The Spiritual Dimension of World Events

Psalm 113 reminds us that the Lord is exalted - high - above all the nations:
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.

When we see world leaders talking about their agendas, standing before other nations as they did last week at the United Nations, we have to remember that the Lord is involved in orchestrating world events, and as we read Biblical prophecy, we recognize that He is ultimately in control of world events.   And, the Bible teaches that these leaders, no matter how dictatorial or diabolical, have been allowed to reign by the hand of the ultimate Judge, the King of Kings, who raises us leaders and deposes them - there's a bigger picture.
2nd Corinthians 10 reminds us that we live in a world where there are spiritual forces at work, and we have to be diligent to discern what may be taking place around us:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

We are called to be spiritual people.  If our faith is central to our thoughts and actions, we will behave in a manner consistent with what we believe.

There is a "bigger picture", if you will, and it involves an unseen realm where there are forces at work - for instance, we know that temptation will come, and we have to see it, recognize when it is coming, and take the necessary steps, through God's word, to resist it.     We will have errant thoughts that will enter our minds, and we have to use the standard of the Word of God to determine if we are to accept our reject that thought.   The concept of discernment involves "seeing through spiritual eyes", and recognizing that the world of the flesh or the senses is not all there is.

In 1st Corinthians 2, Paul outlines the difference between the natural and the spiritual - even though we possess natural bodies, I believe God calls us to view the circumstances of lives through a spiritual prism, seeing with spiritual eyes, and discerning the challenges and opportunities of life through God's perspective.

We live in a world where faith and religious practice are incredibly important, even concerning public policy.

A breathtaking array of speeches by world leaders has been on display at the United Nations this week.  Early in the week, in what may be his last address to the world body, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outlined Islamic eschatology and the way it drives that country's foreign policy.   From Joel Rosenberg's Flash Traffic blog:

Ahmadinejad told the leaders of the world gathered in Manhattan that he had come this time “to voice the divine and humanitarian message…to you and to the whole world.”

“God Almighty has promised us a man of kindness, a man who loves people and loves  absolute justice, a man who is a perfect human being and is named Imam Al-Mahdi,  a man who will come in the company of Jesus Christ, peace be upon Him, and the righteous,” he said. Calling the Mahdi “the Ultimate Savior,” Ahmadinejad said his arrival on earth “will mark a new beginning, a rebirth and a  resurrection. It will be the beginning of peace, lasting security and genuine life.”

How does this come to be - according to Rosenberg:

Islamic theologians say Muslim political leaders today are supposed to set into motion the annihilation of Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it and create the conditions of chaos and carnage to hasten the arrival of the Twelfth Imam. Then the Mahdi is supposed to turn all these wars and killings to his advantage and establish justice and peace.

There is a heavily religious dimension to what we see transpiring in the world today.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognizes it:

“Iran’s apocalyptic leaders believe that a medieval holy man will reappear in the wake of a devastating Holy War, thereby ensuring that their brand of radical Islam will rule the earth. That’s not just what they believe. That’s what is actually guiding their policies and their actions.”

And, Mohamed Morsi, the new President of Egypt, member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which supports a worldwide caliphate and dominance by Islam said, according to the Christian Post:

Morsi, who repeatedly referred to himself as the "first, democratically elected, civilian president of Egypt," said his country respects freedom of expression, but "one that is not used to incite hatred against anyone, one that is not directed toward one specific religion or cult."

Yemen President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, seconded Morsi. "There should be limits for the freedom of expression, especially if such freedom blasphemes the beliefs of nations and defames their figures," he said.

There is even a move for so-called blasphemy laws to be implemented by the United Nations - but, you have to be concerned with who will determine what is or isn't considered blasphemy.

So, such topics as the theology of Islam and the treatment of Islam were on full display.     One cheaply-made film that presumably denigrates Mohammed is purported to be a catalyst for global unrest.   But, there is a bigger picture centered around the importance of religion in the lives of people around the world - and, I think our leaders need the wisdom to recognize and understand the dynamics of religion worldwide and even here in America, where Liberty Institute and the Family Research Council have outlined over 600 examples of religious hostility, municipalities are regularly attempting to inhibit the practice of faith by using zoning ordinances and building codes, and dozens of religious institutions are suing the Federal government because it is attempting to force them to fund products that violate their deeply-held faith beliefs.

Not only is our faith important, but it is foundational to the functioning of society.   We can't discount the faith element, and discern that there are spiritual forces at work - on a large scale, and in our individual lives.   There are challenges that may confront us every single day, and we have to utilize the power of God and the tools that He's given us, making sure that we are appropriating His spiritual armor.

The Dangers of Deficits

God has prescribed a way for us to walk in, and calls us to prepare our hearts, so that we do not succomb to the pressures of the culture.  Here's what Jeremiah 6 says:16 Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' 17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' 18 Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth!

