We Need Solid, Reliable Information

The 119th Psalm can give insight to each of us regarding the reliability of God's Word and the ability we receive to keep God's Word as we learn it and allow the Spirit to activate us according to God's truth:
101I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.102I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.103How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!104Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
In this age where we have access to so much information, we need solid, reliable information by which we can live our lives.  And, if we operate by the premise that God's way is best - and it is - then we can access the knowledge and wisdom that we need to live our lives by committing ourselves to a careful study and application of the Word of truth in our lives.   Not only that, but we're told in Hebrews that the Word of God is living and active - so not only do the Scriptures provide direction, but also if we allow the Spirit to teach us and the Word to bring life to us, then we can discover that He gives us the strength we need in order to live according to His ways.
In Hebrews chapter 4, we read where God's Word is more than just merely words on a page, but the Scriptures are alive, and can become real and relevant to us as we absorb them into our consciousness and allow the Spirit of God to activate that truth in our lives:12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We need solid and reliable instruction in our lives, and God's Word will give us a blueprint for living - we're challenged in Scripture to live according to the Word of God.   We will do well as we embark on a new year to make time in God's Word a priority in our lives.   But, we also recognize that not only does the Bible give us knowledge about God and His ways, but if we are carefully studying and mediating on God's Word, there is a power that is released in our lives that enables us to actually live the Word.   The Bible tells us in 2nd Peter 1 that He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and He has provided powerful tools in order to live a life pleasing to Him.
The Bible addresses the purpose for the Scriptures in 2nd Timothy chapter 3:16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We recognize first and foremost that the Bible is God's infallible, authoritative Word, and we recognize that it provides us with doctrine - the foundational principles upon which we build our lives.  We're also told it is a source to be used for reproof and correction - it can identify sin in our lives and areas in which we can improve, but not only that, God's Word provides us with the knowledge and, in tandem with the indwelling power of the Spirit, gives us the ability to correct areas that do not please God, so that we can grow in Christ.   Finally, we're told that the Scriptures give us instruction in righteousness - He will teach us and empower us to live a godly life.
We find a powerful passage of Scripture that speaks to the nature of God and the power of His Word in Isaiah 55:8"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.9"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.10"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,11So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The fast-food giant McDonald's in an effort to help employees with work-related issues and life skills had contracted a third-party vendor to set up a McResource Line website.  Last week, CNBC reported the site had been shut down, at least temporarily.

The site has been riddle by flaps, including recent posts bashing fast food.   Several excerpts from the posts warned against the negative effects of fast food, even going so far as labeling a cheeseburger and fries, core items on its menu, as an "unhealthy choice."

A spokesperson said, "We have offered the McResource program to help our valued McDonald's employees with work and life guidance created by independent third party experts. A combination of factors has led us to re-evaluate, and we've directed the vendor to take down the website. Between links to irrelevant or outdated information, along with outside groups taking elements out of context, this created unwarranted scrutiny and inappropriate commentary.

"None of this helps our McDonald's team members. We'll continue to provide service to them through an internal telephone help line, which is how the majority of employees access the McResource services."

Another example that has not been especially beneficial to employees took place in November, when the company detailed tipping advice for workers, many of whom make around minimum wage. It listed pricey suggestions for tipping au pairs, personal fitness trainers and pool cleaners from etiquette maven Emily Post—advice it removed after a CNBC inquiry.

McDonald's also received negative media coverage after it advised employees to get out of holiday debt by returning unopened purchases and after it published a budget guide that included no money for heat and $20 a month for health care.

CNBC reported last week that the website said:

"We'll Be Back Soon!

 "We are temporarily performing some maintenance in order to provide you with the best experience possible. Please excuse us while these upgrades are being made."

And, CNN Money reported in October how a company employee in Chicago called a helpline operator, who told her that she "definitely should be able to qualify for both food stamps and heating assistance."

The representative then pointed her toward a number of resources in Chicago, such as food pantries and a program that would help cover some of her heating bill. She said she would email her specific phone numbers and programs.

The operator also explained that the McResource line is available to help McDonald's workers who need help navigating the process of getting public assistance.

Three takeaways for us:

1 - We need solid, reliable information by which we can live our lives.   We know where we can go to get that information.   We have to do more than just regard the Bible as one source or one voice out of many that has advice for us, or as some sort of recreational reading.   God's Word is truth for us - He brings life to us and Godly wisdom as we study its pages and allow that truth to change us.   We are in need of help, we are in a desperate state without the presence of God - the Bible is a powerful tool for transformation.

2 - The Bible is not a third-party information source.  God's Word offers truth that can be specifically tailored to our personal lives...His Spirit will enable us to personalize those principles that we can apply.   Have you ever been reading the Bible and the words seem to leap off the page, giving direction for a specific dilemma?   When you need to know what to do or how to live, the Word of God is available to bring a message - to me!

3 - God has provided tools for us to grow spiritually.   God's Word is a powerful and accessible resource for us.   Not only do we have the instructions that we need, but we have the Holy Spirit who will provide us with the strength we need in order to live the truth.   We also have Biblical teaching, such as what is offered on Faith Radio on a daily basis.   We have books that help us to interpret God's truth and to shape our worldview so that we can be trained to think Biblically in the situations we face.   He's given us so much - He wants us to grow and be strong in Him.   We have to take advantage of what He has provided.

