Trap

The wisdom of God is demonstrated through the power of the cross - His redemption plan, produced out of His great love, is a plan in which Christ had to die, that shows that we can die with Christ and live again in Him. 1st Corinthians 1 states:
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

We have to be careful not to fall into an "us vs. them" mentality, rather, it's a matters of "us in Him." And, in Him, as we're told in Scripture, there is great wisdom that is available.  If we seek to live according to the patterns of the Word of God in the power of the Spirit, we can make good decisions and have good reactions to the challenges we encounter.  God enables to be people of conviction, of good conscience, and enormous credibility because we rely on the source of true wisdom.

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The wisdom of God triumphs over and confounds the wisdom of this world.  During Holy Week, in Luke chapter 20, which you could call the "trap chapter" or even "trapter," you see the world's feeble 
wisdom on display and how Jesus dealt with it. The chapter starts out this way:
1 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him 
2 and spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?" 
3 But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: 
4 The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men?" 
5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 
6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." 
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from. 
8 And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Jesus answered their questions with a question that short-circuited the reasoning of those who opposed Him, and I would contend that they knew the answer already; after all, He had been teaching on that authority and His relationship with the Father all along - He was plain with regard to who He was.  The series of challenges continued with taunts regarding governmental authority and the authenticity of the resurrection.

Notice the skill by which Jesus responded and remember that when we are challenged, we have the ability to respond by the Holy Spirit.

There's a baker in Colorado who has been facing challenges of his own.  Jack Phillips, who received a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling several years ago was back in court recently.  He had declined to provide a cake for a gay wedding ceremony, which is why he ended up before the Supreme Court, which cited the religious hostility of the Colorado civil rights commission, but legal experts have observed the ruling really didn't deal with whether or not Jack's actions were legally correct - issues surrounding free speech and religious freedom.  As a National Review article by David Harsanyi states:

While the 7–2 Supreme Court decision was a personal victory for Phillips, it did little to preserve religious liberty or free expression. Even today, a customer can walk into a business, with the force of government behind them, and demand a business owner create a product with overt political and religious messages that do not comport with that business owner’s sincerely held convictions.

Jack Phillips was on trial recently in a case from 2017 in which an attorney requested a cake to celebrate a gender transition.  Phillips is quoted on FoxNews.com as saying:

"This case started the day the Supreme Court decided they were going to hear our case. It was a very busy, very crazy day at the shop," Phillips explained. "In the middle of all of this chaos, we got a phone call from an attorney in Denver asking us to create a cake pink on the inside with blue icing on the outside."

The article continues: 

Phillips told Fox News that he was told "it was two colors, a color scheme, a combination, designed to celebrate a gender transition."

The customer, Autumn Scardina, an attorney, requested the cake in 2017 in honor of her gender transition.

"We told the customer, this caller, that this cake was a cake we couldn’t create because of the message, the caller turned around and sued us," Phillips told Fox News. "This customer came to us intentionally to get us to create a cake or deny creating a cake that went against our religious beliefs."

He said that, "This customer had been tracking our case for multiple years. This case was just a request to get us to fall into a trap."  FoxNews.com also reported:

Kristen Waggoner, general counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, told Fox News that this "was an obvious type of setup."

"At the trial, and in other testimony, this attorney confirmed that Jack was contacted in an effort to make a test case and to 'correct the errors' of Jack’s thinking," Waggoner told Fox News.

The National Review article also relates:

The director of the Colorado civil-rights division found “probable cause” in Scardina’s complaint but ended up dropping the case after being sued by Alliance Defending Freedom in federal court. After years of harassing Phillips, and a loss in the high court, Colorado almost surely would have lost.

Rather than appealing the commission’s dismissal, Scardina filed a lawsuit seeking damages, fines, and attorney’s fees. And here we are.

Here. We. Are. Jack Phillips, admittedly targeted for his religious beliefs and not finding any real relief at the high court - yet.  So, Christian believers who want to stand on conscience in the products they produce are still not completely legally protected, and people like Jack are even targeted by some professing Christians who believe that Jack should "bake the cake."  

But, Jack doesn't want to bake it.  And, he shouldn't have to be forced to. Paul, by the way, addressed this conscience issue regarding the consumption of meat.  But, here we are, and we have to rely on the wisdom of God to show us how to respond when the challenge of conscience comes, as well as when the consequences ensue.

Jesus was in a similar position - there were opponents who laid a trap for Him, yet He skillfully responded.  We have access to the wisdom of God, that will direct us in the steps that we take.  We have the mind of Christ, and we can think His thoughts, thoughts that are written for us, instructions that are given, in the Scriptures.  Even when the trap is set and perhaps we walk into it, we can rely on Almighty God to sustain us.

Cleanse

The Lord has given us the resources that we need in order to stand before Him clean and holy, and as we are clean, we can reflect His goodness and light to the world. Jeremiah 33 states:
8 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.
9 Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.'

Sin separates us from God, but Jesus died on a cross so that our sins might be forgiven and that we could stand before God clean and whole.  We have the presence of the Holy Spirit within us to convict us of our sins and to enable us to be cleansed.  Jesus cleansed the Temple during Holy Week, and during this special time, we can be resolved to allow the Spirit to cleanse and purify us, so that we, the temple of the Holy Spirit, might better reflect the risen Lord.

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I want to go back into the book of Luke today and capture a snapshot from the final days of the earthly life of Jesus prior to his crucifixion. In Luke 19, we find that Jesus walked into the temple and proceeded to cleanse it:
45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,
46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' "
47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,
48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

The caretakers of the temple attempted to take action against Jesus, but they were prevented from doing so. In our lives, the "caretakers" of the temple of the Holy Spirit are charged with allowing the Spirit of God to cleanse us from the inside. 1 Corinthians 6 says:
18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
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.

In 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic, the Alabama Legislature voted to recognize pornography as a public health crisis. Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation is quoted at the organization's website; she said:

“Modern pornography—with its limitless quantity, speed, and violent or degrading themes—is a jarring new variable in human development. It’s not surprising that such a variable would have negative effects on brains and bodies built for person-to-person sexual contact. Medical professionals, elected officials, therapists and more are beginning to acknowledge the universal harms of pornography.”

The website says the Center has reviewed 99 studies on the "harms of pornography."  Here are two examples of the harm that porn does in the life of a human being:

• Pornography Has Detrimental Impacts on the Brain: There have been over 40 neurological studies which reveal pornography use has negative and detrimental impacts on the brain.
• Pornography Teaches Users that Women Enjoy Sexual Violence and Degradation: A recent study of PornHub videos found that 43% of videos included what the researchers categorized as “visible aggression” and 15% included “nonconsensual aggression.”

PornHub - yes, that is the site that has been in a bit of trouble lately, according to The Christian Post, and deservedly so.  The article says:

MindGeek, the parent company of several major porn websites, including Pornhub, is under investigation and facing its own lawsuits filed on behalf of child sex abuse survivors.

Last month, two unnamed plaintiffs accused Pornhub of hosting and profiting off videos of their abuse uploaded to the popular pornography website. They filed a class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

The Christian Post article adds:

In December, 40 women sued Pornhub. They claim that the company profited from their exploitation as victims of sex trafficking.

Last week, more than 70 Canadian lawmakers called for MindGeek to be investigated by police amid the mounting allegations that the company profited from the sexual exploitation of children.

And, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, according to the article, is one of the plaintiffs in a suit filed in federal court in California on behalf of an anonymous person known as Jane Doe against XVideos and its parent company. The story quotes from the Center's Legal Counsel Dani Pinter: “XVideos not only violated the law by hosting Jane Doe’s child sexual abuse material, it profited from her abuse given that each image and video of her was monetized,” adding, “This cannot be allowed to stand and remain unchallenged. Victims of childhood sexual abuse such as Jane Doe unequivocally deserve justice.”

The Post adds: "The lawsuit contends that XVideos not only 'benefited from a sex trafficking venture' and distributed child pornography but also failed to report child sexual abuse material."

There is a disturbing world that is centered around pornography, and we have to be aware that young people are being victimized by child pornographers and traffickers who are trying to profit from the abuse.  And, the consumers of this material and other forms of pornography are finding no shortage of opportunity to view this type of content. It's available and it is our responsibility to be aware and to protect ourselves, our homes, and our communities from this entering in and being used of the enemy to damage hearts and minds.

Since the body is called the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have to evaluate how well that we are protecting ourselves.  We have the power to regulate what is being taken into our minds through our physical senses, including our eyes.  And, if the enemy has built a stronghold in any area, we have to rely on the power of the Spirit to cleanse us.  Jesus cleansed the Jerusalem Temple; we have to let Jesus cleanse the temple of His Spirit.  He said that the Temple was to be a "house of prayer."  If we have been saved, we have been set apart for the use of our Savior and can consider how we are obeying Him.

The King Who Is a Servant

Jesus is our King - the One who was hailed as such who rode into Jerusalem less than a week before His death will return in all His glory and majesty. And, even though He was the Son of God, He was full of humility. In Mark chapter 10, Jesus says:
(43) whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

He goes on to say:
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Even though His disciples were followers of Christ who swore allegiance to Him, He was telling them that His desire was to serve.  Jesus humbled Himself before the people to whom He ministered, and ultimately humbled Himself to the point of death. He is an example to us and empowers us to walk in the way He would intend.  He was God who came in the flesh, who came down to earth, so that we might be taken up with Him to heaven through salvation.

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As Jesus shared His final meal together with His disciples, He made some comments about servanthood, in advance of His incredible act of service in order to redeem humanity. In Luke 22, we find that He said:
25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

One of the initial reports after the deadly shooting recently in Boulder, CO at a grocery store involved the death of a police officer who gave his life to save others.  ChristianNews.net had a portion of the story from TheDenverChannel.com.  51-year-old Eric Talley "was the first to respond to the King Soopers minutes after initial 911 calls around 2:30 p.m. He was shot and killed," according to Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold.  A total of 10 people lost their lives, and the alleged shooter is in custody.

The story says that Eric's father, Homer Talley, shared this statement with ABC:

“He took his job as a police officer very seriously. He had seven children. The youngest is 7 years old. He loved his kids and his family more than anything. He joined the police force when he was 40 years old. He was looking for a job to keep himself off of the front lines and was learning to be a drone operator. He didn’t want to put his family through something like this and he believed in Jesus Christ.”

Chief Herold said, "I'm grateful for the police officers that responded, and I am so sorry about the loss of Officer Talley..."  Another article at the same website quotes the chief as saying: "He's everything policing deserves and needs," adding, "He cared about this community, he cared about Boulder Police Department, and he cared about his family. And he was willing to die to protect others." The story also notes that Mayor Sam Weaver said, "Many are alive today because of the actions of Eric Talley and other first responders and their bravery is a blessing to us all."  Both leaders used the word "heroic" in their statements.

Eric Talley certainly demonstrates for us a man who was devoted to saving lives, even to the extent of putting his life on the line, as our law enforcement and first responders are willing to do every single day - and we should never take them for granted.  And, as it's been noted, Talley went into an active shooter situation, a life-or-death situation, and according to the mayor, his willingness to give of himself helped to save lives.

Yesterday, Christians around the world celebrated a moment in which someone who was willing to give his life put himself in harm's way and rode into Jerusalem into what became a dangerous situation.  Within the course of a week, our Savior went from being hailed as King to being scorned as criminal.  But, Jesus was intent on His mission - at the time of Passover, our perfect Passover Lamb, who said Himself that He came to serve and give His life, fulfilled that mission: not only to die, but to be raised from the dead so that we can have new life in Him.  Our King exemplified what servant-leadership is all about.

So, in this Holy Week, as we consider the King who gave His life, we can think about what that means for us, and how that can affect our attitude. Because of our Savior, we can live a fulfilling, selfless life.  And, we can demonstrate a willingness to give our lives so that others can be free. Our Savior calls us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. 

Steadfast

We may feel sometimes that we are spiritually incongruous with the people around us - there are those that embrace the philosophies of this world and think and act a different way than we do. And, their hostility or ignorance concerning the Christian faith can be frustrating and even hurtful. Nevertheless, God calls us to be steadfast. 1st Corinthians 15 says:
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 can walk in personal victory, even though we may be experiencing opposition. And, we realize the enemy over which Christ has triumphed is a spiritual one - our war, according to Ephesians, is not against flesh and blood.  When we realize that, it frees us to love the people around us, even those who don't believe and take us to task for our beliefs.  The power of God enables us to remain steadfast, even in the face of those who would oppose, or even demean and ridicule, believers because we live for Jesus.

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God calls us to a steadfast walk, which results from embracing what Jesus has done in our hearts and pursuing His purpose. Ephesians 2 states:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are in that season known as March Madness, as the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships have moved into the "Sweet Sixteen" phase.  The men are in the state of Indiana while the ladies are playing in Texas.  

In 2008, the Stanford Cardinal women's team made it to the national championship game, losing to the Tennessee Lady Vols.  One of the prime contributors to the Cardinal's attempt to win a title was Candice Wiggins - according to the university's sports website, Wiggins scored 41 points in a regional final win over Maryland that year, and posted her fourth double-double that year in the first Final Four game, scoring 25 points and hauling down 13 rebounds, defeating UConn.

Wiggins went on to the WNBA and played for four teams, including the Minnesota Lynx, where she won a championship in 2011, according to an article at The Christian Post website. But, just about five years later, before she even turned 30 years old, she retired - the article states:

In 2016, however, at age 29, Wiggins voluntarily ended her WNBA career. A year later, she disclosed in an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune that, along with other tensions, that she had been bullied in the WNBA for being straight and that the culture in the WNBA encouraged women to look and act like men in the NBA.

She said, “Me being heterosexual and straight, and being vocal in my identity as a straight woman was huge," adding, "It was a conformist type of place. There was a whole different set of rules they (the other players) could apply.”

Wiggins discovered a newfound faith when playing with the Lynx, according to the article, which says:

Wiggins talks fondly of WNBA chaplain of the Minnesota Lynx, Michelle Backes, who she said served as a role model for her in developing her faith. She said Backes gifted her a study Bible after she tore her Achilles tendon in July 2010 and she was sidelined by the injury.

She said she struggled during that period but used the time to finish her communications degree at Stanford and search the Scriptures for direction.

“When I tore my Achilles, everything stopped for me physically, so it became all about who am I outside of basketball. First thing I did was enroll in Stanford. I went back to Stanford and took classes to finish my degree,” she said.

“I went to God because I wanted so badly to digest the entire Bible, but I felt the guilt … I felt very lost,” she continued, noting that up until that point in her life, she had been reading many different books but not the Bible.

