Labor Day Reflections from an Unlikely Source

Labor Day is coming up this weekend, and while some it marks the start of college football season and for others a last blast for a short vacation, it could also give us an opportunity to reflect on the Biblical concept of work.   2nd Thessalonians 3 underscores its value:
10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right - and it is certainly right to do meaningful work, and to work hard, as unto the Lord.  Christians have a chance to be a shining example in the workplace - displaying a gracious attitude toward our employers, or, if you are a supervisor or business owner, showing charity toward your employees.   Even though an overwhelming majority of Americans say they don't like their jobs, our fellow workers don't necessarily have to know that, if we are a member of that majority.   We are called to not be complainers, but encouragers.   As followers of Christ, I think that we can display His character, even if we're in a situation where we are not satisfied.   In all things, we can strive to be the best employees, recognizing that honors the Lord.

In Colossians 3, we see a great template for how we should approach our work, and the attitude that God desires us to have toward our work:
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.And, I think you could easily apply that verse to the employee-employer relationship, as we think about doing our jobs sincerely and honoring to the Lord, even when our bosses aren't looking.   Now, we read on:23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I don't really want to devote precious air time to discussing the MTV Video Music Awards last Sunday night, and I certainly don't want to critique to highly offensive performance by one Miley Cyrus.   Her "brand" is defined by "shock and awe", and she contributed to a long line of shocking performances in that particular venue.  

It has been said that publicity is publicity - good or bad. And, if you want to calculate dollars, even at the expense of decency, well, then Yahoo! reports the performance, or whatever it was, has resonated hugely across the social media landscape, and has even bolstered Cyrus' album, single and video sales.

(As TheWrap previously reported, her lascivious stunt fueled a Twitter record with an unprecedented 306,100 tweets-per-minute, according to MTV.  By VMAs-end, Cyrus had been referenced 4.5 million times on the social site.   The name, "Miley" was tweeted a total of 9.4 million times between Sunday and Monday. "Cyrus" also saw a significant increase, as did mentions of her twitter handle, @mileycyrus.
According to the network, her latest album shot to No. 5 on iTunes album sales chart following the MTV performance.)

Sad, isn't it?  But, she is furthering the Miley brand, without moral guardrails - it's really just another instance of Hollywood values, or lack thereof, impacting the culture.   And, while there are some that were incensed by the lewd display, it's just another expression of the sex-soaked mindset that is prevalent in the entertainment culture - this one just happened to be a bit more extreme.   But, it's hypocritical for those that engage in producing suggestive material, perhaps less so, to be incensed about this expression, when they are releasing the same sort of material, however nuanced.

And, while there has been an inordinate amount of attention about the VMA's, the attention paid to the winner of the Ultimate Choice Award at the Teen Choice Awards, which was on broadcast TV, on Fox, recently has paled in comparison.    Now, Ashton Kutcher has his own problem with highly suggestive material, as it's presented in "Two and a Half Men", but he chose the awards show to deliver a message about work and responsibility, which is actually a message that today's teens really need to hear - and heed.

According to an excellent piece by Cal Thomas for WorldMag.com, Kutcher said:

“I believe that opportunity looks a lot like hard work. … I’ve never had a job in my life that I was better than. I was always just lucky to have a job. And every job I had was a steppingstone to my next job, and I never quit my job until I had my next job.”

Kutcher wasn’t through:

“The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart and being thoughtful and being generous..."

He also said that people will sell you concepts to "make you feel like less.  So don't buy it."

Now, as Cal points out:

Not many millennials are hearing this message. Maybe some get it from their parents, but many teens and young adults don’t discover such wisdom until they are parents, if then.

For older adults, Kutcher’s remarks are so obvious that when they were teens they would have been unremarkable and nearly universally believed, if not always practiced. They resonate today because of the dire condition of the nation’s economy and because of moral libertarianism—whatever feels good goes; whatever works for the individual is right, even if the good of society suffers. More and more people seem to be looking for a lifeline. Kutcher threw them one.

This coming from a “a fiscally conservative, socially liberal independent", who supports gay rights and same-sex marriage. He was raised Catholic and has dabbled in Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism. He's a supporter of President Barack Obama, but doesn’t like his healthcare plan.

So, as we approach this Labor Day weekend, I wanted to build briefly on Kutcher's comments on the value of work.  Ashton highlighted not only the importance of work, of hard work, but also of some of the qualities that we express, which can be applied to our work - and our lives - being smart, thoughtful, and generous.   These are bedrock values, which are beneficial for us individually and for society at large.  

The Bible instructs us to possess a certain attitude about the work that we do - we are called to do it as unto the Lord, meaning we regard our jobs as opportunities to radiate the character of Christ and by so doing to bring glory to His name.

I believe Christians should be the hardest working people, the most diligent, and the most excellent, whether its on a construction site, in a restaurant, or a law office.   We also should be the most honest - integrity is a value that flows from our dedication to pursuing and practicing truth.    Even if you may feel that God is directing you to a new job, that doesn't mean that we slack off on the old one or display a less-than-charitable attitude.