Verse 17 - listen!  Verse 18 - hear!  Verse 19 - hear!   Verse 16 talks about the good way bringing rest to our souls.   I've thought about the concept of Biblical preparation.   This involves a conscious choice to submit every area of our lives to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the authority of God's Word.   We hear the words "debt" and "deficit" so often these days, and in order to avoid a spiritual deficit, we have to take the necessary steps to come out ahead - in Christ.  Otherwise, the tide of cultural influences will sweep us away and we will become spiritually in debt.   The concept works in a multitude of areas - financial, emotional, in our homes - if we go into life unprepared to meet and exceed the challenges we face, then we will encounter a life of defeat and disappointment.

Isaiah 30 addresses walking in God's ways and reminds us that we need to be prepared and attentive to Him:
20 And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. 21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. 22 You will also defile the covering of your graven images of silver, And the ornament of your molded images of gold. You will throw them away as an unclean thing; You will say to them, "Get away!"


There's a new Pew survey out regarding student loans, and the information is startling:  About one out of five - 19% - of the nation’s households owed student debt in 2010, more than double the share two decades earlier and a significant rise from the 15% that owed such debt just 5 years ago. 

The Pew Research analysis also finds that a record 40% of all households headed by someone younger than age 35 owe such debt, by far the highest share among any age group.  Since 2007 the incidence of student debt has increased in nearly every demographic and economic category, as has the size of that debt.

Matt Bell of Sound Mind Investing, on The Meeting House just a few weeks ago, referred to a Fidelity survey that found that less than one-third of parents with college-bound children are considering the total cost of college, graduating with debt, the impact of school selection and how the major their children choose could affect job prospects and earning potential.

And, USA Today reports on a new survey released from the College Board that says over half - 57% of 2012 graduating seniors who took the SAT, which it owns, earned a combined score below what it says is necessary to show that students can earn a B-minus or better in the first year at a four-year college.

If you are attempting to dig out from student loan debt, you do realize what an enormous burden that can be, and it has presented a real issue for young couples who are starting out in their marriages and building their families.  

I really thought about this concept of deficit and how preparation can be a real key.   The Fidelity survey shows that a majority of parents are not thinking ahead regarding college expenses.   And, the College Board study, according to Vice President Jim Montoya, is a "call to action", saying that average scores can increase if more students have access to a rigorous college-prep curriculum.

The key word for us today is preparation - lack of preparation, for anything in our lives, can result in a deficit.   This applies in the financial realm.   And, in the spiritual realm, too - just a footnote:  students need to be spiritually prepared for college, and that's why The TransMission is presenting a workshop for parents this Sunday afternoon.  

If we do not prepare spiritually for the challenges of life, even to the extent of hiding God's word in our hearts on a consistent basis, then we will find we'll encounter a deficit when the tough times come.   If we want to avoid crashing and burning in this world that offers a thousand ways to stumble and fall, we must make His word a priority and remain connected to our source of power.   If we are not prayed up and filled with the Spirit, we will operate at a deficit and we run the risk of being unproductive in our lives.   It's preparation that can help us keep from being overcome by the currents in our culture today.

Happy Birthday, Bilbo and Frodo!

In Proverbs chapter 8, in the personification of wisdom, we read:
17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
There is a massive search for meaning in this world today - and unfortunately people, in their quest for deeper understanding, encounter teachings that are not consistent with Scripture and the God of the Bible.   It's important that we make knowledge of the One true God and growth in our relationship with Him paramount in our lives.   His Word teaches us about Himself, and by knowing and growing in His Word, we can understand the world around us, discover how we fit in, if you will, or better said, how God desires to use us in this world for His glory.   And, that comes as we diligently seek Him and walk with an awareness of His presence and His principles.

J.R.R. Tolkien is quoted as saying:  "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after."

In Matthew 7, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teachers:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.   Last Saturday, September 22nd was an important day in the Shire, part of Tolkien's incredible fantasy world:  it was Bilbo Baggins birthday, as well as his nephew Frodo's.   And, Bilbo is featured in the book, The Hobbit, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last Friday.    Tolkien was a British professor who wrote the book for his four children.  It was published in 1937.  USA Today summarizes it as the story of how a stay-at-home hobbit very fond of hearth and home ends up venturing forth with 13 dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf to retrieve treasure stolen by a savage dragon. The prelude to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit has been translated in to more than 50 languages and has sold 100 million copies worldwide.  The movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be arriving in theaters on Dec. 14.  Tolkien was a Christian, and while you have to admit this book and the Lord of the Rings trilogy might not be as allegorical as some of C.S. Lewis' works, author and professor Devin Brown of Asbury Theological Seminary quotes Tolkien as saying that “The religious element is absorbed into the story."  In an interview for the Tolkien Society website, Brown says that:  The providence, purpose, and morality in The Hobbit go against the grain of the modern mindset.  In The Hobbit, Tolkien brings his readers into a world filled with meaning and purpose where they find clear contrasts between right and wrong.  The same audience who might scoff at the Christian worldview in a different context, find themselves embracing it in The Hobbit.
He also says in the interview that, "he main purpose of Tolkien’s stories of imaginary beings in an imaginary world is to provide a better understanding of our world and the real beings who inhabit it."
 Tolkien was someone who was intent on helping readers to understand to gain wisdom, and he communicates spiritual principles in the activities of his characters in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.   His journey, and you might say for the residents of the Shire, was for something deeper, something more, even beyond the world of the senses, what you can feel or see.    And, isn't that our appointed quest as believers in Christ?   I do believe that God wants to show us great and mighty things, to give us insight into the operation of this world, and to discover a supernatural element that gives us a greater awareness of His presence.   If we seek, Jesus said, we will find.  Once we accept the existence of God and absolute truth, then as we travel down that path, we will have a greater depth of understanding, so that we might live our lives for His glory.   There's more to life than the temporal - there's a supernatural realm in which the Lord desires to walk with us.


