Bound by the Past, Freed for the Future

In Colossians 1, the apostle Paul writes about the newness of life that is possible for each of us through Jesus Christ:
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

We cannot save ourselves - we need Someone who is greater than we are, Who can enter our hearts and provide cleansing and forgiveness.   We have all fallen short, we have missed the mark, and out of that separation from God, we can experience true reconciliation through the power of the cross. The cross is a bridge through which we can enter into a relationship with a loving and forgiving God, who loves us no matter what we may have done, who can forgive the sins of our past and give us hope and future in Him.

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In 1st Corinthians 6, the apostle Paul wrote about the power of the transformed life and a new nature in Christ:
9 Do 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,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And 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.

By now, you have probably heard about the shocking revelations regarding a member of a family who has been portrayed as a strong Christian family who has attempted to live according to God's ways.  It's troubling, it's heartbreaking, and there are so many elements to the complicated story that it's difficult to address them all.

But, my responsibility, I believe, is to present relevant information from a Christian worldview perspective, so after plenty of what I hope is careful thought, here is what I want to share...

This is from WORLD Magazine's website last Friday:

Josh Duggar, the oldest son of the Arkansas clan made famous on the reality television show 19 Kids and Counting, resigned his job at the Family Research Council yesterday after the tabloid In Touch Weekly publicized 12-year-old accusations of molestation against him.

In a statement released late Thursday, Duggar admitted to misconduct when he was 14 years old, calling his actions “inexcusable.”

“I hurt others, including my family and close friends,” he said in a post on his family’s official Facebook page. “I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling.”

After the In Touch story appeared, this was posted on the Duggar Family's official Facebook page:

“Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives...When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before. Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God.”

Josh's wife, Anna, posted on Facebook that Josh told her and her parents about what happened several years before asking her to marry him.

WORLD summarized that the molestation incidents involved five minor girls who said Josh Duggar touched them inappropriately while they slept. The first incident happened in 2002. His parents found out when one of the victims told them what happened. They disciplined Josh and thought that was the end of it. But in 2003, it happened again.

There was a police report filed in 2006, due to Springdale police being alerted.  In that report, Jim Bob and Michelle indicated they had initially told investigators they sent Josh to a Christian training program that included counseling and hard labor. They later admitted they sent him to a friend in Little Rock, Ark., who acted as a mentor and was in the process of remodeling a building. Michelle Duggar told police her son did not speak to a certified counselor.   Jim Bob had brought the situation to the elders of their church and to an Arkansas state trooper who was later convicted on child
pornography charges.

The TLC cable channel, which aired 19 Kids and Counting, announced Friday that the show had been pulled from the schedule. The network said in a statement that it was troubled and saddened by what it called a "heartbreaking situation" and said its "thoughts and prayers" were with the family and the victims.

I have met and talked with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.  Through the years, I have admired their dedication to the Lord and to raising their children in a godly manner.   But the pursuit of godliness does not equate to perfection.  We as parents have to face the reality that no matter how hard we try to instill Christian principles in the hearts of their children, there will be times that they do not act consistent with that truth.  And, as much as God instills His truth in us, none of us will act correctly all of the time - we reject His principles and rebel against His standards.   Josh Duggar committed heinous, inexcusable acts of sexual deviancy.   But, as former Arkansas Governor and family friend Mike Huckabee is quoted as saying, "'inexcusable’ . . . doesn’t mean ‘unforgivable.’”

That quote was used by author and radio host Michael Brown in a piece that appeared on the Townhall.com website, which offered some lessons from the Duggar scandal.  One was that, "Jesus really does change people."  Brown used the Scripture from 1st Corinthians 6, verses 9-11 in his piece.  Another is, "There's no excuse for sin, so own up to it."  Josh Duggar did that - as Brown says:

According to the accounts we’ve all heard, Josh confessed his sin to his parents as well as to the proper authorities, and as a family, they worked through the issues. Now, half a lifetime later (he’s 27 and is married with four children), when confronted with a police report about his past, he did not minimize his sin nor did he excuse it. He also resigned from the fine Christian organization for whom he worked, not wanting to bring any negative attention to their work.

And, there has been quite a bit of discussion about the victims. Because the police report has been redacted, the identity of the victims has been kept a secret. Brown points out, "Josh can be an ambassador on behalf of the abused, even helping the abusers as well."   Billy Graham's grandson, Boz Tchividjian, according to a Christianity Today piece, posted on Facebook: "Praying for all children who have been sexually victimized and then tragically told that that [sic] Jesus demands them to forgive, forget, and move on. Those retraumatizing demands don’t come from Jesus.”  He heads an organization called GRACE, which stands for "Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment."   Dr. Russell Moore of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, was outspoken about instances of abuse in the church, expressing his concern that, 

...we see that this story is one more in what has been an endless cycle of stories of sexual abuse in “churched” contexts. We cannot assume that we can avoid this topic simply by making sure our doctrines are right, our values conservative, and our people sheltered from the world. If we are not addressing this issue, it is only because we are ignoring what is going on in our communities, and all too often in our pews. This requires that churches come with conviction to this question preemptively, before any specific situation arises, with a word from God.

Finally, we see that Josh Duggar has attempted to experience grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ for his sins.  He has confessed his sins - to God, his family, and then-future wife and her family.  Even though the world has vociferously characterized Josh as a child molester, we can see that people do not understand the dynamics of new life in Jesus Christ and the power of repentance.   Yes, Josh, is continuing to face consequences of unspeakable sin, but He has also experienced newness of life in Christ.   As Michael Seewald, the father of Ben, who is married to Duggar sister Jessa, wrote in a blog post:

The answer is what Josh found and millions like him. He found forgiveness and cleansing from Jesus Christ. There are many of you that are reading these words right now having had thoughts and deeds no better than what Josh had and did. You are a sinner. You are a sinner by birth and choice. It is because of that corruption that is common to all that you have violated God’s holy commandments. If you continue in your present course Jesus Christ himself will judge you unworthy of eternal life. But he has graciously provided the only way of salvation and that is by trusting in him and his atoning death on the cross as the payment that God requires to absolve you of the guilt of your sins. Listen to the words of the apostle Paul about the forgiveness found in Christ. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7. Christ spilled his blood to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death. This was accomplished by his taking our sins upon himself and being punished in our place.

So pray for the Duggars, especially Josh and his wife, Anna.  And, pray for the victims.  We can trust that God will be glorified through the entire situation and that the power of Christ to heal and forgive may be experienced, not only by those involved, but by those who are watching. 

Walking in the Truth

In the book of 3rd John, we find that the apostle is writing to a friend named Gaius:
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

We are called to be devoted to the truth of the Scriptures - and we have to be careful that we are exposing ourselves to that truth, not making ourselves vulnerable to being carried away from God's Word or developing ideas that run contrary to His teachings.  Through the Holy Spirit, we develop discernment so that we can distinguish what lines up with His Word and what does not, and so that we may live in accordance with His ways.

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In the times in which we live, it is so important that we are grounded in the truth of the gospel of Christ and the life-changing, life-saving power of God. Paul wrote in Romans 1:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

On this edition of "Survey Thursday," I want to focus on a study that includes data that is, well, questionable, an inauthentic survey, if you will.

The WORLD Magazine website has the story. The study claimed people that people who were opposed to gay marriage would change their minds after having a 20-minute conversation with someone canvassing their neighborhood who identified as a homosexual. The study also claimed other members of the same household were more likely to change their views as well.