Fine Dining for the Down and Out

We serve a God who has brought hope into the world - into the realm of fallen humanity that was living apart from Him, He took on flesh, He sent His only Son, so that those who believe in Him can have a life of fulfillment and joy, a right relationship with God Almighty.  Here are some words from Psalm 71:
14But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.15My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.16I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.17O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Thankfully, God does not leave us without hope - that we can be redeemed, that we can be right with God, that our lives will have meaning and purpose, that we will experience satisfaction through Jesus Christ.  In our own human understanding and frail human effort, we do not have any assurances of a fulfilling life, but if we allow Christ to be our life, if we accept His promise of salvation through His death on the cross, then we can experience hope, true love, and inexpressible joy in His presence.

In Romans chapter 5, we read about a hope that can only come from God, a product of the expression of the love of Christ toward all humanity:
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Joel Testa is a developer in the Akron, Ohio area. He recently celebrated his 42nd birthday and asked family and friends for a gift - not for himself, mind you:  He sent out a Facebook message requesting help to feed and clothe Akron’s homeless population during the holidays.

According to Ohio, com, he and his wife shouldered most of the expense personally, but parents, aunts, uncles and cousins plus dozens of friends and Testa Co. employees stepped up to help on short notice.  His daughter’s scout troop made scarves to donate to the project, and a local market donated gift cards to help defray the estimated $2,000 price tag.

Testa said he is passionate about changing the perception people have of the area’s homeless.  He says that,
“Generally, people are afraid of the homeless...The homeless are not lepers. Homelessness can happen to anyone.”

But Testa didn’t stop there. Testa is co-owner of a fine restaurant, and so he and his business partners arranged to prepare dinner for 50 homeless guests at the restaurant.

“Some of these people may never experience fine dining at a world-renowned restaurant,” Testa said.

Keith Stahl of a local agency serving the homeless, Community Support Services said that people need to feel they deserve to walk into a fine restaurant and be served.   He is quoted as saying that it is the first step in breaking the grip of homelessness.  Stahl said, "A lot of the guys lose hope that life can get better for them...It’s such a wonderful thing for them to do.”

And, indeed it was.   I think this demonstration of selflessness can be instructive for us as believers in Christ. During this season, we can look for ways to reflect HOPE.  Jesus came as the fulfillment of a promise, to bring hope after long years of darkness.   His light shone into this hopeless world to bring life, forgiveness, freedom, and He came to fulfill that promise of salvation from God to His people.

I also think there's something highly symbolic about homeless people, some or most of them without a whole lot of hope, dining at a fine restaurant.   Because, isn't that what God did for us?   Humanity had strayed from God - lost without the knowledge of Himself, but He has reached out in our wandering state and brought us the very riches of heaven.   His love has communicated to us that we belong, and Jesus gave of Himself so that we could inherit what He has in store for us.   He did not allow our state of destitution keep us out of His kingdom.

And, we would do well not to allow physical appearance or cultural background to keep us separated from the people who really need to experience the hope of the gospel.  

Finally, I don't know what Joel Testa's faith background is, but he does show us a creative way to turn receiving a birthday gift into giving to others.   I am gratified to see the popular gift alternatives involving giving a gift to a charity or ministry in the name of a person.   Here's a statement that might turn a few heads, but with all the needs around the world and even in our respective communities, doesn't it seem right to take resources that would be spent on a gift that would be taken for granted or maybe never be used and place them in the hands of people who are doing good for those less fortunate?   Something to think about as we seek to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us - as we seek to bring hope to a world that needs to see the light of Christ.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

When we figuratively look into the manger and observe the sleeping Christ Child, there are certain images that can come to mind, and can help us reflect on the nature of the Son of God and how we can relate to Him.   Here is a passage from Luke 2 after the angels had announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds:
15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

In verse 16, we see a brief statement that the "Babe" was "lying in a manger".   After making that observation, it basically changed their lives - they began to spread the Word, and apparently they did so in a compelling fashion, because it is said in verse 18 that people "marveled".   So, we can say that an encounter with Jesus will change our lives and we will be motivated to share what God has done for us.   And, Mary's reaction was contemplated, she "pondered" these things in her heart.   Here during this week of Christmas, we can think about, we can ponder how the coming of Jesus has changed and can change our lives.  Quiet reflection can really be a key component of our lives throughout the year.  And, at Christmas, we can also think about how we can share His truth with others.

In Psalm 4, we are encouraged to seek the Lord and to experience His peace:
3But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.4Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
In verses 7 and 8, the Psalmist writes:7You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.8I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Sidewalk Prophets have that wonderful song, "What a Glorious Night".   It ends by painting a picture of a still Bethlehem where the King is sleeping and concludes with, "Oh, what a glorious night."

If you have had or have an infant in the house, if you've struggled with that child going down for a nap or to bed for the night, it can be a glorious feeling for that child to sleep.  But, I don't think that's the scenario here.

But, we do see the common depiction of a quiet and still Bethlehem and a sleeping child who was the King of Kings - the "glory" is not in the sleeping child, but in the significance of that child - the One who was born was the Lord of all.

There is definitely a thread of sleep and sleepiness in some of our favorite Christmas songs.

Take, for instance "Away in a Manger":  "The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head..."
And, when He wakes up to the sound of the lowing cattle, of course, He doesn't cry, the carol contends.

Then, you have the traditional carol, "Still Still Still", which says:
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.

