Lone Survivor and the Value of Sacrifice

God calls us out of a life devoted to self into a life that is devoted to Him.   Here is a passage from Philippians chapter 2:
3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...

Then the mind of Christ was outlined by Paul in the subsequent verses.  He said that Jesus made Himself of no reputation, He took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death.

We are called into a life of service, not a life of selfishness.   Jesus teaches us what it really means to lay down our lives - He completely surrendered His life for you and me, and He calls us to devote ourselves to loving and serving Him, and carrying out the work to which He has called us here on this earth.

In Mark 10, Jesus told His disciples, some of whom were caught up in who would be the greatest, about such Biblical virtues as service and even sacrifice:
(43) whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.44And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

It's one of the largest January openings ever at the movie box office - a film about an American military mission in Afghanistan called Lone Survivor.  And, I will say upfront that the movie is exceedingly violent and there is plenty of language, so it may not be a suitable film for you take in.   But, I did some research on the main character, Marcus Luttrell, and discovered a man who has some thoughts on sacrifice that we could take to heart, and could provide some conversation fodder if you happen to be talking about this movie that has made a significant impact.

Marcus Luttrell became known worldwide as the "Lone Survivor" of a deadly battle in the mountains of Afghanistan. The 2005 "Operation Redwing" ultimately led to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history.

Two years later, Luttrell told CBN News that he talked to God while in battle and prayed that he would survive so that the courage of his comrades would not be forgotten.   He wrote about his experience in the New York Times bestseller, Lone Survivor.

He said, "I made a promise to my guys, when I came to, and I crawled inside that mountain...I was just like, 'Hey, You get me out of here, and I'll tell everybody how brave these guys fought.' I said that, and I was like, 'I'll get out of here just to do that.' I was like, 'I ain't going to die out here. No way.'"

So, Luttrell is sharing his story on the screen and in person across the country as a result of his promise to God.   And in his follow up book, Service, he talked about the nature of sacrifice.  

In another CBN News interview. Luttrell said, "Service is your undying, unwavering devotion to God, your family, and your country...That's what service is to me. It's not about myself; it's about what I can do for them."

The retired Navy SEAL hopes his new book helps people better understand what sets those apart who are willing to lay down their lives for a noble cause.

He explained, "I've been willing to die for any of my teammates. That's the reason our training is the way it is -- it's as hard as it is...We have to go through that to make sure we're willing to give it all... to preserve our way of life. If we don't do that, then the terrorists are just going to keep coming in and doing what they do."

Luttrell believes the ultimate example of service is Jesus Christ.

"I think people who wouldn't even acknowledge that -- that would definitely scream through their head," he said.

People will be talking about Lone Survivor, and it gives us the opportunity to think more deeply about sacrifice and to gain a greater appreciation of the heart of our brave men and women in uniform.    Some of the virtues that Luttrell can help us to explore are:

What does it mean to sacrifice?  We recognize that Jesus was willing to lay down His life for us.   He placed the needs of humanity before any needs of His own.   As believers in Christ, we are called to demonstrate that attitude of sacrifice in service to other people.   Selfishness can impede the work of God, but as we are willing to lay down our own desires, we become more connected to the desires of Christ, as He works through us.   We are called to the service of others.

Also, we can think about the nature of perseverance.  If you go to Marcus' website, you'll see a slogan, "Never Quit. Never Forget".  He says,

“I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.”

This can provide some inspiration for us and we follow the instructions of the Scriptures and walk in the power of the Lord.   James reminds us that the trying of our faith produces patience, or perseverance.   The work of God is accomplished often over the long run, and while we may be tempted to give up in some of our pursuits, perhaps He is saying to us to keep pressing on and recognize that He wants to bring the work that He has begun to completion in our lives.

Lone Survivor - it's being hailed as a striking war tale, it's a docudrama that apparently portrays real-life events with accuracy, as well as reality - I can't say that I would recommend the violence and the language, but the story can resonate with people that may have seen the film and give you a chance to discuss some of these principles that are consistent with the life of service to which God calls us.

