Church to Burn the Koran Part II

I received an email from a blog reader about my earlier post: Church to Burn the Koran.

Suffice it to say--we see the issue differently, which is really great. That is why I am an American because I love diversity and I love being able to have differing opinions without someone winding up dead.

The comments were as follows, with the identity of the sender protected:

Good morning Bob. Was reading your blog this morning, a couple of thoughts occurred to me. If all of these Muslims are so peace loving, then why are we there? If the general is so bothered by the burning of a few books and even now our President chimes in, and is so concerned of the safety of our troops I have a great idea. BRING THEM HOME !!!!!!! Why can't these "peace " loving Muslims govern themselves? Why don't we go into China, Russia, Somalia, Venezuela, or Cuba for that matter??? Bob, What does 2Pe. 2:10 say about despising government say! Didn't PRESIDENT HUSSEIN have his government? Why didn't we respect him, or at least respect his government? Shouldn't we as Americans have respect for our government! When we want a change of government, we don't go to any other country for their military help!!! Just a few thoughts. I know I am not in the KNOW, But I have a question. How many people were killed by drunk drivers in our own country, without one book burned?

I admit--I don't like it when people disagree with me, after all, who does? And I love a good battle of thoughts and opinions--so I responded. And I wrote the following (I have removed one phrase where the writer of the original piece could have been identified).

I responded:

Really?

You don't see the difference between drunk driving and intentionally doing something which endangers your fellow citizens around the world? I think you are being really cavalier about other peoples lives.

What kind of statement is this church really trying to make? If they really want to live free and be brave in the face of Islamic extremists, they should join the military and go to the front lines and fight Al Qaida and the radical Islamic terrorists face to face. It is real easy to stand tall and be brave from Gainesville--knowing that millions of US soldiers and the entire Homeland Security apparatus of the U.S. is protecting you.

This church represents everything that can be wrong with "Christians" in America today. And it is radicals such as these which are potentially going to cause the rest of us problems.

In some circles, burning a Koran could be considered a hate crime--the same as burning a cross or painting a swastika on a synagogue. (Happy New Year by the way)

And the threat to Americans this causes is not just in Afghanistan--but unless you haven't noticed there is a lot of the world that is Muslim. It endangers every American everywhere!

And you are also not really asking me about Hussein are you? He used chemical and biological weapons on his own people and killed thousands--if not millions of his people. In the annals of history--he is not far from being the Stalin or Hitler of our time. Using your logic, we should not have invaded Europe in 1944. Hitler had established his government there.

You misapplied 2 Pe 2:10 while you were at it. And you know that too. Return to Romans 13:8. And the entire first part of Romans 13 for that matter. We as Christians should be supporting our government and praying for it.

When you boil it all down, Paul said it best in 1 Cor 10:23--which basically says that even though things may be lawful, some things are not wise to do because they don't build others up (edify).

So in the end, this church will likely burn about 200 Korans--good for them. But, they are not going to be paying the consequences for their actions. Others are. It's their right, but is it a right that really needs to be taken?

This is the end of what I responded to the email with.

I know this is a hot button issue for many of us. I think discussing it openly and rationally is good. So, I look forward to more comments.

Church to Burn the Koran?

I read with interest the article in The Wall Street Journal titled: Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church's Plan to Burn Qurans.

Why?

Why would a church want to make a statement like that--burning a Koran?

The leader of the group, Pastor Terry Jones, is quoted as saying the following in the article:

Mr. Jones, head of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that "We understand the General's concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate." Nonetheless, he added, "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats."

Really? That is how you are going to become and live as free people?

By burning a book? Get real.

These "Christian" zealots need to understand that they are putting a lot of Americans at risk by intentionally offending another group of people.

They have the right to burn the Koran--you bet they do. But it is ignorant (my view).

This is a 50-member church that is looking for its 15 minutes of fame. OK--they've had their fame, now they need to wise up and accept accountability for their actions.

I'm having a hard time reconciling what Paul says in Romans 13:8 with what this church wants to do. Paul wrote, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." NET Bible.