If you have a job, be thankful.   If you don't have a job, I trust that you are diligently seeking employment, faithfully praying, and then leaving the results up to God to place you in that proper position.    Work is a gift - and it's part of the overall plan that the Lord has for our lives.  

Living the Dream

On this day where we celebrate the words and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King's speech in Washington, I want to reflect on a passage of Scripture that was used in the speech.   He used Isaiah chapter 40, verses 4 and 5 - I want to read beginning in verse 3:
3The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.4Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;5The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Dr. King's dream involved a society that exhibit a God-honoring view of other people - no matter what the racial or cultural background might be.   And, I believe that all of us would embrace that dream.  But that concept is rooted in a deep morality that is based on the Scriptures.   So, we can ask ourselves as we pursue our own individual dreams - do our endeavors and our attitudes glorify God?   Do our thoughts about and actions toward other people show that we value them and view them as Christ would see them?   A harmonious society reflects a deep-seated respect for other people and a deep sense of values that are consistent with God's truth.

It was 50 years ago today - civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an iconic figure who was the predominant faith of the movement for racial equality and harmony, stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered the words that continue to inspire today.   He used several direct or indirect references in the speech including Amos 5:24:
24But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

This is part of an overall passage about that topic of justice that includes the words from earlier in the chapter:
14Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.15Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

Dr. King's speechwriter has said that the words to the "I Have a Dream" speech were ad libbed to a certain extent and perhaps not intended to be included in speech originally.   But, listen to the words, that were rooted in the Scriptural view of how humanity is regarded by God and how He intends for us to relate to one another:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

These are words taken from the Declaration of Independence and refer to a creator God, who has formed each of us with innate value and enormous potential.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

He makes reference to past history, but recognizes that it could be a possibility that we could put that aside and walk in a new sense of unity with one another, no matter what our race or background would be.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

Powerful words indeed - describing injustice and oppression as miserable components, that could be replaced with the "oasis" of freedom and justice - which are, again, Biblically-related qualities.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

What an amazing statement and really a creed that can challenge each of us as believers as we examine how we regard and treat one another - that our diversity becomes not a wedge, but a component to be celebrate - recognizing that God is a God of unity and not division.

I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

Another powerful picture, and one that should have its manifestation in the body of Christ, as a shining example to the world around us.   In a culture that has been bitterly divided, we can walk in the balm of God's love.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

Not unexpected that a Christian minister would use Scripture.   After all, the civil rights movement and the church are inextricably linked.  Dr. King uses this passage in the last of his 6 "I have a dream" statements - it's taken from Isaiah 40, part of a Messianic prophecy that shows what life will be like under the governance of our Savior.   Racial harmony reveals the glory of God.

Already, I have seen statements to the effect of, "I have a dream that__________" and "What's your dream?"   We have to ask ourselves what a culture that is based on the principles of Scripture would look like.  Certainly we would want the presence of Christ to be revealed and His principles to be exercised.   

We miss it in so many ways, not just in the racial sense, but also regarding the way we treat one another generally - because we have not embraced the concept of the sanctity of life, we do not value other people in the way we should.   Crime grows because of the depravity of the human heart and murder festers in an atmosphere where the life of another is not regarded as sacred and of inestimable worth.   People steal because they do not value what belongs to another.   And, we wallow in pornography and cesspools of sex and violence in our entertainment choices because we do not value what is good and right.  But, in the midst of a culture that does not reflect the glory of God, we can release the goodness of God and the love of Christ by the way we live our lives, the way we love our families, the way we regard others as better than ourselves, humbling ourselves before the Lord and serving others.    The fulfillment for a dream of a society operating in the ways of God is to start with what we know and have been given, one step at a time, and change the world by changing our corner of it.   

Finishing the Course

In the Christian life, we can apply and abide by principles that will contribute to longevity - we can build our lives on a strong foundation so that our lives are productive for the kingdom of God.   And, this includes building marriages and family relationships that are built to last.   In 2nd Timothy chapter 2, Paul writes:
19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

This life is temporary, that's for sure, and we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and the things of eternity. But, in this life, He will call us to undertake endeavors that are somewhat permanent, at least in this world. If we're not careful, we can make decisions that so often have long-term consequences, but they are made with only a short-term perspective.  If we are to say at the end of our lives that we have fought the good fight, then that involves make every decision with an eye on eternity - engaging in quality activity based on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.   That's why it's important that we adopt a "built to last" philosophy in our decision-making.

As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he wrote these words in 2nd Timothy 4, which can challenge us to build our lives to last, on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ:

7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
You think about the vow, "til death do us part". Well, Ruthie and Harold Knapke didn't really have to experience that very much...they were just days away from celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary when they both suddenly passed away on the same day earlier this month - a "coincidence" that their grandson attributed to their faith in God.

