Do You Feel Out of Place?

    Have you ever felt totally out of place, unsure of where you were at, and less sure about where you were going and how you would get there?
    I’m writing this while on a plane heading to Paris. It was a sudden opportunity for a free, albeit quick, turnaround trip to a place I have never been, so I’m taking advantage of it. My wife is a flight attendant and when she was suddenly awarded this trip with a long enough layover to do some sight-seeing, I quickly rearranged my schedule and took a couple of days off to join her.
    But for security reasons, I’m not able to travel through Paris to the hotel along with the flight crew. So I have to find my way, and it’s on the other side of the city. I’ve never been to Paris. I do not speak French. I’m completely unfamiliar with the French transportation system. So while I’m excited for the opportunity, I’m pretty nervous. I’ve got a map in French and some written directions with words I can’t pronounce, much less understand, to the crew’s hotel. I’m hoping to get there before it’s time to turn around and head back to the airport.
    That's kind of where some of you are at. Thinking of it this way may help the rest of us to empathize with many who are new to The Bridge and church world in general. Our church has been growing rapidly. Over the course of the last few months, many who have little or no church background have been making their way in. We are thrilled to have you!
    But I’m sure that sometimes you feel as though you are trying to navigate foreign concepts in unfamiliar territory all by yourself. If you’ve never before read the Bible, listened to preaching, or sang worship songs with a live band, it can all feel overwhelming. But we want you to know this, you are not alone. Not only are there many others here like you, most of us were where you are not that long ago. And the people around you are only interested in helping. They are not judging you. They are not wondering why you don’t sing along (if you don’t) or have trouble finding your way around in the Bible. We are all just really happy you are here and we want you to stick around.
    But unlike my escapade in Paris, there is a really big reason you are here. I’m just visiting France for the adventure. You are here because God brought you here. Some are going through hard times and that’s why you began searching. Others have just sensed an internal yearning that you are hoping can be satisfied here. Whatever your reason for coming, ultimately, it is God’s doing. He wants to reveal himself to you, to bring you into a relationship with him. Once you respond to his offer of salvation, you’ll no longer feel like a foreigner who is in unfamiliar territory. You’ll know you are with family and that you are home.
    That’s what I’m praying for you for, right now.

Legally Dead

    There was an interesting story in the news last week about a living man who was declared legally dead. He wasn’t comatose. He wasn’t brain dead. He wasn’t even “mostly” dead. He was alive, talking, walking and sitting in the courtroom in front of the judge who declared him to be legally dead.
    Donald Miller disappeared in 1986 and after family, police, and private investigators could find no trace of him, he was declared legally dead in 1994. He later reemerged in 2005. After reapplying for a drivers license, he learned that he was not eligible because he was supposedly dead. It took him a while before his attorney was able to petition the state of Ohio to have the ruling of his death overturned.
    But then Judge Allen Davis, presiding over the matter in Hancock County, Ohio, discovered that the law in Ohio did not make allowances for a man declared dead to then be declared alive. Just this last week, with Mr. Miller sitting before him in good health and answering questions, the judge said, “I don't know where that leaves you, but you're still deceased as far as the law is concerned.”
    If you are a follower of Jesus, that’s true of you as well.
    Paul the Apostle wrote this in Romans 6:5-8, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
    In other words, Paul was saying that when we believe on Jesus with saving faith, our old nature, our sin nature, is united with Jesus’ death on the cross (see also Galatians 2:22). Paul concludes, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).
    From God’s perspective, because of Jesus’ vicarious death, if you have put your faith in him for forgiveness and salvation, your old self, your sinful nature, has been declared by God himself to be legally dead. So he says we should live like it. It should be apparent to others that we are not living with the sins of our past. Our new life is totally different, changed by the death of our old selves and the new life of Christ within us.
    This is not a morbid thought. Our old sin nature was leading us to eternal death. Putting it to death was necessary for us to receive the life of Christ. This is something to rejoice in!
    And that perspective helps us to see everything in life in a different way. Look at what Paul said about this in Colossians 3:1–3 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (NIV).
    You’ve been declared dead. As ironic as it sounds, live like it!

Harder Than Running a Marathon

    I was waiting towards the back of the pack of 40k+ marathoners to approach the starting line to begin the “race”. It was over an hour from the time the first group of runners started before the final group crossed the starting line. Shortly before my group even got to the start, the announcer, being humorous, said, “I have some bad news, you’re probably not going to win.” I chuckled, knowing that the leaders of the race were already nearly half-way through the course.
    But then I thought, “I’m not doing this to win, or even to compete. I’m not even doing this to run. I’m doing this to help kids in Africa get clean water.”
    That evening, while lounging in my family room, nearly immobile from the pain in both legs, I asked a friend who also ran with Team World Vision, “How was your time?”
    He said, “I don’t even know. To tell you the truth, I didn’t do this to make good time. I did this for the fundraising.” I was proud of him.
    But there’s a problem with our efforts to raise money to help people on the other side of the world. Some call it, “Drive-by giving.” I do think God wants us to give towards international projects and needs. But for too many of us, doing so satisfies the voice in our head that tells us to be generous. I don’t think it should.
    I challenge you to take it a lot further.
    God wants you to be generous with your resources, but even more so, he has called you to be generous with your lives. Don’t let your little gifts to charity cause you to forget about the pain, misery, brokenness and purposelessness all around you. God has called us to do more than support a marathon runner for a mile, or even tithe our incomes to the local church. God has called us to invest our lives in the  broken people who live all around us, work with us, are related to us. He wants us to live generous lives for the sake of others in the world around us.
    That’s harder than running a marathon. A lot harder.
    But think what would happen if we really did that. Think of what would happen if Christ-followers everywhere reached out to the coworkers who are struggling with a sick child...reached out to them as in visiting the child at the hospital and offering to take care of things for them while they are distracted by their crisis. Think what would happen if we all engaged the neighbor whose wife is no longer living at the house...and we offered to take him to breakfast or to share with his child care needs.
    Think what would happen if we invested ourselves with generosity when people’s lives are messy. What kind of an impact would we make?
    I’m thrilled with the 1,200+ kids we have provided clean water to in Mali, West Africa. But right now, I’m really concerned with the hundreds of thousands of people who live within driving distance of our church, who are far from God. Let’s live generous lives and invest in them too.

Government Shutdown

    So the federal government is shut down.
    Well, it isn’t really, but some aspects of it are. And it’s making for political warfare in Washington, at National Parks, private businesses operating on federal land, and even in barroom brawls and interoffice debates.
    I get both sides. The Republicans believe they were elected in the midterm elections to do what they are doing, to stop the madness of overspending. And we have to admit, outspending our means and perennially increasing our already way too lavish debt is ludicrous. Think of what your state of affairs would be like if you did that in your personal budget. But on the other hand, Democrats believe they were also elected to maintain their principals. So there is no negotiating going on, rhetoric is filled with hyperbole and animosity, and little if anything constructive is being accomplished.
    The federal government is shut down, but God’s government isn’t.
    We may live in America and we may be American citizens, but if you belong to Jesus, you are first and foremost a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and our political loyalties here are very temporary. I’m not one to ridicule or criticize our elected officials; I think many of them are doing what they believe to be right. But let’s face it, they’re all over the place. And our local, state, and federal governments are led by fallible humans, limited themselves by their own errant opinions, misleading emotions, critical attitudes and selfish desires. Even democracy has it’s weaknesses, which we are currently witnessing. While we as Christians should be the best influences we can possibly be, no matter how hard we work or how loud we debate, we are not going to solve the problems of humanity through politics.
    That’s why I’m glad God’s government isn’t shut down and it’s never going to be.
    Maybe during this time of political debate and social upheaval, we can point people to the unchanging Jesus Christ, and the foundation for life that they can find in him. We never have to be concerned about him raising our taxes or breaking his promises. He is not in debt, but has forgiven the debt we owe him. He will always be the same, and he will always be in charge.

What's the Hardest Thing You've Ever Done?