Consumer Electronics and Spiritual Connectivity

What an incredible God we serve!   Even though we cannot see Him physically, we can sense His presence with us, we can know Him and grow in His truth, and there is evidence that He is with us.   We can learn to be sensitized to how the unseen realm in which God operates bursts into the tangible realm of earth, transcending time and space and reminding us daily that not only is He with us, but He is longing to integrate His infinite nature into our finite existence.   1st Timothy 1 reminds us to acknowledge this wondrous God:
17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

He is our King, who lives forever, who is in control of our future, who is "invisible".  Even though we cannot see God with our physical eyes, we can know Him, we can connect with Him through prayer and abiding in His Word, and we can see Him more clearly as we seek Him. 

The Bible teaches us about the nature of faith and its relationship to an unseen realm.  Hebrews 11:1 states that, "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

2nd Corinthians 4 can motivate us to seek to see the unseen:
17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,18while 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.

The Consumer Electronics Show is taking place in Las Vegas this week, and there are indications that attendance this year could top last year's record of 150,000 gazing upon the latest and the greatest in technology that is designed to make our lives easier or more efficient, or at least more entertaining.

PCMag.com reports that the CES floor is "positively littered with tablets, convertible laptops, phones,
fitness gadgets, cameras, HDTVs, and cars—you name it, and you'll find a ton of it here."

It reports that even as vendors show off their latest hardware, it's still clear that software leads in overall
importance. There's an increased emphasis on apps and services, and which devices are
compatible with the ones that mean the most to you. A product could have a killer design or stand-out
feature, but if it doesn't work with the apps and services you use, it's a non-starter.

Some of the big stories this year include:
Connected Cars.  9 automakers have shown up to showcase their latest tech innovations.  For instance, there has been plenty of talk in the past about in-car smartphone integration, particularly from Google, but capabilities are being built directly into the cars themselves.   There are updates that allow you to upgrade youre infotainment capabilities during the entire time you own the car, and as new apps and services hit the market.

Wearable Tech.   Wearables were huge at CES this year. The category includes fitness gadgets,
smartwatches, sports gear, augmented reality glasses, and other hard-to-categorize items with wildly
varied feature sets and purposes.

4K Television.  PCMag.com reports that the move to Ultra HD video is in full swing, with many more 4K
HDTVs at far more reasonable prices than last year's five-digit early adopter sets.

Curved Displays.   Mammoth curved OLED HDTV screens grabbed a lot of attention on the show floor. And, a curved smartphone has been introduced.

The Toy Robot Revolution.   Robot toys are suddenly big, now that the technology is there and prices are coming down.  There are products that can  let you control and play with robotic gadgets wirelessly and control them from your smartphone or tablet. Enterprising developers can even program unique apps that
work with the robots in new and exciting ways.

There is certainly a desire that developers and manufacturers are tapping into to be connected and to be clearer than ever.   Your car can talk to a smartphone or it can become its own smartphone and upgrade your communication or entertainment choices.    You can wear a watch and check your e-mail or talk to someone in a James Bond fashion.   It occurred to me yesterday as I drove down the interstate that I was essentially driving through a tapestry of all sorts of waves and frequencies.  From the tools that enable cellular communication to the over-the-air radio signals, such as the ones offered by Faith Radio, unseen methods are allowing us to be connected with one another.  Remember the catchphrase, "there's an app for that"? Well, those apps are gateways to enhanced communication and information.   From a spiritual standpoint, technology can help us to receive information that can facilitate our growth in Christ.

It really can open us up to a greater understanding about life in the Spirit.   We serve a God whom we cannot see, but evidence of Him is everywhere.    The Bible tells us that we are embedded in the physical realm in the midst of a great array of spiritual forces.   Spiritual activity is all around us - and we can sense the presence of God and be aware of His influence on our lives, as well as those dark, unseen forces, as well.

Furthermore, listen to the acronyms and abbreviations: HDTV, 4K, OLEC - HDTV was supposed to bring us incredible clarity in our television experiences; now 4K can even enhance that experience.  There are smart TV's that integrate computer technology and provide greater windows to the world.

