Same Sex Marriage

The question was asked if the Christian community quietly accepts homosexual behavior in our culture.

Christians do not oppose premarital sex or adultery as vehemently as they oppose homosexuality. How do I know? Christians love to use the word "abomination" to describe what God thinks of homosexuality. And yet, Christians do not describe fornication or adultery as an abomination. The two verses that are the most quoted to prove homosexuality is an abomination are: 

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22

If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13

I have even been told that "abomination" is not used anywhere else in the Bible. That is simply not true. "Abomination" occurs in the KJV Bible 76 times in 69 verses, 5 times in the NIV Bible, and zero times in the NLT.

Proverbs 6:16-19 states the seven things God hates (KJV uses abomination).

1. Haughty eyes
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that make haste to do evil
6. A false witness who breathes lies
7. One who sows discord among brethern

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says...

Homosexuality, like every other sinful tendency [greed, lust, hatred...], is part of our polluted and sinful nature. Homosexual acts are the manifestation of a sinful heart.

If Christians quietly accept adultery and fornication, possibly ignore scriptural teaching on such sin, is there any integrity, honor, or truth when they oppose homosexual activity?

What is the difference between heterosexual premarital sex and homosexual premarital sex? Does a line of demarcation exist? Sex outside of marriage is sin. Sin is sin and God hates all sin. The Christian community behave as if there is a difference or that homosexuality is a worse sin than adultery.

Studies show that up to 75% single Christians 18-29 admit to having premarital sex. Christians cannot consistently sleep with their girlfriends or boyfriends, or wink at friends who do engage in such sinful behavior, but draw the line at homosexual behavior, can they?

If fornication and divorce are no big deal, then does it not ring hollow to oppose homosexual behavior? I wonder if the next step for Christianity is to explicitly defend premarital sex.

Do Christians have the authority to challenge homosexual behavior unless they condemn, or at least openly oppose, the sexual sins of heterosexuals?

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17

Satan's Lie

Retirement has to be a 401k or some other tax deferred account invested in mutual funds or bonds. I'm 42 and no longer have a 401k (cashed out, paid penalty, well worth it). 

The 401k or taxed deferred retirement benefits the financial industry and no one else, or at least that is how I see it.  Why do people save money their whole life only to die with hundreds of thousands of dollars to their name... now the account owner does not get to witness the joy that money brings from helping people, the joy of making a difference or changing a life. 

My kids are now my 401k. I tell them they are my retirement. My wife and I invest heavily in our children. Always have. We teach them to think. To listen. To observe. Ask questions. To form an educated opinion. We teach them to take risks. To lead an interesting life choosing the experience because money follows experience. Chasing money leads to a boring life. We teach them to lead an interesting life.

My community is my 401k. We teach our kids to value their community. To invest in their community. We teach them our family is their most important community. We teach them to give to their community because when disaster strikes, it will be your local community who will come to help, not your government officials.

Best Biblical Investment Advice Ever

While I managed portfolios and retirement accounts, I read voraciously.  The following advice is the Best Biblical Investment Advice I had ever read or heard. 

Wealthy people would realize a greater return if they invested their wealth in what they knew… their business or profession in which they excelled and became wealthy.    

I cannot remember the author, but I do remember dismissing it as absurd at the time.  I thought is was ridiculous advice.  Of course the market is the best place to put money.  That was then. 

This is now.  The fact is, men and women labor and toil a lifetime to become respected experts in their chosen profession or industry.  They hustle to become successful wealthy professionals.  Well known in their local communities.  And then they find their way to the stock market with the illusion their wealth can be multiplied.  Many times over.  They do so only because they expect to get something for nothing.  To succeed with little effort while lacking knowledge and experience.  Where else is this expectation ingrained?  I have yet to find that place.   

The "Something For Nothing Dream" doesn’t exist.  It’s a mirage.  Those professional men and women, fathers and mothers, will soon be separated from their money.  A lifetime of work and reward... gone.  Evaporated.  They don’t see, hidden in the tall grass, the professional investors, traders, finance men, managers, and private client bankers that have labored and toiled a lifetime too.  They too are experts in their chosen profession.  They too have hustled to become successful and wealthy.  They will gladly pocket the businessman's money.  That’s what they do.  It’s unethical for them not to. 

My experience (just one of many) while employed at a bulge-bracket broker:      

I inherited a small investment account of $30,000.  The client was female.  Mid twenties.  In six months, I never saw her and only spoke to her once (via phone) despite my efforts to contact her.   One day, a man comes into the branch asking for me.  His name did not ring any bells.  I greet him.  He follows me to my small cramped office.  I ask what I can do for him.  He proceeds to tell me he is the owner of a regional commercial construction company.  I immediately recognize the name.  He is very successful and well respected for his considerable knowledge and experience (he has my full attention).  I learn he is the father of the small account I inherited (I quietly salivate).  He said he liked how his daughter’s account was managed and didn’t like how his account was managed at another broker.  I learn he wants to transfer $400,000 to me (my heart skips with glee). He didn’t leave until the new account had been set up.   About a week later, thirteen stock positions arrived via ACATS.  That was February 2007.   