    What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
    I’m not asking what the hardest thing you’ve ever gone through, but what’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done.
    Emotionally, the hardest thing I’ve done has been to let a staff person go. I spent quiet time alone in tears, both before and after those dreaded meetings.
    Spiritually, the hardest thing I’ve done took place a year and a half ago when I committed to pray for a hundred hours in a month for people’s souls. That was nearly three and a half hours of praying every day. It became a wonderfully valuable month for me, but the hardest thing I’ve ever done, spiritually.
    Physically, dozens in our church are in the middle of doing the hardest thing that they have ever done, culminating next weekend. Most of our Bridge Team marathon runners have never been runners before this year, and now they are running a marathon. Think of that!
    Some of the stories are downright amazing. If you spend some time praying for each of the runners, you’ll quickly realize the huge sacrifice they have made to develop the mental and physical stamina to just get to the place where they are today, ready to run.
    The story I’m most familiar with is that of my wife. Most of you do not know that Linda was diagnosed with Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis three years ago. There were days she could not get out of bed without my help. I used to have to turn on and turn off the shower for her. Few knew about it, because she’d always show up for church, smiling, working with the kids, and doing her best to not let on the pain she was living with.
    Early next Saturday morning, she will line up to run 26.2 miles,

 probably without walking. It’s hard for me to believe. Linda didn’t play sports in high school, never ran in her 20s, 30s, or 40s, until this past year. Linda, with debilitating arthritis, asked God to give her the strength to run for the kids in Mali, West Africa, who are having to haul water every day from a mud pit to their villages. And he has. She is today, symptom free and off all medications. While I was forced out of training three times this summer due to ankle injuries, Linda has been the energizer bunny. Nothing stops her. I’m so inspired by her and other heroes in our church that have overcome amazing odds, that despite my own inability to now run this marathon, I’m going to walk it.
    Linda’s is just one story. There are many other similar ones. I do hope that you pray for every one of them. And if you have not yet supported a runner for at least a mile, please do. If all of us who are not running will support just one runner for one mile, every runner will reach their goal.
    So what’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Does that even compare to what those 7 year old girls in Mali, West Africa are doing every day? Mine neither.
    So let’s do something about it. Let’s support those in our church who are doing the hardest thing they’ve ever done. $50 supports a runner for one mile, and one child drinks clean water for the rest of their life.

Do You Know What Is Happening?

    We’ve been shielded here in America from what is happening globally. Some of it is because we are spoiled and we’d rather not think of unpleasant things around the world. But some of it appears to be intentional silence on the part of our mainstream national media.
    I’m talking about major persecution against Christians like no other time in history. Most of it from Islamists who have already successfully rid their regions of Jews, and are now turning their attention to Christians. They have a saying in Arabic, “First on Saturday, then on Sunday”, meaning just that.
    Please don’t assume I’m an alarmist. The problem is so well documented and my above statements are not even up for debate among those who are paying attention. The problem is, we are not paying attention. And for those of us who are, we have to dig deeply in the American press to see it.
    For example. You know the recent mall massacre in Kenya? Do you know who was killed and why? The terrorists were specifically gunning for Christians and made it known. But did you hear that on the nightly news or did you read that on the front page stories?
    Let me give you a few little known facts. In 1948, there were 135,000 Jews in Iraq. Today, there are less than 10. Since the West freed the Iraqi people of dictatorial dominance by a ruthless ruler, Islamists in Iraq have zeroed in on the Christian population (since there are no Jews left) and since 2003, over half of the estimated 800,000 Christians in the country have fled, many leaving their belongings and wealth behind. Christians have been raped, tortured, kidnapped, beheaded, and evicted from their homes. Scores of church buildings have been bombed, seven in a single day in 2009. That’s just Iraq.
    In Eqypt, there were at least 100,000 Jews in 1948. Today, there are less than 50. So as in Iraq, Islamists in Egypt have turned their attention to Christians. While there are 8,000,000 Christians living in Egypt, in recent months, tens of thousands have fled due to intense persecution. In a three-day span just last month, 38 Churches were destroyed, 23 were vandalized, 58 Christian homes were burned and looted, 85 Christian-owned shops, 16 pharmacies and 3 hotels were demolished. During that same three day span (August 14-16), 6 Christians were killed and 7 were kidnapped.
    The statistics are similar in Syria (during this Civil War it has escalated) and Pakistan, as well as around the world in Muslim dominated countries. For the Islamists (those who are driven to force Islam on non-Muslims by force), their mission is to return to the Islam of the 6th-9th centuries when millions of Jews and Christians were killed, relocated, and assets seized in the conquest of what became the Muslim world.
    I fear it may be too late before we realize what is happening.
    Jesus’ way is so very different. He offered himself as the way to return to God, not by coercion, but by invitation. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 ESV).

It Doesn't Have to be Intentional to Hurt

    Brock has been the easiest of our three kids during their teenage years. He has a good heart and loves his parents and is good to his siblings.
    But as a little tyke, he was more than a handful! He was into everything under the sun, broke all of his toys and a lot of things around the house.
On the rare occasion that he napped, Linda would often quip, “Don’t worry, he’s just recharging.”
    When he was three or so, he was buckled into his car seat next to his sister. All of a sudden we heard this blood-curdling scream from Erica and Brock’s little boy voice, “Lolly Eeah! Lolly Eeah!” (Translated: “Sorry Erica”)
    We don’t know how he did it, but somehow, while still buckled in, he opened the back seat trap door that led to the trunk, pulled the jumper cables into the back seat, and attached one end to Erica’s arm. Hence, the blood-curdling scream.
    It wasn’t malicious. He wasn’t trying to hurt her. But it wasn’t thought through entirely well, either. The poor girl had a jumper cable scar on her arm until she was 15.
    You don’t have to be malicious to hurt other people. But you do have to think carefully about your words and actions to avoid it. Much of the time, we hurt because of carelessness or thoughtlessness. It may not be an intentional injury, but for the injured party, it hurts nonetheless.
    That’s why our words need to be chosen carefully, and our actions and choices must be made with others in mind. If we live without thinking, everyone around us winds up being the recipient of jumper cable like incidences, while we just keep defending ourselves claiming that we meant no ill-will. That’s not enough. We need to intentionally do good, encourage one another, and think about our words and actions that affect others before we do and say things we do. Kindness is not something that just happens. It’s something we have to do on purpose.
    “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).

Love Finds a Way

    Larry Swilling loves his wife. They’ve been married for fifty-eight years, and he wants to keep her for as many more as possible. So when he learned that she was having kidney failure (she was born with only one) and would need a transplant soon to stay alive, he was heartbroken. He knew that at her age (76) she wouldn’t be on top of the waiting list. So he decided to take matters into his own
hands, and went out looking for a donor. He made a large sandwich board sign that read, “Need kidney 4 wife”, and wore it walking through town for 15 miles the first day, in 97 degree heat. A couple

of days later, he walked 54 miles wearing the sign. When a local news media team saw him, they stopped and interviewed him and the story went viral. Within a few days, over 2,000 offers came in, but none were O-positive, his wife’s blood type. Until a 41-year-old woman in Virginia Beach read about the story and offered hers.
    Larry’s wife has her kidney and is alive and well, and Larry still has his wife. Do you think Sue Swilling knows that she is loved? I don’t think there is any doubt.
    A couple of things come to mind, not the least of which is the way some guys treat their wives compared to this man. Larry Swilling is a real man. He loves his wife and and is willing to sacrifice for her, not only with his own discomfort, but as a demonstration in front of the world. How far would you go to save your wife’s life? How far would you go to let her know that you love her? Does the way you treat her in the day-to-day lead her to believe that?
    But I saw an even greater message in this story. Larry’s love drove him to the extremes of creativity and personal sacrifice. God’s love for us did so in an even greater way. He devised a way to restore us, and he found a suitable donor in his Son. If Sue Swilling ought to know that she is loved, you and I ought to know that in an even greater way.
    “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
    “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

What To Do About Syria?