The WORLD piece says that the data supporting the study was too good to be true, according to the Daily Caller.   The study was published in the journal, Science, and showed dramatic results. But when several graduate students returned to the study to build off the work, they found irregularities in the research. Methods widely recognized to produce inconsistent results and anomalies in other studies seemed to yield almost perfectly consistent results in this study. The two graduate students and a Yale professor wrote a report and sent it to the study’s senior author, Columbia University political scientist Donald Green.  Abnormalities included: data was not collected as described, the response rate that was markedly lower that originally reported, and the firm that was allegedly hired to carry out the research denied knowledge of the study.

After looking into the claims and finding they did not line up with the evidence, Green asked Science to formally retract the study.  In the retraction letter, he wrote: “I am deeply embarrassed by this turn of events and apologize to the editors, reviewers, and readers of Science.”

So, it looks as if you have research here that could have been manipulated in order to fulfill an agenda.  It's another example to us that we can't believe everything we read or hear.   There are abundant media outlets, but we have to be discerning as to the ones we consume.  And, when we come across something that doesn't quite seem right, we can either reject it outright or at least do some further research.  These are times that call for discernment.  This doesn't invalidate using surveys to identify trends or attitudes, but we also have to recognize that there is a reliability factor - using samples to project information can be risky and inaccurate - think about the imperfect science of political polling, for example.

But, one reason that I look at and relate information from surveys is that it helps us to think and even to respond.  For instance, that massive Pew survey, which can be corroborated with other similar research, showing a rise in the religiously unaffiliated and the decline in the number of Christians, primarily in mainline denominations, I think is a highly instructive and fairly accurate portrayal of what is going on in culture.  And, we can craft a response based on such data.

Other, less scientific and even manipulative surveys may not be as helpful.  For instance, take this bogus study based on 20-minute conversations about homosexuality that supposedly resulted in people's attitudes being changed.   While I submit that we may respond differently and maybe with more understanding toward someone who practices different beliefs and lifestyles than we if we actually have interaction with that person, that doesn't equate to changing deeply held beliefs on their practices.

But, we have to make sure that we have deeply held beliefs - rooted in the Scriptures. Otherwise, we do become vulnerable to changing our minds or at least softening our stance on Biblical truth as we come in contact with persuasive individuals - either personally or virtually.

Do remember this - exposure to Biblical truth can cause someone to change their mind in a relatively short period of time.   An evangelistic encounter - through a conversation or an event - combining the power of personal testimony, of truth, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit can cause someone to change their mind and their eternal destiny instantaneously.  Such is the power of the gospel, and we can be challenged to be so convinced of that truth that we are willing to allow God to use us to share it.  God can change hearts and minds - the trajectory of a life - from death to life, from darkness to light - in a moment; a moment saturated with the compassion of Christ and the promise of eternity with Him.

A Dramatic Reversal

Our God is a God who specializes in transformation, and periodically, we will hear stories or even experience first-hand the healing touch of the Lord, perhaps in our bodies, maybe in our souls and our spirits as we yield to His mighty hand.  Psalm 103 says this:
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies...

Think about the way that the Lord will work victory in our lives.  When we were separated from Him, in bondage to the power of sin, He came to bring renewal for our spirits and healing for our souls.  In our struggles, we can know the One who brings peace.  And, when we have physical challenges and are beset by infirmities, in faith we can come before Him.   In prayer, we call out to a faithful Lord who hears us and wants the best for us.

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Exodus 15 teaches us a valuable lesson of the nature of God - He is the One whom we can turn to when we face infirmities in our lives, and when we encounter spiritual and emotional challenges as
well. Verse 26 says:
"...If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you."

A remarkable story of reversal concerns a 17-year-old girl and recent high school graduate who was injured after sliding off the hood of a friend's car back in 2011.  According to a story on the ChristianNews.net website, Taylor Hale of Waukee, Iowa was joking around with another girl after a football game - they did not want a friend of theirs to leave, so they sat on his car. He backed up, and Taylor fell and hit her head hard on the pavement. She was unresponsive.

She was taken to the hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma.  However, her brain began to hemorrhage days later, and doctors found that part of her brain was sinking into her spinal canal. Her mother, Stacy, told local television station, KCCI, “That’s when they said, ‘There’s nothing we can do. It’s basically irreversible.’”  They began to prepare for Taylor's death.

A family friend, Jeff Stickel who was a chiropractor, visited the hospital.  He had felt that God was impressing upon him to adjust the girl.  Her parents didn't feel comfortable with that, so he asked if he could simply pray with them. They agreed.  He laid his hands on the girl's neck and prayed for the Lord to heal her body.

Hospital staff turned off Hale’s life support hours later, but as they did, they noticed that Taylor was trying to take breaths on her own. They reconnected life support and noted throughout the day that her brain activity began to increase. She slowly began waking up and tried to talk.

Her father, Chuck, told the Des Moines Register that “It was the hand of God at work,” adding, “That’s the only thing that can explain it.” She improved, underwent rehabilitation, and has progressed to where she lives a relatively normal life, even though she struggles with short term memory and can't remember many of the details from her childhood. Taylor told reporters: “God can save people." She said, “I’m always thankful to all the doctors and nurses and therapists who helped me get better, but God did most of the saving.”

This is an inspiring story that can be instructive for each of us.  It illustrates for us, first of all, that no challenge is too great for the Lord.  Taylor Hale was thought to be on the verge of death - nothing could be done for her, it seemed.  Then, a faithful servant obeyed the Lord and prayed for her. Recognizing that we serve a great, mighty, and loving God upon Whom we can call can bring hope to our hearts.  

But, we also realize that the answer may not come in the form in which we desire it.  There are many who pray for healing and do not see a total restoration - in fact, Taylor did not see that, either. There are those who are walking today, but with a limp.  There are many who live life with a disability, but they can have hope because God knows what he's doing.  Even though the healing may not come in the most desirable form, and perhaps in many cases, not at all, we can still trust a God who calls us to build our faith even in the challenges of our lives.

And, we continue to be hopeful, because we serve a God who specializes in reversals.  Through Jesus, He has reversed the curse of sin and death.  Because of Jesus, we can depend on Him to transform our lives, to bring us a new start, to issue us second chances; even second, third, and fourth chances - and more.  He brings us victory out of the clutches of defeat, and can bring peace out of the midst of worry and fear.  If we need to turn things around, we can depend on Him to give us the strength and power.

Multiple Veterans in the Family

On this Friday before Memorial Day, we can think together about the concepts of honor and recognition.  We can be challenged to move beyond taking for granted the sacrifices that others have made and truly reflect on and show appreciation for those who have sacrificed their lives for a cause greater than themselves. In Romans 13, we read:

7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

We live in a world in which we have to guard against being self-centered.  If our view of the world is that it revolves around us, then we can easily miss the contributions that others have made for us and we also eliminate or diminish the impact of God on our lives and our culture.  So, we can take time to remember and acknowledge the enormous sacrifice of love that Christ made for us, and we can also reflect on what others have done for us, including those who have served in our military.