Four months and a few investment tweaks later, (37% of account was in BAC) his account was up 6% despite the two day March shellacking.  He stops by, unannounced, walks into my office and drops a cashier’s check for $1,300,000 on my desk and says, “I am selling my company.  This is the balance of my individual 401k.  I don’t want to take on much risk, so ten to twelve percent would be fine.  Thanks Stack.”   

He leaves before I could explain that was simply impossible.  I called him that evening to manage his expectations, to explain 10%-12% percent returns beat the historical market average.  Those returns are not risk free.  He explained how he could get market returns via a passive ETF or mutual fund and that he pays me to do better than he could do.  I attempted to explain the risk again.  He didn’t like what I said, so he moved his money to a guy down the hall.  The following week the $1.7 million was put to work, fully invested in 31 stocks.  That was June 2007.

The following spring, the sale of the company was final.  The next check he dropped off was gargantuan, albeit I heard only half.  The other half was trusted with a financial advisor at a national bank.  The guy down the hall put it to work.  Five months later, he transferred the account, down 44%, to the bank and rumored to have invested in 3% CDs.

He lost millions in five months.  Financial matchstick men will do that.  They find it unethical not to seize the opportunity.  It's their game.  He would have done much better if he invested in what he knew, his professional and social communities.  Maybe if I had recognized the Best Biblical Investment Advice I ever read, his choices may have been different.

Wealthy people would realize a greater return if they invested their wealth in what they knew… their business or profession in which they excelled and became wealthy.    

The Pure in Heart

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

My youngest daughter happens to have Down Syndrome. She is fourteen and has baby teeth that still need to ‘get going’. Today, a stubborn tooth finally gave up and let go.  It skedaddled. She was excited. We went to the bathroom. She rinsed and spit repeatedly, in the way only a Down Syndrome kid can. A paper towel was folded and rolled and placed in the empty space. She bit down.

While she lay on the couch, she smiled and giggled when she checked the paper towel. I said she might receive $2 for her tooth. No response. Nothing. I asked if she would like $5 and she shook her head ‘no’. I asked if she would like a “Cerci” and she nodded ‘yes’.

What's a Cerci? A Cerci never fails to brighten your day because it shows someone thought of you. It's a surprise, an unexpected treat of no more than a few dollars. My wife introduced me to my first Cerci in college; a Frisco burger from Hardees. Candy, fountain drinks, and Icees always works. Ice cream is a favorite. Toys work. Socks our oldest daughter really, really wanted elicited a big broad smile a few years back.

Our daughter prefers the Cerci because money is meaningless in her world. It has no value. She knows money can get her stuff but Barbie’s, little people, and her Tangled CD have more meaning. Food is important. Spending time with her family is special for her. Board games, dinner at the table, going to the park, and especially movies "with the whole family". She makes sure everyone is sitting and ready before she pushes play.

Necessities of life do not concern her. Material possessions do not consume her. She trusts they will always be provided. Milk. OJ. Peanut Butter. Saturday morning pancakes. Her after-school snack. Clothes. Shoes. A coat for winter. Hot water for her bath. She doesn’t worry about what isn’t her responsibility. She trusts because she cannot navigate this world without trusting others who place her interest above their own interest.  

She does worry though. She is scared of thunder storms. She is afraid of the dark. Loud places and loud people make her nervous. She fears the unknown and gets anxious and gags, She has vomited. "The Unknowns" exist in mass quantity for her. They slither and invade her world disguised as bowling alleys, doctor offices, restaurants and the first day of school. She doesn’t allow that worry and fear to settle down for a long winter's nap. She adapts. She is a trooper. We are privileged to watch her strength and courage every day that others only read about or imagine. 

When she gets angry, she says so. Only the truth according to her life. When she decides to be stubborn, there is no malice involved or ill will... she is sad/mad she can't do what she wants. She accepts the resolution and soon forgets about it. No Hatfield-McCoy grudge. No whining. She moves on to find something else to do, something she likes. She doesn’t... no, she never dwells on the negative and is innately a half-full-kind-of-girl.

She has tender feelings that get hurt. At times, she is devastated by what other do and say. When that happens, she sobs deep heavy sobs. Sobs where you sit silently and hug her and let her smear snot on your shirt. Sobs that leave a gooey sticky mess behind. She explains so-and-so "hurt my feelings" and when she is ready, she forgives wholly and fully.

When she is punished, she is genuinely sorry for what she has done or said. She apologizes with the kindness and gentleness that only a teen with Down Syndrome can do. Oh, she gives plenty of hugs and kisses with her apologies. She may hold and pat your hand. Your head and face will get rubbed. She will say, “I’m sorry” until she feels everything back to normal and you know she is sorry for what happened. She wants to make things right.

She gets upset when her brother or sister get into trouble. She does not like when they are sad. She wants them to be happy. She will do her very best to make them feel better. She is good at it because she loves them and she shows her love. But, she says “I Love You” only if we say it first and ask her to say it back. She never voluntarily says it. She prefers to tell us how "sweet" we are. We know, without question, she loves us.