    This whole Syria thing is quite the conundrum. Like you, I saw the video images of the mass of innocent people writhing in pain after being exposed to some kind of chemical substance. Our government seems very certain that the chemical attack (and we do know it was an attack from someone) originated from Bashar al-Assad and his regime. Of course, Assad denies it was him and blames the Syrian rebels (those who were killed in the attack). It is now estimated that over 110,000  people have died since the civil war began.
    It’s been debated on a national level for years as to how America should respond. After all, we should do the right and noble thing. And wouldn’t it be right to protect innocent civilians? Of course!
    But how? That’s the problem. Most reliable sources estimate that since the civil war began, so many Al Qaeda and other Islamisists (those devoted to making Islam the only political and religious authority) have flooded to the aid of the Syrian rebels that American support could lead to a scenario in that country worse than the way things have been. There have also been documented cases of major war crimes committed on the part of the rebels. And now Russian President Vladimir Putin is claiming that he will send Assad’s regime a missile defense system to protect them from an American retaliation. Who knows what any response on our part could lead to?
    So seriously, how can we help the innocent people in Syria who are being caught in the crossfire (and not just a few of them)?
    I don’t know. I really don’t know. Our government, the United Nations, American allies, none of them know either. We feel like we have to do something, but what? I really don’t know. And by the looks of things, I’m not convinced anyone does.
    Jesus Christ is the only answer.
    In this very dark land, overwhelmingly Muslim, torn apart by war and now devastated with all-out economic collapse, a people who want nothing to do with the only real answer for them, could only be rescued by turning to him.
    And that is happening right now in record numbers. As tens of thousands of refugees are flooding near-by Lebanon, Lebanese Christian churches (where religious liberty is also severely limited) are responding with care like no other group. And their churches are burgeoning with former Syrian Muslims who have been overwhelmed by the love of God being expressed by Christ-followers (the concept of a “loving” God is foreign in pure Islam). Even Lebanese Muslims are taking note of the sincerity of the Christians in their country and many are softening to their message.
    I hate war and everything about it. I hate sickness and disease, hardship and relational turmoil. But this one thing I have learned: In the deepest of darkness, even a little light shines bright. Now, these once tiny lights in Lebanon are brightening the landscape of a very treacherous part of the world. And God is being glorified by every new believer who is embracing him through the faithful witness of those who love Jesus.
    Let’s pray this leads to an avalanche of evangelism in that part of the world!

Like a Band-Aid

    Patience is a virtue and slower is usually more steady. But sometimes, the worst thing you can do is go slow. I learned that the hard way.
    I used to ride my bike everywhere. It was my mode of transportation. I always had a banana seat stingray bike, fashioned after Schwinn’s famed “Apple Crate,” though always a cheaper version.
    I also loved watching motocross on TV and the motorcycle stunts and jumps they used to show on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. My favorite was Evil Knievel. I dreamed of doing jumps like his.
    During spring break one year (I was 7 or 8), I spent the week at my Uncle Ralph’s farm. I brought my bike but found that there were not too many places to ride it. But I did see what appeared to be a perfect bike jump. It was a concrete retaining wall, about four feet high, that held up a slope on one side of the barn.
    I thought that would be the perfect spot for me to learn how to jump my bike. But I had never done anything like it, I’d only seen it done with motorcycles on TV. So for my first attempt, I figured I’d better take it slow. I didn’t want to get hurt!
    You can imagine what happened as I slowly approached that four foot drop-off and my front wheel went down. As soon as I started to go over I thought, “How stupid, you have to do this fast!” I felt so foolish in the middle of the fall that I started laughing while I was going over...I just felt so stupid.
    My uncle caught what I had done out of the corner of his eye, and seeing me laughing, he must’ve thought I was self-sadistic or something, and he ran over to see if I was ok, then yelled at me and took my bike away. He asked, “Did you do that on purpose?” Well, yes, but I didn’t intend for that result!
    That wasn’t my last bike jump, but it was the last one I did slowly. There are some things that are best done quickly, jumping a bike, removing a band-aid, getting used to cold water. Sometimes it's just better to go after it and do it fast.
    That’s how the Bible tells us to deal with sin. Lingering around temptation never works. Trying to slowly back off a habit leads to stronger addiction. Dealing with sin in our lives has to be like a band-aid. There’s a little pain initially, but removing the temptation quickly and replacing the activity immediately is the only way.
    If you are having sex with your girlfriend, you’ve got to stop altogether, cold turkey. You might even need to break off the relationship for a while (after all, you started on the wrong foot anyway). If you are living together and not married, you’ve got to move out. If you’ve been getting drunk, you’ve got to stop drinking altogether. Been getting high? Change your hang-outs and the people you are hanging with. Gossiping? Probably need to change your friends. It’s what we call in the Biblical counseling world, “radical amputation,” a concept we get from Jesus. That’s what he was talking about when he said, “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off...” (Matthew 18:8 ESV).
    Yes, sometimes it’s better to go slow. But sometimes it’s not. When it comes to habitual sin, there’s too much at stake. Make the change, and do it right away!

Time to Take a Load Off?

     A few years ago in New Zealand, a sheep wandered from his shepherd and hid out in a cave. He managed to live for six years without detection and amazingly, without becoming dinner for a predator. But all during that time, his wool continued to grow. When he was finally discovered after stumbling out of the cave he had been hiding out in, he could barely walk, his wool had become so overgrown.
    In just a half hour, he was rid of the mass of weight that had been burdening him down (60 lbs. of wool, enough to make twenty men’s suits).
    In the article I read, Dave Thomas, head of sheep studies for the University of Wisconsin said that a Merino sheep like Shrek will grow wool indefinitely.
    When God created sheep, he had people in mind. Sheep cannot survive for long without a shepherd. They were created to be cared for.
    And you are no different. Our lives involve the accumulation of multiple burdens, burdens that need the caring shears of a shepherd to offload us. As sheep were created with a shepherd in mind, we were created with the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) in mind. You and I were created for God, and we cannot live life to its fullest without him.
    I think of Shrek (the name of the sheep) as a wandering Christian. He wandered off to make his own way, and found himself in isolation, danger, and overburdened. It was not until he returned to his shepherd that he was freed, fed and safe.
    Is it time for you to return?
    “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ESV).

You Are NOT Invited

    Social media has changed a lot of things. Many of us try to fight it, but it is here to stay. And for those under 40, it is the way communication happens. If there is a party, it’s promoted on social media. In a number of circles, even wedding invitations go out online.
    This last week I read about a trend influenced by social media, that has taken a surprising “traditional” turn. Evidently, because so many wedding invitations were going out on Facebook, etc., people were receiving them who were not supposed to be invited. One wedding party had twice the number of intended guests at their reception because some had mistakenly thought they were invited on Facebook.
    So a new trend has now emerged. Couples are actually sending out formal “You Are Not Invited” cards via traditional mail. I’m not kidding. Could you imagine getting a wedding announcement telling you NOT to come? They try to put it as nicely as possible. Here’s one example:

“We’ve had to be pretty brutal in chopping down our guest list. I’m so sad that you won’t be there with us on the day, but we look forward to catching up afterwards!”

    Nice or not, there would be a kind of “sting” of rejection accompanying such a card, no matter how decorative the stock that it is written on is.
    Well, there is a wedding coming up that you can know you will not receive such a notice. In fact, you have been invited, and so have your friends, co-workers and relatives. Jesus is planning a wedding reception in heaven for all those who will join him. It’s called, “The Marriage Feast of The Lamb.” And Jesus wants you there, along with anyone you can bring. Here’s what he said, “Go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see” (Matthew 22:9 NLT).
    Rejection is a reality we have to face in this life. But for the next...eternal life, you need not. Jesus invites you to come. He’s not rejecting you. Please, don’t reject him!

Do You Want to Be Disableld?

