Swine Flu

Swine flu.  Is this a media-generated panic during a slow news week?  I am not wanting to diminish a legitimate threat to public health, but this just seems like overkill right now.  The travel industry is already taking a beating, and our VP came out saying to stay off of planes and subways.  The administration had to immediately go into damage control over that comment.  (Being Biden's press secretary would have to be one of the most interesting jobs in the country).

But all of this just muddies the water.  Isolated cases.  Few deaths (although any is certainly cause for concern).  Worldwide -- 331 confirmed cases, 10 deaths.  Is it REALLY a pandemic, as the media says?  Or is it like any other flu that has hit internationally through the years?  Remember bird flu from a few years ago?  The media overstated it, too -- though not nearly THIS much.

I mean, really!  Schools are shutting down.  UIL is canceling all spring sporting events.  The question is being posed as to whether to delay the NBA playoffs.

I just want to know the facts.  People have enough things in their lives that are unsettling right now.  Newspapers are struggling to survive, so are they going to become more sensationalistic in order to sell a few more copies -- even if that means creating unnecessary public reactions?

What do you think?     

Preaching is a Dangerous Thing

The ministry of preaching is ever-challenging.  There are weeks that I sit down with a text, and the ideas just come flying.  Then there are weeks like this one.  I am preaching through Luke -- not verse by verse, but selected passages.  I am now to Luke 9.

This chapter has a number of separate, yet interconnected, stories.  I am only going to overview "the sending of the 12," "the feeding of the 5,000," and "the confession of the disciples."  The theme of this chapter seems to be "Who is Jesus?"

The text I have settled on for this week is "the transfiguration."  It is one of my very favorite passages of Scripture -- especially as one connects it with John's words in John 1: 14:  "We have seen his glory   . . ."  But I am sitting here on Thursday -- still not sure of what to do with the passage.  It is definitely one of those that one must be careful not to get in the way of.  And that is my concern.

Can you even imagine what it must have been like to see that?  Peter, James and John got to see Jesus the way He now appears in heaven -- in all the splendor of His glory!  And we will get to see Him that way some day, too.

But I'm still wondering:  What needs to be communicated to my church on Sunday morning?  I LOVE the challenge!  But texts like this also make me aware of the danger.    

   

A Day of Reflection

Beverly and I are going this morning to sign our wills.  We had one made years ago that I have never felt comfortable about because it was kind of a "do-it-yourself" will.  Interesting how things like that remind us of our mortality.

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A year ago today, my father-in-law passed away.  I have really missed him.  He had a great impact on my life.  I learned so much from him.  And I hope I can leave such a legacy of memories as he did.  I can still hear his laugh, and the way he cleared his throat.  My guess is that he has convinced a lot of people in heaven to become Democrats.  

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I think we can officially say that the Spurs' dynasty is done.  I hope the Mavs don't get the big head after easily doing away with a team that is too old to finish -- and missing one of their key players.  It does seem that the Mavs are peaking at the right time, but Denver is going to be a different test all together.

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I'm not a huge "Idol" fan these days.  I guess I've gotten a little tired of it.  But I do have my favorites -- Danny and Kris.  I don't know what it is about Adam, but Beverly and I both feel there is a dark, evil presence around him.  And the high-pitched squeal is really getting old (actually, I guess I never did like it).  I have a feeling he might win, though.  However, a lot of people really DON'T like him.  So once it gets down to only 2 or 3 contestants, that could work against him.     

C. S. Lewis' Journey to Joy

C.S. Lewis spent much of his early adult years as an unbeliever.  He longed for joy in his life, and found moments of it through reading and writing stories and myths.

Late on the night of September 19, 1931, Lewis was in the midst of a discussion with several fellow intellectuals.  One of them was J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings and a believer.  One of them asked Lewis, "Why are you mysteriously moved by the notion of sacrifice when you read it in pagan stories, but not also moved when you read of it in the story of Jesus?"  Lewis would write that on that night "the penny dropped" -- and he began to ask himself if maybe the story of Jesus was the joy he was chasing.

He would say that he could trace back to that night as the point in which he found his "Joy."  He discovered that it was not joy that he was yearning for, after all.  It was the Person to whom this joy was pointing.  He explained his quest:  "But what, in conclusion, of Joy?    . . . To tell you the truth, the subject has lost nearly all interest for me since I became a Christian."  

He concluded with this:  "Joy is a person, and his name is Jesus."   

 

The End of Christian America? (6)

Final thoughts from Greg Boyd's article -- reasons why Kingdom people should not weep over the demise of American Christianity:

3.  If Evangelicals lose all their political clout, we may be less tempted to lust after political power, which means we may have one less distraction from actually doing what God called us to do -- namely, manifesting God's reign by how we humbly live, love and serve.

4.  The Kingdom has always thrived -- and really, has only thrived -- when it was on the margins of society.  The Kingdom is, by its very nature, a "contrast society."  If Christians lose all their power and position in society and become marginalized, this can't help but be good for the Kingdom.  If Christians become persecuted, it likely will be even better.  We'd be turning back the clock from the disaster of Constantinian truimphalist Christianity in the direction of apostolic, servant Christianity.

5.  The "Christian" element of American culture was never deeper than the thin veneer of a shared civic religion.  Many think that being "Christian" is focused on preserving the civic religion (e.g. fighting for prayer before sports events, keeping the ten commandments on government buildings, holding onto a "Christian" definition of marriage within our government, etc.).  Not only this, but this veneer of Christianity causes Jesus followers not to notice the many ways foundational assumptions that permeate American culture are diametrically opposed to the values of the Kingdom.  If the civic religion of Christianity were to die, Kingdom people would be less tempted to associate Christianity with symbolic civic functions and would become more aware of how the Kingdom sharply contrasts with foundational aspects of American culture.

6.  Finally, if Jesus followers lose all their position and power and become a minority . . . this will expose the idol of American individualism we have bought into for far too long and perhaps help us realize that we need to cling to each other and that the Kingdom is inherently communal.  We are called to manifest God's uniquely beautiful love and bear witness to the reality of Jesus Christ by how we share our lives and serve one another.  But it is very difficult for many of us to embrace radical Kingdom community when we can get along very well (by American standards of "well") without it.

The God-given mandate to Kingdom people is not to keep the broader culture from falling apart, but to offer all who are hungry a radically different, far more beautiful, way of doing life.  And often people will not take this offer seriously until everything else is crumbing around them.

Let the civic religion die.  Our task is to live in a way that gives people hope.       

Miss USA and Cloning

OK, I know.  I was going to wrap up my series today on the demise of Christianity in America, but there is something in the news that is REALLY irking me.  I am not a fan of the Miss USA pageant, but something happened during it on Sunday night that is receiving a lot of national news attention -- more so even than the winner, Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton.

During the contest, Miss California Carrie Prejean was asked a question by openly gay pageant judge and "celebrity" (I've never heard of him) Perez Hilton.  His question was whether every state should follow Vermont in legalizing same-sex marriage.  Now, is that a political question?  If not, what is it?  I ask that because of his comments below.

Prejean responded, "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other.  But in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman.  No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."  Her wording was a little clumsy, but certainly not offensive.  She stated her opinion.

Hilton has referred to her as ignorant.  Tuesday on the Today show, he said that his question was relevant (of course it was to him and his agenda).  He added that Prejean should have "left her politics and her religion out because Miss USA represents all Americans."  Huh?

Question for the totally unbiased Mr. Hilton:  How could she have answered that political question without letting her politics enter into it?  It was a political question.  Now, if she had happened to agree with you, suddenly she would not have been political in her answer.  Right?  

Mr. Hilton, your political bias is showing.  Not only that, but you are showing a total lack of class and reason.  To disagree with you does not make a person ignorant.  And yes, many of us do make decisions in this life based upon our religious (or nonreligious, in your case) beliefs.  Prejean did not try to force her opinion on anybody, nor did she get "preachy."  YOU, Mr. Hilton, are the one showing intolerance here.

This is totally ridiculous.  Mr. Hilton is the one who should be taken to task here by the media.  Not Ms. Prejean. 

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On another moral subject, I read yesterday that an American doctor who is now in hiding claims that he will clone a human within two years.  I have concerns about this, but I am not sure why our culture is drawing a moral line here.  I admit to ignorance on this subject, but how different would cloning a human be from invitro fertilization (I am not saying invitro is wrong)?  I really am hoping someone can enlighten me here.