And, this beloved carol also depicts that quiet night in Bethlehem, the "Silent Night", the "holy night", where...
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace

Now, historically, we also know that Bethlehem was quite crowded because of the influx of people coming in for the census.  That is the circumstance in which Mary and Joseph found themselves.  But, now that they have settled in, the birth of Jesus has come - a central moment in human history!

And, "What Child is This" can help us to contemplate the significance of this sleeping child:

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Perhaps the world is more comfortable with Jesus as a sleeping baby that the Savior of the World, who came to be crucified and is now risen from the dead to become Lord of All.   At Christmas, Jesus is portrayed as a simple, harmless child, but we cannot forget that this innocent, humble child grew up, taught the principles of His Father, and died to save the world.   This sleeping Jesus is now the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings, the humble warrior, who defeated the power of sin and Satan and now lives as the Lord of all!   This is the bold and mighty Jesus, who, even though exalted to the right hand of God, is compassionate toward us and makes intercession, standing on our behalf.

We also think together about the power of stillness.   The Psalmist echoed the call of God to us when he wrote, "Be still and know that I am God".   And, our realization of the presence of the Prince of Peace in our lives can come not when we are busily and perhaps hurriedly pursuing the activities of our lives, but when we have intentionally come away to spend some time in reflection and meditation on and with the Lord we love and serve.

And, we can be reminded about the importance of sleep.   Gallup just released a survey last week. It said that 59%n of Americans get seven or more hours of sleep at night, while 40% get less than seven hours. Those figures are largely unchanged from Gallup polls in the 1990s and 2000s, but Americans, on average, slept much more in the 1940s. Americans currently average 6.8 hours of sleep at night, down more than an hour from 1942.

Medical studies have related a lack of sleep to health problems and cognitive impairment. Therefore, experts typically recommend seven to nine hours sleep for adults. Currently, 59% of U.S. adults meet that standard, but in 1942, 84% did. That means four in 10 Americans get less than the recommended amount of nightly sleep, compared with the 11% who did so 70 years ago.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reported on a survey released at this year's SLEEP 2013 meeting in Baltimore. It said that 83% of Americans don’t get a good night’s sleep on a consistent basis.

Why not? Stress and anxiety were cited as the top reason by 48% of the 1,008 adults interviewed by the polling firm Harris Interactive. In addition, 47% of those surveyed said they simply weren’t able to turn off their thoughts.

Among other culprits:

* 38% of Americans said pain interfered with their ability to catch the necessary ZZZZs.
* 32% said they were too overtired to rest.
* 23% blamed background noise.
* 23% chalked up their lack of sleep to children or pets.
* 18% said they had breathing problems that kept them from sleeping soundly.
* 17% said their spouses or significant others were to blame.

In "O Little Town of Bethlehem", we also sing about the stillness of the night and the calmness of the residents of this quiet little town":
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by

We think of sleep as a positive, but in another sense, the Bible teaches us to guard against a sleepiness or a slumber concering the things of the Lord.  We think of a slumbering world that has grown insensitive to the ways of God.  Casting Crowns takes the concept of a sleeping Bethlehem and broadens it to a world, including the USA, that might be sleeping and miss what Jesus wants to do:

For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today...

In a moving, direct manner, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns challenges us to examine whether or not we are in a state of slumber:

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping.

So, that quiet Christmas Eve can bring us to a recognition of who our Savior is and how He desires for us to enter into His rest and experience His peace, but to also not allow ourselves to be spiritually sleepy.

Overwhelmed by God

Today, I want to think with you about being overwhelmed by God.   The prophet Isaiah offers some reflection on that state in chapter 61:
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Mary in Luke chapter 1 mentioned her soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. When we are feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances, even the stresses of the holiday season, we can take a few moments and allow God to shape our perspective and for Him to overshadow us, to overwhelm us with His love - I think that is the state in which He desires for us to abide.   He wants to be in control of our lives, living squarely in His love and rejoicing in His presence, knowing that is the place in which we can experience what He has in store for us.

In Luke chapter 1, verse 35, the angel brings a promise to Mary:
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

"The All New Mickey Mouse Club" ran from 1989 to 1996 on the Disney Channel and there are quite a few familiar names in the list of alumni.   Britney Spears.  Justin Timberlake. Keri Russell of "Felicity". Christina Aguilera.  Ryan Gosling.  And...Matt Morris.

You know - Matt Morris!  C'mon.  Matt Morris was a clean-cut boy, an Episcopalian from Denver.  The New York Times profiled him recently.  After the show ended, he worked as a songwriter, his compositions recorded by big names like Ms. Aguilera, Mr. Timberlake and Kelly Clarkson.

But, Matt Morris is now known as Teo Bishop, who attempted to keep up a career in pop music, but beginning about three years ago, he began a rise to prominence in the Pagan community. 

He had begun to study the ways of the Druids. He joined the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, a British order. In 2009, using the pen name Teo Bishop, he began blogging about his new spirituality, and in late 2010, he kicked off what became his main site, Bishop in the Grove.

Bishop in the Grove became popular with Pagans of different traditions, its comments section a virtual meeting place. At its peak, Mr. Bishop said this week, the site got as many as 10,000 unique visitors a month. At Pagan gatherings and conventions, he was a treated like a celebrity — and more so because in July 2012 Teo Bishop came out as Mr. Morris, merging his two public identities. He also changed his name legally.

In October, he wrote online about the new Christian-related developments in his spiritual life.

