A Mystery Not Explained Naturally

In Colossians 1, Paul writes about a mystery that has been revealed to the church and through the church to the world:
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Christ is in us - and that has been made possible by the series of events that we commemorate during this Holy Week.  Jesus died on a cross, according to the will of God, the execution of a perfect plan. He became the necessary, perfect sacrifice for our sins.  And, He was raised from the dead so that we, by identifying with Him in His death and resurrection, can experience new life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Christ in us, the One who works in our hearts to transform us and to express His nature through us.

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The apostle Paul yearned to know Christ better, and he wrote in Philippians chapter 3:
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Last week, there were reports of a rather strange sighting in the Santa Monica Mountains in California. UPI.com reported that a piano appeared without explanation at a lookout point 2 miles from the nearest road.

Hikers and news helicopters captured images and video Thursday showing the piano, estimated to weigh at least 300 to 400 pounds, that was apparently placed late Wednesday or early Thursday at the Topanga Lookout, which is accessible by a 2-mile hike from the nearest road.

The piano was placed on the site of an old fire tower, which famously also once hosted a couch of similarly mysterious origins.

Got to be a reason, right?

It turns out, according to MyFoxLA.com, that the piano was placed there by five guys who hauled the piano all the way to the top for a music video shoot.   That's a 2-mile roundtrip hike with some elevation gain.  The news source tracked down the group and said the haul took about 45 minutes.  I will say it was an upright piano rather than a grand or baby grand, but still, it took quite an effort.

The piano on the mountain.  Just another mystery that once looked unexplained, but was actually solved.  

But, there's a seeming mystery that we as believers in Christ hold on to, a mystery that cannot be explained by natural logic or attributed by natural causes.

In a piece published on the Bible.ca website, Josh McDowell is quoted as saying:

A student at the University of Uruguay said to me. "Professor McDowell, why can't you refute Christianity?"

"For a very simple reason," I answered. "I am not able to explain away an event in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

He goes on to say:

How do you evaluate this overwhelming historical evidence? What is your decision about the fact of Christ's empty tomb? What do you think of Christ?

When I was confronted with the overwhelming evidence for Christ's resurrection, I had to ask the logical question: "What difference does all this evidence make to me? What difference does it make whether or not I believe Christ rose again and died on the cross for my sins!' The answer is put best by something Jesus said to a man who doubted—Thomas. Jesus told him: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

There is powerful evidence for resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And, the certainty of a living Lord can give us hope for our lives.  Throughout the ages, there are those that have attempted to explain it away, yet the circumstances surrounding the empty tomb, and the tomb itself can provide powerful, persuasive evidence that Jesus is alive.  Even the Scriptures say that there was a rumor that the disciples had attempted to steal away the body of Jesus, but He appeared numerous times after His resurrection.  The eyewitnesses can tell a compelling story about the authenticity of Christ's post-resurrection appearances.

Indeed, He has risen.  I believe that is irrefutable.  There are those who have tried to discredit the story, and many will try today, but the evidence is too strong.  And, this can give us great certainty as we share with others the good news of a Savior who died and rose again to free us from our sins. What might be a mystery to some becomes a reality to us who believe in Him.

Let's think together about another mystery that can be certified spiritually - the fact of the new birth. Because Jesus is risen, we can have new life in Him.  By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we can experience a change, not of mind first, but of spirit, which results in the renewing of our minds and the transformation of our lives.  Paul said in Colossians 1 that Christ in us is the hope of glory.

We live in a society that skews toward naturalism - there are occurrences that people will attempt to explain away.  And, I believe we need to be sensitive to those seemingly unexplainable instances in our own lives and give credit where credit is due.  We serve a God who deals in the supernatural and is working in a realm that we cannot comprehend.  When we encounter those mysterious incidences in our lives, perhaps we can discern that the hand of God is at work.  He will bring events to pass that we cannot explain naturally, that can only be credited to Him - we can be challenged to give Him the glory.

March Misfortune

We are human beings who are vulnerable to sin, but we have a powerful friend who walks with us and will help us overcome and experience victory in our lives. In 1st Corinthians 10, we read:
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

When temptation comes our way, we have to be spiritually sharp to discern when we are being tempted, and stand strong and not give in.  God gives us the resources to enable us to do that.  We have the instruction of God's Word and we possess the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.  We can be challenged to live in a constant state of dependence on Christ so that when the enemy comes to lure us away from God, we can exercise His power to walk in victory.

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James 1 has plenty to say about resisting temptation, and in this passage, we also see the progression of sin:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Well, after two exciting weekends of college basketball and scores of brackets filled out and subsequently "busted," by and large, and plenty of money wagered on the NCAA men's tournament, the Final Four has been set.  Unbeaten Kentucky will face Big 10 champion Wisconsin, who is thought to have a shot at ending the Wildcats' streak.  And, two seemingly perennial participants - Duke and Michigan State, will square off in the other national semifinal game.

And, according to FBI estimates, by the time the new champion cuts the nets down next Monday night, there will have been more than 2.5 billion dollars wagered on the games.  A Baptist Press article states that:

The FBI estimates that more than $2.5 billion is wagered on March Madness each year, exceeding the amount bet on the Super Bowl, according to the NCAA website. The American Gaming Association estimated that Americans have filled out 70 million brackets this year with the average bet per bracket coming in at $29. The total number of brackets filled out exceeds the number of votes cast in the last presidential election for either President Obama or Mitt Romney.

The NCAA "opposes all forms of gambling -- legal and illegal -- on college sports," according to the group's website. Betting on college sports provides children an entry point to gambling, prompts individuals involved in organized crime to contact student-athletes and "threatens the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of the game," the NCAA said in a statement on its website.

And...it could be illegal. So says Marc Edelman, law professor at the City University of New York, who is quoted as saying in Forbes that NCAA Tournament betting violates federal law and gambling laws in many states. He writes, "Most participants who pay entry fees into NCAA Tournament pools will probably never stop to consider the legal implications of their actions," adding, "However, while the participants in NCAA pools are rarely prosecuted, there is a strong argument that pay-to-enter contests violate both federal and state law."

Legal or not, there are moral and ethical implications at play here.  Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research at Southern Baptists' Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, is quoted as saying that, "Christians would be wise to refrain from gambling on the NCAA Tournament." He said, "That is the best way to make sure they are not violating their responsibilities before God and their fellow man. They should share their convictions with others and encourage them to refrain as well."

Duke wrote to Baptist Press about three principles of gambling overall, contending that these practices violate Scripture. He says, "When we gamble, we misuse some of the resources entrusted to us by God, we set a dangerous example for others to follow, and we lend credibility to a practice that destroys millions of people every year. First Corinthians 10:31 reminds the Christian of his stewardship responsibility. The Christian must use all the resources at his disposal in a manner that glorifies God. This includes the little things as well." He also states, "He must also remember that his actions influence the decisions of others. In 1 Corinthians 8:13 the apostle Paul instructs the Christian to be sure his activity does not cause another to stumble by following his example. While someone may be able to control his gambling, someone else who follows his example may not."

And, commenting on the principle of loving our neighbor, Duke says, "The Christian must bear in mind that he has a responsibility to help others flourish. Engaging in an activity that takes what belongs to another is not putting others first."

