Happy (Chinese) New Year!

In 2nd Timothy chapter 4, we see that Paul is encouraging Timothy to be faithful in the circumstances in which he ministered, providing some principles we can follow today:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The word is watchful - are you watching?  Are you listening?  Are you speaking the truth in love? These are all characteristics of believers who are being a voice for God in our culture today.  There are many who do not know Him, and their errant ways are being reinforced by people who are all too willing to lure them to follow human ideals rather than Godly principles.  We have to be discerning and understand the times in which we are living, times in which we have been placed - sovereignly by God.

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The apostle Paul was devoted to finding creative ways to share the gospel message, as we see in 1st
Corinthians 9:
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

The Chinese New Year was celebrated over the weekend, ushering in the year of the rooster, and a ChristianHeadlines.com piece, referring to a Mission Network News report, highlights the work of Bibles for China, which decided to use the occasion as an opportunity to share the gospel.

The article says that, "During this huge celebration, many Chinese people go back home to be reunited with their families." Wendell Rovenstine of Bibles for China is quoted as saying,
“Bibles for China is really happy this year because we believe there’s a lot of homes where families will be together that, for the first time, these homes have a Bible..." He said, that as families "get together to make dumplings and serve dumplings at the end of the festival, before the children and the families leave to go home, that God’s Word will have been there.”

And, ChristianHeadlines.com had a story about a new way to celebrate the Chinese New Year in China, which was set to be introduced.  The article says, based on a CBN report:

This new celebration involves a musical based on the life of the biblical character Ruth, which will be performed throughout the entire nation of China. It is the hope of Christian artists that the message of Ruth—revealed within the musical, which has never before been seen in China—will bring more unbelievers to a saving faith in Christ.

The writer for ChristianHeadlines.com, Andy Beth Miller, says: "As well as the obvious hope for musical watchers to make a decision for Christ, the show's producers are also hoping that the familial theme of the play may serve to inspire improvement in China’s own family relationships." She points out that "...internal conflict within the family has been labeled as one of the top causes for the rising divorce rate in China. Here’s hoping the message of Ruth will meet its mark."

Show director Huang Lan was quoted in the CBN piece. He said, "The only question I thought about the whole time was, 'How should we present this Christian story?'" He added, ""I knew many broken Chinese families need to know the story...The conflicts among family members in China are greater than ever. This could be the chance to heal some of the broken relationships. I pray the (Holy) Spirit could make miracles."

There are several takeaways for us as we consider these two stories.  One is that we can be sensitive to the occasions around us to share Christ's love and hope.  For instance, in America, Christmas and Easter are two times of year during which I believe that spiritual sensitivity is high.  And, this ministry was insightful enough to look at the possibilities of families gathering in homes and endeavor to place Bibles throughout the country at a time when that Bible could impact more people. Sports occasions are also great vehicles to share Christ - you think of tremendous ministry that we've spotlighted around NASCAR; there are also the Olympic games and...a major sporting event is coming up this weekend that attracts large numbers of people and the potential for ministry focus - on-site and in churches, who might invite non-believers to come watch the big game.

And, there is a profound opportunity through the arts to communicate Biblical truth.  Artistic expression is a gift, and God will introduce concepts into our souls that can presented in creative ways.  As Jesus demonstrated for us, stories are great ways to illustrate the heart of God, and through the arts, people can find ways to present dynamic elements of their own stories.  Telling your story of what God has done for you is a powerful way to draw people to Christ.

You: The Movie

Our lives are being played out before us and before God each day, and if we want to live in a manner
that pleases Him, it is important that we follow His direction and allow Him to write His story through us. Hebrews 12 says:
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus has made the way for us to come into a saving knowledge of Himself, and He is the One who will do His work in and through us, until our lives on this earth end.  The final outcome is to be ushered into our heavenly home, where we will love and serve our Lord forever.  In the meantime, we surrender our thoughts and actions to His Lordship and seek to walk according to the ways He has prescribed for us.

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In 1st Corinthians 15, we are reminded about the type of life that God would want us to lead:
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Following this year's epic College Football Playoff National Championship Game, there was a quote in the Montgomery Advertiser that got my attention.  It was from the quarterback who led Clemson to a 35-31 victory over Alabama, Deshaun Watson.  Here's the excerpt from the article:

“I talked to one of my coaches, and he said, ‘It’s a movie, and it’s going to end the right way. Just keep believing in God and believe in your teammates and everything will fall into place.’” Watson said after leading the No. 2 Tigers to a 35-31 upset over No. 1 Alabama. “And that’s what happened. We’re national champs, and it’s amazing.”

The quote reminded me of the plot of the movie, The Truman Show, which featured the main character, played by Jim Carrey, who was born and brought into an elaborate television set and his life was scripted, his interactions played out by actors.  He lived his life in the bubble of a fake town from which he was not able to leave.  And, there were viewers who wore buttons that said, "How's It Going To End?"

Well, our lives are not being played out on the screen or stage, and we are living in a reality here on this earth in which God has placed us.  Truman's "director" was a calloused man who was really a grand puppetmaster, but we serve a God who, while He is writing a script for our lives, is a loving God who has given us the capability to choose His ways, even to choosing to follow His Son, Jesus, through whom we have salvation - our choices are real, not contrived.

Now, people could debate the theology of Deshaun Watson's words, but I do believe the Clemson QB has given us some statements to think about when we consider our lives.  Here are just a few principles that do line up with Scripture.

First of all, we are to follow the director.  Clemson, in the end, had a play drawn up that would result in a touchdown as long as the Tigers executed.  Watson and his teammates had developed a confidence that it would "turn out the right way."  And, there was a spiritual component to those activities.  Our compassionate, all-wise director, who is also writing His story through our lives, will give us what we need in order to perform His will.

We also recognize that there is a script to follow.  The Lord desires to speak and act through us - He will give us our lines.  And, we have the overall principles that are laid out for us in His Word; as we apply that truth and act according to what we find, we can experience the life that He desires for us to live.

Also, one of the outcomes of the Christian experience is victory.   1st Corinthians 15 reminds us that we can experience the victory of Christ over the power of sin.  Our walking as overcomers testifies to the power and greatness of God inside us.

And, finally, when we look at the ultimate outcome of our lives, we can hope that we would be found faithful.  We may not see how it's going to end, but as we follow the director, act according to the Scripture, and seek to live in Christ's victory, we can see that the author and finisher of our faith has completed an award-winning work.  It's not fiction, it is reality, and we have a powerful companion Who will walk with us.

Voices for Life

In Job 31, we see a group of verses dealing with showing compassion for all people, regardless of
their social standing:
13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

Job recognized that even those who worked for him were created by God - formed by Him in the womb.  This is yet another Scriptural example of the heart of our Father toward all life.  He has formed us, and He has ordained a purpose for our lives.  We can spend our lives pursuing His will, His best, and we can be challenged to help others discover God's view of them and to see themselves from His perspective.

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In Proverbs 24, we can read a passage that can be applied to the plight of unborn children whose lives are in danger at the hands of those who would take their lives through abortion:
11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

There are numerous themes on which you could concentrate on this day, with hundreds of thousands gathering in Washington and still others participating in online events...all centered around the value of a human life inside the womb.  And, even though, as LifeNews.com has reported, Whoopi Goldberg and some of the ladies of The View might not like to use the term "pro-life," and dissected the term recently, the term says a lot about the worldview that we embrace.  We do not advocate or remain neutral about the taking of pre-born life.  One of the panelists said no one is pro-abortion, but I disagree.  Look at Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood; look at the numerous lawmakers who, in the name of women's rights, are willing to sacrifice unborn children.  I suppose one can think he or she is "pro-choice," but not be pro-abortion, and as the poll I mentioned yesterday indicated, you can self-identify as pro-choice but favor restrictions on the procedure.