It appears to me that what they want to do is really torque-off (insert your own stronger word here if desired) a specific group of people which will potentially cause loss of life to Americans, when they should be praying for the very people they are trying to make a statement to.

We Americans are kind of numb and dumb to these kinds of statements. When someone burns an American Flag or hangs a public official in effigy, we just tend to brush it off and respect the emotion and rights of the demonstrators to be obnoxious.

Others in the world do not have this same view--and so we need to understand their reactions may/will be different than ours and consider our actions in view of the probable response.

So when the Commander of US Forces in the region says the following, quoted from the article:

"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," Gen. Petraeus said in an interview. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."

This church needs to ask itself--do they really want all of that blood on their hands and is it what they should be doing? Starting wars that other people will have to fight.

It is pretty easy to stand tall and be brave in sunny Gainesville, Florida.

I wonder how brave they would be standing on the front lines in Kabul?

Phrase of the Day

During the message in church on Sunday titled, Good Works or Good News? I found the following phrase be very interesting--

"I'm not a bad as I could be,

but I'm not as good as I should be!"

The message into which the phrase was woven was a great discussion of works versus grace and how a good works system of salvation is arbitrary, can never provide absolute assurance, ultimately requires God to approve of evil and condradicts the Bible (see Titus 3:5).

I also found the phrase to be a interesting counterpoint to the Toby Keith country song "As Good as I Once Was" which has the phrase:

"I'm ain't as good as I once was

But I'm as good once as I ever was."

So when the two phrases are joined together I get something like:

I'm not a good as I should be
But I'm as good as I can be!

Which, by the way, is still not good enough!

Cheap Blessings and Cheapened Grace - A Rant

OK, look out, here comes another rant. And this one is likely to really get the hairs on your neck ruffled.

This one is about some of the "well meaning" stuff I receive in my email.

They seem to end with something like this:


Pass this to 12 people including me. A blessing is coming to you in form
of a new job, a house, marriage or financially. Do not break or ask
questions. This is a test. Does God come first in your life? If so, stop what
you're doing & send it to 12 people now. Watch what he does!


Really? Do you believe this nonsense?

This is the Joel Osteen-style Christianity that sells books and keeps people's email full of empty hopes and promises. The "If I do, then God will " type of non-biblical Christianity. The type of Christianity that is so shallow it doesn't work. It is a Laodiceian-type of Christianity. Or form, but no substance.

What is the biblical basis for something like this?

Do we really pray to God and do things in his name to have him reward us like Santa Claus?

God blesses us in so many ways that we never even appreciate--and then we cheapen our relationship with Him by playing a game like--if I send this to 12 people then he will give me the desires of my heart!"

Really, come on!

He has already given us the greatest gift he could give us--through grace we have eternal life. We did not earn it by sending an email to 12 people. We were given it because His Son died for us, while we were still sinners and certainly did not then nor even now deserve it.

And then to top it all off, He blesses us every day and lavishes upon us things we don't even know we need, until He makes them known to us.

And so our response to this is to send little email messages to our friends promising that if they do this, then God will do that? I wonder if this is some of what John was writing about to the church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22?

Emails that end like this, with the "If you do, then God will" promise are really missing the mark.

We are not going to heaven based on our works, 'cause we can't do enough to pay the price. And we certainly are not going to get there by sending emails to other Christians encouraging them to send emails in order to receive blessings.

Ah, some might say, it is a way of letting unbelievers hear of God. Really? How many of those emails really go to unbelievers. They are not even designed to go to people who have never heard of the Living God. And if one should be sent to an unbeliever, do we want them to learn of a god who seems to be little more than a purveyor of incantations? There is a lot more they need to learn--like starting with, you feel guilty about something you did way back when, let me tell you what our God did for you, already!

It is that old problem again--we think we need to do something to earn God's love.

Wrong! We can't earn it.

It is tied to the age-old question about works. We can't do enough to earn on our own what was freely given to us already by God. Why would we want or need to?

It's free. Accept that.