Paul Chitwood, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, is quoted as saying that gambling "is a growing problem in our nation as well as in Kentucky." He states, "When we stop to consider that organized crime is the big winner when people gamble, that the integrity of the games and athletes we love is threatened and that countless thousands of children suffer the consequences of their parents' gambling addiction, one could hardly call gambling a harmless endeavor." He said that placing even minimal wagers on basketball games violates biblical principles and added that, "The Bible warns us repeatedly against the sins of greed and covetousness, both of which are the essential motivations in gambling..." He also pointed out that gambling violates the principle of loving our neighbor.

So, what do we take away from this information?   Well, for one thing, we recognize that while the Scriptures don't say "thou shalt not gamble," there are a host of Biblical principles that are violated by the practice.  We have to evaluate our practices by using the Scriptural test, and recognize where our behavior doesn't line up with God's Word.   

By calling attention to seemingly small forms of sinful behavior, we can prevent a greater problem taking root in our lives.   Think about statements such as "it's just one drink..."   Or looking at a pornographic website on your computer or phone.   The strongholds of sin in our lives began with just one action, one errant choice, which is repeated - gamblers didn't start out to become addicts and leave a trail of destruction behind, but that's what happens when you play with sin, any sin.  The man or woman whose marriage has broken up due to porn or through adultery likely didn't set out one day to become addicted or to become unfaithful.  Sin has a characteristic - it takes hold of us one choice, one action at a time, until we are overtaken.  We have to be careful to evaluate our choices in the light of Scripture.

Faithful to the End

In Hebrews 3, we read a passage of Scripture that encourages us to be faithful to the Lord, holding on to Him with confidence:
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end...

We are part of a spiritual journey that has no end.  Everyone lives forever; we choose the locale.  For the believer in Christ, we have the promise of eternity with Jesus, and He calls us to live on this earth with a sense of devotion to Him and faithfulness to obey His Word.  He desires for us to exercise our faith in Him and to live a life that reflects His presence in our hearts, guarding against our hearts become hard because of sin and living in the knowledge of the truth and freedom that comes from Him.

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The apostle Paul, knowing that his time on earth was about to end, expressed his attitude in 2nd Timothy 4:
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.


A few months ago, I had the distinct privilege of interviewing a young lady who was dying of cancer. You see, she had written a book called, The Hardest Peace, and had a blog called Mundane Faithfulness.  But, she gained national attention after her open letter to another young lady who was dying, urging her not to allow her life to expire on a certain date.



Columnist Cathy Lynn Grossman of Religion News Service wrote:

Kara Tippetts, 38, has died. Metastatic breast cancer took her from her pastor husband, Jason, and their four children on Sunday (March 22).

But in her last years of life, her saga of accepting suffering became, in a quietly powerful way, a cultural force for another way of choosing death with dignity, one that refused to hasten death.

In recent years, the movement for physician-assisted dying has seized the phrase “death with dignity” in its campaign to expand this option beyond the five states where it’s now legal. Compassion & Choices, a leading lobby for this, brought national attention to Brittany Maynard, who chose to die November 1 when she was just 29, by taking a legal lethal prescription rather than lose her mind to an aggressive cancerous brain tumor.

Grossman goes on:

Tippetts wrote an open letter to Maynard in October. It began with gratitude.

I think it is good for our culture to know what is happening in Oregon.

It’s a discussion that needs to be brought out of the quiet corners and brought brightly into the light. You sharing your story has done that. It matters, and it is unbelievably important.

But, Tippetts wrote: “Dear heart, we simply disagree … hastening death was never what God intended.”

Jesus, she told Maynard, “overcame the death you and I are facing in our cancer. He longs to know you, to shepherd you in your dying, and to give you life and give you life abundant- eternal life.”

In this article, Cathy Lynn Grossman writes, "Brittany Maynard had the spotlight for autonomy and defiance. Kara Tippetts takes the spotlight now, in “mundane faithfulness.”



On Wednesday, a post appeared on the blog: "Letter to my readers upon my death."  Kara wrote:

There is so much love in this community I can barely take it all in at times. I have been prayed for, cried over, my story shared over and over. You all can't know the love I have felt from each of you.

It's impossible for me to not imagine coming to this place again to share my heart new with you. It seems impossible that this journey has finally come to an end. But I've done gone and flown away to the land of no more tears- won't you rejoice with me? My pain is gone, my fears are calmed, I'm in the sovereignly good hands of Jesus. He is my forever enough now. What bliss I'm sure I'm enjoying. It's hard for me to separate my feelings for that place and this.

She encouraged prayer for her family and announced that the blog will continue, with the help of friends.



A piece on the WORLD website said this:

Tippetts readily admitted cancer’s tragedy and challenges. And she didn’t pretend it was easy to see God during the hardest days. Her church family not only cleaned her home and helped prepare meals, they also reminded her of the gospel when sickness overwhelmed her.

“Our neediness has become our strength,” Tippetts wrote. “We wake needing God’s grace, Jesus’ presence, and to walk in a way that allows our love to abound more and more. It’s stunning, absolutely stunning, to see a community of the beautifully broken seek daily bread to survive.”

In the midst of suffering, when death is close and despair is a force to be dealt with, God was present and His faithfulness was evident to Kara Tippetts and her family.  And, when it is difficult to see through spiritual eyes, perhaps because the tears are clouding our vision, God can make Himself very real, even in the mundane.   Kara is a reminder that we can bravely face death and know the rejoicing that is on the other side and look for the special treasure of God's abundant grace here on this side.   So, an important lesson that Kara can teach deals with the simple concept of trusting God through the pain.



Another reminder that can come from Kara's story is that death is certain and that we need to be prepared.   The most powerful way is to be certain of where we will spend eternity when we leave this earth.  Just as Kara was not promised the next day of life, neither are way, and it's important that we are certain where we will be when we are taken from this earth.  Only through a relationship with Jesus can we know that we will spend eternity with God in eternity.



Kara was also connected to the power of community.  Her local church family was integrated into the lives of the Tippett family.  The WORLD piece quotes a pastor, who is family friend, Mark Bates, in this excerpt:

And because Tippetts’ cancer journey built authentic community into their church from its start, the church is stronger for it, Bates said. “I wish God had chosen a different way,” he said. “But the church is in a totally different place than it would have been if it had gone according to our plans.”

She was also involved in the community who connected with her through her blog.  We can be reminded of the lifeline that a community of faithful believers can be for each of us.

It is interesting that Kara's letter to Brittany Maynard became an event that brought Kara to national attention.  Her reaching out to Brittany interjected her into a widespread discussion and integrated spiritual truth into the conversation.  Kara continued to write and fulfill God's call for her life until almost the very end.  We can adopt that attitude of allowing God to use us until He calls us home.



Kara Tippetts was a pastor's wife, a mom, an author, and a devoted servant of Christ.  She apparently did not seek the spotlight, she was just faithful to share from her heart.  What an inspiration for our lives as we exercise a desire to be faithful to the Lord.

God's Compassion For All

There's a great reminder throughout the Scriptures that God's compassion is available toward all, and we are called to be the ones through whom God works to bring awareness of His presence. Consider these verses from Deuteronomy 15:
7 "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.
11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'

We have opportunities all around us - to be sensitive to needs and to seek to share the compassion of Christ.  We are called to open wide our hearts to those less fortunate than we are and to open wide our hands to give of ourselves so that people may experience the love of a Savior who died for them. We can be challenged to develop a greater love for those in need and allow the Lord to use us to testify to His name.