    I’ve had a set-back in my running schedule. Pretty big one, actually, as I am currently having to use crutches just to walk around. From running eight miles one day, I am now hobbling around on crutches the next. It was a bit humbling when I stopped in at Sam’s Club and the host tried to get me to take the electric scooter/shopping cart. I refused because I knew that my lovely wife beside me would have a picture of it on Facebook the minute I got on.
    But it’s given me a new appreciation for those with disabilities. I’m so accustomed to good health and mobility that losing it is unnerving. I want to get back running again, but we have some in our church who just want to walk again.
    That’s why it blew me away when I read an article this week of a woman who dreams of becoming a paraplegic. Yes, you could say it’s her life’s goal. Chloe Jennings-White is an able bodied woman who longs to lose the use of her legs. She says that she’s dreamed of becoming a paraplegic since visiting a disabled relative when she was four years old.
    And she’s tried hard to make it happen. She purposely took up extreme sports in hopes of a debilitating accident. She once rode her bike off a ledge, looking for just such an impairment. She was injured, but not badly enough. When she realized that she could have hit her head and died, or broken her neck and lost the use of both legs and arms, she decided to pursue a more controlled means to disability––she sought the help of a surgeon to sever the nerves to her legs. She found one willing to perform the surgery, but doesn't have the $20K necessary for the operation.
    I know...crazy. And that she is. They even have a name for her “psychiatric disorder” describing this bizarre desire. I’m sure all of my friends who would love to be able to walk, wouldn’t mind having a conversation with her.
    But as awful as this sounds, I know a lot of Christians who appear to have a similar inclination. While having been given the freedom of Jesus’ gift of salvation, and called to a life of walking in the Spirit, they continually choose to confine themselves to a spiritual or religious wheelchair, living in and for an iniquitous life in this dark and debilitating world. When we should be climbing mountaintops, many are content to inch themselves up and down wheelchair ramps.
    God has so much more for you! You have been healed! You’ve been raised up! Enjoy God to the fullest and leap for joy for the life he has provided you. Walk in the Spirit! – Galatians 5:16

You Can Trust the Bible

    I know it’s really old. I know it was written in another language–3 other languages, actually. I know it’s from a cultural milieu foreign to ours.
    But the Bible has proven itself time and again that it is reliable, trustworthy, relevant, and true.
    The latest example was in the news this last week. A year-old discovery on the temple mount in Jerusalem was inscribed with an early semitic inscription on it has now been deciphered.
    Because many secular archeologists refuse to believe the miraculous nature of the Old Testament record, they have long held to the theory that ancient Israel history had been fabricated in the time of Nehemiah, and that Israelites never controlled Palestine until long after the days of the Biblical stories of David and Solomon. They claimed that the Hebrew language did not exist until that time period, and that the earlier Hebrews had no way of writing their history in real time.
    But the 3,000 year old jug that was found in the heart of Jerusalem has now been been identified as Jewish, with the inscription being a very early form of Hebrew.
    Douglas Petrovich, ancient Near Eastern history and biblical studies expert, said about the deciphering of this discovery, "Hebrew speakers were controlling Jerusalem in the 10th century, which biblical chronology points to as the time of David and Solomon. Whoever they were, they were writing in Hebrew like they owned the place."
    This is an important find for doubting scholars, as it is direct evidence of the accuracy of the Old Testament record. Since Hebrew, as a written language, existed in the 10th century, the ancient Israelites were recording their history in real time as opposed to writing it down several hundred years later. That would make the Old Testament an historical account of real-life events.
    According to Petrovich, archaeologists have been unwilling, up until now, to identify it as Hebrew to avoid conflict. "It's just the climate among scholars that they want to attribute as little as possible to the ancient Israelites," he said.
    But this sort of thing has happened throughout modern history. Secularists make claims about the inaccuracy of the Bible, claims that they cannot really back up. Over time, evidence surfaces that substantiates the truth of Scripture.
    Not everything in the Bible can be validated. But what evidence is available points to a level of accuracy and trustworthiness completely unheard of in any other ancient document. At some point, God expects us to stand on what he has confirmed, and trust him for the rest. The Bible is a document we can believe, and if you will have faith in God for what it says, you will see in your own life how dependable it really is.
    So read it! There’s some really good stuff in there! Not only is it all true, when you apply it to your life, it really works!

Do You Love God?

    My heart was broken this week as I learned of an entire group of people who have united together solely out of their opposition to and animosity for another group of people. The part that broke my heart...they’re supposed to be Christians. They all sit together as a group in a church and even have a name for themselves and a Facebook page. It's a solidarity of animosity and anger, united by their mutual ill will. It breaks my heart. Can you imagine how it breaks Jesus’ heart?
    Words from Him come to mind. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another” (John 15:12, 17). We are to love other believers the way Jesus loves us! We are not to only love those that we agree with, who treat us the way we think we should be treated, or seem to be loving to us, we are to love other believers the way Jesus loves us...no matter what! Jesus loved us when we were still in the middle of rebellion against him (Romans 5:8). If Jesus expects us to love our enemies, how much more are we to love our brothers and sisters!
    While praying for us shortly before his death, Jesus said to the Father, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20–21). Then I think of those who call themselves followers of Jesus who actively do all they can to create division, express animosity, and in essence, do everything possible to prevent Jesus’ prayer from being fulfilled. That’s pretty serious, isn’t it?
    Maybe that’s why John wrote, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:9-11).
    So how are your relationships with other Christians...ALL other Christians? I realize that we cannot control how others treat us or feel about us. But we have a choice to make when it comes to our relationships with all others in God’s family. Are we walking in the light? Do we have the love of God in us? Do we challenge one another to practice that kind of love? Jesus made it pretty clear, if we belong to him, we have an obligation to love our family, his family, no matter what. Any animosity or unresolved anger, resentment, or division is an indication of a much deeper and more serious spiritual problem.

“He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 4:21 NLT

One More Blog on the Sanford Case

    I know you are tired of the George Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case, and you’ve read your fill of blog opinions. I have too. But how about a different view from a Christian perspective.
    I’m not writing this to convince anyone of Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence, or whether or not Trayvon Martin was the aggressor or innocent victim. I didn’t watch the trial so I don’t have an opinion on the outcome, or even a right to that kind of judgement...I didn’t hear all the arguments or weigh all the evidence. I also think that neither do those who have strong opinions on both sides, unless they heard everything that the jury heard. I also was not on the scene of the crime, or fight, or whatever it was, and neither were you. None of us know exactly what happened for certain, and none of us know what was in the mind of either Zimmerman or Trayvon when this horrible tragedy took place.
    Let’s first remember that this is not an isolated incident. It is interesting how periodically, an event hits the news fan as though it is entirely unique, and then it gets talked about every day, hour upon hour, on every news and talk show, in every newspaper, magazine, and blog opinion, convincing us that what is being discussed is an unparalleled set of circumstances. Any time a person’s life is taken, it is a horrible, horrible tragedy. And the sad truth is, every day innocent people are murdered. Every day, someone claims self-defense as a reason for shooting another person. Whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. are violent within their demographic and with those of other races. Sometimes it's solely about race and sometimes it's not. It’s a horrible thing, but these terrible tragedies happen all the time.
    Because we are a race of sinners. That’s why Jesus gave his life for us.
    And I don’t mean to oversimplify something that is both complicated and tragic. I’m not in the position to find a solution to every complex human controversy, and it would be arrogant for me to think I am, and foolish for me to try. But that’s what a lot of people, maybe you included, are trying to do with the shooting and court case in Florida. Everyone has an opinion, and most are strong. But no one really knows what happened. Their rush to judgement either way is an expression of arrogance and foolishness.
    Instead, wouldn’t it be a lot more productive for all of us to focus on the things we do know about, and the circumstances we do have control over? We all see and hear racism right here in our immediate circles. Shouldn’t we be battling it here, when we hear our friends, coworkers and family members spewing hatred and judgmentalism? Your opinion will do nothing for what happened in Florida, but it may with your coworker who makes those derogatory comments. Your judgement on Zimmerman’s or Trayvon’s state of mind is probably both inaccurate as well as ineffective to accomplish any good. But challenging talk of violence, bigotry or dogmatism in your sphere of influence may. If every Christian who is up-in-arms on either side of this Florida issue would simply be Jesus (both in kindness and loving confrontation) to the people around them, most of the racial division we see illustrated in this controversy would be defused. We Christians have a lot of power to make those kinds of changes just by being genuine Christians in all situations within our circles of influence.
    So, if you are a follower of Jesus, follow him here and now. Love others no matter what, and challenge them to make their way back to God.

