‘Paradise’.

That is the Promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ - believe and you will be saved!

This unnamed thief is important to us because his ‘profession and belief’ is the definition of salvation made simple.

It really is that simple…


[†] 2 Corinthians 11:3 reminds us that the gospel is simple. Here is simple - the entire “gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation” in one verse: Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” WE deserve death, God is willing to gift us eternal life, the way is through Christ.

Again, it really is that simple…

Commitment to Conviction Part 2

Part one of this article discussed the torture and murder of three men, Tilman Ekkehart Geske, Pastor Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel. They were tortured and murdered because they were Christians who were not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The “Comments” section attempted to clear up what we know about these men.

These were men of God. They were doing God’s work. They KNEW that they were targets of persecution. [Muslim leaders in Turkey and elsewhere have accused Christians of “stealing the souls of our babies”.]

They were still emboldened by the Holy Spirit not to be ashamed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Their faith sustained them to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though they KNEW that it could cost them their lives.

They are shining examples of what it means to proclaim, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” [Romans 1:16]

Part 2 was supposed to be a look at this heinous act from another point of view.

Five young men (19 and 20 year olds) carried out the premeditated torture and murder of these three men. They did it in the name of ‘Allah’. However, their commitment to their conviction failed them. Their plan was supposed to be - torture and murder these three Christian men - then die ‘in a blaze of glory’ martyrs - in a ‘suicide by cop’ pact. Their faith failed. Three surrendered, one was hiding, and the fifth (the ringleader) injured himself falling off a drainpipe as he tried to get away.

The real question we should ask is, “Are we like the three missionaries or are we like their attackers?”

Pointedly - How committed to our conviction that Jesus Christ DIED on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead and gave us the ORDER to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ are we?

Every day in this world, Christians die for simply being Christians. Every day in this world, Christians die for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hear their stories and we cry, we feel sad, maybe we even send an ‘extra’ monetary gift to a mission project.

As Elisabeth Eliot quotes L.E. Maxwell, “O Lord, deliver us from our sad, sweet, stinking selves!” [1]

We do not have to die to prove we are committed to our conviction. We do not have to be, as Loren Bishop said, “…part of the 'martyr' crowd who could hardly wait to show their zeal. We were often 'persecuted for righteousness' sake'…” [2] Seeking persecution for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What we do need to do is evidence our commitment to our conviction by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is our command to do. [3]

Are we taking every opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we making opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we following the example of these men who were tortured and killed because of their commitment? Alternatively, are we following the example of the murders, when it comes to sharing the Gospel - do we balk sometimes?

Are we following the example of Mr. Genor, a man who for 40 years on the streets of Sydney, Australia, handed out gospel tracts with the question, “If you die tonight will you go to heaven?” [4] Are we following the example of Fred Server - of whom it was said, “Every one who has met Fred has heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” [5]

If we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, are we ashamed that OUR conduct is not always evidence of that commitment to a conviction. Once while driving with Fred (who was a safe, considerate, defensive driver), he noticed an ‘Icthus’ (Fish emblem) on the back of a car. Fred remarked he would never put one on his own car - because he did not want people to equate his driving with his Christianity…

Are there people that we are ASHAMED to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with because they have seen our conduct? How often is that the case? We do not want to share the Gospel, not because of the Gospel but because of our own example. It is not a matter of persecution; instead, it becomes a matter of embarrassment. Do we say to ourselves, “If my life is ‘The only Bible some people will ever read’, then there are some people I do not want to read it?”

We need to remember - The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for sinners. It saves sinners from the penalty of sin - it does not make them (us) perfect. As it says in “One Liners” - God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called. If He only called the qualified - Jesus would be the only person in Heaven. The bottom line is that none of us is perfect. While the God calls us to godliness - He commands us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the lessons learned from Fred and others is that the more energy spent on sharing the Gospel, the less energy one has to pursue sin. [6]

[1] Elisabeth Elliot, Through Gates Of Splendor, Epilogue 2, pages 270-271

[2] see the ‘Comments’ from “Commitment to Conviction Part 1” Loren does point out that sometimes what we call ‘persecution’ is instead others unwillingness to tolerate our attitude.

[3] Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8

[4] Thanks to Brian Hedrick for sharing Mr. Genor’s testimony - it is in a video [here] posted on Brian’s Blog, “Only Look to Christ”. One amazing thing about Mr. Genor is that he faithfully ministered on the streets of Sydney for some 40 years - and it was only a few weeks before he died that he EVER heard that someone became a Christian because he shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. A commitment to a conviction evidenced by conduct - to share the Gospel for 40 years without knowing that anyone responded!

[5] One of the celebrants at Fred’s memorial service made the comment and it was affirmed by many others - Fred lived a life dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[6] I can confidently say with Paul, 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

One Liners

[At a future date (soon), we will post the article “Commitment to Conviction Part 2”]

Meanwhile here are some pithy, not so pithy, funny and not so funny ‘one liners’ collected over the years - original authors unknown.

Do not let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The good Lord did not create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

When you get to your wit's end, you will find God lives there.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Quit griping about your church, if it was perfect, you could not belong.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Why do some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Many church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Our call is to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He will clean them.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Do not put a question mark where God put a period.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Do not wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The person that angers you controls you!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Prayer: Do not give God instructions -- just report for duty!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

*+*+*+ *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We do not change the message the message changes us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The best mathematical equation ever seen:

1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Commitment to Conviction Part 1

Previously, we defined faith as a commitment to a conviction evidenced by conduct [1].

Let us turn our attention to the 18th of April and three men.

Tilman Ekkehart Geske
Pastor Necati Aydin
Ugur Yuksel

These three men may not be familiar to you. News of their deaths was not “Front Page News”. One may have heard about them vaguely. They were three Christian men (missionaries and pastors) murdered in Turkey.

The Associated Press records their murders as “with their hands and legs bound and their throats slit”. [I have] read other reports of their gruesome three hour torture that would make the most horrific horror movie seem tame by comparison.

We do not know if there was an attempt to make these men recant their faith [2].

We do know that these men were tortured and executed for one reason. They were tortured and murdered because they were Christians who were not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ [3]. They daily shared the gospel in a predominately Muslim country with a history of violence towards Christians.

Simply put, these men were martyrs for their faith in Christ.

Think about that for a minute. These men died. They were tortured. Even without their throats slit, they would have died from the wounds they received. All their suffering and ultimately their deaths happened simply for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We do know they were men of God, by the example of their families afterward. “Susanne Geske (Tilman Geske’s widow) in a television interview [in Turkey] expressed her forgiveness. She did not want revenge, she told reporters. “Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do,” she said, wholeheartedly agreeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23:34)” [4].

This was a terrible thing. It should sadden us.

Now, consider the challenge. How often do we hesitate to share the gospel because of what others might think? We rationalize, justify, and hesitate because we might lose face. Maybe we are afraid we might lose our jobs, or we may lose ‘friends’ because we are telling them the ‘Good News’. The next time the opportunity presents itself and one finds one’s self hesitating - think. Think about Geske, Aydin, and Yuksel. Then think about the ETERNAL consequences of NOT sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the listener [5].




[1] Conversations with Fred part 4 [March 12, 2007]

[2] We have heard reports the torture was recorded on cell phones (and possibly video) but those have not been released (Thankfully).