And interesting:  As a culture, we are saying abortion is not immoral.  Euthanasia is becoming more accepted.  Stem cell research is OK.  But we are going to draw a line in the sand on this one:  No human cloning.  Again, the idea is unsettling for me, too.  But what is the rationale?     

The End of Christian America (5)

Here's more excerpts from Greg Boyd's article "Don't Weep . . .":

For those who are heavily invested in the Christian religion, at least as it's usually been understood in America, the news that America is entering into a 'post-Christian' epoch is understandably alarming.

But here are six reasons why I do not think Kingdom people should weep over the demise of American Christianity.

1.  America has never been, and will never be, a "Christian" nation in any significance sense.  Among other things, America, like every other fallen, demonically-oppressed nation, is incapable of loving its enemies, doing good to those who mistreat it or blessing those who persecute it.  By applying the term 'Christian' to America, we've massively watered down its meaning -- which undoubtedly helps explain why the vast majority of American Christians assume being 'Christian' is perfectly compatible with hating and killing your national enemies . . .The sooner the label 'Christian' gets divorced from this country, the better.  It provides hope that someday the word 'Christian' might actually mean 'Christ-like' once again.

2.  There's a good bit of research demonstrating that the majority of American's identify themselves as 'Christian' when asked by a pollster, but when asked what this label actually means in terms of core values and lifestyle choices, it becomes apparent that for the majority of them the meaning of 'Christian' is basically 'American.'  I submit that the main problem Kingdom people confront in spreading the Kingdom in America is that a majority of people assume they are already in the Kingdom -- they are 'Christian' -- simply by virtue of being American . . . If fewer people are identifying themselves as 'Christian,' this is good, for it means there's one less major illusion that Kingdom people have to confront and work through as they invite these folks into the Kingdom.

I will finish these thoughts tomorrow.         

The End of Christian America? (4)

Somewhat as a response to Jon Meacham's article in Newsweek, "The End of Christian America," Greg Boyd wrote a piece entitled "Don't Weep for the Demise of American Christianity."  He puts forward some very good thoughts for consideration.  Today let us consider his assessment as to what has brought about this decline:

1.  American churches have been, to a large degree, gutted by good old fashioned American pragmatism.  We've become preoccupied with being "relevant" and "efficient" at the expense of holding fast to the theological depth of our biblically based traditions.  Megachurches in particular are guilty of this -- which in part explains why they become megachurches, for relevance and efficiency sell well to baby boomers.

2.  Evangelicals "have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism."  Spencer notes that "we fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith."

Manifesting typical Constantinian triumphalism, many conservative American Christians naively thought we could transform American society in a "Christian" direction by acquiring political power to enforce our (self-proclaimed) superior views on selected topics (especially abortion, gay marriage, creationism in schools and stem cell research) on the broader culture.  It has not gone well, to say the least.

After 40 years of intense political involvement, Evangelicals have little positive to show for their efforts.  To the contrary, we've arguably only succeeded in getting multitudes of non-Christian (or simply non-Evangelicals) to disdain us and the "Good News" message we're supposed to bring.  Now that the political parties and positions Evangelicals largely identified with have fallen on hard times, Evangelicals have, to a significant extend, fallen with them.

More tomorrow.       

 

Post-Christian America (3)

Final thoughts from Jon Meacham's Newsweek article, "The End of Christian America."

"Religious authorities can themselves be corrupted by proximity to political power (haven't we seen evidence of that!).  

"The Psalmist . . . said, 'Put not thy trust in princes,' and there is much New Testament evidence to support a vision of faith and politics in which the church is truest to its core mission when it is the farthest from the entanglements of power.  The Jesus of the Gospels resolutely refuses to use the means of this world -- either the clash of arms or the passions of politics -- to further his ends.  The preponderance of lessons from the Gospels and from the rest of the New Testament suggest that earthly power is transitory and corrupting, and that the followers of Jesus should be more attentive to matters spiritual than political.   

[A] central message of the Gospels is the duty of the Christian to transform, as best one can, reality through works of love.  'Being in the world and not of it remains our charge . . . the church is an eternal presence in a fallen, temporal world -- but we are to have influence.  The Sermon on the Mount is about what we are to do -- but it does not come with a political handbook.' 

Tomorrow I will share from another article, entitled, "Don't Weep for the Demise of American Christianity."

"Post-Christian" America? Part 2

I continue today with excerpts from Jon Meacham's Newsweek article on post-Christian America.  He observes that "the power of the republican system engineered by James Madison at the end of the 18th century, that America would survive in direct relation to its ability to check extremism and preserve maximum personal liberty.  Religious believers should welcome this; freedom from one sect means freedom to all sects."  

He continues:  "Anglican observance was compulsory at Jamestown, and the Puritans of New England were explicitly hoping to found a New Jerusalem.  But coerced belief is no belief at all; it is tyranny."

Meacham reminds us that the Founders "let the religious take their stand in the arena of politics and ideas on their own, and fight for their views on equal footing with all other interests.  American public life is neither wholly secular nor wholly religious but an ever-fluid mix of the two.  History suggests that trouble tends to come when one of these forces grows too powerful in proportion to the other." 

He observes that "Prohibition was initially seen as a great moral victory, but its failure and ultimate repeal show that a movement should always be careful what it wishes for."  

He cites columnist Cal Thomas, who was an early proponent of the Moral Majority:  "No country can be truly 'Christian.'  Only people can.  God is above all nations, and, in fact, Isaiah says that 'All nations are to  him a drop in the bucket and less than nothing.'  Thinking back across the decades, Thomas recalls the hope -- and the failure.  'We are going through organizing like-minded people to 'return' America to a time of greater morality.  Of course, this was to be done through politicians who had a difficult time imposing morality on themselves!'"

"Post-Christian" America? (Part 1)

I have been following with interest the reports of America being a "post-Christian" nation.  Time magazine recently reported that the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 8 to 15 percent.  The percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen from 86 to 76 percent.  The only growth has been in the number of people willing to describe themselves as atheists or agnostics, increasing fourfold from 1990 to 2009 (from 1 million to about 3.6).

Over the next couple of days, I want to share excerpts from a couple of articles I have read.  One is by Jon Meacham of Newsweek.  He says, "Let's be clear:  while the percentage of Christians may be shrinking, rumors of the death of Christianity are greatly exaggerated . . . there is no doubt that the nation remains vibrantly religious -- far more, for instance, than Europe."

Then he clarifies something that all of us need to realize and accept.  He says, "What, then, does it mean to talk of "Christian America"?  Evangelical Christians have long believed that the United States should be a nation whose political life is based upon and governed by their interpretation of biblical and theological principles.  If the church believes drinking to be a sin, for instance, then the laws of the state should ban the consumption of alcohol.  If the church believes the theory of evolution conflicts with a literal reading of the Book of Genesis, then the public schools should tailor their lessons accordingly.  If the church believes abortion should be outlawed, then the legislatures and courts of the land should follow suit."

I would submit (and I am just coming to an understanding of this) that Christianity does not thrive when it is controlling the political agenda.  How is this really so different from Islamic states, which we have SO criticized?  No, Christianity has always thrived when it was the "counterculture" that Jesus came to model.  But more from Meacham's article tomorrow.           

Improving Marriage

I have heard Beverly speak many times on the greatest concerns of men and women. For men, it is the fear of shame. For women, it is the fear of isolation. Steven Stosny, who has done extensive research in this area, has come up with a list that I found interesting and beneficial: 

25 ways to make a woman anxious

Ignore her
Tell her what to do
Be short with your answers
Tune out her feelings
Stonewall or give her the cold shoulder
Take her for granted
Limit or criticize her spending
Tell her to stop worrying
Tell her she's making too much of it
Tell her to get over it
Tell her she talks too much
Complain about her weight
Criticize her family
Withdraw or shut down
Yell or get angry
Pout or sulk
Threaten to quit your job
Flirt with other women
Don't know her dreams
Tell her she's just like her mother
Complain about her girlfriends
Give her the cold shoulder
Dismiss her ideas
Sound like you're trapped in the marriage
Buy a sports car

25 ways to stimulate shame in a man

Exclude him from important decisions
Correct what he says
Question his judgment
Give unsolicited advice
Dismiss his opinion
Imply inadequacy
Make unrealistic demands of his time and energy
Overreact
Ignore his desires
Focus on what you didn't get, rather than what you got
Withhold praise
Use a harsh tone
Be abrupt - spring things on him
Undermine his wishes
Condescend
Criticize his personality
Disrespect his work
Show little or no interest in his interests
Criticize his family
Interpret, psychoanalyze, or diagnose him
Make comparisons to other men
Focus on your unhappiness
Put friends before him
Value others' needs over his
Rob him of the opportunity to help

Great Night

I read this morning that the Obama's new dog is from Boyd.  Imagine that!  A Wise County dog in the White House.