Happy Anniversary

    Twenty-nine years is a long time for anything. It’s a long time to hold the same job. It’s a long time to live in the same house. It’s a really long time to be married to the same person.
    I can’t believe that Linda has been able to stay married to me for twenty-nine years. But I’m really glad she has!
    Neither of us remember a lot about our wedding. The ceremony and celebration wasn’t that

big of a deal to us. I think that couples today make way too much out the wedding day than what is healthy. For us, we were focused on the marriage, not so much the wedding. And that’s not just me talking, that was Linda’s approach.
    I think a lot of young couples are more in love with the idea of being in love, than they are focused on what it means to selflessly love another person, and unite with that person as a life’s partner. I get concerned when the excitement of a wedding has to do with the ceremony, celebration, dresses, tuxes, meal, deejay and dance, than the marriage itself. And now with so many couples living together and having sex with multiple partners before that, the only things left that are special about weddings are those shallow and expensive trappings.
    If you are young and not yet married, please listen to this little bit of advice on values: Make your preparations about your marriage, not so much about your wedding. I miss the days when the ceremony meant something and the reception was a simple and inexpensive send-off of good wishes for the couple.
    We started off very simple. We had very little money, a tiny basement efficiency apartment, a little silver Chevette, and a lot of crock pots we received for wedding gifts. I was still in seminary and kept working a couple of jobs.
    Looking back, we didn’t know each other very well. We had virtually no premarriage counseling (a mistake on the part of our pastors). Both of us had unrealistic expectations of each other. We were so very different in personality and interests that e-harmony or match.com would never have put us together.
    But the few things we had going for us overwhelmed the strikes against us. We were absolutely committed to spending our lives learning to love each other. We had shared moral and spiritual values. And both of us had a desire to please God in our marriage more than each other.
    And now, twenty-nine years later, I’d rather spend the day alone with Linda than anyone else on the planet. We do love each other and always have. But maybe more important than that, when it comes to longevity in a relationship, we’ve grown to LIKE each other!
    So happy anniversary today, my dear Lindsey!

How Committed Are You?

    A halfhearted commitment is not a commitment at all!
    Today is a celebration of commitment. A commitment that could never be described as halfhearted. For 237 years ago today, fifty-six men, all of whom had much to lose, committed themselves wholeheartedly to a cause that they believed in with every fiber of their being. The whole world has since benefited from their commitment to that cause.
    The closing words of this Declaration of Independence are this:

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

    They meant that, and it cost them. Some died during the war, others lost sons. A number had their houses ransacked and even destroyed. Wealth and businesses were seized, family members were threatened, persecuted, and some captured and held prisoner. All-in-all, the signers of this document put their lives, livelihood, wealth and reputations on the line, for the sake of this cause, and they suffered dearly for it. Few died in a better place, personally, than they were before signing on to the Revolution. But every one of us, both in America and abroad, have been enriched in multiple ways because of their commitment.
    I am first a citizen of heaven and a member of the Body of Christ. But I am also grateful for the blessing of living in a country that was merely an experiment in law and freedom when it was first established. This experiment would have never flown but for the commitment on the part of those fifty-six men that we celebrate every year on this day. Because of their commitment, we enjoy freedom.
    What are you committed to? Nothing good comes without it. What matters so much to you that you are willing to make major sacrifice in your personal life in order to make it fly? You are committed to something. To what?
    Then remember these opening words. A halfhearted commitment is not a commitment at all. How committed are you?

How Do You Handle Big News?

    When you get big news, how do you respond?
    “Well that depends on if it's good news or bad news,” you might reply. Does it really? Studies show that successful people tend to process good and bad news in the same way. People who react poorly to bad news also tend to make bad decisions in the wake of good news.
    For example, decisions in the aftermath of seemingly great news of instant wealth, such as winning the lottery, depend largely on how that person has historically handled distasteful news, such as the loss of a job. Here’s what I have learned:
    People who tend to handle life well process news, good and bad, in the same way. First, they analyze the problems as well as the opportunities that accompany this news. Good news and bad news alike carry with them both problems and opportunities. Next, they give consideration to their options; that is different ways in which they could respond and what the likely outcomes of those options will be. Third, they get advice from credible sources. Finally, they make a decision as to whether or not the news they received warrants a response and if so, what kind of response that should be based on the options they have considered.
    It is this kind of process that determines whether or not the loss of a job brings an opportunity for something better or becomes the source of bitterness. It also determines whether or not sudden wealth sends the recipient to eventual ruin or propels him to invested generosity and success.
    So it isn’t the nature of news that makes it good or bad, it’s the response of the hearer that ultimately determines whether or not the news is good!
    I was told I could no longer live with my family when I was 17 years old. I had to do something with that news. In the end, it was good news, believe it or not. Perhaps you have recently received some disappointing news. Remember, the jury is still out. God has a way of turning what appears to be bad into what ultimately is good (Romans 8:28). And that depends largely on your reaction, whether or not you will incorporate His grace into your response.
    For all of us, big news is around the corner. It’s up to you and your submission to God’s purposes that will determine whether or not it will be good or bad for you in the end.
    “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” –Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

Are You Going In Circles?

    Did you see the circling boat on the news last Monday? Two men went out fishing in Tampa Bay. On their way to the fishing spot, the boat hit a rogue wave causing one man to lose his balance, who fell into his friend, tumbling them both into the sea. The boat was still running and began to turn in a tight circle, around and around and around, for over an hour and a half. One of the boaters swam the long trek to shore. The other was picked up by another boater. The Coast Guard was called, but they elected to just let the boat run out of gas. After all, though the energy expended wasn’t accomplishing anything useful, it wasn’t doing any damage either. So, they just let it run in circles until it died.

    That does remind me of a lot of people. They run around in circles, around and around, giving the illusion that they are going somewhere. But there’s no driver, no direction, just wasted energy, going around and around, until all energy is expended and they run out of gas. Mesmerizing to watch, but a waste of time and energy nonetheless.

    Could that possibly be you?
    The best way to ensure that your activity is actually going somewhere, is to make sure you stay in the driver’s seat, that you know where you are going, and that you stay pointed in the right direction. Lots of activity is not enough. For a lot of people, their activity only wears them out, but they aren’t really getting anywhere.
    So where is your activity taking you? What direction are you heading in? Do you have goals? Is all of that activity planned in order to meet those goals? Or are you just reacting to life?
    Over twenty years ago, I realized I was going in circles. I was busy, but not productive. Honestly, today I’m far more productive but not as busy. I learned to set goals and schedule my week to meet those goals.
    Give it a shot. You’ll find you have more time than you thought, and you’ll get more done. It might even change your life.
    “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV).

Are You Really a Dad?

     Have you heard about Orlando Shaw, the Tennessee man who is being sued by 14 women for back child-support of his 22 children? He says that he loves all of his kids but just can’t afford to support them, largely because he says that his criminal record prevents him from finding a decent job.
     There is something to be said about the foolishness on the part of the women who bore his children, but let’s stick with Shaw. In a brief interview with WTVF News, Shaw said, “I was young and ambitious, and I love women. You can’t knock no man for loving women.”
     This guy has no clue what love is. He doesn’t love women, he uses them. Nor does he love his children. He may love the idea of having children, but love is the self-sacrificial commitment to the well-being of another. Love is responsible, selfless and supportive. This Father’s Day is no celebration for the likes of Orlando Shaw.
     This Father’s Day at The Bridge, we are celebrating real fathers, those who raise their kids, not just contributed to their DNA. And sadly, having a real man in the home with his kids is a dying breed in this country. When you look at the statistics, this is an alarming fact. In every negative category, kids without dads at home struggle. In every positive category, kids with dads involved in their lives, caring for them, supporting them, disciplining them, teaching them, and just being there for them, do far better.
     We have so many real fathers here at The Bridge to celebrate. Dads, I want to thank you for being models for the rest of the world. Thanks for showing the world the value of being the leader at home God created you to be. Thanks for taking your marriage vows seriously (that’s part of being a good dad) and being committed to your momentous responsibility of raising kids!
     Happy Fathers Day to those of you who are REALLY fathers!

Cautiously Chasing a Tornado

     Brock, my youngest son, loves to watch the Discovery Channel's, “Storm Chasers.” It follows several crews of tornado chasers who look for and follow storms that are likely to produce tornadoes. You’ve probably seen the news accounts of the tragic death of three men who were featured on the program, Tim Samaras and his son, Paul, along with colleague Carl Young, were all killed when the vehicle they were using to follow an E3 touchdown, was crushed by what is believed to be a spin-off of the main twister. It was a terrible tragedy and I grieve for the loved ones of all three.
     What was ironic about this, is that Tim Samaras, the leader, had a reputation among meteorologists as the safest of those who chased storms. Unlike some in the field, he was described by his colleagues as one who did not take risks to get in too close. He was not a thrill seeker, but a scientist who wanted to collect information for the sake of research.
     But is it really possible to be a “cautious storm chaser”? I don’t condemn these three for what happened, nor do I blame others in this field. I’m kind of a risk-taker by nature, myself. But let’s face it, chasing tornadoes is not safe. It just isn’t. I’d have a hard time describing anyone as a “cautious storm chaser.”
     But then there are those who love to play around the edges of sin while trying to convince loved ones that they are “careful.” Promiscuous people often say that they practice, “safe sex”, while making their rounds. I’ve had addicts tell me that they always make sure they use only clean needles. I’ve also had alcoholics try to reassure me that they are very careful when they drive, and can drive better after a few drinks. It’s one of the dupes of sin. Giving in clouds our thinking and misleads us into believing we are fine.
     After all, Tim Samaras was safely buckled into the seat of his storm-chasing SUV. He was found still buckled in.
     There is nothing safe about chasing tornadoes. And there is nothing safe about playing with sin. Let’s not see how close we can get. Let’s see how far away we can stay!