We must, however, reflect in our lives and the way we live how God has changed us from the inside--but it certainly should not be tied to doing little deeds with the expectation of receiving earthly rewards. And as a result of our joy, we do things (works) which confirm the faith we have.

We already have the reward--eternity.

I guess when I read emails that end with the action and the promise, I hear the televangelists at the end of the broadcast pleading, like so many politicians who have been coming to my door lately, "send me money and God will . . . "

God will anyway. Just ask.

The alternative to these emails?

Here is a thought.

I have felt that the stories that come in many of those emails are great and uplifting. Some are just fun to read. So delete the ending, the "if you send this to 12 people and me . . ." part.

Change it to a simple blessing to your friends--something like: I saw this and thought you would appreciate it. I'm thinking of and praying for you today.

A simple blessing.

That's what we all really need more than anything else. A reminder that we are loved by God and others.

Speak, I'm Listening

I am a terrible listener.

People who know me know that this is true. When I am in a conversation, I want to guide where we are headed and even when others speak, I am trying to complete their thoughts. Sometimes, I don't complete their thoughts correctly and I hear something they didn't intend.

It's hard. In my job I spend a lot of time filling in the blanks and figuring out how to bridge the holes in information, and so when people speak to me, I do much the same thing--my mind is racing so fast to understand that I miss nuances in the conversations. Sometimes, I miss whole conversations.

This whole idea is a carry over from church this past Sunday. One of the readings was from 1 Samuel. I know, 1 Samuel is not one of those books a lot of us spend much time studying--but i actually remembered this passage and as it was being discussed, I tuned out and had my own bit of reflection on the verse:

3:10 Then the Lord came and stood nearby, calling as he had previously done, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel replied, “Speak, for your servant is listening!” - NET Bible

The cool part about this is that the Lord had called Samuel three previous times and Samuel had run to his mentor, Eli, responding that he was here because he did not recognize that it was the Lord, God who was calling to him and thought it was Eli. After the third time, Eli figured out what was occurring and told Samuel to say simply, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Here is the take away that I got. Even God waits for us to acknowledge Him and to tell him that we are ready to listen. It was not until Samuel was ready to listen that God proceeded to tell Samuel what he had on His mind.

When I give, even silently in my mind, the go ahead for someone to speak because I am listening then I am a better listener because I am ready to receive and process what the speaker is saying--without having my mind racing ahead and filling in holes that don't yet exist.

So to become a better listener when engaging in conversation, I need to take a breath and mentally prepare for the conversation by saying to myself: speak, I'm listening.

He Got It Right!

This week I heard something in church that one doesn't often hear being uttered from the minister's mouth.

"He got it right!" And I was in shock. Really. Because we, humans, never get it right. It is just the way we are.

Of course, the one who got it right was Job--my old friend and it was no one other than God who made the statement that Job got it right! Wow--

Check this out:

After the Lord had spoken these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger is stirred up against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has. (Job 42:7 - NET Bible)

Job's friends, who were trying to give him advice had it all wrong--and God told them so in no uncertain terms.

The lesson here?

When your friends start preaching to you about what they think God would want you to do/believe. Don't listen. Be true and honest with yourself and God. That's what he wants. It is OK to be bewildered, frustrated, mad, grief striken--just be honest in your heart!

Sometimes bad things happen for no reason at all!

It is how we respond that is important to our relationship with God.

Out of the Winter

We sang a great praise song in church on Sunday which was really appropriate for the disaster that we are still recovering from. The song was "Blessed Be Your Name" written by Matt Redman and interestingly, it is the only praise song that I know from the book of Job in the bible.

I have always really enjoyed this song and when I was a praise leader for my old church--we had a drummer who also really liked this song and I would schedule this song sometimes just to brighten his week. So I have a bit of history with this song.

But as I was singing on Sunday and reflecting upon the snow storms of the past weeks, the hurt and mess they have caused this region came to mind and I was really struck by these words from the song:

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

It is easy to praise God when everything is going well--but in the midst of crisis and disaster, when we are asking the question--"Why Me?" it is not so easy to praise--yet in the song we are encouraged to praise God in while we are traveling the road marked with suffering.