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Beverly had her fund raiser last night for Wise County Christian Counseling, and it was a WONDERFUL night.  I am so proud of her.  She is carrying a double case load right now, but never complains.  She wakes up nearly every morning saying, "I love my job."  And as a result, the Lord is being faithful in blessing it.  We feel incredibly blessed to have the kinds of friends we do.  As I listened to different ones speak last night about Beverly, it gave me goosebumps.  My son-in-law was there, and afterwards I said, "Isn't it great hearing people from the Decatur community talk about Beverly like that?"  He said, "Yeah, it sounds like they really know her."  How cool.

And just think:  I'm married to her!  

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"24" took an unexpected twist last night.  Beverly and I are still trying to figure out what happened!  Sorry, can't tell you.

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I heard a saying last week that I keep thinking about.  It goes:  "Every generation thinks it is smarter than the one that came before, but wiser than the one that follows." 

Random Thoughts

Well, it went from an incredible Masters to a train wreck in a matter of minutes.  I started off thinking Tiger would win it again.  After Friday, I was pulling for Kenny Perry.  After Saturday, I'm still thinking Perry.  Halfway through Sunday, I'm thinking Tiger or Phil might take it.  Then they faded, so I was back to pulling for Perry.

Two holes left.  Two shot lead.  I'm thinking, "This is great.  The 'old man' is going to win a major.  Fellow Church of Christ guy.  Considered the kindest, nicest guy on tour.  Good for him."  But then he choked.

So, a three-man playoff.  In my mind, I'm thinking, "OK, I'm pulling for Perry.  But it would be OK if Campbell wins.  Just please, not Cabrera."

Winner?  Cabrera.

This guy is from Argentina, and does a lot of good things in his country.  He is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.  But I just have a problem with a guy who never wins anything else -- yet now has two majors.  It just seems flukey to me.  But obviously, it involves more than that.

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I am thankful today for the safe rescue of the ship captain who was taken hostage by pirates.  What an ordeal that must have been!

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And did you see the story about the woman who jumped into the polar bear exhibit at a zoo in Germany because she wanted to go swimming?  She was mauled and bitten, but was lucky to escape with her life.  Jack Hanna said apparently the bears were just toying with her, because they could have ripped her apart in seconds.

Of course in our "victim-mentality" age, the zoo is being called into question.  ENOUGH!  The lady had to climb two tall barriers to get into that enclosure!  The zoo had taken all the precautions necessary.  At some point, individuals must be held responsible for their actions!  She needs to spend some serious jail time.       

 

    

9 Years of "Grampy-ing" and Sports Records

Nine years ago today, my identity was changed forever.  I became "Grampy."  I will never forget how special that day was.  And my nine-year old granddaughter is blossoming into a beautiful person -- physically, but also in heart.  She is SO kind and loving, and I am proud to be her "Grampy."  

In the intervening years, I have become Grampy three more times -- with another one on the way.  These are rewarding days.

Happy birthday, Malaya!  I hope you have a fun day.

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When I was a late-teen to young man, Jack Nicklaus was setting the bar for major wins.  When he reached 18, it seemed he had set a goal that would never be broken.  After all, the closest to him in the modern era had been Gary Player with 9.

But who would have predicted Tiger Woods?  At age 33, he is entering a golfer's prime -- and already has 14.  I still don't think it is a given that he will break Jack's record.  There are finally some young guys coming up that I believe will rival him.  Due to his knee injury, he missed a great window of opportunity last year -- with both the British Open and PGA at two courses to his liking.  But chances are, Jack's record will fall.

So what sports records are untouchable?  Well, I would say Cy Young's 511 wins and Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak would be there.  Maybe Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points in one game.  Byron Nelson's 11 game win streak seems pretty safe to me.  Jerry Rice's career touchdowns?   

Any others?

I Just Don't Get Facebook

I read this morning that "Facebook" now has 200 million accounts.  I tried it several months back, but sorry -- I just don't get it.  On my Facebook page, I would read that "So-and-so just brushed his teeth."  Or someone is watching Oprah.  Someone else just took a shower and is late for work.  Do we really need these kinds of details?  It seems almost like a strange form of voyeurism.  So I quit it.

Different strokes for different folks.  Some people like to hunt.  Some people like to fish.  Some people like to play golf.  Some people like to spend their time on Facebook.  I'm just saying that I don't get it.

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My childhood hero, Arnold Palmer, hit the ceremonial tee-shot to begin the 2009 Masters about an hour and a half ago.  I confess:  This is not a good week to be Easter weekend.  I am VERY distracted this week.  A couple of my buddies told me that I looked sick, and need to just stay home Thursday and Friday.  I wish I could.  But the sermon still has to be preached Sunday.  

Needless to say:  I am very thankful for DVR.  

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Late addition to this blog:  Why do barbers hate sideburns so much?  Since I go so rarely to the barber (once a month), I forget to ask each time.  But as the barber trims my hair, I will inevitably hear that sound as my sideburns are hacked off.  And it is not a single occurrence or a single barber.  And they always get them slanted at about a 45 degree angle. 

Any ideas?

Pirates? and the Last Supper

I see this morning that pirates have seized a ship with 20 Americans on board.  Pirates?  What is the deal with this all of a sudden.  In the last year, it has suddenly become dangerous for international ships to sail.  Something about that seems archaic.

I know it's not the reality of the situation, but I picture Johnny Depp or some peg-legged guy with a parrot on his shoulder stepping off a boat with a skull-and-crossbones flag -- boarding a ship with a black-powder pistol.   

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The Last Supper:  Nearly two thousand years ago today (or tomorrow, depending on your understanding of Scripture), Jesus sat down with His disciples in the upper room for that meal.  He washed their feet and told them about the betrayer.  He was in anguish as He considered what lay before Him.  It must have been a heavy night.  I want to live with that for the next couple of days.  What were those days like for His followers?  Of course, we know the story has a perfect ending.  But they didn't.   

One of My Favorite Weeks

It has become one of my top 5 weeks of the year.  This year, two of my tops get combined into one.  

An obvious one is Easter.  While in our tradition, we partake of communion each week in remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus -- there is something special about Easter.  THE day.  The day that the tomb was found empty.  The day of beginning anew.  The day that sets us apart from ALL other world religions.

As I have mentioned last night, a few years back what was believed to be a finger bone of Buddha was found.  The bone "went on tour," with people standing in line for hours to see it.  And it made me think, "If ever ONE of Jesus' bones was discovered, we would be DONE as a movement."  But we don't have to worry about that.  Because the tomb is empty.  And Jesus lives!

But the 2nd special thing about this week is that it is Master's week.  Augusta.  It has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of property anywhere.  Every blade of grass perfect.  I have watched this tournament since it was on TV in black and white.  The history.  The pageantry.  The "we will do it our way" attitude.  Five minutes of commercials per hour max.  The crowd must be referred to as patrons, not gallery.  No off-color comments by the TV guys.  

A few years back, a woman protested before the Masters over Augusta's refusal to allow women to join.  Now, I don't agree with that position.  But you have to admire their moxey.  She was trying to get all sponsors to remove their commercials.  So as not to put any companies in a position of having to take sides, the Augusta membership said, "This year, WE will cover all the expenses.  There will be NO commercials."

Anyway, I digress.  Even if you don't like golf, you need to watch the Masters just for the beauty of the dogwoods and azaleas, etc.

I can't wait!  Empty tomb.  Dogwoods and azaleas.  And Tiger winning his 5th green jacket.  

What a Tragedy

My heart goes out to the family of slain Bridgeport Police Sgt. Randy White. Senseless! A man known to local police was involved in a hit-and-run accident on HWY 287, fled the scene, abandoned his pickup and stole an SUV. The officer was pulling people over to get them out of the way of the chase, when the criminal rear-ended him -- ramming his squad car into a tractor-trailer and killing him.

White, 32, leaves a wife and 5 year old.

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Beverly and I are not keeping up with American Idol like we have in the past.  We usually fast-forward through "elimination night" on Wednesday after church.  But my favorites are (sentimental favorite) Danny and Kris.  Adam is a weird dude!  But I think he might win it.