The blessing God has bestowed upon our family has changed us forever. We are privileged to watch and know what God wants from us; to just be content. She navigates an unique world each day she gets out of bed. The obstacles she encounters during the day do not steal her joy. She rarely complains. I can’t remember the last time she had a no good bad horrible day. 

The secret to joy is to be like her. She loves and forgives and trusts. She is content. Satisfied with today and lets tomorrow take care of itself. Her heart is not corrupt with pride and ego. When asked "Where does Jesus live?"... she will point to her heart. 

I wish I could trust God they way she trusts her mother and I, the way she trusts her teachers, her brother and sister, doctors, and so on. The list is long. I try and fail and try again. I don’t think I will ever be as good as she is. 

Her weakness strengthens us.

God and you

1. People can be irrational, egocentric, and wretched. Forgive them anyway.
2. When you’re kind and generous people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind and generous anyway.
3. When you succeed you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
4. When you’re honest and sincere people may cheat you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
5. What you create and build others may destroy overnight. Create and build anyway.
6. When you find peace and joy others may resent you. Be joyful anyway.
7. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good things anyway.
8. When you give your best, others may mock, criticize, and ridicule you. Give your best anyway.
9. When you love your neighbor you may be attacked. Love them anyway.
10. Remember, your life is between you and GOD. It is never between you and them. 

In 1968, Kent M. Keith wrote The Paradoxical Commandments as part of a student leader booklet.  I changed a few words and omitted one of his commandments, but the idea is his.  Thanks and have a good and godly day.   

Why is it...

Greg Boyd, who leads Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul Minnesota, is the real deal.  I do love, and I mean love, to listen to his thoughts and ideas.  I have read his books.  His podcasts/sermons always force me to meditate on God's Word.  The following thoughts were prompted by him from this podcast and I wanted to credit the source.  The blue font annotates Dr. Boyd's words, thoughts, or ideas.   

Why is it, Christians so often do not reflect the character of Jesus Christ?

Why is it, Christians are often the best argument against Christianity?

Why is it, Christians complain often?

Why is it, Christians do so much harm and cause so much pain in the name of Jesus Christ?

Why is it, the Church has accepted the same authority Jesus rejected when tempted by Satan… state, political, military, government...

Why is it, politicians fuse their faith with public office… granting a reason to disagree with Jesus based on a political opinion and not His teaching?

Why is it, pro-life politicians are pro-war and pro-gun too? 

Why is it, Christians, have so much trouble displaying the kingdom of God as Jesus instructed… with humility, without judgment, loving your enemies, serving others, sacrifice, etc?

Why is it, Christians seem to have forgotten Jesus founded a movement based on forgiveness of sin, grace, mercy, love and not a religion? 

Why is it, God commands Christians to belong to the church, to share their lives with others and yet so many do not share? 

Why is it, most Christians do not lead a self examined life?

Why is it, difficult to be an effective advocate for Jesus Christ?

Why is it, so many people that have been hurt by the Church or Christians trade in the Church community for isolation? 

Why is it, so many Christians chose isolation to eliminate the risk of pain, hurt, and scars from following Jesus Christ? 

Why is it, Christians do not recognize to serve and impact others and to experience joy requires the assumption of risk?  You will get hurt.

Why is it, Christians do not comprehend that following Jesus is a contact sport?  You will get hurt.  

Why is it, Christians hesitate to cry out to Jesus? 

Whatever your hurt, pain, or scar… Jesus has been there and done that.  Jesus has been betrayed.  He has been unjustly accused.  He has been wrongfully punished.  Jesus endured hatred.  He experienced incomprehensible pain.  He knew He would die a horrible death and obeyed anyway. 

Jesus knows.  He will heal you.  He will comfort you.  He will strengthen you.  He will revive you.  Restore you.  He will support you.  Satisfy you.  Complete you.  Jesus Christ will defend you and honor you and love you.  He will do all of this because He says you are worth it.  Look at what He has already done for you. 

Have a good and godly day.

A Psalm of David

Psalm 27 is a favorite.  Below are just a few lines.   

3 Trust in the LORD and do good. 

              Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the LORD, 

              and He will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. 

              Trust him, and He will help you.

7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, 

              and wait patiently for him to act. 

  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper 

              or fret about their wicked schemes. 

16 It is better to be godly and have little 

              than to be evil and rich.

18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, 

              and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.

19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; 

              even in famine they will have more than enough.

23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. 
              He delights in every detail of their lives.

24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, 

              for the LORD holds them by the hand.

25 Once I was young, and now I am old.  

              Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned  

              or their children begging for bread 

Have a good and godly day.   Comments 

Cars & Love

The initial stages of a relationship are easy.  It's kind of like buying a new car.  At first it’s great.  The sacrifice is worth the bliss a new car possesses.  Money is an obstacle easily navigated.  The hours spent washing, vacuuming, cleaning windows, Armor-All-ing the dash, and making sure the rims shine are joy.  JOY!  