At our house, we still own a standard TV - for me, it's hard to comprehend the value of these new, clearer, and more stunning displays in light of the financial investment, but someone would probably say that once I experience it, I would be hooked.    Greater clarity brings a more satisfying experience.   And, that can be a spiritual principle, too - if we are desiring to see things more clearly spiritually, then God will grant us the ability to know Him better and to apply His truth to our lives.   We can be challenged to want to see the things of God in a more clear fashion, so that we can experience what He has in store for us.

The Preservation of the Scriptures

Peter wrote in 2nd Peter 1 that the early followers of Christ were "eyewitnesses of His majesty".   Later in the same chapter, he wrote:
19And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;20knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

When you really stop and think about, the Word of God is an incredible work of God - the Scriptures have been preserved throughout the ages, from generation to generation, with phenomenal accuracy.   The church is built on a firm foundation of Biblical truth, and it has continued throughout the years.   Jesus was the Word who became flesh, and He testified to that truth.   And, He continues to speak to us directly today by the knowledge that comes through careful study and meditation on God's Word, and He gives specific direction for our lives based on it.   The preservation of the Word and survival of the church, the body of Christ, provide compelling evidence of God's sustaining hand.

I remember the words of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who addressed the Jewish council concerning the works of Peter and the early disciples.   He said in Acts 5:
35b "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.38And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;39but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."

The Codex Washingtonianus, generally recognized as the third oldest Bible in the world, is now on display in the Freer Gallery of Art, which is one of the museums at the Smithsonian.   It features the four Gospels written in Greek, is over 1,500 years old, and consists of nearly 200 14-by-21-inch parchment pages, complete with a painted wooden cover.

According to ChristianNews.net, the Codex was first brought to the United States over 100 years ago, when wealthy Detroit businessman Charles Lang Freer purchased the Bible during a visit to Egypt.  While in Egypt, Freer also bought a manuscript which featured text from the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua.

Today, Freer’s document collection is considered one of the most valuable compilations of Biblical manuscripts in the world. The Codex Washingtonianus is of special importance, since scholars believe it to be the third oldest complete text of the four Gospels in the world. Only the Codex Vaticanus in the Vatican and the Codex Sinaiticus in London are older.

The manuscript was written just after Constantine legalized Christianity.  National Geographic is quoted as saying,  “Roman authorities persecuted Christian churches and their congregation. … The two scribes who transcribed the Washingtonianus likely copied from fragments of several Bibles—remnants perhaps from an attack on a Christian church.”

The pastor of a nearby church, Aaron Kraft of Franconia Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, is encouraging his congregation to take in this limited showing of the Bible.   He writes:

When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1940s scholars compared the Isaiah scroll which was probably written around the 2nd century BC and the Masoretic Text which was the copied version of the Old Testament that dates from between the 7th and 10th century AD. They found that the two were essentially the same in spite of the 9 centuries that lapsed between the their creations. With that in mind consider the fact that there are only three to four centuries since the life of Jesus Christ and the creation of Codex Washingtonianus.

My faith isn’t based on the existence of this artifact but it is certainly strengthened by it. Take advantage of such a rich treasure being located in right here in our backyard.

As we continue to focus at the beginning of the year on exploring God's Word, I think this story can call to mind certain aspects of the Bible itself.   For one thing, archaeological discoveries can really serve to remind us about the extraordinary preservation of the Word of God.   I think what the pastor wrote is incredible here - he said that there were 9 centuries between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Masoretic Text - and the manuscripts were essentially the same.   When you look at the smaller time frame between the life of Jesus and the Washington codex and consider that the manuscript could have been copied from a church under attack from the Romans, we can rejoice in how the words of Jesus were related and splendidly handed down.