  

Lies and Lockdown

In Revelation 12, Satan is described as the "accuser":
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Taking to heart the words of 1st John 4, that "greater is He who is in you than He that is in the world", we realize that Satan is our accuser, weaving a tapestry of lies within our consciousness and seeking to lock us down in our spiritual lives - he does not want us to be productive for the glory of God.    But, we recognize that we have powerful tools - the blood of Jesus, which covers our sins, and the word of our testimony.   Our "testimony" is what God has done in our lives - as we think and speak according to our identity in Jesus Christ and take to heart what His word says about us, we can experience true victory!

In John 8, Jesus took those who challenged him to task and pointed out for us the one who is the author of lies:
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.   The computer can be a mixed blessing - we can use it as a wonderful tool to get information, to do research, to keep in touch with people, and be more efficient in our jobs.   But, there is plenty of stuff that we can access on the computer that is detrimental to us.  Computers get bogged down and run slowly, our e-mail boxes become full of spam, and periodically, there is a virus or worm that can lock us down.
Such was the case at my house over the weekend.   A screen appeared saying that illegal material had been downloaded on one of the computers and that we needed to go to a local drug store, purchase a money pack for $20, and enter the code from the pack in the box on the screen.  If this was not done, there would possibly be an arrest and jail time.   This virus was masquerading as an FBI Anti-Piracy Warning, and the computer was locked down.  To solve it, we ran an anti-malware program twice and did a system restore.
Yes, it was a hoax, but it was inconvenient, and in the back of my mind, I did wonder, what if that were true?
And, it gives us some insight into the operation of the enemy in our lives.   This was a lie, an outright lie.   And, when the devil tries to feed lies about ourselves, we have to counter that false information with the truth of God's word, the spiritual "anti-malware", if you will.   If we believe the lie or if we don't take the corrective action, then our walk with Christ can remain on lockdown.    The enemy desires to thwart us in our spiritual progress - one way he holds us captive is by distorting our view of ourselves and our view of God - if we are not convinced of His love, or if we are not constantly seeking to walk in our new identity in Him, then we don't move ahead - we can essentially be locked out of the blessings of God.   We have to rely on the redeeming power of God's promise and the the Holy Spirit in order to experience the triumph that He can bring.

Visible Comfort and Compassion

God is a present help to us, He is the one who will not only support us and strengthen our hearts in time of loss or other adversity, but will bring a support system to us, people upon whom we can rely, who can help us through the tough times.  The words of the Psalmist are recorded in Psalm 43:
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

God's light - the warmth of His presence and the reminders of His faithfulness - can sustain us in those times when we are facing difficulties.   Perhaps it's the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a relationship, or events in our lives that can leave us feeling helpless.   That's when we need the presence of God's holy light and the touch of His love - He will minister to us internally, in our hearts, as well as externally, as people radiate the love of Jesus for us.   Sometimes we'll be on the receiving end, and other times, God will call us to be there for others - sensitive to the leadership of His Spirit.

2nd Corinthians 1 brings us a fresh knowledge of God's comfort in the midst of loss:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Sunday Night Football on NBC is generally one of the highest-rated television programs week by week during the NFL season.   And, while some celebrated the so-called "accomplishments" on the Emmy telecast that featured, among other things, some rather twisted versions of what it means to be a family, the Baltimore Ravens-New England Patriots game showed a devotion to God, family, and teamwork.

Late Saturday night, Ravens receiver Torrey Smith learned that his brother, Devin, had lost his life in a motorcycle accident.   Torrey left the team to go to his home in Virginia to comfort his family.    Later in the day, he made the decision to play in the game - and what a game he had:  6 catches, 127 yards, and 2 touchdowns! 

According to ESPN.com, Smith said to his team:
"I have my family, and I have you as my family...I couldn't have done it without you guys."

The website reports that after each of his touchdowns, the sellout crowd chanted "Torrey, Torrey, Torrey." Smith, though, took a private moment after his first score to kneel in the end zone and say a prayer.

"Obviously, you play with a heavy heart," Smith said. "You want to play for that person."

He spent the day talking to teammates and was part of an emotional church service with the team.

When he got to the stadium around 4 p.m., about four hours before kickoff, Smith texted his mother that he was thinking of playing. Her response: his brother would want him to play.

The Ravens have developed a reputation for being there for one another, and that could well be a reason for their success.   Safety Ed Reed experienced that firsthand last year, when the Ravens dedicated a 30-7 playoff win at Kansas City to him after his brother drowned only days before.

