Identity

It is important to know how God sees us, the identity that He has given to us in Christ.  Ephesians 1
contains one of the passages in Scripture that can reinforce these ideas about who we really are:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

We are created in the image of God, intended for His glory - think about that: who you are and how you represent Christ are intended to bring honor to God.  We can do this!  That is part of our spiritual nature, as new creations in Him. When we are confused about our own identity and settle for less than who God made us, we can reflect on what the Bible tells us and how we are described.  The more we know about God's special work in our hearts, the more freedom we can experience to live that out!

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In Genesis 1, we read the breathtaking story of creation and we can gain insight about the creation and ordination of humanity:
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

We are hearing story after story of people who have become discontent with their biological makeup, for whatever reason.  In the name of so-called "gender identity," individuals are seeking special consideration based on their own perception of their gender, rather than the way that God has made them.

This gender deception has been expressed in the public policy realm.  As Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council writes,

Various localities, states, and the federal government are being urged to expand the protected categories under existing civil rights laws to bar "discrimination" in employment, housing, and/or public accommodations on the basis of "gender identity." "Gender identity" is typically described as "a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth."

Sprigg adds that, "To suggest that the identification of a human being's sex at birth represents merely an 'assignment,' as though it were entirely a social construct agreed upon by the child's parents and physician, is absurd."  He warns against the negative policy consequences of the adoption of such legislation, including public safety, saying that, "The government should never purposefully threaten the public safety of women and children by creating the legitimized access that sexual predators tend to seek."

Lawmakers in Washington state are seeking to undo a rule allowing transgender individuals in the state to use public bathrooms based on their gender identity.  The Daily Signal reported that the state’s Human Rights Commission approved the rule, which requires such access to sex-specific facilities including bathrooms and locker rooms.  Last week, it reported that a bill to repeal the rule has cleared a state Senate committee.

And, the website has reported that the New York City Commission on Human Rightshas updated a policy to specifically protect transgender and gender non-conforming individuals from discrimination in areas of employment, public accommodation, and housing.

According to the city, gender non-conforming individuals is a term “used to describe someone whose gender expression differs from traditional gender-based stereotypes.”

Under the new policy, landlords, employers, and businesses can face civil penalties up to $125,000 per violation and up to $250,000 “for violations that are the result of willful, wanton, or malicious conduct.”  That would include, "Failing to use an individual’s preferred name, pronoun, or title," "Refusing to allow individuals to use single-sex facilities, such as bathrooms or locker rooms, and participate in single-sex programs, consistent with their gender identity," and other regulations.

What a deceived world we live in!  And according to a story on the ChristianNews.net website, there's a woman in Norway who claims that she was “born in the wrong species” and asserts that she is really a cat trapped in a human body. She recently appeared in a news broadcast wearing fake cat ears and a tail as she asserted, “I’ve been a cat all my life.”

She said, "I realized I was a cat when I was 16 when doctors and psychologists found out what was ‘the thing’ with me,” adding, “Under my birth there was a genetic defect.”  She is also quoted as saying, "Yes, I’m born like this ... Born in the wrong species. … It’s obvious I’m a cat when I start purring and meowing and walking around on four legs and stuff like that.” The woman is shown crawling on her hands and knees on the floor and scratching at the door as she looks out the window.

OK, enough already!  You already have people who believe that their bodies, fearfully and wonderfully designed by God, are ill-suited for their true perceived identity.  Now, you have someone who believes, presumably, that she is a cat in a human body.

How far we've come.  Now, I will say, we need to be compassionate upon those who are having legitimate struggles with such topics as sexuality or who are experienced confusion surrounding their gender.  I believe you do have people who are confused, and we should be in a position to point people to their Creator God, who brings peace and clarity.

But, now those who are confused and those who support them want to extrapolate personal confusion to society at large.  News media reporting on stories related to gender identity is just one of the factors that can lead to the normalization of gender confusion - as that is normalized, it can result in the types of public policy accommodations that I was just mentioning.  We have to reject these dangerous narratives that contradict the beauty of God's design.