[3] Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

[4] Excerpted from “A letter to the Global Church from The Protestant Church of Smyrna” Reported by Darlene N. Bocek -contact information:
izmirprotestan@gmail.com http://www.izmirprotestan.org
* There is a graphic report of the torture of these men in this letter. If the above link fails the letter can be found by a “Google” search.

[5] 1 John 2:15-17 [The Message]

The Final Word From Fred Server

Fred’s memorial service was quite an event. Held in his church home, people gathered. His siblings, children, step-children and children’s children -four generations account for only forty of the hundreds gathered. Many countries and four continents had representatives there.

It is not a huge church, but modern with two large audio-visual screens used to project hymns instead of using traditional hymnals.

The pastor led the invocation, followed by the choir and audience singing uplifting songs. Fred was reintroduced to those present with a slide show, “This is your life” created for his birthday last year - showing Fred through the years of his life.

The slide show was significant events in his life - his birth, graduation, jobs, children, etc. What it shows is that Fred was a sportsman and family man. It was for Fred a keepsake and for others a kind of ordinary obituary. It did not tell one much about the ‘heart’ of the man.

A few more songs sung. Then nothing - the screens went black, the lights dimmed. Then with a startled gasp from the audience, Fred appeared on the video screen and this is what he had to say:

“Greetings!

I suppose I’m the last person you
expected to hear from today. I just
had to thank you for praying for me.
Almost 5 years ago, you learned I
had cancer. You prayed for my
healing. You watched me lose 5
inches in height; my bones grow too
weak to hold my body up straight-
and you prayed for my healing. You
watched my muscles dissolve and
my flesh disappear. Actually, you
watched the outer man perish and
you prayed for my healing. Thank
you! Thank you. Your prayers have
been answered. I AM HEALED! I
AM HEALED! HALLELUJIAH!
HALLELUJIAH! The pain is gone.
Thank you for praying.

The best part about being here in
heaven is Jesus. Remember He
promised, “I go to prepare a place for
you and if I go I will come again and
receive you unto myself.” He did!
He did! He did! I’ve just seen Jesus
and I tell you He is alive!

I had this hope of coming to heaven
to be with Jesus while I was with
you. I’ll tell you how I KNEW. The
Bible says we can Know, not think
or hope but KNOW. I had just
returned from the navy and was in
my first year of college when I
noticed several students my age that
really impressed me. They all went
to the same church youth group so I
decided to visit. It was there I
learned that God loved me. Me,
Fred Server. I also learned the things
had done wrong separated me from

God. I was fearful of dying and
spending an eternity separated from
God in a place called hell. Do you
know how long eternity is? Forever!
God said my sin demanded a
payment-death. Here is the good
news; God loved me so much He
was willing to do something about
my sin and separation. He sent His
own Son to die in my place. Jesus
Christ died for my sins so He could
bring me to God. No more
separation. I believed this. I asked
Jesus to forgive my sin, come into
my heart, and be the Lord of my life.
He came! I began to read my Bible.
I believed every promise He made.

I know some people think they can
work themselves into heaven. Think
about it. If you could work your way
into heaven then God had His Son
die a horrible death on the cross for
nothing.

Everyone has to decide whether to
believe Jesus or not. There is no
reason for anyone to walk out of this
room and not know that your sins are
forgiven and that you are going to
spend all eternity in heaven. You
can pray this prayer right where you
are sitting. Bow your head and pray,
“Lord, Jesus, please forgive my sin
and come into my heart and be the
Lord of my life. I believe you.
Thank you for coming. Thank you
for giving me eternal life.” If you
prayed that prayer tell our Pastor or
someone about the decision you have
made. Many will rejoice with you
and you can share it with me when
you arrive here in heaven. I’ll be
waiting for you.

Friends please don’t talk about my
spirit being with you. My spirit is
with Jesus. Why would you want
my spirit with you when you have
the Spirit of the Living God living in
you? He will never leave you. The
Holy Spirit will lead you along the
best pathway for your life, to
comfort, encourage, protect, pray for,
teach, enable, and pour out his loving
favor and mercy. You don’t want
my spirit when you can have all that
just by asking Christ into your heart.

My challenge to all of you, family
and friends is to get involved in
telling others about Jesus. Help them
grow. Make an eternal difference in
the lives of other people. Everyone
is going to spend an eternity in
heaven or hell. God will use you to
be a part in their choice. So go tell
the good news.

Bye for now. Jesus is waiting to
welcome each and every one of you.
I’ll be waiting too. Look on my
death just the way Jesus does. He
says, “Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of his saints.” You
know why it’s so precious? It’s
because He gets to finally welcome
another one that He came here to die
for, another one who believes Him.
That delights His heart. He calls it
precious. That means you can look
at my death as precious. See you.
Bye for now.” [*]

I do not know about you, but that tells me a lot about the heart of the man it was my privilege to know and call my step-dad. Like someone remarked, “Leave it to Fred to get the last word and that word was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He died like he lived, sharing the Gospel, a servant of God.”

Fred M. Server
June 15, 1927 - March 14, 2007
The Godliest man I have ever known!
I pray that I can be half the man, the servant of God that he was.

[*] Fred recorded this video a few months ago (January 12, 2007), to ensure that he had the strength to do it well.

- Special thanks to my sister-in-law Robin for putting together the slide show (from all the family’s pictures) and recording and editing Fred’s final message.

Graduated to Glory!

Fred, my step-dad, has ended his fight with cancer. He has died. The conversations we had at New Years were the last face to face in depth conversations that he and I shared. We did talk on the phone during the intervening months and I was able to make it across the country be with him at the end. We (my mom, one of my brothers, and my step-sister) were with him, surrounding him and lifting him in prayer. His long battle ended with a gentle sigh. The last words he spoke in this world were, “I love you (all).”

His obituary as published, is:
--

Fredrick M. Server
Fred Server’s pilgrimage on earth ended Wednesday, March 14, 2007. His Father called him home. A celebration of his life and death will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at Village Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts be made to the Village Baptist missions programs.
--
The newspaper uses a whopping eleven lines, four sentences to declare the end of Fred’s life. The obituary before his is 33 lines, the one after is 45 lines for a family-less indigent hospice patient. Some of the obituaries are more than 100 lines.
Why is this important? There have been some ‘complaints’ that Fred’s obituary did not do him ‘justice’. Never mind the fact that Fred wrote it himself. A careful look at his obituary comparatively tells one everything they need to know about Fred.

You see, the other obituaries tell us what jobs the people had, where they lived, where they were born, how they died, who they left behind, who in their families were already gone and a myriad of mundane details.

There is nothing that tells us of the ‘heart’ of the person. Fred’s obituary tells us where his heart was. He knew he was a ‘pilgrim’ (Hebrews 11:13-16, 1 Peter 2:11). This world was not Fred’s home (and home is where the heart is). Fred knew who his Father was (Romans 8:14-16, Galatians 4:4-6). Finally, we know by his request to support missions that Fred continues earnestly to want to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

What more do we need to know about Fred?

Okay, today I will tell you one more thing about Fred.

