The Bible directs us in Ephesians 4 to put off the works of the flesh, those things that do not please God, that are reflective or are consistent with our old nature - who we used to be - and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, allowing Him to control our actions. We pick up in verse 22...
22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
In verse 27, we're told to not give place to the devil, and then in verse 28, it says:28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
The Bible lays out strong principles of responsibility and the importance of work. There are all sorts of things that the world promises that would cause us to pursue a greedy path, a path of idolatry where we depend on self or even chance, rather than God. You could try to take a shortcut to material possessions instead of trusting God. But, He calls us to a sense of dependence on Him, to do our work as unto Him, and to live a holy life that is free from idolatry and greed, recognizing that what we possess are gifts from Him.
In Isaiah 65, we find a passage of Scripture that can is consistent with the premise that hearts are lured away from God through the practice of gambling. Here is the New American Standard translation of verses 11 and 12:
11"But you who forsake the LORD, Who forget My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny,12I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer ; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight."
This is one of a number of Scriptures that I believe addresses Biblical principles that are violated by gambling.
During my tenure here at Faith Radio, which just rolled over the 23-year mark last week, one of the prevalent public policy subjects on which I have commented, conducted interviews, and encouraged action on is the topic of gambling. Like clockwork, year after year, the work of the Alabama Legislature was heavily influenced by attempts to expand gambling in our state. Even though voters convincingly turned back a state lottery in 1999, there is still discussion over that possibility. In an attempt to influence public policy, you have the occurrence of gambling interests funding political campaigns.
Faith Radio has maintained its strong stand against the practice of gambling throughout the years A former ministry partner announced a policy shift last year that would allow its employees to gamble. Our Board of Directors responded by asking the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to rescind the decision. That did not take place, and our Board voted to sever that relationship.
We are so appreciative of the letters, phone calls, and e-mails of support for that decision, and we believe that decision has led to the improved quality of our programming lineup, the increase in locally-produced shows, and the continued level of trust that Faith Radio has attempted to build throughout the years.
Our strong stand on the topic of gambling is one that is rooted in the Scriptures. Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries points out these four elements of how gambling violates the principles of the Bible:
1 - The Bible emphasizes a number of truths that conflict with gambling. The Bible, for example, emphasizes the sovereignty of God (Matt. 10:29–30). Gambling, however, is based on chance. The Bible admonishes people to work creatively and for the benefit of others (Eph. 4:28), while gambling fosters a something-for-nothing attitude. The Bible condemns materialism (Matt. 6:24–25) while gambling promotes it.
Also, gambling breeds a form of covetousness, whereas the tenth commandment (Exod. 20:17) admonishes people not to covet. Coveting, greed, and selfishness are the base emotions that entice individuals to gamble.
2 - Gambling destroys the work ethic. Two key biblical passages deal with the work ethic. In Colossians 3:23–24 the apostle Paul wrote, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." And in 2 Thessalonians 3:7,10, he stated, "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. . . . For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
3 - Gambling destroys families. Kerby points out that gambling is a major cause of family neglect. Many of the social costs associated with gambling come from a get-rich-quick mindset. As people get caught up in a gambling frenzy, they begin to neglect their families. Money spent on lottery tickets or at racetracks is frequently not risk capital but is income that should be spent on family needs. According to 1 Timothy 5:8, a person who refuses to care for his family is worse than an unbeliever. Parents must provide for their children (2 Cor. 12:14) and eat the bread of their labors (2 Thess. 3:12). When gambling is legalized, it causes people to neglect their God-mandated responsibility to care for their families, and many of those families then often end up on welfare.
4 - Gambling is a form of state-sponsored greed. Romans 13:4 teaches that government is to be a servant of God, providing order in society and promoting public virtue. Legalized gambling undercuts government's role and subverts the moral fabric of society through greed and selfishness promoted by a state-sponsored vice.