A pop superstar recently identified Planned Parenthood as "modern-day eugenics."  According to The Federalist, Nick Cannon was:

...asked to clarify a comment he made about Planned Parenthood being a “real genocide” during an interview with the New York City radio show “The Breakfast Club” two weeks ago.

“Yeah, (Planned Parenthood is) modern-day eugenics,” Cannon says.

“Can’t elaborate anymore?” the videographer asks. “It’s an important topic.”

“Yeah,” Cannon responds. “It’s population control.”

In another article, the website confirmed the accusations:

He’s not wrong. Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, was a racist and a eugenicist who wanted to stop “biologically unfit” persons from having children. She was a big hit when speaking to a woman’s chapter of the Klu Klux Klan, and confessed in a letter that she wanted to “exterminate the Negro population.”

“We do not want word to get out that we want to exterminate the Negro population and the minister is the man who can straighten out the idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members,” Sanger wrote in a letter dated from 1939. In 1934, Sanger proposed a federal law that would legislate who could have children.

If we could have more celebrities voicing their opposition to Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry in general!  Even if they have compromising positions on other issues.  African-American writer Ryan Bomberger, in a piece on LifeSiteNews.com, took issue with rapper Common's appearance at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser:

Common, who once lamented having his own son aborted, helped to raise money for the leading killer of unarmed black lives—Planned Parenthood. His 1997 song, Retrospect For Life, is filled with conflict and remorse for what he heartbreakingly describes as “turning a woman’s womb into a tomb.” The song was praised by many in the music industry for its poignancy. It rightfully illuminates the selfishness of abortion Common’s lyrics filled with pained reflection:

Must have really thought I was god to take the life of my son

I could have sacrificed going out

To think my homies who did it I used to joke about, from now on

I’m a use self control instead of birth control

Cause $315 ain’t worth your soul

And, it's true - the taking of a life through abortion, as many have testified, injures the soul.  Take actress Jennifer O'Neill, for instance.  She was featured on the Charisma News website:

"I did have a life [that] ... looked so spectacular, and in so many ways it was," said O'Neill, 55, who is best known for her role in the 1971 film Summer of '42. "But it didn't bring me the satisfaction. It didn't fill that empty part of us that only God could fill. As the adage goes, I started looking for love in all the wrong places, thinking someone else could fill me up."

After attempting suicide at 14, she went on to marry nine times and suffer nine miscarriages after an abortion. She nearly died three times--in a car accident, a horseback-riding accident that broke her back, and after accidentally shooting herself in the stomach during a traumatic season when she discovered her fifth husband had sexually abused her teenage daughter.

But her life changed dramatically after she accepted Christ in 1986. She said she found what she had been looking for--a love that was unconditional--and began a journey toward healing, which started with her learning to make Christ Lord of her life. It also included several lessons in forgiveness along the way.

She is a spokesperson for the Silent No More Awareness campaign, encouraging women who have experienced abortion to speak up about what they have encountered.

LifeNews.com published some quotes from the March for Life on its Twitter feed;

NFL player Ben Watson: "We must end the unthinkable practice of abortion in the United States of America."  He also challenged men to be responsible and be leaders in protecting women and children from abortion.  He said, "Truth is greater than any trend."

Vice-President Pence promised that, "This administration will work to end taxpayer funding of abortion and abortion providers."  In what may become his most memorable quote, he said, "Life is winning again in America."

And, Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway is quoted as saying: "It is no coincidence that the first right cited in the Declaration of Independence is the right to Life"  She also said, "We are here to protect & promote the most precious gift in the world - the gift of life."

Our challenge is simple - we have to continue to speak for the rights of the pre-born.  I believe it's Biblical and encouraging for our culture.  I believe that how a society regards the unborn is directly related to how it cares for those who are outside the womb.  When we walk to take the life and even the possessions of another, it shows that people disregard one another, in violation of the heart and commandments of God.

And, to those who tweeted out in response to the March, chiding those who showed up for not being affirming to people once they're born, I would say, look at Jesus...look at Him - it's a message for all of us, to develop compassion for all humanity.  If we as the body of Christ can lead the way and set the example for viewing others through His eyes, what a powerful impact it can have.

We can also adopt a holistic approach to issues of life.  We absolutely should be concerned about rescuing children who are in danger of having their lives taken.  And, we can show compassion for families affected by a pregnancy in crisis.  We can minister to women who have had abortions and are facing emotional and spiritual distress.  And, I am thankful that adoption has become a prime focus of pro-life people.

Restrictions

In Ecclesiastes 12, the writer offers these words of admonition:
1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them":

And later, in verses 6 and 7:
6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.
7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Everyone does well to follow these instructions: to remember our Creator.  Now, that statement makes the bold assumption and the spiritual fact that God is our Creator. So, He is the One who has ordained your life.  His hand is what gives your life value.  If every human being adopted that simple perspective, what a difference we would see!  People would cease to take the lives of others, including the unborn, because they reverence God and respect His creation.  And, we would, I think, have a greater sense of His purpose for us.

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In the first chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we read about when God came to the prophet and laid out His call on his life:
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
7 But the Lord said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

The Bible teaches a reverence for our Creator and a healthy respect for His creation.  That means we are to be good stewards of the environment, for sure, without going overboard.   It also means that we are to regard the creation of life as a sovereign act of God, who looked at his forming human beings and giving them the breath of life as "very good."

During January, it gives us an opportunity to also show regard for life inside the womb.  And, a new Marist poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus shows that a majority of Americans, including many who are pro-choice, want to see unborn life protected, according to a CNSNews.com article.

Here's a telling statement:

74 percent of all Americans – including 54 percent of those who identify as pro-choice - are in favor of “significant restrictions” on abortion.

The poll also found that “Americans overwhelmingly oppose using tax dollars to fund abortions," with 83% voicing opposition to funding abroad and 61% indicating opposition in the U.S.  So...why are lawmakers considering a bill to overturn what President Trump did this week, in reinstating a ban on American taxpayers funding abortions in other countries?

The article also reports that:

Three-quarters of those polled who favor restrictions on abortion also said they want the U.S. Supreme Court to allow such restrictions, according to the poll.

An even larger majority of nearly 8 in 10 Americans (78%) also agree that “it is possible to have laws which protect both the health and well-being of the woman and the life of the unborn.”

Now the poll does indicate that "52% of Americans identify as pro-choice; 42% identify as pro-life; and 6% are 'unsure'" But, 59% of Americans surveyed think that abortion is “morally wrong." That includes 80% of Trump supporters and 37% of Clinton supporters. Only 39% believe it is “morally acceptable."

But, as Dr. Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll, told reporters during a conference call on Monday, “The issue is very complex, but what we generally tend to do is speak about just the categories of pro-life and pro-choice and force people to take a position,” adding, “But beyond the labels, people have very significant ideas that are not as simplistic as the labels suggest.”

As an example, she pointed out that 58% of millennials identify as pro-choice, compared to 37% who identify as pro-life. But, she also related that 7 in 10 millennials “choose positions on abortion that include significant restrictions.” Carvalho said, “The labels don’t really get at what people’s positions are on these very important issues."