Out of the suffering that we were all experiencing during the past weeks, there have been many blessings--as families got closer and communities pulled together to clear snow from each others houses. And we became more concerned about our neighbors.

We hosted the best Super Bowl Party ever in the midst of the snow--with just our neighbors who were also snow bound. And we got to know them better and appreciate them.

Redman exhorts us to do the following in the song:

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

And I rediscovered during the past weeks--that no matter where I am or no matter what I am experiencing I need to Bless the Name of the Lord--because I am in His hands. And He has richly blessed me in more ways than I can comprehend.

BTW--that doesn't mean I have to like snow!

Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas songs play in the background soothing the harried shoppers
Sounds of the season, so they say, to make them feel more giving
Those who know the season, know it means much more
Than tired songs rising above clinging cash register drawers

A baby crying in a barn--surrounded by the dirt and mud of the world
A world and people that he loved so much that he came to visit
He did not arrive like the kings of earth--puffed up, proud upon their thrones
But the King of the Universe came to earth in a straw filled, back lot, dirty barn

Because of love and for only love--he came to give his life
Because of love, he left his throne and shed his royal robes
Because of me, and you, and everyone else
He became like us and accepted a mission that would end in painful death

The cars in the parking lot trapped in a horrible, not-going-anywhere gridlock
No one can go in or drive out of the mall to reach the stores to buy their wares
The shoppers are trying to rush home with their gifts ready for giving
Yet don't know the first gift of Christmas, was given to them

From the barn out in back of a motel off the beaten path, lost in the suburbia of its day
A garage full of leftovers where, had it been today a lawn mower would be waiting for springtime
The King of the Universe, the long awaited one, the Messiah invaded our world
Not to conquer with his sword, but to save us with his blood, and his gift to us is life

It is Christmas, the songs are softly playing on the radio in my truck
Does anyone still listen to the words and connect them with that gift?
The gift that was given to us, and confirmed by travelers not even from that place
The gift of life, of family, of love; given to us on Christmas and remembered to this day



and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. -- NET Bible Eph 5:2

Merry Christmas
and may God send His blessings upon you now
and in the year ahead.

Fear and Joe Bag-o-Doughnuts

"I'm not afraid O' nuthin!"


Really?


"Nope--I got everything I need and what can I possibly be afraid of?"

I guess--he's a healthy guy, being that way. Or is it that he is so afraid of something that he has buried it deep within his soul and it is now out of touch--that is until something sets it off?

What am I afraid of? Not getting everything done in time for Christmas and the New Years party! No really?

Really--I have got to get the ceiling of the kitchen painted--and I'm just not up to the mess. I hate painting and I'm afraid of all the places the paint will wind up other than the ceiling.

Fear must be an important subject this year. I have heard about it at church and on the radio while listening to country music. It is the season for joy (and fear!).

I guess we have a lot to be fearful of--but it seems fear is caused by not dealing with those deep down darknesses that we carry around as baggage. Like death.

Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be distressed." (John 14:1a - NET Bible) and then he went on to say why--"You believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1b - NET Bible).

Keep it simple, keep it direct, keep it believable and know why.

Joe Bag-o-Doughnuts may not think he's afraid of anything--but when crunch time comes, as it does for everyone of us--we need to have our faith in the right place to address and even conquer our fear. I guess if ignorance is bliss--Joe here is in nirvana!

So what does this have to do with Christmas?

It seems that this is the time of year when our fears begin to take root in us and strive to overwhelm us. It may be due to the "dark days" as I call them. After all the Winter Solstice is mere days away. Stand fast against fear--

In March 1933, one of the great Presidents of the US, Franklin D. Roosevelt, made, in his inaugural speech, a statement about fear:

"let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

I urge you to read FDR's speech for an insightful commentary on the year 2009!

So--happy holidays and do not be afraid!

Counting on God - Song

I've been listening to a song lately that really gets me excited. It gets my mind and blood moving as I drive to and from work.

It is Counting on God by Jared Anderson© 2007 Vertical Worship Songs. Or watch and listen to Counting on God on You Tube.