And, as she applied herself to the Word, God worked in her life in a profound way; she says, "It was like this anointing. I felt so much power in the Word. Studying the notes, the history, the context. I had a full comprehension because I felt like [I had] a lot of catching up to do...," and things continued to change.  The Post states, "She ended up finishing the entire New Testament and went on to win a WNBA championship shortly after," Wiggins said, “That kind of brought me to a place where I thought I was living in my purpose. From that point on, I stayed reading the Word..."

Now, Wiggins is entering a new chapter of her life - moving from California to Atlanta and developing a virtual coaching series for young people who have been adversely affected by the COVID pandemic. She says: “The biggest thing that I probably discovered [during the pandemic] is just the sense of time — how much time is in charge. Not our own wills, time. And that’s God’s will, in my opinion. Being patient. Of all the things in life that you could want, that you could wish for and hope for, I think that time is probably the most precious and the most important, and also it’s priceless,” adding, “What do you do with your time? I think that’s one of the things that, you know, when you think about even the idea of a Judgment Day or the Judgment Seat, I think that the pressing question is what did you do with your time?

Wiggins adds:

"This pandemic has taught me really that there’s nothing idle about your schedule anymore. Anyone’s schedule, especially mine. I have to look and see how I have been using my time and really judge that.”

Candice Wiggins is a former women's basketball player who has learned to reorient her life and depend on God. She now senses a call to coach, to share what she has learned and applied in her life, and to speak up based on Scripture.  

And, her life has not been without difficulty, including her stand against the pressure to conform when surrounded by fellow athletes who did not share her views on the gay lifestyle.  It put her in a position where she could not do what she loved to do anymore.  We will encounter opposition in our lives - we can decide to stand in the midst of it or discern when it is time to walk away.  We have to follow God's call and make sure that He is leading us.

We know that even in adverse circumstances, we can have an influence with those who do not share our values, but there may be a time in which He says, "enough."  We have to navigate the challenges and wait on His perfect will, remaining steadfast. 

We also note that God will give us wisdom, we can depend on Him to order our steps. We can offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him and recognize the certainty of His call.  He is with us, and we can rely on His direction.

Stay the Course

The lines of demarcation between a Christian worldview perspective and the world's destructive ideas are so clear in many areas of society. We have to pursue and speak clarity in the midst of confusion. And, God is clear about matters of sexuality and gender. Jesus echoed the Father's plan laid out in Genesis in Matthew 19, saying:
(4) "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

In these three verses, Jesus offers clear teaching on what culture seems to be getting wrong these days: 1) there are two genders - male and female; He is saying these are fixed, binary, and 2) they were made that way, which makes the idea of "gender transition" out of the question.  He also says 3) that marriage is a man and a woman in a "one-flesh" relationship and 4) that we should be committed to God's will for marriage.  This is clear and reflects the wisdom and love of God - that He has ordained a plan for fruitful relationships and orderly society.

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Paul wrote in Romans chapter 1 that he was not ashamed of the gospel, the power of God for salvation, and later in the same chapter he took to task the mindset and behavior of those who did not follow the Lord. He wrote:
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  

And, in an age in which concepts such as gender identity and gender fluidity influence conversations and policies, a majority of Protestant pastors surveyed by Lifeway Research are rejecting these concepts.  The survey summary states:

In a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, around 3 in 4 Protestant pastors say identifying as a gender different from one’s biological birth gender is morally wrong. Similar numbers say the same about attempts to physically change genders.

Lifeway Research executive director Scott McConnell says, “American culture increasingly views morality differently than historic Christianity,” adding, “When pastors articulate Christian teaching, it often sounds very different from the cultural narrative because it rejects a basis for morality centered on the individual.” 

So, 72% of Protestant pastors agree, with 62% strongly agreeing, that it is "morally wrong" for a person to identify with a gender that is not his or her biological one. The summary also notes that, "Evangelical pastors are more than twice as likely as mainline Protestant pastors to agree identifying with a different gender is immoral (84% to 32%)."  The summary also states:

In an earlier study Lifeway Research asked the same questions of Americans. Forty-four percent of Protestant Americans and 35% of all Americans agreed it is morally wrong for someone to identify with a gender different from the sex they were born. In the 2020 State of Theology study from Lifeway Research, however, 79% of American adults agree God created male and female.

Regarding the issue of actually trying to "change" one's gender, the summary notes:

More than 3 in 4 pastors (77%) say it is morally wrong to change the gender you were born with through surgery or taking hormones, with 71% strongly agreeing. Fewer than 1 in 8 disagree (12%), and 7% say it’s not a moral issue, according to the Lifeway Research study.

And, as Lifeway Research states, "Nine in 10 evangelical pastors (90%) believe attempting to physically change genders is morally wrong, compared to 37% of mainline pastors."  The article notes that a Gallup poll shows only .6% of the population is transgender, however, Lifeway's research shows that almost half of pastors surveyed said they knew a person who is transgender.

Note the gap: almost three-quarters of Protestant pastors, but only a-third of Americans view identifying as another gender as being immoral.  While one has to wonder how pervasively this topic is being addressed from the pulpits of America, you also realize that people are not availing themselves of Biblical wisdom. The media narrative is strong, there may not be enough Biblical truth being declared to counter it, and people are developing their worldview based on the world's dictates.  I do think that Christians are deficient in the information war, and there are many, even in so-called evangelical Christianity, that are short-circuiting the proclamation of the truth of God by holding to positions that differ from orthodox Christian teaching on matters of sexuality.  

That is why we need believers who are bold and equipped in order to speak God's Word - I talked recently with a Christian journalist who emphasized the need for Christians to consider going into that field.  And, while all of us are not called to be professionals in media, we are all called to seek and speak truth.  

We can also rejoice in who God made us.  The enemy is deceiving people into thinking that there is some other lifestyle, perhaps even a change in biology, that can make them happier or more self-assured. God created us as we are, unique in His eyes and made in His image.  We can be content, satisfied in who we are - comfortable in our own skin.  That confidence is contagious.

Othering

Unfortunately, we find that the teachings of Scripture and views centered around God's Word can sometimes be unpopular in certain circles. We face the possibility of being ostracized and criticized. But, we can continue to be bold and strong in Him. Peter and John faced the critics, and when they were used of God to heal a lame man, they had to demonstrate reliance on God. Acts 4 records the incident, and we can read:
11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

It can certainly be our aim to display the presence of the living Lord, so that people know that we have been and are with Jesus. The way that we walk communicates powerfully the life-changing capacity of God's Word and His Spirit.  He enables us to respond Biblically when we face hostility, when people do not understand our faith perspective, and perhaps through our reliance on the Lord and the words that He gives us, people will be moved by our words and the way we live.

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We give praise and honor to God our creator, the One who has made the heavens and the earth, according to His perfect plan, and as we're told in Genesis chapter 1, created humanity, beginning with Adam and Eve, about whom we read:
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

This creation narrative is a foundation component of Biblical Christianity, but it has been suggested that if you have taken college courses that offer a the creationist perspective, it should not count toward a degree.

CBN.com reported recently on what was written by a professor from Washington University in St. Louis.  It states:

Dr. Joshua Swamidass claims this "constructive solution" would hold Christian institutions to a higher academic standard.

"Credit from courses that include creation science should not be used toward science degrees," he wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. "Nor should they be eligible for transfer to secular institutions."

Apparently, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has been considering whether or not to continue to recognize the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) as an accrediting agency, and the professor offered his take on the matter.