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God calls us to be loyal to Him first and foremost and to honor those who serve in authority over us. Those who have given or risked their lives for the sake of our country are deserving of honor and I
think that it is highly appropriate and meaningful to recognize their service.   Here's what 1st Peter 2 says:
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--
16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Columnist Dr. Paul Kengor wrote a piece last year on 5 brothers who had served together in World War II.  He had tracked down the last surviving brother in his hometown in Pennsylvania.  According to a piece on the Vision and Values website from Grove City College, there were 5 Bailey boys: Dick, Jim, Fonnie, John, and Fred.  The author mused: "Surely, some were protected with a desk job on the home-front? No, all five were dispatched into enemy territory."

He wrote:

“All had combat,” says Dick.

All volunteered for combat after Pearl Harbor, and all faced it—Europe, the Pacific, Northern Africa; by land, by air, by sea.

One of them, Fred, was shot and taken prisoner by the Nazis. “The Germans didn’t treat him well,” said Dick. “Fred said it was horrible…. He was only 110 pounds when he came home.”

Dick was in the Army Air Corps. He and his brother John were in the war the longest. He served on six islands in the Pacific, including the Philippines. In the Schouten Islands, the Japanese bombed almost every night, late at night, typically two hours at a time, throughout Dick’s eight-month stay. “You didn’t sleep very much,” says Dick in his typical understated way.

In all, Dick served continuously from December 1942 until January 1946. And it was truly continuous. “I was never home the whole time until January 1946.”

Remarkably, all 5 brothers survived the war.

Dick told Dr. Kengor that the war had been "quite an experience."  The author concludes the piece by writing:

Asked if he would do it over again, he smiles and says, “as long as I came back alive.”

Dick and all his brothers did just that.

How can we honor them today? We can honor them by not destroying the America they were willing to sacrifice everything for.

Dr. Kengor, following the publication of that article, was made aware of 7 brothers of Polish descent who fought in World War II.  He relates in a piece on the Human Events website a letter he received from a man who wrote: “My mother, Stella Pietkiewicz, had seven sons serve in WW II. She had the honor to christen the plane, Spirit of Poles, because she had the most sons who served in WW II.”

Along with the letter was an old newspaper clipping that showed six Pittsburgh-area mothers, all of Polish descent, who had 33 sons in service. Anna Lozowska, Maryanna Sawinska, Katarzyna Antosz, and Mrs. Joseph Wojtaszek each offered five boys to the cause. Honorta Lachowicz provided six sons. Stella Pietkiewicz took the prize with seven.

Kengor writes:

And so, these Pittsburgh-area Polish women knew this battle was worth fighting. Their sons did, too. And Stella Pietkiewicz gave the most.

I don’t know the fate of all 33 boys, but Stella’s sons, remarkably, all returned home safely.

And the author closes the piece in a very similar fashion as the original:

How can we repay families like these for their sacrifices 70 years ago? We can start by not destroying the America they were willing to die for.

What wonderful stories of bravery and devotion to kick off our Memorial Day weekend.  And, it really brings to mind the way that war affects families.  Fortunately, all the Baileys and all the Pietkiewicz sons came home.   As Kengor points out, as the movies "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Fighting Sullivans" relate, the U.S. military resolved to never again have so many brothers serve in one war.  As he says, "The loss of one is hard enough for a mom and dad. To lose two, three, four, or, incredibly, five … would be staggering, seemingly un-survivable for a parent."

But, loss is part of the devotion to a cause that is greater than ourselves, than our families.  On this Memorial Day, we remember those whose lives were lost and countless others whose lives were dramatically altered in order to fight for that greater cause.

And, the cause of freedom is still relevant today.  We think of World War II and the unspeakable evil that was perpetrated by the Nazi regime, and the audacity of a nation to actually attack American interests in the Pacific.  The battle lines were clear, and there was a moral imperative to stand and fight.

The moral imperative is still at work today.

At home, there are those who would trample our religious freedom in order to further ideas and behaviors that violate the principles of Scripture and practices that have served America well for hundreds of years and societies far and wide for thousands.

Around the world, there are dedicated, albeit deceived, warriors who stand in opposition to American ideals and Christian philosophy who are actually killing Christians in the name of their god, who is not our God. Even though we live in a world where the lines between right and wrong have been clouded, we adhere to a God who has delivered to us absolute truth and calls men and women to abide by that truth and to discover His love and to know that His ways are best.  On this Memorial Day, we take time to remember those who have given their lives for the freedom we have as believers to live according to our deeply held beliefs.

The Space in Which You Worship

The concept of coming into the presence of God and communing with Him is explored in Psalm 84. Here are some verses from that Psalm:
(1) How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

There is the concept that deals with "entering" the presence of God.  Yes, we know that He is always with us and He lives in our hearts.  But, I believe that our walk with Him is strengthened and our love for Him deepens as we set aside time to meet with Him - to read, study, and meditate on His Word, to communicate with Him and listen for His voice, and to enter into worship.  We can come before the throne of Almighty God and experience the reality of His presence with us - He desires for us to experience those glorious moments with Him.

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God calls us to abide in Him consistently and there will be times when we regularly meet with Him - that may be in a solitary place or in a corporate worship setting.  We see this concept of "meeting" with God expressed in Psalm 42:
(1) As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Yesterday, on The Meeting House program, Dr. Joe Savage of the University of Mobile Center for Leadership discussed the mindset of the Millennial generation.  He mentioned that they were seeking for authenticity.  Well, apparently, a survey by the Barna Group in association with Cornerstone Knowledge Network of adults 18 to 29 years old shows that this unique age group likes authenticity in its so-called "worship spaces."

A report on the survey at The Christian Post website quotes Aspen Group AIA Architect Derek Degroot, who said of the survey results, "They don't want something created artificially for them; they don't want a bait and switch. What they want is something deeper and more authentic."

In the Barna survey,  respondents were asked to choose between contrasting words to describe their vision of the ideal church, a majority of Millennials chose the following:

• Community, 78% was selected over privacy, 22%
• Sanctuary, 77% (auditorium, 23%)
• Classic, 67% (trendy, 33%)
• Quiet, 65% (loud, 35%)
• Casual, 64% (dignified, 36%)
• Modern, 60% (traditional, 40%)

The Barna summary says that...

While “Sanctuary,” “classic” and “quiet” are more often associated with traditional church buildings, less than half of survey respondents preferred the word “traditional” over “modern.” And herein lies a cognitive dissonance common to the young adults interviewed in the survey. Many of them aspire to a more traditional church experience, in a beautiful building steeped in history and religious symbolism, but they are more at ease in a modern space that feels more familiar than mysterious.

Clint Jenkin, Ph.D., vice president of research at Barna Group and the lead designer of this study, is quoted as saying, “It’s tempting to oversimplify the relationship between Millennials and sacred space,” adding “For instance, it might be easy to believe such a place needs to look ultra modern or chic to appeal to teens and young adults. But the reality, like so much about this generation, is more complicated—refreshingly so. Most Millennials don’t look for a church facility that caters to the whims of pop culture. They want a community that calls them to deeper meaning.”

The Christian Post story summarized some of the responses of those surveyed regarding images they were shown of various worship spaces:  "When shown four different kinds of church windows ranging from modern and least 'churchy' to traditionally orbnate [sic], over a third of all respondents chose the most ornate stain glass window common to chapels. When shown four styles of church altars, the study showed that a majority of respondents chose altars that 'are unambiguously Christian and are more traditional.'"

There are some principles that come to mind as we consider what young adults were saying about worship spaces:

While worship is not centered around a place, the place we worship can enhance our experience.  We can think about our own personal worship space - you may or may not have a section of your home that is set aside for that purpose, but it's important that we have time and place set aside where we can come away and commune with God.  We follow the example of Jesus, who was known to go to a quiet place and pray.  Where we designate to meet with God is an important component of our spiritual practice, I think.