Fred spent time studying the Word daily (Acts 17:11). He recorded his ‘Quiet Time’ in a journal. He was studying the book of Job – an upright man stricken as a testament to God. The last words Fred wrote, “‘I know that my Redeemer lives... one day I will see him face to face’ [1]– The hand of God has put this cancer upon me. I don’t understand why and I don’t have to. I want to say with Job, ‘Tho he slay me, yet will I trust HIM!’” [2]


[1] Job 19:25-27
[2] Job 13:15

Conversations with Fred cont 4

part 4

“I am truly blessed…”

This again, is coming from a man that knows with certainty he is dying. He knows that it will be a painful and unpleasant death. Why does he feel so blessed?

He started ‘counting his blessings’. [This list is not complete; it is a partial list of the salient points. It is also an incomplete list of verses he quoted supporting each blessing.]

“I have gotten to live the promises of the risen Christ.”

-“Every step of the way I have been comforted.”

John 14:16-18, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

-“Every day I have been given the strength to carry on - even when tempted to have a bad attitude, or rail against God, or just give up.”

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

-“God has blessed me by giving me the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with so many. They see my ‘hope’ and want to know why.”

Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

- Fred is a humble man. He had a hard time expressing this blessing. He cried tears of joy as he relates how blessed he feels to know some of the fruit of labor. Fred knows John 4:36-37, “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’” However, God’s gift to Fred has been to often share in the effects of his ministry. In other words, Fred is constantly told by others how his life, testimony, faith, and his sharing of his faith has affected others positively for Christ.
Back in the beginning of 2006, (Running Out of Time) Fred challenged ‘us’ to reach one person positively for Christ. What Fred never expected was how many people would come to him and tell him how HE had influenced them for Christ. He cries for joy every time someone tells him that - he cries a lot. [Fred understands the eternal implications of just one person coming into the family. In Luke 15:10, Jesus tells us, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

What a joy it is to share in that joy with Fred.

-Fred concluded counting his blessings with a passage Loren shared in the comments of “Conversations with Fred part 3”

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim 4:6-8)

Fred’s final thoughts in that conversation were simple.

“While I am here, I will continue in earnest. But, my bags are packed, I am ready to go whenever He calls.”

That is our challenge - Fred’s godly life, Christ-like attitude, commitment to a conviction evidenced by conduct (faith) - are examples we can emulate.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Can we make the same claim: ‘While I am here, I will continue in earnest. But, my bags are packed, I am ready to go whenever He calls’?”

Conversations with Fred cont. 3

Part 3

Fred continued with, “The coming days are filled with hope.” Now that is an odd statement for one that has exhausted every medical option and is dying. What on Earth, could Fred possibly be hoping or hopeful about?

Merriam Webster online dictionary defines hope as:

1: to desire with expectation of obtainment

2: to expect with confidence

Jack Terry told us (previously) hope is expectations from experience.

1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the HOPE that is in you with meekness and fear.” What is this ‘hope’ that Fred has (and we should have)?

Fred looks with the expectation of obtainment and expects with confidence what comes next.

James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Fred expects with confidence that his trials, perseverance, and patience is making him more Christ-like. He knows the ‘good’ has resulted in more names in the book of life because of his testimony.

That is not the end of Fred’s hope. He expects deliverance from a cancer ridden body. No, he does expect a miraculous cure. Fred’s conduct shows his commitment to the unshakeable faith he has that the promises of the Bible are true.

How does he know? 1 John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…”

Fred KNOWS he has eternal life and more, 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 tells him, “…the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.””

Fred knows that he will be, in that moment changed. His body corrupted by cancer, will change into a body that will never know sickness, will never know cancer, and will never again know death. Fred expects with confidence - Hopes - for that day. He has faith.

He is committed to the conviction that he will one day be removed from this world into a place where he will NEVER experience those things he lives with everyday, again.

Fred finished our conversation with one more gem, “I am truly blessed.”

A Mother Asks…

Receiving this anonymous author email, it is an ‘interlude’.

It is very simple…

“A mother asked President GW Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

A mother asked President Clinton, "Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?"

A mother asked President GHW Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?"

Another mother asked President Johnson, "Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?"

Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"

Another mother asked President FD Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President Washington, "Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked..."Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answer is the same --"So that others may have life, peace, happiness, and freedom."”

---
Here is the difference:

The offer from 2000 years ago is still available today...

Life: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

That is the offer of the cross - everlasting life.

Peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Peace of God”, it says is beyond understanding - but it is capable of GUARDING our hearts and minds.

Happiness: Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

Jesus offered us HIS joy.

Freedom: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18

It says we are free from sin that leads to death - both its power and its penalty.

Conversations with Fred -cont.

Part 2

Fred’s faith leads to his recent remark, “Everything that has happened to me has been for the good.”

One could easily ask, “How can terminal cancer be for the good?” Let us start by recognizing that the cancer itself is not ‘good’. However, Fred is all about furthering Christ’s kingdom. He explains the good that comes from his affliction (cancer) means there are more people in the Kingdom of Heaven. [See “What Good?” and see Romans 8:28-29]

The driving force in Fred is the question, “How can my life and my death influence others for Christ?” That is faith’s conduct in Fred’s life. He lives Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Fred shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with everybody - he challenges everyone that believes to share the gospel with others. He understands the ETERNAL importance of being about ‘His Father’s Business’.

Last year in “Running Out of Time” we talked about the family reunion where Fred challenged each of us to ‘influence someone for Christ’ in the coming year. He regularly checked up on us during the year, asking for ‘progress reports’. At Christmas this year, he called each of us to account, in front of the rest of the family. He did not do that to embarrass anyone, but to encourage all of us.

The reality is, Fred embarrasses all of us. He really is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Fred lives in a world where sharing the gospel is one of the single most important things one can do. A week does not pass that Fred does not share the gospel with someone. (I would say a day does not go by, but there are some days when his illness keeps him house-bound - even so, there is not a ‘Hospice’ worker that has met him that has not heard.)

His conduct is evidence of his commitment to his conviction that ‘The Good’ of reaching others for Christ is his duty, and privilege.

Fred has stated (and it is in other articles), that his life, his cancer and his death have been worth it if just one person comes to know Jesus Christ. Fred is not boastful, but I know of a few people that have made Fred’s cancer ‘worth it’ because they believe. Mom, being more pragmatic, will only say, “More than a few.” When I ask Fred if it is worth it, with a shy smile and a glint in his eye, he says, “Yes.”

Fred continued with, “The coming days are filled with hope.”

Conversations with Fred

Part 1

For those of you that do not know:
Fred is my step-father (the widower that married my widowed mother over 25 years ago).
Fred is dying. He has terminal cancer.
Fred is the godliest man I know.

We have talked about Fred before. The articles about him (and my mother) are all HERE.

As recently mentioned, it is a tough time. Fred has exhausted his treatment options. He has done chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, as well as a host of ‘alternative’ treatment options. He is done. There are no more options currently available. ‘Hospice’ has entered the picture. For those unfamiliar with ‘Hospice’ it means the end of Fred’s long fight is near. Hospice’s job is to give Fred the highest quality of life with the least amount of pain from now until he dies. They are not offering him any treatment alternatives, just making whatever time he has left, the best it can be.

That is hard for me. I dearly love Fred and I am selfish, I do not want to lose a friend, mentor, advisor and example. For over twenty-five years, Fred has been an inspiration and comfort to me. Even writing this is disconcerting because it puts in print an inevitable conclusion, Fred will be gone soon. Although the term ‘soon’ is ambiguous, as he told the family on Christmas Eve, this was his last Christmas.