The CBN article notes that one TRACS school is Bob Jones University, whose president, Steve Pettit, said, according to the Wall Street Journal: "Our students, while adhering to biblical viewpoints on the origin and diversity of life, must be fully conversant with, and able to think critically about both models," adding, "Dr. Swamidass's 'compromise'—excluding credit from courses presenting evidence for multiple models—would marginalize outstanding scientists with biblical viewpoints about origins..."

The article also includes content from David Klinghoffer, Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute, which embraces the concept of Intelligent Design, wrote at Evolution News & Science Today, "Creationist thoughts and those who think them, are indeed penalized in his system...Invidious labeling is all about reward and punishment....and this is a very dangerous concept."

Klinghoffer, who admittedly is not a creationist, is nevertheless bothered by this proposal, writing:

Here’s the concept of invidious labeling: to help favored groups or hurt disfavored ones, you label their work or business by race, religion, viewpoint, or other identity, so that customers or employers can join you in doling out reward or, more often, punishment. The practice has a long and sordid history. 

Another name for it is “othering”:

Othering is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labeled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group. It is an effect that influences how people perceive and treat those who are viewed as being part of the in-group versus those who are seen as being part of the out-group.

That is a definition from the VeryWellMind.com website. 

And, we can pay attention to Klinghoffer's closing statements:

From the sciences, once the rationale about “national norms” is accepted, I don’t see any reason why the labeling or othering concept should not be expanded to cover areas of education where other out-group ideas are discussed, whether political, cultural, or philosophical. Where would it end? Our “national norms” are rapidly evolving, after all, as no one who lived through 2020 could have missed.

The Chinese government, perhaps, offers a preview of what’s to come. They have their Social Credit System, where anti-social deviations are not necessarily made illegal, but are penalized: “disclosed, tracked and reported,” to borrow Josh Swamidass’s phrase.

In a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, we have now drifted to the point where those who hold a Christian worldview are the outsiders, those who have been the recipients of this "othering."  Face it, no longer are we, as the old song says, "in" with the "in-crowd."  But, the fact is, we are never called to be.  We are, as 1st Peter 2 reminds us, a peculiar people - and our desire to fit in or be liked may indeed conflict with the call to be distinct.  But, that doesn't mean that we should not try to build relationships with those different than we are. 

But, one should never seek to "punish" a people-group due to perceived common characteristics.  That is indeed what is happening in China, and Christians are on the short end.  It has been said that Christians are perceived to be a threat there, and their freedom to practice their religion cannot be tolerated in a totalitarian state.  We have to be aware that there are people in power that, having once tasted it, want to consolidate and expand their power - we must not be that way and have to be prepared to speak truth to those who are.

This leads us back to the contention that creation is somehow not "scientific," or that creation is an inferior explanation of origins.  An examination of the evidence points to a designer, and the Word of God identifies who that is.  But, to embrace that identity of our Creator means that someone has to submit to His authority, so it's convenient to reject that notion.  Two points  the truth of the living Christ, the truth of the resurrection, brings credibility to the Scriptures.  And, one cannot pick and choose what about the Bible to believe - if we believe that He died and rose again, then we should also accept as true the premises and promises of Scripture - the factual Jesus, according to Colossians 1, as a member of the Godhead, was responsible for creation.  Just because that is a "religious" of "faith" premise does not make it any less true.

Not to Judge

In John 7, we find that Jesus was lecturing in the Temple about accurate judgment; we find that He said:
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill?
26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?
27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from."
28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.

No, there were many who did not acknowledge who Jesus was - same as today.  But, He chided those whom He taught as really knowing who He was, but denying Him.  Jesus warned the religious leaders of the day not to develop opinions based on appearance, but to be methodical and accurate in the formation of their thoughts about certain matters.  If we are really seekers of truth, then we need to slow down, not jump to conclusions, and develop opinions before we have the necessary facts to do so.  If we don't do this, we lessen our credibility as Christ's representatives.

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God has not called us to be judge and jury in so many instances, for He is the One True Judge, yet because we have read something online or bought into a media narrative, we can believe that we have the right to jump to conclusions. Jesus warned against irrational judgment in Matthew 7:
1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Hearts are heavy today in light of the most recent mass shooting that occurred at a store in Boulder, CO, where at least 10 people, including a police officer whose actions have been characterized as heroic, have lost their lives.  The shooter has been taken into custody.

This comes as many are still reeling from the string of murders in the Atlanta area at the hands of a 21-year-old who allegedly killed 8 people at multiple spas in the region.  There are dueling narratives regarding the motive behind what really happened - there are those who distinctly believe that the young man, filled with hatred for Asians, went on a shooting spree and targeted people who were of Asian descent, predominantly women. Variations of this narrative also include directing blame at the evangelical church he attended for fomenting his hatred for other races. 

But, another narrative, which law enforcement had initially confirmed, was that the shooter was struggling with a sex addiction and viewed the women he attacked as perpetrators for his temptation.  Variations of this narrative also include directing blame at the evangelical church he attended for fomenting his hatred for women.  It also includes the accusation that so-called "purity culture," which is somehow connected to maintaining sexual purity outside of marriage and fidelity in marriage, was to blame - funny, I always believed that to be a highly Scriptural teaching.

These variations have the common component - the church, Crabapple First Baptist Church north of Atlanta, bears responsibility for the actions of this troubled young man, who at one time had been active in the congregation.  The church issued a statement last Friday that, according to Religion News Service, said, referring to the suspect, "that Robert Aaron Long’s family have been members for 'many years,' and Long professed his faith in Jesus when he joined the congregation.  The church also, on its website yesterday, said that church had instituted church discipline and the young man was no longer a member.

The statement said: “Aaron’s actions are antithetical to everything that we believe and teach as a church...In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the actions of Aaron Long as well as his stated reasons for carrying out this wicked plan. The shootings were a total repudiation of our faith and practice, and such actions are completely unacceptable and contrary to the gospel.”

The church's statement also pointed to where the responsibility lies: "No blame can be placed upon the victims,” adding, “He alone is responsible for his evil actions and desires. The women he solicited for sexual acts are not responsible for his perverse sexual desires nor do they bear any blame in these murders. These actions are the result of a sinful heart and depraved mind for which Aaron is completely responsible.”  The article also notes:

The church said it is cooperating with law enforcement and added: “We pray for both earthly justice and divine justice.”

And, in a response seemingly directed at those characterizing the acts of violence to be hate crimes against Asian-Americans, the church stated, “Finally, we deeply regret the fear and pain Asian-Americans are experiencing as a result of Aaron’s inexcusable actions..." The church also said:

“We repudiate any and all forms of misogyny and racism. We categorically reject the idea that violence is appropriate, regardless of one’s issues or motivations. Murder, especially, is a heinous evil and grievous sin. We also explicitly denounce any and all forms of hatred or violence against Asians or Asian-Americans.”

The insatiable media has continued to hammer the church.  Terry Mattingly of GetReligion.org seems to be crying foul, writing:

It is completely valid for journalists to dig into websites, documents and sermon files linked to this congregation. The question, however, is whether to goal of this research is to yield specific information about the issues that appear to be involved in this tragedy — such as ideas and materials that may have shaped Long’s beliefs on racial prejudice against Asian Americans and his brokenness, in terms of his struggles with sexual sins.

Are there printed materials linked to this congregation — and even movements associated with it — that address these topics? Are there sermons or lesson materials that appear to support a heretical stance that women are somehow to blame for this man’s sexual sins (as opposed to his own weaknesses and choices) and that he needed to use violence to eliminate these temptations?