We also return to that word that has been used to describe the Millennial generation - authentic. This Barna survey also reflects the desire that generation has to be in community and to experience deeper meaning.  I think that desire may be applicable to more than just young adults in that particular generations. Traditional settings or symbols apparently do not interfere with that deeply held desire and can even provide an atmosphere for their experience with the Lord.

Finally, because of the numerous influences that we have through media, entertainment, and more, we can be caught up in trends.  Sometimes trends can be good, sometimes they can be distracting. We have to make sure that we are not lured in by trends or glitzy marketing efforts that can lure us into thinking we are doing something spiritual, when we are actually allowing ourselves to be manipulated.  Participating in surface religious activity is not the same as pursuing our relationship with Almighty God.   We are called to seek what is lasting, what is eternal, rather than what might make us feel good at the moment.

God-Speech to Graduates

In Jeremiah 17, we can read about the contrast between self-reliance and reliance, or dependence, on
the Lord:
5 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.
7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

We can choose to rely on self in all our imperfections and inadequate wisdom and strength, or we can draw on the strength of Someone who is greater than ourselves, the One who has loved us greatly and wants us to know Him deeply.  He calls us to a life of dependence on Him, where we are living in the power of the Spirit and putting Him first.  And, in humility, we recognize that without Him we can do nothing; we make it our goal to only do what we see the Father doing, just as Jesus said.

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Jesus related his dependence on the Father, acknowledging that He only did what He saw the Father do. Here are His words from John 5:
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

Last year, you had a high profile actor say this in an Oscar acceptance speech: "First off, I want to thank God, because that's who I look up to."  That's based on a report on The Christian Post website, which said the award-winning actor continued: "He has graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or of any other human hand."

Well, he's at it again; this time in a graduation speech at the University of Houston. How about this section of actor Matthew McConaughey's speech, dealing with defining success. He said, according to TIME.com:

How do I define success? For me, it’s a measurement of five things — fatherhood, being a good husband, health, career, friendships. These are what’s important to me in my life.

So, I try to measure these five each day, check in with them, see whether or not I’m in the debit or the credit section with each one. Am I in the red or in the black with each of them?

For instance, sometimes my career is rolling (in the black) but I see how my relationship with my wife could use a little more attention. I gotta pick up the slack on being a better husband, get that one out of the red. Or say my spiritual health could use some maintenance (red) but hey, my friendships and social life are in high gear (black)… I gotta recalibrate, checks and balances, go to church, remember to say thank you more often. I gotta take the tally. Because I want to keep ALL 5 in healthy shape, and I know that if I DON’T take care of them, if I don’t keep up maintenance on them, ONE of them is going to get weak, dip too deep into the debit section, go bankrupt, get sick… die even.

He also talked about the concept of crossing a truth.  He related a story of a 21-day adventure to Peru that he took after the success after the success of the movie, A Time to Kill.  He was frustrated and went through a rather cathartic moment - he said he was sick of himself, and after wrestling through the night, he experienced something wonderful on the other side.  He says (again from TIME.com):

You see, I forgave myself that morning. I let go of the guilt, the weight on my shoulders lifted, my penance paid, and I got back in good graces with God. I shook hands with myself, my best friend, the one we’re all stuck with anyway. From that morning on, the adventure was awesome. I was present, out of my own way, not anticipating next, embracing only what was in front of my eyes, and giving everything the justice it deserved.

He mentions putting ourselves in a position to receive the truth, personalizing it, internalizing it, and having the courage to act on it.

In 2007, as Hollywood.com reported, Beliefnet.com released a list of the 10 most powerful Christians in Hollywood.  This was in 2007, so it's no surprise that Mel Gibson topped the list then. At #2, it was Denzel Washington.   After that, it was Patricia Heaton, Tyler Perry, and Ralph Winter.  Denzel was also speaking of God in a recent graduation speech at Dillard University in New Orleans. From the CNSNews.com report:

"Number one: Put God first," he said. "Put God first in everything you do."

"Everything you think you see in me, everything I’ve accomplished, everything you think I have – and I have a few things," said Washington. "Everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift."

He also reportedly said, "I pray that you put your slippers under your bed tonight, so that when you wake up in the morning you have to get on your knees to reach them." He continued: “And while you’re down there, say thank you," adding, "Thank you for grace, thank you for mercy, thank you for understanding, thank you for wisdom, thank you for parents. ... True desire in the heart for anything good is God’s proof to you, sent beforehand, to indicate that it’s yours already."

Awareness of God...that's the point of my sharing these two instances.  Now, I don't know a whole lot about the faith practice of these gentlemen looks like, but they have brought God-related principles into a public forum.  (I don't track with everything they said!)

I think there are several takeaways for us:

For one thing, Matthew can remind us to keep tabs on our spiritual health.  I don't know what his criteria would be, but it's important that we check up on ourselves.  We can measure our passion for God, our desire to obey Him, our faithfulness to spend time with Him, and the way that we love others as some of the indicators of our spiritual state.

And, as Denzel reminds us, put God first.   For the Christian, that means to really seek the Lord and to ascertain if Jesus is truly on the throne of our lives.  If we call Him Lord, then that Lordship will be manifested in a variety of ways.  We rely on Him to set the agenda for our lives and to order our steps in conformity to His will.  And, as Denzel also points out, we need to be thankful...and humble. Jesus acknowledged the Father and said that without Him, He - Jesus - could do nothing.

These are good words for graduates - and for us: make the spiritual component of our lives a priority.

A Compassionate Statement to the Culture

In the book of Proverbs chapter 22, we are reminded that no matter what our socio-economic status, rich or poor, we are all made by God:
2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.

Then, verse 4 emphasizes the true riches that all can enjoy through a knowledge of the Lord:
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

Material possessions do not determine our worth before God.  Every person, no matter what situation he or she is born into, has unique potential, which is realized through surrendering to Christ in salvation and fulfilling the calling He has placed on their lives.  We are not called to look down upon those who are in poverty - of resources or of spirit; rather, we are called to look upon them with compassion and a sense of service.  Deep inside, we are all sinners who need a Savior.

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With an attitude of sacrifice and a sense of compassion, we are called to live out our faith and be especially sensitive to those who are in need.  1st John 3 says:
17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

It had the word "evangelical" in its name, but the recent Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty at Georgetown University seems to have hardly been a strategy session to talk about Biblically-based solutions to helping the poor.  In fact, in reading the reviews, it seems that evangelicals may have been one of the chief targets of the rhetoric.  President Obama shared the stage with this guy, Robert Putnam, who is quoted as saying, in a Religion News Service article:

“The obvious fact is that over the last 30 years, most organized religion has focused on issues regarding sexual morality, such as abortion, gay marriage, all of those. I’m not saying if that’s good or bad, but that’s what they’ve been using all their resources for. This is the most obvious point in the world. It’s been entirely focused on issues of homosexuality and contraception and not at all focused on issues of poverty.”

That is from a Washington Post article leading up to this "summit," an event at which the President himself echoed the same attitude.  A Family Research Council piece charges that the President "...scolded the church for being too preoccupied with the culture war to help the needy." The piece quotes Mr. Obama:

"There is great caring and great concern, but when it comes to what are you really going to the mat for, what's the defining issue, when you're talking in your congregations, what's the thing that is really going to capture the essence of who we are as Christians, or as Catholics, or what have you, that this is oftentimes viewed as a 'nice to have' relative to an issue like abortion."