Fred knows that he is dying. He knows that he has seen some of us for the last time in this life. Fred has given some his last sage advice. Do understand. As stated, Fred has been an advisor and mentor for years, but now what he has to say has taken on additional meaning. He is telling us the most important things that his 79+ years and his fight with cancer have taught him.

Again, a clarification, Fred is the godliest man I know. He loves God. Throughout these last few years, he has never asked one question. The question is, “Why me God?” He has not bothered. God answers THAT question in the last chapters of the Book of Job in the Bible, (starting in chapter 38 through the end of the book). Fred has trusted that everything that he has gone through has a reason.

That leaves us with an interesting conversation.

Fred has based his life, especially the last few years on Faith and Hope.

Jack Terry writes, “My grandson Jordon recently celebrated his fourth birthday. For many days preceding the joyful event, he anticipated with great excitement all of the presents he would receive from friends and family… Jordan was certain what was going to happen.

Although he did not visibly see the gifts before the party, he was confident that he was soon going to open lots of presents, just like he did at last year’s celebration. His faith was strong because his previous experience had been a very real one. He was sure of what he hope for and certain of what he did not see. This is a wonderful picture of the simple, childlike faith that God desires for all of us to have.” [*]

Fred and I like my mother’s definition of Faith: “A commitment to a conviction evidenced by conduct.” This definition is straightforward, concise, packed with meaning and true. Fred is convinced what he believes is truth. He is so convinced that his commitment shows his belief in his everyday conduct. He believes, strongly, and acts like it. I can not always say that my conduct shows what I say I believe, Fred can. [That is what makes him such a godly man].

Fred’s faith leads to his recent remark, “Everything that has happened to me has been for the good.”

[*] Jack Terry, A Cowboy’s Faith (Eugene, OR: Harvest House P, 2001) 7.

This Day

As I wrestle with a personally painful truth and the best way to present it, we will take an interlude.
This may seem trite at first, but if one considers these things as ‘instructions’ - they make a difference.

Interlude:


1. Wake Up!
“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24
Decide to have a good day. You choose whether you will have a good day or you will let the stress, and problems of the day depress you.

2. Dress Up!
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” How does someone know if you have hope unless they see the inner heart in the outward appearance?

3. Shut Up!
“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3 Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. How many times have you heard, “If you can not say something nice, do not say anything at all”? How about this, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” Proverbs 18:21a

4. Stand Up!
“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...” Galatians 6:9-10 Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for the ‘Word’ (again 1 Peter 3:15). We have talked in previous articles about what the ‘good’ is. See “What Good?”

5. Look Up!
“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2


6. Reach Up!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Always reach up first. “If you think God is far away, guess who moved.”

7. Lift Up!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 How about, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:18. Additionally, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

God answers Knee-Mail.

Great Gift Idea

‘Tis the Season

A harried woman with two small children and armloads of packages squeezes her way onto the crowded elevator at the mall. To no one in particular she remarks, “Whoever came up with this Christmas idea ought to be taken out and executed.” A quiet voice from the back of the elevator responded, “Don’t worry they already crucified Him!”

Why do we give presents at Christmas time anyway? Some will respond ‘tis the season’. Some might remind us of the pagan rituals surrounding the birth of the New Year at Winter Solstice.

‘Christians’ might respond with various replies. We are commemorating the birth of Christ. We are emulating the ‘Wise Men’ from the Bible who brought gifts to Christ. Some will relate the Christmas story of the birth of Christ and the angels, and the manger.

All of these are ‘correct’ answers. The truth is we DID co-opt ‘Christmas’ from pagan rituals. There have for many generations been peoples that celebrated the Winter Solstice, and rebirth of the New Year. The ‘Wise Men’ did bring gifts to the baby Jesus. God did give us a great gift in giving His Son to live among us.

We find the real ‘gift’ of Christmas in Luke 2:11, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

God gave us a Savior. The Savior, in turn gave us a great gift in His death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus Christ is our Savior. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Hebrews 10:10 & 12 tells us, “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,”

We rejoice at Christmas, that God gave us His Son to live among us… That was an awesome gift. Jesus Christ was a great teacher and philosopher. More than that, His death on the cross was the sacrifice for all our sins - forever.

While celebrating the birth of Christ, we should also recognize His greatest gift to us, eternal life for all who believe.

The true ‘PRICELESS’ gift of Christmas is the Gospel of Jesus Christ
How cool is that? The best gift one can give another this holiday is to share with them the gift of life everlasting…
Christmas is an opportunity to receive the greatest gift ever given, and to share that gift freely with all our family and loved ones…
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1. This is an edited reprint of an article posted last year around this time.

2. And for all you Scrooges out their - calling all the trappings of Christmas ‘stolen pagan rituals’ - check out this page - “The True Meaning of Christmas”
Which came first the chicken or the egg? As in, are they co-opted from pagans or given meanings pagans then made corrupt?? Does it matter if you assign it a Godly meaning? Here is a thought - God named the constellations (check Genesis and Job) - Astrologers co-opted God’s design…]

A Couple of Christmas Poems...

This poem has been around for a while. It makes the rounds every Christmas. We often see the author as ‘A soldier stationed in Okinawa’ or ‘A soldier stationed in Afghanistan’.

We have seen it change (creative edits) over the years to represent each of the different services.
Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt’s original version was printed in “Pass In Review” in 1987…

He is a Marine. The poem is about Marines. We do not have to change or edit the words for its sentiments to apply to all the armed services.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

-------

Recently “A Different Christmas Poem” started making the rounds (again). It has been around for a while too, and again reminds us about our soldiers.

It’s real title is “A Soldier’s Christmas” © Michael Marks December 7, 2000.

“A Soldier’s Christmas”

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.


Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts…
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

"My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

--------

Thanksgiving for Soldiers - And The Unsung Heroes

Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a day of over indulgence in food and football - two of America’s favorite pastimes.

Traditionally, many gatherings include a round-robin of “What are you Thankful FOR?”
Why not start with, “I am thankful to be free”?

Today be thankful for the all the members of our armed forces, whether deployed or at home. Their service and sacrifice allow us to enjoy this day.
Freedom is not free.
It is the soldiers sacrificing their freedom (and their lives) that preserve our freedom.

That is a ‘nice’ sentiment - being thankful to service members for their sacrifice to this country… [Veteran’s Day is a holiday to thank those that have served - not those that are serving - they do not have a holiday.]

Soldiers have it rough, especially those deployed around the world (not just Iraq and Afghanistan).

However, the toughest job in the military is spouse.
The families are the real unsung heroes.
While their service member is on deployment - they fight their own battles, daily. Not only is there the constant wondering about their loved ones, life goes on.
Someone still has to pay the bills.
Someone still has to balance the budget.
Someone still has to mow the yard and take out the trash.
Someone still has to get the kids off to school and back home safely.
Someone still has to answer the kids question about his or her absent parent.
Someone still has to do upkeep on the car.
On and on with all the ‘divided’ chores and responsibilities still being done.

The military spouse has suddenly, with little notice become a one parent family. Even the spouses without children have to take on additional work loads, simply because they are alone.

So while we gather with friends and families to enjoy the day - remember the families of the service members that set an empty place for a loved one far away…
And remember the families that set an empty place at their table for a loved who will never sit there again.