And, we have to correct our own personal narratives.  We may not have struggles over gender identity, but there may be confusion over who we are in Christ.  And, our lack of knowledge about or acceptance of what the Bible says about us can place us in a less-than-optimal spiritual position.  The Bible tells us who we are in Jesus, who He has made us to be, and there are numerous passages that reinforce our true nature, recreated in the image of God through Christ.  As we embrace our true identity, we become free to live according to that new nature - as new creations in Christ!

In Jesus' Name

Jesus is teaching His disciples in John 14 about the power that they would possess in His name.  We
read, beginning in verse 12:
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

We come before the Father in the name of Jesus, and we are told that we can pray in His name. When we call on the name of Jesus, we activate the riches of heaven and release His power and authority. In the name of Jesus, we can walk in victory, and the powers of evil are rendered inferior to the overcoming power of God.   When we face challenges, we can remember to call upon His name and recognize that by speaking and praying in the name of Jesus, we touch God's supernatural power source.

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In Philippians 2, we are instructed about the power in the name of Jesus, the name by which we are to call upon God and expect His resources to be released for His glory. We read this passage, referring to Christ:
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Chris Quimby is a news anchor in Maine.  He is also a Christian comedian, speaker, and writer. Recently, he was wrapping up a news segment on VStv when he began to say, "In Jesus name," according to a Charisma News story reported on at Christian Headlines.com.  He didn't finish, and then he tried to correct himself by adding, "Amen."  He and his co-host erupted in laughter.

The mistake was featured on a blooper reel which then went viral.

I found out a little bit more about Chris Quimby - he has released a book called, Spokes and Jokes, subtitled, One Comedian's Faith Journey from Maine to Texas in Search of God's Will.   On his Facebook page, you can read that:

In 2012, a discouraged 39-year old Chris Quimby struggled to determine which direction in life he should head. Suffering a mixture of unemployment and underemployment, the husband and father of two prayed sincerely for God’s direction.

Not at peace to trade in his individuality for a cubicle and good benefits, the local comedian reached for something more.

Encouraged by a recent reading at a local seminary, Quimby embarked on a plan to blend his unique talents, desires and opportunities into an adventure for the whole family.

Spokes & Jokes chronicles the eight-week bicycle journey from Maine to Texas that captured the imagination and survived on the support and prayers of hundreds of others.

Over 2100 miles. Lodging at the homes of 29 different strangers. 8 comedy performances.

So, apparently, Chris has had quite a journey - in prayer and in pedalling!  Ans as he was praying - sincerely - he must've prayed in Jesus' name a few times.  And, that came out on the news.

But, what a way to close out a news segment - even though he caught himself, that can really cause us to think about the best news of all!  Jesus has called us into relationship with Him and we can pray in His name.

I was thinking about what it means to do something "in the name of" somebody else.  Well, that means that we are representing a person, and that a person has sent us in his or her stead, with that person's approval or blessing.  Perhaps we are a carrier of information or of an item or items.

Now, think about what happens when we pray "in Jesus' name" - that is the name above all names! We can use His name when we come before the Father in prayer.  But, it should be more than just a few simple words to complete a prayer; more than a formulaic expression - no, we are calling on the God of the universe, clothed in Christ, representing Christ our Advocate, who represents us before the Father and grants us access.   He says to God that you are His child and He has given you the right and authority to pray in that name.

And, there is power in the name of Jesus.  When we pray in His name, we invoke the authority of heaven as we engage in spiritual warfare against the dark forces that oppose the living God. We do not fight the enemy using human resources, but we engage in combat against him using the power that we have in the Spirit of God.  We are called to victory in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Do You Wanna Be Like...?

We are called to follow the example of Jesus, in the manner in which he walked in His earthly ministry.  He gave His life, so that we might be raised up in Him, and through that resurrection
power, we can behave in a manner that is consistent with His character. 1st John 2 says:
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

The Bible teaches us about what pleases God, and in our flesh, our own human strength, we cannot emulate the teachings of Jesus.  But, in the power of His Spirit, as we allow the life of Christ to flow through us, we can be effective in living out His truth.  Every day, we can make the decision to die to self and live unto Christ or to exalt self, which is a path contrary to His teachings.  We have the capability, and we can trust God to cultivate in us a desire to follow Him.