I think the best reality show on TV right now might be "The Haney Project."  It is on the Golf Channel.  Hank Haney (Tiger Woods' instructor) has taken on the challenge of changing Charles Barkley's swing.  If you have never seen this guy swing a golf club, go to Youtube and enter his name and have a laugh.  This show is FUNNY!  And much of it is filmed at Vaquero in Westlake.  

Long Tenure for Preachers

An old adage about tenure of ministers goes something like this:

The first two years, you can do nothing wrong.
The second two years, you can do nothing right.
The third two years, something gives.
The seventh year, your best ministry begins.

I will soon be beginning my 5th year of serving the Decatur Church of Christ, and I still feel like I am in the 1st stage.  All studies suggest that the adage is especially true when it comes to long tenures of preachers (hint, hint).

Why?  According to Lynn Anderson, several factors contribute to this.  But to name a few:
- Rapport: Time gives an observant minister rapport with the community.
- Credibility: Credibility enhances as people see their minister love and care for them over the long haul.
- Bonding: Powerful feelings flow between church and minister that only time can generate.
- Access: Long-term ministry opens enormous access into people’s lives.

(This ad is paid for by the Rick Ross for long tenure campaign.  I endorse this message)

What is Your Vocation?

Do you have a vocation?  In a general sense, vocation is what all Christians do as we live out the life of Jesus.  But in a more specific way, vocation is the special assignment that only you can do.

Dorothy Sayers writes:  

"Our vocation is not, primarily, a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do . . . the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.

It is the business of the Church to recognize that the secular vocation, as such, is sacred.

Let the Church remember this:  that every maker and worker is called to serve God in his profession or trade -- not outside it.  Whatever we are called to "do" is not a "job" but a sacred vocation."

  

Parker Palmer adds, "Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you."  What he is suggesting we learn is this:  God will not ask us, "Were you like Mother Teresa or the prophet Daniel or Peter or you father or  mother?"  Instead, God will ask us, "Were you the 'you' I made you to be?"

And I love this from Os Guinness (I love that name):  "The truth is not that God is finding us a place for our gifts, but that God has created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing -- and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there." 

Decatur: The WIndy City

I'm thinking about going into wind turbine generator sales.  My goodness, the wind has been blowing here in recent months!  Kite flyers would love it in Wise County.  Today:  Gusts over 40.

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I have been humored by folks who have been saying that Tiger Woods is not the same since his knee surgery.  After all, he lost in the 2nd match of his return in the World Match Play championship.  And he could only make the top ten in his 2nd tournament at Doral.  Well, yesterday, he started the day 5 back of Sean O'Hair.  Guess who won?  Yeah, buddy.  It took him three whole tournaments to return to the winner's circle.  

Next stop:  Augusta and the Masters.

I would agree with the critics that Tiger is not the same.  He looks like he has been pumping iron.  And his swing looks as if it is much more controlled (less stress on the reconstructed knee).

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I felt sad for the Dallas Police Department, as they made national news this morning because one officer with "Barney Fife syndrome" decided to throw his weight around.  You have probably heard the story.  A Houston Texan football player was on the way to the hospital with his wife.  Her mother was about to die.  The officer pulled them over in the hospital parking lot and detained them for over 30 minutes.  The football player was pleading with him to let them go.  He told him to write a ticket, but please allow them to go to her mother.   Finally, the wife left -- and the officer pulled a gun on her.  Other officers were telling him to let them go. Hospital staff came out and pled for him to release them.  Meanwhile, the mother died.

By the way, this is not one of those "he said, she said" things.  The whole incident was captured on the officer's camera.  It is heartbreaking as you can hear this couple pleading with him to allow them to go to her mother.  

This morning I read in the paper that a current Dallas Cowboy said this same officer had pulled his wife over, handcuffed her and taken her in for a traffic violation.

It's a shame that the whole Dallas Police Department receives a black eye because of someone like this.  He has been put on leave for a while.  I think he might need to find another line of work -- hopefully away from the public.          

Stories on the Internet

I received an email this morning regarding a petition to stop a hearing before the Federal Communications Commission to outlaw all reading of Scripture on television.  Petitions like this have been circulating since the days of Madilyn Murray O'Hair.  Yet, there are no such hearings or pending legislations.

In the most recent one, it mentioned that this would remove Charles Stanley, Joyce Meyers and Joel Olsteen from television.  If the reading of Scripture would remove people from TV, Stanley and Meyers would certainly be out.  But Olsteen would be safe (just kidding, kind of).

With the internet comes constant stories meant to instill fear in people.  Anyone can make up anything, and send it round the world on the internet.  Last week, it was the gang initiation in which 3 people would be killed at Walmart.  There are constant political emails spreading rumors and lies.

PLEASE:  I encourage you to check out stories.  Most anything you receive of this nature can be checked for voracity at www.snopes.com.  As Christians who are not to take part in rumor-mongering and the spreading of gossip, we are obligated to be people of TRUTH.  Our truthfulness is put into question when we take part in rumors.     

What Is The Right Answer?

I heard an interesting story this morning.  Occasionally a story like this comes along, and I don't know for sure what the right thing to do is.  Easy answers are not always the best answers.

It seems that a preacher and father of 5 children has taken into his house a man who served many years for killing a 12 year old boy.  The man has been a Christ-follower now for 16 years, and his record has been unblemished.  He was recently released from prison.  The preacher felt like it was the Christlike thing to do to give this man a second chance.  I admire that.  And yet, I wonder about bringing the man into his home with his 5 children.

But the neighbors are outraged.  They are holding demonstrations in front of the preacher's house.  They are afraid to let their children play outside.  One mother said her daughter cannot go to sleep at night until the mother checks every room and closet.  The people are living in fear.  And to some degree, I can understand that.

One lady said, "There are other people who are more deserving of 2nd chances."  Huh?

Another woman said, "People don't change."  So much for the gospel.

Still another said that people with criminal minds just don't become Christians.

So, what would YOU do? 

The Jesus Creed

I'm reading a book right now entitled The Jesus Creed, by Scot McKnight.  It is a really good read.  He shows how Jesus took the Shema (Jewish creed found in Deut. 6: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind") and reshaped it into His own creed.  While keeping the emphasis upon the Shema, Jesus showed how loving God necessitates loving people as well ("and love your neighbor as yourself").  His life was the living out of this creed -- which He calls His followers to join Him in.

The book moves through passages and New Testament characters -- showing how this "creed" played out.  In one chapter, McKnight shows how Joseph put his reputation on the line by being faithful to God.  As a follower of Torah, it would have been proper for him to put Mary away -- or even have her punished.  But what would become "the Jesus Creed" called him to a higher way.

Here is a quote:  

"Sometimes the implication of listening to the voice of God is that we ruin our reputation in the public square. Loving God, as the Jesus Creed teaches, involves surrendering ourselves to God in heart, soul, mind, strength -- and reputation.  The minute we turn exclusively to the Lord to find our true identity is the day reputation dies.  We learn, as Thomas a Kempis puts it, that when you surrender your reputation, "you won't care a fig for the wagglings of ten thousand tongues."        

Good stuff!

The Dreamer

Beverly and I spent the last few days in Memphis with our "East of the Mississippi" kids and grandson.  We had a great visit, and enjoyed being able to worship with the church where they serve.

Sunday afternoon, my son and I went to the National Civil Rights Museum, which occupies the Lorraine Hotel in which Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered.  It was interesting getting to relive some of the history I remember from childhood.  Much of the activity of the "movement" took place not far from where I was raised from 1960-1968 -- Jackson, Mississippi.  I still am amazed that people ever lived in such ignorance as to treat other human beings in such ways as we did (and continue to do).

I was reminded all over again of what a great man Dr. King was.  Hanging over his head through the years was my accepting as fact that he had been a philanderer.  Yet the ONLY evidence for that was a supposed tape from a supposed bug that had been planted where he was staying on one occasion.  This tape supposedly offered proof that Dr. King was having an affair.  No names were ever mentioned.  No other evidence ever produced.  With the level of hatred J. Edgar Hoover harbored for Dr. King, why was the planting of evidence never considered?

He was a modern-day prophet.  Listen to the speech he delivered the night before he was murdered in Memphis -- his "I've been to the mountaintop" speech.  It will give you goose bumps.  Dr. King told his friends that he would never live to see 40, and he was gunned down at age 39.

Or read his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail."  Wow!  Incredible.      

On the site, just a few feet from the balcony where Dr. King was murdered, is a plaque.  It reads from the book of Genesis, and says, "And they said one to another, behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him... and we shall see what will become of his dreams."

May his dream live on!