The Christian Post reports that the couple's grandson, Jeff Simon, told FoxNews.com:  "I don't think any of this would have happened without God...It was very hard to see them both go at the same time, but it was a good thing in the end and to see the miracles God can do."

The Ohio couple met in third grade but began their relationship when Harold served in the Army in World War II.  The couple had six children and 14 grandchildren and remained devoted to each other their entire lives. In her eulogy, their daughter Margaret Knapke spoke of the sustaining love that they had for one another.

"In recent years, we often speculated that Dad was still here, in this life, because of Mom. It seemed that, even though his health and strength were so very diminished, he couldn't stop being her protector; it seem he didn't want to leave her behind," she said.

"When it became clear that Mom was dying — and Dad understood that — he spent a mostly sleepless night," Margaret said. "The next day, Friday, there was a certain calm about him, and he began to fail rapidly. As you might know, Dad died 11 hours before Mom did — both of them on Sunday — and we believe he did that as final act of love for her. We believe he wanted to accompany her out of this life and into the next one, and he did."

The Knapkes obviously had a marriage that was built to last - on a firm foundation of faith.   And, that's a real challenge for us as believers: to allow our homes to reflect the character of Christ.  Not only is marriage a reflection of Christ and the church, but it's an opportunity to glorify Him as we walk in love toward each other.  As their daughter said, they had a "sustaining" love for one another.

This couple lived a full life with one another - and their lives came to an end at almost the same hour.   When the apostle Paul was coming to the end of his life, and he sensed it, he declared that he had fought a good fight and finished the race.   If we are living our lives in sight of eternity, we recognize that we have a finite number of days on this earth, and we are a called to live them to the fullest, so that we can look back on our lives and realize that we have attempted, and hopefully been reasonably successful, to live according to God's will for our lives, holding nothing back from Him - living passionately, loving the people placed in our lives, and seeking to exalt Christ.   We do well to live with the end in mind.

Defending Marriage By Demonstrating It

In Colossians 3, we see a guiding principle for our lives and our relationships:
17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Then Paul moves into the dynamics of the marriage relationship:18Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.19Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

I think you can relate these two verses to the previous one, and be challenged to walk out our faith in front of our family.  Our homes can be incubators where we can effectively live out the principles of Scripture, where we demonstrate to our spouses and our children that we really love the Lord and desire to apply His principles.  There's a built-in accountability for our belief and corresponding behavior in the confines of the home.   And, as we apply God's truth and live it out inside the walls of our home, then we can testify to the greatness of God and His work in and through our families, to a culture that needs to see strong families, a tangible demonstration of God's love, communicating what His intended relationships look like.

The marriage relationship is powerful and a marriage based on the definition found in the Scriptures is a depiction of Christ and the church:
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Last night in Anaheim, California, a crowd of some 43,000 people witnessed the testimony of Phil Robertson, who is the "Duck Commander" of the company he founded, Duck Commander, manufacturing duck calls and calling on people to follow Christ.    As I shared on the show Friday, Duck Dynasty has the second-largest audience on cable television, and its programs will routinely outrank much of broadcast television.    In Auburn this past Saturday, two of Phil's sons, Si and Alan, spoke to a good crowd at the Auburn Arena as part of a benefit for East Alabama Youth for Christ.

On Friday, I read a piece from the Parents Television Council by its Senior Writer/Editor Christopher Glidemeister about the family-friendly elements of cable, as he pointed out that really 2 out of cable's top 20 shows were highly objectionable.   He has also written a piece called, "Why Hollywood Doesn't Get Duck Dynasty".  In it, he writes that "Duck Dynasty’s faith and family emphasis is key to its popularity."  He goes on to say:

The very things that make the Robertsons appealing to American viewers are the things Hollywood finds most abhorrent: a traditional family with a relatively conservative worldview rooted in a deeply-held faith. The program’s emphasis on faith – and the fact that the positive portrayal of religion is so rare on television — is the reason it remains unique, popular, and draws in viewers. But so great is Hollywood’s disdain for religion that, according to cast member and family patriarch Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty is heavily edited by A&E bosses to omit most religious content: “We can’t get into spiritual matters on the show too much..."

He goes on to highlight other shows that depict a traditional family that embraces religious values.  He points out that, "even when programs created by the industry itself reflect such values, they are ignored. Witness the case of the CBS drama Blue Bloods, a program about a close-knit family of Irish Catholics, all of whom are either police officers or are involved in the New York City justice system. Like Duck Dynasty’s Robertsons, the Blue Bloods’ fictional Reagan family is religious; the characters’ moral choices are clearly informed by their faith, and each episode includes a family dinner (before which the family prays), during which the members discuss how their morals should shape their reactions to their jobs, with all family members trying to “do the right thing.”

Blue Bloods has garnered little attention in the media or trade press, despite the fact that it averages 13 million viewers every week.  It has been relegated to the 9pm (CT) time slot on CBS, which is hardly a springboard to success; yet, it reportedly is in or near the top 10.