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Paul was confident in his walk with the Lord, and encouraged his readers to follow His example. 1st Corinthians 11 says:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

Are you like Bill?  Do you even want to be?

Yes, there is a relatively new Facebook meme that features a simple stick figure.  It started out as "Be Like Bill," but now you can customize it for yourself.

According to the BBC, the original post said: "Bill is on the internet.  Bill sees something that offends him. Bill moves on. Bill is smart. Be like Bill."

The British report says that:

"Be like Bill" urges the meme that is clogging up Facebook timelines with tongue-in-cheek advice about the correct way to behave online or how to handle other questions of modern etiquette.

Bill is far too polite to tell you straight out not to do something. Instead he leads by example. But the message is clear and often very funny.

The images first started appearing online late last year, but have surged in popularity in January, spurred on by a dedicated Facebook page simply called "Be like Bill" - which now boasts more than 1.25 million likes.

BBC Trending talked to the man behind the page, Eugeniu Croitoru, a Moldovan who lives in Milan and writes the cartoons with colleague Debabrata Nath, if he was anything like Bill. He is quoted as saying: "No, Bill is much better than me." He said: "The idea is very simple. 'Bill' can be anyone who is smart and has common sense and doesn't do annoying things. You'll also notice Bill can be someone who makes fun of himself and jokes about others too occasionally."

I wasn't impressed with the "Be Like Bill" Facebook page - the first post I saw a few days ago contained profanity.  The custom generator liked to from the TIME Magazine website featured some off-color stuff, too.  But, if your heart is set on customizing your own "Be Like Bill" meme, I would think that you can find something to your liking.

Now, there are reports that the test through which you can get your own meme may pose some security risks, including the possibility of exposing your computer to malware, which the Snopes website disputes.  It says that outlets who provide detailed online security reporting, "...haven't issued any warnings about 'Be Like Bill' or the popular comic generator. No widespread reports of adverse outcomes have substantiated news affiliate speculation, and the bulk of 'Be Like Bill'-themed reports focused on the general ability for malware to spread through apps, not any reports definitively (or anecdotally) related to that meme specifically."

USA Today reports that the Better Business Bureau is looking into possible privacy violations.

It's no surprise that there are the "Be Like Jesus" memes that have arisen.  For instance, do a search for the hashtag, #BeLikeJesus, on Facebook and you'll find a few.  One says, "This is JESUS.  Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus died on the Cross and rose again.  Jesus is loving, patient, kind, truth, hope, forgiving, almighty.  Jesus is the way.  Be like JESUS."  That's from Living Word Baptist Church in Odessa, TX.

On a simpler note, you have The Love Movement's meme:  "This is Jesus.  Jesus loved you even before you loved Him. Jesus wants you to love God and to love your neighbor.  Jesus forgives you. Be like Jesus."

Then there's the handwritten one that was posted multiple times:  "This is Jesus. Jesus gave up his life for his friends.  Jesus loves you.  Be like Jesus."

So, this self-improvement meme is out there - maybe you've seen it, maybe you've actually generated your own.  It's all in good fun, but it can raise an important question - who do you want to be like? All Christian counterculture references aside, to be an imitator of Jesus is a worthy goal and should be the aim of our lives.  Paul said basically to "be like me," as he followed Christ.  Certainly we cannot pay the penalty for our own sins, much less the sins of humanity, like Jesus did.  But, we are encouraged to follow in His footsteps - 1st John reminds us that Christ is our example.

So, even though WWJD is a thing of the past, and the "Be Like Jesus/Be Like Bill" takeoff is probably not going to make a major splash, the principle is a sound one:  we should make it our aim to allow His life to be expressed through us.  We can read about His character and demeanor, we can study and know His truth, and we can be energized by the power of His Holy Spirit.   We can't do it in our own strength, but in the power of God.