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The Bible teaches us to be compassionate toward those who are among us, not being respecters of person, but being open-hearted to all. Leviticus 19 says:
33 'And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him.
34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
35 'You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume.

I encourage my listeners to view current issues from a Biblical perspective, and there is one particular issue that has become rather difficult for Christians to deal with, and that is immigration.

It's an issue about which a number of Christian groups have been speaking out.  It's a complicated issue, because you are dealing with millions of people who basically broke the law to come to America, many of the them duped by false promises of a better life.

There is certainly a factor of the rule of law, but you are dealing with real people here.   With real families.  And real needs.

The President has attempted to use executive action to address the issue, and that action is currently on hold due to a Federal judge's ruling.  He keeps trying, even issuing another executive order on the subject this week, according to the Washington Examiner, attempting to make it easier for companies to bring foreign guest workers into the country.

Congress is having a tough time with the topic - members of Congress had announced they would hold funding for the Department of Homeland Security to keep from funding a Presidential unilateral immigration order.  That never materialized.

And, Christians are attempting to grapple with a legitimate approach to the issue of illegal immigration.

I reported a few months ago on a LifeWay Research study on immigration.  Its website refers to a November 2014 study which found many pastors want a mix of justice and mercy when it comes to immigration. More than half (54 percent) support a path to citizenship. Most (91 percent) evangelical pastors also say the government should stop illegal immigration.

Well, LifeWay has returned to the issue.  In its most recent survey, from last month, nine out of 10 American evangelicals (86 percent) want more border security.  Six in 10, or 61 percent, support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. More than two-thirds (68 percent) favor both. And they want Congress to take action soon.

So, there is an interesting mix here to uphold the rule of law, but to show compassion for those who are in the country illegally.  Survey respondents want to protect the unity of immigrant families (72 percent) and to respect people’s God-given dignity (82 percent).

More than two-thirds (68 percent) of evangelicals say it is important for Congress to take action on immigration reform this year. And half (50 percent) are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports border security and citizenship.

Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, says that, "Evangelicals care about immigrants and want immigration reform" adding, “We pray for Congress to stop waiting and start legislating.”

But, while evangelicals are calling for compassion, and just over 60% favor a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally, the survey indicates that Bible is apparently not informing that view overall.  Researchers asked evangelicals to list which factor has most influenced their beliefs about immigration.  About one in 10 (12 percent) chose the Bible, and only 2 percent named their church.

Among other influences: relationships with immigrants (17 percent), friends and family (16 percent) and the media (16 percent).

LifeWay Research also found that just over two-thirds of evangelicals say their church has never encouraged them to reach out to immigrants. But, just over half, or 53 percent, of evangelicals are familiar with the Bible’s teaching about immigrants. Two-thirds (68 percent) say they’d value hearing a sermon about the Bible’s views on immigration.

So, all in all, the study is showing that evangelicals think it's time for Congress to act.  But, how? Border security is huge, and I believe that enforcing existing laws is a big component - so, what does Congress do ensure current law is enforced, other than passing another law which may or may not be enforced.   There is chaos along the southern border, and there are Christians who are attempting to do ministry to the families there, but order has to be restored in this issue.

And, there is the notion of restitution that has been introduced - a resolution at the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention included the concept of a path to citizenship, including restitutionary measures, along with border security .

In communities across America, illegal immigrants are present, and there is a real opportunity for ministry, regardless of their immigration status.   I talked earlier this week about being sensitive to opportunities that the Holy Spirit may provide for us.   All people, no matter what their background, qualify to be recipients of Christ's compassion - all of us can experience the love of a Savior.  

So, while our leaders attempt to work through the political, believers in Christ can work through the practical.   Church and civic leaders gathered in Montgomery yesterday under the banner of The Reconciled Church to deal with issues in our community - yesterday's panel discussions highlighted criminal justice reform and youth empowerment.  But, the movement is also calling for church-centered reform in a variety of areas.

Serving communities, empowering individuals economically, and preserving families are all part of the activities being championed by this representative body of leaders representing millions of Christians.  And, just as these leaders in Montgomery have found a place at the table on these issues, perhaps Christians can be challenged to get involved with issues, even the tough ones, to provide Biblically-centered, compassionate wisdom to help solve some of the dilemmas that are confronting our society, consuming our resources, and confounding our leaders.

Block By Block

In Psalm 89, we are reminded of the strength of the Lord, and how His principles can be activated as we are dedicated to building on a firm foundation:
13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.

God desires for us to walk in His righteousness and justice, implementing His principles and speaking His truth.  We can see the evidence of His strong hand as we are dedicated to seeing Him manifested through us.   We are called to build our lives on the foundation of His truth and walk according to His principles.  He desires to teach us His ways so that we may abide in His light and see Him glorified through us.

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In 2nd Timothy 2, we read about the importance of a solid foundation - principles we can incorporate in our individual lives, as well as our communities and our society:
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

References for 2 Timothy 2:19

• Footnotes

• f 2:19 - NU-Text and M-Text read the Lord.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

It's actually been quite a day in Montgomery, as people have come together to celebrate the conclusion of the Selma-to-Montgomery March 50 years ago today, with a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which was re-enacted by his daughter earlier today.

In his speech on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol that day, Dr. King responded to those who would call for the so-called "civil rights agitators" to leave and for Alabama to return to normalcy. From the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, here are some excerpts from that speech:

It is normalcy all over our country (Yes, sir) which leaves the Negro perishing on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of vast ocean of material prosperity. It is normalcy all over Alabama (Yeah) that prevents the Negro from becoming a registered voter. (Yes) No, we will not allow Alabama (Go ahead) to return to normalcy. [Applause]

The only normalcy that we will settle for (Yes, sir) is the normalcy that recognizes the dignity and worth of all of God’s children. The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy that allows judgment to run down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Yes, sir) The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy of brotherhood, the normalcy of true peace, the normalcy of justice.

Later in the speech, Dr. King said:

I know you are asking today, "How long will it take?" (Speak, sir) Somebody’s asking, "How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding, and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?" Somebody’s asking, "When will wounded justice, lying prostrate on the streets of Selma and Birmingham and communities all over the South, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men?" Somebody’s asking, "When will the radiant star of hope be plunged against the nocturnal bosom of this lonely night, (Speak, speak, speak) plucked from weary souls with chains of fear and the manacles of death? How long will justice be crucified, (Speak) and truth bear it?" (Yes, sir)

I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, (Yes, sir) however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, (No sir) because "truth crushed to earth will rise again." (Yes, sir)

How long? Not long, (Yes, sir) because "no lie can live forever." (Yes, sir)

How long? Not long, (All right. How long) because "you shall reap what you sow." (Yes, sir)

He concluded with words from the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and the phrase, "His truth is marching on."

Step by step, over the past 50 years, America has attempted to deal with racial issues - there has been progress, but there is still much to do.   In the city of Ferguson, Missouri, churches in the area are taking deliberate and incremental action, which can serve as a reminder that there is a process to bringing hope to our communities and healing where there has been division and strife.  And, the resolution of racial tensions is a topic area into which the church can speak powerfully.