In that post, Mr. Bishop told of an encounter with a woman, probably homeless, sitting next to her shopping cart. He gave her some food. “God bless you,” she said to him. That exchange stayed with him, and he soon felt himself called back to God — to a Christian conception of God.

About three weeks ago, he attended an Episcopal church in his hometown, Portland, Ore. He decided beforehand that he would hold nothing back, that he would pray the liturgy despite lingering misgivings about Christianity. “ ‘I am just going to give myself over to it, not intellectualize it,’ ” he told himself. “It was an amazing experience.” 

He also wrote, “I’m overwhelmed with thoughts of Jesus...Jesus and God and Christianity and the Lord’s Prayer and compassion and forgiveness and hope. ... I don’t know what to do with all of this.”

Overwhelmed!  And, he doesn't know what to do, but I would encourage you to pray that God will show Matt, aka Teo, what to do - there are obviously some issues with which he has to deal in his life - how will that affect his relationship with his "husband", who encouraged him to investigate Druidry in the first place?   How great will the pressure of his former Pagan compatriots be?

I think there are several takeaways from this story - for one thing, I can't validate whether or not that Teo has been born again or is even following a brand of religion that could be called Biblical Christianity, so there's not an endorsement here of his experience.   But, he does remind us that people can change.  That's something that we can keep in mind - people can embrace God's light and even turn to Christ, and then we can pray and rely on Him to do His work in people's lives.   I gave a list from 1st Corinthians yesterday about patterns of behavior that God calls sin - Phil Robertson paraphrased that Scripture in his interview.   And, the good news is that we can be transformed by the power of God.

If we are overwhelmed by the Spirit, then we consider the implications of completely relinquishing control to Him.  I think that so often we accept Christ, we are born again, and then we live our lives in our own strength with a degree of a God-stamp on it.  He wants to completely take control of our lives, but He will not override our will.   So in the process of sanctification, of becoming more like Jesus in our thoughts and behavior, we recognize that we must demonstrate a willing heart so that He will be more evident in every area of our lives.

A Duck Call to the Culture

In the 3rd chapter of the book of Titus, we see one of many such passages that we see throughout the Scriptures that delineate between a life lived for God and one lived apart from Him:
3For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 

The Bible is clear about so many areas that are not pleasing to God - the Bible calls them "sin".  And, the Scriptures also teach us how to walk in holiness, that is, in a manner that does bring glory to God.   Unfortunately, due to human understanding and the refusal to accept the ways of God and indulge in sinful pleasures, the culture has become mixed up about right and wrong.   That can motivate us to grow in and demonstrate the character of Christ.   Personal holiness is an important pursuit - as we know Christ better, we seek to be more like Him, rejecting sin and experiencing renewal by the Holy Spirit.

The 6th chapter of 1st Corinthians contains a passage that highlights the regeneration that we have experienced through Christ and His power to turn aside from ways that are not pleasing to Him.  And, Paul outlines specific patterns of sinful behavior.
9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, Phil Robertson, had decided to pass on an interview with Barbara Walters for one of her most fascinating people segments - he went duck hunting instead.   He sent his wife, Kay to the segment.

Phil did decide to take a reporter from GQ magazine out into the woods recently, and now that the interview has been published online, that reporter was hearing and maybe learning a lot more than just about duck calls.  In his own way, Phil took the traditional teaching of the Bible and the church and enhanced it in a way that only the Duck Commander could.

Regarding sin, he said, according to FOX411:

“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong... Sin becomes fine,” he said. “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

Paraphrasing (1st) Corinthians he added: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

Uh-oh.   The star of a hit television series made some comments that don't square with the network's point of view. Cue the cultural power brokers, such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD.  Its representative, Wilson Cruz, predictably stated:  "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe...He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans - who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families."

So, Phil uses Scripture to state a personal opinion and GLAAD is determining what "true" Christians believe? There are plenty of other compelling comments about matters of faith in the article - Phil discussed his lack of understanding of homosexuality from a biological perspective...in a way that I find inappropriate and crude.   And, he had some comments about cultures that he pinpoints as having committed mass murder over the last 80 years.

Well, in less than a day, A&E has taken action.  FOX411 quotes a statement from the network:
"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty...His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

Now, I'm not a Duck Dynasty fan, but I appreciate the way that these guys use this huge national platform to call attention to their faith.   And, who knows, maybe he decided to go to GQ to expand that platform to an audience that may or may not watch the show.  

But, he realizes that fame is fleeting, so why not be who you are, right?  He said in the piece, “Let’s face it, three, four, five years, we’re out of here. You know what I’m saying? It’s a TV show. This thing ain’t gonna last forever. No way."

Once the uproar began yesterday and before the announcement of his suspension, Phil Robertson did release a statement to FOX411:

“I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior.

“My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.

"However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”

There you have it - the gospel according to Phil?  No, the simplicity of the gospel according to the writer Himself.   Jesus taught it - the Great Commandment, 2 components:  love God and love others.   In this increasingly secular culture, that message, and many of those who communicate it, have been rejected, but as I like to say, God's way is best.  Robertson believes the culture would be better off if there were more Jesus - I agree, but so many are prone to reject it.

As I said yesterday, secularism is not working.  But, even though the Bible teaches that human understanding is generally futile, I really believe that trust in human ability is trumping God's truth in so many sectors of society.  I trust that each of us will be motivated to love God as Jesus taught us, with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength, and ask ourselves: how can we love the Lord more deeply?   And, how can we demonstrate that? 