He also takes issue with the Washington Post erroneously connecting the dots between a sermon delivered by the church's pastor to the acts of violence.  Mattingly writes:

It’s appropriate that the story notes: “It is not uncommon for pastors to preach on the apocalypse, and it’s unclear whether Long heard the pastor’s teachings Sunday.”

But it’s “unclear” that Long has cut his ties to this church and the faith that he claimed in the past? At this point, what evidence exists that any of those faith ties still bind in the case of this troubled and, from the church’s point of view, sin-sick individual?

I would also like to join others in asking why this sermon about the Second Coming is relevant to news coverage of Long and his alleged deeds?

Mattingly goes on to quote writer Rod Dreher at The American Conservative:

The story goes on to talk about how the murders might be connected to conservative Southern Baptist theology. There are something like 16 million Southern Baptists in America. About half of them are men. Eight million men have been exposed to some degree to conservative Southern Baptist teachings. … Does it even occur to these journalists and commentators that the problem here is not necessarily Southern Baptist theology, but a depraved young man? Of course not! Anything to destroy one’s culture war enemies.

How often we as a society have been duped over the past few years by narratives that media outlets and opinion journalists craft and then attempt to find so-called "evidence" to support their contention. It's called jumping to conclusions, and it is not healthy for people with a desire to know and respond to the truth.  In our own lives, we have to careful not to make these judgments, perhaps even repeat them, and respond inappropriately.  We should have compassion for all involved with the Atlanta and Boulder shootings - the victims of the crime, their families, and even the person who commits these heinous acts, and we can do so while still wanting to see justice served. 

Stories have their antagonists, but speculation on what motivated these individuals and who may have contributed to their acts can be counterproductive.  Why, a post on social media featured a picture of the Crabapple Church and the descriptor that this is where Mr. Long was "radicalized."  Another post took pastors and church leaders to task for what they were teaching on sexuality, jumping to the conclusion that there may be teaching that was considered to be "wrong" involved.  These came from professing Christians - does this contribute to a spirit of Christian harmony, believing the best of every person, or does it bear the fruit of division?  We tend to stand in place of the Holy Spirit and judge the thoughts and intents of the heart, yet the Bible teaches us that God is able to do this - are we trying to stand in the place of God?  We have to repent of judgmental attitudes and resist our own personal temptations to indict people in our own minds.

Foundation

We are all co-laborers in the Kingdom of God, if we are followers of Jesus - some are more well-known or high-profile than others, yet we all have a place to fulfill, and foundation to build on. 1st Corinthians 3 states:
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

We can ask ourselves, "on whose foundation, on what basis am I doing what I am doing?"  The Bible calls Jesus the "Chief Cornerstone," and we recognize that He has given us the resources and direction in order to build on that foundation.  He has established the foundation and said that He would build His Church. So, we can make sure that we are contributing to His work rather than trying to do our own work, which does not glorify Him.

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In John 15, Jesus is addressing His disciples about the topic of fruitfulness, recognizing that permanent fruit comes from the power of our Savior:
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

For the past three years, evangelist Luis Palau has been battling cancer - the journey certainly had its ups and downs, but when the announcement came a few weeks ago that the great minister had been placed in hospice care, it was a sign that the end of his life was coming.

And, what a productive life it was!  Palau was born in Argentina in 1934 and came to America in 1960, according to an article on The Christian Post website.  The article said:

Palau was known for gathering large numbers of people for outdoor revival events that include music and preaching, often cooperating with local congregations. For example, Palau brought together more than 1,000 New York City churches to organize around 60,000 people in Central Park for an evangelism event in 2015.

The memorial service was held this past weekend, and the Post article mentioned three of the Palau sons, who spoke at the service, as well as ministry leader Josh White, who is "the lead pastor of an Oregon-based family of churches called Door of Hope." He noted that Palau’s “sophistication flowed out of the simplicity of faith.”  The Post reported that:

White said Palau kept the cross at the center of everything, which helped him in holiness. He said Palau’s legacy is that “he shows the world the simplicity of the Gospel.”

As Palau is credited with leading more than 1 million people to Christ, White stressed that Palau’s ministry will carry on.

Luis has been heard, along with son, Andrew, on Reaching Your World, a 2-minute feature on Faith Radio, which is aired weekdays at 11:40 a.m. and 6:25 p.m.  Andrew has been actively involved in preaching on behalf of the ministry his father founded, and even the weekend before his death on March 11, Andrew was carrying out the work of the ministry at a major evangelistic event in South Florida. 

ChristianHeadlines.com reported on the event, stating, "Last week, the family told the world that Luis Palau's health was failing, but decided to host the festival anyway to show that the work to spread the gospel doesn't end because an evangelist cannot be as mobile as he used to be, CBN News reports." 

The Christian Headlines article went on to say:

Hundreds of churches reportedly came together throughout the Brevard County area for the evangelistic festival.

In addition to the festival, Andrew Palau led multiple outreaches and gatherings in prisons, holding a first responder breakfast, a luncheon for civic and business leaders, and two women's gatherings that were led by Andrew's wife, Wendy, CBN News reports.

According to the Palaus' website, the "event marks 14 years since the Palau Association last came to Florida. The last campaign in 2007 was led by Andrew’s father, evangelist Luis Palau ... The movement has also been providing opportunities for the churches of Brevard County to set aside differences and unite in service."

The event featured well-known Christian musical artists, as well as "a Family Fun Stage, skateboard and BMX trick shows, and even freestyle motocross shows."  The article reports that more than 2000 people gave their lives to Christ during the event, a tribute to the work of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of Luis Palau and his son, Andrew.

The baton has been passed and the Association shows no signs of slowing down, with events planned around the world, according to the article.

Just days before his death, the ministry of the Luis Palau Association was communicating life - eternal life through Christ. Yes, the evangelist was honored because evangelism went forward in his name and ultimately in the name of Jesus Christ.  It's a testimony that a meaningful way to honor someone is to carry out the work he or she has established.  Andrew and the ministry are now committed to carrying out the work his father had started, building on the strong foundation that was left.  It's a pattern that we have seen in other ministries, as well, perhaps most notably through the work of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

While great men and women of God have been used to carry out His work, I would imagine they would tell you that it is not their work.  While human beings become the "face" and "voice" of various ministries, ultimately the ministries and churches are certainly not about a person, but the person of Christ. That's why what we do is not to make ourselves famous and draw attention to ourselves, but to make Jesus famous and call attention to the work that He wants to do in people's lives. According to The Christian Post, "Andrew Palau said his father wanted his headstone to say this: 'Here lies Luis Palau. He wasn’t perfect, but he sure loved Jesus.'”  We can be motivated to seek to glorify God, not ourselves, and depend on Him to produce the fruit He desires, fruit that will be permanent.

Telling the Life Story

God has given us His Word, and it is His desire for us to read, study, and meditate on His words to us. And, we can also speak the Word, declaring it boldly and making known His truth. 1st Chronicles 16 says:
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.

Some strong words there - we are instructed to "proclaim" and "declare."  We have the capability to speak God's truth, to represent Him and to share His wisdom in the situations of our life.  We can declare His faithfulness and in so doing, help others to see that there is a God who loves them and desires for them to know Him. We represent Christ in this earth, and He equips us in order that we may bring Him glory by our obedience.

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God may open doors for us to declare His truth, and when He does it, we can be prepared and empowered to do so. Our understanding of the past can direct our future. But, we have to stop living in the past. Isaiah 41 states:
21 "Present your case," says the Lord. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob.
22 "Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come.