According to a Baptist Press article, an "Adopt a Block" initiative is now underway in Ferguson.  Pastor Stoney Shaw of First Baptist Church said that the initiative is a "a good, simple plan."
The article reported that Shaw told The Pathway, newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention that, "We want to join with other churches and minister. Walking the streets and praying is a simple yet powerful plan." The new Adopt a Block initiative is being led by Jose Aguayo, a chaplain with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team and pastor of Dorea Ministries in Ferguson.

Teams of several church members will adopt a block in Ferguson for ongoing outreach. Aguayo is quoted as saying, "This is a point of connection with the community and a way to show love," adding, "We want to establish a relationship with the people in the neighborhood." In the beginning, Aguayo said, the visitation will involve an introduction -- "a hello with prayer." As relationships develop, Aguayo noted that "discipleship will follow.  Eventually sports teams, community outings and study assistance for children and adults will take place." He said that Adopt a Block is a ministry model begun about 20 years ago at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, part of a network of ministries nationally.

Shaw noted in written comments to Baptist Press March 20, "We have been an outreaching church for a long time, but this is a steady outreach to the same block or area of our community either weekly or every other week. We hope to get to know people on our block of ministry -- to pray for each person and anything that is important to them and to develop a relationship with each one as we go back. After a few times we will actually know who we are relating to...."

Block.  By block.  That's the model in Ferguson that churches are undertaking.  It's the model for change for the better in our society.  Dr. King understood that concept of incremental change.   Those that gathered at Alabama State earlier today to discuss criminal justice reform and youth empowerment understand it.   Those church leaders representing millions of ministries, churches, and denominations who gathered under the banner of The Reconciled Church understand it.   It's block by block.  Brick by brick in building a secure wall.  It's about constructing a society on a firm foundation.  And, we know as Christians that the firmest foundation is that of Jesus Christ, who said that upon the rock, the rock of His truth, He will build His church.   We, as believers, have to be intentional to address the needs of our culture and to speak and live truth, recognizing that God's principles are reliable and powerful.

A Decision with Long-Term Implications

In Psalm 1, we see a picture of someone who is rooted in Christ, whose life is built on a firm foundation, who is dedicated to living a life pleasing to the Lord.
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

God has given us life, and He desires for us to make decisions that are consistent with His Word and take into account, when applicable, the long-term implications.   In the choices we make each day, we can reinforce the quality of life, the abundant life, that Jesus wants us to abide in.  And, I believe He is pleased when we seek Him diligently and surround ourselves with wise people who can help give us direction and hold us accountable.   He wants our lives to reflect a firm foundation, rooted in the knowledge of Him.

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God wants us to make decisions that are directed by His Spirit and reinforced by wise counsel. There's a passage in Proverbs 19 that reinforces these concepts:
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand.

It was a decision that certainly got the attention of the NFL - last week, ESPN.com reported that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, one of the NFL's top rookies last season, told the program, "Outside the Lines," that he is retiring because of concerns about the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma.

Borland is 24 years old and said he made his decision after consulting with family members, concussion researchers, friends and current and former teammates, as well as studying what is known about the relationship between football and neurodegenerative disease.

He is quoted as saying, "I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been. For me, it's wanting to be proactive," adding, "I'm concerned that if you wait 'til you have symptoms, it's too late. ... There are a lot of unknowns. I can't claim that X will happen. I just want to live a long, healthy life, and I don't want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise."

According to the ESPN story, Borland said he began to have misgivings during training camp, stating that he sustained what he believed to be a concussion stuffing a running play but played through it, in part because he was trying to make the team.

He said, "I just thought to myself, 'What am I doing? Is this how I'm going to live my adult life, banging my head, especially with what I've learned and know about the dangers?'"

ESPN.com also reported that Borland would be giving back three-quarters of his signing bonus to the 49ers - an amount it estimates at just over $463 thousand.

This story really got my attention, not necessarily because of the seemingly growing concern in the NFL over concussions, but because of Borland's willingness to make a long-term decision.  I want to analyze the decision just a bit, because I think there's a strong message for us in our decision-making processes:

Number 1, Borland demonstrated that he was not merely living for the day - he was projecting for the long-term.  Some would say that he may have gotten it wrong, but nevertheless he was bold to take his future into account.  We can be challenged to think about the importance of making decisions today with tomorrow, or a number of tomorrows, in mind.  

Number 2, Chris Borland had an understanding of the importance of living a full life.  He is intent on doing that and not engaging in behavior that he regards as being a hindrance.   For the Christian, Jesus came to give us life and to give it abundantly - we can be concerned about the quality of our lives and make sure that we are treating ourselves - spirit, soul, and body - well each day.

Finally, he apparently did not make his decision in a vacuum...he sought counsel from family members and friends.  He did his own research.  The Bible teaches us to surround ourselves with wise counsel, and when making potentially life-altering decisions, we do well to consult with other people, especially those in the know about our circumstances, maybe those who have faced similar conditions.

Her Winning Ways

One of the challenges of this life is to recognize the hand of God as He provides opportunities for us to serve Him and to serve others - and as He sustains us in the midst of the adverse circumstances we encounter. In 1st Peter 5, we read:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

If we are walking in a state of humility before God, we can be sensitized to the direction of the Holy Spirit, who will accomplish His purposes as we are willing to be used by Him.  As humble people, we can recognize that God is with us, and will manifest His presence in our lives as we are devoted to seeing Him and seeking Him.  In our adversity, we can be confident that He has a plan for us, to draw us closer to Himself and to strengthen us in our spirits.

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We can be confident in God's faithfulness, and know that even in tough times, we can experience the love of God. 2nd Corinthians 4 says:
(16) Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

There was a heartwarming story on the WORLD Magazine website recently about a set of circumstances that took place in Alabama.  It was centered on a 17-year-old young lady Kaitlynn Campbell, a student at Hayden High School, north of Birmingham.

After hearing her sing at a school assembly, the school's guidance counselor gave Kaitlynn a pamphlet about the Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Pageant and coordinated a community-wide effort to prepare her for the event.   In a competition against 41 other women from across the state, Kaitlynn was chosen as the winner.

The story says that she will advocate a platform focused on child abuse and neglect as she prepares to compete for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.  Shelly Roach, a stylist who helped Campbell fix a botched hair coloring job, told AL.com. “She has lived her platform for many years.”

You see, at the time when Kaitlynn was first contacted about the pageant, she had already been in foster care for eight months, moving between a group home and foster homes. Campbell’s social worker helped the counselor, Karron Standridge, solicit and organize area donations, including money to pay the competition’s various fees, borrowed formal gowns, make-up and manicures, photo sessions, and pageant preparation tips.

And, of course, Shelly helped out with the hair - and so much more.  According to AL.com, while working on Kaitlynn's hair, Shelly learned of the adversity in her life and decided to help more. She talked with her husband of two years, Bryan, and they decided to take her in.  Bryan is quoted as saying, "After I met Kaitlynn, I saw what (Shelly) saw and an opportunity to help this young woman, adding, "After a period of prayer, we felt like we were led to do it." Over a week ago, Kaitlynn Campbell was scheduled to move in with Bryan and Shelly. 

Shelly says: "Our goal in all of this is that we want what is best for Kaitlynn."