So, again almost three-out-of-four Americans agree there should be some restrictions on abortion. Yet, many elected lawmakers, especially those in Congress, still continue to vote to fund Planned Parenthood with tax dollars. And, one can only hope that the Senate will pass the bill to restrict taxpayer funding of abortion that was approved by the House earlier this week, so that President Trump gets a chance to sign it.  Also in Congress, a common-sense 20-week abortion ban still languishes.   Meanwhile, state legislatures have passed significant restrictions throughout the years.

But, the American people are smart, and seem to have a sense that something is wrong with abortion, even if they do not consider themselves to be pro-life.  This is encouraging, and indicates that there is a moral component of the American populous that still remains, despite an attitude that favors unlimited abortion.  

So, please consider with me:

The battle for unborn life ultimately will not be won in the halls of Congress, but in the hearts of Americans.  Because, a supernatural component will help someone see that there is life in the womb that should not be taken.   And, the seeds have apparently been planted.   If the media gets in gear and covers the hundreds of thousands who are expected at tomorrow's March for Life, what a significant message that can send to Americans.  And, what affirmation for people who may be in favor of so-called "choice," but who deeply think that abortion should be restricted.

Ultimately, truth wins.  Truth in the form of the Scriptures.  Truth lived out in society through the love of Jesus, willing to minister with compassion to women and men in crisis pregnancy situations. Truth as expressed in ultrasound technology that show a women she is carrying life.

There is also truth about sexuality that has been ignored.  The 100% effective means to prevent unwanted pregnancy comes as two people show respect for one another and abstain from sex outside of marriage - it's God's prescription, and it totally works.  We can look to our officials to restrict that taking of human life, but we can also look to ourselves to not engage in sexual behavior that is outside His will.

Finding Religion, Finding America

We serve a God Who is exclusive - He is the one true God, and all other gods and idols are inferior to Him. 1st Corinthians 8 declares:
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

What "gods" we serve that are not gods!  It could be the god of ambition, of power, of prestige, or wealth.  The god of self is one that we battle each and every day.  I believe an idol is anything, or anyone, that we put ahead of the one true God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  In our devotion to God, we isolate those things that are not pleasing to Him, confessing and renouncing them, bringing our lives into submission to the Lordship of Christ, so that He alone is exalted through us.

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There is overwhelming evidence for the existence of God - in many ways, He has made Himself clear to humanity. Romans 1 says:
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

His invention has brought people together in a virtual way, and now the founder of Facebook wants to get together face-to-face.  Mark Zuckerberg has made a series of announcements recently, including voicing his intention to have visited every state in America by the end of 2017.

The BBC reports that he posted on Facebook that "this year's personal challenge is to 'have visited and met people in every state in the US.'" He needs to hit about 30 states to reach that goal. The article points out that previous "New Year challenges have included running 365 miles, reading 25 books and learning Mandarin."

He wrote, "After a tumultuous last year, my hope for this challenge is to get out and talk to more people about how they're living, working and thinking about the future."

The BBC notes that this announcement might be consistent with speculation that the social media guru may want to run for President.  In fact, USA Today just published a story that says that Zuckerberg told BuzzFeed News that he is not running for the nation's highest office.   In its story, USA Today, in referring to Zuckerberg's announcement that he intended to visit all 50 states, stated:

That announcement followed revelations that Zuckerberg persuaded the Facebook board to allow him to retain control of the social media giant even if he takes a leave of absence to serve in the government or political office. On Christmas Day, Zuckerberg said he was no longer an atheist, another signal to some that he was considering a run for office, perhaps even president.

Now, there's some serious news here.  But, don't get too excited - he may have left atheism, but it's unclear what he may have embraced.  The BBC referred to a Quartz story, which said:

Zuck wished his friends a “Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from Priscilla, Max, Beast and me!,” to which one user replied “Aren’t you an atheist?”

“No,” Zuckerberg responded. “I was raised Jewish and then I went through a period where I questioned things, but now I believe religion is very important.”

At the end of his Christmas message, Zuckerberg stated: “May the light of your friendships continue to brighten your life...and our entire world.”

According to the story, he had stated on Facebook back in 2015 during a visit to China that he...

"...offered a prayer for peace and health for the world and for my family” in front of Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. “Buddhism is an amazing religion and philosophy, and I have been learning more about it over time,” he wrote on Facebook at the time. “I hope to continue understanding the faith more deeply.”

The Huffington Post reports that Zuckerberg's wife, Priscilla Chan, is a Buddhist.

Last year, the Facebook founder and his wife met with Pope Francis, where they discussed, according to a Vatican spokesman quoted by Catholic News Service, "how communications technology can be used to alleviate poverty, encourage a culture of encounter and help deliver a message of hope, especially to the most disadvantaged people."

Well, you don't want to make too much about this, but you do have to be encouraged that a high-profile atheist is willing to make the declaration that he is renouncing atheism.  But, after all, the evidence is everywhere that there is a God.  His creative design, including how each of us is made, is very apparent.  Then add in how you have actually seen and experienced the hand of God move in people's lives.  The case is certainly compelling, and, on a personal note, quite overwhelming.

I also want to return to a concept I have put forth in the past - we never know how God might be working in a person's life to bring that person to Himself.  I think there's a tendency to categorize a person and then write him or her off regarding the possibility of them accepting Christ.  I am thankful that God doesn't write any of us off - He is constantly at work, and I believe that His Spirit is drawing everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Him.  And, we can be sensitive for the Spirit to perhaps use us to speak of or demonstrate the love of Christ, so that seeds would be planted that would result in a harvest of salvation.  You might say that the founder of Facebook is "dabbling" in religion, or that he has an appreciation of religious practice, but it might indicate an open heart, a heart that the Lord would be more than willing to fill.

Under the Dome

The Psalmist was in a particularly desperate time in his life, and as he recounted his struggles, he
emphasized the importance of remembering God. Psalm 42 says this:
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.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.

Here, we can see how remembering instances of God's faithfulness, a different place with the Lord - physically and spiritually - helped the writer when he was feeling down.  I think it's so true for us: reflecting on God's past faithfulness can help to strengthen our faith now.  And, when we feel separated from Him, it could very well be we need to refresh and even reset our relationship by thinking about times when we have see Him show up in our lives.  What's different?  Perhaps it's a matter of confession and repentance.  Or, it's just experiencing a fresh touch of His Spirit through personal reflection.

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There's a passage in Exodus 33 that speaks to the concept of "meeting" with God.  God had a special place to meet with Moses, and they interacted.  This is something I'll explore a bit later, but first to the Word...
9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.
11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

So, there you have it - the Atlanta Falcons are headed for a Super Bowl.  It's their second in the 51-year franchise history, matching the number of Super Bowls played in their home stadium, the Georgia Dome, which has hosted its last NFL game; perhaps its last sporting event before giving way to its neighbor next door, the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

The AJC.com website put it this way:

When the Georgia Dome opened in 1992 in downtown Atlanta it was billed as the largest domed stadium in the world.

The Fiberglas fabric roof panel was considered a modern marvel, stretching more than 395,000 square feet and weighing just 68 pounds.

Under its cozy, temperature-controlled field, fans witnessed some memorable moments in sports history, including three NCAA Men's Final Fours, two decades of SEC championships, two Super Bowls, two NBA seasons and an Olympics.

By the way, if you're an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, the article points out that the Tide won 10 out of its last 11 games there. Nick Saban was 13-1 in the Dome.

The Alabama basketball team was part of history there, too - it was on the court when a tornado hit downtown Atlanta in 1998 during an SEC tournament game, resulting in damage to the building, including a hole torn in the roof.