The Bridge in the song is as follows:

The miracle of Christ in me

Is the mystery that sets me free

I'm nothing like I used to be

Open up your eyes you'll see

It is the bridge that pulls the entirety of the song together as it describes the miracle and the mystery that sets us free--

Free from what? You ask?

From the law of sin and death.

I have seen what I call mixed up Christianity lately. It is populated by those who do not understand the concept of not being under the law. They continue to hold onto parts and preach openly about performing duties under parts of the Law--but do not understand that you cannot hold onto only parts of the Law--you have to take it all or none. And if you hold onto the Law then you can only be justified by the Law and that is by definition: impossible! Except for Jesus who fulfilled the Law.

Galatians 2:16 says it best:

yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. - NET Bible

Hence the mixed up Christianity. It is good to be knowledgeable of the Law--in order to appreciate how Christ has set us free through grace. But--we cannot continue to hold onto parts of the Law because they are convenient. There is a lot of the Law which is not convenient.

So if the Law is designed to convict us and make us come to grips with our guilt--why do we insist on not recognizing the miracle which freed us from the grip of the Law?

We are a mixed up people. I think partly because we have a hard time accepting that the mystery of freedom is that it is free! We can't do anything and we are a people of doers. We have to do something to take ownership and make it feel like we deserve whatever it is we worked for.

But that's it--isn't it? We don't deserve it! No one is good enough or has done enough.

And the Chorus of the song is the kicker!

Joy unspeakable that won't go away

And just enough strength

To live for today

So I never have to worry

What tomorrow will bring

'Cause my faith is on solid rock

I am counting on God

I'm counting on God!

Talking the Walk

Sunday in church, a real interesting statement was made:

Talk without action is heresy
Action without talk is mystery

I wrote it down so I could remember it.

It goes with some well known phrases:

"Talk is cheap!"
“If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk”
"Actions speak louder than words"
“Practice what you preach”
"Walk it like you talk it”
"Put your money where your mouth is"
"Don't let your mouth write checks your body can't cash"

Of course it is a twist on a couple of Bible verses from James:

But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? - James 2:20 (NET Bible)

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. - James 2:26 (NET Bible)


But it was the second part of the memory jogger that really hit me--"action without talk is mystery!" Interesting!

So you do something really cool for someone and don't do the second part--we need to tell them why! If we don't tell them why, they are left with a big thank-you but you've missed a valuable opportunity to do something even cooler--tell them who your are working for!

You don't have to puff yourself up with it all, be humble--the likelihood is that they were put in your path for a reason: so you could give them a piece of good news!

We seem to get wrapped up in our society with telling and directing and postulating good ideas--but we are pretty sloppy on the follow through! But when follow through happens, it is OK to make sure the beneficiary of the action knows the why for the action. Don't leave it a mystery! They need to know.

Anonymous deeds are great--if you are doing them for self-aggrandizement reasons. But if you are in the service of someone else (like God?)--humbly talk about it! Give the credit that is due. How else will someone understand the love that is waiting for them? Someone has to tell them!

The Joy of Life

This past Sunday, the message at our church included an interesting thought about life.

Jesus understood the need for joy in our lives. And for the things which bring us joy.

I ran across this anonymous quote about joy:

The great teachings unanimously emphasize that all the peace, wisdom, and joy in the universe are already within us; we don't have to gain, develop, or attain them. We're like a child standing in a beautiful park with his eyes shut tight. We don't need to imagine trees, flowers, deer, birds, and sky; we merely need to open our eyes and realize what is already here, who we really are -- as soon as we quit pretending we're small or unholy.

I distill this all down--joy is our own responsibility. It is the way we individually live and view life and what is around us. Do we see life as a blessing or a curse?

Jesus had a way of taking situations and transforming them. At a wedding he once attended, He saved the reception by providing wine and also helping to ensure the joy of those attending.

Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.” Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come.” His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” and they did. When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!” Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11 - NET Bible

While we are each responsible for our joy and our view of the world--sometimes in dire circumstances when we notice that someone outside of the circumstance cares--it does help to reaffirm the joy which is resident within us. Here at a wedding--Jesus did just that for the party afterwards. And no, this wasn't grape juice either--people do not get drunk on grape juice. Jesus was contributing to the celebration and merriment. He was an instrument of joy by protecting the bridegroom from ridicule.

Jesus wants us happy and joyful.

We each need to work to find the joy in life. Chris will tell you that sometimes I have a problem with joy. I am so caught up in what I want to do next or what I think I should be doing that I forget to find joy in what I am doing.

Be joyful! In all things find the joy.

Grace: Your Grace is Enough, Because it Makes Life not Fair

Over the course of the past week, I have been hit with the idea of grace a number of times.

In church, Sunday, we sang a song which I really get into and which has the phrase--"Your grace is enough for me"

Chris Tomlin sings the song, but it is written by Matthew Maher. Some of the lyrics and the refrain are as follows:

Great is Your faithfulness oh God

You wrestle with the sinner's heart

You lead us by still waters and to mercy

And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people

Remember Your children

Remember Your promise Oh God

Your grace is enough

Your grace is enough

Your grace is enough for me

Here's the thing. Do we really believe this? Do we understand that grace really is enough?

Ephesians 2:8 from the Amplified Bible lays down the explanation this way:

For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment {and} made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;


I mean I was really struck by the idea of Grace--God's grace--not the stylized prayer we repeat at the beginning of a meal. But true God's grace.

What was so weird was that flying back from Denver last week, I was listening to another song on my Ipod with grace in it.

"Be My Escape" performed by Relient K--

I’m giving up on doing this alone now

Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how

He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there

And this life sentence that I’m serving

I admit that I’m every bit deserving

But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

And that's really it isn't it? Grace makes life not fair!

We deserve death! But through grace, God provides us with life.

Some people work their whole lives and miss this important point--you cannot buy or work your way into heaven. It is through God's grace that He provides a place for you. We don't deserve it, we can't pay for it--yet it is ours.

We are free through God's grace, yet we still live as if we are in chains and are prisoners.

Be joyful--because grace makes us free and is more than enough. We can't earn it, because if we could earn it, we would cheapen it. It is God's gift to each of us--all we need do is accept it.

Your grace is enough because the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair!

Another Rainy Day? No, not Really!

I was surprised as I woke up this morning.

It was raining. It was raining hard--and constant.

I was wholly unprepared for the rain and what it meant for the traffic and the day.

I'm still suffering over the end of summer--and I came to the realization yesterday that I probably would not be spending any more time in the pool before I closed it for the winter since the temperatures had dropped so low.

So many people hate rain. But as i was discussing with Chris on the way to work this morning--I love rain and being rained on. I guess it comes from the sense of renewal that goes with the rain.

Even the Bible speaks of rain in this way--

“I will send rain for your land in its season, the autumn and the spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine, and olive oil. I will provide pasture for your livestock and you will eat your fill.” (Deut 11:14-15 - NET Bible)

And we definitely are having the autumn rains right now.

Today, though, I also had a different and separate view of the rain. I saw it as tears falling upon our land. Tears of the martyrs of September 11th, 2001. Tears, reminding us that the fight against tyranny and chaos, and the forces of darkness is not complete, nor probably will it ever be complete.

We must constantly be on guard and against those forces that would drag us into darkness--and the rain, the tears of those who perished remind us, the ones who remain, that there is so much more to do until we can really live in peace.

So today wasn't just another rainy day. But a somber day of remembrance where we can rekindle the flames of patriotism and passion which so often become dim in our souls as we fight amongst ourselves about things like health care and the economy.

Friday and the Race is on Again

OK--it is time to start your engines. The weekend is upon us and there is way more to do than time to do it.

Where would you rather be?

Where would I rather be?

Then go there!

It is hard to imagine a weekend that is not chock full of projects and friends, and family. Not that it is bad--but sometimes I think it is getting all jumbled up together in an incoherent mess.

We need to be on guard of being too busy that we don't do some of the things we enjoy--like napping on a floatie in the pool. Or watching the O's take another frustrating loss. Or sitting on a beach listening to the sound of the waves washing ashore.