A sermon outline provided by our friends at ALCAP, the Alabama Citizens Action Program, centered around Isaiah 65:11, states that when we gamble to change the outcome of our lives, we turn from God, we turn to false gods, and we give to others what belongs to God. The false gods are identified as "Fortune" and "Destiny." The practice of gambling violates a number of Biblical principles, and does not reflect solid Biblical stewardship.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Cannot Be Silenced
Before He even went to the cross, Jesus used the word picture of the cross to illustrate sacrifice and devotion to Himself. In Mark 8, we can read:
34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.35For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.36For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
So important that we reflect on the significance of the cross. On the cross, Jesus laid down His life for us. Jesus became our substitute on the cross - taking upon Himself the penalty for sin. As we identify with the cross, we recognize that we are called to lay down our lives for Him. We are told that we are crucified with Him - we are to no longer live for ourselves, but to live for Him. He is now our life, because He has made salvation and new life available to us through the cross and through His resurrection.
In 1st Peter 2, the writer lays out the significance of the cross and the amazing power of what Jesus did for us there on Calvary:
21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:22"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;24who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
Pictures have emerged from China on that country's version of Twitter, called Weibo, that show the removal of crosses from church buildings. Christianity Today, in its "Gleanings" section, published some photos, along with a lengthy report on the removal of religious symbols, even the demolition of church buildings, including a megachurch in the city that has been called, "China's Jerusalem," Wenzhou.
It cites a report in The Telegraph, which has chronicled the plight of Christians and churches in China's southeastern province of Zhejiang this spring, which reports that six churches so far have been completely or partially destroyed. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) lists 18 churches and two hospitals that have been targeted, demolished, or had crosses and religious symbols removed or destroyed. And China Aid documents the number of threatened or destroyed churches—in Zhejiang as well as neighboring Anjui province—at 64, with photos of many of the incidents.
This widespread destruction of churches and crosses has caught the attention of leading Chinese scholars, ministers, and lawyers. An impressive group of more than 50 gathered at Purdue University in early May to draft the "Purdue Consensus on Religious Freedom." Concerned by the lack of a "clear definition of and sufficient protection for religious freedom" in China, the consensus outlined China's need for more protection of religious rights.
Chinese officials, however, are stressing that demolitions are taking place because the buildings were not built according to regulations. But CSW notes that doesn't quite ring true when only crosses or symbols are involved.
34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.35For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.36For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
So important that we reflect on the significance of the cross. On the cross, Jesus laid down His life for us. Jesus became our substitute on the cross - taking upon Himself the penalty for sin. As we identify with the cross, we recognize that we are called to lay down our lives for Him. We are told that we are crucified with Him - we are to no longer live for ourselves, but to live for Him. He is now our life, because He has made salvation and new life available to us through the cross and through His resurrection.
In 1st Peter 2, the writer lays out the significance of the cross and the amazing power of what Jesus did for us there on Calvary:
21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:22"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;24who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
Pictures have emerged from China on that country's version of Twitter, called Weibo, that show the removal of crosses from church buildings. Christianity Today, in its "Gleanings" section, published some photos, along with a lengthy report on the removal of religious symbols, even the demolition of church buildings, including a megachurch in the city that has been called, "China's Jerusalem," Wenzhou.
It cites a report in The Telegraph, which has chronicled the plight of Christians and churches in China's southeastern province of Zhejiang this spring, which reports that six churches so far have been completely or partially destroyed. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) lists 18 churches and two hospitals that have been targeted, demolished, or had crosses and religious symbols removed or destroyed. And China Aid documents the number of threatened or destroyed churches—in Zhejiang as well as neighboring Anjui province—at 64, with photos of many of the incidents.
This widespread destruction of churches and crosses has caught the attention of leading Chinese scholars, ministers, and lawyers. An impressive group of more than 50 gathered at Purdue University in early May to draft the "Purdue Consensus on Religious Freedom." Concerned by the lack of a "clear definition of and sufficient protection for religious freedom" in China, the consensus outlined China's need for more protection of religious rights.
Chinese officials, however, are stressing that demolitions are taking place because the buildings were not built according to regulations. But CSW notes that doesn't quite ring true when only crosses or symbols are involved.
Indeed, these are sad pictures depicting the removal of crosses from church buildings. And, even in America, there is a campaign to remove crosses and religious symbols from the public eye. Remember, a Federal judge has already ordered the removal of a large cross at a Veterans' memorial on Mount Soledad in San Diego. And, the saga of a small cross in the Mojave Desert was quite bizarre - in the midst of court action, the cross was encased in a box, it was ultimately deemed constitutional, but stolen, and after a delay, about a year and a half ago, a cross was placed back in that location. There have been numerous instances of Ten Commandments monuments or displays being contested, and an attempt to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency was turned back by a Federal court last week.