One thing I learned is that in the 1992 dedication ceremony for the building, a rather well-known evangelist spoke - his name, Billy Graham.  You can actually listen to the audio at the BillyGraham.org website.

Two years later, Dr. Graham was back to conduct a 5-night crusade.  Christianity Today reported about it.  The article pointed out that African-American participation was an intentional aspect of the crusade: "In October, at Graham's five-day Georgia Dome crusade, African-American participation was obvious, from the makeup of the 12,000-member choir to the platform guests, ushers, counselors, and committee chairpeople."  Over 1,000 churches participated.  78,000 people showed up for the Saturday night youth rally that included DC Talk and Take 6. 

In addition to the sports element, the history of the Dome includes some dramatic spiritual events. The venue that began operation with a ceremony complete with a Billy Graham speech and during its final month, hosted a gathering of over 50,000 young adults called Passion, became the gathering place for believers throughout the South.

But for many men in the Faith Radio broadcast area, one of your fondest memories of the Dome would have been during 1995 and 1996 when the men's movement Promise Keepers hosted three events there.  Hundreds of men took part in a bus caravan, sponsored by local churches, to travel to the Dome.  I was there both years, and as I recall, speakers during that 2-year period included Tony Evans, Steve Farrar, Wellington Boone, Jack Hayford, Ravi Zacharias, and Crawford Loritts.  I cannot forget Crawford's stirring tribute to his dying father during the 1996 PK conference; he had left his father's side to come to Atlanta to speak.

And, according to the still-functioning PK website:

In February 1996, Promise Keepers hosted more than 39,000 Christian clergy for a worship and teaching conference in Atlanta. “Fan into Flame” was reported to be the largest gathering of Christian clergy in modern history.

I believe that the seeds planted during that special season of men's conferences continues to live today in what God is doing through men's ministries all across that nation.  And, what a thrill it was to talk with Wellington Boone the other day, who was a central figure in the Promise Keepers movement.

So, an era is over, the Dome is history, and the Falcons have one more step to perhaps winning the franchise's first Super Bowl crown; they have to beat Tom Brady to do it, but perhaps Matt Ryan is up to it.   And, while there is not too much published about Ryan's personal faith, he is quoted in an article at WND.com about the faith of NFL quarterbacks:

“They’re just completely interwoven,” said Atlanta’s Matt Ryan. “The things that go on in your house, the things that go on in your faith, they affect the way that you show up and what you do when you’re at your job.”

There have been some rather outspoken Christians with the Falcons throughout the years.  Former head coach, Dan Reaves comes to mind, who took the Birds to their last Super Bowl.   You can also think about Steve Bartkowski, Greg Brezina, and I'm sure others that I'm leaving out, as well.

It certainly is fun and instructive to think about the history of the Dome, a place that had a leading minister at its dedication ceremony.  A place where some impactful spiritual events took place.

A couple of thoughts:

I think its helpful to reflect on how you have seen God work in the past.  I saw God show up when I attended Promise Keepers.  Young adults have been touched through the Passion Conferences.  And, perhaps even the impact of a Christian football player cannot be understated.   When we have seen instances of God's faithfulness, we can talk and think about them and it can produce a sense of thankfulness to Him.

And, you know, just thinking back on those incredible PK experiences can remind us that we can draw strength from where you have seen God work in the past - the places you've been and where you have met with Him.  Sometimes even physically revisiting a place can bring back a stream of memories that God can use to draw you closer to Him.  And, when you consider a place, also consider that spiritual place to which God has brought you.  If you have departed from that place in God where you know He wants you, take an opportunity to meet with Him, right where you are and allow Him to take you back there - then move forward in Christ.

Women and Rights

It's interesting that in Romans 13, after outlining the Biblical perspective on the role of government,
the apostle Paul writes this:
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

We are called to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the character of Christ - He embodied love.  He said that He had come to serve and to give His life.  He spoke truth and spoke boldly, but it was also coated in compassion.  And, we are called to display His love, to walk in His light.  When we speak, we can strive to reflect the tone of our Savior; Paul tells us to speak the truth in love.  That does not mean we are to be timid or silent with respect to issues in our society; rather, we weigh our words and depend on the Spirit to help us deliver them well.

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What is our approach to speaking out on a variety of issues?   Well, we recognize that as we pray,
God may direct us to speak and act. I think Colossians 3 offers a great guide:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

The day following the swearing in of Donald Trump as 45th President of the United States, an odd assortment of activists took to the streets in the nation's capital and other cities across the nation and other parts of the world to participate in the so-called Women's March on Washington.  And, while a dominant theme included a pushback to inappropriate, and I would dare say offensive, comments that the new President had made concerning women, what the event actually became is up for debate.

In a reaction to vulgarity, there were reports of the use of profanity - you have to ask...Does referring to oneself as "nasty," using profanity and slang terms that are unacceptable in civil conversation contribute to an understanding of women's issues?   Did authentic women's issues really emerge from this event?

One issue that drove the organizers was abortion.  And, a Christianity Today article referred to a piece on The Atlantic website, which asked, “Is there room in the movement for people who morally object to abortion?”  The CT report said, "Her article portrayed some of the hundreds of pro-life women planning to attend either in solidarity with fellow feminists or in protest."

It added, "Meanwhile, the event organizers came up with their own response: No."  The story said:

“We look forward to marching on behalf of women who share the view that women deserve the right to make their own reproductive decisions,” the group said. Access to abortion and birth control were included among 1 of 16 values and principles guiding the grassroots rally.

And, not all of those 16 values dealt with concerns specific to women.  LGBTQ, immigration, and minimum wage were some of the included issues.

Kate Shellnut wrote the Christianity Today piece, and pointed out:

According to a Pew Research Center report released last year, 40 percent of American women oppose abortion in all or most circumstances, and white evangelical Protestants are far more likely than any other religious group to side against it.

Pro-life evangelical women have long spoken up to advocate for women’s positions in the church and society. They mobilized around various pro-women causes in recent years, even when it meant pushing back against Religious Right affiliations. Last fall, top female evangelical authors and teachers like Beth Moore criticized Trump’s rhetoric around women and denounced the prevalence of sexual assault. As The Atlantic reported, many pro-life women were just as outraged at Trump; they refused to support his presidency and doubt his pro-life bona fides.

Their common ground with the pro-choice feminists marching this weekend goes beyond a common enemy. Lately, evangelicals have formed organizations to encourage women in the workplace and leadership roles, as well as advocating for paid leave as a family values issue. Christian organizations abroad have rallied to offer women’s health care, provide education, and fight the exploitation of women through trafficking, violence, and genital mutilation.

And, groups involved in the March represent a variety of causes, some which run counter to the Christian worldview perspective.  LifeSiteNews.com reported on an article at the NewsBusters website, which said that billionaire George Soros had contributed almost $90 million to groups involved in the March :

In a new report, Alatheia Nielsen at NewsBusters revealed that more than a quarter of the groups listed as "partners" on the Women's March on Washington website are funded by Soros. These include Planned Parenthood, to whom Soros has given over $21 million since 2000, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, to whom Soros has given over $3 million since 2000. Other Soros-funded groups participating include the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, Catholics for Choice, Equality Now, NARAL, the National Abortion Federation, the Human Rights Campaign, and Amnesty International.

In fact, the NewsBusters story showed the activist billionaire had sent $32 million to the LGBT group, the Human Rights Campaign.  