So, helping the poor is not a priority for Christians?   Really?  FRC's Rob Schwarzwalder and Pat Fagan, the day of the summit, took Putnam's charge and used the real numbers to refute it.

First of all, look at the money spent on the so-called "social issues." The writers took the total budgets of major conservative, pro-family organizations, then added in the roughly 40 state Family Policy Councils.  They said, "In aggregate, then, the national 'organized religious' groups indicted by Mr. Putnam account for something less than $170 million in total revenue. If you want to be generous, the national/state combo is about $270 million."

Contrast that with the money spent by evangelical and Catholic groups to help the poor.  They cite the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which "...represents groups that provide food, medical care, education, adoption services, orphan care, post-prison assistance, substance abuse help and other critical services at home and abroad. In aggregate, the more than 600 evangelical ministries represented in the ECFA provide more than $9.2 billion in relief assistance."

The RNS article also refers to The Economist magazine’s assessment of the Catholic Church’s estimated $170 billion total U.S. income, which found that about 57 percent (roughly $97 billion) goes to “health-care networks, followed by 28 percent on colleges, with parish and diocesan day-to-day operations accounting for just 6 percent, with the remaining $4.6 billion going to 'national charitable activities.'”

And, as the writers point out, "...That’s not even considering the countless hours that Christian churches and ministries devote to helping the poor and the needy, nor the private actions of individual Christians."

But are we doing enough - absolutely not!  On either front, if you want to buy in to the false narrative that social issues and social consciousness should be viewed as separate entities (which I do not believe that they are), much more can be done to address the needs in our communities on both fronts.  Our devotion to the sanctity of life and sanctity of marriage is based on the foundation of the Scriptures, and as we walk in the compassion of Christ, we recognize that we are called to live and teach principles that are consistent with His truth.  And, that relates to how we view and respond to the poor.  As believers in the sanctity of life, we believe every life has value; as we embrace God's view for sexuality, we recognize that can contribute to stable families.

Those who are in poverty are in that situation for a number of reasons.  And, we should be charitable to those who are in need.  But, we don't leave them in a situation of dependency.  I am thankful for the ministries that reach out to those who are without a home, without a job, without a stable family structure or wholesome environment - and there is no shortage of opportunity to do ministry.  We can develop a concern for "the least of these," to whom Jesus referred, and ask Him how we can be involved in their lives.  And, in our charity, we communicate to the world around us that we belong to Jesus.

Living and Active

The Word of God spoken into or over a set of circumstances, or over a person or group of people, can result in an outcome according to God's will. There is power available to us and we discover and release it as we put God's Word in our hearts, minds, mouths, or situations. God calls us to appropriate the resources found in His Word. Psalm 1 says:
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

There is great power available to us as we study and meditate on the Scriptures.  His Word will provide direction for our lives, and we can expand our wisdom and understanding as we place His Word in our minds and hearts.  When we bring God's Word into a situation, we can experience great power - as we live the Word of God, we find that we can have an impact on the people around us.  I believe that God's Word can even shape our circumstances into conformity with the will of God.

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The Scriptures are more than just words on a page, although our inaction can render them that way. But, as we activate the Word of God, we realize that it comes alive, as Hebrews 4:12 reminds us:
12 For 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.

Vaughaligan Walwyn is a Houston-based Christian rapper and pastor, who heard from his children - his daughter, Phoenix, who is 8 years old, and his 7-year-old son, Kingston - that another boy was calling them names on the bus.  The Blaze reported on the steps that Walwyn took to try to get the bullying to stop.

The pastor and his wife initially worked with school administrators to remedy the situation, but that did not work - their complaint briefly halted the harassment, but it wasn’t long before it started up again.

Walwyn told told KHOU-TV about his next step: “I prayed about it and God said, ‘You know what? Let’s get this kid a Bible, tell him Jesus loves him and invite him to church."

From a Facebook post that is displayed on The Blaze site, here is what the pastor did:

I realized going on the bus and acting a fool wouldn't be the wise approach. We ended up getting a bible for the young man and I told my kids to give him the bible, let him know Jesus loves him and invite him to church. The kid ended up apologizing to my kids for how he had been treating them. Boy it's something about operating in the love of Christ that gets the job done.

The kids reported that two minutes after the Bible was handed over, the young boy who had been harassing them apologized and hasn’t bothered them since. Phoenix told the TV station, "He just said, ‘Thank you’ and, ‘Sorry for that stuff we did to you.'"

The story was told on Fox and Friends yesterday, according to the pastor's Facebook page.  He goes by the nickname, Von Won.  The hashtag being used is #bibleforabully.

This is a heartwarming story that really can remind us of the power of God's Word.  Hebrews tells us that the Word is living and active - His Word applied to our spirits and minds can change our thinking, and His Word spoken into a situation can change an atmosphere.  In this case, the very presence of a Bible and the expression of giving a Bible to someone who was harassing other children had a transformational effect.

So, we too can think about the injection of the Word of God into a situation.  This can be done in multiple ways.

The physical presence of a Bible can send a clear message about where we stand, and the simple expression of giving a Bible to someone can have a profound effect, as we see in this situation with the Walwyn kids, who also shared the love of Christ with a bully and invited him to church.  I have to admit, these days, with the electronic access we have to the Word of God, people don't carry Bibles like they used to, but what if you had physical possession of a Bible in certain locations or situations - without words, this tangible display of the Word could be a great reminder of the power of God's truth?  

You can also bring the Bible into a situation by carrying it in your mouth.  We can be prepared to speak God's truth in our conversations.  Perhaps when someone comes to you with a problem they are having, you can have God's Word on your tongue to provide reliable truth.  Maybe when a conversation is turning negative, a dose of Scripture can set things back on course.

And the Bible alters the course of a life or a situation when it is spoken to God in prayer.  We are directed to pray according to the will of God - we know that His will is found in His Word.  So we find a Scripture that pertains to a particular request and we pray it - out loud - aligning ourselves with the principles of God's Word.  Believing that the Word is living and active, we recognize that we are praying in line with God in His power when we are praying the Scriptures.

When You Come to a Fork in the Road

The book of Proverbs can provide us with great wisdom by which we can live abundantly. Chapter 16 contains these impactful words:
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

And, there's verse 9:
9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

If we claim to live by the Word, a working knowledge of the Scriptures is a necessary component. The book of Proverbs is a collection of practical sayings that, when observed and appropriated in our lives, can teach us the heart of God and help us to develop wisdom.  On top of that, if we believe the Word of God is alive, then careful study and meditation on these verses can activate the power of God to live by His instruction found not only in Proverbs but throughout the Bible.

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The Proverbs can give us insight into God's ways and help us to develop wisdom for our lives.  One of my favorites is Proverbs 4:23: "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."  There's Proverbs 11:3, which says, "The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them."

Another weighty verse is Proverbs 16:3, which says, "Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established."

Someone who is known for words of wisdom, albeit in a different sense, turned 90 this week...He was born Lawrence Peter Berra, but he was better known as Yogi.  His father had immigrated from Italy in 1909; Yogi's four older brothers gave up baseball after their dad ordered them to get jobs, according to a recent USA Today piece, which reported that Yogi, who acquired the name after someone thought he looked like a Hindu yogi, appeared headed for the same fate when he dropped out of school after the eighth grade and went to work.   By the way, it is generally thought that the name of the cartoon character, Yogi Bear, was taken from the baseball player, although the producers, Hanna-Barbera,denied it.  Strange coincidence, don't you think?