Those Who Labor Among Us

We are all called to be part of the body of Christ, as believers who have accepted Jesus as Savior. And, He desires for each of us to walk in our respective callings.  In the book of Ephesians, chapter 4
we read:
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...

If we are operating in the call of God in our lives and walking in obedience, God is glorified through His people.  And, there is a certain Biblical responsibility to help each other walk according to God's ways.  That includes encouragement for those who hold spiritual leadership - they face a unique set of challenges and our prayers and support can help them to stand strong when they encounter spiritual attacks.  As we recognize their calling and affirm it, that can make a difference in their effectiveness in ministry.

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In 1st Thessalonians 5, Paul lays out some elements of how the body of Christ is supposed to work:
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Longevity.

Having an effective leader at the helm of an organization, including a church or ministry, can bring stability.  And, if a church's pastor has left not only the church, but doing ministry overall, then that can have a devastating effect.

A new LifeWay Research study examined reasons why pastors left the ministry for reasons other than retirement.  Executive Director of LifeWay Research and co-host of Breakpoint This Week on Faith Radio, Ed Stetzer, said in a Christianity Today report on the survey, "Almost half of those who left the pastorate said their church wasn’t doing any of the kinds of things that would help," adding, "Having clear documents, offering a sabbatical rest, and having people help with weighty counseling cases are key things experts tell us ought to be in place."

The survey included 734 former senior pastors who left the pastorate before retirement age in four Protestant denominations: the Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and the Southern Baptist Convention. The survey indicates that trouble began early - 48 percent of the former pastors said the search team didn’t accurately describe the church before their arrival.  The article goes on to say:

Their churches were unlikely to have a list of counselors for referrals (27%), clear documentation of the church’s expectations of its pastor (22%), a sabbatical plan for the pastor (12%), a lay counseling ministry (9%), or a support group for the pastor’s family (8%). Almost half say their church had none of these (48%).

56 percent of the pastors said they clashed over changes they proposed, and 54 percent said they experienced a significant personal attack. Almost half - 48% - said their training didn’t prepare them to handle the people side of ministry.

Almost two-thirds, 63%, spent more than a decade as a senior pastor, and eventually moved on, with 52% going to a ministry role other than senior pastor, but 29 percent into non-ministry work. Of those who left the pastorate, 40% said they left because of a change of calling, with 25% citing church conflict. Other issues included: burnout, personal finances, and family issues.

The article also compared this data to a survey in March of last year surveying current pastors.  In some cases, the responses were similar - for instance, an overwhelming number of both current and former pastors mentioned that they felt "on call" 24 hours a day.  Not unexpectedly, the former pastors surveyed said, by a significant margin, that they believed their church placed unrealistic expectations on them and that they felt isolated on the job.  Former pastors said they did not feel as free to say no to unrealistic expectations and a lower percentage felt that the congregation provided genuine encouragement to their families.

I want to share several takeaways with you today as we consider the results here:

One is: Be sensitive to the needs of your pastor.  In one sense, we do put our pastors on a pedestal, in terms of respect and honor; but in another sense, if a church fails to see that they are real, fallible people with real families and real needs, even real trials, there could be negative ramifications to the well-being of the leaders and the health of the congregation.

We can also adopt the methodology to not be swift to engage in conflict.  Church leaders will act out of their own experience and calling and if we expect them to do things in the same manner as their predecessor, likely they will not meet expectations.  Serious prayer, restraint from acting impulsively, and an attitude of helping a pastor succeed can be beneficial.

And, I want to zero in on this one: Recognize that there is a dynamic of spiritual warfare concerning God's servant-leaders.  The enemy wants to take out those who are attempting to help a congregation grow spiritually.  Because of their position, our leaders are vulnerable to spiritual attack - we can pray for them to stay strong and pray for God's protective hand to surround them.  When any of us are bearing fruit for the kingdom, and I pray we all are, we are taking territory from the enemy, and we need to make sure that we are taking the necessary steps to make sure we are covered in prayer and girded in God's strength.