And then there's Christian actress Patricia Heaton's latest foray into prime-time television, The Middle.   Glidemeister points out that The Middle is successful because it mirrors the experience of most real-life families living in “the middle”: a Midwestern, lower-middle-class traditional nuclear family, with a strong father figure, a competent mother, and three children with wildly different personalities, all of whom have relatable worries and concerns like school problems, dating difficulties, trouble paying the bills, and a leaky roof. And while the program gives a humorous tilt to the Heck’s religion, at least the family is shown going to church.   By the way, watch for Patricia in the new Erwin Brothers film due out next year called, Moms' Night Out. 

The thread running through these 3 programs - the depiction of traditional marriage and the God-honoring values.  And, its refreshing to see these relationships depicted.  There is a frontal assault on marriage in our culture today, not just through same-sex marriage, which is getting really an overabundance of attention, but also through the forces such as adultery or even apathy that cause marriages to disintegrate.    More couples are choosing to cohabitate outside of marriage, which introduces a whole new set of issues for those couples who do go ahead and get married.    

The important truth is that God's way is best, and marriage is still a God-ordained entity that has numerous benefits and brings glory to Him.  It is a critical building block of society.  As I wrote in the current edition of River Region's Journey magazine:

Marriage is a God-ordained institution, and to be in a committed relationship predicated on love and respect for one another, recognizing that the Lord has joined the two parties together, gives a tremendous degree of satisfaction. A thriving marriage can encourage and support each of us, and provide a stable environment in which children can grow up. Our homes can be havens for security and habitations in which we can grow spiritually.

In a statement at the end of Stuart Shepard's commentary last Friday, I shared that I believe that it is incumbent on us as believers in God and traditional marriage to live that out before a culture that is hostile to it.   We have to work on our marriages to try to make them the very best they can be, and also recognize that a strong marriage speaks for itself.  I believe that deep down people want the love and stability that a marriage centered on Christ and rooted in His principles can bring.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Paul writes to the church at Colosse about the importance of walking in a manner that reflects the inward change that Christ has made in us.  In the 2nd chapter, we read these verses:
6As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,7rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in itwith thanksgiving.And...9For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

We are complete in Jesus Christ - what does that mean?   That's really one of those mysteries we discover as we press into Christ, as we walk in the new birth, and allow the life of Jesus to flow from our hearts, that have been transformed, into our minds, so that our thinking is renewed, and into our actions.   It is certainly a daily process.   The power to live the Christian life is available, and will help ensure that we are not mistaken for someone who doesn't know Him.    Through choosing to embrace His truth about who we are - our true identity in Him - we can reflect His presence in us.

In 1st Peter chapter 2, we see 2 verses that remind us of our identity in Christ, who were are in Him, new creations who have been born again into a new life:
9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

The loveliest village is readying itself for the East Alabama Youth for Christ and Youth First event tomorrow night called, "Characters of Character", featuring Uncle Si and Alan Robertson of the immensely popular cable show, "Duck Dynasty", and members of the Duck Commander team have been making news this week.

Todd Starnes of FoxNews.com reports that a video has surfaced of Phil Robertson speaking in 2010, doing some proclaiming himself - with a Bible in one hand and duck calls in the other – giving attendees a brief history of the religious liberty in America. He pointed out that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were followers of God.

At a wild game dinner hosted by Berean Bible Church in Pottstown, PA, the patriarch of the family said, “You have a God-given right to live inside your mother...To debate whether it’s right or wrong to rip you out of your mother’s womb? What in the world has happened to us?”

“President Number Three said we hold these truths to be self evident – that all men are created equal,” Robertson said. “He’s a Genesis man. “They’ve been endowed by their Creator – with certain unalienable rights.”

Starnes notes that the show is hailed by viewers for its focus on faith and family.

On a lighter note, Starnes reports that some of the Duck Dynasty family members visited New York recently to promote the fourth season of their hit A&E reality show. The network put the family up in the Trump International Hotel across from Central Park.

Apparently hotel staff member was not accustomed to seeing a fully bearded guest wearing camouflage pants, as in the case of Jase Robertson.   

He told the hosts of the television show ‘Live with Kelly and Michael:  “I asked them where the bathroom was and he said, ‘Right this way, sir...He walked me outside, pointed down the road and said, ‘Good luck.’”

Alan Robertson told Fox News that that hotel worker “...assumed Jase was some homeless guy...This is not our first rodeo — which is another reason I stay beardless.”

Ironically, it’s not the first time the men of the Louisiana family have been mistaken for homeless people.

“One time, we were in New York City and people put money in Willie’s coffee cup,” he said. “Dad was speaking at a church once and one of the members showed him where the homeless shelter was.”

The Robertsons said they were “absolutely not offended” by the incident and said they love staying at Trump Hotel.

“We were laughing — wait until the Donald hears about this,” he said.