It has been a brutal series of weeks for those who are pro-life - and just yesterday, the U.S. Senate has confirmed a radical, pro-abortion state attorney general who tried to lock up pro-life journalists and voted in favor of partial-birth abortion while in the U.S. House.  And, that's just the beginning of his track record.  You have people in power who are promoting abortion, and doing so in part at taxpayers' expense.

The widespread legalization of abortion in America took that unfortunate step forward through the court decision Roe v. Wade, and there is a movie that has recently been released that looks into the details of the dreadful U.S. Supreme Court decision.  Movieguide.org recently ran a story on this new film that is named for the decision and offered quotes from filmmaker Nick Loeb.  The article says:

While abortion is one of the most polarizing topics today, Loeb hopes his objective look at the story will “change people’s hearts and minds.”

On Fox and Friends, Loeb said, “We wanted to make a movie that told the story of how Roe came to be and how it was really decided,” adding, “When I first went to go make the movie, and I had heard about Roe v. Wade, the first thing I thought was ‘Why would I want to make a pro-choice [movie], because really what everybody knows about Roe is the woman’s right to choose, but nobody really knows about the whole story of how it got there and how it was really decided.”

Loeb notes that the case was heard twice, and that two justices had members of their families working for Planned Parenthood at the time of the decision.

One of the key figures in the film is Dr. Mildred Jefferson; about her, Loeb says: “Dr. Mildred Jefferson was the first African American to graduate Harvard Medical School, if she was pro-choice today, everyone would have heard of her. But because she is pro-life and was the second president to National Right to Life, no ones heard about her.” He says that, “She was a huge force in the movement, to start the pro-life movement.”

In the article, Movieguide included a part of its review:

Dr. Bernard Nathanson and Dr. Mildred Jefferson square off in a national battle between the pro-life and pro-abortion camps. The movie seeks to uncover the truth about the landmark court ruling and reveal the various motivations, lies, and connections surrounding the event.

ROE V. WADE offers an ultimately powerful perspective on the 1973 court case by viewing it from Dr. Nathanson’s viewpoint, including how he went from being pro-abortion to being a pro-life Christian activist.

In another Movieguide article, Loeb is quoted as saying that Nathanson, whom he plays, "...made up statistics that they would then leak to the media to help change public perception. That was a big part of getting Roe passed and pushing the abortion movement forward. That doesn’t reflect great on the pro-choicers..." He also stated, “I really wanted to play Bernard because he resembles a little bit of me in my life. I am not a doctor or an obstetrician but I started off in life as pro-choice...Although my family is conservative, I grew up in New York and my father was, I think, socially liberal and pro-choice, just like many people I grew up with. I followed suit.”

Roe v. Wade is a pivotal decision in our nation, and while we know the basics, such the legalization of abortion, I am not sure how many people really realize the backstory.  Names such as Bernard Nathanson and Norma McCorvey, who was the "Roe" in the decision, are perhaps familiar regarding the case.  That's why we need to know history.  How did we get to the place where we are?  And, how can we take those lessons and move forward?  Telling the story is an important component, not to relive the past but to contribute to greater understanding and effective solutions.

As believers, we need to be emboldened to tell what God has done.  He has given each of us a story - of redemption, of faithfulness, even, as we will hear on today's Meeting House, of struggle and pain. We may be involved in an episode of a story right now, a situation in which the outcome is far from clear.  But, with Christ in our lives and our hope and faith in Him, we can trust that, as He has worked in the past, He is working to bring glory to His name in the future.

Going Back

We can know that when the Lord is involved, there is always something to look forward to - He brings hope into the life of the believer and that can produce joy deep within. Psalm 62 relates these words to us:
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

These have been trying and challenging days for many people.  And, there has been enormous strain on the Church, the body of Christ, attempting to navigate a new paradigm, attempting to be faithful to present God's Word and to try to keep people connected amidst isolation.  Things seem to be improving, and we can follow the Lord's direction as He establishes us in a new place in the aftermath of trial - that's a cycle that we can see in each of our lives, and we can trust that He is at work.

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Proverbs 23 deals with the subject of expectation and reminds us that we can be hopeful about what God will do. We can read these verses:
15 My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself;
16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

The Church's response to the coronavirus pandemic has gone through quite a few phases: from shutdown (in most cases), to gradual reopening, then perhaps scaling back as cases spiked during the fall and early winter, now opening the doors a bit wider, and the anticipation of opening wider and wider.  Is a complete "normal" on the horizon?  Perhaps not, or at least not for a long time, it seems.

But, some encouraging news has come from a recent survey.  CBN.com reported on a LifeWay Research survey, stating:

In a recent study of 1,000 Protestant churches conducted by Nashville-based Lifeway Research, church members said when COVID-19 is no longer an active threat to people's health, 91% plan to attend in-person worship services at least as often as they did before the pandemic. This includes some 23% who plan to attend even more services than they did previously.

In fact, a very small number of regular church attenders - 6% - said they would go to church less than before. Oh, and just over 40% of young adults say they plan to come back!

Scott McConnell, Executive Director of LifeWay Research, is quoted as saying: "Two-thirds of pastors whose churches were open for in-person worship in January saw the attendance of less than 70% of their January 2020 attendance...Many of these pastors are wondering if those who haven't returned ever will. Nine in 10 churchgoers plan to when it is safe to do so."  That is quite an improvement over just a matter of months.  In January, over half of those surveyed did not attend in-person services.

And, it appears that people may be going back to the church they attended before - 87% said they remained committed to the same local church during the pandemic.  More than 4 out of 5 surveyed said they had watched a live stream of a church service at some point during the COVID crisis.

The CBN article also reported:

Most churchgoers (54%) said the events of 2020 caused them to grow closer to God, including 27% who said they became much closer. Another 39% said they stayed about the same. Far fewer (7%) said they grew more distant.

Currently, 11% of churchgoers said they are questioning their faith, while 87% disagree.

"The faith of most churchgoers remains resilient despite a year filled with much uncertainty and fewer options for meeting in person with others from church," said McConnell. "During these trying times, churchgoers were almost eight times more likely to relate to God more than less."

I think it's important to note that, even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, God is still at work.  We have been through a collective period of darkness and isolation, yet God is stirring in His people.  We can imagine with great hope and anticipation what will happen next.  

I believe that we can agree that in the fire of adversity, God produces His fruit.  The pressure can produce a greater sense of reliance on the Lord.  Now, we can worship Him for what He has brought us and is continuing to bring us through.  What we would call "normal" is not necessarily immediate, but we can trust the Lord to show us how to respond in the future He has for us. 

Deconstruct

There are pockets of what seems to be cultural Christianity where believers are relating their experiences of "deconstruction." They are turning aside from their church experience and perhaps entering into a place where they no longer believe in God or think they need to believe differently. James 4 provides direction when we doubt or have a faith crisis:
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

As we relate to God, the nature of that relationship will change over time - and a great metric is to evaluate our level of devotion to Him?  There are some that say Christianity is no longer working for them - perhaps that is a case of them working, rather than trusting and falling in love with Jesus.  We can become tired and jaded in our own strength, but God wants us to partake of His presence so that we will grow in Him.
 

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When God seems distant to us, there is certainly a reason, and we can take the necessary steps to renew our relationship with Him, because He is calling us closer. Jeremiah 23 states:

23 "Am I a God near at hand," says the Lord, "And not a God afar off?
24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the Lord; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord.