Bad Bet

Romans 13 addresses the relationship of the believer to governments, and reminds us that one of the ways to ensure that we are subject to earthly authorities is to be subject to God's authority:
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Christians should be known not simply as a voting bloc, but a force of God's love in the earth.  We have been entrusted with God's irresistible love, and by demonstrating His character, we can be effective ministers of the truth of God.  God's love, delivered in His way, can result in the change of hearts, and that can lead to a change in the culture.  We should have a healthy relationship with our authorities, and we can strengthen that by behaving in a manner that is consistent with Christian character.

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In these verses from 1st Peter 2, we can see clearly the call of the Church and the Biblical role of
government:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

Next week, the Alabama Legislature goes back into session, and after last year's debacle in trying to get lawmakers to come to an agreement about how to fix the state's revenue woes, exhausting one regular session and two special sessions, our lawmakers will once again consider how to operate government responsibly in Alabama.   Be aware - you will hear talk about using gambling as a fundraising tool for the state.  But, also be aware - it's an immoral, deceptive, and ineffective solution.

Last week, in a Front Room commentary, I highlight that gambling is poor stewardship, it also takes advantage of poor people, and it is poor public policy.  I highlighted John Piper's recent piece highlighting seven reasons that a person should not gamble.

One proposal that you will hear about is to make Alabama, one of the last seven states to not have a state lottery, join the ranks of government-sponsored gambling.  John Stonestreet, in a Breakpoint commentary recently, quoted Jordan Ballor of the Acton Institute, who cited polling data that confirmed lottery critics’ worst fears: He said, “The poorest among us...are contributing much
more to lottery revenues than those with higher incomes.”

In fact, one poll found that “people who played the lottery with an income of less than $20,000 annually spent an average of $46 per month on lottery tickets. That comes out to more than $550 per year, and it is nearly double the amount spent in any other income bracket.”  Those in the $30-50,000 per year bracket had the second-highest average, of $24 per month. Bailor says that state-run lotteries are a “betrayal” of the citizenry. They're highly-regressive taxes on those least able to afford them, and, Ballor adds, though lotteries are usually promoted as a way to pay for education and other human needs, “revenue is often diverted for new purposes through legislative and bureaucratic chicanery.”

And, it is highly probable that some in the Legislature will attempt to expand casino gambling in the state as a revenue-raising measure.  The organization, Stop Predatory Gambling, headed by Les Bernal, who has been a guest on my radio show, offered a blog post about the regressive nature of casino gambling.  The piece cited findings from the Center for Thrift and Generosity at the Institute for American Values, a New York City think tank with a focus on addressing America’s personal debt crisis.  One of the respondents, Cornell University economist Professor Robert Frank said, "Legalized casino gambling encourages people to pin their hopes on games of chance that are stacked against them,” adding, “Those who are determined to gamble will find some way to do so, but why lend government’s imprimatur to predators’ efforts to exploit people who can least afford to bear the inevitable losses?”

The article states: "Research increasingly shows that the costs of casino gambling far outweigh any economic benefits derived from its legalization."

David Frum, in a CNN piece, writes:

How heavily does gambling weigh upon the poor, the elderly, the less educated, and the psychologically vulnerable? It's difficult to answer exactly, because U.S. governments have shirked the job of studying the effects of gambling. Most research on the public health effects of gambling in the United States is funded by the industry itself, with a careful eye to exonerating itself from blame. To obtain independent results, the Institute for American Values was obliged, ironically, to rely on studies funded by governments in Britain and Canada.

But here's what we can conclude, in the words of the Institute:

"[S]tate-sponsored casino gambling ... parallels the separate and unequal life patterns in education, marriage, work, and play that increasingly divide America into haves and have-nots. Those in the upper ranks of the income distribution rarely, if ever, make it a weekly habit to gamble at the local casino. Those in the lower ranks of the income distribution often do. Those in the upper ranks rarely, if ever, contribute a large share of their income to the state's take of casino revenues. Those in the lower ranks do."

Frum also points out: "The industry as a whole targets precisely those who can least afford to lose and earns most of its living from people for whom gambling has become an addiction. The IAV report cites a Canadian study that finds that the 75% of casino customers who play only occasionally provide only 4% of casino revenues. It's the problem gambler who keeps the casino in business."