It was certainly a thrill to observe the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit in Mobile a few years ago.   To think that these historic texts survived the test of time is a testimony, I believe, to the way that the Lord desires to reinforce the authenticity of the Scriptures.   Remember the words of Gamaliel; he cited movements that had died out and warned the religious leaders of the day that if the movement of Christ-followers was of God, then they did not need to fight against it, because they would be fighting against God.  The preservation and survival of the Word of God and the growth of the Christian church provide solid evidence for us about the legitimacy of our faith.    His Word is solid and consistent, we can rely on His truth, and we add our lives to those who have come before who have been used of God to preserve that truth, which provides a solid foundation for us.

Tangible Expressions of Christ in Us

Here's a challenging passage from 1st Corinthians 15, as the apostle Paul talked about the certainty of the resurrection and how the resurrection power of Christ was impacting his life:
31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"33Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
The presence of Christ and a relationship with Him can give our lives meaning.   This passage reminds us that this world is not all there is - God has a future for us, with Him, in eternity.  And, we are called to live our lives with a sense of that eternal purpose.   We die to self and recognize that we are to make proper choices in our lives based on the faith we have in Christ.   And, we also acknowledge that His righteousness working in us can give us the power to live a life of character that reflects triumph over the power of sin - not sinless perfection, mind you, because we'll slip up, but a sense of devotion to Christ and a reliance on His power.

God has a purpose for your life - you have been chosen and shaped to bring honor and glory to His name. Here are some words from 1st Peter 2:
9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.11Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,12having 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.

The final BCS National Championship has come and gone - yes, it was a game for the ages; Auburn came 3 points short, but it was indeed an amazing season for the Tigers.   And, I tell you, I have a feeling that coach Malzahn has a great motivating factor for next year for the team, which has quite a few players returning, to try to come back to the championship game and finish the job.  

And, the final drive led by FSU's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston was well-executed and brought about a highly emotional finish.   After the game, the redshirt freshman sensation made these comments to ESPN's Tom Rinaldi:

Through every single thing, we came our victorious. God did this. I’m so blessed. He’s so blessed. All the stuff that he handled with Ethan and he come out here and coach us? That touched me. And it’s nobody but God. It’s nobody.”

If you're not familiar with who Ethan is, it is quite a story.  

Ethan is Jimbo and Candi Fisher's 8-year-old son.  

According to the Bleacher Report, in 2011, Ethan was diagnosed with a disease called Fanconi Anemia, a rare blood disorder that can cause bone-marrow failure, leukemia and tumors, according to Fanconi.org. The average lifespan of someone suffering from the disease is between 28 and 30 years. 

“That moment will always be pivotal in our family,” Candi Fisher said of her son's diagnosis, per USA Today's Laken Litman. “I don’t think we take things for granted like we used to. We cherish a lot more.”

FA, which causes numerous problems throughout the body, causes at least one physical abnormality in 60 percent of patients. The most common among those is a short stature, as children suffering from FA often look years younger than others their age. Other conditions include learning disabilities, extra extremities and defects in heart tissues. Ethan shows no outward signs of FA. Doctors had estimated that he could need a transplant within 3 to 5 years of his diagnosis.

Jimbo says, according to CNN, “We accepted it in that God doesn’t put more on your plate than you can handle...Everybody has issues in their life and we know this is a very serious one, but life goes on. It’s not going to control us. We’re going to control it. We look at it like an opponent. We’re gonna beat it.”

He says that, "I love what I do...The more success I have, the more awareness I can bring to this disease."

Ethan is a regular fixture in the Florida State locker room, hanging with the players and coaches. CNN reports that every player has signed up for the bone-marrow donor registry.

Just a few days ago, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Fisher, along with coach Malzahn, spoke about their faith at the FCA National Championship Breakfast in Pasadena.   The award given to the outstanding Christian athlete every year is named for none other than Bobby Bowden, the legendary former FSU head coach. This year's award went to Texas A&M lineman Jake Matthews, the son of NFL Hall-of-Famer Bruce Matthews. The award is presented annually in the city of the national championship and is awarded to a student athlete that is a “faith model in the community, in the classroom and on the field.”

Bowden was on hand in LA, even though there was good reason for him not to be - he had already dropped out of at least one event scheduled in the Los Angeles area due to the death of his 23-year-old grandson Taylor Jeffery Bowden, who was killed recently in a crash in Florida's Polk County.