I don't think we back down from speaking freely about our own Biblical beliefs, either, and I think that we can be effective in relating the truth in the context of trusting relationships and make sure we are not repelling the ones whom we are trying to win to Christ.

Living in the Light in a Secular Culture

In 1st Timothy 6, we see contrasting templates for life.  In verses 3-5, we see the description of a life lived in self-reliance, not devoted to the ways of God:
3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
And, then the apostle Paul lays out for us the characteristics of a Godly life beginning in verse 11:11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

In an increasingly secular culture, it is so critical that we hold on to God's principles and attempt, as the Holy Spirit gives us strength, to display the characteristics that are consistent with the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts.   He came to earth to model the behavior that is desirable to Him, and to give us clear direction about how our lives are to be lived.   But, He didn't just set the standard and leave us on our own, He died to defeat the power of sin and to enable us to experience the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, so that we could enjoy His life and display it to others.

We are called to live according to the precepts of Scripture, and our lives are to be distinct, to offer a contrast to the ways of those who do not know or follow God.  We see that contrast highlighted in Ephesians 4:
17This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,18having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;19who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.20But you have not so learned Christ,

Cathy Lynn Grossman is the former religion writer and blogger at USA Today and has now joined the staff at Religion News Service.  I have followed some of her work in the past, and her blog at RNS encourages reader response to a potentially controversial, or at least thought-provoking question.   So, one of those questions I came across was, "Is secularism working?"   Here's the backstory:

The question was asked by the President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Michele Dillon at its recent gathering of sociologists, political scientists and other academics.   In light of that ever-present statistic that 1 in 5 people claim no religious identity in the US, she asked four experts.

Their responses:

Roger Finke of Penn State said that it depends on how you define “working,."  He said that, “Secularism is working when it preserves the collective peace without infringing on the civil rights of others.”  He did say that cutting religious ideas and symbols out of the larger culture offers no assurances of peace or respect for religious rights.

Pippa Norris of Harvard pointed out that, "Affluent countries are increasingly secular” but “the world as a whole has more people with traditional religious values than ever before.”  She said that religion functions to relieve anxiety and stress and support, providing a basis for psychological well-being. The more “existentially insecure” people feel, the higher their rates of prayer and worship attendance. “If your country is more secure, you need less of what religion offers.”

Genevieve Zubrzycki, of the University of Michigan, took a close look at Poland and Quebec where, she concluded “secularism is not working” because it is not creating peace or safeguarding individual rights.

And Wade Clark Roof, of University of California Santa Barbara, saw a problem with Dillon’s question.  He sees American culture is a dynamic interplay between an enlightenment emphasis on reason, tolerance, nature and progress and the dominant evangelical Protestant emphasis on the experience of Jesus, the authority of biblical truth and salvation through faith.   And he said that both secularism and religion are working in individual lives.

What I gather from this conversation is that there was not a definitive "yes" to the question, "Is secularism working?"  If you were to evaluate their answers on a 10-point scale, I think you'd come out somewhere around 20 at best, if 40 is the top.  The answers are exactly what you might expect from those who study religion from a more social science or political science point of view.   

I think that the takeaways are many for believers in light of these answers.   First of all, "working" is a really, really subjective term.  And, there are individual and collective implications.   For the individual, I believe the Bible is clear that a reliance on anything or anyone other than God is an inferior and ineffective way to live our lives.  You may encounter short-term perceived success, but if you are looking for secure and reliable answers, then you have to turn to the God of the Scriptures.   

For society as a whole, we don't have to look far to see the destructive activities that have proliferated as we have become a more secular society.   And, in light of yesterday's comments, this transcends religious symbols and their display - we are seeing an absolute decline in the indicators for a functioning society.  Over the last 50 years, look at crime rate, divorce rate, teen pregnancy, suicide, abortion, now a redefinition of marriage - can anyone honestly say that abandoning God's principles is "working"?   It's not that we need religion as some sort of psychological balm, it's that we need God to direct our lives individually and for His principles to guide our cultural collectively.   

For the scientists, there is an attempt to understand "religion" and "secularism".  And, those are terms to describe systems of belief and their application.   And, the analysis will always fall short, because you miss the component of a personal relationship with God.  Sure, following His principles will produce positive results, but absent an experience of the presence of God, we are merely walking in human strength and understanding.  Trying to attain the peace we seek and the security we crave without knowing Jesus Christ is an empty and futile pursuit.   The Bible promises that secularism, involving a system of self-reliance, will not work.  We have to make sure that we are living in the light of Christ in our culture daily, not pursuing the ways of darkness, but offering a clear alternative to the secular wisdom and activities that are so prevalent.

Christmas...For All of Us

In 2nd Timothy 2, we see a template for behavior that can assist us as we seek to radiate the light of Christ during this Christmas season and throughout the year:
24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Jesus came to earth as a baby, born in a manger, in humble circumstances.  And, that can be a reminder to us about the humility that we are called to display.   Our relationship with Christ is not anything we deserved our earned - it's not because of who we are, but because of who He is.   I really think that the picture of Christ's birth is wrapped in gentleness, and we should be careful to be civil and gentle toward those who do not know Him, firm in our convictions, grounded in our knowledge of God's Word, but patient and prayerful, so that we act in speak with His compassion.