Such are the times that we live in. And, as you'll hear Dr. Ben Carson talk about on The Meeting House, it's important that we are not intimidated into silence regarding our deeply-held beliefs. We have the ability to speak out, and it's important to take the opportunity - that includes voting today.
And, in the symbolic sense, as some Chinese Christians have commented, according to Christianity Today, that the church is not a building. And I agree - the church building is where we meet, by and large, but the true church of the living God, is the people, connected through the blood of Christ, engaged in fellowship with one another and in ministry to the community. It is still chilling to me to see officials demolish church property or decor, but even though a cross might be separated from a building, the power of the cross cannot be separated from God's people.
The church has endured persecution throughout the ages - many have attempted to wipe out the witness of the church. But it has survived, and continues to in powerful ways. You can attribute it to the fact that God's truth is enduring, His Spirit is powerful, and His love is compelling. It's a testament to the presence of Christ that the church continues to make its impact on the world and that the people of God have the opportunity to grow in Christ.
So, remember - one may try to remove a physical cross, but the power of the cross still lives in our hearts. You might try to remove the 10 Commandments from a wall or display, but the truth of God's law abides in our lives. You may try to keep someone from saying or reading a motto, but we can continue to speak and mediate on God's Word. And, even if you're told you can't pray - God says you can; anywhere, anytime - He is with us!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Vote By the Word
Proverbs chapter 8 contains a wonderful personification of the nature of Godly wisdom, which can be so important in the decisions we make:
12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.15By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.16By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.17I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.
We have the promise of Godly wisdom available to us - if we set our minds to seek out God's perspective for our lives, we can encounter a wealth of knowledge and understanding, that we can apply as we properly discern God's will in any situation. Not only can we acknowledge the availability of such wisdom, but as we seek the face of God through prayer and careful study of the Word of God, we can see the operation of it in our lives. We can know the will of God; we can operate in the wisdom of God - but it takes a commitment to seek it out.
In Romans 13, I believe we gain some insight into the proper, God-ordained role of government. Here are the first 4 verses of that chapter:
1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.4For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
So, the basic premise here is that government is an instrument to reinforce good and punish evil. And, in verse 6, we are told that we play a part in supporting the civil authorities by paying taxes:6For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.7Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
We've been given a great opportunity as Americans to play a part in the selection process of our governmental leaders - and tomorrow, you can participate: it's primary election day in Alabama, and polling places are open from 7am-7pm. And, there are plenty of slots to choose from: our state is selecting its statewide leaders, the entire House of Representatives in Washington is up for re-election, so is the entire Alabama Legislature. There are local races - from county sheriff to school board - that also attract attention.
So, with all these choices, how do we best reflect Christ and make our selection? Here are a few thoughts:The first thing we can do is choose to participate. The analysis of the national elections in 2008 and 2012 indicate that about 1-in-4 voters were evangelical. That's it. So, there is a decided lack of motivation for Christians to get involved in this important process. We have a great opportunity as citizens of this nation to exercise this responsibility.
Also, we can pray. The Bible teaches us about asking for and exercising Godly wisdom. The choice of elected officials is very important, and we need the leadership of the Holy Spirit in voting.
And, we can determine or develop a personal agenda to provide the template through which we evaluate candidates. We can establish what we would look for in a candidate and then select the man or woman in each race that best lines up with that set of standards. You probably won't find the perfect candidate in all instances, but find the one who best represents your values.
You can turn to the Scriptures for assistance in crafting this profile. Here are a few of the characteristics that would be important to me: one is that the candidate is pro-life, dedicated to the protection of human life, inside and outside of the womb. That is a bedrock principle, and perhaps is foundational to a candidate's agenda. In these days also, a commitment to the family is important, devoted to traditional marriage and developing policies that help and not hurt families - this is especially vital in the economic area. When families face financial challenges and are feeling the strain of excessive taxation, they need relief from those in office.