But, as the story goes, he kept playing baseball, and in 1942 the Yankees offered him a $500 signing bonus and a contract worth $90 a month.  That was the beginning of an illustrious career that included 2,150 hits in 19 big-league seasons, including 358 home runs. He was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame.  

As USA Today reports, Berra handled pitching staffs that helped the Yankees win five consecutive World Series titles between 1949 and 1953 and four more World Series titles before 1963, Berra's last season with the Yankees. He played in 15 All-Star Games, won 10 World Series championships and earned three American League MVP awards. He was the catcher for Don Larsen's 1956 World Series perfect game.  He tried his hand at managing, also, leading the New York Mets to the National League pennant in 1973; he also spent one season and a short portion of the next as the Yankees manager.   

A story is related in the article from pitcher Jim Bouton, who said that a manager took Yogi to task for hitting bad balls.  The manager told him to think when he stepped to the plate and make the pitcher come in with the ball.  Berra reportedly responded after striking out, "How can anybody think and hit at the same time?"  

That is what you call a Yogi-ism.  And, beyond or instead of the stats, that may be what this baseball legend is best known for - short, offbeat phrases that defy description.  The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center has a list on its website.   Here are some with which you may be familiar:

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over”

“It’s deja vu all over again”

“When you come to a fork in the road … take it”

“You can observe a lot by watching”

“The future ain’t what it used to be”

“It gets late early out here”

and

“Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel”

This is just a sampling, but it does give you a feel for the memorable statements for which Berra was known.  And, I would dare say that what he said overshadowed what he did. It doesn't always work that way in life, but for Yogi, that was the case, I believe.

I am reminded that there was someone who was a king in Jerusalem, someone known for his great wisdom, who has related that wisdom in short, memorable statements which provide treasures of knowledge for each of us.   His name was Solomon, and while he did do some great exploits during his reign, perhaps he is best known for the book of Proverbs. I would say that his words definitely overshadowed his actions.  

Let's think together about some of these wonderful and wise sayings.

The You Version Bible app has 2 adjacent Proverbs that placed in its top 10 list of most popular verses for 2014: 

At #7, Proverbs 3:5 says..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding..." Verse 6, the 10th most popular verse, says, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."  

BibleStudyTools.com lists its 25 most popular Bible verses, and Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 is there. So is Proverbs 22:6, which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

So what's your favorite Proverb?  These verses contain incredible jewels of wisdom, and can help us to understand the ways of God.

This week, Yogi Berra turned 90, and some of his sayings have become rather familiar.  For the Christian, we can think about the importance of familiar sayings: I would hope that the sayings of Scripture are familiar to us, and providing the direction we need for our lives. We can become more synchronized with the ways of the Lord and appropriate His wisdom as we expose ourselves to His wise counsel.  The book of Proverbs gives us short, manageable, memorable sayings that can provide power for daily living.   

And, remember, perhaps we can become known for what we say, speaking words of wisdom from a heart devoted to Christ.  God desires for us to abide in His Word, and we can bring our tongues into more conformity to His wisdom.   If we claim to be wise, the words we speak will verify what God is doing in our hearts.

Not Called to the Middle

As we think today about what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, not a cultural Christian or
someone who is trying to live a life of faith using human strength or wisdom, we can be inspired by these words in Galatians 2:
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

The life of discipleship is a surrendered life. We recognize that Jesus died and rose from the dead and that He is alive even at this moment, calling us to follow Him and giving us the power to walk in His ways.  He is calling us to more than a life of religious practice or trying to be good on our own. He desires for us to know Him, to seek Him, to allow His life to flow through us.   The old self is dead and we have been born again - we have a new nature, and He calls us to live in the power of the newness of life.

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The life of a disciple is a life of distinction, and we can be challenged to live out our faith in a culture that doesn't seem to embrace Christianity as it once did. In Luke chapter 14, we see that even though the crowds were following Him, Jesus issued the call to a more devoted life:
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Pew Research has released a massive new study on religious affiliation that has been opening eyes since its release earlier this week.   It is called the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, and it included some 35,000 respondents.

The summary on the Pew website highlights what might be considered the "lead story" on the results. While the U.S. is still home to more Christians than any other country in the world and just over 7-out-of-10 Americans identify with some branch of the Christian faith, the survey shows that the percentage of adults 18 and up who identify themselves as Christians has dropped by nearly 8 percent since 2007 - from 78.4% in 2007 to 70.6% now.  This drop in the Christian category is primarily among mainline Protestants and Catholics.

The percentage of Americans who are not affiliated with any religion has risen - from 16.1 to 22.8 percent. Those identifying with non-Christian faiths rose from 4.7 to 5.9 over the last 7 years, with the most significant growth among Muslims and Hindus.

There have already been a number of stories related to the survey, and I want to highlight some of the analysis that is out there.  Christianity Today offered an extensive article on its website.  It makes note of the stability of evangelicals, recognizing that over the last 7 years, about one in 4 adults have identified with that category, losing less than one percent of their share of the population and preserving their status as the nation’s largest religious group.  All in all, there are more evangelicals in America today, adding more than 2 million people to their ranks, while so-called mainline churches lost 5 million people.

CT also noted the popularity of the "evangelical" label.  It notes that Christians are more likely to consider themselves “born-again” or evangelical. Half of self-identified Christians described themselves this way in 2014, up from 44 percent in 2007. This includes 72 percent of those in historically black Protestant churches, up from 67 percent in 2007.

And Christianity Today pointed out the effect of so-called "religious switching."  Pew had found a "remarkable degree of churn" in the US religious landscape. But evangelicals are the “major exception” to the national pattern of Christian decline, and the only major Christian group in the survey that has gained more members than it has lost through religious switching.  Over the past seven years, evangelicals lost almost 8.5 percent of adherents and gained almost 10 percent for a net gain of 1.5 percent since 2007.

Regarding diversity, the CT analysis says that today, more than one-third of US adults who identify as born-again or evangelical Protestants, regardless of denomination, are non-white.

Those are just some of the many findings of the survey.  What is its significance?

Well for one thing, it does indicate opportunity - to reach out to those identified as not being affiliated with any religion and to demonstrate and communicate the love of Christ and the truth of the gospel.

In a Baptist Press article, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd said this: "The results of the survey communicate growing evidence that the greatest need in America is a spiritual awakening," adding, "The time is now and the hour is urgent; our churches in this nation must come together in clear agreement, visible union and extraordinary prayer for the next Great Awakening and to reach America and the World for Christ."

Southern Baptists are considered an evangelical denomination in the Pew survey, according to its summary, joined by the Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Presbyterian Church in America, and other evangelical denominations and many nondenominational congregations.

One of those distinct areas of opportunity is within the so-called Millennial generation.  There is a also the reminder that those who have children, teens, even young adults, in their homes and families can be motivated to share their faith principles.

One of the key factors in the decline of Christianity overall and the continued signs of a rise in the non-affiliated is what Pew researcher Dr. Jessica Martinez calls "generational replacement," according to a piece on The Blaze website, which points out that:

Millennials who are between the ages of 18 and 33 are significantly less likely to embrace religious sentiment, with around 35 percent counting themselves as unaffiliated; thus, there’s a demographic replacement underway in which the younger, less faithful are replacing the older, more religious citizenry.