In Colossians chapter 4, the apostle Paul lays out for us a great way to celebrate Christmas - by calling attention to the Christ of Christmas within us:
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

If you're a Seinfeld afficienado, then you probably know that in one episode one of the characters, Frank Costanza invented a holiday - called Festivus.  I was reading a New York Times story about how people are actually celebrating this non-holiday with actual parties.  On the episode, first aired in 1997, Frank tells Kramer that he invented the holiday when his children were young and he found himself in a department store tug of war with another Christmas shopper over a doll. "I realized there had to be a better way," Frank says. 

So he coined the slogan "A Festivus for the rest of us" and formulated some rules:  it features a bare aluminum pole instead of a tree, occurs on Dec. 23, and has airing of grievances and feats of strength as components.  The commemoration does not end until the head of the family is wrestled to the floor and pinned. 

Well, this fictitious observance has given rise to Festivus poles in state capitols in Wisconsin and Florida.   The one in Tallahassee is 6 foot tall and made out of beer cans.   It was placed there by athiest Chaz Stevens, who intends for the pole to make a mockery of the Nativity scene that has been placed at the Capitol by the Florida Prayer Network.  Stevens is quoted by WUSF News as saying, "This is about separation of church and state...The government should not be in the business of allowing religious symbols.” The pole will be on display until January 3.

After hearing about the nativity in the Capitol, an array of groups sent requests to the Florida Department of Management Services to display their holiday messages, like the Tallahassee Atheists and the Satanic Temple of Tallahassee.   There has also reportedly been a menorah on display, that was removed at the conclusion of Hanukkah.

Pam Olsen with the Florida Prayer Network said she’s praying for Stevens as well as the group that posted a banner celebrating freedom from religion.

The TV station quotes Olsen as saying, “It’s Christ in Christmas, and that’s why we put the nativity scene up...I’m not sure what [the Festivus pole] has to do with Christmas or celebrating the season, but you know what? It’s the freedom of speech to put it up here.”

The competing displays led to a brief spat, with Stevens telling Olsen to remove the nativity.

"Well, it won't be removed, because we have freedom in America. Remember that, sir,” Olsen said.

“We also have the separation of church and state government," Stevens replied.

So, I'm confused - Stevens apparently feels he has a right to erect a 6-foot pole mocking religion, but somehow the practice of public faith is somehow not acceptable.  And, that's the false dichotomy we see  in America today - those that hold a viewpoint contrary to Scripture want to express their opinion (and they have a right to) but they want to keep people with an opposing viewpoint silent.

So what can we take away from this odd expression at the Capitol?  First of all, you have to go back to the fact that Festivus was a device used in the sitcom as a protest of sorts to the commercialization of Christmas. I get that - there are many Christians that decry how the central message of Christmas has been diluted and in many cases eliminated from the culture.  We have to keep our eyes on bringing glory to God.   When you have people going to stores on Thanksgiving and fighting - literally - with one another just to get a bargain, there are some misplaced priorities.   And, while so many participate in the shopping experience and while we enjoy buying gifts for one another, some fine tuning of our motives and mindset can be helpful - if we shop, we do it for the glory of God.  When we take part in holiday parties, we make sure that we are celebrating for the glory of God.   Festivus people use the pole as their symbol, and as Christians, we can continually be mindful of the cross as a vivid picture of the meaning of this season.

I do think the way that Pam Olsen responded to Chaz Stevens is a good example for us, too - there are going to be people with whom we disagree.  And, in our current cultural climate, there will be those who do not share our beliefs about Christmas - if they're not turned off by the religious nature of the celebration, they may just rail against the commercialization.  But, at Christmas and throughout the year, we can make efforts to engage those with whom we disagree, and pray for those who do not share our beliefs. And, maybe one surefire way to diffuse a disagreement is to let someone know you are praying for them.

Finally, our radiating the light of Jesus is the best way to honor the Christ of Christmas.  We can put up the decorations, attend the services, and even take part in acts of service, but, we have to make sure that our lives are decorated with the love of Christ, and that what people see is a visible representation of His nature, so that they might be drawn by His Holy Spirit into a relationship with Himself.   Festivus was for "the rest of us", presumably, but Christmas is really "for all of us" - Christ died for all, so that the world may know Him.

What are You Afraid Of?

During this Christmas season, the Prince of Peace is calling you to experience His peace and to walk in the light of His presence.   Isaiah 41:10 says:
10Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Christmas can be a glorious time of year, but it can also be a season in which we come face-to-face with certain fears, that can tarnish our celebration of the season.   It may be rejection - there may be people that we have to face, maybe family members, that we don't want to.   It may be failure - we keep up the pace and try to make just the right impression with our gifts, the meals we prepare, or the parties we attend.   It may just be a desire to withdraw, to not engage with people, or a fear of losing what we have.  You may be experiencing pain and suffering during the holidays - the Prince of Peace is saying that He has not and will not forget you.   He came to earth to die for you, and in Him, you can really live.   Christmas can be a wonderful reminder of the life that He desires for you to experience.

The words are clear and reassuring - we find them in 2nd Timothy chapter 1, where we read this familiar passage:
7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
In verse 9, the apostle Paul reminds young Timothy that God has:9 ...saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

One of those traditions of the season is the annual airing of the classic television show, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - with its somewhat endearing characters, timeless music, and the clarity of its message - eventually.   Charlie Brown is having a struggle with Christmas - he doesn't feel it or understand it, really, and for him, the celebration leaves him empty.  Never mind that he is bombarded by the cynicism of many of the characters in the supporting cast and experiences emotions that children of his age really shouldn't, but do.