I do believe a Biblical approach to financial management is key. If a candidate has a commitment to resisting the enormous temptation to spend taxpayers' money and can offer financial solutions for financing the necessary work of government without a burden to families, that is an attractive quality.
And, I believe that we should look for candidates that demonstrate a respect for the practice of religious faith. I would hope that a candidate would have a relationship with Christ, but that may not always be the case. And, there are those who profess to be Christians, yet they make decisions that are not consistent with the Word of God. So, we look for those who are going to uphold our religious liberties and who have a track record of walking and voting in a manner that is consistent with our own deeply-held values.
We have to look at character as one of the criteria for candidates. In an age where relativism has taken hold of the political process, we must seek out candidates who are, as we might say, statesmen or stateswomen, who demonstrate a high level of character, who can earn our trust and confidence.
Those are just a few characteristics that are important to me. And, with so many different candidates on a ballot, it may be difficult to process the information on all of them. But, there are numerous tools available - a Google search on candidates can be helpful. And, if you really want to dig, you can go to the Federal Election Commission site or the Alabama Secretary of State website and actually see what financial entities are supporting the candidates in various races, especially the legislative ones. If a candidate is receiving money from entities that do not reflect your belief system, then it may be a cause for concern - there is enormous money involved in elections these days, and the organizations from which a candidate is receiving money may be an indicator of the type of voting record you may expect.
Proceed with prayer, be informed, and allow God to lead you as you enter the voting booth tomorrow.
12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.15By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.16By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.17I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.
We have the promise of Godly wisdom available to us - if we set our minds to seek out God's perspective for our lives, we can encounter a wealth of knowledge and understanding, that we can apply as we properly discern God's will in any situation. Not only can we acknowledge the availability of such wisdom, but as we seek the face of God through prayer and careful study of the Word of God, we can see the operation of it in our lives. We can know the will of God; we can operate in the wisdom of God - but it takes a commitment to seek it out.
In Romans 13, I believe we gain some insight into the proper, God-ordained role of government. Here are the first 4 verses of that chapter:
1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.4For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
So, the basic premise here is that government is an instrument to reinforce good and punish evil. And, in verse 6, we are told that we play a part in supporting the civil authorities by paying taxes:6For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.7Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
We've been given a great opportunity as Americans to play a part in the selection process of our governmental leaders - and tomorrow, you can participate: it's primary election day in Alabama, and polling places are open from 7am-7pm. And, there are plenty of slots to choose from: our state is selecting its statewide leaders, the entire House of Representatives in Washington is up for re-election, so is the entire Alabama Legislature. There are local races - from county sheriff to school board - that also attract attention.
So, with all these choices, how do we best reflect Christ and make our selection? Here are a few thoughts:The first thing we can do is choose to participate. The analysis of the national elections in 2008 and 2012 indicate that about 1-in-4 voters were evangelical. That's it. So, there is a decided lack of motivation for Christians to get involved in this important process. We have a great opportunity as citizens of this nation to exercise this responsibility.
Also, we can pray. The Bible teaches us about asking for and exercising Godly wisdom. The choice of elected officials is very important, and we need the leadership of the Holy Spirit in voting.
And, we can determine or develop a personal agenda to provide the template through which we evaluate candidates. We can establish what we would look for in a candidate and then select the man or woman in each race that best lines up with that set of standards. You probably won't find the perfect candidate in all instances, but find the one who best represents your values.
You can turn to the Scriptures for assistance in crafting this profile. Here are a few of the characteristics that would be important to me: one is that the candidate is pro-life, dedicated to the protection of human life, inside and outside of the womb. That is a bedrock principle, and perhaps is foundational to a candidate's agenda. In these days also, a commitment to the family is important, devoted to traditional marriage and developing policies that help and not hurt families - this is especially vital in the economic area. When families face financial challenges and are feeling the strain of excessive taxation, they need relief from those in office.
I do believe a Biblical approach to financial management is key. If a candidate has a commitment to resisting the enormous temptation to spend taxpayers' money and can offer financial solutions for financing the necessary work of government without a burden to families, that is an attractive quality.
And, I believe that we should look for candidates that demonstrate a respect for the practice of religious faith. I would hope that a candidate would have a relationship with Christ, but that may not always be the case. And, there are those who profess to be Christians, yet they make decisions that are not consistent with the Word of God. So, we look for those who are going to uphold our religious liberties and who have a track record of walking and voting in a manner that is consistent with our own deeply-held values.