There's a concept that's going around out there called "deconstruction."  It is apparently a thing in the more progressive wing of so-called Christianity, but the concept can have ramifications for all of us.  A Religion News Service piece states:

Our Bible App describes deconstruction as “a hot word amongst progressive Christians” that “embodies the personal task of ditching toxic theologies and doctrines for beliefs grounded in love, social justice, and liberation for all.”

This app has been raising money to release a devotional book called, The Deconstructionist's Playbook, which features a variety of authors, described by the article as "theologians, pastors and other 'questioning Christians."

RNS relates that one of the contributors to the book, Deborah Jian Lee "said she noticed a theme: People raised in mainstream evangelical Christianity felt like they had to choose between their faith and parts of their identities."  The article goes on to say:

Social media and books like “The Deconstructionists Playbook” are creating a new space where that isn’t necessary, she said.

The word, "deconstruct," sounds so enlightened, so fresh, in a radical sort of way.  Like finding a new path and being liberate.  It's nothing of the sort.  A piece on the Summit Ministries website plays off the announced "deconstruction" of the YouTube comedy duo, Rhett and Link, who announced almost a year ago that they no longer believed in Christianity.

The author, Ben Keiser, writes: "A running theme in Link’s story is his discouragement in trying to live a committed Christian life. He talks about how he wanted to please God but was always afraid of disappointing him...It wasn’t that he necessarily felt that God was disappointed in him, but rather that he was disappointed in himself."

But God offers us a different way of thinking; Keiser states:

When we rest in God’s great love, no longer are we burdened by our failure to serve God perfectly, nor do we get caught up in a fruitless attempt to earn God’s favor. No longer are we crushed by doubt when we don’t feel like we’re experiencing God’s presence in the moment. Instead, the Christian life becomes one in which we get to know God more deeply—our service and devotion to God flows out of this knowledge of God and rest in his love. It is not something we muster up ourselves. And sometimes, resting in God’s love takes a long time.

Apparently, Link also had problems with the Church's treatment of LGBTQ individuals, to which Keiser responds: "...the church excludes certain kinds of behavior, not because it hates the people who practice that behavior, but because it believes that certain behaviors are destructive and outside of God’s design. This is an unpopular truth. No one is forced to join the Christian community. But if one does, there are certain expectations and parameters—just as there are in nearly every other group."  He adds, "...a true commitment to Jesus means that we yield our sinful desires to him, no matter what those sinful desires are. Giving up sinful desires will often take time, but we can trust that our identity is secure in God’s love for us.

But there's a difference between deconstruction and reformation.  You now have people who are classifying themselves as "exvangelicals," and even those who had claimed to be Christians saying that they are not any longer. Relevant Magazine says:

We’re talking about a process called deconstruction—an academic term for the systematic pulling apart of the belief system you were raised in. It’s what happens when the questions you’ve pushed down your whole life finally bubble over the surface, and you’re forced to stare honestly at your doubts. The infallibility of the Bible. The omniscience of God. The finality of hell.

This is all more common than you might think. “There are a lot of Christians—millions in the U.S.—who are deeply fearful and traumatized by their own curiosity, because of the structure in their community and theology.”

So says Mike McHargue, broadly known as “Science Mike” to fans who relate to his “Christian turned atheist turned follower of Jesus” journey. McHargue started blogging about his experience online and was surprised at the response.

But there are severe ramifications if you take the wrong approach to a crisis of faith; McHargue claims over 40% of people experience a faith transition at some point in their lives. In The World and Everything in It podcast from WORLD Magazine, John Stonestreet referred to a "really hard lesson...that the evangelical church should have been learning for a long time, which is this idea that the quickest way to empty your church is to agree with the culture," adding, "...the attempt to make the church relevant to the ideas predominant in the culture actually ends up making the church non-distinct. And why should I get up and go to hear a sermon—even if it’s really cool and there’s a rock band and a smoke machine—on a Sunday morning when I can just listen to NPR. You know? It’s like it stops having any relevance. And I think the perpetual search for relevance by the evangelical church has always been its undoing in so many ways."

When we do encounter doubts, it seems a better option than to "deconstruct" is to "deepen" or walk with the Lord - instead of running away from Him and the teachings of Scripture, we can run toward Him and allow Him to refresh us.  It's been said that if you don't feel close to God, who moved?

Stonestreet says:

I think doubt is very often an ingredient or a part of faith. And doubting is part of the human experience. It’s part of the way God made us. And I think a much more important question is not am I doubting, but am I doubting well? The Biblical distinction that I think is made maybe more clearly is the difference between a seeker and a mocker. Proverbs really talks about those who seek truth and the Psalms are filled with people who if you read the statements in any other context you would think it’s a doubt. But the inability to take hard, fast stances on things leads to kind of an ethos where the cool kid is not the seeker but the mocker. The one who assumes upfront that truth is never going to be found, so he mocks the search himself, even while he’s on the journey.

We have the Holy Spirit as a guide to help us deal with doubt and to discover truth. It's trendy these days to experience of crisis of faith, yet to end up in a different place spiritually that is not necessarily Biblical - one can be "enlightened," but enlightened about the wrong things.  We have to see past the angel of light who would lead us away from God and follow the light of the world, who will gladly and abundantly show us more about Himself.

Dear Mother

We have the responsibility to continue to live a faith legacy, to demonstrate His love and faithfulness to the generations to come, and to leave behind a life well-lived. Psalm 145 states:
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.

The story is told about the "dash" - the place on a grave marker that is between the date of birth and date of death.  The point that is made is that we are given that finite amount of time in order to live a life to honor God - the in-between of birth and death.  God has placed us here and called us to be good stewards of our time on earth.  And, if you're still here, it means your story is still be written, and even if you don't feel you've been particularly effective or faithful to the things of God, you can be encouraged that you're still in the "dash" - there is more to be written.

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When loved ones leave this earth, if they know Jesus, while they are greatly missed, we know that the separation is only temporary, and that they are in a better place. 2nd Corinthians 5 states:
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

You made it - 98 years young! I really thought you'd make it to 100; I kept saying that you would, but we remember that our times are in God's hands. He chose the very day, February 10, 2021 - 021021, to take you home. Yours was certainly a life well-lived, a life that made an impact on the people with whom you interacted.  A life that impacted me, your son.

Many of them braved a cold, windy day and a COVID pandemic to visit with your only son, your only child, and to honor your memory; and...to say "thank you." I really believed that you underestimated the number of people whom you touched. I regret that our last in-person visits revealed only half my face, but hopefully, that last visit, which I felt needed to take place as soon as I could come out of COVID isolation, communicated my whole heart and deep appreciation.

You crossed the finish line after so many of your friends, those who, like you, lived into their 90's - including so many who attended the Phebean S.S. class at First Baptist Church of Marietta, the church in which I grew up, where you and my father were members and where you served as the pastor's secretary for 9 years.

I asked one of the long-time staff members to preach your graveside services. Dean Hunter did a marvelous job. I knew he had seen you and knew you in the good times and the bad, and he painted a picture of someone who displayed the fruit of the Spirit: he specified faithfulness, love, and peace.

Now, the house that you and my father built in 1949 lies empty, but, not really - plenty of memories are stored there. And, the memories of those formative years of my life, being raised in that house where you breathed your last breath, have come cascading back.

Memories of family meals together.
Memories of love, support, and affirmation.
Memories of life lessons picked up along the way.

You know, I think it takes growing up and leaving the house to really realize the indelible impact a parent has had upon his or her children. In a lot of ways, I am very much like you. 