“It was the toughest Christmas I’ve been to,” said Bowden.  Two days before Christmas his son Terry’s offensive line coach at the University of Akron was killed in a car crash while he was on his way to Oxford, Miss. to spend Christmas.

“We all knew him well and we loved him,” Bowden said. “We went through the day before Christmas and Christmas grieving that we had lost him.”

“Then the next morning I get a call from my son that his son had been killed that morning,” Bowden said. “It killed us all.”

The man many former players look to has a source of strength, spoke of what he learned at his grandson’s funeral.

“There’s one thing about funerals,” he said. “A funeral is a wakeup call you better be ready to go.”
So, there he was, in the midst of adversity, standing and proclaiming his unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, something we've come to know and love from Coach Bowden throughout the years.   And, now you know more about the faith story of Jimbo Fisher.   And, of course, Auburn fans are familiar with the documented faith of Gus Malzahn.

The night before the championship game, Gus asked for the opportunity to do the pregame devotional.  USA Today documents what the coach said.   He encouraged his players to be devoted to their families.

"Y'all see me now, but I was a work in progress," Malzahn said. "Man, I had some idiot switch in me. I started thinking, I don't know if I like this. I've got to be doing other things. I had buddies, they were single, and I wanted to run around with them. It's just by the grace of God that the Lord slapped me in the face and said, 'Wake up.'

"I'm here to tell you if I'd have done that, I wouldn't be here today. There's no telling where I'd be. You look at my family history, my grandfather was an alcoholic, my dad was an alcoholic. … It's just by the grace of God I stuck with my family. I've got a loving wife. I've got two daughters. I'm not the best dad – I try to be – but hey, I'm there for 'em."

He also discussed the power of influence.  He explained that without a father, he looked up to coaches and wanted to be like them, "and sometimes that wasn't real good."  It's why, he said, he tries to be an example for his players, and doesn't cuss or drink.

Three men who have excelled on the big stage in college football - three men of faith, three men who have handled adversity and demonstrated an unshakable faith.   They can be inspirations for all of us.   So, some takeaways for our lives:

1 - the way you handle adversity says a lot about your character, who you are, and it communicates your dependence on God.    Jameis Winston talked about God in his postgame comments and basically said that he saw God in his coach.   I think that's a great goal for all of us: to allow God to be seen in how we act, that He might be glorified, that we would make Him famous.

2 - recognize that whatever you achieve, that is just a springboard for a higher purpose.  These 3 guys really get that I believe - Coach Malzahn talked about using your influence in a positive way, to become people of character.   Coach Fisher spoke of his coaching success being a way to fight a potentially deadly disease.   Coach Bowden obviously sees his faith as a central component of his life.   These gentlemen, and other high-profile individuals, can serve as examples for us and help us to remember that God has a plan for each of us.

Time to Move On

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives a wonderful illustration about extending abundant forgiveness:
21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Peter was looking for an out, Jesus used the opportunity to teach all of us about not holding back in the area of forgiveness.   Unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment - these can all restrict us in living an abundant life. If we allow instances of where we have been wronged, either perceived or actual, to fester in our imaginations, if we replay those times of unpleasantness over and over in our minds, we can short-circuit ourselves from experiences God's love and peace.  And, the enemy of our souls would want us to continue to run that loop - an act of our will to extend forgiveness and to reject bitterness, infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, can set us free to live the life God wants for us.

The Bible gives us this word of exhortation in Hebrews chapter 12:

14Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:15looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Late last month, an MSNBC panel used a photo of the Mitt Romney family, including their adopted black grandson, Kieran Romney, to move into a discussion about what they apparently perceived as the Republican Party’s supposed “diversity” problems.  Host Melissa Harris-Perry apologized later on Twitter and has since issued an on-air apology.  The Blaze reports that the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Presidential candidate has said he would like to move on from the controversy.

On Fox News Sunday this past weekend, Romney said, “Look, I’ve made plenty of mistakes myself... They’ve apologized for this. You know, I think we can go on from there.”