Reed said last night: "When I went through losing my brother, being around these guys, it really helped me get through. To play and have the game he had, that's when we all have to sit back and know that God is working."


And, Coach John Harbaugh saw the evidence of God, too, according to SI.com:
"How do you explain it?'' Harbaugh said. "Coming from a faith perspective, God and heaven work in beautiful wonders, mysterious, wonderful ways. I am not talking about winning and losing. I am talking about what you see people accomplish in the face of adversity. That's really what it's all about. What would be a better story than the one you just saw?''

Just a few quick downloads here:
1 - In the midst of adversity, you can see God at work...and Torrey Smith and his teammates were part of that last night.  First and foremost, Smith was hurting - he had lost his brother, part of a tight-knit family.  The storyline became about healing, help, and honor.  It wasn't about the Ravens and getting redemption from a playoff loss last year to the Patriots, not about the replacement referees, or any of the other story lines - God intervened in a powerful way.

2 - When you see God working, identify it...He is all around us and He works so that He will be glorified.   And, as people testify to Him, more can come to know Him.    Our faith is strengthened, too, as we recognize His presence.

3 - When times are tough, it's important that we rely on the support structure that God has given us.  Torrey obviously wanted to be there for his family.   But, he also had his team who were there for him.   And we saw that both came to fruition.    When we're hurting, we don't have to be afraid or resistant to reach out and seek some help.   

Talk Like a Pirate, er, Christian

Some challenging words for us are found in Psalm 34:
13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.   We recognize that if God instructs us in a certain behavior, that He gives us the power to carry it out.   There are multiple instructions throughout Scripture about controlling our tongue, because words are powerful - they have the power to encourage or discourage, to wound and to heal, to build up or tear down.   We have to be careful how we choose our words, and that's definitely where we need the power of the Holy Spirit, for it is only as we rely on Him and follow God's principles, that we can speak in a manner that reflects His presence in our lives.

Ephesians 4 paints a compelling picture of the way we are to speak and act:
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.


For some strange reason, September 19th is always "Talk Like a Pirate" Day.  On this day, people across our nation and even around the world adjust their speech - their words, their patterns, and their tone - in order to emulate the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy", inspired by such notables as Captain Jack Sparrow or the characters in "Treasure Island".   Even a well-known donut chain offered a free dozen if people would take it a few steps further and dress up like a pirate.

I was thinking about the power of the tongue - what a wonderful tool of our Creator God, for one thing.  And, it's something unique about humans...we can communicate with one another, and if we're speaking the same language, we can understand.    Today - download this:  What is we were to declare a "Talk Like a Christian" Day.   I mean, you can go to a website and learn phrases and nuances of talking like a pirate.   What if we were really to take seriously what the Bible instructs about reflecting the nature of Christ in how and what we say?

So, if we were to "Talk Like a Christian", we would:
- choose our words wisely
- think before we speak:  James 1 says to be quick to listen and slow to speak
- seek to encourage people and build them up
- not slander other people
- or engage in gossip
- not engage in what is termed "idle talk"
- frequently give glory to God for what we see Him doing
- not complain
- seek to possess the right words to speak into a situation
- not speak angrily.

Those are just 10 I came up with - there are certainly more.   You see the point here, I hope - God has given us a wonderful tool, the tongue, and the gift of words to be able to express ourselves in accordance with His truth - we have a prescribed manner of speech, and we have an enabler, the Holy Spirit, who can empower us to control our tongues, to harness them in a manner consistent with His character.   A powerful tool and a powerful God - a great combination in order to do His will!

A Path to Sustainability

Proverbs 29:18, in the New King James Version, says:
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Another translation says that "where there is no vision, the people perish".

And, indeed, God's principles are given to restrain us, so that we may live controlled rather than chaotic lives.  But those restraints are guiding precepts for living a life pleasing to Him and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.   The freedom we have in Christ is freedom to walk in victory and to enjoy life to the fullest - and the liberty He gives is never to be used as a license to do what we want.    The surrendered life is the most free of all - as we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, we experience sustainable growth and abundant life in Him.

Galatians 6 offers one of those "big picture" principles that can be applied on our path to sustainable spiritual growth:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.


Little did I know 2 months ago when I sat down with the author and social commentator Os Guinness at ICRS that his book would be making such an impact on the Christian community.   Eric Metaxas and our friends at Breakpoint and the Colson Center have recommended the book, and just today, quotes from Mr. Guinness appear at the Christian Post website.

The book is called, "A Free People's Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future".   In it, Guinness embraces a concept he calls the "Golden Triangle".   Metaxas and John Stonestreet write:

The American experiment in ordered liberty was founded on three interdependent precepts which Guinness calls, "the Golden Triangle." Freedom requires virtue, which in turn requires faith, which of course can only be truly practiced in a free society. "And so it goes round and round like the recycling wheel," says Guinness.

Through this triad of concepts, the American founders sought to address the failures of previous cultures and governments, envisioning a free society "which could last forever."

"They wanted a sustainable form of freedom," contends Guinness. "But I believe America today is practicing an unsustainable form of freedom."