Truly, a case of mistaken identity here.   And, I want to key in on that word - identity - as we think together on today's lesson from the Front Room on The Meeting House.   As believers, we may be struggling or operating in a case of mistaken identity.   We have to be careful that our outward behavior does not contradict our inward identity, who we are in Christ.   What we believe about who we are will determine how we behave.

Think about that:  what we believe about who we are will determine how we behave.   If we believe and accept that we are sons and daughters of the Most High God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then that should be what we reflect to those around us.   But, if the life of Christ doesn't flow through us, if the heart change doesn't quite make it to the head to renew our minds and to make good, Godly choices about what we do, then there's a contradiction, and we could be mistaken for someone who is not a believer in Christ.

And, conversely, a person could be mistaken for a Christian because of outward actions that are seemingly pious - church attendance, giving to the needy, doing the right things.  But, if that person is not born again, the outward behavior doesn't line up with the inward condition of the heart, which the Bible says, quite frankly, is desperately wicked.

We have to be careful that the actions that other people see is not windowdressing for a heart that is not attuned toward God.   And, we have to be so careful that our errant actions do not shortcircuit our witness for the Lord.   As Christians, we could easily be mistaken for those who are not.

Breaking Free or Breaking Bad

As human beings, born into a fallen world, our default position, if left unchecked by the redemptive power of God, is to break toward sin.   In Jesus Christ, we can break free - in His strength, we can move in a new direction while recognizing that we have a propensity to do what does not please the Lord.   In Ephesians chapter 4, we are told to:
(22) put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Our default is depravity, but in the Spirit of God, who now lives in our hearts if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can experience the power and wisdom to make good and Godly choices, to walk in a manner pleasing to Him, to honor God in our thoughts - and our actions.   If we accept God's gifts of true righteousness and holiness, and recognize they are available to us, we can rise above the sin that so easily entangles us and experience a fresh touch of His Spirit.

The apostle Paul, in Romans 7, shows the contrast between the inward person, the spirit, activated by the indwelling Spirit, and the human desires resident within the old self, the sinful person, and reinforces the teaching that our human default setting is depravity:
22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.24O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?25I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

I am attracted to spiritual truth contained within popular culture...as we think deeply and critically about the entertainment that we consume, it can provide a platform to not only examine our own lives, but also to relate to others as they are exposed to various types of media.

Jackson Cuidon writes for Christianity Today that the AMC program that is entering its final season, "Breaking Bad", is perhaps the most important show on TV.   Now, this is certainly in no way an endorsement of that program - it has some language and other issues, but this apparently contains some teachable moments, and if we can process some of the themes and even engage in discussion about some of these elements of spiritual truth, then there could be a benefit.

Cuidon sets the show up for us: Walter White is a poor and ridiculously overqualified high-school chemistry teacher with a palsied son and a surprise baby on the way. Then, he is diagnosed with lung cancer. Teaming up with his old student Jesse Pinkman, Walt cooks methamphetamine in an RV meth lab, in the hopes of saving up enough money to provide for his family before he dies.

But Walt doesn't die of cancer. His treatments seem to cure it, or at least put it in a remission deep enough to make us viewers forget about it. Walt comes to the point where he could stop making meth—and continues, ostensibly in service of his family. Then he comes to the juncture again, and chooses to cook meth still, with all the violence and secrecy and heartbreak that it entails. Again and again, Walt is offered opportunities to go back to a normal life, to stop being an outlaw, and at every possible point, he declines. His story is the ur-example of someone whose life continues to go downhill.

Cuidon continues to elaborate:  He says that Breaking Bad is a five-season rebuttal to the idea that there are choices that matter and choices that don't. Walt's pride at a dinner table is ultimately as important to the villain he becomes as his murder, his lying as corruptive as his violence. In director Vince Gilligan's eyes, there's no differentiating between Walt's pride and his rage and his enviousness and his determination to succeed at all costs, to be the Kingpin, the only one. Telling the story of how Walt chose to become the villain takes every minute of all 67 episodes aired so far.

You do not accidentally end up a drug kingpin, says the show...To echo James K.A. Smith, there are very few, if any, "morally neutral" practices. We get shaped by the things we do, or don't do, even unintentionally, even if you're not paying attention.

Warren Cole Smith of WORLD writes that Breaking Bad is one of the most interesting dramatizations of the doctrine of original sin seen in many a year on television. Series creator Vince Gilligan, who was raised Roman Catholic in Richmond, Va., said he pitched the series like this: “You take Mr. Chips and turn him into Scarface.” What he’s discovered in the process is that we all have the capacity to become Scarface.