Be thankful for them and their loved ones far away - without them, this would be just another day - without freedom.

January 2006 the article “Maligned Military” we were reminded that soldiers do not send themselves into harm’s way. Politicians do that. If one is concerned about Iraq, one is encouraged to contact their congressional representative in the House and Senate and take it up with them.

This is about service members and their families - Active, Reserve, National Guard - from all branches not politics.

Confession’s Consequences 1

Pastor Joe Wright delivered this prayer (written by Pastor Bob Russell) January 23, 1996 to open the Kansas House of Representatives session.

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance.
-We know Your Word says 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
-We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.
-We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism.
-We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
-We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
-We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
-We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
-We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
-We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
-We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
-We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
-We have abused power and called it political savvy.
-We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
-We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
-We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state.

Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen”


When presented by Pastor Wright, this prayer caused uproar. Repeated by Paul Harvey twice, it gained further attention, and notoriety (generating the most mail in his program’s history - 98% positive). A search of the internet finds over a thousand copies of the prayer. Urban Legends (Snopes.com) has articles about it, as does ‘About.com’. This month it is in “Lamplighter”, the magazine from Lamb & Lion Ministries.

This prayer is a decade old.

Think about it, this prayer is a decade old. Over ten years have passed since Joe Wright prayed in the Kansas Congress.

What has changed since then? This prayer makes the email circuit at least once a year with admonitions to ‘keep it going’ or ‘send this to your elected officials’.

Sorry, but this is a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) prayer. This prayer will have no affect - as long as it is traveling around the Internet.

God’s Ultimate Purpose for Christians we now know (from previous articles). That we become more Christ-like so our example brings more into the family.

How about this: Are WE willing to pray this prayer for our own lives? Are WE willing to look deeply into our own hearts:
-are we calling evil good
-have we inverted our values
-have we compromised moral absolutes
-do we worship other gods (like money)
-are we nodding to perversion, unwilling to call ‘alternative lifestyles’ sin
-do we ignore those in need
-have we endorsed welfare as bad, but ‘someone else’s problem’
-do we turn away from a stand on abortion
-are we mitigating evil as a social responsibility
-are we neglecting our children period - not just their discipline
-do we abuse power, what little we have - at home or in the work place
-do we envy our neighbors, are we ‘keeping up with the Jones’
-are we profane (do we cuss) or ‘secretly’ look at pornography
-do we embrace the ideals of today and forget the values of yesterday?

Are we really willing to pray, “Search ME O God and know MY heart today; TRY ME and see if there be some wicked way in ME; cleanse ME from every sin and set ME free”?

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3

This prayer will never affect America, our society, our government local, state, and federal - UNTIL it affects OUR LIVES.

Confession…

Understand, the epiphany that accompanied the revelation that we ‘KNOW’ what the Ultimate Will of God for Christians “IS” “is making all the difference…”
(“What Good” & “What Good Revisited”) That is my confession, that until I discovered that truth, I was walking around in the dark.

I can not begin to count how many times I have followed Job and asked God ‘Why’ this or that happened in my life. I have frequently fallen back on the old standby, “God is sovereign, and He has a plan…” Or resigned with, “I do not know why, but I accept this as His will.” Alternatively, when I thought I was more ‘mature’, “I do not need to know why, but accept this as His will.”

Now clarity shines like the Son… There is no more wandering around in the shadowy ethereal mystery of “God’s will for my life…” God revealed His Ultimate Will. He wants us to be more like Christ (Romans 8:28, 29). Everything that happens today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year - is to that purpose.

Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34.

There is an instruction, “Seek first the kingdom of God”. Following it is an admonition, “do not worry about tomorrow.” Thinking about this passage in relation to Romans 8:28, 29 deepens the meaning.

If one is seeking God, recognizing that God’s intent is to make one more Christ-like, what is there to worry about? Even the ‘age old’ ‘mature Christian’ axiom of ‘discovering God’s will for one’s life’ seems a little weak.


If God’s Ultimate Will is that one be more Christ-like, then we can lay it at His feet…
How many times have we prayed a prayer like, “God I need discernment to make a wise decision.” It IS a valid prayer. At the same time, have we done (here is a secular but truly appropriate phrase) due diligence? Have we searched the scriptures (Acts 17:11)? Have we sought wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14)? Are we seeking “first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? Are we being obedient to what we already know to do (John 2:5)? Are we trying to bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Have we asked for wisdom (James 1:5)?
Most importantly, are we open to learning to be more Christ-like (Romans 8:29)? That is true discernment - being open to whatever God wants to make us more Christ-like.

That is the bottom line - God’s leading, God’s ‘will’ for our lives is all about that one principle: That we become more like Christ.

To adapt a quote from a Robert Frost poem, “That is making ALL the Difference.”

A Blessing...

How wonderful is our God.

I have been really blessed and overwhelmed over the last few weeks.

The testimony of my parents (Fred and Ruth) and their Christ-like attitude, as presented here, has been tremendous. God has used their chronicles to further His Kingdom - true evidence of the promise of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Knowing that the ‘Good’ is that we “…be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

This response has been a blessing to me - to know that God is using something I posted for His glory… I take no credit for that, it is the work of the Holy Spirit, but I appreciate the blessing.

At the same time, it has caused a little bit of confusion. People have come here looking for the postings about Fred and Ruth, seen other posts and become a little disoriented.

To counter that ‘problem’, the articles about Fred and Ruth have been put in chronological order and copied to the “Views: Christian Studies & Perspectives” blog.

Hope that helps…

In Christ,

What Good? Revisited -‘A Friend’s Business’

The previous article, “What Good?” details some of Fred’s, hardships and his attitude. I wanted to revisit it.

Whenever someone suffers tragedy or loss, many are the ‘well-wishers’. Christians, non-Christians, friends even strangers telling them that, “The Bible says, “All things work together for good…”” A reference to Romans 8:28.

How often is that verse misquoted, and not an encouragement as much as a discouragement. Sorry, but telling a person that just lost a loved one ‘everything works for good’ can evoke all manner of negative feelings. Unless, one uses that verse for what it says, not what we ‘want’ it to say it can be more hurtful than helpful.

That begs the question, “Then what does that verse say?”
“Everything works together for good.” Is that what it says? Is that all it says?

Romans 8:28a, “And we know that all things work together for good”.

Romans 8:28b says, “…to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” There appears to be a discrepancy with the flippancy we use this verse.
Look at it more closely.

1. All things work together for good.
2. Condition: ‘to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose’. Study reveals this is means ‘Christians’, not ‘everybody’.

The conclusion is then, “All things work together for good for Christians.”

However, we still have not defined “Good”. What is the “Good”? What Good is there in dying a long painful death? What Good is there in a terrible tragedy?
We need to look at the next verse to understand its meaning and promise.

Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Take out the parts that ‘identify’ that this verse is written to Christians. Two phrases remain, “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” What does that mean? We know that brethren means - Christians, and we know ‘His Son’ and ‘He’ is - Jesus. “To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many Christians.” ‘The Firstborn’ used in conjunction with Jesus, is an adjective ‘honorific’ - the first to be resurrected to glory, the highest, the greatest, the Christ.
“To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus, will be the Christ of many
Christians ‘in the family’.” That would be, “To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus, The Christ, will have many ‘in HIS family’”.