Martinez is quoted as saying: “This generation is much more religiously unaffiliated than older generations...As the younger are replacing older, it’s shifting the landscape in this way."

There is a polarization that is taking place, and there is the indication of a decline in the middle - there is a greater percentage of "born-again" Christians and more "nones."

Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research points out in a Christianity Today piece that:

Christianity isn’t dying and no research says it is; the statistics about Christians in America are simply starting to show a clearer picture of what American Christianity is becoming—less nominal, more defined, and more outside of the mainstream of American culture.

For example, the cultural cost of calling yourself “Christian” is starting to outweigh the cultural benefit, so those who do not identify as a “Christian” according to their convictions are starting to identify as “nones” because it’s more culturally savvy.

Perhaps this survey can communicate to us that none of us should be counted in the "nominal" category - the Bible doesn't teach some sort of cultural Christianity that emphasizes blending in; no, Biblical Christianity calls us to stand out, to be different, and perhaps even to face suffering because of our faith.  We are not called to go along, but to go into the world and make a difference.

Highlighting Particular Concerns

As believers in Christ, sometimes our faith will be put to the test.  We will encounter those who do not share our faith perspective, and it's important that we continue to hold fast to the love of God and allow His life to be expressed through us, even when we encounter opposition. Paul was someone who endured great suffering, and he wrote this in 2nd Timothy 3:
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Pretty sobering, right?  Jesus taught the same principle in the Sermon on the Mount.  If we are living our faith, there is that possibility that we could draw fire, figuratively speaking, from those who disagree.  And, in some parts of the world, that could be literal.  So, we can be challenged to be grounded in our faith, firm and secure in the arms of our Savior, and know that when we encounter opposition, we can be assured of His presence in us and with us.

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We are reminded that we living in a dangerous world, and there will be those who would want to decrease or eliminate the expression of religious faith in our culture.  And, there are those that,
instead of showing respect for other religions, prosecute others because of their faith. Here are the words of 1st Peter 4:
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

In 1998, Congress created the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF,  to provide independent recommendations to the president, secretary of state, and Congress, according to an article by J.C. Derrick of WORLD.  He was on my radio show recently and highlighted its most recent report, which according to his article, has "urged the Obama administration to increase public pressure on foreign governments 'perpetrating or tolerating' severe persecution of religious minorities around the world."

He quotes from the report: “Humanitarian crises fueled by waves of terror, intimidation, and violence have engulfed an alarming number of countries in the year since the release of [USCIRF’s] prior annual report last May...The horrors of the past year speak volumes about how and why religious freedom and the protection of the rights of vulnerable religious communities matter.”

USCIRF called on the State Department to dramatically increase its list of what are called “Countries of Particular Concern,” or CPCs, from the current nine to 17.  Those nine, according to the State Department website, are: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.  The report drew specific attention to five countries: Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Central African Republic, and Burma, where widespread atrocities have taken place. Of those countries, the State Department listed only Burma, also known as Myanmar, as a CPC in its report last year, which drew criticism for several omissions. The commission also recommended adding Pakistan (for the 14th straight year), Egypt, Tajikistan, and Vietnam as CPCs.

The WORLD piece also says that the commission expressed its support for the International Criminal Court to investigate ISIS violations in Iraq and Syria against religious and ethnic minorities. In those two countries, ISIS-related violence has internally displaced some 8.5 million persons—many of them Yazidis and Christians—plus another 3.3 million who have fled to neighboring states.

The article quotes USCIRF chair Katrina Lantos Swett: “All nations should care about abuses beyond their borders not only for humanitarian reasons but because what goes on in other nations rarely remains there,” adding “In the long run, there is only one permanent guarantor of the safety, security, and survival of the persecuted and vulnerable. It is the full recognition of religious freedom.” According to J.C., the report warns Western nations in light of January terrorist attacks in Paris.

Also, the commission's report called for immediate “emergency action” to address the growing humanitarian crises in Nigeria and Central African Republic. And, the commission urged the administration to increase U.S. government attention to 10 additional countries it listed as "tier two" offenders.

A report on the ReligionNews.com website pinpoints some silver linings in the report.  For instance:

Religious freedom and harmony have improved in Cyprus, resulting in greater access to houses of worship across the Green Line separating north from south. Nigeria witnessed its first peaceful democratic transfer of power earlier this year when Muslim northerner Muhammadu Buhari ousted Christian southerner Jonathan Goodluck at the polls. And Sri Lanka’s new government has taken positive steps to promote religious freedom and unity in the face of violent Buddhist nationalism.

So, you have a set of recommendations from an advisory council set up by Congress to provide information to the Administration and the State Department, so there's apparently nothing binding here.  You have 17 countries that are recommended to be named Countries of Particular Concern, plus another 10 "tier two" offenders, plus the concerns over these non-government entities such as ISIS.  The Religion News report says that USCIRF, "...wants Congress to amend the International Religious Freedom Act — under which USCIRF itself was established — to allow CPC designation of countries where non-state actors violate religious freedom in political vacuums, such as parts of Iraq, Syria, CAR and Nigeria."  So, what do you take away?

First of all, this is another reminder that we live in a dangerous world, and there are people that, even in the name of religion, want to inhibit religious freedom and curtail the ability of people to express their faith openly.  We can be mindful of those who are suffering in various parts of the world.

And, here at home, the Garland, Texas event, even though it was the result of what can be viewed as a provocative event that made light of a religious group's leader, reminds us that there are people who mean to do harm in the name of religion.  Religious persecution can come at the hands of religious people, as well as those who do not claim any religious practice.  The bottom line is that violence against another person is never justified, including in the name of religion.  And this reminder: As Christians, even though we may disagree with the faith perspective and practice of another, we should always show respect for another's religious beliefs.

Finally, I think it's telling that after the removal of the GoFundMe page that was set up to aid the bakers who would not cater a same-sex wedding ceremony and were fined $130,000, Samaritan's Purse stepped in a set up a page to raise funds.  It's telling that the online support device is entitled, "Persecuted Christians - USA."  Allow that to sink in.  Even though we are not facing death for our faith - yet - we are seeing an unprecedented wave of legal challenges to Christians who stand on their Christian convictions.  And, if a comment by the U.S. Solicitor General in the recent Supreme Court hearings on gay marriage is any indication, there could be negative consequences for acting according to your deeply held Christian beliefs.  We can be challenged to be ready and to be strong in the Lord in the face of threats to our freedom of religion and religious expression.

From the End of Self to the End of Life

We are called to a surrendered life, depending on the Lord in every situation we face, relying on His wisdom and mighty power, realizing that we are equipped for every challenge in life. 1st Peter 5 reminds us:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

I want to key in on verse 7:  remember this, He - God - cares for you.  Because He cares for us, we can trust Him with our lives.  Because He cares for us, we can experience victory over the power of the enemy.  He cares for us in our sufferings and in our delights.  He is with us, and our lives can be established and secure in the knowledge of Him.   When we realize that we don't have all the answers - but He does - we place ourselves in the position to receive His resources.