James Legrand writes at Patheos.com: "Behind all of Breaking Bad's artistic and technical brilliance is a clear and consistent picture of human nature fully consistent with orthodox Christianity. Perhaps no other show has ever presented such an honest and carefully drawn picture of total depravity."  He does point out, though, that "Breaking Bad doesn't show any redemption answering the depravity. Over its first five seasons, the show grows increasingly darker. And judging from recent hints dropped by Gilligan, there doesn't seem to be any light on the horizon. For some viewers, Christian or otherwise, this imbalance may be troubling. Yet judging from contemporary culture—including Christian culture—Breaking Bad's emphasis on sin may be needed today. Many Christians need to be reminded again of Blaise Pascal's observation that 'those who have known God without knowing their wretchedness have not glorified Him but have glorified themselves.'"

Again, this is not an endorsement or even a recommendation.  It is interesting that Christian writers are calling attention to the moral clarity - the distinctions between good and evil  - and the degree of depravity that is wrapped up in the human condition, as depicted in Breaking Bad.

That is not an inconsistent message than what we find in the Scriptures.   The Lord is very clear to draw a distinction between what is pleasing to Him and what is not.  And, as I said earlier, the default position for all humanity is depravity.    We are all sinners with an incredible propensity to break the laws and the heart of God - but, while the world of Breaking Bad highlights the struggle, but apparently does not offer a redemptive element, the ways of God can tell a different story.   We have to acknowledge and even embrace the struggle, as the apostle Paul did, but we can know in our hearts that we have a way out - we can break free, if you will.   But, in order to experience true freedom, we have to have an honest evaluation of ourselves - the Law condemns us and identifies us as sinners, without hope if we remain in a state apart from God.  But Galatians tells us that the Law is a tutor, to lead us to Christ.   When we recognize what sinners we are, we realize that we have a great Savior, who has come to redeem us, to relate to us, and to set us on a path of peace, joy, and victory over the sin that will ensnare us.   If we believe that our choices contribute to our life story, we can rely on Christ and His Word to make solid, informed, and effective choices.

Good Etiquette and Christ's Character

If we just took this passage of Scripture and used it as a template for how we behaved toward other people, what a tremendous difference it could make, standing in stark contrast to a culture that is lacking in civility so often.   In 1st Corinthians 13, we read:
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Rude behavior comes from having the attention toward ourselves, and can result in being totally oblivious to the people around us.  If we are projecting a sense of selfishness and do not attempt to treat others with honor and respect, it does damage to the way that we are perceived, and could hurt our witness.   But, if someone meets a Christian who is friendly, polite, and radiates the compassion of Christ, that encounter can give a believer the a chance to touch a life, to make a mark, to give a good impression that pleases God and brings glory to His name.  So, in being ready in and out of season to testify to the presence of God, we take our minds off ourselves and exercise a grateful and compelling spirit toward others.

In Romans 12, we see a passage that can encourage us to live in manner that pleases God as we show honor and respect to other people:
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

I came across a piece on a blog by a certain cell phone manufacturer, Nokia, the other day, and it really can tell us a lot about etiquette, electronic devices, and being aware of the people around us.

The writer observed that in England, and to a certain extent, in North America, it’s perfectly acceptable to answer the phone with ‘Hello?’, or even ‘Yes?’, and then dive straight in to whatever conversation you wish to have.

He said that while visiting Egypt, he saw that people would spend the first five minutes of any conversation exchanging formal greetings and niceties that included everything from the weather to the extended family of the caller – even if they were complete strangers.  He writes, "This started me thinking: are we English just incredibly rude and abrupt when it comes to answering the phone, or is it that different countries – and different cultures – have different rules when it comes to telephone etiquette? A little research revealed that the latter is true."

There are cultural differences in the way that people answer the phone and how they regard the use of a cell phone.

For instance, In Italy, people generally answer the phone with ‘Pronto’, or ‘ready’, and it is also acceptable to simply say ‘Dimmi’ (‘speak’) – something that would certainly be considered rude by British standards. In many other European countries, including Germany and Denmark, it is normal to state your name when answering the phone, whereas in Mexico and Russia, which he says are countries with history of phone tapping and bad lines, people tend to be more wary about giving their personal details away over the phone.

In countries where mobile phones have been around a long time, it has become commonplace to see people checking their phones while doing almost anything! Phones have become a fast and easy way to stay connected to people, including social media, and it has been reported that nearly a third of American prefer texting to talking.

In countries such as India, Africa and to some extent South America, where mobile phones are a more recent development and are expanding rapidly, people tend to use their phones less for texting and more for calling people – especially any relatives that might be living far away.

But despite these differences, there are certain types of behavior that are considered unacceptable in any society. Talking loudly on the phone on public transportation, or speaking in public about private matters are frowned upon pretty much anywhere. Texting or checking your phone while talking to someone else is also considered rude, as is answering the phone in a restaurant/cinema/theatre/concert etc.

And, as a really cool infographic developed by RepairLabs states:

No matter what part of the world you live in, there is one common rule across the globe when it comes to cell phone use. It is never safe to text or talk on a phone while driving, riding a bike, sledding, or even operating a rickshaw.