T. O. and the Bail-out

I guess my recent words about being an EX-Cowboy fan have gotten Jerry Jones' attention (yeah, right).  He did take one step back toward legitimacy by getting rid of T. O.  Last year's tantrum during a crucial stretch in the season may have proven to be fatal to the team.

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I truly hope the bail-out package works.  Rooting for its failure seems to be like the old saying, "Cutting off your nose to spite your face."  America (and the world) is hurting right now, and hoping for the bail-out's failure so that one party can gain later just seems sick.  That party had a chance to do a lot over the last 8 years, and squandered it.  So, lick your wounds and come back stronger and with an attitude that will help America, and not just the party.

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Sure, there are things in the bail-out that I don't particularly like.  I have a lot of trouble with this idea of helping people stay in houses that they couldn't afford to begin with.  So they got loans for much more house than they could afford -- loans that allowed them to pay only the interest.  Now the housing market has dropped -- and they are upside down in their house.  A house that they NEVER should have bought to begin with!      

A Tribute to Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey passed away on Saturday.  I have such fond memories of this man.  No news person could do radio like him.

My earliest memory of Harvey was one summer day (I may have been 10) when I accompanied my dad as we drove a through Mississippi on a couple of calls he had to make.  I had brought along a book to read while I waited in the car.  As we were driving along, "Paul Harvey News" came on.  And I was hooked! 

In 5th grade, my teacher would have us listen every day to Paul Harvey, and she would then give us a pop test.  Many of the kids hated that 15 minutes.  But I loved it.  One day, the teacher said she had to go to the lounge for a few minutes, but we were to be quiet and listen to the news.  Well, no one did.  She had actually tricked us.  She went to the office, listened to the radio there -- and came back and gave us a test.

Harvey could tell a story that would make you feel like you were there.  His "Rest of the Story" was broadcasting brilliance.  His faith and patriotism inspired.

"Hello, America.  This is Paul Harvey . . . Stand by for news!"  "Now page two."  Paaaaaul Harvey -- good day."  I can hear his voice in those lines.  He will be missed.          

"Helping Hands"

On Monday, March 9, we will officially begin our "Helping Hands" ministry.  We will be opening our clothing closet to the community.  We have people who have / do serve in the clothes retail business that have taken this project on.  I am so proud of the work they have done!

We are, to my knowledge, the only church in Decatur that will have such a ministry.

Our hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.  People need to come to the office building, as "Helping Hands" is located adjacent to it.

If you know of anyone in need, send them our way.  Or if you have some clothes you are wanting to get rid of, we will take them!   

Marriage Retreat

Tonight and tomorrow Beverly and I will be leading a marriage retreat for our church.  These are such sweet, precious times spent together.  Tonight we will watch the movie "Fireproof" -- so I am going to go home and make about 15 poppers of popcorn for everyone.

Please pray for good marriages to be made better and for struggling marriages to be shored up.

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Yesterday afternoon, Jacob (my fellow minister) and I went and played golf.  I hadn't played in a month because of my back.  I played better than I expected, but I could not keep pace with Jacob.  My mind must have been playing games with me, because it seemed that he took more strokes than he actually did.  After each hole, he would tell me his score.  He carded 16 birdies, one eagle and one par.  This guy shot a 54!  I can't wait for the day to say, "I knew Jacob when."    

The U. N.

Tiger played his first round of competitive golf in over nine months yesterday.  I was concerned as he got off to a slow start -- making birdie the par 4 1st hole, and EAGLING the 2nd hole.  His swing looks like it is much more controlled, which means he will hit more fairways.  Which means he will score better.  Which means everyone else will be playing for 2nd.

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Did you hear that the U.N. is wanting to make it a criminal act to defame any religion. I love the way it was reported by the following satirist (I don't know who to give credit to):

Fresh off of its wave of successes in stopping genocides in Rwanda and Sudan, the United Nations passed a measure banning the “defamation of religion.” Sponsored by bastions of democracy like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, it was approved by a vote of 86 in favor, 53 against and 42 abstentions.

How can those countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan) suggest such a proposal with a straight face?  It is an absolute joke!  Hypocrisy at its worst.  And it just goes to show what the U.N. is about today.   

Bitter-Sweet

As I said yesterday morning before my sermon, life is bitter-sweet.  Sometimes the sweet outweighs the bitter.  Some seasons in life, the bitter outweighs the sweet.

We experienced a new birth yesterday in our church -- that's sweet.

Tomorrow I will officiate at the service of a man who is a hero to me.  He fought in the Pacific during World War II, and earned the silver star.  He raised four children in tough times working for the railroad.  He worked nights, but had a couple of nights a week off.  On those nights, he would turn off the TV, sit his family down -- and they would read from God's word together and then take turns praying.

He was a remarkable man.  And his passing in itself is bitter-sweet.  I am going to miss him.  But he has been struggling physically for many years.  He was ready to go be with the Lord.  And that is sweet.

On the bitter side, yesterday one of our church families suffered the loss of an infant son.  He was a triplet, and had many complications in his 7 short months of life.

Here is one of the real challenges of ministry.  What do you say?  We are full of theologically-crazy platitudes at times like this.  They do much more harm than good.  I sometimes think the best thing to do is be like Job's friends when they FIRST came to him.  Just sit in silence.

But Wednesday, I will need to speak a word for God into their lives, as well as those who gather for the memorial service.  I know the Lord will provide for me.

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On a lighter note:  TIGER IS BACK!  It will be interesting to see how he does in his 1st tournament back from knee surgery.  He was on a torrid streak before he was sidelined.  Those in the know say he has been playing in pain for years.  What might this guy be like if he is healthy?  It ought to be fun.         

 

Tony Campolo Quote

Tony Campolo has written some stimulating things through the years.  He certainly swims in a different stream than many popular Christian writers.  But so much of what he writes gets us to think outside of the box.  I love his name for a new political movement (I am not writing this to endorse any agenda):  "Red-letter Christians." 

I came across a humorous quote of his yesterday: 

"I've always been skeptical of those television healers who are bald. I mean, if I had that gift, that would be the first thing I'd fix."

Here is a picture of Tony:

Ranking the Presidents

Yesterday being "Presidents' Day", I read a ranking of the presidents.  The first three were:  1. Abraham Lincoln, 2.  George Washington, and 3.  FDR.

These polls come out about every year, and they change a little.  Harry Truman seems to keep moving up, while Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan have slipped a little.  And sometimes, time removed from the office seems to affect the person's position.  George W. currently ranks below Herbert Hoover.  While I certainly don't think W. was a great president, I have a feeling history will be a little kinder to him (maybe lower middle of the pack).  

Right after Nixon resigned, he was ranked extremely low.  Then through the years, he moved up some (he was a good foreign policy president).  Now he is slipping again.

I wonder how much current political bias plays into these historians' views?

I personally like the Teddy Roosevelt-Harry Truman-Lyndon Johnson type presidents -- who make decisions, and then let the chips fall as they might.  We saw some of that in Reagan, too.

So who is YOUR favorite?  

By the way:  I heard Michael Irvin talking about this on his radio show yesterday.  His all time favorite president?  Barrack Obama.  Yes, sir -- they guy has been in office for 1 month, and he already ranks as the greatest president ever?  I hope history proves that to be true -- but come on!      

TV Favs

I could not tell you what Boston Legal or Grey's Anatomy or any number of popular TV shows are even about.  And sit-coms?  I never even watched a Seinfeld episode until I saw one in reruns while I was cooking dinner recently.  So I would not make a very good TV critic.

There are two shows that Beverly and I follow.  We used to be big Monk fans, but the plots are beginning to get stale after 8 years or so.  But another show on USA Network that I would recommend it Psych.  It is a hilarious comedy-drama.  The premise is a young guy that has incredible recall and takes in all the details of a situation, but the local police department thinks he is a psychic.  So they call him in when their cases meet a dead end. His sidekick, Gus, is one of the funniest people on TV (to me).  It's on Friday nights at 9 (I think), but we just always DVR it.  Give it a try.

I don't know if it is because I am getting hard of hearing (I don't think that is the case, so Jeff -- keep your opinions to yourself), but I have trouble understanding the dialog in so many shows.  Psych is one of them.  So I am beginning to use closed caption.  That way, if Beverly and I miss something, I can rewind to find out what they said.

Of course, you know my other favorite by now:  24.  And I am glad to know that I have converted my son Josh, who recently wrote on his blog that it is the best show on TV.  Again, DVR is so cool.  On Monday nights, Beverly works until about 8.  So I have dinner ready, and we eat while we watch it -- usually beginning about 8:20.  It is on from 8 to 9, and as we fast-forward through the commercials, we usually end up catching up with it in real time about the time it is over.