Proverbs 4:14-15, 19 – “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on… The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (ESV).

Stop Whining

    In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus told his followers to fast differently than the way a lot of people of his day fasted. It seems a number of people enjoyed attention from others for their “sacrifice” of fasting. They made it obvious that they were sacrificing food, and they took on the appearance of being weak, disheveled and hungry. And of course, they let every one know what they were going through.
    Jesus said, “Don’t do that.” You don’t need to let anyone know you are making a sacrifice. Clean yourself up, put a smile on your face, be pleasant and be a blessing to people. Let your sacrifice be between you and God.
    When I read that passage this week, I immediately thought of a young Bible College student years ago who had taken his first “labor” job at a bicycle factory near our town. I know he had to work hard, but his demeanor was almost laughable. Every time I saw him he was slumped over and walking slow. When you asked him how he was doing, he would go on and on about how hard his job was and all the hours he was working. Midway through the summer, I sat down with him and said, “Mike (not his name), this is only a summer job. It’s not that bad. Some people spend their lives working these kinds of jobs. Be grateful for the work and stop drawing attention to how hard it is.”
    I’m really glad that he took my advice. His attitude changed, and today, he’s working a much harder job in a dangerous part of the world as a ministry leader in a persecuted land.
    There are some who seem to have a need to share their adversities with everyone. You almost hate to ask them how they are doing because when you do, they feel compelled to come up with multiple reasons you should feel sorry for them.
    I have a hard time understanding that outlook. I was homeless at 17 and was living in a motel. I’ve lived in campgrounds and have had to sleep in my car more than once. But honestly, nobody knew it. I was a new Christian and was ecstatic about what God had done for me. I knew he had a plan in it all and that adversity was opportunity for me to learn to trust him and put him on display in my life. People who knew me then would tell you that I was happy. Sadly, I think I complain more today than I did when life was REALLY rough.
    Then I think of my in-laws. Both live with daily pain. They have difficulty walking, getting in and out of the car, and even out of bed in the morning. Yet their joy in life is evident to everyone who know them. Ask them how they are doing and you will hear them express gratitude for God’s goodness.
    I think the tendency to whine and complain is really a drive to get people interested in our lives. But it doesn’t work. People shun complainers. We are drawn to joyful people. We like hanging out with those who are interested in us, rather than those who work at trying to get us interested in them.
    So turn it around. Go to God with your troubles...he does invite your prayers. But when it comes to other people, I’m not saying that you should pretend that everything is wonderful, just focus on being a blessing. And you’ll find that the smile you give to others will actually change the way you feel on the inside.

How Could God Do This?

    The tornado tragedy in Oklahoma is heartbreaking. The idea of an elementary school being leveled by an E5 tornado is horrible.  And then you hear first responders recount how they found remains of three children huddled together under the body of the teacher who had been attempting to shield them. Wow. The loss of life, property damage, and lots of individual stories make the situation difficult to follow on the news. I have a hard time watching it.
    Then we ask, “How could God do something like this?”
    As a Christian, I believe that God is sovereign. That means that he is in complete control. He is in charge. Jesus reassured us that even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without our Heavenly Father caring about it. So what about these tornadoes, the human suffering, the children? Does God care more about a sparrow learning to fly than he does the people in Moore, Oklahoma?
    Jesus did not say that the Father would keep the sparrow from ever falling. In fact, Jesus told his followers that in this world, we will have great difficulty (John 16:33). Tragedy was also a reality of life when Jesus was on the earth and he didn’t prevent it all. There were hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes and earthquakes then as well. He did calm the storm, one time. But there were a lot of storms going on in Palestine in his lifetime. He didn’t calm all of them.
    So how can we say God is sovereign?
    You might remember from our “Heaven” series that God gave the responsibility to care for the earth to Adam in the Garden. And you probably remember what Adam and Eve did with it, they turned it over to God’s enemy, Satan. When sin came into the picture, this world came under Satan’s domain, and corruption over all of creation ensued. That’s why Jesus referred to Satan as “the god of this world.”
    Today, we live in a fallen world, ruled by the enemy of God. Through Jesus, he has paid the ransom necessary for our reconciliation and this world’s redemption (Romans 8). He could retake and remake the world right now without all of the evil, natural disasters and suffering. All of that, being under his sovereignty, could be dealt with in an instant, and it will be someday. But the Apostle Peter said that God was holding out to give opportunity for more people to respond to his offer of salvation (2 Peter 3:9). It is by his mercy that he is patient. In the mean time, we live in a world that is filled with very real trouble, because it is under another temporary ruler.
    The Lord does not leave us alone in it, however. He promised to be present with us and to walk with us through our greatest trials. But our promise of deliverance will be realized in the next world, not in this one.
    So, how could God do this? Remember, evil is best defined by what is left over when God is not there. This is a world that is under Satan’s domain. God does intervene on rare occasions, but out of respect for human choice, he has allowed the corruption of sin to work its way out to its logical conclusion. The trouble in this world, including natural disasters, is what we have as a result.
    If we will look to him in the middle of it, he would love to reveal himself to us.

Scandals in Washington

    This has been quite the week of scandals in American politics. President Obama has, for the most part, enjoyed the goodwill of the mainstream press. But that appears to be interrupted this week. Major questions of credibility are now being asked in lieu of the Benghazi talking points affair, the procurement of Associated Press journalist telephone records, and the IRS maltreatment of conservative organizations. It does remind us of the fickle nature of political favor. And no matter who is to blame for the above issues, it also reminds us that politics is politics, no matter who is running the show. The Christian’s hope has never been and can never be in a human leader or political system.
    Maybe just reading a blog from me that refers to current issues in politics makes you nervous. This is not, in any way, a commentary on what is happening in Washington. I certainly have my concerns with what is coming to light, but I have much bigger concerns. While both sides of the political spectrum are doing battle with each other, I am more concerned with whether or not Christians are being Christian. When it comes to politics, even Christians tend to defend to the death just about anything that their favorite politicians do or say, regardless of the truth or Biblical principles that are at stake. And even Christians tend to attack with venom those on the other side of the political spectrum, again, regardless of what Jesus taught about the attitudes we are to have towards everyone, including our enemies.
    I am far more concerned with whether or not Christians are being Christian than I am with politicians being politicians. I expect lost people to behave like they are lost. I expect scandals in Washington and I’m not shocked when they happen. I’m not surprised that even Billy Graham’s organization has been singled out by the IRS. Jesus told us that persecution would be a reality for those who follow him. The fact that we haven’t been persecuted in the United States has been a blessing, but an unusual one. The world being the world should not unsettle us. And yes, we ought to do all we can to be positive influences. But the world will be the world. And they need to see something entirely different in us...JESUS!
    So instead of obsessing over politics or the global march of Islam or the discouraging direction of morality, let’s become obsessed with following Jesus in every minute detail of our lives. Let’s be Christian first in the way we work, love our spouses, raise our kids, cheer at ballgames, engage in political discussions, and interact with our friends and extended families. If we simply take care of the responsibilities that our leader emphasized, the change we are supposed to produce in the world will take care of itself. Let’s just be Christian...in everything!
    “...that He might come to have first place in everything.” – Colossians 1:18 HCSB