Ordered liberty - freedom can be a powerful force to strengthen the individual and the culture, but it can also be a deterrent to a productive society, because if it is not tempered by virtue, then circumstances will spiral out of control.   And, when we see the lack of moral restraint, it has implications in a variety of areas.   Take the economy - the Internet is replete with quotes that financially, America is not on a - sustainable! - path.   Sure, we have the freedom - to spend freely, for government to try to interject itself in all sorts of social programs, but without the proper restraints.   And, now, enormous debt has been incurred, and there are all sorts of dire predictions about what may come in the very near future - a great example of freedom without restraint.

But, what about each of us individually?   Are there areas in our lives where we have exercised the freedom to make decisions, but we have made choices that have placed us on an unsustainable trajectory?    I believe God will give us the wisdom to change course, and there may be some negative consequences of those choices that perhaps the Lord will use to teach us so that we prevent such errors in the future.   God gives us freedom, but that freedom has to operate within the boundaries that He has provided for us - He has given us reliable principles that can guide our lives and bring sustainable spiritual growth.    But, we have to recognize the wisdom of His word, and follow through on walking in His prescribed path.

In Search of Originality

In Psalm 40, we read about the calling to communicate God's love and truth:
5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Verse 10 says, "I speak of your faithfulness and salvation..."  As verse 5 reminds us, there are multiple wonders that the Lord has done.   And, when we consider the nature and ways of God, we recognize that there is so much about Him to know and love, and to share with others.   Sometimes that will involve communicating in fresh ways, relying on God to make that connection that will penetrate a heart and hopefully change a life.  We are called to be willing vessels, carrying the message of grace through Jesus Christ - He will inspire and direct us as we make ourselves available.

Isaiah 43 can help us to reflect on the identity of the God of Creativity:
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." 16 This is what the LORD says-- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
The organization "Movie to Movement" posted a chart on Facebook that listed the top 10 films in 1981, 91, 2001, and 2011.    It was also designated if the film was an original, an adaptation, or a screenplay. 

Let's just take the top 5 of each year:
In 1981, it was Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Superman II, Arthur, and Stripes - 4 out of 5 originals, 8 original films in the top 10.
In 1991, the top 5 were Terminator 2, Robin Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Silence of the Lambs, and City Slickers, which was the only original in the top 10, not adapted from another work or a sequel.
In 2001, Harry Potter, the first Lord of the Rings film, Shrek, Monsters Inc., and Rush Hour 2 comprised the top 5 - 5 out of the top 10 were sequels that year.
Last year, in 2011, 8 out of the top 10 were sequels - Harry Potter, Transformers, Twilight, The Hangover, and Pirates of the Caribbean.  How many films considered "originals", not a sequel or adapted from a book?  0

The point here - Hollywood is losing its originality.   And, one trend that author and social commentator Phil Cooke highlighted on a recent Lighthouse Report, is that there is a host of Christian filmmakers who are dedicated to communicating life- and faith-affirming movies.  At one point Christians essentially shied away from Hollywood - that is not the case any more.   Last week, Last Ounce of Courage placed in the top 10 in per-screen average, debuting on almost 1500 screens.   This week, Unconditional makes its way into theaters.  

We have documented success stories by Christian filmmakers who are seeking the Creator God, the God of creativity - and originality - in order to tell stories on screen and touch hearts.   We can each ask the Holy Spirit to show us, to give us ideas, fresh ideas, on how we can touch the people around us with Christ's love and truth. 

Movie to Movement is helping to do that - and facilitate it - in film.  It has a stated purpose of promoting "a culture of Life, Love & Beauty. We do this through the production of our own films, as well as sharing others."   Jason Jones, producer of the film, "Bella", has been involved in promoting films with a redeeming message consistent with our faith.   The concept of Movie to Movement actually originated from the process of spreading the word about the little film with a big message.   Jason told BeliefNet:

If all of the church’s in our communities said “We are going to support art that communicates the Gospel of Life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ” can you imagine how our society would be transformed?”…We can preach the Gospel through architecture, we can preach the Gospel through how we behave in the workplace and we preach the Gospel (through film). Now, not everything’s gonna be a Bible story. Jesus spoke in parables not in Bible stories. We can preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in parables that aren’t (necessarily) Bible stories…Distribution is the key. But who is the key to distribution? The person reading this article right now is the key to distribution because they’re the ones that can fill a theater in their community.

God has given each of us a message - and I am confident that He will lead us in communicating it - through our words, through the way we live our lives, and perhaps other creative means through which we can testify to the work of God through us.


 

Celebrating the Constitution

Proverbs 11 serves as a reminder that a collective departure from God's ways can effect a city - or any other entity, say, a nation:
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.  And, this jewel from Proverbs 11:14 - 
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

We are in a time where we are facing challenges that can only be solved by the wisdom of God.   And, I believe one of the root causes is our departure from the standards of the Scriptures - our great experiment in liberty, which has been sustained for well over 200 years, is being torn at the edges, but I really believe the core is still there - collectively, we still know what's right and realize our foundation, but so many have lost sight of it.   That is why we need to pray, and we need to speak - it's not too late to turn things around, but I do think that our shortcomings today are the result of a refusal by some to not acknowledge the ways of Almighty God.  And, that doesn't apply to just political leaders.   We need power today, power that can only be released as God's people pray.