AL.com quotes Kaitlynn as saying that she has tried to "make the best out of everything" that's come her way. She said, "I've worked with my circumstances," adding, "It has been hard. It hasn't been easy, but it has been so worth it. It has just been an incredible journey ever since. Things have fallen together perfectly, God has just been in this whole journey all through the way.

Kaitlynn adds, "I'm excited to able to represent the state of Alabama and to be the voice for the kids that are going through hard times...I'm excited to be able to use my platform as a stepping stone to change the world."

You think God was at work here?  What an inspiring story!   And, there are some principles here we can apply in our own lives.  I think an overriding concept is that opportunity is all around us - we have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to direct us.   Shelly heard the story and wanted to help more.  She and her husband prayed about being involved in becoming foster parents for Kaitlynn. God provided the opportunity, and they stepped forward into what He was orchestrating.

And, how about Kaitlynn's opportunity?  This was a young woman who acknowledges that God was in her journey.  It has not been an easy road for her - she was, as AL.com points out, a ward of the state as she competed for this statewide crown.  But, despite her negative circumstances, she recognized the hand of God.   In our personal journeys, we may not experience ease and pleasure, but that's not the life to which He has necessarily called us - He promises to be with us, and to manifest His presence and joy in our lives in the midst of adversity.   And, we have the promise of eternal glory with Jesus as we trust Him in this life.  And, when we encounter His blessings, we can be careful to give Him praise for His faithfulness.

2 Designers, 1 Musician, and Controversy Over Gay Parenting

God is calling us to walk in radical obedience, filled with compassion, even for people with whom we don't see eye-to-eye, who may embrace a faith perspective different than ours. 1st John 4 says:
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Later in the chapter, we are warned against hypocrisy:
20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

We have to make sure that our attitudes toward other people line up with the prescription in God's Word.  When we encounter people who hold to a different point-of-view or faith practice, or lack thereof, we can take the position of being firm in our faith convictions, but also being willing to approach them in a non-combative way.  We have to be willing to speak at the right time in the right way, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

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According to Ephesians chapter 4, we are instructed that:
(14) we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart...

Recently, I featured a conversation with Daniel James Devine of WORLD Magazine and WORLD News Group that provided some details of a recent study that indicated that children raised by same-sex parents do not fare as well as those raised in a traditional household.  His story contained profiles of 4 individuals who share that type of background.

Well, those 4 people, who were willing to tell the story to Daniel, have not faded away into the background.  They have teamed up, along with 2 others, to write a letter to Italian fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana, thanking them for speaking up for the rights of children to both a mother and a father, according to a report on the Catholic News Service website.  You see, a controversy has emerged recently between the designers and those who disagree with their position.

You see, Dolce and Gabbana are homosexuals, and were considered a couple until 2005, according to another report on the WORLD website, which points out that they have focused their two recent collections on families and mothers in particular, sending a pregnant model and models with their children down the runway.  And in an interview with the Italian fashion magazine Panorama, the duo supported traditional families.

They reportedly said, “The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed,” adding, “We oppose gay adoptions.”

Now, Dolce did call children born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) “children of chemistry, synthetic children.”  In response, legendary musician Elton John used Instagram to call for a boycott on the designers, whose apparel he formerly wore. He called the comments “judgmental” and started the hashtag “#BoycottDolceGabbana.” John has two sons through IVF with his partner David Furnish.  Sir Elton said, “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as ‘synthetic,’” John said. “Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana again.”

I think that Dolce's comments about in vitro fertilization did cross a line, but should not detract from the overall premise of their comments about traditional families.

According to CNS, the Italian designers responded that they were just stating their personal views rather than judging people. In a statement, Gabbana said, "We firmly believe in democracy and the fundamental principle of freedom of expression that upholds it." He stated. "We talked about our way of seeing reality, but it was never our intention to judge other people's choices. We do believe in freedom and love."

Back to the letter from the 6 people raised by same-sex parents who are courageously speaking out: Their letter was published on the blog, askthebigot.com, whose main author was raised by her mother and her mother’s same-sex partner. She converted to Christianity in high school, and now writes about being raised within a same-sex home, and about how voices like hers are almost always silenced by the powerful gay lobby.

The letter reads that, “Every human being has a mother and a father, and to cut either from a child’s life is to rob the child of dignity, humanity, and equality.”  Each of the signers plan on penning a letter to the United States Supreme Court, which is set to rule on gay marriage this summer, and said that the comments from Dolce and Gabbana provided inspiration.   I think this is a great reminder that the debate over same-sex marriage encompasses much more than merely, "who you love."  There are enormous implications for children and the atmosphere in which they are raised.

I want to return to Gabbana's statement about freedom of expression.  He said that he and Dolce, "talked about our way of seeing reality but it was never our intention to judge other people's choices." There are those that not only disagree with their viewpoints, but apparently do not think their viewpoints should be shared, and are, like Elton John, wanting to punish them for expressing their opinion.  How sad that our culture has degenerated to this point.

But, it is encouraging to recognize that all those who are gay do not buy into the radical homosexual agenda that wants to silence opposition to the lifestyle.  According to a WORLD article that referenced Daniel's piece, one of the signers of that letter, who was profiled in Daniel's article, Robert James Lopez, is openly bisexual and earned a place on the Human Rights Campaign’s blacklist for his belief that children should be raised in traditional families.  Lopez is quoted as saying that he believes his upbringing left him missing a parent, confused about his sexuality, and struggling in healthy relationships with the opposite sex.

For us as believers, we have to be willing to engage in dialogue about God's truth regarding sexuality, holding firm to that truth, with a non-combative tone.  We recognize that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and our approach to other people, even those with whom we disagree, can be powerful in communicating the love of Christ, which can overpower and change a person that is confused or struggling.

Avoiding Overindulgence

In Titus chapter 2, the apostle Paul is teaching those who are older within the church to model sound Christian behavior for those who are younger.  Here's a portion of that overall passage, directed toward the young men...
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

We are called to pursue a pattern of good works.  We can identify what those works look like by searching the Scriptures and discovering what behaviors please God.  And, if our attitudes skew toward overindulgence, we have to recognize those tendencies and bring them under the submission of the Holy Spirit.  God has given us the tools that we need in order to live that submitted life unto Him and to exercise Biblical restraint, under His control.

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In 1st Corinthians 6, we read a passage of Scripture that can provide perspective into the care of our bodies and the importance of self-restraint:
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
We recognize that the Bible gives us a template for living, including a set of principles by which we can live a healthy life.   The body, created by God, is considered to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, we wrestle not only with our outward behavior, but also what we ingest into that temple.

There are actually Biblical principles at play in a new report from a website called, BadCredit.org.  It is a study of over 100 metropolitan areas across America. The site says that:

We culled data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s the credit-reporting bureau Experian to analyze four factors for 105 metropolitan areas:

• Percentage of citizens considered “obese” (those with a body mass index greater than 30)

• Percentage of citizens considered “heavy drinkers” (adult men having more than two drinks per day and adult women having more than one drink per day)

• Percentage of citizens who smoke every day

• Average debt per consumer (excluding mortgages).

According to a report on the Montgomery Advertiser website, here are the top 10 cities who have difficulty practicing self-restraint:

10. New Orleans, La.
9. Salisbury, Md.
8. Shreveport, La.
7. Montgomery, Ala.
6. Baton Rouge, La.
5. Bismarck, N.D.
4. Scranton, Pa.
3. Mobile, Ala.
2. Great Falls, Mont.
1. Lafayette, La.

