Thursday, October 14, 2010
Carpe Diem
Today is here. What will we do with this gift of time, breath and life? Will we wish it away; squander the opportunities it will produce or will we seize it, make it great and do somehting significant; invest our resources in someone, someway, that will outlive us? It's your day, make the most of it. Today is here...and then gone.
Vexed but not beaten...
Someone recently asked me about a passing comment I had made about the Tower of Babel; wanting me to expand on what was said.
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 mankind; 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 kings men, couldn't put humpty-dumpty together again."
The lie that deceived Eve, continues to vex us. But we aren't beaten, there is hope..."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
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 mankind; 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 kings men, couldn't put humpty-dumpty together again."
The lie that deceived Eve, continues to vex us. But we aren't beaten, there is hope..."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
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Will-power
I am reminded throughout the Scriptures about "the sacrifice of praise." When I discipline myself to offer that to Him, without exception I experience a "breakthrough" to worship...where a dynamic exchange takes place--Kingdom authority for authentic Worship. That's why we see so much conflict around "worship" in the church today. Failure to worship prevents Believers from experiencing His empowering flow from the throne of God to the people of God; as a consequence we underachieve; we never fully appropriate "His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Eph 3.20
Sunday, September 12, 2010
It's about time...
Summer "daze" is history now. Footballs fill the air, Baseball stumbles toward the World Series and Fall is just over the horizon...as are the nation's mid-term elections; change is in the air. But is it?
Will this election give birth to real, new leadership or will we simply swap one set of suits for another? How will we know what the election produces? Here's my "watch" list...
1. New leadership will act reponsibly as stewards of our wealth. No more blown budgets.
2. New leadership will refuse to act in its own self-interest. No more pork.
3. New leadership will build bridges across the asiles of Congress. No more gridlock.
4. New leadership will work on behalf of the people. No more paybacks to unions, lobbies, business or deep pockets at the people's expence.
5. New leadership will set a different tone as it charts our course as a Nation. No more lionizing the "loyal opposition" or winner-takes-all arrogance.
6. New leadership will commit to reform--of both the Senate and the House. No more tolerance for cronyism, nepotism or corruption.
7. New leadership will understand that "less is more." No more unlimited terms of serivce.
8. New leadership will celebrate our history, diversity, vision and way of life, while at the same time seeking to make us a better, more compassionate and inclusive people. No more excoriating the nation because it seems the "hip" thing to do.
9. New leadership will set a "living example" of good citizenship. No more double standards.
10. New leadership will act in the interests of the nation. No more back room deals where the only winners are the politicians and their handlers.
Seems polyanna. But we've seen this before. Read about it in John Adams. Leaders serving selflessly, fearlessly and without guile. It is this kind of leadership that gave birth to our nation and now must re-emerge to carry us, our childern, into the 21st Century with a reclaibrated vision, but a vision that stands stedfastly, still, on the prinicples of freedom, equality and the inalienable rights of its citizens. These principles birthed a confederaton, nurtured a union and established a Nation...of the people, by the people and for the people.
Will this election give birth to real, new leadership or will we simply swap one set of suits for another? How will we know what the election produces? Here's my "watch" list...
1. New leadership will act reponsibly as stewards of our wealth. No more blown budgets.
2. New leadership will refuse to act in its own self-interest. No more pork.
3. New leadership will build bridges across the asiles of Congress. No more gridlock.
4. New leadership will work on behalf of the people. No more paybacks to unions, lobbies, business or deep pockets at the people's expence.
5. New leadership will set a different tone as it charts our course as a Nation. No more lionizing the "loyal opposition" or winner-takes-all arrogance.
6. New leadership will commit to reform--of both the Senate and the House. No more tolerance for cronyism, nepotism or corruption.
7. New leadership will understand that "less is more." No more unlimited terms of serivce.
8. New leadership will celebrate our history, diversity, vision and way of life, while at the same time seeking to make us a better, more compassionate and inclusive people. No more excoriating the nation because it seems the "hip" thing to do.
9. New leadership will set a "living example" of good citizenship. No more double standards.
10. New leadership will act in the interests of the nation. No more back room deals where the only winners are the politicians and their handlers.
Seems polyanna. But we've seen this before. Read about it in John Adams. Leaders serving selflessly, fearlessly and without guile. It is this kind of leadership that gave birth to our nation and now must re-emerge to carry us, our childern, into the 21st Century with a reclaibrated vision, but a vision that stands stedfastly, still, on the prinicples of freedom, equality and the inalienable rights of its citizens. These principles birthed a confederaton, nurtured a union and established a Nation...of the people, by the people and for the people.
Nine years and counting...