And, I think I am coming to realize that even more - you taught me, most of all, the importance of following Jesus, a journey I began at a relatively young age.  You demonstrated a diligent work ethic. You were incredibly organized, and I just hope some of those skills made it down to my level - I still have a ways to go! You also taught me the fine art of determining the battles in which we should engage and those we should not. 

Now, in a very real sense, I am on my own. You do realize the void when both of your parents have passed away.  It's said that the loss of a loved one is one of the biggest stressors we face in life; I get it - now more than ever!  These are foundational relationships, and in the last month, I have experienced those times of being out of sorts, even feeling a bit lost.  I caught myself remembering the regular Sunday phone call that was certainly an integral part of our relationship during your last few years.  I won't be picking up the phone - ever again!

But, one day, we shall be reunited - you and my father are experiencing that even now, and it's a wonderful feeling to know that.  You spoke regularly of your parents during your final months on this earth - and I am sure that you have had the chance to reconnect.  One of your best friends, with whom you would take road trips while you both were in your 80's, who died just one week after you did and had her funeral service in the adjacent room at the funeral home while we were receiving friends in another, perhaps you all have been or will be exploring the streets of gold.

And, you and I will see each other again.  So, until then, goodbye, I miss you and love you.

Rights and Righteousness

Each of us has the responsibility to appropriate what God has given to us in Christ, to absorb His Word and walk in His Spirit, so that we may grow in the Lord. Isaiah 33 states:
15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:
16 He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will see the land that is very far off.

Our King, the Lord Jesus, is calling us to really see and know Him, so that the world may see the presence of Jesus reflected in His people.  In times of tension and conflict, we have the incredible opportunity, even a mantle, to radiate the love of Christ and to reflect the power of the Spirit. God calls us to walk in righteousness, in right relationship with Him, turning from sin and turning to Him in order to show His glory.

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The Church is being called, I believe, to be instruments of righteousness, and to call people to right living, in accordance with the Scriptures. In Hosea 10, we can read:
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
13 You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men.
14 Therefore tumult shall arise among your people, And all your fortresses shall be plundered...

We recognize that the answers to the disunity that we see in our nation and in the body of Christ come from a reliance on God's Word and are brought through the devoted prayers of the people.  One of the encouraging trends that we see is a boldness on the part of God's people to step out in their cities - in cities all across America - and dare to call upon the Lord.

That happened over the weekend in what is known as the most dangerous city in America.  It's the headquarters for a new Christian movement called Civil Righteousness.  A Facebook post on Saturday by the organization said:

Our headquarters is based in St.Louis, Missouri. Check out the closing ceremony of #prayforthelou This is what it looks like when the Church unites across the barriers and boldly steps toward the dreams of God for city transformation. Over 70 churches from the St.Louis region have been praying Psalm 24 all week and hitting the streets in prayer this morning. What is currently known as the most dangerous city in America, will be known for the beauty of redemption!

We serve many cities and though this gathering is locally focused, may it be an inspiration for what God is doing everywhere!

The website for the effort said that there were "3 Areas to the Vision:"

1. Every believer praying beyond their faith
2. Every household of faith praying beyond their family
3. Every church family praying beyond their walls

There were regional prayer rallies and a number of prayer walks in area neighborhoods.

Civil Righteousness is an organization that was involved in St. Louis over the weekend - its website proclaims: "Inequity demands a Civil Rights movement, Iniquity requires a Civil Righteousness movement."  That is a principle that has been embraced by a man from Ferguson, MO, which is in the St. Louis area.  After the death of George Floyd, The Stream posted an article about this gentleman.  It said:

“It’s always a fringe element that has violent ideology,” said Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, a pastor and owner of a local coffee shop. “About sixty people who arrived downtown weren’t activists, they were anarchists.”

“This group was done with the language of peacemaking. They said, ‘Bro, this is the revolution.’”

Thomas, after dissuading a looter at a store near his coffee shop, was called by a chaplain with the police department to gather clergy together and keep the peace.  Thomas gathered a group of seven to stand downtown and hopefully cause rioters and protestors to stand down. Josh Shepherd of The Stream reported in a June 1 article:

Thomas founded grassroots national network Civil Righteousness in 2018 as a catalyst for reconciliation and restorative justice.

They believe their message is suited for the current crisis. “I feel like the window of time is running out,” said Thomas. “If these agendas persist, there will be massive casualties. People died last night and early this morning, but the coming bloodshed will be far more grievous.”

On May 30, hundreds linked to Civil Righteousness began a 21-day Isaiah 58 Fast. The nonprofit group developed a free Field Action Guide to equip Christians for peacemaking.

Currently, their teams in more than 45 cities nationwide are bringing prayer to protests.

The article includes this quote from Thomas: “Peace is the setting right of wrong things. It’s the tamping down of demonic chaos. It’s the most powerful weapon in heaven and on earth.” 

Just two months ago, Shepherd gave an update on the activities of Civil Righteousness, writing: "This past summer, they showed what public prayer advocacy looks like. On August 8, nonprofit ministry Civil Righteousness mobilized prayer gatherings in over 300 cities across all 50 states."  That effort was called Pray on MLK, and on this year's Martin Luther King birthday observance, there was more.  Shepherd wrote at The Stream:

With Monday marking Martin Luther King, Jr. Day nationwide, they’ve planned another Pray On MLK event. “Two days before the inauguration, right on the heels of what’s happened, we are coming together in prayer,” said Thomas. “It’s not about our ideas or agendas. God calls us to go low and get silent.”

The group partnered with Missio Nexus, described as "the largest association of Great Commission churches and organizations in North America." The Stream says:

Denver-based Louis Gallucci serves as national director for Missio Benefits. “We all ought to lament the fact that we are not one and that God calls us to be,” he said.

Gallucci added: “The culture has taken hold of words like ‘racial reconciliation...Unity is God’s idea, not some ‘liberal communist’ agenda. Yet many in the church have let a perverse culture dictate how they see reconciliation.” The article continues:

In light of ongoing national upheaval, Thomas has an urgency about their mission.

“Without something miraculous, we are headed toward another repeat of history and a possible civil war,” he said. “We don’t need a humanistic interpretation of the times and events we see. So the heart behind Pray on MLK is to go to a superior reality.”

Earlier in the article, Jonathan Tremaine Thomas had spoken of a "superior wisdom," in response to what occurred in DC on January 6, saying: “The superior wisdom is corporate humility. We pray: ‘Lord, we do not know what to do. We do not even know fully what is true. But You are truth, and our eyes are on You.’”

So, this weekend, Civil Righteousness joined with fellow believers throughout St. Louis in a massive, organized, unified prayer effort for their city.  It's an expression of these principles I have outlined, of meeting tension and unrest with peace and prayer.  In a city that has become known for its violence, the people of God have decided to walk in victory over the enemy's schemes.  

What is astounding and reassuring to me is that you don't have to look too far in major cities to find a Christian-led prayer effort designed to bring unity.  Montgomery has the OUR Montgomery Prayer Walk and the Awaken movement.  Awaken has joined with similar movements in Mobile and Charleston.  I spoke with someone recently at the CPE Show in Charlotte who was sharing with me about how Anthony Thompson, who lost his wife in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church a few years back, is involved in leading an effort to bring understanding and reconciliation. He is now part of the Advisory Board for Mission: CHS, which includes the OneCharleston effort.  We are seeing God bring people from different racial and cultural backgrounds together for His purposes in His love, and the Church can lead the way in bringing peace to our land.