So, as you hear this talk about relying on an unstable source of income that places a financial burden on those who can least afford it, you can be motivated to pray for our leaders to exercise wisdom that is consistent with a Biblical worldview that reinforces our state's values.  The moral of the story for us today is to keep the story moral.  Our lawmakers simply should not rely on immoral means to fund state government.

But, I certainly wish that we, as the Church, would go on offense.  I would pray for Godly people to be placed in strategic positions to positively influence the operation of government.  I think of Franklin Graham's call for people of faith to consider running for office.  It seems that we are spending way too much time trying to defeat bad legislation, when, if we had the chance, we could be involved in promoting good, solid legislation that enhances our institutions and provides a good moral foundation for our families.

I believe that the Biblical role of government includes reinforcing good and punishing evil - and stronger families, injected with the influence of the Scriptures and the power of the Spirit, can make for a more stable, orderly, moral climate.  So, those in leadership should be devoted to strengthening the family and not passing legislation that could weaken this precious commodity.

A Night to Remember

God has entrusted to us various gifts and talents that we can use to serve Him and will provide
opportunities to serve Him and encourage others. 1st Peter 4 says:
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

This provides a wonderful picture to us about how we, who have been recipients of the grace of God and brought into a relationship with Jesus Christ, can demonstrate that grace.  We can recognize the open doors that the Spirit provides in order to bring glory to God and spread His light, and depend on Him to give us creative ideas in order to do effective ministry.  God is at work, and He will use His people to bring honor to His name.

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In 1st Thessalonians 5, we can read verses that can direct and inspire us to be people of encouragement. For instance, there's verse 11:
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

And verses 14 and 15 say:
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

What a guy - is there a celebrity out there who defies description like the former Heisman Trophy winner from Florida, who had a brief, but captivating run in the NFL, but who could not muster any staying power in the League?   His star, I should say, his light, is still shining, and there's another one of those Tim Tebow stories that is out there.  And, oh, by the way, if per chance, Tim Tebow were still with the Patriots, you think he might have found a way to gain two yards to get into the end zone for a 2-point conversion to tie Denver in the closing seconds Sunday?   But I digress...

Last year, according to the People magazine website, during Valentine's Day weekend...

...the Tim Tebow Foundation sponsored 44 simultaneous prom events in 26 states, as well as two locations in Uganda and Kenya. More than 7,000 people with special needs dressed in tuxes and gowns for their first prom experiences. More than 15,000 volunteers made the events happen around the globe. At the end of the night, each of the participants was crowned as a king or queen of the night.

Tebow himself went to two locations, taking photos with people and shining shoes.  There is a picture in that People report that shows Tim kneeling before one of the attendees, shining his shoes - what a great expression of humility!

It's called the Night to Shine, and this year, there will be more proms!   More than 200 proms in 48 states and 8 different countries.  The article reports that guests will arrive on a red carpet, including photographers, who Tim calls "friendly paparazzi." Inside, guests will get corsages and boutonnieres, visit hair and makeup stations, participate in a karaoke room, and dance.  And, the Foundation provides the financial support, decorations, gifts for each participant, and step-by-step guidance.

Tim Tebow is quoted as saying - and this is on the People website: "Every time I think about it, I'm so humbled and amazed by the way God has continued to grow Night to Shine," adding, "I can't wait for February 12th; it's my favorite night of the year."

Erik Dellenback, the executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation, says: "We hope that the movement of Night to Shine not only transforms the way we think about Valentine's Day, but also launches or enhances ongoing special needs ministries within churches around the world...And provides a place where our honored guests can be celebrated and loved throughout the year."

Tebow adds: "As a foundation, we are so passionate about people with special needs, and this event is a great time to tell them how much they are loved by God and by all of us."

The closest proms to the Faith Radio coverage area are Rivertown Community Church in Marianna, Florida and Connect Church in Daphne, Alabama.  Learn more through the Tim Tebow Foundation website.