And then there is the Golf Channel.  But I won't go there with you.             

Unfortunate Quotes

I came across a list of unfortunate quotes throughout the years.  One of them is from the editor of the Firm Foundation, Buster Dobbs.  I hope you find these as interesting, and at times as funny, as I did.  I had to delete some, because they were not appropriate:

1.  "Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."  Mayor Marion Barry.

2. “The internet is a great way to get on the net.”  Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate

3. “We don’t necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.”  Colonel Gerald Wellman

4. “China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.”  Charles De Gaulle, former French President

5. “The world is more like it is now then it ever has before.”  Dwight Eisenhower

6. “Traditionally, most of Australia’s imports come from overseas.”  Former Australian cabinet minister Keppel Enderbery

7. “We’re going to move left and right at the same time.”  Jerry Brown, Governor of California

8. “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” Joe Theismann, former NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

9. “I always used to put my right boot on first, and then obviously my right sock.”  Barry Venison

10. “Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing - but none of them serious.”  Alan Minter, Boxer

11. “Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl.”  Bill Peterson, football coach

12. “Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air for even longer.”  David Acfield

13. It’s a humbling thing being humble.”  Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett

14. “I have a God-given talent. I got it from my dad.”  Julian Wakefield, Missouri basketball player

15. “He’s a guy who gets up at six o’clock in the morning regardless of what time it is.”  Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota.

16. “Well, I used to look like this when I was young and now I still do.”  Yogi Berra

17. “Sometimes they write what I say and not what I mean.”  Pedro Guerrero, major leaguer

18. “The Bible commands that we hate.”  H. A. (Buster) Dobbs

19. “Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.”  Brooke Shields

20. “I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada”.   Britney Spears

21. “Most cars on our roads have only one occupant, usually the driver.”  Carol Malia, BBC Anchorwoman

22. “I don’t diet. I just don’t eat as much as I’d like to.”  Linda Evangelista, Supermodel

23. “A bachelor’s life is no life for a single man.”  Samuel Goldwyn

24. “Are you going to ask that question with shades on?”  George Bush to blind reporter Peter Wallsten

25. “The gavel of the speaker of the House is in the hands of special interests, and now it will be in the hands of America’s children.”  Nancy Pelosi, on the prospect of Democrats winning back Congress

Being "Offensive"

I love what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 about getting along in the midst of differing opinions. Through the years I have probably been harsher on not being offensive toward a "weaker brother" than I have been about the weaker brother not insisting on his opinion.

Edward Fudge has some interesting insights into this passage that has caused me to reconsider some things. Here it is:  

A gracEmail subscriber writes: "In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul urges us to avoid even innocent activities if our doing them 'offends' a weak brother or sister. My own relatives and friends include different people who object to using instrumental music in church, celebrating Christmas, playing cards, women wearing pants, wearing clothes with zippers, and drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation. Am I required to cease every activity to which anyone happens to object?"

Regarding this subject, people easily go to either of two opposite extremes. On the one hand, some selfish, immature and headstrong believers insist on exercising their personal freedom, even when they have reason to believe that their doing so will cause a fellow-believer to sin. On the other hand, some selfish, immature and headstrong believers use this chapter as a tool for tyranny, when they try to restrict the conduct of others based on their own personal scruples. Both groups would provoke apostolic frustration.

I once helped a church decide to use unfermented grape juice in the Lord's Supper in consideration of a brother who was a struggling alcoholic. However, while preaching for a different church and having grown a beard, I was approached one Sunday by a sister who said: "Brother Fudge, your beard offends me." To which I replied, as kindly as I knew how, "Really, sister? What sin does it make you want to commit?" She read the word "offend" in her King James Version of 1 Corinthians 8:13 and confused it with provoking a negative reaction. In fact, the verb translated "to offend" in the KJV, in today's English really means "to stumble" (ESV, NASB) or "to fall into sin" (NIV).

We can summarize Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 8 in one sentence: When I am with another believer, who I know considers some innocent activity to be sinful, if I have reason to suppose that my doing that activity might cause that believer to do it also, then I should momentarily set aside my personal rights in order to avoid causing that believer to sin by doing something that he or she considers to be wrong.

My Back and Other Stuff

Yesterday was an interesting experience for me, as I preached from a stool. I have had lower back issues for several days, and standing (actually very stooped) for more than a couple of minutes was extremely painful. I had a number of people tell me that they thought it was easier to stay engaged with me as I sat and preached. I found that interesting.

I am going to give it one more day of total rest today. I will stay home and work on our upcoming marriage retreat. Hopefully, tomorrow will be back to normal.
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So the list continues to grow. Will we now change his name to A-Roid? You would think these guys would learn from what has come before: Confess your steroid usage, and people will forgive and forget. Deny it and you are DONE!
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Someone wrote in this morning's Star-Telegram that they were saddened because Terry Glenn's Cowboy career s now over. "To go into the huddle would be a violation of his probation of not associating with other criminals."
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Report is out that Tiger has had a cub -- this one a boy. Tiger, take my advice. You need to get back out on tour as quickly as possible. You have a girl (which means WEDDING) and a boy (car insurance). Get back out there and start saving your money, my friend!

Actually, he is practicing full-throttle on his new knee, and reports are that he is feeling great. Translation: the rest of the tour is toast. Come on, Tiger. Weekends aren't the same without you.

An Atheist with a Message We Need to Hear

I would encourage you to paste this link and watch as Penn Fraser Jillette of Penn and Teller (comedian magician team) tells an interesting story. He is an avowed atheist, but he has a message for us that we need to hear. I could not get it to come up as a link you could just click on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM .

Breaking Down Barriers

I am getting SO much out of my study of the Gospel of Luke.  This Sunday's passage will zero in on the story of the paralytic who was lowered by four friends through the roof to be healed by Jesus. 

But just prior to that story is the story of a man who had leprosy.  He violated the Law of Moses by not keeping his distance and not crying out, "Unclean."  Jesus never corrected him for this, by the way.  He falls at Jesus' feet.  He doesn't question Jesus' ability to heal him.  What he questions is Jesus' willingness:  "If you are WILLING, you CAN make me clean."

Jesus could have spoken the word, "Be healed" -- and he would have been.  But Jesus "reached out his hand and touched the man.  "I AM WILLING," he said.  "Be clean!"

The touch of Jesus.  It was TOTALLY not essential to the miracle.  But it WAS so important.  There are many things that would keep us from touching people today.  BARRIERS.  In whatever form they take, those barriers prevent us from being Jesus to the world.

I have too many barriers in my life.  I am a daily work in progress.  But I want to become more like Jesus, and that means not being satisfied to leave those barriers in place.     

Deep Questions

Questions I have been pondering: 

I'm just wondering:  If I don't pay what I owe in taxes, will the IRS accept "it was an honest oversight" as an excuse?  An honest oversight of $128,000?  

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Nancy Pelosi, our Speaker of the House, said that "500 million Americans" lose their jobs every month.  Wouldn't that mean that EVERY American would be out of work in the next two weeks?

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There is something about Vice President Joe Biden that I like.  I think it's that he just seems like (no pun intended) an "average Joe."   But I didn't like the way he made fun of John Roberts' mess-up of the oath of office.  Is it proof of the truth of the old adage "what goes around, comes around" that he botched up the oath given to one of the new cabinet members?  Be careful what you say.         

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Just wondering:  Do the Super Bowl MVPs really go to Disneyworld?  I find it hard to picture Ben R. (a single guy) getting all excited about going there.  Maybe if they have a motorcycle track.

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So the Cowboys are the #2 pick to make it to the Super Bowl next year.  What are the oddsmakers smoking?  Have they been watching this circus led by the head clowns of Wade and Jerry?  They must have gotten ahold of the same bong that Michael Phelps was pictured with. 

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Does anyone really watch the Pro Bowl?

These questions keep me awake at night. 

What Would You Do?

So much for Michael Phelps' "hero" status.

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There is a show on ABC entitled "What Would You Do?"  I've only seen it once, but it is very interesting.  They were showing a clip from it this morning on GMA.

Here was the scenario:  What would you do if you saw a baby alone inside a car at in retail parking lot?  They found that 90% of those who actually heard the baby crying walked on by (it was a model of a baby, but it looked and sounded like the real thing).  