This talk of cell phone etiquette can serve to remind us what is rude and what is not.   And, in an age where lack of civility is commonplace and there can be a tendency to become self-absorbed, it can be helpful to us as believers in Christ to reflect on how we reflect His character.

I think if we had access to a portable camera through which we could actually see the way we behave, it would be quite telling.   Dr. David Hawkins refers to a "third eye" that could really be helpful as we evaluate the way we respond to our spouses.   If we could really see ourselves the way others see us, what sort of story would that tell?

We have to guard against the perils resulting from self-absorption.   I believe that the proper perspective based on Scripture is to take the attention away from ourselves and place it first of all on God Himself, and then allow His love and nature to flow from us, so that we develop a desire to be absorbed by Christ and sensitive to the people around us.   I really do think we should be the most polite people on earth, not only because that's how we should operate in a civil society, but because it demonstrates a God-honoring concern for others.    If we claim to know God, yet we repel people by our selfishness, then we could perhaps miss out on opportunities to compel people to know Him.

Great is the Mystery...

In 1st Timothy chapter 3 and throughout his writings, Paul refers to the ways of God in terms of a "mystery":
16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Simple, yet complex; revealed, yet mysterious - that is the nature of the gospel message.   Simply put, God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins.   But, God wants us to know Him, to know His ways, to commune with Him, and to discover more and more about His nature and His presence.   The idea of an indwelling Spirit is not one that is comprehended by natural human understanding - it takes a measure of the Holy Spirit in order to even begin to understand who God is and how He operates.   And, if we think we know Him completely, then we are presumptuously denying ourselves the opportunity to experience the discover of our great God, who is infinite in wisdom and great in power and love.  Oh, God, we want to know You...

In Colossians chapter 1, the apostle Paul makes reference to the mystery of the gospel...even though the plan of salvation is very simple, to know and discover the ways of God is like investigating a mystery, so that we may grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord:
(26) I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.29To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Finally, after all these years, we now know that Area 51 is real.  Actually, I guess that people have known it's there, but it has never been named - until this week.  A National Geographic story featured a Q&A session with  Annie Jacobsen, an investigative journalist and the author of Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base.

She said that the massive 400-page document that was declassified on Thursday really contains very little new information.  Only one page out of the 400 pages is new information. The rest of the report has been declassified for years. The new part is a map that says Area 51 on it.  She said, "That really is news—what it means is that a jealously guarded secret—the existence of an area called Area 51, which the government refused to acknowledge the existence of—actually exists."

Jacobsen says that, "What's interesting is that these incredible spy programs happened out there. The CIA has been declassifying documents about Area 51 since the 1990s, but they have always been told or directed not to reveal the name."   When asked why she thought that was the case, she said, "It is still a mystery. I maintain that the Atomic Energy Commission was doing programs out there that required a much higher level of security clearance and those programs had a much higher degree of classification."

Regarding alien spaceships being housed at Area 51, she said that, "A lot of it was because of the U-2 planes program that started out of Area 51 in 1955. The U-2 planes were used extensively by the U.S. during the Cold War for reconnaissance missions. They flew at an altitude of 60,000 feet (18 meters)—considerably higher than any other plane in existence at the time. As soon as test flights began, people wrote letters to their congressmen and to their local mayors saying, 'I saw a UFO.' But what they saw was the U-2 spy plane."
But, I am sure that the mysteries will remain and there will be plenty of speculation about what is really going on inside this facility known as Area 51.   There is just something about mystery, about intrigue, that can stimulate our thinking and heighten our interest.   Perhaps that's why whodunit movies, television programs, and books are so popular.
So, I think it's significant that Paul refers to the "mystery" of godliness, a mystery that was hidden and now revealed to the saints.   A mystery, according to Colossians 1, that is full of the riches of God's glory.   But, the knowledge only comes as we look for it, as we search diligently, as we allow the Lord to reveal His truth through us by His Word.   How can a mere human come to know God?   It is through the acceptance of Jesus as our Savior, receiving His love and responding in devotion to Him.   In our desire to know more and to grow deeper, we discover more about Him and walk in true discipleship, learning what it means to follow Christ and serve the living God.

Not to Be Ministered Unto...

God has given to each of us unique abilities, and desires to use those resources to honor Him and bless others.   In 1st Peter 4, we get a glimpse into how giftedness can be used for God's glory:
10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11If 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.
Today, we concentrate on students returning to classes, as they learn and grow, stimulating their minds and learning how to develop and use their unique talents.   And, for Christian students, we can help them identify their God-given resources in order that they may serve Him effectively.   For teachers and administrators, we recognize how they are pursuing their respective callings in order to make a significant impact on the children who are entrusted to their care.   We can make it our aim as believers in Christ to be lifelong learners, to grow in the knowledge of Christ and the appropriation of His truth, so that through our attitude of service, He may be exalted in us and fulfill His purpose through us.

In Matthew chapter 20, James and John were jockeying for position among the 12 disciples, and they had even enlisted their mother's assistance in trying to gain a prime spot:
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto , but to minister , and to give his life a ransom for 

many.