In the beginning, we love to drive the car.  In fact, reasons are invented to drive the car… to go out to get something, to visit a friend, travel 200 miles to rent that cottage for the weekend… any reason works.  Friends come by to see it.  A few even ask to ride in it.  In the beginning, everything is bliss.  BLISS! 

Reality encroaches soon enough with all of its demands.  Life starts to take more and more of the owner's energy.  Neglect creeps in unnoticed.  The car gets washed less often.  Cleaned less often.  Coffee gets spilled.  The car sits parked and idle in the garage more and more.  Eventually, the energy just isn't there to expend.  Its too much... life, family, school, church, work, and the car becomes just another responsibility. 

After years of subtle neglect, repairs become more frequent and more costly.  Worry starts.  The money is now an issue.  What will break next?  Worry and faith do not mix.  Worry trumps faith.  Worry has a knack to exaggerate and worst case scenarios become the norm.  Worry erodes faith... faith that the car will start, the brakes will work, that it will be dependable and not leave you stranded on the side of the road.

The irony is, the car can be driven for a very long time.  Its only demand is to be cared for.  Knowledge helps.  Pay attention to new noises that arise, look for puddles on the garage floor, or recognize the extra little vibration or rattle.  All are signs something is amiss.  If something is amiss and the owner has the knowledge to identify the issue, the car can be repaired quickly.  The prompt repair almost always prevents future mechanical failures.  When attention to detail is a priority, minor issues are easily corrected and major issues avoided.

If the owner suspects something is amiss and doesn’t act or procrastinates... wait for it... the problem doesn’t disappear.  It gets worse until the car doesn't respond when the gas pedal is pushed or the key is turned.  It’s never convenient and always an hassle when the car unexpectedly breaks down.  Ignoring the problem doesn't solve anything.  Hoping it will magically disappear will not change the fact the car needs your attention.  Either the owner takes the initiative to fix what's wrong or the car will demand it gets what it needs.

Ignorance of how a vehicle operates isn't bliss.  Ignorance will not stop the car from breaking down.  The owner is just along for the ride.  The owner doesn’t know an issue or problem could have been fixed much earlier, for much less money, with much less stress, and much more convenient.  When a problem appears on the horizon, owners have three choices:   

1. Address it.
2. Procrastinate. 
3. Be ignorant.    

Procrastinate is easy.  Ignorance is easy.  They have the potential to make life miserable.  The ability to ruin life.  Those two bedfellows create bigger problems, more pain, more stress, and more effort.  They can cause temporary insanity, especially when they leave you stranded wondering how did this happen? 

The best option may be inconvenient for a short time.  The best option requires effort up front.  The best option educates.  The best option prevents future problems or at least reduces them.  The best option is to know the car’s character; know its sounds, know the way it handles, where the water pump is located, and its maintenance schedule. The best option is to pay attention to the car.  The best option is to develop the discipline to consistently give a sustained effort.  The best option is to address the minor issue when it's relatively easy to repair.  The best option does not allow problems to fester.     

Are friendships different?  What about marriages?  Jesus?  Neglect is a derivative (comes from) of selfishness.  Do not allow Jesus to drift in your life.  It is uu who gets distracted, who doesn't have the time... it's us who neglects Jesus, allows our prayers to become stagnant, or parks the Bible in a drawer.  As we neglect our relationships, they become less fulfilling because other interest consume our energy.        
 

Have a good and godly day.       

Stronger

Question... is it difficult, almost impossible, to believe the good things people say about you and so easy, incredibly easy to believe the bad things people say? 

What do you do when you have been given a cross to bear?  Big or small, what do you do?  Keep it?  Hold it tight?  Own it?  Hoist the cross over our shoulder and drag it around until we finally listen?  When you do, it's exhausting.  Even horrible.  It weakens us.  That cross will kick your butt with both of its feet.  BUT, it's the mental, emotional, and spiritual exercise from hauling that cross around that makes you stronger.  It's precisely that strength, the cross builds, that prepares you to trust God, to follow Him, to have faith even when faith doesn't make sense.

The cross that has been handed to you, that accidental gift, will force you to examine your life.  It will pursue you, suffocate you, smother you, and love you until you concede to examine... everything about you.  It will force you to become aware… aware of you; your choices; your behavior; your priorities; your wants; your heart; your life.  When you, or me, lead a self examined life, we discover that cross we carry is both our fault and not our fault.  That’s right.  It's both.  

The Bible addresses this very issue.  There are the sea and the waves.  The waves are tossed around due to the ever changing wind.  The wind represents ever changing opinions.  The best illustration I can give is sports fans.  The coach and players can go from losers to heroes to losers and back multiple times during one game.  Coaches don't succumb to that pressure because if they did, they would have no strategy, no game plan... no identity.  

Jesus speaks of building on sand versus solid rock.  When the storm bores in on you, the sand disappears.  The sand turns and runs when you need it the most.  The sand has no strength.  You find out there is no support.  The sand is the community on which you depend in times of trouble.  The community you thought cared for you is gone.  It was all a mirage.  Solid rock is Jesus Christ.  He will not turn from you; He will not belittle you; He will not abandon you.  He will be there when you call.