Anne Graham Lotz watched the festivities on Saturday - she relates that her choice of a Bible verse to correspond to the birthday of her 15-year-old granddaughter was impacted by those events.  She wrote in a blog post:

With these sights and sounds still fresh on my mind, the verse that I have chosen for our beloved Bell is one I share with you, too: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

My prayer for beloved Bell…and for the women of the world…is that as she fears God and seeks to grow in her personal knowledge of Him, she would become a woman of great wisdom and understanding who shuns evil and serves Him faithfully.

She also made these comments:

My heart aches for many of the women I saw marching…women who have joined a “movement” that is deceptive and in the end, will be destructive and lead them to a spiritual and moral “grave.”[1] I pray earnestly for them to turn to the one, true, living God, who is the only One who can give them the deep, permanent peace, love, hope, and security we all long for.

She included a footnote for 2nd Timothy 3, verses 6 through 9.

In his Inaugural Address, Mr. Trump said, "The Bible tells us, 'how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.'  We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity."  You do have to wonder if the weekend's activities has anything today with debating disagreements honestly; rather, to further one particular set of values at the expense of deeply held core religious beliefs that are embraced by a significant number of Americans.

Then, there's this quote:

I uphold women's rights...the right to treat her body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the right to say "No" to giving away before marriage what belongs only to her husband, the right to follow God's plan to have in place a home of security and love before bringing life into the world, and the right to stay at home and raise her children if that's what God places on her heart. I also believe in women's rights for the unborn women...they have a right to be born!

Joel Smallbone of Christian band for KING & COUNTRY, who starred in the movie, Priceless, which will be available on digital HD on January 31 and on DVD, Blu-ray, and on demand on Feburary 14, is quoted at the Variety website: “Part of the DNA of For King and Country is this idea of respect and honor in relationships and women being priceless,” adding, “What we’ve found in our beliefs as men is that people are made equal. The film continues the idea that no one is a commodity and everyone deserves to be loved and loved well."

I wholeheartedly agree.  Women deserve to be:

Valued.

Affirmed.

Respected.

Appreciated.

I would submit, regarding some of these political issues:

Equal pay for equal work - check.

Treated with respect and not assaulted - check.

Not viewed as sexual objects - check.

Not trafficked, bought and sold as objects - check.

But, do women have the "right" to terminate the life of their unborn child?  In the eyes of Scripture, I believe absolutely not.  Those that would hold signs that say "My Body, My Choice," and the like, certainly do not understand the sanctity of the life of the unborn child within them.  But, fortunately, through truth being spoken consistent with the Scriptures and projected through ultrasound technology, I believe hearts are changing.  As I reported last week, the abortion rate is declining.

A Baptist Press article says:

The abortion rate in the United States declined to an all-time low, while the number of lethal procedures dropped below a million for the first time since 1975, according to a new report.

The Guttmacher Institute reported Tuesday (Jan. 17) the rate fell to 14.6 abortions per 1,000 women 15 to 44 years old in 2014, which is a decline of 14 percent since its most recent survey in 2011. In its census of all known abortion providers in the country, Guttmacher found abortions totaled 958,700 in 2013 and 926,190 in 2014.

The Institute suggested that an increase in contraceptive use caused the decline, while also admitting restrictions on the procedure contributed. The article quotes Clark Forsythe, Acting President of Americans United for Life: "Research has shown that life-affirming laws do have an impact on lowering the number of abortions, and with all the life-affirming laws passed since 2010, we have a reason to celebrate the number of lives saved and women protected as legislators worked to defend them from a predatory and rarely accountable abortion industry," He added, "But another factor in lower[ing] the number of abortions is the power of beautiful pictures of life inside the womb, through ultrasound...Such pictures are worth more than a thousand words when it comes to helping people understand whose lives are on the line."

So, in summary, we remember that:

The Bible teaches that life is sacred, and that the choice to terminate the life of an unborn child is contradictory to that view.

Also, recognize that there are well-funded entities that promote a philosophy that stands in contrast to the teachings of Scripture about life, sexuality, and marriage.  But, we have powerful resources - the compelling truth of the Bible and the power of prayer - that can help us deal with issues spiritually when materially we are at a disadvantage.  And, our enemies are not flesh and blood.

Finally, we can learn, as the President said, to "debate our disagreements honestly."  Our purpose is not to win the argument, but to win the heart - that is done through speaking the truth in love.

Another Chapter

The sovereignty of God is underscored in Proverbs 21:
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Throughout the Scriptures, you see where God used governmental authorities to accomplish His purposes - it's a principle that is still in effect for us today, and something to contemplate as the United States transitions to new leadership.  We also recognize that the Bible addresses the purpose for government.  We don't necessarily know the purposes of God, and the Bible shows us that some leaders were actually instruments of His judgment.  But, we can be challenged to pray for those in authority, that, as 1st Timothy 2 outlines, believers might live "quiet and peaceable lives."

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The prophet Daniel, who was brought into the service of the Babylonian king during the captivity of the people of Israel, had a challenge - tell the king what he had dreamt and the meaning of it.  In the
book of Daniel chapter 2, we read:
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.

The inclusion of evangelical Christian leaders in the events surrounding the Inauguration of President Donald Trump has been stunning and surprising.  No, this is not the leader that many Christians would have chosen when describing their ideal President perhaps 18 months ago.  But, the thrice-married real estate magnate who has operated gambling casinos and made disrespectful comments about women and disparaging comments about people with whom he disagrees is now President.

So, we have to get used to saying President Donald Trump.  And, we have to accept that the God who raises up and deposes leaders, according to the book of Daniel, is now our leader.  By the way, even though he will go down in history for many as a champion of abortion, gay rights, and the erosion of religious freedom for Christians, Barack Obama was also raised up as President according to the sovereign hand of God.

God will not give America the leader it wants necessarily, but will give us the leader we need - and He speaks and operates through the electoral process.  Throughout the Bible, we see that God chose leaders who are imperfect, some of them downright wicked.  Even David, who was described as a man after God's own heart, had some very apparent flaws.  Nebuchadnezzar enslaved the Jewish people, but God worked in his life.  Some have likened Donald Trump to Cyrus, a secular king who was sympathetic with the cause of God's chosen people.

We don't know what God might do through Donald Trump in the next four years, but I'm thankful that there are Christian leaders who apparently have his ear.  The evangelical advisory board that was active in the campaign will continue to operate during the Administration, as member Dr. Richard Land announced on The Meeting House yesterday.  There were a number of Christian leaders who spoke at the traditional worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church in D.C. this morning. Christian prayers and comments were offered at the Inauguration.   And tomorrow, the customary service at the National Cathedral will feature some voices that have been heard on Faith Radio.

As Christianity Today reports:

The National Prayer Service, hosted at the Episcopal cathedral Saturday morning, will feature two former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, the granddaughter of Billy Graham, and Greg Laurie, the evangelist behind the popular Harvest America crusades, among a total of 26 faith leaders.

Representatives from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, and Bahá’í traditions are also participating in the event...

Those two former SBC presidents are Jack Graham and Ronnie Floyd, who are both members of that advisory board, as is pastor David Jeremiah.  Alveda King, Harry Jackson, and Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Franklin and granddaughter of Billy Graham, are all on the list of participants.

The CT report says:

Trump has requested a series of Scripture readings and prayers rather than a sermon.

“As a Baptist, I’m compelled by my faith to pray for the leaders of our nation and to ask God’s blessing on them, for they cannot succeed outside his providence and without his guiding hand,” said Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist and former chairman for the National Day of Prayer.