There was a day I would have tried to find the parent-in-charge and given him or her a self-righteous sermon.  But now?  Well, I wouldn't ignore the situation.  I really think I would report it to the store manager.  And if that didn't get the desired results, I would call the police -- and stay close by until help arrived.

The guy who does the show suggested that you find the window furthest from the baby and break it out with a brick or a rock.  I'm thinking:  No, not in today's world.  I would be setting myself up for being beat up or sued.  I was really surprised at his advice.

What would YOU do?     

Defending Rush?

I can't believe I am doing this today.  I am defending Rush Limbaugh.  Well, actually I'm really not.  I think he is a mean-spirited, slanderous, self-righteous baffoon who tries to hide behind love for God and country.  Yet there is no semblance of God in his words.  

But he is an entertainer! (I am using the term loosely)  He is not a voting politician.  He cannot do anything to actually affect public policy.

But I digress.  Here is where one might think I am defending him.  He is being vilified in the press right now for saying that he hopes Obama fails as president.  I mean, people are coming out of the woodwork to roast him over this.

Just wondering.  Why is it that Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House) and Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader) have been able to say the same things about George Bush for years with NO public outcry?  And they CAN vote and affect public policy.

And why can Sean Penn act in ways that would have found him guilty of treason a generation or two ago, and be considered a hero by many?  And how can Alec Baldwin and Barbara Streisand and The Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen and Tom Hanks (do I need to go on?) say the same kinds of things, and get a pass?    Because they are entertainers?  (see comments on Limbaugh above)  I have heard Bush compared to Hitler! His intelligence has been questioned. He has been called EVIL. 

If this country doesn't begin to pull together in the midst of our diversity, we are in big trouble.  And the hatred for individuals is SO ugly.  I don't ever remember anything like it in my lifetime.  Why does being able to pretend you are someone else by reading lines (an actor) give one perfect clarity in all things political?

I used to listen to Rush some.  I agreed with a lot he said.  But his mean-spiritedness and blindness to anything other than his own opinion TOTALLY turned me off.  But come on, people!  Let's be even-handed here.  I'm not even opposed to some form of reprimand for Limbaugh.  But let the same reprimand be issued to the Bush-haters, too.             

Playing Champions

I'm still at home this morning. It's 18 degrees, and the streets are covered in ice. I hear a car go by every once in a while -- but very slowly. THE NEWSPAPER DIDN'T EVEN COME THIS MORNING! I will venture out in a little bit, because I HAVE to get my preps done today for Sunday. Tomorrow after lunch, Beverly and I are going to Houston to see two of our grandkids. Our son (their dad) won't even be there until Friday night, so that's just extra spoiling time.

The other day, Jonathan (above-mentioned son) called and said one of his friends from church wanted to take him and me golfing Friday. He said that he would not be there, but the friend still wanted to take me. I said, "Great." (I never turn down an invitation to play golf) Then I asked, "What is the name of the course?" Jonathan said, "It's out on 1960. I think it's called Champions?" I said, "Are you kidding? Champions is where they played the U.S. Open back in the late 60s. And they played the Ryder Cup there. And for several years, the Tour Championship was there!"

So, I will be playing Champions on Friday. They do have two courses now, so I don't know if I will be playing the above-mentioned course or the newer one. But who cares?

Weird Weather Reporting

We are in the middle of an "ice event" today.  I have come in to the office, but will probably go home late morning and study there.  The weather people are saying conditions will only get worse as the day goes on.

The coverage of weather events like this crack me up.  The local stations (DFW) will have reporters all over the place -- standing out in the cold at intersections and overpasses all over the Metroplex to tell us how cold and dangerous it is.  I would believe them without them having to endanger a crew driving out to some distant location to tell me.

And the cameras will zoom in on an icicle hanging from a guardrail.  Or a car loosing traction.  Or show shots of sleet pelting a windshield.  

And this will go on for HOURS!

PLEASE!  Just tell me the temperature, and what you expect the conditions to be.  Tell me about schools and businesses closing.  But spare me the phony theatrics.

The same thing happens in hurricanes.  "You should not be out in these conditions!  Even though we are out here -- waiting for a piece of sheet metal to come flying into our heads."  If they are out there, don't you think it puts in the minds of some people that they can be, too?

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I went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and because my blood pressure has occasionally been elevated lately.  At the doctor's office, it was 135/82!  That is the best reading I can ever remember having!  And I have dropped 15 pounds since last year's checkup ('scuse me while I brag.)  He did change my blood pressure medicine from one that has been used by the medical profession for years to a new medicine that not only treats the symptoms, but also works on the cause.  I will be interested to see how that goes.

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"24" -- Wow!  I only have one question.  Why doesn't the President commission Jack Bauer to go get Bin Laden?  He could take out him and his whole terrorist network in a day (24 hours).     

     

Preaching a Favorite Text

This week in my preaching, I come to Luke 4 -- and one of my favorite passages.  It is the story of Jesus returning to Nazareth and the synagogue of His youth.  He reads from the prophet Isaiah (ch. 61), and uses that passage to define His ministry.

I find it interesting when I look forward to preaching favorite texts, that once I get there -- I feel more inadequate to the task than I normally do.  This week, I am praying more than usual to let the text tell the story -- and not get in the way.       

Reason to Root for the Cards

I mentioned in a previous blog that I would be rooting for Arizona in the Super Bowl.  Following is a story that is one of the reasons (I did check this story on snopes.  It is legit.  Thanks to Jeff Jones for sending it to me).   

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

   In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant
smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
   Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.
   He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.  That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was
unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."
   She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a
wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
   Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary -- he had a different mindset.
   That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At
the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
   A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children.  Since then they have added two more kids.  So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he
was not an ordinary person.
   It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

Yesterday's Inauguration

My views on politics (as a Christian leader) have dramatically changed in recent years. I do not mean this to be patronizing or spiritually superior to anyone else -- but I hope it is because I am more interested in advancing Jesus' agenda and Kingdom than I am a worldly one. Having said that, I enjoyed a lot of the inauguration yesterday.

I really liked Edward Fudge's observations. He speaks my heart in many of his comments, having myself grown up in segregated Mississippi:

INAUGURATION 2009

Following are my personal reflections after today's inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States. I did not vote for Mr. Obama, but as a Christian who grew up in segregated Alabama, it feels profoundly right to me to witness a Black family moving into the White House. I was pleased that Rick Warren, a Bible-preaching Southern Baptist minister whose view of God's agenda extends to helping the poorest, weakest and most despised of the world's population, was asked to offer the invocation, that he did so, and the way he did (Col. 4:2, 5-6).

I strongly disagree with some of President Obama's platform -- particularly his support of abortion and the "gay" agenda -- but I strongly agree with his concern for the helpless at home and his desire to bring an end to our wars abroad. Whatever we Americans think about Mr. Obama's politics and his policies, he is now our President, and we need to pray for God's protection and guidance on his behalf. Our country faces many challenges -- a situation that calls for national unity so far as possible -- and there is much on which we may all unite.

I am not among those who can see only the bad and say only the negative. I deny that America is going to hell in a handbasket and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Despite secularist victories here and there, our culture retains more of its biblically-based heritage than the culture of any other country in the so-called "Christian" world. Percentage-wise, more Americans regularly attend church services today than did so in 1776. There are millions of committed Christians who are Democrats and millions who are Republicans, as difficult as that might be for some in both parties to believe.

So I will pray for President Obama, and for all others in positions of power (Eph. 6:18). I will pray that God will overrule all their decisions for good, that God's name will be hallowed, his kingdom realized and his will done (Matt. 6:9-10). I will pray that we Americans, and people throughout the world, may live godly and dignified lives in peace and quietness (1 Tim. 2: 1-4). As a Christian living in the United States of America, that is the least that I can do. As a matter of fact, it is also the most powerful (James 5:16).

MLK, Super Bowl and the White House

Today is MLK Day.  He inspired America with a dream.  Regardless of your or my political bends, tomorrow we get to see a part of that dream fulfilled.  Let us pray that it will help us to get past one of the most immoral issues in America's history -- racism.

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Steelers and Cardinals in the Super Bowl.  That has to make the "Phony Cowboy GM" (aka Jerry Jones) sick.  The Steelers are early 7 point favorites.  I can't decide who I am going to root for.  Unless it is my favorite team in a competition, I usually go for the underdog.  So I should be for Arizona (I made this correction after it was pointed out to me that they moved from St. Louis years ago.  Old habits are hard to break.  I still have to stop and think:  It's not the Baltimore Colts.)  But since I am now the anti-Jones fan, if Pittsburgh were to win, that would give them 6 Super Bowls -- thus taking some of Phony Cowboy GM's thunder.  By the way, have I reminded you that "Mr. 13 years without a playoff win" trashed the previous owner for going 5 years without a playoff win?  Oh, yeah -- I think I have.