I learned, recently, when I depend on other people (friends, family, teachers, etc.) to make me feel good, to feel worthy, to feel valuable... that's my fault.  Why do we, as Christ followers, depend on others to approve of us?  To deem us worthy and good and cherished based on their subjective definition or opinion?  Make no mistake, it’s our fault if we slip into a routine of craving accolades and praise to feel good; to feel valuable; to feel liked.  It’s our fault when our priorities have been shuffled.  It's our fault when our priorities were wrong to begin with.  Finding our worth in other people's inconsistent and uninformed opinions and emotions never ends well.  That rut will always drench you with negative thoughts that will push you, and your mother, down a flight of stairs if you let it. 

However, joy is a choice.  Make no mistake, those who like to demean, belittle, and disparage aren’t your issue.  Those who like to hand out crosses need your misery.  They thrive on your misery to elevate themselves at your expense.  Do not let them dictate if your day is good or bad.  Do not let them determine your choices.  Limit their access to you... stop hanging out with them.  Do something else.  Serve others.  Spend time with you.  As hurtful and heavy as that cross feels, stop carrying it for them.  Drop it. 

Know Satan would rather you be depressed and rejected than confident and happy.  Depressed and rejected Christians aren't good witnesses for Christ, they act more like Eeyore from Winnie The Pooh.  Who wants to listen to that guy?  Know you are good because of what you do for others.  Know you are good because of what you pursue.  Know you are good because of your heart.  Know you are good and valuable and cherished because Jesus said so and He has proved it.  Know you are good because... you know you, not because of what others say.  When you know that, hang out with people that know it too. 

Per Joyce Meyer, "Remember, Friday comes before Sunday."  The cross came before the glory.  Once you learn to examine your life, you will be mentally stronger, emotionally stronger, and spiritually stronger.  That strength produces confidence to trust in God’s Word and pursue God’s Will… when that happens not even Satan himself can stand in your way.

Have a good and godly day.

Good Men 2

"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16

I will start by asking the same question… Do good men really do nothing? The assumption is good men exist. Instead, the right question might be... do good men exist? If so, where are they?  If so, how do men become good? I’m not quite sure how men end up good men.  

I'll begin with all men were once boys. All men once attended junior high or middle school, and high school. What is the difference between men and good men?  Simply, all good men have made the choice even when no one is watching. Good men determine to do good acts before they are faced with that decision. That's where good men who do good separate themselves from men that do nothing.      

I believe good men become godly men when they put the interest of others above their own. Allow me to begin when I was in my mid twenties, my oldest daughter was still waiting for her first birthday, and my wife was pregnant with our second daughter.  We planned to stay with my parents a few days. After a long drive, I turned onto the driveway of my father’s property. My parents met us at the car. I got out, grabbed my daughter from the back, turned and shook my dad’s hand. I haven’t forgotten what happened next… for the first time ever, my hand was a little stronger than his. His hand was a little smaller, a little weaker than I remembered, and he was a little grayer than I remembered.    

So, how does a boy mature into a good and godly man? For boys that want to become godly men... it starts with understanding God has blessed you with testosterone. God has blessed you with size and strength. One day, God will bless you with the privilege to be the head of your home. One day, God will bless you, as a godly man with the privilege to be the spiritual leader of your home. Listen closely, your attitude toward those blessings and privileges will guide you as you mature into a young man. The time you spend with God will determine if you will honor or abuse those blessings and privileges.

Maybe the right question to ask is… do you consider your size and strength a privilege?  Will you consider your authority as a husband and father a privilege or an entitlement?  Your opinion matters because soon you will have the ability to physically dominate your home.  You will eventually be stronger than your mother.  The reality is you may possess that size and strength right now.  Will you honor or abuse your blessing from God?  And, one day you will be bigger and stronger than your father.  Again, will you honor or abuse the blessing God has bestowed upon you? 

Good boys become godly men by spending time with God.  Godliness develops when no one but God is watching.  Read the story of King David in the Old Testament.  The life of David illustrates how God teaches boys to become godly men.  God only asks you to show up ready for class with the a humble attitude and your best effort.  Class consists of reading His Word, listening to His Word, talking with Him, praying to Him, listening to what He says to you, and being around other godly men.

At one point, David delivers food to his brothers at the battlefield.  He hears the Philistine giant, Goliath challenging the Israelite army to send their own champion to fight him.  One on one.  Man to man.  “For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening, Goliath strutted in front of the Israelite army” (1Sam 17:16).  No one answered Goliath for forty days until David volunteers.

For those forty days Saul and his troops were terrified and without hope.  They were focused on Goliath… the giant that stood 9 feet tall wearing 125 lbs of armor.  Then David shows up discussing God.  He walks into his fight with Goliath quoting God.  David saw what Saul and his army didn’t see… an opportunity to serve God.  He was a lowly shepherd worthy only to deliver food to soldiers before he shocked the world.  