Psalm 33:12 gives us this unwavering truth:
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.  And, I think it's instructive to read the preceding verses, as we recognize that God deals in the ways of nations:
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 

Yesterday was the 225th Anniversary of the Constitution of the United States, and there were celebrations across the nation of this incredible document which emphasizes such principles as justice, freedom, and community.  

And, yes - faith.   There are those that would say that God is not present in the Constitution.   But, His principles are all over it...and there are references to "the year of our Lord" and the reference to Sunday being excluded from regulations governing the conducting of business.

And, there's this whole business of establishment of religion, found in the First Amendment - many stop there, saying that religion should not play a role in a civil government.   But, you must go on and address the phrase that says that Congress should not prohibit the free exercise thereof.  

The Founders recognized that faith was an essential component of a moral and civil society.  Greg Koukl writes in the Stand to Reason blog:

When you study the documents of the Revolutionary period, a precise picture comes into focus. Here it is:

• Virtually all those involved in the founding enterprise were God-fearing men in the Christian sense; most were Calvinistic Protestants.
• The Founders were deeply influenced by a biblical view of man and government. With a sober understanding of the fallenness of man, they devised a system of limited authority and checks and balances.
• The Founders understood that fear of God, moral leadership, and a righteous citizenry were necessary for their great experiment to succeed.
• Therefore, they structured a political climate that was encouraging to Christianity and accommodating to religion, rather than hostile to it.
• Protestant Christianity was the prevailing religious view for the first 150 years of our history.

However...

• The Fathers sought to set up a just society, not a Christian theocracy.
• They specifically prohibited the establishment of Christianity--or any other faith--as the religion of our nation.

I wrote in the September edition of River Region's Journey magazine these words, as I examined the phrase "Christian nation":

There is misunderstanding today about what it means to be a Christian nation.   There are those who would expect such a nation to look like a theocracy, where the priests or pastors are in charge and everyone is forced to practice one particular brand of religion.   That is not, and never has been, the America we know – those involved in the founding of our nation had a diverse religious background and were dedicated to religious freedom.   They were averse to establishing a state church.  But, it is very apparent that the principles of faith were built in to the precepts of freedom. 

I believe that America has been blessed and sustained because of our deep religious faith and an emphasis on moral character.  Many recognize that our nation is on a course away from the principles of God.  I sense a growing hostility toward people of faith, and a lack of knowledge, or forgetfulness, about the role of faith in our nation’s history. 

So, we rejoice in the assurance of the verse that tells us that "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."  Our Constitution is an amazing document, 225 years old, and our great experiment in liberty is being challenged - that's why we need to pray, diligently, for our nation.

The Power of Connection

Paul addressed his first letter to the church at Corinth by saying:
2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

We are each part of the body of Christ, the church of the living God, and because the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us and all who call upon the name of Jesus, we are connected - one with Him and with each other.   And, because God has placed us in the world with millions of other people, we share the globe with them, and the Lord will use relationships to bring glory to His name, to fulfill His purposes, to touch each other's lives, sometimes in profound ways.  We are not called to our own little spheres in isolation, but we are called to recognize the big picture and to make the most of those connections that God has given to us.

Paul gives us a sense of the "big picture" of how we are connected by the Lord in Romans chapter 1:
8 I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Did you know that Google has added yet another feature to its already rich stable of so-called "easter eggs"?   To back up just a bit, an easter egg is described as some sort of intentional hidden message or even a humorous response, that is hidden and brought to light when you type in a certain phrase or set of commands.   For instance, typing "let it snow" into the Google search bar will result in the effect of snow falling across your computer screen.  If you type in a request for directions from New York to London or perhaps other locales involving a trip across the ocean, you might see instructions for swimming, jetskiing, or kayaking. 

And the latest - type in the words "Bacon number", followed by the name of a Hollywood actor.  This is a take-off on what the website, oracleofbacon.org has been doing for years - the premise is that most actors are within 6 degrees of separation from the actor Kevin Bacon, of such films as "Footloose", "A Few Good Men", or "Apollo 13".   This game has been around for years, and plays off the premise that someone who has been in a film with Bacon, or someone else who has been in a film with Bacon, and so on.   The actor's "Bacon number" represents the number of connections that it takes to lead you to Bacon.   For instance, Paul Newman's Bacon number is 2.  Paul Newman and Tom Cruise appeared in The Color of Money.  Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon appeared in A Few Good Men.   It was Paul Newman's face on a bottle of salad dressing that inspired Bacon to think that he could leverage the popularity of this game to popularize good works - and so he established, sixdegrees.org, which is a charitable site.  

The Bible is a book of connections - I would hope that your "Jesus number" would be 1; that you know Him personally and would seek to make Him known to others so that they might come to know Him, too - so often, people can regard the Lord as the person that someone else knows or follows, but they do not enter into a personal relationship with Him.