I love that sound. Especially when it is a gentle roar across the beach.

God looks down from heaven at the human race,
to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

(Psalms 53:2 - NET Bible)

What is it that I am seeking when I surround myself with all of that activity?

I wonder. When do I leave myself time or energy to actively seek God? Thankfully, He is seeking me, too!

But--not it is time to race off on another exciting weekend of activity. Hope to cross paths with you, too!

Life and Death--A Week of Rememberance

Last week was one of those really weird weeks--where some really sobering things happened that remind me of the transient nature of our life on this planet.

To start off, the husband of a coworker died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack over the weekend. They had just (within the past two weeks) taken possession of the dream house they had built! He officially died on Father's Day. His memorial service was attended by hundreds of stunned mourners who celebrated a full, yet shortened life. His youngest had just graduated from college and there was so much of life ahead of him as he and his wife headed into their new home to start another chapter of life--he was clearly a hero to his family and everyone who attended the memorial service.

That was followed by the father of one of our good friends with whom we spend many
Friday nights drinking wine dying somewhat unexpectedly as well--on Father's Day. His funeral was sparsely attended this man was a hero, too--decorated with two Bronze Stars during World War II and who had fought gallantly in the Battle of the Bulge. He was laid to rest with military honors and a mournful bugle playing Taps.

Two deaths--two memorial services (both on Saturday and scheduled far enough apart so I could attend both). And of course the shock and sadness at the suddenness. Two heroes in very different periods of their lives.

Wow--it was sobering.

We started a series on the Psalms at church--and the Psalm for this week was Psalm 51--which is really pretty applicable to this weeks activity. The first 11 verses speak to me.

51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love!
Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!
51:2 Wash away my wrongdoing!
Cleanse me of my sin!
51:3 For I am aware of my rebellious acts;
I am forever conscious of my sin.
51:4 Against you – you above all – I have sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
So you are just when you confront me;
you are right when you condemn me.
51:5 Look, I was guilty of sin from birth,
a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.
51:6 Look, you desire integrity in the inner man;
you want me to possess wisdom.
51:7 Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
51:8 Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven!
May the bones you crushed rejoice!
51:9 Hide your face from my sins!
Wipe away all my guilt!
51:10 Create for me a pure heart, O God!
Renew a resolute spirit within me!
51:11 Do not reject me!
Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me!

Create in me a pure heart, O God

Renew a right spirit with in me

Cast me not away from your presence

And take not your Holy Spirit from me

A prayer that I have learned many years ago comes from this Psalm and it really hits home during a time like this.

Don't let the sun set without telling you loved ones that you love them. And say it out loud: "I love you!" When your candle is extinguished at the end of life on this earth, it will mean so much more to those who are left behind. It is something to hold onto!

I Am Free to Dance

I was driving to work today and listening to my I-pod and it rolled to a song that really hit me, and brought back a lot of good memories.

It was done by the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I have a bit of history with this song, because when I was serving as a worship leader at our old church, it was one of my favorite songs because of its clear, definite lyrics. it is also fun to lead and I have a hard time singing it without becoming very enthusiastic. Jon Egan wrote this song:

Through you the blind will see.

Through you the mute will sing.

Through you the dead will raise.

Through you all hearts will praise.

Through you the darkness flees.

Through you my heart screams I am free.

I am free to run (I am free to run)

I am free to dance (I am free to dance)

I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)

I am free (I am free)

This morning, it brought back a lot of emotion and reminded me of so many enjoyable worship times. But, most importantly--it really spoke to me and reminded me that through Jesus, I have been freed from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. - NET Bible

And we are truly free and we need to live as free persons and not slaves to sin and death.

I really love it when the sun is rising as I am driving to work after playing racquetball! The world looks so cool.

Look at the Evidence: What did You DO Today?

OK--well as I threatened, here is part three from this weeks message at church. I can't tell you how long it has been since a message has caused me to consider some of its components this deep into the week.