David shocked Saul and his army because he was obedient when only God was watching.  David spent many lonely hours standing in the field protecting the flock.  He spent some of those lonely hours drawing close to God.  David was trained by God when no one was watching.  Read King David’s story regardless if it will be your tenth time or first.  I can't think of a better story to show how time spent with God is worthy of your time and effort.  


Good men do exist.  They're all created by God.  Have a good and godly day.
       

Good Men

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." 
Edmund Burke

I have waited to comment about the Penn State football program.  If you are not aware of what has been revealed, type "Penn State scandal" in any search engine.  There have been numerous thoughts, opinions, and editorials written on the men that knowingly allowed their friend and colleague to commit crimes against children for years. The most maddening part of the whole story are sports reporters who continue to think this is a football scandal first.  And then there are those who attempt to rationalize the behavior of those who facilitated, condoned, and covered up the criminal behavior. One coach testified, under oath, he witnessed a sexual assault in progress, walked away and called his father. No call to law enforcement. No call to child protection services. No call to the district attorney’s office or even to the sheriff. That was nine, almost ten years ago.

Many news and sport personalities as well as bloggers have quoted Edmund Burke to explain what happened at Penn State. I do believe very good people, godly people, can make very poor decisions. I began to wonder if good men remain good if they do nothing. Do good men do nothing?  Do good men just stand idly by and allow evil to prosper? Is good merely defined as the absence of doing that which is wrong? 

What does God say?  God has plenty to say on this topic.  God expects His followers to actively oppose evil.  He expects us not to only do what is best for us, but do what is best for others.  God says to put the interests of others above our own... to consider others better than ourselves.  He expects His followers to do good.  To be a good man, one must do good.  He expects us to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  He expects us to help those who cannot help themselves.  The truth is, when good men do nothing, nothing good gets done.  He says so much more that a separate post is probably warranted.

Jay Bilas commented on the horrible situation, “It was a conspiracy of cowards to protect their jobs and the university.” That is the most honest explanation thus far.  Men did nothing because they did not elevate the victims' interests above their own interests. A decision was made (by someone) that their friends, their careers, and their university were more valuable than exposing a known pedophile. Some may define that as selfish ambition.     

 "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16

Do good men really do nothing?  If good men do nothing, do they forfeit their right to be called good men?

Have a good and godly day. 

God's a Big Boy

This is what God does... it's the difference between life w/ God and life w/out God...

Theo Fleury, a Stanley Cup champion, an Olympic gold medalist, is in the middle of a three-decades-long fight to take responsibility for his recovery and rehabilitation from child molestation.

"It is the shame and the guilt part that keeps you in that space. I was a people pleaser, always trying to please everybody, and I am not any more. The fact is, this is happening to a lot of kids and too many people are standing around doing nothing.”

On Sept. 18, 2005, the cocaine and vodka lost their ability to soothe Fleury’s pain. He cracked. He crumbled.  "I finally had a conversation with the Big Guy Upstairs and I called Him every name in the book," Fleury said. "I told Him, 'I know the whole You-only-give-me-as-much-as-I-can-handle thing. Well, I'm full. I need you to take a little.' At the end of the conversation, I prayed for Him to take away the obsession.

"When I woke up, I was walking and there was a mirror in front of me. From the time it happened [the abuse] until that second, I couldn't look people in the eye. People who have been abused will know what I am talking about. Yet I looked at that person in the mirror [myself] for a long time and I said 'it's gone.' "

Almost 35 years of emotional turmoil gone.

Almost 35 years of lying done.

Almost 35 years of hating himself evaporated.

Have a good and godly day.

Feeding Sheep

I have been a part of middle school ministries for the better part of five years now.  I have concluded adult-themed testimonies and middle school... they don't mix well.   Recently, some testimonies seem to have become too "adult" for the audience.  It could be just me. 

I've listened to many testimonies  where adults confessed they were misfits or drug addicts or alcoholics or just plain mean.  It's comical when men yell all the way through their testimony as if that excites middle schoolers.  Confessions of marriage and divorce fall on deaf ears as well as tales of promiscuity.  In fact, if one watches the reactions of the preteens, you may notice most have checked out.  Middle schoolers, generally speaking, do not relate to those topics.  In fact, I would suggest it makes them more uncomfortable than interested in God.  Curious still, why would anyone believe it’s good for kids to listen to stories of sex, drugs, and criminal behavior cloaked as testimony? 

A Baptist pastor I respect is fond of saying the people who need to hear God's Word aren't in church on Sunday.  Let me be clear, I believe those testimonies are valuable.  In fact, those testimonies do have a very important place in this world.  I know people need to hear how Jesus can reach down and pluck them out of a destructive or abusive environment.  They need the hope Jesus offers.  They need to know Jesus saves lives... literally as well as spiritually.  The thing is, the people who need to hear that message aren’t likely attending middle school or even attending church. 