The Advertiser piece points out that even with the high ranking, Alabama received a positive nod: The report recognized that while many cities in the South have an obesity problem, Montgomery and its neighbors have collectively lost one million pounds since 2007, due to the Scale Back Alabama program.

Michael Briddell, the city's health czar and head of the River Region Obesity Task Force, points out that, "It's important to know that the (seventh ranking) is not obesity alone..."  He said that for an area with eight colleges, universities and trade schools, other towns without similar demographics might not face the same numbers the Montgomery area does with the percentage of citizens claiming to be heavy drinkers.  He also surmised that Gov. Robert Bentley's proposed increase in tobacco tax might lower the number of people who smoke in Montgomery.

He said that, "We have city policies to help city employees to quit smoking...We know ... it saves dollars and lives."

Here are Montgomery's numbers:
33.2 — percentage of citizens considered obese
7.3 percent — percentage of citizens claiming to be heavy drinkers
16.2 — percentage of citizens who smoke every day
$29,213 — average amount of consumer debt

The BadCredit.org piece leads off with this paragraph...It says:

In a nutshell: Americans love to consume, but living of life of excess — especially with your finances — can lead to trouble. These 20 metropolitan areas lead the nation in overindulgence.

This study, for my "Survey Thursday," can really help us to discern best practices, as outlined by Scripture.  One of the guiding principles that we can evaluate regarding what we consume can be: does my consumption of this product glorify God and demonstrate that I am treating my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit?   If we are overindulging or indulging in something that is harmful to us, then we need to rely on the power of the Spirit to bring those urges under control.   Three of these four areas in the survey deal with what is put into the body and have been rightfully stigmatized, though I would submit that public policy that would promote alcohol use is definitely the wrong direction.  If governmental officials are actually endorsing or enabling bad behavior, then there needs to be a change in direction.

The other area deals with violating a Biblical principle of spending more than you make - a common Scripture on the topic of debt is found in Proverbs 22:7, which says that, "The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender."  Debt can be certainly overwhelming, and applying sound Biblical principles can help us eradicate debt and get ourselves on the road to responsible financial management.   It is commonly reported that financial woes are a leading area that wreck marriages and can certainly cause great tension in the husband-wife relationship.   When you consider that families in the Montgomery area have an average amount of consumer debt of over $29,000, that is a strong indicator of a serious need to exercise restraint and wisdom.

So, all in all, the Bible teaches us to stay away from harmful behaviors, which can essentially become idolatry for us.  By exercising self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, we can live a life that is under the authority of the Spirit, a life that pleases God and results in peace with Him and with ourselves.

Over a Cup of Coffee

There is a passage from Colossians 3 that can serve to remind us to seek to glorify God, to call attention to the presence of Christ in our lives. We begin with verse 15:
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

This is a great template for each of us, as we are called to pursue peace - recognizing that no matter what our background, if we call on the name of Christ, we are part of His body.  And, so we live in a manner that pleases God, filled with His Word and seeking to encourage one another.  We bear His name, and our actions are to reflect His presence within us.  Twice in those three verses, Paul tells us to exhibit an attitude of thankfulness.  We submit to Christ, grateful for what He's done, and grateful for the opportunities to testify to who He is and who He is in us.

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The apostle Paul encourages us to seek to glorify God in all that we do. Here are some of his words from 1st Corinthians 10:
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
There is a popular concept of going to a coffee shop or a restaurant and having an informal conversation or even a business meeting, to get away for a few minutes in a comfortable environment.

Chances are that if you do this, you might drift to the home of the familiar green-and-white logo. And, if you go into certain Starbucks stores this week, you may have the opportunity to be forced into a conversation about one of the hot-button topics of our time.

Starbucks has announced its "Race Together" initiative.  The company website, referring to its Chairman and CEO, said that:

Howard Schultz voiced his concerns with partners (employees) in the company’s Seattle headquarters and started a discussion about race in America.

Despite raw emotion around racial unrest from Ferguson, Missouri to New York City to Oakland, “we at Starbucks should be willing to talk about these issues in America,"

Schultz said. "Not to point fingers or to place blame, and not because we have answers, but because staying silent is not who we are."

Partners were not silent. For more than an hour, at an all-hands meeting at the Starbucks Support Center, partners representing various ages, races and ethnicities passed a microphone and shared personal stories.

“The current state of racism in our country is almost like humidity at times. You can’t see it, but you feel it,” said one partner.

The press release added that over the past three months, more than 2,000 Starbucks partners have discussed racial issues at open forums in Oakland, Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York and Chicago.

And, now, you too can participate in the discussion.  Starbucks has announced that partners in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Oakland and Los Angeles have voluntarily begun writing “Race Together” on Starbucks cups. And they are reportedly being joined by the employees in all Starbucks stores in the U.S.  And, partners in Starbucks stores may also engage customers in conversation through Race Together stickers available in select stores, and a special USA Today newspaper section arriving in stores later this week.

So, be warned - you may be forced to start a discussion about a very sensitive topic when you get that cup of coffee.   As John Hayward opines on the Brietbart.com website:

This sounds like a strategy to beat Starbucks’ stock into the dirt; maybe the hidden agenda is to drive customers away so they can shut down a few of the stores they threw up in their over-expansion frenzy and write off the losses. Even the act of handing customers a cup with race messages hand-written on them is going to make people feel uncomfortable, which is presumably the point of the exercise. It would be bad enough if these slogans were pre-printed on the containers, but hand-writing them turns it into a personal assault from the barista upon the customer – he or she is calling you out.

If the baristas begin verbally hassling customers in an effort to “start a discussion on race” with people who just want a cup of coffee and a danish to get their busy day started, this initiative will end up putting a thousand videos on YouTube, few of them flattering to Starbucks. Some of the customers are going to be more than merely annoyed by ambush confrontations over this “emotional issue.”

And, as we learned from the recent Selma events, does a conversation about racial issues get extended to sexual orientation, which is a subject that Starbucks has been less-than-silent about?  

Well, I actually believe that companies can have a social consciousness.  Unfortunately, as we've seen in the hundreds of friend-of-the-court briefs that companies have filed before the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of gay marriage, we see many in the corporate world who have decided to support the assault on traditional marriage, even though, as Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council is quoted as saying in a Brietbart piece on that subject: “These companies are acting irrationally. They are pandering to the 1.6% of the population that is homosexual while alienating the 61% who say they do not want the court to impose a redefinition of marriage on all fifty states."  A Huffington Post listing of 379 companies who have filed these briefs includes Starbucks.

I applaud the efforts of companies who realize that they have a platform and are using it to impact society for good to the glory of Christ.  Think, Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby.  How about Forever 21 and Tyson chicken?  There were 10 such companies that were profiled on the CNN Belief blog a few years ago.   

But, you don't expect to walk into a Chick-Fil-A restaurant or Forever 21 and have a political discussion with the customer service person.  But, you know there may be situations in the business context, where a conversation has been engaged in that can lead to spiritual matters.  