For students and educators across the River Region, this marks that magical day when classes resume at a number of schools - some have already gone back-to-school, and I would imagine there are very few that will be returning after this week.  And, whatever happened to the days when I was in school that I had until Labor Day to enjoy my summer?

Today I want to call attention to teachers and one particular teacher who demonstrates to us how we can use our gifts and talents for God's glory.   First of all, a prayer for teachers that has been posted on
Facebook - keep in mind that this was posted as teachers returned to their respective schools almost 2 weeks ago:

Pray for the teacher as she looks at her summer to do list; she might not’ve had a vacation or success in taking care of needs.
Pray for the teacher as she needs to be refreshed and healthy; her summer may’ve included loss, grief, disappointment, or trial.
Pray for the teacher as she has concerns about how her relationships will change with the school year starting: daycare, marriage, family, needy children.
Pray for the teacher as she gets her classroom ready; she may have to move rooms, may not have supplies yet, or might have issues to address.
Pray for the teacher as she attends staff development and meetings; she may have requirements to meet or assignments to finish.
Pray for the teacher as she re-connects with fellow staff & faculty; some working relationships might be challenging.
Pray for the teacher as she sorts through curriculum; a change in grade level, publisher, or requirements can be difficult.
Pray for the teacher as she begins to do her planning; teachers have so much to pack in, and the unexpected will enter in.
Pray for the teacher as she receives information about her students; she needs openness, insight, wisdom, and compassion.
Pray for the teacher as she meets a whole new group of parents; parent relationships are crucial to the success of students & teachers.
Every teacher is a real person who goes to the grocery store, does laundry, has dinner with friends, cries, hurts, and worries.
She needs the Kleenex and the hand sanitizer, but most of all, she needs your prayers.

One particular teacher who has made a tremendous difference in the lives of literally thousands of students grew up in Alabama and moved to North Georgia, where her father had given her large piece of land.  On
that land, she built a small school and began to teach Sunday School classes.

Her interest in opening a school began when she started telling stories and reading to three mountain children who she happened to pass by her home one Sunday.‍‍‍ “On this particular Sunday afternoon, I was in a little cabin which I had fitted up as my ‘den’ enjoying, all alone, the freshness and delight of the spring beauty and blossoms by which I was surrounded. I suddenly became aware of three little faces peering in at me from the window”. These children were shy when she tried to get them to speak. “She tempted them with apples and got them to come in and read them bible stories because they had never heard of them before”. “She told them to come back the next Sunday and to bring along all of their brothers and sisters".

She taught these children in a cabin that eventually grew more with boys, fathers, mothers, and babies, who sat on chairs, boxes, and basically whatever was available. She continued to tell stories from the bible and played a small melodeon, singing hymns to the crowd. Because many of the people could not read, she would say a line from the book of hymns and the group would sing it.

She began traveling several miles each week visiting people who lived near her, trying to teach them how to help themselves. She realized that most of the young children of the people she was helping would not be able to attend school. She also saw women that looked twice as old as they really were because of their poor living and working conditions. She became frustrated when she saw this because she felt like there was nothing she could do to help them. Though she was helping to teach their children how to sing and telling them stories, the children were not learning how to read and write, which contributed to the low education rate of the rural south.

She decided to teach the children things that would benefit them in their daily lives, and decided to make the school into a boarding school - she started with a boys' school and then expanded to girls. At both of these schools, she offered a high school-level education to the boys and girls who were willing to study hard and be focused in their school work as well as working on the school campus. "Her teachings focused on the ‘hands, head, and hearts’ of her students: The ability to learn and work, and the will to do both well. Her motto was and still is the motto of the college that bears Martha Berry's name, “Not to be ministered unto but to minister”.

As her legacy expanded to include a college, the focus also began to shift to raising funds for the school. She kept in contact with notables such as Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, George Arliss, and one of the key benefactors of the school - Henry Ford. Because he was impressed with the quality of education at the schools, Ford donated extensively to the school and was instrumental in building a complex which included dormitories for girls - one is named after his wife, Clara and another after his mother, Mary.

We left East Mary Hall on the campus of Berry College yesterday - our oldest child, our daughter, AnnaBeth, begins classes next week as a freshman at the school.

Martha Berry, who had a love for children and is a great example of someone who used the resources God had given to her to make an impact in the lives of students.  

So, we can be encouraged today by Martha Berry's legacy and realize that we have a calling on our lives, and we fulfill that calling as we allow God to touch our hearts, to illuminate our minds with His truth, and to use our hands to minister to others.   Not surprisingly, Berry College has one of the nation's leading work-study programs for its students, consistent with that concept of using meaningful work to help others.

As we reflect on how our Lord has called us to serve, we can think about what resources He has given to us in order that we might bring pleasure to Him, honor to His name, and encouragement to the people whom He has called us to serve.