Kidnapped and Held Captive

     Horrified.
     That’s how we felt as the details emerged of the plight of those three young women who had been kidnapped and imprisoned in Cleveland for over a decade. And the details are just beginning to come out. They will worsen in the weeks ahead, no doubt.
     Will these young women ever be able to return to normal life?
     Many psychologists being interviewed on news television programs emphasize a need for lengthy and careful “debriefing”. I think it’s going to take a lot more than that. One woman who was interviewed in the wake of all this had been kidnapped herself and held captive. She explained how her return to normalcy took years and came about only because her parents protected her from media coverage and constantly gave her reassurance of their love and protection. She went through years of counseling and reentered life one step at a time. Even then, she was vexed with flashbacks and memories. As I said, it took years for her to overcome her time as a captive.
     That’s actually not altogether different for a new Christian. The Bible describes our salvation experience as a deliverance from captivity, and Jesus’ payment for our sin on the cross is called a ransom. The human race is in the mess that it is because it is under the captivity and dominance of Satan. When we are saved from that captivity, we are freed! But the memories and aftereffects of years in Satan’s domain continues to vex our thinking, our emotions, our spirits. Becoming a Christian does not mean that we immediately overcome all of the issues we struggled with because of our captivity. But it does set us on the road to recovery. But yet, that takes work, careful debriefing and years of reprogramming our thoughts, emotions, and memories, to fully enjoy the freedom we’ve been given in Christ. Just as we would not expect Amanda Berry to be perfectly normal next week, we should not expect new Christians to immediately be all that God intends for them to be. The trouble is, because many Christians never experience that time of reprogramming, though they have been saved for years, are still captive, in their own minds.
     For liberated followers of Jesus this necessary debriefing and reprogramming is a growth process the Bible calls, “Sanctification.” This weekend, we are kicking off a six week series that will help us understand just how spiritual growth takes place. We’ll be looking at five “catalysts” for growth. That is, five ingredients in our lives that produce growth. If you are going to grow, it will be through at least two or three of the mechanisms that God uses for growth. And they are: Practical Teaching, Providential Relationships, Private Disciplines, Personal Ministry and Pivotal Circumstances. In the weeks ahead, we will be exploring these catalysts and how God uses them, as well as how we can leverage these tools for our own spiritual growth.
     You are no longer held captive in the devil’s lair. You’ve been set free! So let’s seek to grow our faith to take full advantage of the freedom we have in Christ, and become the people God created us to be.

Are Christians Anti-Gay?

     There is quite the commotion in the media over the recent NBA player who has come out publicly to announce that he is gay. And there is even more clamor over Chris Broussard, the ESPN announcer, who said that because of his Christian faith, he cannot condone homosexual behavior. For that, his job is now in jeopardy.
    I wonder if a high profile Christian were to say that adultery is not compatible with Christian values, would he be censored for saying that? What if he said that viewing pornography or visiting prostitutes or doing illegal drugs or getting drunk or a host of other things, are incompatible with Christian values. Would he be denigrated for criticizing these activities? Why is it that in this one area, political correctness has nearly eliminated any debate, any questioning, any opinion contrary to what has become a media protected lifestyle?
     Have we come to the place where there can be no debate regarding the rightness or wrongness of certain protected behaviors?
     And how about this question: Are we so settled in our acceptance of an aberrant lifestyle that we refuse to even listen to what God has to say about it? Are we so stuck on our desire to be tolerant that we will not tolerate those who believe otherwise? Are we unwilling to even consider that God designed the human race a certain way and that people hurt themselves and others when they rebel against that design? Can we not even say things like that without fearing that we will be castigated?
     Let me briefly say what the Bible does say. The Bible says that all of us are sinners. Without Jesus, we would all be lost. And followers of Jesus cannot expect nonchristians to live by Christian values. We should expect lost people to act lost and not be surprised when they do. But it is right for us to be open about what the Bible says, not only about God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice, but also on the problem of sin and our need to turn from it. The Bible does say that any kind of sexual activity outside of marriage is sin––and sin separates us from God. Homosexual behavior is specifically identified in the Bible as a rebellion against God’s intention for sexuality. We can’t say that we believe the Bible and also say that there is nothing wrong with homosexual behavior. Just like we can’t say that we believe the Bible and also say that there is nothing wrong with gossiping, getting drunk, or committing adultery. As Christians, we are to care about all people and help them to see that God loves them, that he is eager to forgive them, and that He has a better plan for their lives than their own. But we can’t do that if they never admit to being in need of forgiveness. Gay people, like all sinners, are in need of forgiveness. And yes, homosexual behavior is a sin that Jesus died for and needs to be and can be forgiven (just like my sin).
     So are Christians anti-gay? No more than Jesus is. No more than we should be anti-gossip or anti-adultery. As followers of Jesus, we should be for everything that God is for and against everything that God is against. Sometimes, that will put us at odds with our culture.

Time to Stop With the Excuses?

     I struggled with baptism. For six months I held off getting baptized. I had grown up knowing only of babies being sprinkled as baptism. The idea of a person my age getting fully immersed as a metaphor of what Jesus did for us was foreign to me. The first time I heard about it, I thought it was weird.
     Even after I started reading the Bible and seeing baptism being practiced as an immersion for adults, or people old enough to request it, even then it was a struggle. After actually reading the Bible, it became obvious to me what baptism was for early Christians. There was no doubt that every time someone was baptized that they went completely under the water. And that made sense because the Bible says that baptism is supposed to picture Jesus’ resurrection (Romans 6:4-6). I knew that sprinkling didn’t remotely symbolize a resurrection. And it also became apparent to me that every person baptized in the Bible was old enough to express their own faith in Jesus, that they believed before they were baptized (Acts 2:41). I began to look to find any instances of a baby being baptized in the Bible, and I couldn’t find even one (there aren’t any).
     So while I became convinced that baptism was an immersion in water for those old enough to express faith in Jesus, I still struggled with getting baptized myself. I didn’t want to acknowledge that there was anything wrong with what I had believed before. I also felt like getting baptized would be tantamount to turning my back on my whole religious upbringing. And I didn’t want to hurt my parents’ feelings. So I just kept putting it off.
     But Bible verses kept nagging at me. Verses such as “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...” (Acts 2:38). And Jesus’ words, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). I finally gave in and decided to stop with the excuses and just do what Jesus told me to do.
     Still being concerned about my parents, I went to my dad to explain (my mom was not in touch with me). I said something like, “Dad, I really appreciate what you did for me as a baby. But as I’ve been reading the Bible, I’ve come to realize that being baptized is a decision I have to make for myself. I’d love for you to come and share the experience with me.”
     Guess what? My dad wound up getting baptized at the same time that I did! One of the great thrills of my life! And I stepped out of the baptistry that day with a very different outlook on everything in my life. I was so glad that I stopped making excuses and simply followed through on what I knew I should do. It was my first real step in letting Jesus take over and myself surrendering to do what he says. And that has changed my life.
     Have you obeyed him in this one little area? Or are you still making excuses?

When It Rains, It Pours

     Flooding in Des Plaines has become a fact of life. My introduction to the northwest suburbs came three weeks after we moved here in 2007. The people we bought our house from insisted it had never had water in the basement. But our first month in Des Plaines a storm knocked the power out for ten days and brought about six inches of water into our basement. Canoes were making their way down River Road (which becomes literal every time it floods).
     The flooding has repeated itself here about every two years. It has given us opportunity to work together on emptying the church basement of water (something we hope we have fixed) and helping one another and our neighbors with their basement flooding.
     And why does it flood? On occasion, we get a downpour of a half inch to an inch in an hour’s time. The ground can’t handle the torrent so it finds it’s way into our houses, sometimes by overwhelming the storm sewers. But most often, it is the result of steady, constant rain, over the course of several days. Eventually, the ground becomes saturated and it seeps through the concrete (all basement walls and floors have some cracking) and into our basements. If you have a good sump system, the pump usually keeps your basement dry. But sometimes it gets so bad that the pump can’t keep up, and sometimes the pump fails...and you get flooded.
     It just comes down to too much rain. And that’s also how adversity overwhelms us.
     We can handle a certain amount. We all know that things go wrong in life. It’s just how it is in this world. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33 NIV).
     We know we are going to have to endure storms. It’s just how it is. And sometimes we feel overwhelmed, especially when there doesn’t seem to be sunshine in the forecast. It’s one thing to lose your job or to face a health concern. But for some of you, its a job loss, health crisis, relationship failure, all in the same week. It’s like your life becomes saturated with trouble and your spirit is flooded.
     Jesus did say, “In this world you will have trouble...” But then he added, “Take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). In other words, he’s better than having a well-working sump system. Unlike sump pumps, he won’t fail, he doesn’t need an external power source, and if you have him, you need not be overwhelmed.
     I get a little seepage into my basement whenever heavy rains come because we don’t have a sump pump. So ground saturation will inevitably lead to at least some flooding.
     But I do have Jesus. So in this world, while I know I’ll have trouble, I’m resting on him for safekeeping...he has overcome the world!