This situation with Starbucks and its "Race Together" initiative brings to mind several concepts for us as believers.  For one thing, I do think it can reinforce that each business or company has an opportunity for influence.  It may be something small, but the way you interact with customers can be a indication of your worldviews and your approach to them.   And, if you are dedicated to running your company on Christian principles, that does have some bearing on how you respond to the people with whom you do business.   I think Starbucks in this case is taking it too far in forcing conversation, but they apparently do see an opportunity for dialogue.

And, within the workplace context, we can also recognize that we have a chance to be ambassadors for Christ.  Things do get sensitive in the workplace, and we have heard instances where employers and employees do see the work environment as an excellent opportunity to share truth, and where they have sometimes been in trouble as a result.  So, we have to be sensitive, but we can also be intentional on how we share our faith in the workplace in the context of relationship.

Finally, in our culture, we do need to have conversations on racial matters, and the church should be leading the way in speaking out on race relations.   A greater understanding of and greater level of fellowship with those who are different than we are can promote unity within the body of Christ.  The civil rights movement had a strong spiritual component, and in these days where there is tension over the issue of race, we as Christians can help provide good perspective and promote Godly wisdom being injected into the discussion.

Sound Principles in an Age of Deviancy

In 1st Corinthians 15, we read this passage that can remind us of the victory we have in Christ:

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We have a message of victory to share with the world - where there is sin, we can know the overcoming presence of the Lord.  For the person who rejects Christ, that person can know reconciliation with Him.  For the man or woman who is confused, God's Word can bring clarity and His Spirit can provide the way to peace.  God's way is a way of freedom, of order, of unconditional love, of experiencing the true love of a Savior who can provide us with the strength we need to navigate the challenges of this world, which would get us off track from a relationship with God.

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In the 1st chapter of the book of 1st Timothy, the apostle Paul elaborates on the purpose of the Law, which points out what is sinful and what is not, what pleases God and what does not. He writes:
(9) ...the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

In His Word, God identifies what does and doesn't please Him. And, Paul states in verses 15 and 16:
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Yvette Cormier was a member at a Planet Fitness location in Midland, Michigan.  She was in the locker room one day and a man walked in - a man apparently dressed as a woman!  You would think this would raise some concern by the gym management, but when Yvette complained, her membership was revoked.  After all, Planet Fitness has a "no judgement zone" policy.

Let's dig a bit deeper here.  A piece on Matt Barber's BarbWire.com website, written by Gina Miller, references a report by a local television station, WNEM in Saginaw:

It’s a business that sells itself on being non-judgmental, but Planet Fitness is losing members after it allegedly revoked the membership of a woman for complaining.

Yvette Cormier, a member at the Midland location, said she had no idea what that meant until a week ago.

“I was stunned and shocked. He looked like a man. He did not look like a woman,” Cormier said. Cormier is talking about a transgender woman who walked into the woman’s locker room while she was getting undressed. She said she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“This is very unprofessional. This is very scary,” Cormier said.

Not knowing why the person was in the women’s locker room, Cormier said she immediately complained to the front desk and eventually to corporate offices.

“They told me the same thing, that he was allowed in there because that’s the sex he wants to be,” Cormier said.

… Cormier lost her membership for violating the company’s no judgement [sic] zone policy.

Astounding! Miller goes on to write that:

The radical homosexual movement has shown that it will not stop its evil campaign to force on society the mainstream acceptance, and even celebration, of abominable sexual behavior. What began several decades ago as a not-so-humble effort to get homosexuals “out of the closet,” has turned into a full-blown crusade to viciously crush any opposition to all aspects of in-your-face displays of sexual degeneracy.

She points out that Planet Fitness is not alone in its acceptance of such deviancy, saying that, "Many, if not most, of the big companies have implemented policies of workplace acceptance of “out and proud” homosexuals and so-called 'transgenders,' people who are under the delusion that they are the opposite sex. At the expense of the rights of the vast majority of employees in these companies, men who dress like women are allowed to come to work in such grotesque costume and even use the women’s restroom, and employees are not permitted to object to this blatant lunacy."

We're seeing that municipalities are attempting to provide special rights for these individuals who want to thwart common decency and flaunt their so-called gender identity.  The city of Houston is currently in litigation because not only did its City Council pass an ordinance that would "protect" such individuals and allow them to use the bathroom of the gender that they think they are (or at least say they think they are), but city officials denied citizens the right to put a recall referendum on the ballot.  Recently, Charlotte, NC turned back such an insidious ordinance.

In a column on the USA Today website, talk show host Steve Deace points out that:

The "right side of history" evolves fast. Today's lunacy is tomorrow's new normal. That's because the debate over homosexuality and sexual morality has never really been about "tolerance." This is really about using whatever means necessary to compel people to believe and practice what you believe. In giving Cormier the boot, Planet Fitness is celebrated for the very acts for which Christians are attacked.

That's why there's no intellectually honest answer to the question how come Planet Fitness can decide whom it wants to do business with on moral grounds, but a Christian baker or florist cannot.

The hypocrisy here is breathtaking, but that's par for the course with political correctness.

What do you make of this?   Well, for one thing, and I think it's instructive for each of us, Jesus Christ came to save sinners.  I know that sounds simplistic, but it's so true for our society today - we are seeing a proliferation of deviant behavior that is being accepted, and the answer is for a changed heart, and a changed identity, through Jesus Christ.    Anne Paulk of the Restored Hope Network was a guest of mine from NRB 2015, and she related about how those who wish to accommodate their own sexual sin, even those who claim to be Christians, are missing out on an opportunity for redemption.   Jesus did not come to accommodate any sin, but to provide freedom from the sin that so easily entangles us, according to Hebrews 12.

In this age of tolerance, we recognize that that endgame for the Lord is not accommodation, helping people live with a misinformed gender identity, for instance, but for eradication - and I believe that applies to any sin.  When we recognize the identity that is offered to us through Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that He gives us the power to overcome ALL that is not pleasing to Him.

We have to be so careful in the church that in the name of being compassionate that we are refusing to tell people the truth - that's not to say that truth should not be shared in the context of relationship, but the most loving thing we can do is to tell someone that redemption and healing is possible by the power of the cross.

Content, Conviction, and Compassion

God desires that we show the world that we are full of hope, devoted to Him, and expressing His character. Romans 15 says:
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Because Jesus lives in our hearts, we can go forth with the knowledge that He is with us and that He has brought His hope into our lives.  He desires to express His nature through us and to show the world that there is a hope in Him.  In our approach to other people, we are called to demonstrate that He is good; not that we are good in ourselves, but His presence in us can cause us to live a life that is compassionate toward others.   We can be resolute in the content of our speech while making sure that we are radiating hope.

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We have been called by God to radiate His nature, to be people of conviction who act in compassion. 1st Peter 2 reminds us:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Daniel Murphy plays second base for the New York Mets.   His comments following the visit to the team by Major League Baseball's Ambassador for Inclusion have attracted some attention, but can be instructive for a civil society.  The Daily Signal has a report.

You see, this "Inclusion" Ambassador is a former major league player who is gay - his name is Billy Bean.  He is not to be confused by the ultra-successful general manager of the Oakland Athletics, who also happens to be named Billy Beane, but with an "e" on the end.  After his visit to the Mets' clubhouse,  the NJ.com website published an interview with Daniel Murphy. Here are some of his comments:

He is quoted as saying that he is “is ready for a gay teammate, “ and the reports stated, “Murphy, a devout Christian, said he would embrace Bean despite a divergence in their beliefs.”