Host Chris Wallace attempted to press him further, but Romney held firm and again noted that Harris-Perry has apologized.

He said: “Well, you know, I think people recognize and the folks at MSNBC have apologized — recognize people like me are fair targets...If you get in the political game, you can expect incoming. But children, you know, that’s beyond the line and I think they understand that and feel that as well. I think it’s a heartfelt apology. I think for that reason, we hold no ill will whatsoever.”

Harris-Perry had faced strong criticism for the mocking tone and content of the discussion and her apology included these words: “Without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family...Adults who enter into public life implicitly consent to having less privacy. But their families, and especially their children, should not be treated callously or thoughtlessly. My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground-rule that families are off-limits. And for that I am sorry.”

Mitt Romney says, "I think we can go on from there".  He didn't pile on, didn't go after the MSNBC host, he basically provided a template for accepting an apology and extending forgiveness - Bravo, Mr. Romney.

This reminds me of some comments I heard last week from Allen and Korie Robertson.  Fox411 reports that in an interview on the Fox News New Year's Eve show, Allen made these comments regarding the controversy over his father's comments on homosexuality, which resulted in his suspension from the show, "Duck Dynasty":
“You know we are ready to move on...I think we all learned a lot and we are just ready to move on and the family is happy and we are ready to go.”

He also said, “We’re just glad to get back to work, A&E and us are fine...The Robertsons, we are looking forward to getting back to making some funny shows and it’s a new year, so we are ready to break in a new year and start it all over again.”   Phil Robertson has been reinstated to the show.

These two instances, I think, can challenge us about the nature of moving on.   There is a human tendency to hold on when offended, to harbor bitter feelings toward a person who has said or done something to offend or wound us.  Resentment can weigh us down and sap our joy and strength.   So, instead of holding on, Romney and Robertson are moving on.   And, because the offended parties went public and demonstrated their willingness to forgive, the media has now moved on.

That's not to say that lessons can't be learned.  Melissa Harris-Perry admitted she had broken a ground rule in going after a family - well said.   And, I'm sure that Phil Robertson may have learned a thing or two about carefully weighing words before they are spoken - He spoke Biblical truth, but perhaps contextually, there would have been a better way to say what he said.   Perhaps that's what Allen was referring to when he said that they had learned a lot.

You certainly don't want to gloss over a confrontation or to just party on when there is conflict.  There may be a call to make things right face-to-face - you may have to go to another person and ask for forgiveness, or in the course of a discussion, you may have to state that you have forgiven and are ready to move on. But, you don't just callously ignore a situation and not think through how you could have responded better.  But, to wallow in bitterness is not the answer - You learn your lessons, let go of the bitterness, and you truly extend forgiveness, which frees us up, as well as the person who may have offended us.

How We Came To Be

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and serve a Creator God, the maker and sustainer of all things.   Hebrews 11, also known as the "faith chapter", helps us to reflect on our faith and its nature:
3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
And, then skipping down a few verses, we read:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

There is an attempt in our culture to separate faith from science, and faith from reason.   And, I don't think that's what these verses are saying at all.   We recognize that no one currently on earth was around at the time of the beginning of the world, so we have to rely on reports.  The Bible is an incredibly reliable report for us, and if we believe that God's Word is true, then we can consider that events unfolded as He said.   There is also an abundance of scientific evidence that points to design, so this information can serve to strengthen our position.  We walk by faith, but fortunately, it's not a blind faith - and we can, using the tools of science and the human mind, think and reason together about the existence of God and the evidence of His creation.

When I think about engage the culture with Biblical truth, one instance from Scripture that comes to mind is found in Acts 17, as Paul addresses the men of Athens at Mars Hill.   Here's a portion of the passage:
22Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;23for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:24God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.25Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

A new poll has been released by Pew's Religion and Public Life Project about the creation-evolution issue. In it, 6-in-10 respondents indicated a belief in evolution over time, while 33 percent who believe that humans have existed in their present form since the beginning.