I learned, during my time in the Air Force, to never highlight a flawed process just to complain... but always bring a solution to the discussion.  My solution here:  Go where those people live and eat and work who need to hear that specific "adult" message.  Christian leaders love the saying "meet them where they are," especially youth leaders.  So, why not venture out of the church environment, even if it’s just around the corner, and meet them where they are… "them" being drug addicts, alcoholics, and teenage boys that abuse their moms.    

Have a good and godly day.

The Easy Ones

I ran across a blog today designed specifically for wives to confess anything and everything anonymously.  It consists of hundreds of comments.  That's it.  Anonymous comment after anonymous comment about their spouse.  I read enough to get the jest of the blog.  Most were complaints about addiction, being abused, ignoring the children, feeling abandoned, or a lack of romance in the marriage.  Some wives were very nice and complementary.  A few confessed adultery.  However, I was surprised at the anger and frustration communicated in the comments.

What are the easy ones?  The easy ones are the same for every Christ follower, for every believer.  They are decisions that are fundamental to life.  Decisions we need to get "down pat" before moving on to bigger and better in life.  The easy ones are listed in Exodus 20.  Jesus simplifies those ten down to two for us here.  And Paul simplifies it down to one.  If we get these consistently wrong, you may find yourself confessing to friends, siblings, or even anonymously to strangers what should be discussed with your parents or eventually your spouse.

I have found people, especially students, think there is plenty of time to get serious about God.  God is not urgent.  God can always wait.  You can get to God later.  There is school with homework, projects, exams, and the expected extracurricular activity.  Outside of school includes practice, chores, parents, friends, church, and fun that need your immediate attention.  All of which are important, necessary, and worthy.

I try to never say "never" or "always" which has served me well in life.  But the thing is... as you move through life, mature into a young adult, society will ALWAYS expect more from you.  The reality is you will NEVER have as much free time you do right now.  If you don't have time for God now... will you find time later?  Simply stated, later consists of more school, more homework, dating, college, job, marriage, kids, fitting fun in somewhere and so much more.  Days do not get longer, but you will be expected to do more.  To accomplish more.  To serve more.  You will work more.  You will care for more people.  More people will depend on you and you will be expected to do all of this in the same amount of time as you have right now.

I know what my wife likes and doesn't like.  I can tell you her favorite ice cream... cookies -n- cream.  I know her favorite color... pink.  Her favorite food... toss up between pizza and shrimp with lobster sauce.  Her weakness... TV.  Her strength... empathy, sense of humor, and her smile... it's a great smile.  I only know these things because I spend time with her.  In fact, I spend a lot of time with her.  I do so because I love her, not because I have to.  I know my children's strengths and weaknesses.  Same with friends.  The more time you hang out with someone, the better you know that person. 

The same is true with God.  The most important easy one to get right... to seek God first in all you do.  Spend time with Him.  Invest your life in Him.  God promises so much to those who believe... to those who acknowledge His name and call Him "Lord."  He says when you call on Him, He will answer.  When life gets difficult, He will come to be with you and rescue you and honor you.  To those who trust in His name, He will reward with a long life.  All of those promises can be found here.  Those are only a few of the many promises we find in God's Word.

The blog I mentioned earlier exists only because those who commented have stopped investing in the marriage.  It's easier, although not better, to be part of that blog than to sit down and start a conversation with their husband.  Their lives might improve if either spouse decided to invest a little extra time, effort, and energy into the other.  How much is needed?  I don't know.  However, I do know relationships do not prosper if you neglect and ignore them.  They wither.  They evaporate like puddles after a rain.  They're quirky that way.  Good relationships require two people to invest.  They are sometimes difficult, but the good ones are always worthy.

The most important relationship, in your entire life, is the one you develop with Jesus.  Your relationship with Him is more important than the relationship you have with your parents, your siblings, your friends, and yes... your future spouse and children.  

You will get older... you will get busier... how will you invest your time?

Have a good and godly day.

Quality of Life

"I find the quality of life is proportional to one's commitment to God."   

I borrowed the quote from Green Bay Packers' coach Vince Lombardi, shortened it, and added God. The original is found here.  I'm curious if my changes make it original or just another version. Either way, I find it to be true in my life. 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  James 1: 13-16

A few nights last week, I found myself watching motivational speakers on Youtube. I wasn't looking for inspiration or some magic formula to make my life better. I felt I was studying; learning. That God was guiding me to acquire the wisdom He promises to those who ask.  Some speakers were very good. Some were not. You might recognize a few names. However, there was one trait all of them shared... none mentioned Jesus Christ. A few came close, one even inferred the name Jesus, but no one took the plunge.

After two nights and many hours, the most memorable videos were from two speakers employed by a public university. They were part of a program designed to encourage students from lower socioeconomic communities to stay in school and complete their degree. Both speakers were relevant, energetic, and spoke with passion. Despite both of them effectively engaging the group, not many students attended their free seminars or classes. At one point, a student responded to a question and acknowledged he would rather be in the "club" on a Thursday night. Many students nodded or mumbled in agreement.