Murphy said about Bean, "I disagree with his lifestyle,” adding, “I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual. That doesn’t mean I can’t still invest in him and get to know him.”

Murphy went on to say:

Maybe, as a Christian, that we haven’t been as articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality … We love the people. We disagree [with] the lifestyle. That’s the way I would describe it for me. It’s the same way that there are aspects of my life that I’m trying to surrender to Christ in my own life.

What was Bean's reaction?  Well, it may surprise you, because its not your basis agenda-driven vitriol that we sometimes see from certain officials.  The Daily Signal reported that Bean himself wrote in an MLB.com column he “appreciate[d] that Daniel spoke his truth.” Bean continued:

I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it’s a start. … Inclusion means everyone, plain and simple. Daniel is part of that group.

As the writer of the Daily Signal piece, Katrina Trinko, points out:

What we’re seeing here is a dialogue: Bean and Murphy are both being honest about their views. They’re also both clearly trying to be considerate and respectful of the other’s views.

That’s what our society needs.

Americans are divided on a host of controversial issues—from abortion to wars to vaccines to, yes, same-sex marriage. The way to work together and live in harmony isn’t to pretend we all agree. It isn’t to silence those who have controversial positions.

So, I guess that we can expect further dialogue on this matter, right?  Well, not if the Mets have their way.  They apparently want Murphy to stick to baseball and refrain from sharing his faith.  As Trinko writes:

On Wednesday, an ESPN story headlined “Murphy now to talk baseball only” appeared. The story’s first line was “New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy will no longer address his religious beliefs and will stick to baseball, a team spokesman said Wednesday.”

She asks, "Where’s the tolerance?" adding, "After all, he didn’t make his comments out of the blue. Bean’s visit was publicized. Murphy wasn’t just randomly talking, but was reacting to a specific event."

Well, I think this is a great template for responding to people with whom we disagree.  Murphy first of all was willing to go public with statements consistent with his faith.  He was not intimidated into silence, but he spoke boldly, with conviction, but also with a sense of compassion.

Murphy dissected the difference between loving a person, no matter his or her behavior, and taking a Biblical stand on sinful behavior.  And, he went a step further - he shared his own struggle with sin in his life.

Now, Daniel Murphy has a choice - the reports are that the Mets have silenced him on faith matters. That ESPN story quotes Bean as saying, "I'm not here to change anybody or tell them that they're wrong. This is our country. We're allowed to be who and what we want." Really?  So, why is there a report now that Daniel Murphy can't share about his faith, which is a privilege that other players in the league have traditionally enjoyed?   Just Google Daniel Murphy and you will see a host of stories on his personal faith - is all that now disallowed by the team?  Perhaps it is an errant report, or perhaps it is just an indication of the climate in which we live, but it's important that we are firm in our convictions and devoted to living our lives in the way that would exalt Christ.

The Exit of the Elephants

The apostle Paul wrote about his own inward struggle against sin in Romans chapter 7:
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Jesus has come into our lives to bring us salvation and to enable us to experience freedom from and victory over the power of sin.  It is very easy to accommodate sinful desires and patterns in our lives, and God has offered to us a better way - He gives us access to His power and resources so that we might break free from the power of indwelling sin and experience the liberty of the new nature, united with Christ, so that we might honor Him in our thoughts and our actions.

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The Lord wants us to develop a determination to eradicate areas of sin from our hearts, so that we might experience a greater measure of Christ's life. Hebrews 12 says:
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

The circus has been a fixture of American life for years - and perhaps you have delighted in the amazing feats of daring artistry, or the way that the plethora of animal acts can astound and entertain.

Well, it was announced recently that the Ringling Brothers circus has decided to eliminate the elephants from their shows.   A CNN Money article reported that Ringling Bros. announced it will gradually reduce the use of elephants in its shows, and all will be retired by 2018.

As the article points out, it's the end of an era for the animal that Ringling calls "a lifelong symbol" of its circus.

Elephants have for years played prominently in the circus' shows and its advertising. They triumphantly enter the ring, then perform a synchronized dance routine.

But Ringling Bros.' treatment of the pachyderms has also come under scrutiny.  It has been repeatedly criticized, picketed and even sued by several animal rights groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States.

In 2011, the circus was fined $270,000 by the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Ringling Bros., is quoted as saying that, "No other institution has done or is doing more to save this species from extinction, and that is something of which I and my family are extremely proud." He added, "This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers."

Ringling Bros. said it currently has 13 elephants traveling for its shows, and about 40 are at its 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida, created in 1995 by Ringling as a facility for the care and study of Asian elephants, the variety it uses in shows and an endangered species.

But, the "elephant in the room" regarding these majestic beasts is apparently the treatment that elephants are subjected to in order to bring them into submission for the purpose of the performance. 

There are questionable techniques that have been implemented, and apparently Ringling decided that the result was not worth the ethical cost.  

I think circus goers will miss the elephants - after all, they have become a fixture, really, a symbol, of the circus culture.

Well, it's not too much of an analogous stretch to think about how sometimes we need to eliminate things from our own lives that while we may regard as being beneficial, yet, they are really detrimental to our spiritual walk.  We tolerate the "elephants in the room," those things that we know are there, that we accommodate without effectively dealing with them.

Author and speaker Jill Briscoe writes about the concept of the "elephant in the room":

Do you ever have your devotions when there is something you are really worried about, yet you never get around to talking to God about it? Even though it dominates your thoughts, you manage to avoid addressing it with the Lord. It's funny, isn't it, that you can have a long devotional time, finish, and be as worried as you were when you started. Why is this? How do we manage to talk to God about the world and this life without ever mentioning the elephant in the room?

She asks:

But then, how can the elephant be in the Throne Room in the first place? The answer is he's there because I bring him with me! Yes, I do. You wouldn't think an elephant would fit through the Throne Room door, would you? But the front door is large enough for any old elephant, and he comes in because he refuses to stay outside. There I am clutching my Bible, prayer journal, calendar of Bible promises, a book about faith, and a map so I can pray for all the missionaries in the world, and there he is looming as large as life! The most amazing thing is that even though the animal sort of dominates the landscape, I manage to have my prayer time AS IF HE ISN'T THERE! In fact, at the end of a seemingly balanced time with God, (you know, like we've been taught: praising first, confessing next, praying for others, and then praying for myself) I get up and leave with the elephant in tow just as I came, pretending he's been invisible to all those heavenly beings (who we learned in Sunday school have eyes all over them!). In other words, it's possible to have a huge problem that you know only God can throw light upon and help with, but you won't allow yourself to LISTEN to what He wants to say or be enlightened and encouraged by Him.

So what do we tolerate in our lives?  Perhaps something with which we've grown so comfortable that we just regard it as part of us and fail to do anything about it.  Perhaps we feed and care for that area of sin - it's on our mind, but we are too accustomed to it to really allow the Holy Spirit to take it away. Maybe we just flat out like it!   The Ringling Brothers have been keeping the elephants going for years, even though they apparently have had to take drastic measures to keep the huge animals under submission.  Maybe there are those drastic measures you are taking to hold on to sin, to accommodate those areas that bring private pleasure, but do not contribute to our spiritual growth.  What are the elephants that are residing in your room, in your heart? - God wants us to bring those areas under the submission of the cross.