And, as Kevin Bacon has stressed, the world is really a very small place, and the concept of "six degrees of separation" is maybe more realistic than we might think.   Wikipedia describes it as the  idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person on Earth, so that a chain of  "a friend of a friend" statements can be made, on average, to connect any two people in six steps or fewer.    Our connections can be viewed as divine appointments, people God has placed in our lives to be companions, maybe even to be brothers or sisters in the Lord, perhaps brought across our path in order that we might share Christ with them, or provide encouragement.  We can pray for these people with whom we're connected.   God uses connections for His glory, and as we are sensitive to how God might use us in someone's life, or vice versa, we become participants in an incredible work that He wishes to do.

Unexpected Treasures

We serve a God who is identified in the first chapter of the book of James as the giver of all good gifts:
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

God is at work all around us, in a much more consistent way that we realize, I think.   And, God will intervene in our lives, to provide direction, to arrange circumstances for our good and His glory, and to bring spiritual growth.   It's important that we develop a sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit, learning to recognize those "God-moments", when He shows up, when He is directing us, when He has orchestrated a divine appointment.   As we gain an awareness of His presence with us, we learn to walk closer with Him.

Proverbs 2 points to God as our source of wisdom, who will bring us His treasures, even in the moments of life when we may not expect:
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.


Here's an interesting and instructive piece from the Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail:

A lady went to a West Virginia flea market and discovered a box of a few random items - she figured she could possibly that brown leather Paul Bunyan doll to folk art enthusiasts for a tiny profit.  She did like the plastic cow.    There was also a painting in the box - with swirls of green and pink, carrying a plaque emblazoned with the word RENOIR.  She did like the golden frame, but assumed the painting itself was a fake.  She paid the $7 for the entire box, and put it in her shed.

Now, about two years after that visit to a flea market, the woman is selling the painting through the  Potomack auction house, which determined that the piece is a bona fide work by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the renowned French impressionist.  The auctioneers think the painting could yield as much as $100,000, if not more, when it goes on the auction block Sept. 29.   For the painting, you see, is the original 1879 work with the English title of "Landscape on the Banks of the Seine."

You know, this reminded me that sometimes things are not as they seem, and there can be treasure in the unexpected every day.  Sometimes God will show up in ways that we do not recognize.   And, when He does, it's important that we are sensitized and that we follow His direction and perhaps learn the lessons that He intends. 

Even in the mundane, everyday, $7 events of life, when everything seems to be routine or insignificant, God may be working something highly significant, to bring honor to His name and to remind us of His faithfulness.  And, when we discern that we are in the midst of a "God-moment", we can prayerfully and intentionally step out and follow Him into what He has in store for us.   So, when life seems pretty ordinary, remember that you have a relationship with an extraordinary God, who is working and speaking, and always with you - with that mix, you know that He can intervene in our lives and bring the unexpected in order to bring His will to us.

The Call of an Ambassador

As ambassadors for Christ, we can have the assurance of God's appointment and the tools to carry it out.   Here is what 1 Thessalonians 5 says:
21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.  We serve a faithful God, and He has placed confidence in us to communicate His message - to speak the truth AND to live the truth.   As we pursue the course of a Christ-following ambassador, we know that we have powerful tools available to us, activated by the Holy Spirit, so that we might live a life pleasing to Him. In challenging days, we can demonstrate our reliance on the presence of Almighty God, who will sustains us.

2nd Corinthians chapter 5 can encourage us regarding our purpose, and our mission:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

I have a great admiration for Ron Hutchcraft of "A Word With You", heard every weekday morning at 5:50 on Faith Radio.  If you're used to waking up at listening to Dr. Jeremiah on "Turning Point", I would recommend perhaps getting up 10 minutes earlier to catch Ron.

And he has nailed it - again - in his latest blog post.

In light of the tragic death of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and 3 others at the attack on the U.S. Embassy, Ron wrote this:

Sounds like the man we lost is the kind of person we want representing our country. Proficient in the language, out among the people, building relationships, taking risks so folks can be free.

An ambassador.

With that word plastered all over the headlines today, I keep thinking - I'm one, too. Just like every one of us who belongs to Jesus. It's right there in black-and-white in the Bible: "We are Christ's ambassadors" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Today's news is a vivid reminder of exactly what that title means. An ambassador is appointed by the highest authority there is (in this case, the President of the United States) to represent him in a specific place. Sometimes requiring risks - and yes, sacrifice.

So, along with all my spiritual brothers and sisters, I've been assigned by the highest Authority in the universe to represent Him wherever He places me. That makes the Jesus-follower the most important person in the room, whether anyone recognizes it or not. Because he or she is representing Heaven.

That means I must act like Jesus, respond like Jesus, no matter what my circumstances or treatment. No excuses for losing my temper, being harsh, compromising my integrity, acting selfish, flirting with sin, being too busy for people who need me. Because He has staked His reputation on His ambassador. He literally says I am where He's put me "on Christ's behalf"...

I continue to be struck by the dangers that are evident in the world today - and we can feel sometimes so helpless and vulnerable when we read headlines emerging out of nations such as Libya, Egypt, and now Yemen.   When we see Israeli leaders poring over intelligence data and weighing the cost of their action, or inaction, against a nation whose President breathes threats of annihilation of the Jewish people, we have to be concerned - and our hearts break.