Maybe I'm wearing out my welcome--but these ideas have really resonated with me this week and while there is nothing new here, maybe I just needed to hear these three ideas grouped together at exactly this moment in my life.

This one still revolves around Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. - NET Bible

It is this whole concept of works. And I know whole denominations have been established on the basis of works, or grace or whatever. Those who know me, know that I am all about grace and the undeserved gift we have been given. This I always thought was not to minimize works--but to help understand their place in the bigger architecture.

But with respect to the whole discussion of works, what I heard this week really put it into perspective for me. And based on Eph 2:10, I know that God has prepared works for me to do and for each Christ follower to do. But--here is the thought piece:

My works are not the means for me to get into heaven, but they could be the vehicle for someone else.

So isn't that what it's all about? The evidence of our salvation is in the effort we make to help others find their way while care for our brothers and sisters.

Hmmmm! It all seems so clear now.

Kinda like the salt in the box--if we're not out there spicing up life, we don't really matter because we are not contributing. We are lot's of unrealized potential. And that's not what we were created to do. Our reputation is built on what others see us doing, not what we necessarily say we are.

Hold fast to the grace we have received, but now it is time to get our hands, and feet, and face dirty!

What's in Your Reputation?

So here is the second installment from Sunday's message. Reputation. Again, it was a small item in the larger message--but it really hit home.

It was based upon Ephesians 2:10:

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. - NET Bible

The works we do and create (our workmanship) are a very personal expression of the who we are and form our reputation with those around us.

We often think about the reputation of us, as a collection of Christ followers called the church. But, how often do we think of our personal reputation and what people think of us? What is our workmanship telling others about us and who we are?

Ideally, we might desire that our reputation as a Christ follower be part of our legacy, but . . .

Reputation--so here is the question that was posed which I want to consider for a bit: IF you were talking with a group of people and left the conversation, what would they think of you? What is your reputation with them?

The considerations here are many--

What is your reputation with your family based upon your interactions (or not) with them? Do you sequester yourself from them with your nose in a book or on a computer when they are around? Is your reputation one of indifference? Or do you interact and stay involved with them?

What is your reputation with your friends? Is it different from your reputation within your family and is this good or bad?

What about your co-workers, superiors and subordinates? Is your reputation there different yet again?

What about those who work for you, like the computer-repair person, the plumber, the auto mechanic, the wait staff at the local restaruant? Based upon what they see and how you interact with them--what is your reputation?

If you have different reputations, perhaps you need to evaluate who you are really and decide what you want people to believe about you.

Hmmmm---I know I have some work to do.

P.S. So as I was reflecting on the idea of reputation, Romans 13:8 popped into my mind:

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law -NET Bible

I want part of my reputation with others to be: He loved!

Salt in the Box

I told Chris that this week's message at church would probably result in three blog entries. It was that powerful and filled with some really thought provoking stuff.

So I was really impressed with a visual used during the message about salt. Of course the reference was to the statement by Jesus in Matt 5:13 that we are the salt of the earth.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people." NET Bible

Now most of us are probably familiar verse and its implications that we, as Christ followers are supposed to be out in the world. We see ourselves as the spice of the world bringing God to the God-less and the hurt and hope to the hopeless.

And we are supposed to be that way. And while the message was not about this verse on Sunday, it was about our reputation (more on that later), at one point a box of salt was held up and likened to those of us in church that morning. And I could see the similarity--if each of us were a considered a grain of salt, then salt in the box could be likened to a church service on Sunday where all the grains are gathered.

The grains of salt are not much good in the box or the shaker. There is a lot of potential--but no action!

Think about it. Salt isn't actually valuable until we pour it our of the box into or onto something. We have to use it.

A bunch of Christ followers in their Sunday club house is much the same. Potential abounding but action pending.

We have to get out of the building and into the world to be the "salt of the earth" and give flavor and spice to the world. Hiding in our safe house--well it's just that, hiding and it doesn't do much good.

Anyway--that small visual really hit me hard this week and helped me to get deeper into the verse and understand that to be salt--we need to get out into the world. And the world will use us up. But it will be a better place.