What does it mean then “to be conformed to the image of His Son”? That is straightforward, it means what it says, to become literally a ‘Christian’ a ‘little Christ’ not just a believer. There is a promise here. “To become like Christ so that Jesus, will be THE Christ of many ‘in the family’. Our becoming ‘like Christ’ results in ‘many brethren’.

There is the old saying, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read”. The promise is that our becoming ‘Christ-like’ will present an ‘example’ that will result in ‘many in the family’. That is a responsibility, and a privilege.

Verse 29 then says, “Christians are to become like Jesus Christ so that we result in Jesus being the Christ of ‘many in the family’”.

We take Verse 28: All things work together for good for Christians. Add to it Verse 29: To become like Christ so that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.
We now have a very pertinent promise and admonition:
Promise: All things work together for Good.
Condition: For Christians
Reason/Result: to be (made/become) more like Christ.
God’s Ultimate Purpose for everything that happens to Christians: So that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.

We now have a definition of the “Good”. The “Good” is so that Christians become more Christ-like, and in so doing, others come to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It does not mean that bad things will not happen to us. It does not mean that we fatalistically and blindly accept things. We no longer have to wonder why things happen; the answer is right there.

We have, in these two verses the ENTIRE purpose of the Christian life… Everything that happens to a Christian is for one purpose - to mold us into the image of Christ. That purpose is to set an example for others, so that they too may come to know Christ.

That is it - the entire Christian life - God’s Ultimate Purpose Revealed!

THAT is Good!

Friends, whatever happens - whether heartbreak or blessings - everything that happens, happens with that purpose. With that in mind, constantly seek to grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…

Jesus Christ tells us in John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

These verses in Romans tell us exactly what our ultimate purpose IS.

One of Jesus’ first statements sets the stage, “…Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

That is our Friend’s instructions for us…

Wild Weekend

Wow, it is Wednesday. This has been a tumultuous week.

Friday last, my best friend, D.L. went to the hospital for a ‘routine outpatient surgical procedure’. Arriving home from my own doctor appointment, I saw his and his wife’s trucks outside their house (they are my best friends and next door neighbors - makes things convenient). Calling to check on him, received the disturbing news that, “Something is not right!”

Later Friday night, he was an admit to the telemetry ward (one step below I.C.U.). It seems the ‘routine’ part of the surgical procedure was not.
He is bleeding internally. It is a dangerous and extremely painful situation. The doctors are trying to get the bleeding under control without emergency surgery, and seriously concerned about infection.
So there he is Saturday morning hooked up to every machine the hospital has got - looking like he is at death’s door - doped up - crying he is in so much pain.

First visitor Saturday, hoping, praying and willing for his recovery, I waited and watched, the only thing truly helpful I can do is pray.

Later in the day, he seems to be stabilizing. Taking a break to make room for the numerous other friends and family there to see him - and tired of seeing the serious concern on my face mirrored on theirs - I went to the hospital lobby.
Running headlong into a crowd, it was obvious someone had died. Not just someone, from the size of the group, someone well loved with many family and friends. The group extended outside; there were easily more than twenty people there. All of them deep in sorrow, tears flowed from just about every face, men, women and children.

Two thoughts struck in quick succession. The first was that I had not really thought about the ‘if’ of eternity when I was with D.L. I thought about the loss to Linda, his son, his family and to me, but I had not even considered the consequences of D.L.’s death and eternity. Simply because I know that D.L. is a Christian. I know he knows that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:9]. The thought never occurred to me to be concerned for his eternal welfare - because I already know.

The second thought that struck me was that the family that had just suffered the loss of a loved one was doing it without hope. It was obvious from every face that all they felt was pain, loss, helplessness and hopelessness. There was no one there even trying to offer solace that the deceased was ‘in a better place’. These people were lost and there was no comfort.

How sad. I am sure that at some huge memorial service someone will try to intimate that since the deceased was a ‘good person’, or a ‘good parent’, or a ‘good child’ or an ‘outstanding member of the community’ that the person is now ‘in a better place’. That by some virtue of their own they are somehow deserving of heaven… Sadly, some of the family and friends will take comfort in that thought. Sadly, few will consider the truth.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

D.L. is recovering and is now recuperating at home.
I am not.
Running into that family was a poignant reminder that there are people, our neighbors, friends, relatives or just acquaintances that have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, all of us are running out of time - to share it - to hear it…

New Diet

Doctors tell us that Americans do not eat right. We need to eat healthier foods and exercise. It is good advice, given to improve our health and quality of life.

What about Christians, do we need to do that? Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Eating healthy and getting exercise is then a “reasonable service”. However, in context, that verse continues, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

How about Psalm 1:1-3:
“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Psalm 119:9, 47 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” “And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.”


How about this, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”” [1]

The point is simple, if we eat healthy, and exercise - we get healthier… What diet are we feeding our minds?

Put it another way. No one would argue that eating junk food six days a week, then eating one healthy meal while watching someone else exercise is a healthy diet. By the same reasoning, watching an hour of sex and violence on television a day then listening to a half hour sermon on Sunday is not a healthy mental diet. Thirty minutes of someone else’s exercise is not going to counter the effects of the garbage one has been filling their minds with the rest of the week.

To be “transformed by the renewing of your mind”, “delight in the Law of the Lord”, and living by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” cannot be achieved in thirty minutes on Sunday.

Psalm 119:72,
“The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”

How valuable is the Word of God? The old saying, “put your money where your mouth is,” comes to mind. The value of the Word (to us) is directly proportional to the amount of time we spend in it. “Time is money.” Is the TV actually twelve times more valuable than the Word? [2] If it is then here is some bad news - one is on a starvation diet - starved for the Word. That is not remotely healthy.

The Apostle Paul said, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:8.

Is the Word more valuable than “coins of gold and silver”? Here is a thought, if one had to pay to watch TV in cash; in increments (like Pay-Per-View for every show), how much TV would one watch?

Compare that to having to pay to spend time in the Word. If one had to pay in cash to read the Bible - how much of the Bible would one read?

Oops…

[1] Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3

[2]Simple math: 1 hour of TV per day for 6 days = 6 hours (12 1/2 hours) of TV a week. VS. 1/2 hour of time in the Word during a church service (considering that while most church services average an hour, the sermon is only 30 minutes of that time). Of course that presumes that one only watches ONE hour of TV a day, and none on Sunday...

What about me?

Recently I have been telling you about the two godliest people I know, my mother and step-father. I have been relating their hearts for God, and how each of them are continuing to persevere in being about our “Father’s business”.

I ended the article “What Good?” with this paragraph, “Friends, the next time you are faced with pain, heartbreak, or grief; the next time you are faced with trying to comfort someone going through a difficult time - think about these verses. Then ask how you grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…”

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

Loren, a beloved brother in Christ, and author of the POLD blog has constantly been an encouragement in word and prayer… Last week he gently chastised me (deservedly so) for worrying about what is going to happen to my mom and step-dad with this verse, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

The Message Bible (Remix) puts it like this, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

I went back and reread “What Good?” Something occurred to me. Romans 8:28 starts with this phrase, “And we know that all things…” We have already discussed what the “Good” is.