One of the participants this morning at the private worship service at St. John's was James Robison. According to the website, The Stream:

Late Thursday night, Stream founder and publisher James Robison took to Twitter and Facebook to issue a prayer request to all believers. Robison publicly announced that he will be praying over President-elect Trump and his family early Friday morning. He asks that we join with him in that prayer.

Also on that website, Dr. Michael Brown wrote this, from the perspective of someone who has been critical during the past of the new President:

So, I’m encouraging you to have a godly attitude towards our new president. I’m encouraging you to pray for him with the heartfelt desire that God will make him into a great president rather than for you to stand on the sidelines, rooting for his fall. According to the Scriptures, the former attitude is godly; the latter is not.

Let your attitude, then, as a past critic be: “I have grave concerns about President Trump, but I’m hoping that I’m wrong about my concerns.”

Not only did Brown address attitude, but also expectation, writing:

Could it be that Trump is not quite the man you think he is? Could it be that he has more going for him than you realize? Could it be that many Americans had solid reasons to vote for him and that he could get a lot done for the good of our nation? Could it be that, despite his very rough edges and non-presidential tweets, God is already working in his heart?

All in all, like Trump or not, he is now our President.  But, Jesus is our King - so we trust our leadership and our nation at large into the hands of Almighty God.  We can move forward with expectancy that God will do His work in the hearts of His people and bring people who don't know Him into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Somebody To Talk To

The wisdom that we acquire in the Lord is expressed through our words, as well as our actions that
are consistent with that wisdom. Colossians 3 says:
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

One of the indicators of what is in our hearts is the language we use.  Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  What we say, how we say it, and the wisdom that is contained within our words all go to show the condition of our relationship with Christ.  So, we have to make sure our words line up - if we say that we believe in Him, we have to make sure that we speak His truth, in love, in a manner that builds up and does not tear down.   We can participate in meaningful conversations that are devoted to improving the conditions of others, as well as ourselves, rather than merely complain about our current circumstances.

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I want to return to James 3, which deals primarily with the power of words.  As believers in Christ,
our words can be the roads on which godly wisdom travels. Consider this:
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In the midst of our national transition, it gives America and its leaders an opportunity to evaluate and hopefully address some of the problems that we facing in our culture.  But, who do you go to for answers?   LifeWay Research has attempted to measure who Americans would actually talk to about our challenges, giving them the chance to choose between a number of professions.

The question was this: “In America today, who is in the best position to generate a healthy conversation on challenges facing our society?”  23 percent said the elected President of the United States.  Only 11 percent said local church pastors, and 10 percent responded that university professors were in the best position.  Then you have the single-digit responses: media members, at 8 percent, business leaders, at seven, and members of Congress at six percent.  At one percent, professional athletes do not seem to be regarded as people who could lead these conversations; "musicians" came in at less than one percent.

The winner: "none of these" at 33 percent.

Executive director of LifeWay Research, Scott McConnell, said, “There’s a vacuum of public leadership in America,” adding, “We know we have problems and that we should talk about them. But there’s no one who can bring us all together.”

The findings were also broken down into categories.  Younger Americans were more likely to trust the media than older ones.  African-Americans were more likely, among ethnic groups, to choose pastors and the President.  Those identified as Christians, not surprisingly, are more likely to look at pastors over members of other faiths, and less likely to look to professors.  Over one-third of evangelicals said that pastors were in the best position.

So, who's talking?  Who is leading the way into the future?   Well, as America inaugurates a President, you do recognize that position carries with it an incredible weight.  What the President says - and does - affects an enormous number of people.  That's why the President needs our prayers. But, apparently Americans get it when almost a quarter of them see that the President's influence is limited, according to this LifeWay study.

I would have liked to see the "pastor" number higher, but faith leaders do slightly outdistance professors and the media, as well as business leaders.  And, perhaps this challenges to recognize the place of a pastor in our social structure.   Pastors are put in the position to speak God's truth - to speak for Him, in a sense.  They are leadership mouthpieces, and they need to be regarded as such.

McConnell used a phrase in this quote that I want to concentrate on: “Musicians or athletes get a great deal of attention for their public statements about the issues...But few Americans seem to look to them as thought leaders.”  Thought leaders.  Is that what you aspire to be?  I think to a certain degree we can all present a valid point of view.  When we converse about bigger issues, we can find people to converse with and subjects to converse about.   The Word of God and resources that help us understand the Scriptures more fully, such as what our Bible teachers on Faith Radio offer, can prepare us to be influential in the circles to which God has called us.

Our challenges are daunting; and the polarization is stifling.  But, the injection of Biblical truth into conversation in a way that wins and not repels can be powerful in crafting a way forward for our nation.

Man as God

As believers in Christ, we are called to acknowledge the absolute authority that God possesses. Isaiah 45 contains these verses:
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other;
7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.'

There is no other - ponder that for a moment.  We are prone, as fallen human beings, to control our own lives, but as redeemed human beings, we can relinquish control to the One who has made us, who has formed us for His purposes.  When we are tempted to think our way is best or to try to figure out the best way to live, God has prescribed a satisfying, exhilarating life - He wants us to experience His best, but we fall short if we think that we know better than He.

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The struggle for control - humanity vs. divinity, is seen so clearly in Genesis 11 in the story of the Tower of Babel:
4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
6 And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

At the Tower of Babel, you saw God thwart the desire of human beings for absolute control, and we are seeing that desire, an unquenchable thirst for power played out on so many levels.   Now, the European Parliament will be considering a resolution that will grant special rights to...robots!

The Guardian reports that in a 17-2 vote, with two abstentions, the legal affairs committee of the parliament passed a report which "outlines one possible framework for regulation."

The author of the report is parliament member Mady Delvaux of Luxembourg, who said, “A growing number of areas of our daily lives are increasingly affected by robotics,” adding, "In order to address this reality and to ensure that robots are and will remain in the service of humans, we urgently need to create a robust European legal framework."

The article says that this "proposed legal status for robots would be analogous to corporate personhood, which allows firms to take part in legal cases both as the plaintiff and respondent."

The Irish Times leads off an article with this paragraph:

"Can a robot sin?” the journal Christian Today asks readers. That, in essence, is what we are asking when we consider, for example, how the artificial intelligence (AI) driving a driverless car programmed to avoid accidents, can consider such ethical questions as what to do when faced with a choice between two accidents?

It mentions a report to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.  The story says:

Although it argues that reducing human oversight may increase efficiency and is necessary for applications such as driverless cars, it warns of “dangers in coming to depend entirely on the decisions of AI systems when we do not fully understand how the systems are making those decisions”.

The report adds: "Some serious thinkers fear...that AI could one day pose an existential threat: a ‘superintelligence’ might pursue goals that prove not to be aligned with the continued existence of humankind.” The story says, "That 'one day' may be upon us."

The website CNet reports that:

It's a boom time for robots of all kinds. Market researcher IDC forecasts that worldwide spending on robotics and related services will hit $188 billion in 2020, more than doubling the $91.5 billion spent in 2016. Manufacturing accounts for the largest slice of that, but the consumer robotics sector last year reached a not too shabby $6.5 billion.

The article explores what makes a robot a robot.  In addition to the mechanical aspects, it declares that "autonomy" is a "key defining factor of robotics."

So, while we tinker with devices to make our lives easier, we are also training technical creations to think, and with thought comes emotion, perhaps even ambition, when you factor in the component of autonomy.   Humanity's creation could possibly backfire.  And, these attractive human creations can become high-tech idols.

