NOT beaten.

Several years ago, I made my first sojourn to New York City. Impressive. Lot's of very tall buildings. Human kind is certainly...resourceful; take, for instance, the Tower of Babel chronicled in Genesis, the opening book of the Older Testament.

Over the years I've always attempted to find "dynamic equivalents" in the culture around me to help people understand a deeper principle from the Scriptures. The Tower of course was the ultimate expression of hubris on the part of humankind; our effort to shake a collective fist at God and say "See, you aren't so transcendent after all." Foolish pride led to an inflated opinion of who we were; God breathed, language changed and chaos ensued. We discovered we were no match for the transcendent God.

Fast forward to modern culture: God, in his grace, has allowed mankind to apply his intellect and ingenuity, these also graciously granted by God, to "discover" thousands of things that insulate us from the ill-effects of the fall: drugs, asphalt, steel, plastic, roads, air conditioning, engines, automation--the list is endless. We in turn, tainted by sin and swelled with pride, believeing ourselves to be wise, shake our fists at God and say, "You see, the Scriptures are myth; there was a big-bang and then there was mankind and look at how we have evolved...we have the power to give and take life. We don't need myths to prop us up anymore. We are God."

In reality, everything we touch we corrupt. Look at what we call our system of Justice.  We condition the air at the same time we poison it with hydro-carbons. We pollute the planet, poison our bodies, can't beat cancer or aids and when/if we do, something else always emerges. Regardless of how effective we are at blunting the effect of sin on life and the planet, sin always trumps our best efforts...and God allows it, to point us to our need for a Savior and His gracious provision for our redemption.

The farther evolved civilization becomes the further it devolves into moral and spiritual chaos--abortion, failed economies, addiction, violence, corrupt governments, greed, broken relationships, idolotry, shaminism, social injustice. Think about it, in 1965 LBJ gave us the Great Society. These unfunded mandates have done nothing to enlighten culture and end poverty--but they have driven us to edge of bankruptcy and destroyed families while perpetrating genocide on the poorest of the poor. The smarter we get, the dumber we are. We can run from God, but we can't hide.

So then, civilization as we have fashioned it, has become mankind's most recent "Tower of Babel;" the work of our-hands which demonstrates our independence, our ability to get it done without God. We set out to be like God, and in a final irony, we create the very modality that could be the end of life as we know it. We can destroy it, but we can't fix it..."and all the king's horses, and all the king's men, couldn't put humpty-dumpty back together again."

The lie that deceived Eve, continues to vex us; but we aren't beaten. This Truth has set us free...

"When we were utterly helpless...God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."  Romans 5.6a,8

Hallelujah, what a Savior! Givingthanks.


bN tGit

Thanks Giving.

The harvest is nearly complete.  It's Friday,  six days to Thanksgiving. 

These are times that challenge us all; but joy, real joy can't be touched and isn't determined by circumstance...

"Lord empower us to drill down deep and discover joy in simplicity, profound blessing in being alive; a kind touch, a gentle word, a thoughtful deed, a smile, a poignant moment. Use us as instruments that produce a concert of joy wherever this week takes us; where any week takes us. Through Christ, let it be."

Make this a happy thanks GIVING.

bN tGit

Out of the Gray.

Lake slips into a mist of gray
Horizon broken by trees stripped by Fall, bracing for winter.
Seasons change, storms pass.

A metaphor for life? 
Fifty shades of gray, stripped by storms bracing for loss.
Where is the hope? 

A Blue Herron floats over the water. 
The Spirit floats over the chaos of life.
Flashes of color break through the mist.
Seasons change, storms pass.
God--not lost in the gray.
Hope.



bN tGit

The Urgent Threat.

"These are the tmes that try men's souls..." wrote Thomas Paine in his pamphlet 'The American Crisis' published Dec 23, 1776; the Colonies faced the almost certain prospect of defeat in their war for indpendence. Paine implored Americans "don't give up the fight."

As the curtain begins to drop on 2015: our economy continues to misfire, dissonant voices disrupt College and University campuses across the Nation, Paris confronts us with the harsh reality that the world is a more dangerous place than ever before; we face the prospect of a nuclear Iran, an ascendant China, a redo in Iraq--and bitter conflict between our political parties as well as brinksmanship by our most powerful political leaders...but the fact is that virtually every generation of Americans were forced to face-down a crisis, and survived, thrived and grew strong on the idea--and promise--of the American Dream.

We must remember to "keep the main thing," the main thing. The "idea of America" has been the fuel driving our resolve to be "one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all." This idea compelled those who traveled this way before us to sacrifice, fight and die.  Indifference to this "big idea" is the real, the urgent threat to our liberty.

Resolve to do your part; work hard, make informed decisions, be a person of strong character, celebrate interdependence and respect people who disagree with you--but press them to think outside their "box" and you, think outside yours. Don't give in to fear or indifference--be strong and of good courage. Let's leave a legacy that will inspire a new generation.

America, an idea that works. Give thanks, bear down and pitch-in.


bN tGit

tGit.

Today a gift; time, breath, life. Now what?
Horizon indigo-blue dawn.
Sweet slumber, my retreat.
Moments with God, my hope.
Today wished away?
Sundance East.
Love's gentle touch, my confidence.
Grand smiles, my delight.
Today mine to squander, make great?
Sun blazes zenith, Noon.
Disappointment, my challenge.
Sweet fragance, my respite.
Today spent, invested?
Moon reflects suns glory, sublime beauty.
Kind word, my comfort.
Quiet reflection, my strength.
Today, something of significance to last?
Here, gone.
All I have.
It's enough.
Thank God it's today...tGit

bN tGit

Thanksgiving Menu.

Thanksgiving is just ahead on the horizon.  We are blessed this year for many reasons.  

We will gather with Kids, Grandkids, good table-talk, smiles, a look-back in time and an extra helping of making new memories.  

We will give thanks for the preservation of life, for the arrival of new life, and for progress as a family.

What are you serving at your house?  Perhaps the key isn't what we bring to the table, it's what we take away.

Remember, home is where life makes up it's mind.  Wishing you all a persuasive holiday celebration.

Let it be.

bN tGit