It's an uncertain time here at home, with economic conditions still unstable, and with the news that another Christian organization has protested the threat to religious liberty that is the mandate that employer-provided health care plans provide objectionable products, and the almost daily headlines concerning the freedom to practice of faith being restricted, it's time to pray.   And, as Joel Rosenberg pointed out in the opening session of the Epicenter conference last night:

We are to be watchmen on the walls. When we see threats, we need to warn people. We need to stand up and speak out. We need to act in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christians may have very little geopolitical influence, but we are not powerless.

We can pray. We can preach the Word. We can proclaim the Gospel.

And, then, turning to the Middle East, he said:

We can encourage and equip our brothers and sisters in the epicenter. We can show Christ’s love and compassion to all in the epicenter.

Jesus commands us: Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. And love one another.

As ambassadors of the Most High, God is calling us to be faithful - you and I may not be governing the direction of world events, but I believe we are to be found faithful in living our lives in such a manner that we bring hope amidst uncertainty, and help to those in need.   Sometimes, it may be risky, often the way can be hard, but we have been sent on a mission, and the one who has called us will sustain us.

God's Hand in the Midst of Upheaval

In His prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for people to come to know Him:
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Evangelism is supported by the prayers of God's people.   And, we are hearing dramatic stories of people coming to Christ all over the world, especially in the Middle East.   Jesus said to pray for laborers to go into the harvest fields, and He has given us the Great Commission to go into all the world - that is His heart, and He is using a variety of means to share His message so that people might come to know Him and experience eternal life.   Pray that God will touch hearts in various nations of the world!

The apostle Paul encouraged us to be in prayer in a number of different ways.   He wrote in Ephesians 6:
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains.

The Middle East is exploding...

Yesterday, 4 Americans, including Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens lost their lives in an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi.    Also, in Egypt, Islamist protestors climbed the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.    The catalyst was reported to be a film by an Israeli filmmaker who lives in California, a film that does not present the founder of Islam, Mohammed, in a positive light.  

Isn't it interesting that to protest this film, that protestors responded with violence?   Against American interests?   On the same day that 11 years ago, radical Muslims attacked American buildings, financial and military symbols, and killed almost 3,000 people?  

Despite the claims by some that America is not a Christian nation, America is still regarded by those in the Islamic world as the primary representation of the Judeo-Christian ideals.   So, when radicals engage in violent protests, Israel and the U.S. are the principal targets.

And, this tension in that region of the world was predicted long before there was a Mohammed or an Islam - pre-written history by prophets such as Ezekiel and Daniel, who foresaw nations united to come against Israel.   And, since Israel and the U.S. are aligned in the minds of Islamic fundamentalists, then we become the objects of their wrath.

I've been fascinated with the rhetoric that has been emerging.   There was an apparent apology by the Embassy itself condemning "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions"  An early statement by the Secretary of State seemed to have an apologetic tone, as well.  And, the President said:

While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

The Middle East, specifically the Muslim world, is exploding politically - the Arab Spring has brought new leadership in several nations and has set the U.S. on a very tricky political course - we need to pray for our leaders.

But there is a spiritual explosion taking place, as well.   A number of Christian leaders are citing the growth of Christianity in these nations.  I turned to Jim Denison's blog, in light of the fact that he has written a book about radical Islam.   He says this:

...I'd like you to know about Tom and JoAnn Doyle, dear friends of mine and missionaries with e3 Partners to the Middle East.  Across their years in the Islamic world, they have witnessed first-hand one of the greatest miracles in human history: the revelation of Jesus Christ to Muslims around the globe.  Tom's new book, Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? tells the story of this astounding movement.  From Egypt to Saudi Arabia, from Iran to Jordan, from Syria to Iraq and Afghanistan, his stories read like the pages of the Book of Acts.

One chapter tells of an Egyptian evangelist who was rousted from his bed at gunpoint and forced into a room where he was convinced he would be executed.  There he met a group of It'simams (mosque leaders) who had been converted to Christ through visions and dreams and wanted him to teach them the Bible.  Another chapter introduces us to a woman in Saudi Arabia who met Jesus in her dreams and now worships in her bathroom as she prays for her husband to come to Christ.  Each story is proof that God is on the march.

Why is the Spirit using dreams to reach Muslims today?  They are open to such revelation, as their faith began with the visions of the Prophet Muhammad.  Since 60 to 80 percent of the Muslim world is illiterate, God would need to speak to them verbally and directly.

And many Muslims live in countries closed to missionaries and Bibles.  

There are reports throughout the region of believers who are coming to Christ through sovereign, supernatural works of the Holy Spirit - these have been reported by organizations such as the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as Joel Rosenberg's Joshua Fund.

It is truly amazing, when you think about it - in the midst of unrest in that section of the world, God is on the move!   So, when you hear stories of conflict and violence in the Middle East, regard that as a prayer prompt, to intercede for people to come to Christ out of the upheaval.