I think, to a certain extent, it all goes back to power and control.  There is the freedom and the desire to innovate, but one has to check on what motivates.  And, when a culture is willing to grant special rights to human creation but deny the right to life to divine creations, i.e., pre-born children, our priorities are certainly out of line.  

It all boils down to whether we revere God's creation and His principles more or less than we revere our own.  And, all too often, the fallible human wisdom wins out.  So it goes for our own individual lives - we identify as disciples of Jesus Christ, but in our minds and our motivation, we struggle with placing ourselves in charge.  It is all too tempting to promote our own way and then place a God-stamp on it and think we're doing His will.  You might even say to become a productive Christian, we really have to tear down our preconceived beliefs in order to align ourselves with Him. We have to rewire our thought processes, based on His principles, not our own.  It's a lifelong conflict, but God's power and truth give us the capacity to be victorious over the ungodly ambition for control.

Shame

In the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded those who heard that we live in a
world that may not take kindly to people who follow Him. We read in Matthew 5:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We certainly want people to like us; that's just part of human nature, I believe.  And, when we build relationship with people who are different than we, it can be a "win" for the Kingdom of God.  But, there will be those who, try as we might, will not see nor appreciate our perspective, and we can't compromise to curry favor.  But, we don't lash out or call them names or become angry; in fact Jesus said we should be of good cheer in the face of tribulation.  He enables us to respond to opposition in the Spirit rather than react in the flesh.

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When we reflect on how Christians are regarded sometimes in this world, and think about opposition
and persecution that believers in Christ encounter, remember what Jesus said in John 16:
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

There has been emphasis on religious persecution over the past month or so, including Congressional passage of a bill that was designed to bring greater attention to international religious freedom issues. Also, the head of Open Doors USA, David Curry, joined me recently to discuss the Open Doors World Watch List, devoted to identifying the leading countries who persecute Christians.  In our conversation, he highlighted a number of countries, including some who are related to Islamic extremism.   North Korea tops the list again this year.  Curry also identified India as a country where there has been an uptick in persecution of Christians.

Another report that has received some attention is from the organization International Christian Concern, which released its 2016 "Hall of Shame" recently.  It divides the countries according to three categories: one is "Worst of the Worst," which includes North Korea, Iraq and Syria, and Nigeria.  Another is "Core Countries," which includes Saudi Arabia, China, Egypt, and Pakistan. There's a "Core Case Study" of India.  And, the third category, "New and Noteworthy," includes: Russia, Mexico, and...the United States.

A summary on the Religion News Service website quotes Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern: “We felt it was very important this year that we highlight three countries where religious discrimination and persecution are deemed unusual but have reached a certain threshold of concern. These are Mexico, Russia, and sadly, the United States,” adding, "While conditions in the US are in no way comparable to other countries on the list, a certain segment of the culture and the courts seem to be intent on driving faith out of the public square. There have been too many court cases with bad decisions to miss the clear trend line.”  The summary also notes, "Exit polls made it clear Supreme Court nominations and religious liberty were two driving forces in the outcome of the 2016 U.S. election."

The actual report, available from the ICC website, notes:

In short, Christians in the US are facing constant attacks in the media, where they are portrayed as bigoted, racist, sexist, and closeminded. The characterization in the media may be translating into direct attacks as well. The First Liberty Institute, the largest legal organization in the US dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom, documents such actions and reports that attacks on religion doubled between 2012 and 2015.

More importantly, Christians and all religious people are being marginalized through the law.

The report also states:

Decades of accumulated poor judicial decisions and precedents have twisted the First Amendment so that the courts, in defiance of the Founders, are pushing religion out of the public square, and into the small space of private expression. In essence, the courts are deciding that you only have full religious freedom and expression in the church and your home. In the public domain, your religious views and thoughts must be restrained and controlled. 

Yesterday was Religious Freedom Day in the U.S., and The Stream's Liberty McArtor presented an article called, "Looking Back: A Snapshot of Religious Liberty in 2016."  It features a number of events throughout the year relative to religious liberty, and includes some comments from Kelly Shackelford of First Liberty.  It also has this section about a public official sharing his view on the concept of religious freedom:

In September, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights issued a report that called religious freedom a code word for intolerance. Martin Castro, author of the 307-page report entitled Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties, wrote:

The phrases “religious liberty” and “religious freedom” will stand for nothing except hypocrisy so long as they remain code words for discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy or any form of intolerance.

As Stream senior editor Tom Gilson wrote in a response:

He’s [Castro’s] pronouncing conservative Christian doctrine wrong. That’s not his job. Apparently he doesn’t know that the First Amendment was written to prevent governmental officials from giving one religious doctrine preference over another.

We live in what has become an increasingly difficult climate for Christians.  But, we have to remember that we should not become discouraged.  Because we are in Him and are recipients of His joy, we can live out our faith, hopefully, in a manner that reflects that Christ is in us.

Nor should we develop a persecution complex.  Because we are not victims, even though we may face opposition to our faith.  We are victors in Jesus Christ, and we can have confidence in Him.  The opposition, well, it gives an opportunity to live the Christian life in front of people who do not understand it or accept it.

We should rightly be concerned about threats to our religious liberties, and speak out accordingly - it is important to develop lines of communication with our political leaders in order that they know how critical these issues are to people of faith.  We can be devoted to prayer and taking action as the Lord leads.

Reform

In Ephesians chapter 4, we are instructed to live with a transformed mind - putting off the old and putting on the new. We read these verses:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Our God is an incredible reformer, the One who can remake us from the inside out - and if we have experienced His reformation, then that has a spillover effect on the people with whom we connect.  If we want to see change around us, it can begin with the change inside us.  We are called to be transformed as we renew our minds, and as we think and act differently.

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Because we have the Spirit of the risen Christ in us, we can know His transforming power, which
works within our hearts, as well as around us as we obey the Lord. Ephesians 3 says:
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of a man who was dedicated to not only identifying issues in our society, but taking necessary steps to address and reform them.  And, his name was derived from the great church reformer, Martin Luther.

I think it's highly relevant that we concentrate on that here during this 500th anniversary year of the Protestant Reformation, in which Luther defied the religious power structure at the time.

So, why was Dr. King named after Martin Luther?   Well, you have to go back to 1934, when his father was, according to a piece on the Forbes website, "one of 10 Baptist ministers who traveled first to the Holy Land and then to Germany." According to the article, quoting from LutherCountry, which is a name for the region where Luther's life and work were concentrated, "It was on this trip that the senior King 'discovered' Martin Luther, and upon returning, gradually changed both his name and his then five-year old son’s..."

Isn't that interesting?  And, the younger Martin Luther - King, Jr. followed in the footsteps of not only his father but the great reformer to become one of our nation's greatest reformers, and there was a distinctive spiritual element to that.  I also reflect on how God changed the name of men who would be used of Him greatly - Abram became Abraham, the father of many nations; Simon become Peter, the rock.  In this case, the father, Michael King, changed his name and that of his son, and what an impact he has made!

I came across a CNN report about a reformer in St. Louis.  Melvin White is the founder of Beloved Streets of America, devoted to "revitalize and conserve streets" named after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.   He had seen the dilapidated nature of the street in his hometown named after the civil rights leader.  He says: "If you sit back and look, on a daily basis...you see prostitution, you see drugs being sold, abandoned buildings, vacant lots, trash just being dumped all over the streets."

Derek Alderman of the University of Tennessee says there are around 900 streets across America , including Puerto Rico, named after Dr. King.  According to the CNN report, Alderman says that "based on analysis of the available data, King streets tend to have high levels of poverty, inequality and racial segregation when compared to their respective cities and regional and national pattern."