The Snake that Burned the House Down

    Did you hear about the woman in Texas who lit her house on fire last month? While raking and cleaning out her yard, she encountered a snake. Her response is a bit perplexing, because hitting it over the head with the rake handle would have worked just fine. But instead, she grabbed a nearby gasoline can and doused the snake, then threw a match on it. The inflamed snake slithered into a brush pile next to the house, and before she knew it, the brush pile and the house were engulfed in flames. It was a total loss.
    Our reactions to problems are often worse than the problems themselves.
    Reading that story, we scratch our heads. Seems pretty foolish. But that woman only lost her house. We often overreact to problems and lose our families, livelihoods, kids. When you blow up in a fit of anger because you think you are being disrespected, you are setting a needless fire that is capable of destroying valuable relationships, sometimes shattering families. When you retaliate at work because you think you are being unfairly treated, you lose out on future promotions, make life at work miserable because of the atmosphere you create among your coworkers, or maybe even lose your job altogether, and thereby your livelihood.
    I talk to people all the time who light snakes on fire, burning their houses down, but still insist on it being the snake’s fault.
    Everybody faces problems. Everybody gets disrespected. Everybody is at some time mistreated. What happens in your life is more about your responses than your circumstances. Snakes are inevitable. Dousing them with gas and lighting them on fire is foolish.
    When we face those snakes, we have opportunities. If you use wisdom, control your emotional reactions, think through your choices, and act in a way that honors God and is loving to others, the very thing you think is causing all of your problems might become your greatest blessing. Because it’s not the “thing” that is usually actually causing the problems. It’s your reaction to those things that determines outcomes.
    How are you responding to life’s problems? Still blaming your husband? Your ex-wife? Your boss? Your depression? Your “stress”? Don’t let your reaction compound the issue. See the sovereignty of God in it, and let him lead you in a wise response that will honor him, love others, and in the end, turn the problem into something good.
   

You Have To Do This If You Want to Grow

    Several years ago, one of our newer office assistants complained that her computer shut down and wouldn’t turn back on. I was the resident “go-to” for tech issues, so I asked, “What happened when it shut down?”
    “I dropped my mouse,” she said.
    That normally wouldn’t turn off a computer, so I assumed something else had happened. “Check all the wires behind the computer and try turning it on again.” She did, and it didn’t respond.
    “Where did you drop your mouse?” I asked.
    “Right here, where the wires feed behind the desk.” I looked underneath, and sure enough...when she dropped the mouse it landed on the power button on the power strip. The computer wouldn’t turn on because there was no power feeding it.
    “Nice shot.”
    I guess that is the standard joke among tech support people (we have quite a few in our church). They are often called for “silly problems” that often amount to the plug not being inserted, or the power button being off. It is pretty elementary to know that there needs to be power to an electronic device for it to work, whether wired or battery.
    Are you plugged in? Do you keep your battery charged?
    I’ve been a follower of Jesus for thirty-five years. In that time, if there is one thing that I have learned about living the Christian life, it is that I need constant input from the power source. If I’m not “plugged in” and “recharged” daily, I struggle. Any growth that has ever taken place in my faith has been in some way related to my time alone with God, reading his word and applying it to my life, and talking to God, asking for his help in my life and for others. When I’m doing that...maintaining a daily personal quiet time, I’m growing spiritually. When I’m not, I’m not.
    Do you have a time like that? Do you make the time every day to read God’s Word and to pray specifically? I challenge you, make the commitment to get started. It will change your life in so many ways!
    Maybe you don’t know where to start. Here are some suggestions:

• Make an appointment with God and get it on your calendar. Same time every day (20-30 minutes)
• Pick a book and read, reread, and reread again. (Start in the New Testament, i.e. John)
• Log in a journal just a few things that you learn and can apply
• Start a prayer list for personal requests, family & friends, church

    Personal time with God is our being plugged into the power supply. Or think of it as the daily charge to your battery. Life drains us. Time with God recharges us. And when you consistently make the time to be alone with Him, it’s amazing how you sense His presence throughout the rest of the day.
    Go ahead. Get your calendar out and schedule it now!

Do You Care About Heaven?

    Should it matter to us now what heaven will be like?
    I should say so! After hearing and reading from both church and non-church people what their assumptions are of heaven, having a Biblical understanding of what God says our ultimate home will be like, does matter. If heaven is really the place (or lack thereof) that many people think it is, it does not offer much incentive for people to want to find out how to get there. After all, the Bible describes it for a reason! One, is certainly to offer hope to the believer (which it only does when understood as a “good place” to be), the other is to be an attraction for those not yet on their way.
    And if it is not important for us to know what heaven is like, then the Bible would not offer so much information about it. A lot of people don’t even know that the Bible does tell us a lot about what heaven will be like. But it does!
    Christian philosopher and physicist Blaise Pascal wrote, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end.”
    I think he’s right. We all seek happiness. But listen to what the great American theologian, Jonathan Edwards, said early in his life regarding his pursuit of happiness, “It becomes us to spend this life only as a journey toward heaven… to which we should subordinate all other concerns of life. Why should we labor for or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end and true happiness?” In a set of resolutions that he wrote for himself as a young man, he determined, “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.”
    Pascal and Edwards both had a wise handle on a God-given pursuit for all of us, happiness in the afterlife. After all, that is the ultimate of happiness. A few cheap thrills in the here and now will be over in a flash. But heaven is forever!
    But will it be a place of happiness? Or will it be eternal boredom?
    Because of the misinformation that is out there, largely circulated in the church world, lots of people think the latter. But in this series, HEAVEN (starting on Easter Sunday at The Bridge), we will discover that those who think so are dead wrong!
    I want to encourage you, be here for every message. Over the course of the next four weeks, with a Q & A format, I’m going to use the Bible to answer the most common questions about heaven.
    You are going to love this series! Join me at The Bridge as we learn what God wants us to know about Heaven.

Have You Been Smoltified?

    Salmon are amazing creatures. Several years ago, our family vacationed in Alaska in August, the prime season for salmon migration. I was enthralled with the sight of rivers, so teeming with salmon swimming upstream, that they gave the appearance of white water rapids, when in fact it was all salmon creating the disturbances in the water.
    Salmon are born as fresh water fish. As they grow, they become more streamlined in their appearance, their color changes, their endocrine activity increases, and their gills are altered to allow for a greater tolerance to sodium and potassium, all the while they are migrating downstream towards the ocean. Through a metabolic process called, “smoltification”, they adapt to life in saltwater. Scientists still aren’t sure of all of the biological intricacies involved, but somehow these freshwater fish not only learn to survive in saltwater, they actually become saltwater creatures who thrive in their new environment. Once adapted to salt water, fresh water kills them.
    And yet they return to the fresh water to spawn, reproduce, and thereby, die. The freshwater is death to them because it is no longer their home environment. They become creatures of the sea.
    Next week, Easter Sunday, I will be launching our next sermon series: “HEAVEN.” I’m excited about it and I hope you are as well. Because you see, while we live here, this earth’s current environment is death to us. None of us are going to get out alive. But God invites us all on a spiritual smoltification journey to transform us into creatures that thrive in another world...heaven. Those who are transformed by the resurrected life of Jesus are forever changed. This world, with all it has to offer, will never be our ultimate home. For the Christian, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
    C.S. Lewis said, “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
    This world is not our home, it will not satisfy. We were created for something better. We were made to be in the presence of and in fellowship with God. For those of us who have been reconciled to Him through Jesus, heaven is waiting. And only then will we realize all that it means to be fully human and fulfilled in our existence.
    But not everyone has this hope. You live near, work with, and are related to others who are still trying to find satisfaction in a world that only ends in death. If you’ve experienced the new birth that God offers through Jesus, why not eagerly share it with others? A great opportunity comes this week with Easter Sunday approaching. Let’s make every effort to bring others to hear what the Bible says about heaven, and the good news of it’s availability to them.
    Invite everyone you know this Easter!