The Christian Post quotes the Pew organization as saying that, "...many Americans believe that God or a supreme being played a role in the process of evolution. Indeed, roughly a quarter of adults (24 percent) say that 'a supreme being guided the evolution of living things for the purpose of creating humans and other life in the form it exists today.'"

The Pew survey also found that 64 percent of white evangelical Protestants believed that humans have existed in their present form since the beginning, with 50 percent of black Protestants and only 15 percent of white mainline Protestants agreeing.

Ken Ham, president of the creationist group, Answers in Genesis, told the Post that he felt the Pew findings were "definitely an indication of where people stand in regard to the issue of creation-evolution."

"America has had a lot of conservative Christian background and there's still a very big remnant of conservative Christianity in this nation," said Ham.

Now, there were a couple of things that stood out to me about the Pew Survey.  For one thing, there was not definition of evolution - just the general term was used, without a distinction, that I can tell, about whether respondents were talking about changes within species, or the theorized, even fantasized change from one species to another.   There was also not a report about how belief in God factored into the answers given by those who related that they believed that humans have existed in their present form since the beginning.

A Gallup poll from 2012 had a clearer picture of people's view of God in the topic area of origins.  In it, 46% said that God created humans in their present form, 32% of respondents said that humans developed over millions of years, but God guided the process, and only 15% believed in evolution, without the hand of God.  Only 15% believe in a so-called "Godless" evolution, according to Gallup.  You could also conclude from Pew that significant numbers of people hold to a view that includes God in the equation.

When asked about what was needed to reverse the trend found by Pew regarding belief in evolution, Ham responded that there were two major issues that needed to be tackled.

Ham said that he felt "there's a censorship" that needs to be overcome in public schools, "secular journals," and television wherein the creation science viewpoint is disallowed.

He also commented that to combat the censorship of creation science, the Creation Museum will begin offering free admission to children younger than 12, starting next year.

Ham also told the Christian Post that another way to reverse the trend noted by Pew is to "reach more of the church to get the church to turn around."

"So many Christian leaders, so many church leaders, so many pastors, so many Christian academics have actually adopted evolutionary ideas," said Ham, adding that, "we need a concerted effort" to combat "the compromises."

Well, Ken Ham is doing his part, through Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum. And, he's announced a debate with noted evolutionist Bill Nye, "The Science Guy". It will take place at the Museum on February 4th and the stated topic is, “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era?”

Ham says that, "Having the opportunity to hold a cordial but spirited debate with such a well-known personality who is admired by so many young people will help bring the creation/evolution issue to the attention of many more people, including youngsters.”

Ham added, “I hope to show Mr. Nye and our debate audience that observational science confirms the scientific accuracy of the Genesis account of origins, not evolution.”

Well, that's cool, and we can be encouraged by Ken's willingness to step forward and present the clear scientific evidence that supports the Christian worldview perspective.   But, it's not just the Ken Hams of the world that are called to reasonably defend the faith - we are each called to present the evidence for God and to share our testimony of His hand in our lives.   That is why the upcoming SALT apologetics conference is so important - you will hear from noted experts who will challenge and equip you to be able to engage in conversation with those who do not know or follow Christ.   It's coming up January 18 and 19 at First Baptist Montgomery, and you can get more information at our website at www.faithradio.org. 

We also recognize that the integration of God into the subject of origins is not a losing position - there are those that would want to eliminate the concept of a Creator or Designer from the discussion of our origins, but there is apparently still a strong belief in God's hand in how we came to be.

Where Are You Vulnerable?

When we identify areas of spiritual vulnerability, God has given us the resources we need in order to protect our spirits and to walk in a secure manner before Him.  He gives us the power to resist temptation and to reject the attempts by the enemy to exploit our weaknesses and make us absolutely miserable.   God has promised a better way.  Consider these words from Psalm 55:
16As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me.17Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.
Now, to verse 22, which gives us more practical action:22Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

The power of the indwelling Spirit of God and the superior activity of God's truth working in our souls can release righteousness and help us to reject that devices of the enemy, who would want to render us unproductive in our walk with Christ.   We have to identify and strengthen those vulnerable areas, and as Hebrews 12 says, to lay aside every weight, so that we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit working mightily in us.