The article states:

White said he believes it is a disgrace that the streets meant to honor King's legacy of nonviolence, economic opportunity and racial equality are often violent, segregated and offer no economic sustainability.

But, there are exceptions.  And, Atlanta has pledged to invest $20 million dollars to revitalized Martin Luther King Drive there.

Inspired by the contributions of Dr. King, we can be challenged to identify issues that the Lord would have us address and perhaps be used of Him to reform them.  And, it starts by experiencing the reformation of our own heart, the new birth - because we have been born again and have responded to God's call, we can know Him and experience His power working through our lives.

We know that God can and will reform our hearts, and that reformation is a consistent process.  We can seek His face and rely on His Spirit to identify the areas in our own lives that do not honor Him. We can reform the "streets" of our hearts to more closely align with His name and His nature.

And, externally speaking, I believe we are called to do more than complain when we see something that needs to be "fixed."  Perhaps God will give insight and instruction to addressing areas around you that need the touch of a reforming God.

Golden

The Bible teaches us to use our words wisely - in Proverbs 12, we encounter this passage:

17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 18 goes as far as to say that:
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

It occurred to me that there is one letter of difference between "word" and "sword."  Proverbs 12:18 addresses how what we say can pierce.  But, what we say can also bring healing.  So, death and life are in the scope of the tongue - we can use our words to build up or tear down; our words can govern our future, our reputation, our relationships, and so much more.  That is why we need an infusion of God's Spirit in order to help us speak well, to speak correctly, to speak in accordance with God's intentions.  Our words have been given to us; they are gifts - how will we use them?

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James chapter 3 verse 2 offers us a happy thought:
2 For we all stumble in many things.

Well, not really a "happy thought," but a good reminder nonetheless that we are all fallible because we are human, but we have a supernatural ability to walk victoriously, and one of the components involves the taming of the tongue, which James 3 addresses.  Reading on now:
(2b) If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

You really do have to hold your breath sometimes during these awards shows, because there may be moments - some scripted, some, well, apparently not, that have long-term ramifications.  And, it seems that the recent Golden Globe Awards had its share.

The most talked-about moment was the acceptance speech by Meryl Streep of a lifetime achievement award.  According to a report on the Gospel Herald website, Streep took aim at Donald Trump, including chastising the President-elect for mocking a disabled reporter during the campaign - Trump denies that he was doing that, rather showing his "groveling," according to a tweet.

Streep is quoted as saying, according to the article:

"And this instinct to humiliate when it's modeled by someone in the public platform by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody's life because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing," she said, and asked for a "principled press to hold Trump [accountable]" and to call him out "for every outrage."

Talk-show host Sean Hannity was not impressed, tweeting out, "This is exactly why Hwood is DYING, what a bunch of hypocrites. Sex, violence, and drivel rule hwood. Turning the channel."

Hugh Laurie, who received an award for best supporting actor in the limited series, The Night Manager, is credited by USA Today as having the best Trump joke of the night.  He said: "I suppose it's made more amazing by the fact that I'll be able to say I won this at the last ever Golden Globes," adding, "I don't mean to be gloomy it's just that it has the words ‘Hollywood,’ ‘Foreign,’ and ‘Press’ in the title. I just don't know ... I also think to some Republicans even the word ‘association’ is slightly sketchy."  He claimed to accept the award "on behalf of psychopathic billionaires everywhere."

And, host Jimmy Fallon got in on the act. According to USA Today, he said, ""People wonder what it would have been like if King Joffrey...had lived. Well, in 12 days, we’re about to find out." Joffrey is a character from Game of Thrones.  He also said that, "Florence Foster Jenkins is nominated. She’s the world’s worst opera singer and yet even she turned down performing at the inauguration."

He also claimed that the awards had been tabulated by the accounting firm of "Ernst, Young & Putin."

According to the Gospel Herald, Franklin Graham posted on Facebook: "The news this morning on the Golden Globes isn't about which films won or lost, but about Meryl Streep's 6-minute speech condemning Donald J. Trump," adding, "I say, let's get behind our new President-elect and Vice President-elect Mike Pence and move forward together as a country. They've already made a lot of progress before even officially taking office, and let's pray they continue to make positive changes for the future of America."

Laurie's co-star in The Night Manager, Tom Hiddleston, who won a best actor nod, was also taken to task - apparently he was chided for making self-serving comments about how his show inspired relief workers in Africa. According to Fox News, he wrote on Facebook that his "only intention was to salute the incredible bravery and courage of the men and women who work so tirelessly for" aid workers and "the children of South Sudan."  He said his speech was "inelegantly expressed."

La La Land won 7 Globes the other night, yet best actor winner Ryan Gosling was criticized for these comments, taken from the Fortune website linked to an article on The Federalist website:

“While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second, and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer,” he said. “If she hadn’t have taken all that on so that I could have this experience, there would surely be someone else up here other than me today. So sweetheart, thank you.”

"My lady" refers to actress Eva Mendes, to whom apparently Gosling may or may not be married, depending on which website you read.  And, while I cannot condone the cohabitation aspect of this relationship, this humility by Ms. Mendes does represent a demonstration of a concept that marriage expert Gary Thomas said on the radio show earlier this week, as he discussed the topic of showcasing one's mate.

That Federalist article was written by Holly Scheer, who responded to those who would label Gosling a "sexist" because of his comments and actions:

Mendes, in choosing for the time being to adopt a traditional gender role, has opened herself and her husband to attack from those who deny the importance of family and children.

Later in the article, she says:

Instead of micromanaging the marital decisions of a single Hollywood couple, let’s talk about all of the families without two parents. Let’s talk about the families that don’t have the option of one parent staying home with the kids, or hiring a personal nanny.

Or we could focus on the struggle of supporting family members diagnosed with cancer and the uncertainty of long-term prognosis and health. Gosling and Mendes have the right and ability to make the choices that are best for both of them and their family. Right now, that choice is Mendes putting her career on the back burner and spending the bulk of her time with the children.

In closing, Scheer writes: "Mendes is fortunate to be able to be present for her child’s firsts, and Gosling is physically unable to be pregnant in her stead, so why is he sexist for thanking her for all she is doing and will continue to do? The answer is that he isn’t."

Well, the Golden Globes certainly gave plenty of material for us to think about, didn't it?   Like Trump or not, He will be our President in eight days, and the Bible lays out how we are to regard our leaders - we recognize their positions, we respect the role of governmental authority, and we pray for those who are in authority.   Political humor is one thing, and people like Fallon make their living doing comedy, which will involve skewering public officials.  Humor is one thing, disrespect is another - and that is something we do well to learn - even when we think we're being funny, yet it comes at another's expense.

I think Hiddleston's comments were relatively mild, but I do agree that we should not brag about our philanthropic work.  The Scriptures teach us that we are not to seek credit for ourselves, and if we are to boast, we boast in the Lord.  And, while some of these comments may have been contrived, Hiddleston's apparently were not - I appreciate his honesty, but we can take away a sense of caution to think before we speak.   And, sometimes, as it might apply to some of the Golden Globes acceptance speeches, silence would have truly been "golden."

Finally, the Gosling-Mendes faux controversy teaches us how quick we are to label the comments and actions of others.  We also see that traditional family roles have been turned upside down, and it's refreshing to see the sacrifice of Mendes; and it's apparently so unusual that people do not understand.  But, even in this context, the relationship does appear to possibly be outside the Biblical prescription for family structure.  For married believers, it's helpful to make sure that we have a humble attitude toward our spouse.