Has our society become so undisciplined and apathetic that young adults don't possess the ability to sacrifice to achieve an honorable goal? Have we, as a society, developed a tendency to choose pleasure (the club) over joy (college degree)? And if so, would that indicate we have been bamboozled by the father of lies?  

May I suggest if people knew pleasure's character... most would turn and run like Joseph.  Pleasure has a lot going for it. It's everywhere. It offers everything we desire. Pleasure can be experienced immediately. No lines. No need to take a number an wait. It requires very little effort. It's easy to get. It feels good... sometimes indescribably good. Pleasure is not free, despite its claims. 

The problem is pleasure fades. Pleasure doesn't stay long. It deceives you and will eventually drag you into deep water and drown you. That's what it does and it is good at it. Oh, I know you don't feel like you're on the road to perdition as you frolic with Pleasure. In fact, believe life is great until you overindulge. The first time you gorge on Pleasure, the second time is easier. The third is no problem. The fourth, well... it's what you now do. The fifth? Your appetite will grow until you cannot find enough pleasure to satisfy the hunger.

Being lost doesn't just happen. It slowly progresses until you end up in a place you didn't expect. The initial compromise progresses until you NEED, as opposed to want, what initially started out as harmless fun or excitement. When pleasure its hooks in you, you will sacrifice everything for it... compromising in ways you once thought "... never would I do."  And yet, after the time and effort you spend seeking pleasure... there is nothing valuable left.    

"It is one of the strange ironies of this strange life that those who work the hardest, who subject themselves to the strictest discipline, who give up certain pleasurable things in order to achieve a goal, are the happiest..." Brutus Hamilton,

Oh, but there's Joy! Joy requires effort. Joy strengthens. Joy builds. Joy hangs around, never to leave you. Joy is of God. Seeing that 'A' after studying the entire weekend is Joy.  Earning first chair cello after hundreds of hours of practice is Joy. Reading the acceptance letter from the college of your choice is Joy. Finishing a marathon is Joy. Sacrificing to achieve a goal is Joy.

Knowing Jesus is Joy. Following Jesus is Joy. Serving others is Joy. The irony of Joy... sometimes it cloaks itself as hard work or pain or loneliness or discipline. Sometimes Joy is not aborting the child with special needs or volunteering at the nursing home or helping someone who has no ability to return the gesture. But its pursuit is always worthy. We can be the person wondering where Pleasure has gone or be the one savoring the Joy from pursuing something something of God. 

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1John 2:15-17

Grades count in a student's life. Fair? Unfair? Grades are the currency students earn and eventually spend. A savings account to be cashed in later for a life. Your life. Grades have the ability to create opportunities. Grades possess power. Good grades do not predict success just as poor grades do not predict disaster. Academic success says you have the ability to commit and the desire to sacrifice to strive for excellence.  

Remember the students and the "club". The "club" will not help them earn a college degree.  In fact, if they spend enough time in the "club" it will tell them the degree is a waste of their time and talent. Then what? Where do you go?  

Have a good and godly day. 

Train for Godliness

1 Timothy 4:7-8 instructs "...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Is it possible for students (middle school, high school, or otherwise) to train to be godly?  Do they have the desire to get serious about God?  What are students taught about God?  What does God look like?  What does Satan look like?  Does God get bumped off the schedule because He can always wait?  Is God as urgent as homework, violin practice, lacrosse practice, friends, television, etc?  I would argue what kids value and how they decide something is worthy of their time, talent, and effort is modeled in the home and the community. 

I listened to a person unequivocally state it takes six people to change a life... six.  I don't know where that number originated.  I always ask myself when statements are boldly presented as the truth... is that man's wisdom or God's wisdom?  I am not sure "six" isn't just the opinion of some author.  May I suggest the number has always been one.  I believe it takes one person to change a life.  One adult... just one godly obedient adult is needed to change a person's life.

How does a godly, obedient adult change a student's life?  Prayer is the vital ingredient because prayer produces a relationship with God.  The adult has to have the discipline to develop and sustain a consistent prayer life.  Nothing happens without discipline.  Nothing.  Not success, not winning, not good grades, and certainly not a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the one who saves children, not adults.  Adults can introduce Jesus to students.  Adults can pass on godly wisdom.  Adults can guide, discuss, encourage, and support the student... but it is always Jesus that saves a student. 

Discipline is an essential character trait of a godly person.  For the student to earn an "A" requires the commitment and the discipline to study.  A student perfectly performing "Il Trillo Di Diavolo" requires hours of disciplined practice.  How many hours of perfect practice were required?  How many people were present during those hours?  I will speculate most of his practice was solitary, with no audience.  The irony is that discipline creates joy.  The quicker the student understands this concept, the better their life.  This, this, and this are a direct result from discipline.  All of those people in the videos were disciplined, they were dedicated, they sacrificed to experience joy.  Discipline produces freedom and freedom produces joy. 

 

Again, without discipline, neither the adult nor the student can develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Without discipline, one can't sustain and strengthen that relationship.  Students have to know the discipline of spending time with God is worthy.  The Bible says nothing is more profitable.  

May God bless you.  Have a good and godly day.