So, a despondent Charlie Brown goes to Lucy's makeshift psychologist's booth and attempts to help Charlie work through his issues.   And, here's a portion of the script, from IMDB.com, that I'd like to concentrate on:

Lucy Van Pelt: Are you afraid of responsibility? If you are, then you have hypengyophobia.

Charlie Brown: I don't think that's quite it.

Lucy Van Pelt: How about cats? If you're afraid of cats, you have ailurophasia.

Charlie Brown: Well, sort of, but I'm not sure.

Lucy Van Pelt: Are you afraid of staircases? If you are, then you have climacaphobia. Maybe you have thalassophobia. This is fear of the ocean, or gephyrobia, which is the fear of crossing bridges. Or maybe you have pantophobia. Do you think you have pantophobia?

Charlie Brown: What's pantophobia?

Lucy Van Pelt: The fear of everything.

Charlie Brown: THAT'S IT!

So, the answer is, in Lucy's not-so-expert mind - involvement.   You know the story, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the Christmas play where he experiences more failure, even in the choosing of a pitiful Christmas tree.   The apex of the plot and arguable the most memorable moment of the whole show is the quoting of the Christmas story by Linus.  

The story of the coming of Christ just makes everything clear.  And, so in our lives the coming of Christ, the presence of Jesus can help us focus beyond our fears and experience hope and peace.

Lucy's character reminds us that fears do hold us back in our desire to experience the abundant life.   And, while you may not have a fear of staircases, the ocean, or bridges, our lives can be characterized by other damaging fears that result in insecurity.    The fear of rejection is a huge one.   The fear of failure.   We want to measure up to some artificial set of standards and we try so hard, only to fall short.

The Bible speaks of the fear of death - we're not convinced of what is beyond, so we have a dread that takes root in our hearts.   And, there are people who are just flat out afraid to live, for whatever reason.   Fear paralyzes us, and keeps us from living the way that God desires for us to live in Christ Jesus.

During this Christmas season, we can personalize the coming of Jesus and reflect on how He has not only come to earth as a baby and walked as a man, but how His presence can reside in our hearts.  Isaiah 9 reminds us that He is the Prince of Peace.  In the midst of our struggles, our Savior is there with us to make a way for our hearts to be settled and our lives to radiate a sense of dependence on Him - we need that assurance, don't we?

In the midst of our longing for affirmation, we can experience a God who loves us unconditionally.  Just like Charlie Brown experienced the cruelty of the kids around Him, we may be facing certain aspects of the cruel world around us.   We may be facing the rejection of a family member, the disrepair of a relationship, or even certain tension in the workplace.   We can press in to the love of a Father who loves you so much that He sent His Son for you.

And, we can wear ourselves out trying to perform and seemingly always falling short.  God is calling us out of a sense of "trying" and desires for us to "trust" in Him.  Larnelle Harris recorded a song many years ago that said:

It's not in trying but in trusting
It's not in running but in resting
Not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord.

Maybe you've found yourself running around in circles or running headlong into a brick wall - your life is characterized by frustration, or even anger, because you feel you don't measure up.   Fear of failure is taking its toll - His strength is available to you, to calm your fear, to affirm you hearts, and to enable you to experience the love of a Savior who wants to identify with His love, that never fails.

The Most Generous People on Earth

We can recognize that what we possess actually are possessed by God, who is the giver of all gifts - if we view our resources as belonging to God, then we surrender the use of those resources to Him and allow Him to direct us in how they are spent, invested, or otherwise appropriated:
9Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;10So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

This certainly deals with honoring God with the firstfruits, which I believe would include the tithe from our income.   But, verse 9 also says that we are to honor Him with our possessions, inferring that we honor Him will all that we have.   If we do not cling to tightly to what we think we own, then we will be more generous with those possessions - God will give us clear insight into what we should have, how much, and how much we should give away and bless others.   If we are seeking first His kingdom and have generous hearts, then we can be convinced that He will provide for our needs and He will bless us for our obedience.  As our financial resources increase, we may have even more to bless even more.

The apostle Paul commented strongly and effectively on the subject of generosity in 2nd Corinthians 9, reminding us that God supplies the resources to be generous:
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.9As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."10Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

Well, the person or persons involved in the @TipsForJesus movement hit the Big Apple last weekend.   For several months, there have been instances of tips being given in the name of the Lord in places from South Bend, Indiana, to Chicago, to Utah and even Hollywood.

For instance over the weekend, according to The Blaze website, a $3,500 tip was left on a $391.95 bill at the Smith near Lincoln Center, and $7,000 was tipped on a bill of just under $3,000 at the NoMad in Midtown."

One of the early appearances included 2 tips of just of $5,000 each in South Bend - those were thought to be fraudulent, but a credit card statement was posted on the @TipsForJesus Instagram account to attempt to underscore the legitimacy.   The Instragram account is continuously documenting these escapades, including images of receipts from each good deed and some of the elated faces of individuals receiving these gifts.

A mission statement is present on the account: “Doing the Lord’s work, one tip at a time.”

On the signature line of many receipts, the words “Tip For Jesus” are often written or are stamped somewhere on the receipt.

The Blaze, quoting a New York Post story, reports that the perpetrator of this movement is Jack Selby, the former vice president of PayPal.  

Aruj Dhawan, a waiter at Bo’s Kitchen in New York City, told the Post that Selby and two other customers gave him a $1,000 tip on a $111.05 bill.