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In Luke 9, Jesus taught about the concept of surrendering to Him, sacrificing our own lives so that we can know His life and the redemption of our souls:
23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Just before the two prisoners who were sentenced to death for drug smuggling were to be executed in Indonesia, they were singing "Amazing Grace," then "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," according to a summary on the Christianity Today website.  The report says that a pastor, Karina de Vega, told the Sydney Morning Herald, “They were praising their God,” adding, “It was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.”

Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were the ringleaders of the "Bali Nine," who gained international attention for turning to God during their decade-long stay in an Indonesian prison.

Chan became a Christian while in solitary confinement.  He told Australia's Bible Society: “It wasn’t until I was in solitary that I felt the need to be on the right side of God.”  After reading through the New Testament four times, he said, “I was on my knees and cried for the first time in years."

After his conversion, Chan studied for six years to become a pastor. He taught Bible classes, ran a cooking school, and was featured in an anti-drug documentary for school students while in jail.  He was ordained in February.

The CT report referred to a quote by Baptist News Global from Tina Bailey, who, along with her husband,  had worked with Sukumaran and others on a prison art program: “Over the time I have known them, I have seen two young men find hope and healing through what they are doing in making art and sharing their skills with the other inmates,” adding, “They are leaders with a beautiful, positive influence.”

The two men corresponded with Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church in Sydney.  He wrote on the Hillsong website:

“By all accounts, these two young men—whom I have had the great privilege of being in personal contact with over the last number of months—have not only accepted the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, but have also rehabilitated themselves to be upstanding members of the prison system...Even in jail they have made a positive contribution to the lives of other prisoners, and sought to pay their debt to society. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Chan almost everyday and his faith and strength under extreme duress, have inspired me.”

Chan wrote his own eulogy, and it included these words:

My last moments here on earth I sing out 'Hallelujah!' I ran the good race. I fought the good fight and came out a winner in God's eyes and men. I do have a story to tell, that story's determined by you all on how you witness me. Ask yourself: 'What did I leave with you?' That will determine my legacy.

Here are some thoughts that can arise from this incredible story: 

First of all, we're reminded that God's redemptive hand is extended far beyond what we might imagine.  He desires for all to be saved. Even a criminal who commits heinous crimes can be redeemed if he repents and comes to Jesus.  We can recognize that God is powerful and capable of changing any human heart.

We also see that Andrew Chan came to Christ during a period of solitary confinement.  He was in a desperate situation, and he took the opportunity to evaluate his life and it was found to be wanting. You will hear about people who have accepted Jesus at the end of their rope, at the end of themselves.  When we come to a place when we are emptied of self, it gives an incredible opportunity to be filled with the Spirit of God.

In a way, this can also remind us of the benefits of solitude.  Andrew Chan was given the blessed opportunity to spend time alone.  Perhaps the voices of the world and the prevalent distractions were eliminated so that he could think and respond to the voice of God.  We do well to spend time alone in His presence so that we can know Him, commune with Him, and allow Him to speak to us and to help us evaluate our lives through the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, you see a wonderful example here of the power of praise.  In a situation reminiscent of that of Paul and Silas as they sang praises in a prison, so too these men had songs of praise in their hearts as they were facing death.  When we are facing the most challenging situations of life, perhaps a song of worship and praise can testify to God's presence, can lift our spirits, and change our perspective.

The Church: His Presence in His People

There are many churches - some claim to serve Christ, others claim to serve another so-called deity, or no deity or god at all. Jesus is the head of His church, the church of the living God, according to Ephesians 1:
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

There are quite a few distinctives of the church, the body of Christ - we recognize that His church, His body, reflects His presence.  We are called into fellowship with Him, and He desires to make Himself known to and through His people as we worship Him and surrender our lives to His service. We know that the church is not defined by its location, but by the people who call upon His name, and the church is called to the practice of our faith.   As we remain connected to Christ, the Head of the body, He will work through the members of that body to bring honor to His name.

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We think of ourselves as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, as His body, with Jesus at the head, empowering us and expressing Himself through us. Romans 12 contains this description:
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

In a suburb of Nashville, there are plans to convert an office building into an entity called United Fellowship Center.  It's right next door to a Christian school in the suburb of Madison.  UFC claims to be a "church," but is it?  Really?

ReligionNews.com has the backstory on a controversy generated by the relocation of a swingers' club called The Social Club, which wanted to relocate to the new building, but ran into a city ordinance that, according to the People Magazine website, bars the opening of private clubs within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, parks and residences.

Not to worry, the people in charge of the club said.  They merely rebranded as a church, even though they have no intention to become a non-profit organization and therefore have to comply with a 14-point test that the IRS uses to determine if an entity is really a church, according to the group's attorney, quoted by RNS.  He says that United Fellowship Center doesn’t align itself with any world religion, and its belief system is brief: “Do not steal, do not lie, do not cheat, do not take the life of another, do not commit adultery — without the knowledge and consent of your spouse.”

Craig Detwiler, a communication professor at Pepperdine University poses an excellent question, according to the RNS piece.  He is quoted as saying, “The swingers club may be gathering to worship the body...But what does it mean to be the Body of Christ?  Maybe we need to redefine why we gather. … Perhaps this is a post-Christendom moment that we’re in.”

After all, he noted, the Apostle Paul advised the Corinthians on how their church should stand out from temples where patrons had sex with prostitutes to get closer to God.

The article says that the president of the school is vowing to fight, and quotes a legal expert who says that what makes a church could effectively come under court scrutiny.  

Kathleen Flake, a University of Virginia religious studies professor who specializes in First Amendment issues says that all the courts would have to do in the swingers club case is look at the events leading up to the announcement that it was a church.  She said, “The court is not barred from using common sense."  The story said that, "Courts will look at United Fellowship’s leadership structure and whether those leaders have religious training, as well as their belief system and whether it deals with the transcendental rather than the material."

The example is given of the 1968 case of United States v. Kuch, a defendant indicted on charges of selling LSD offered the defense that her membership in the Neo-American Church required her to take psychedelic drugs. The court refused to dismiss the case against Judith Kuch under the finding that defendants can’t use religion as a shield for antisocial behavior.  But Flake does point out that offense doesn't equal harm regarding whether a sexual enterprise can or should apply the label of church.

Does that club in Nashville have the right to call itself a church?  I think there are some religious hurdles that it may be called upon to pass in the days to come.  But, back to Professor Detweiler's question - what does it mean to be the Body of Christ?  

Three words can help to answer that question:

The church, the body of Christ, is defined by the presence of God.  Regarding the church of Jesus Christ, His body, He said that upon the rock - of truth consistent with His nature - He would build His church.  There are many so-called "churches," and I would contend that the presence of a divine element would be a defining component.  But, THE church is defined by the manifestation and worship of the one true God, who is above all.

There are also the people.  The principle comes to mind that you just can't put a sign at a building and call it a church.  And, the activities of the church don't make it the church.  As Detweiler points out in this article, when buildings house coffee shops, bookstores or gyms, are those part of the church — or are they not another form of social club?   I contend that it's not the building that makes the church, but the people make the church, and the building is merely a container or a gathering place.  But, I don't think you can merely take any group of people that gathers and call it a church.  

Finally, if God's presence is manifested through a group of people who can be identified with the body of Christ, we then move on to practice.  The proof of the people experiencing the presence of God is the practice of our faith.  The apostle Paul describes the activity of the body and the expression of the giftedness we have received from God to serve others.  The church is more than just people assembling at a building, but acting in a way that builds people.  We say we believe and confirm it by practice. 

The church, Christ's church, is His body, a representation of His very nature and presence.