These are the type of stories that we as a culture really need to celebrate, and Mr. Tebow is no doubt committed in making news in a positive way that is consistent with his Christian faith.  You may remember that before his latest stint in the NFL, Tim was on ABC's Good Morning America as a contributor, and hosted the "Motivate Me Monday" series, spotlighting individuals and their stories of triumph, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

So, our takeaways for today:  We need good stories; we need God stories.  We grow through Bible study and theological elaborations, and we are inspired by hearing how God has worked in a person's life and provide a source for each of us. And, God stories that are told in the culture can certainly bring hope to hearts.

Tim related about his passion for special needs people and uses these proms to send a message about their value and worth.  We can be reminded that even though a person might be categorized as "special needs," that doesn't mean that they are any less valuable than anyone else.   God does not make mistakes - and even though in the natural, one might say that a disabled person has a "design flaw," we must be reminded that all of us have our flaws.  But, that does not make us any less valuable in the eyes of God.  All of us are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Finally, we can celebrate this creative way to do ministry, and rely on our Creator God, the God of creativity to inspire our hearts.  Perhaps hearing how Tim Tebow has used his unique platform can motivate someone else to use his or her gift and talents to bless someone else.   Is there a need in your community?  Undoubtedly!   God may be preparing or directing you to find a way and develop a strategy in partnership with the Holy Spirit to address the needs of people around you.

Decisions and Definitions

As we approach the issues that are confronting our nation and the upcoming selection of leaders, we need incredible wisdom, and we acknowledge the One who is the source of reliable and infallible wisdom.  Proverbs 1 says:
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God does not want us to be obsessed with politics, but I believe that He does desire for us to speak into the political process.  We don't look to politicians as the answer, but we can depend on Him to express His answers through selected leaders who take their role seriously.   We can ask the Lord to indicate to us the persons for whom He would intend for us to vote, seeking to be well-informed and prayerful as we approach that decision.  And, in whatever decisions we have to make, we can go to the source of Godly wisdom and ask God for direction.

+++++

In Daniel chapter 2, we see a passage that reminds us of God's hand in human affairs, an important concept as we approach the upcoming elections:
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.

One week from today, voters in Iowa will be going to their various caucus meetings to select delegates who would be pledged to vote for Presidential candidates in both major political parties. It's the first such event in the nation, and after the litany of polls that have been released for months on end, it's going to be interesting to actually see what the real votes will indicate.

One month after than, on March 1, voters in 2 of the states in the Faith Radio coverage area  - Alabama and Georgia - will be going to the polls.  And, two weeks later, on March 15, Florida voters will be making their Presidential preferences known.

There is much that has been made about the evangelical Christian vote in the upcoming election. And, while I do believe that it's vital that Christians make their voices heard in political matters, we should not be reduced to a voting bloc.

But, it is interesting to see some of the analysis of the evangelical votes.  For instance, there's a general analysis by Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore, in which he has said, according to Roll Call:

“I would say that Ted Cruz is leading in the ‘Jerry Falwell’ wing, Marco Rubio is leading the ‘Billy Graham’ wing and Trump is leading the ‘Jimmy Swaggart’ wing,” Moore said, meaning that Cruz has largely followed the classic Moral Majority model that was the face of the conservative movement — he has received endorsements from figures such as Focus on the Family founder James Dobson — while Trump “tends to work most closely with the prosperity wing of Pentecostalism” which tends to believe that God would financially reward believers.

I admit that's a generalization, and it bears noting that Dr. Moore has been very critical of Donald Trump.  We can be reminded that there are different streams of belief, even among Christians, and those threads affect our approach to political matters.   Brietbart says that Rubio in fact has sent out a campaign e-mail touting Moore's contention.

The article points out that, as an example of Rubio’s outreach to the “Billy Graham” wing, earlier this month the presidential hopeful announced a religious liberty advisory board that includes Rick Warren, the founding pastor at the influential Saddleback Church. Rubio has also released a video ad with him speaking personally about his faith and how it affects his daily life. In it, he said: “the purpose of our life is to cooperate with God’s plan."