The manager of Bo’s Kitchen, Benjamin Cramer, said Selby told him they tip extravagantly “just because.” He also revealed “we tip a hundred times the bill.”

There has been previous speculation that Selby, who made millions after the sale of PayPal to eBay, was behind “Tips for Jesus.”

Now, I'm not sure what the motives or the beliefs of the people are who are doing this - after all, there did seem to be exorbitant consumption of food and alcoholic beverages in at least some of the instances.   But, these are certainly charitable acts that have blessed a number of people who work in food service.

I think this tipping spree can even be used as some inspiration for each of us.   One takeaway is that because of what Jesus has done for us, our nature is generosity.  And, we are taught to act in generosity - to give of ourselves, to give from the heart, as an act of worship to the God who gave His Son for us.   Our resources belong to Him, because we are His, so our possessions are to be used in the way He directs.

A practical takeaway is that we can look for ways to bless the people who serve us.  People who deal with customers in restaurants, retail stores, and in other service professions deserve to be treated with friendliness and with a spirit of courtesy.   And, just by smiling, maybe even engaging in a personal conversation, where appropriate, we can make a small impact on a person's day and even help build them up.   I know there are some people who will offer to pray for a waiter or waitress - or an idea is to ask them to join in as they pray before their meal at a restaurant.    We behave consistently with the character of Christ when we are looking beyond ourselves and seeing the people who serve us through his eyes.

Finally, we have to realize that we do not exhibit the character or generosity of Christ when we tip in a less-than-appropriate manner.   A church group that comes to a restaurant after church and leaves a small tip does not help the reputation of the church or of Christians.   So, we look for ways to bless others as God gives the opportunity, realizing that we are not our own.

Reconciling Fathers to Their Children

There's a highly challenging passage found in Psalm 82, but it is relevant for this time of year, when our hearts seem to be more attuned to the needs of those less fortunate:
3Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.4Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.5They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.
Even though people do tend to be more charitable during the holidays, we can be reminded that God calls us to walk in His compassion on a consistent basis.   It's important that we are sensitized to the suffering around us and recognize that there are opportunities that we have to demonstrate the love of Christ.   He desires to reconcile people unto Himself, and perhaps as we are led by His Spirit and used by Him, we can make a significant impact on a life, that can in turn break a cycle of family deterioration, and contribute to more healthy and stable communities.

In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus encourages us to turn our eyes toward what He calls "the least of these".  We pick up in verse 34:
34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
Those that had been affirmed in this were puzzled, Jesus said.   They asked when they had done these things?   Jesus went on...40And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

Yesterday, I commented on some aspects of the life of Nelson Mandela, who is being remembered for his work in South Africa, having been exalted to leading that nation after 27 years in prison.   And, the indications are that the Mandela that went into prison was not the same man who emerged.

I began to think about the stories I've heard about people whose lives have been transformed during their time in prison - you really have to appreciate those who are involved in prison ministry, spreading the Word of God and the love of Christ in those circumstances.

You know, if someone is in prison, that has a devastating effect on his or her children.  According to a post by Angela Wang on Prison Fellowship's website, studies show that youths who grow up without a father figure have significantly higher chances of incarceration. They are 15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager, and have a higher risk of delinquency, drug use, and committing violent crimes.

It is truly a cycle of hopelessness, and Angela points out that a key to breaking it is to recognize that an imprisoned father does not have to be a missing father. The generational cycle of crime can be broken if fathers take responsibility for their children, even from a prison cell, and instill in them a new value system. Simply stated, the cycle of crime can be broken through the power of Christ working in families.

Our God is a God of restoration, and there are ministries that are actively involved in not only sharing the gospel in the lives of prisoners, but also in attempting to connect incarcerated parents to their children.   I cannot help but think of Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program, which was born in Montgomery's Maxwell Federal Prison, which helps to provide Christmas gifts for children who have a parent in prison.  The organization Awana, which is known for its excellence in doing children's ministry has a program called Malachi Dads, that is challenging and teaching Christian men how to grow into godly parents, equipping them to spiritually train their kids regardless of their circumstances and intentionally build a legacy of faith in Christ. The program develops their skills in five key areas: fathering, spiritual, educational, moral and vocational.

Awana reports on its relationship with the Louisiana State Penitentiary, which was once deemed the most violent prison in the nation. Since becoming warden there in 1995, Burl Cain has instituted a number of effective programs at the prison aimed to rehabilitate and restore inmates, and break the cycle of violence that is prevalent among inmates' children.

Warden Cain is quoted as saying, "Regardless of circumstances, children need to know their father loves them in order to grow up as emotionally healthy adults that are less likely to repeat the cycle of violence," He noted that statistics indicate children of an incarcerated parent are seven times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.

There is an annual Returning Hearts Celebration held at the prison in May, where historically around 1000 children visit their incarcerated fathers.   

By the way, at Angola prison, there's an educational partnership with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and you will find the only radio station that is licensed by the FCC to a prison - KLSP.  

And, coming up in our next Ministry Magazine, you'll find out about a unique initiative in which Faith Radio is involved to spread God's Word within prison walls.

Our takeaways for today:  we recognize that people can change.   We also take seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 about "the least of these" - He underscored the importance of visiting the prisoner. Finally, we realize that God can effectively reconcile families, and through that reconciliation, the cycle of crime so commonly found with children who have parents in prison can be broken.