I think I will be rooting for the Cards.  I really appreciate Kurt Warner.

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I saw a piece this morning on GMA about the moving process at the White House tomorrow.  While the inauguration is taking place, 95 movers are transitioning the living quarters.  In 4 to 5 hours, they move the Bushes totally out, strip the paint in the Oval Office and repaint, and move the Obama's in.  EVERYTHING will be in place.  Girls' toys where they want them.  Clothes hung in the closets.  Food in the refrigerator.

I was a bit surprised at this:  Both the Bushes and the Obamas must pay for their own moving expenses.

   

  

 

Downed Plane, Inauguration, and Baseball

What a bargain!  Buy an airplane ticket, and get a cruise down the Hudson River for free!

I would not be joking about this if anyone had been seriously injured or killed.  What an incredible story!

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I love presidential inaugurations.  There are certain things dealing with pomp and pageantry that make me proud to be an American.  Like the way we honor a veteran at a military service.  The changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery.  And the peaceful exchange of power in the White House.

So whether I vote for a candidate or not (I even watched and enjoyed Bill Clinton's 1st inauguration), I enjoy the inauguration ceremony.  I will take my day off next Tuesday just to see it.

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Update to yesterday's blog:  Kudos to Michael Young for reversing his decision and agreeing to the change of position.  He IS one of the good guys in sports, and once again he proved it.  

The Michael Young Controversy

The big talk here in the DFW area right now is about Texas Ranger Michael Young being asked to move from shortstop to 3rd base.  His response was to ask to be traded.

On one side are those who are saying that he has been loyal to the organization -- as lousy as it is.  Coming to the organization as a 2nd baseman, he has already made one position change.  And this is the thanks he gets for his loyalty.  My immediate response was to take this side.  

On the other side, some are asking,  "How removed from reality is this guy?"  People are being laid off all over the country.  People are being reassigned -- often at lower salaries.  Here is a guy making multi-millions.  He is still going to make his money.  He will STILL be a starter in the Rangers' infield.  And truth be known, while he is an adequate shortstop -- his limited range would be better suited to 3rd base.

I think those are legitimate points.  As the economy gets tougher, I have a feeling that prima donna athletes are going to have a hard time garnering public sympathy for things like this.       

Wrestling with God

Do you ever struggle with theological issues like why God demanded genocide in the Old Testament?  Do the old answers settle the issue for you ("God's ways are not our ways", "keeping Israel pure", etc)?  

Well, they don' t for me.  And it seems that I am coming across more and more people are struggling with their faith over such issues.

What really struck me is that I have cited the Koran's commanding "death to the infidel" on a number of occasions, while not recognizing the Old Testament's similar words.

I have some theories as to what was at work there, but will probably keep them to myself.  And I find myself saying more and more to God:  "I believe.  Help me in my unbelief."  It seems that things were a lot "safer," and easier, when I used to have all the pat answers.  But also shallower -- and that's not where I want to be.   

A MUST Article for Parents of Teens

I have been waiting for about 45 minutes for a video of my grandson playing the drums to upload.  I finally gave up.  If I can get it to upload, I will post it later today.

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Maybe you saw the report a couple of weeks ago that said virginity pledges among teens were ineffective.  The following article, sent to me by SmartMarriages, suggests otherwise.  While fairly lengthy, I found it encouraging.  It is a must-read for parents of teens. 

Like a Virgin: The Press Take On Teenage Sex
Yes, attitudes do make a difference in behavior.
The Wall Street Journal
January 6, 2009
By WILLIAM MCGURN

The chain reaction was something out of central casting. A medical journal starts it off by announcing a study comparing teens who take a pledge of virginity until marriage with those who don't. Lo and behold, when they crunch the numbers, they find not much difference between pledgers and nonpledgers: most do not make it to the marriage bed as virgins.

Like a pack of randy 15-year-old boys, the press dives right in.

"Virginity Pledges Don't Stop Teen Sex," screams CBS News. "Virginity pledges don't mean much," adds CNN. "Study questions virginity pledges," says the Chicago Tribune. "Premarital Abstinence Pledges Ineffective, Study Finds," heralds the Washington Post. "Virginity Pledges Fail to Trump Teen Lust in Look at Older Data," reports Bloomberg. And on it goes.

In other words, teens will be teens, and moms or dads who believe that concepts such as restraint or morality have any application today are living in a dream world. Typical was the lead for the CBS News story: "Teenagers who take virginity pledges are no less sexually active than other teens, according to a new study."

Here's the rub: It just isn't true.

In fact, the only way the study's author, Janet Elise Rosenbaum of Johns Hopkins University, could reach such results was by comparing teens who take a virginity pledge with a very small subset of other teens: those who are just as religious and conservative as the pledge-takers. The study is called "Patient Teenagers? A Comparison of the Sexual Behavior of Virginity Pledgers and Matched Nonpledgers," and it was published in the Jan. 1 edition of Pediatrics.

The first to notice something lost in the translation was Dr. Bernadine Healy, the former head of both the Red Cross and the National Institutes of Health. Today she serves as health editor for U.S. News & World Report. And in her dispatch on this study, Dr. Healy pointed out that "virginity pledging teens were considerably more conservative in their overall sexual
behaviors than teens in general -- a fact that many media reports have missed cold."

What Dr. Healy was getting at is that the pledge itself is not what distinguishes these kids from most other teenagers. The real difference is their more conservative and religious home and social environment. As she notes, when you compare both groups in this study with teens at large, the behavioral differences are striking. Here are just a few:

- These teens generally have less risky sex, i.e., fewer sexual partners.

- These teens are less likely to have a teenage pregnancy, or to have friends who use drugs.

- These teens have less premarital vaginal sex.

- When these teens lose their virginity they tend to do so at age 21 -- compared to 17 for the typical American teen.

- And very much overlooked, one out of four of these teens do in fact keep the pledge to remain chaste -- amid much cheap ridicule and just about zero support outside their homes or churches.

Let's put this another way. The real headline from this study is this:
"Religious Teens Differ Little in Sexual Behavior Whether or Not They Take a Pledge."

Now, whatever the shock that might occasion at CBS or the Washington Post, it comes as no surprise to parents. Most parents appreciate that a pledge of virginity -- a one-time event that might be made at an emotional moment in a teen's life -- is not some talisman that will magically shield their sons and daughters from the strong and normal desires that grow as they discover their sexuality. What these parents hope to do is direct these desires in a
way that recognizes sex as a great gift, which in the right circumstances fosters genuine intimacy between a man and a woman and at its freest offers
the possibility of new life.

This is not the prevailing view, of course. And these parents know it. Far from conformists living in a comfortable world where their beliefs are never challenged, these families live in an environment where most everything that is popular -- television, the movies, the Internet -- encourages children to grow up as quickly as possible while adults remain locked in perpetual adolescence.

Nor do these families believe their children are better than other kids. Unlike the majority of health experts and their supporters in the press, however, they don't believe that the proper use of the condom is the be all and end all. For these parents, the good news here is that the striking behavioral differences between the average American teen and the two teen
groups in this study show that homes and families still exert a powerful influence.

That, alas, is not something you're likely to read in the headlines. For when it comes to challenging the conventional wisdom on issues of sexuality, the American media suddenly become as coy as a cloistered virgin.

It's for the Birds

Poor Atlanta (Falcons) and Seattle (Seahawks).  Poetic justice should have included them with the Ravens, Cardinals and Eagles in the NFL championship game.  They could have promoted it as the "Birds of a Feather" championship.

A sportswriter this morning noted that preseason predictions said all roads to the Super Bowl led through Dallas.  And the four teams going to the conference championships all played the Cowboys this year -- and beat them.

At least there is hope for the Texas Rangers.  I figured they had about as much luck making the World Series as the Arizona Cardinals had making the Super Bowl.  Well, the Cards are one game away.  I never thought I would see it.

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"24" began a new season last night.  I'm not sure what it is about that show that captures my attention like it does.  Beverly and I don't follow much TV.  We couldn't tell you anything about many of the shows that are deemed to be great dramas.  But somehow, we got hooked on "24"-- and it keeps us riveted.  Jack Bauer is, perhaps along with Clint Eastwood, the best anti-hero ever.