The article goes on to point out that:

The notion advanced by the Rubio campaign that the role of a presidential candidate is not merely to persuade voters why the candidate should be selected to head the executive branch, but is also to provide religious leadership to evangelical Christians in the way Billy Graham has for more than seven decades, appears to be at odds with the recent public messages of Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham and head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

The piece mentions Franklin Graham's "Decision America" initiative, visiting all 50 states, and that Graham does not plan to endorse a candidate.

Well, a CNN story has broken down the evangelical vote into 7 different types, along with examples of each one.  Here are some excerpts - I don't necessarily agree, but it does provide some food for thought:

1 - The old guard (James Dobson, Tony Perkins, John Hagee)

They are hawkish on foreign policy and want politicians who won't give ground on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion and religious liberty.  Advantage: Cruz

2 - Institutional evangelicals (Rick Warren, Russell Moore)

These evangelicals head megachurches, charities, seminaries and umbrella groups such as the National Association of Evangelicals. They tend to back candidates who, while sharing their core values, stand a solid chance of winning the presidency. Institutional evangelicals rarely endorse politicians but can make their preferences known in other ways. Advantage: Rubio

3 - Entrepreneurial evangelicals (Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Falwell, Jr.)

These evangelicals may not share many theological beliefs, but they all appreciate a good business model. They are evangelists who have built television ministries reaching millions of Americans, and Pentecostal preachers who have turned storefront churches into thriving congregations. Others include Jerry Falwell Jr., who grew the family business, Liberty University, into one of the country's largest Christian colleges. Advantage: Trump

4 - 'Arm's length' evangelicals (John Piper, Tim Keller)

..."arm's length" evangelicals dominate some the most dynamic movements within conservative Christianity. They consider it foolhardy for candidates to use their faith as a footstool to higher office and are reluctant to fuse the sacred sphere of religion with profane politics. Advantage: Rubio

5 - Millennial evangelicals (Eric Teetsel, Jordan Sekulow, Johnnie Moore)

They've grown up in the shadow of old guard evangelicals, but they're more attuned to the country's religious pluralism than their forebears. Advantage: too soon to tell

6 -  Liberal evangelicals (Jim Wallis, William J. Shaw, Jimmy Carter)

According to Pew's survey, 13% of evangelical Protestants identify as liberal, a number that inches up slightly among younger millennials (17%). Many African-American Protestants also hold evangelical beliefs but rarely vote Republican. For that reason, they are not a force in GOP primaries, though a few have endorsed Trump.  Advantage: Democrats

7 - Cultural evangelicals

Cultural evangelicals say they're "born again" but don't go to church.

These evangelicals were raised Christian but don't go to church or consider religion that important in their lives. Still, when pollsters ask about their faith, they call themselves evangelical, much like nonreligious Jews still identify as Jewish.  Advantage: Trump

So, there you have it, what one analyst at CNN, Religion Editor Daniel Burke, has to say.  I am not necessarily endorsing this perspective, but using it as a springboard to perhaps gauge our own political philosophy and how that is shaped by the Scriptures.

Some takeaways for us today:

The first is that politics matter.  I believe that we are called to be a voice on the selection of leaders and matters of public policy.  We have been given a unique right to participate in a republic where citizens - "We, the People" - can actually be part of the process.   I believe that we should take interest in politics, but we should always make sure it's in the proper place.

Because, more than anything else, hearts matter.   We know that Christianity is more a definition of demographics or a subset of the voting public.  We are called first and foremost to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and allow His principles to guide us.  As God has changed our hearts, we are to demonstrate the heart-changing, life-changing, presence of a Savior.  The answers to the woes we face in our culture cannot be solved by politics, but through the changing of hearts, energized by the gospel.

Finally, prayer matters.  We should be involved in praying for our nation - this is an important election that is coming up, and we can be inspired to call upon the Lord for His man - or woman - to be placed in the Presidency, as well as other offices across our land.  God is the One Who, according to the book of Daniel, raises up and deposes leaders, and we can unite our hearts with Him, asking Him, calling on Him fervently to do a mighty work in our land.