Nine years since that beautiful morning in New York was rocked by an infamous act of terrorism, and life changed in an instant. Proud to be an American, a citizen of a nation that has consistently worked to make our world a better place. Yes, we have issues, but our "better angels" have prevailed--I wonder, what will our legacy look like in 2019?
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Word became flesh...
As believers we have been "gifted" to add value to the lives of people. We've been called to love people--the best and the worst--with a love that looks past what they are and sees whose they are, and what they can be.
Whether or not they come to Christ, is not my responsibilty. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. He uses me to be sure. But it's not a "head thing". It's a heart thing. When I selflessly serve people in a way that adds value to their lives; I reflect Christ--no, I flesh out Christ--and they wonder, "Why, what's in this for you?" When (if) we are given opportunity to answer that question, our witness is powerful becasue the reality of Christ in us has manifested itself in an "incarnational"--they have seen Christ in/through us--way that is compelling...and used by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts, minds and lives.
All this to say that any evangelistic effort that does not wholistically address--begin with-- the felt needs of people and work toward their spiritual needs is something less than the gospel.
Whether or not they come to Christ, is not my responsibilty. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. He uses me to be sure. But it's not a "head thing". It's a heart thing. When I selflessly serve people in a way that adds value to their lives; I reflect Christ--no, I flesh out Christ--and they wonder, "Why, what's in this for you?" When (if) we are given opportunity to answer that question, our witness is powerful becasue the reality of Christ in us has manifested itself in an "incarnational"--they have seen Christ in/through us--way that is compelling...and used by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts, minds and lives.
All this to say that any evangelistic effort that does not wholistically address--begin with-- the felt needs of people and work toward their spiritual needs is something less than the gospel.
Friday, August 6, 2010
If my people...
Many people of faith (I've taken my shots) are piling on this current Administration, decrying its polices, arrogance and penchant for demagoguery.
But, let's face the the hard truth: Government shares only part of the responsibilty for the tragic state of our Nation. The failure of the Church to be the Church has accelerated our decline. The light from The City set on a hill cannot penetrate the darkness because "The City" too often has become a dark, anemic, impotent place.
The Church has embraced popular culture and been absorbed by a pursuit of the good life; by a quest for "relevance" in the name of Christ. She has a vital role in culture: to be the watchman on the wall, the harbinger of Good News; instead, she slumbers. The Church need not quest for relevance; when she behaves as The Church, she is relevant. Instead...
Apathy, division and moral compromise have ravaged the fruit of the Spirit.
Reaching out with the Good News has become an unfunded mandate.
Codependence has swallowed up courageous leadership.
Sound teaching has been replaced by pop pyschology.
Relevance has pushed reality to the back of the bus.
Sacrifice is considered a synonym for weakness.
Integrity is open to interpretation.
Godliness just isn't hip.
This isn't the first time the people of God have lost their moral and spiritual compass:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7.14
It ended badly for Israel. But, it need not end badly for this nation; there is hope.
Hope springs from humility
Humility leads to repentance
Repentance produces healing
This, is change we can believe in.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Forever friends...
When I was a younger man, we enjoyed poking fun at M.W. Smith's song "Friends" because it just seemed so schmultzy..."friends are friends forever." Here's what I've discovered the hard way: not all friends are created equal...but soul-friends are friends forever--nothing schmultzy about that. We enjoyed today with two of our soul-friends, Don & Donna. Blessed to have forever friends; thanks for all you mean to us.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Face the facts!
Facts are problematic. It's easy to simply dismiss them, but then we can't make progress as a nation; we can't do what we have done so well for so long; put the best of both political visions to work to create a synergy that empowers our "We the people" political will.
Step back, breath deeply, think critically and refuse the Kool Aid people on both sides of the asile have prepared for this election cycle...oh, and don't forget to pray for guidence.
On the road again...
On the road, headed to KS...500 miles today, most of it off the beaten path, avoided the interstate where I could; wanted to get close to the land, the water and communities like...Watseka, Vandalia, Mexico, Blowing Green, Lee's Summit and Humansville..."2 lanes only" kind of trip. I love my country. So diverse...so independent but interdependent too...what a place.
As dusk gave way to darkness I came around a curve; there before me was the Mississippi. It startled me--so close I could see steam coming off the backwater. What a beautiful sight-the bright dusk sky reflecting off the river--a barge making it's up down to St. Louis. The best part: an instant before I navigated the curve, my Bluetooth beeped and Laura was on the phone with me.
We shared that moment together. I'm blessed.
As dusk gave way to darkness I came around a curve; there before me was the Mississippi. It startled me--so close I could see steam coming off the backwater. What a beautiful sight-the bright dusk sky reflecting off the river--a barge making it's up down to St. Louis. The best part: an instant before I navigated the curve, my Bluetooth beeped and Laura was on the phone with me.
We shared that moment together. I'm blessed.
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