However, here is a thought that I am not sure I communicated…
I see how God is moving in Fred, my step-dad’s life. I see him as a godly inspiration on persevering to further the Kingdom of Heaven… Mom, also, her godliness, her spirit, her perseverance are inspirations. Their example humbles me.

But Loren, when he chastised me, pointed out a little simple something…
If “all things” is true - then what about me? What effect is “what God is doing right now” having on me? I have to look in the mirror and ask myself, “How is their experience making ME more Christ-like?” “How am I growing to be more Christ-like because of what they are teaching me?”

In other words, I have to stop ‘watching’ their inspiring story, and start living the lessons they are teaching. I have to stop asking myself if I could be as perseverant (NOT) and start becoming - so that I learn what God is teaching me. Yes, my folks are godly, but am I? Am I becoming more Christ-like, learning, and living their example and testimony?

In “Unbelievable” I wrote, “I just pray I have that kind of heart for God, and Christ-like attitude…” The truth is I will not if I do not start doing instead of watching. In “Unsung”, I wrote, “Every time I talk to her [my mom]; she tells me about something NEW she has learned from it. [The Bible]” Can she say the same thing when she talks to me?

An inspiration is only as good as it inspires… That is, if I do not change, becoming more Christ-like, then I am not truly inspired.

Developing a Christ-like attitude is not about watching, it is about doing…

Unsung

Recently the articles chronicle the Christ-like attitude of my step-father Fred. His godliness is an inspiration. However, it would be negligent if we did not discuss the other godliest person I know, his wife, my mother.

Let me start with a quote[1]. “When I first met Ruth, I was so awed I decided I had to get to know her better. [She] was one of the most godly women I had ever met. I got so excited with what I found I married her. I can confirm that Ruth is indeed a very choice woman of God. Her outward life is truly an expression of the living God she has in her heart. She lives what she speaks…”

Fred wrote that more than 20 years ago. Has she changed since then? Yes, she has grown godlier. Two things really stand out to me about the woman it is my privilege to call, “Mom”.
Fred says, “She lives what she speaks.” That is more than difficult for most of us. However, since Mom has been a Sunday School teacher, Bible Study teacher, seminar and conference speaker and lecturer for 40 plus years, to live what she speaks takes on another added dimension. Why do people keep asking her to teach? To quote Fred again, “She is one of the most gifted teachers I know.” That is only part of it. One can be the greatest teacher in world but if the subject is not worthwhile, the teaching is wasted.

The woman knows the Bible. It is not just that she reads it cover to cover every year (for as long as I can remember). It is not just that she has committed more of it to memory than anyone has I know. She understands what the Bible says and she lives it. We talk about Acts 17:11 here a lot, the verse about studying the Scriptures daily. She does that. It AMAZES me. Every time I talk to her (once or twice a week); she tells me about something NEW she has learned from it. This woman has read the Bible cover to cover at least 40 times. She has literally hundreds, if not thousands of verses memorized - (if she does not have a passage memorized she can find it faster in her Bible than I can using a computerized concordance) and every time she opens the Bible, she learns something new!

Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” [2]

Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

The entirety of Psalm 119 is about meditating on Scripture. This woman lives that way. She meditates on the Word. (There is a quote, “If you know how to worry you know how to meditate - the only difference is the subject matter.”)

Therefore, the first thing that stands out about the godly character of this woman is the simple fact that she loves spending time studying scripture (and sharing what she discovers). I know I can not say that - I cannot always honestly say, “There nothing I would rather be doing than studying and sharing scripture.” [I can say that I know that is what I should be doing.]

The second thing that amazes me about my Mom is her servant attitude. About a month before Fred had his back surgery - between his ongoing cancer treatment, Mom had to have back surgery… It was a not rocket science, she had to have the surgery or else she would lose the use of her leg. The first question out of her mouth was, “Who is going to take care of Fred?”
I could list a thousand and one ways to exemplify her servant attitude. Her focus is caring for Fred - but that does not stop her from serving others. Some of our family members went to help with Fred and to visit. What did Mom do? Before they arrived, she went grocery shopping for them. There is a small problem with that. My parent’s house has a ‘guest apartment’ on the second floor. It is self contained - people can live there, it has its own entrance, bath and kitchenette. Mom had back surgery a month ago. She can not lift a lot of weight at one time. What did she do? After grocery shopping to stock the ‘apartment’, she took the groceries upstairs. She did not think about it, she did it. More than ten trips, a gallon of milk or half a bag of groceries at a time. Think about that. The next time you are out, stop at a five story building and take the stairs up to the fifth floor. Me, I would have left the groceries downstairs. When they arrived said, “Hey, come get your groceries.” A month after serious back surgery, I certainly would not be making trips up or down stairs unless the house was on fire…

Recently, when I told Mom she was the godliest woman I know, she said, “Don’t say that, I have a long way to go!” If she has a long way to go, I am in serious trouble…
She is living proof of the old saying, “The more I know, the more I know I do not know.” It occurred to me that her knowledge of the scriptures and her heart for God is so strong, she understands much more about what is pleasing to God and what is sin. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

For her (and Fred), the ‘sins of the flesh’ are not the issue… It is the sins of the mind (“bringing every thought into captivity”)… Things like that instant flash of anger when someone cuts us off in traffic. Things like being annoyed at the screaming baby in the restaurant. Complaining which is criticizing God, instead of recognizing our own opportunity for growth and faith. Things like being disappointed when things do not go ‘our way’. Things like that flash of anger when someone corrects us. Things like envy or bitterness that someone else gets a promotion, a new car, house or toy.

Most importantly, they are aware when they miss an opportunity to minister to others…
Like previously stated, “What we do in this life effects eternity. Every opportunity we have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is an opportunity that has everlasting consequences…”

Unsung, yes, unappreciated never. Just as Fred is the godliest man I know, Mom is the godliest woman I know. It is somewhat humorous and at the same time humbling. I call home and talk to Mom, and she tells me the impact, the ‘good’ Fred is having in the lives of others… I call home and talk to Fred, and he tells me the impact, the ‘good’ Mom is having in the lives of others. [2]


[1] Edited for brevity.

[2] We talked about ‘the good’ and what that means in “What Good?”

Unbelievable

Last article I talked about my step-father and his Christ-like attitude.

A couple of months ago in the article “Running Out of Time” I told you about how my step-father had one prayer request for coming year. It was not that he have a miraculous healing - it was that each of his kids (natural, step-children, and their spouses) along with each of his grand-children and every Christian he knows would ‘reach’ at least one person for Christ (this year).

The last couple of weeks have been terrible for him…

He has had a geometric increase in pain. Doctors’ reports have been more negative than positive. He needed to have some surgical procedures done to repair his cancer ravaged bones…

The days before he found out about the surgical procedure were especially painful - his vertebrae are literally disintegrating, crushed by just the weight of his own body… The surgical procedure (vertebral-plasty) is supposed to help that…

It was under these circumstances that I was surprised to receive a handwritten letter from him. It was not a form letter. It was not a typed and reprinted ‘mass mailing’. It was personal. It was also one of at least twenty-five personal letters written to family members. It amazes me that he took the time and energy to write one, much less more than twenty-five letters. Think about this. He is terminal. He is in terrible pain. He is barely able to sleep, the pain is that bad, and he writes letters to all his kids, grandkids, their families - each individual.