In 2nd Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul is writing about dealing with a physical weakness, but I believe he expands the discussion to a variety of vulnerable areas for us, reminding us that we need Christ's strength:

9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Yesterday, Daniel James Devine of WORLD enlightened us to a dating-rating app called Lulu, which I said reduces people that someone has dated or could be interested in dating to a commodity.   And, with as many apps out there that could be beneficial to us, there are some to be aware of.

For instance, are you familiar with an app called Snapchat?  According to Bloomberg Business Week, it allows users to send text messages, pictures, and videos that self-destruct just seconds after being received.  The messages can’t be stored on incoming phones or devices and are erased from Snapchat’s off-site servers immediately.  The premise is that there’s no potentially incriminating or embarrassing evidence left behind for snoopy spouses or anyone else looking to peruse your selfies or texts.   Of course, there are reports that these "deleted" items really are not completely erased.   It's an app for parents to be concerned about, when you consider the history and its purported use.

Yahoo! Finance reports that Evan Spiegel and his Stanford fraternity buddies reportedly invented Snapchat as a way to “sext” co-eds with impunity but the app has since expanded well beyond naughty college kids. According to the company, Snapchat processed 350 million messages last September, up about six-fold from the prior February. Last fall Spiegel reportedly turned down as much as $3 billion from Facebook and $4 billion from Google.  The basis of the offers was Snapchat’s coolness with the kids and potential for grown-ups. 

This week, Bloomberg Business Week reports that an anonymous hacker published a database on SnapchatDB.info containing millions of usernames and their corresponding phone numbers, and the leaked information quickly ricocheted across the Web. The situation comes as little surprise to anyone who has been following the company. For months, security experts at an Australian outfit called Gibson Security have been warning about Snapchat’s vulnerabilities. Here’s a nugget from a report published in August:

“Using our Snapchat API implementation, someone could save media sent to them … and as we recently found, build a database of Snapchat usernames and phone numbers, connecting names to aliases easily, and with further work connecting social media accounts to entries.”

In recent days, executives at Gibson Security have hastened to note that they were not involved in the leak. “We know nothing about SnapchatDB, but it was a matter of time til something like that happened,” the company wrote on Twitter.

So far Snapchat’s founders, as is their custom, have taken a subdued approach in responding to the warnings. “Over the past year we’ve implemented various safeguards,” the company posted on its website last week. “We recently added additional counter-measures and continue to make improvements to combat spam and abuse.”
This, of course, comes on the heels of stolen information from Target credit card customers during the Christmas shopping season.  Fox News says that customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates, encrypted PINs, and the embedded code on the magnetic strip on back of the cards were stolen from about 40 million credit and debit cards used at Target between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.

These instances can serve to teach us valuable lessons about the use of communication technology, and about our own spiritual lives.   In the tech world, we have to admit that we have to be aware that what we think is private may not necessarily be private.  Even though an app like Snapchat may promise privacy to an extent, the content, and now user information may not be as private as one might assume.   Of course, we have the ongoing concerns about social media, such as Facebook, and information shared on Google. Plus, there's the vulnerability we have for credit and debit card information being stolen.  So, we have to take precautions and not draw conclusions that information is safe when it is not.

Now, let's talk a moment about vulnerability from a spiritual standpoint.   We have to make sure that we identify vulnerable areas where we may be opening ourselves up to the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.   The power of indwelling sin can cause us to be less-than-productive in our Christian life and short-circuit the work of the Spirit to produce the fruit that God would intend - this can cause great frustration and a lack of joy and freedom in our spiritual walk.  

Once we identify those areas of weakness, then we can take the necessary steps to strengthen ourselves using the resources of Christ.  Paul said that where he was weak, the Lord would be strong.   When and where we encounter insecurity in our lives, we can depend on the power of the indwelling Christ and the transformational nature of the Word of God to build us up in our faith and enable us to be triumphant in those areas that are problematic for us.