More amazing, bordering on the unbelievable was the subject matter. It is not a farewell letter. It is not a letter begging for prayers of divine intercession. He reminds again that NONE of us knows how much longer we have to accomplish God’s mission for us, to be the person God wants us to be… Then he goes on to interrogate. He reminds that he had one prayer request and one ‘mission’ for each of us to accomplish. The prayer request and mission for the New Year was that we reach just one person for Christ this year. He then asks two questions. The year is half over, have I accomplished the mission? If the answer is yes, have I moved on to make it two or three or four? If, no, then I need to get busy being about my Father’s business…

He knows the answers (we talk at least once a week). However, here he is, in his position, encouraging each of us to persevere… Unbelievable, but true.

I just pray I have that kind of heart for God, and Christ-like attitude…

My step father gets it - what we do in this life effects eternity. Every opportunity we have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is an opportunity that has everlasting consequences…

What Good?

I have been going through a rough time…
Fred, my step-father’s health has taken a downturn. This grieves mom, and the rest of the family. He has bone cancer. He is dying. It is a trying time. We know that soon he will be with our Savior, and that is cause for joy. However, the journey, for him is becoming extremely difficult.
[I am selfish. I love Fred. I value Fred. He is the godliest man I know. His insight, encouragement, and heart for God inspire me. I am not ready to lose him yet.]

Fred sees it a little differently. Fred’s attitude is found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 [1] “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
His illness has been a tool he has used to continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and build up the body of believers.

However, his condition brings up a situation. Many are the ‘well-wishers’. Christians, non-Christians, friends even strangers continue to tell us (the family) that, “The Bible says, “All things work together for good…”” They are referring to Romans 8:28.

I wonder sometimes how many times we hear it. What I wonder about more often is how many times that verse has been misquoted, and not been an encouragement as much as a discouragement… Sorry, but telling a person that just lost a loved one ‘everything works for good’ can evoke all manner of negative feelings. Unless, one uses that verse for what it says, not what we ‘want’ it to say it can be more hurtful than helpful.

For your sake, friends, let us look at the verse and its context…
“Everything works together for good.” Is that what it says in context? Is that all it says?

Romans 8:28a, “And we know that all things work together for good”.

It sounds good so far. What does the rest of the verse say, “to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Okay, there appears to be a discrepancy with the flippancy we use this verse.
Look at it more closely.
1. All things work together for good.
2. Condition: ‘to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose’. A strange phrase but further study will reveal that is a ‘Christian’.

Conclusion: All things work together for good for Christians.

However, we do not know what the “Good” is and we are not sure yet this is conditional for Christians.
It is not sound just to say, “All things work together for good.” It is not even sound to say, “All things work together for good for Christians…”

What is the “Good”? Using Fred as an example, what GOOD is there in dying a long painful death?
We need to look at the next verse. The Conclusion takes on additional meaning and promise.

Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

First we have to ‘verify' our assertion that the verse is addressed to Christians: “to those who love God” 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” John 5:42-43 Tells us that those who do not love God, do not have Christ in them (are not Christians). Romans chapter 1 gives a description of non-believers, even stating they ‘hate God’ (verse 30).

Continuing:
“whom He foreknew, predestined, brethren”. ‘He foreknew’ appears four times in the New Testament (in use by Peter and Paul) - in reference to believers (Christians). ‘Predestined’ appears five times in the New Testament (in use by Paul) - always in reference to believers. ‘Brethren’ Paul uses over 100 times in his letters. Only once does it not mean the 'family' of believers (it refers members of ‘the’ family of Christ - that is Christ’s literal physical (½) brothers [2]). Back to verse 28, “the called” is in use nine times by Paul, Jude, and John to mean believers. We show our ‘Condition’ is a ‘proven’ interpretation that this verse refers to Christians. [The 8th Chapter of Romans begins with this phrase: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,”] By looking at the verse, the surrounding verses, the book, other books, and the rest of the New Testament, we find this ‘promise’ of “Good” is for Christians.

We know now that the Conclusion is valid, “All things work together for good for Christians.”

WE still have not defined “Good”.

Continue with the text of verse 29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Take out the parts we know, that make sense. What remains? The two phrases, “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” What does that mean? Let us work backwards. We know what brethren means, and we know who He is. “To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many Christians.” ‘The Firstborn’ used in conjunction with Jesus, is an adjective ‘honorific’ - the first to be resurrected to glory, the highest, the greatest, the Christ.
“To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus, will be the Christ of many
Christians ‘in the family’ ” (remember Christian means little Christ). That would be, “To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus, The Christ, will have many ‘in the family’.

What does it mean then “to be conformed to the image of His Son”? That is straightforward, it means what it says, to become literally a ‘Christian’ a ‘little Christ’ not just a believer. There is a condition here. “To become like Christ so that Jesus, will be THE Christ of many ‘in the family’. Our becoming ‘like Christ’ results in ‘many brethren’.

There is the old saying, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read”. The condition is that our becoming ‘Christ-like’ will present an ‘example’ that will result in ‘many in the family’. What a responsibility, and a privilege.

Verse 29 then says, “Christians are to become like Christ so that we result in Jesus being the Christ of ‘many in the family’”.

We take Verse 28: All things work together for good for Christians. Add to it Verse 29: To become like Christ so that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.
We now have a very pertinent promise and admonition:
Promise: All things work together for good.
Condition: For Christians
Reason/Result: to be (made/become) more like Christ.
Ultimate ‘revealed’ purpose of God: So that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.

In other words, we have a definition of the “Good”. The “Good” is so that Christians become more Christ-like, and in so doing, others are saved by their example.

It does not mean what we often want it to mean, that bad things will not happen to us… It does not mean that we fatalistically and blindly accept this verse. “I do not know why it happened. However, I know this terrible thing will work out for good somehow.” We do not have to wander around in the dark wondering what that ‘somehow’ is; the answer is right there.

Now, does the rest of Scripture tell us that we are to be (and be made) more Christ-like?
Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Philippians 1:6, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 1:9-11, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (John 8:12 Jesus tells us that HE is the Light of the world, “…“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” - it says now to let our light (Him in us) shine.)

1 John 2:5-6, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”


Fred has ‘run the race with perseverance’. There is no doubt, when he is through, that a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) is waiting for him. There is no doubt he continues to live for Christ… While it grieves me to see him suffer, I am humbled by his steadfast commitment to furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ…

I know that Fred is becoming more Christ-like. I know in the last couple of months that he has seen others become members of the family of Christ.

I know that the ‘Good’ of all that is happening to Fred is that Fred, every Christian near him becomes more Christ-like, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ spreads so others come into the family…

I have not asked him, but I am certain that if I did ask, Fred would tell me that if just one person comes to know Christ as Savior because of his example in facing death, then all he has gone through has been worth it.

Now THAT is Good!


Friends, the next time you are faced with pain, heartbreak, or grief; the next time you are faced with trying to comfort someone going through a difficult time - think about these verses. Then ask how you grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

[1] Notice that the rest of that paragraph (Verses 5-7) has the same ‘purpose’ revealed. Verse 6a Paul writes, “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation...”
Paul’s sufferings are so others might be saved.
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:5 is the specific reference. Paul is addressing the topic of marriage. We say Jesus' ½ brothers because they are the children of Joseph & Mary, Not formed by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. In other words, they have the same mother, but different fathers.