We have to look at character as one of the criteria for candidates. In an age where relativism has taken hold of the political process, we must seek out candidates who are, as we might say, statesmen or stateswomen, who demonstrate a high level of character, who can earn our trust and confidence.
Those are just a few characteristics that are important to me. And, with so many different candidates on a ballot, it may be difficult to process the information on all of them. But, there are numerous tools available - a Google search on candidates can be helpful. And, if you really want to dig, you can go to the Federal Election Commission site or the Alabama Secretary of State website and actually see what financial entities are supporting the candidates in various races, especially the legislative ones. If a candidate is receiving money from entities that do not reflect your belief system, then it may be a cause for concern - there is enormous money involved in elections these days, and the organizations from which a candidate is receiving money may be an indicator of the type of voting record you may expect.
Proceed with prayer, be informed, and allow God to lead you as you enter the voting booth tomorrow.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Revisionist History
In Ephesians 2, we see the stark contrast between who we were - the trajectory of a life doomed to destruction - and who we can be in Christ, in light of what He has done for us.
1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...
Contrary to what we might think, our lives are not a clean slate - we are uniquely wired in a certain way when we come into this world, born with a unique personality and a potential to live for God...or not. Because we are born with that propensity to sin, we have to make that conscious choice to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior so we can experience the life He has in store for us. Even if we surround ourselves with good influences, engage in positive relationships, and make proper choices, if we get the big choice wrong, we will not be saved - we cannot save ourselves. So, we can try to be good by human effort or we can allow Christ's goodness to flood our lives.
In 1st Corinthians 6, we are reminded of the change that has been made possible through the presence of Christ invading our lives and radically altering our hearts, changing our trajectory. Verse 11 says that:
(11) 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.
We read on in verse 14:14And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
And this in verse 17:17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Ah, another potential big movie, again from the Disney universe, the category of redeemed or misunderstood villians - how the villianness of Sleeping Beauty actually became who she was, and not necessarily the embodiment of evil, according to the Plugged In review of the film, Maleficent.
1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...
Contrary to what we might think, our lives are not a clean slate - we are uniquely wired in a certain way when we come into this world, born with a unique personality and a potential to live for God...or not. Because we are born with that propensity to sin, we have to make that conscious choice to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior so we can experience the life He has in store for us. Even if we surround ourselves with good influences, engage in positive relationships, and make proper choices, if we get the big choice wrong, we will not be saved - we cannot save ourselves. So, we can try to be good by human effort or we can allow Christ's goodness to flood our lives.
In 1st Corinthians 6, we are reminded of the change that has been made possible through the presence of Christ invading our lives and radically altering our hearts, changing our trajectory. Verse 11 says that:
(11) 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.
We read on in verse 14:14And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
And this in verse 17:17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Ah, another potential big movie, again from the Disney universe, the category of redeemed or misunderstood villians - how the villianness of Sleeping Beauty actually became who she was, and not necessarily the embodiment of evil, according to the Plugged In review of the film, Maleficent.
The USA Today review of the film says that:
Adults know that characters can have a multiplicity of impulses. Generally, kids get it too (witness the popularity of Frozen and the conflicted queen Elsa). But at a screening, a child voiced her confusion to a parent: "Is Maleficent good or bad?" It's a valid query. In a PG-rated movie, kids should be given a clearer sense of motivation.We're reminded that:
Familiar to Disney audiences, Maleficent is a horned, witch-like figure who, in her original form, was draped in black and purple and had a greenish face. Her haughty demeanor spoke volumes — none of them good.
Angelina Jolie powerfully conveys her character's menace. Though with red glossed lips and sculpted cheekbones — minus the putrid-green complexion — she's a more glamorous incarnation.
Here, Maleficent's sympathetic side feels tacked-on. No doubt the filmmakers figured fans of Beauty and the Beast and Wicked would be enthralled by a conflicted character. But Maleficent's back story and psyche are more vague and less developed than those of the Beast or Wicked's Elphaba.The idea of a backstory of a villian is nothing new - George Lucas spent the better part of 3 Star Wars films showing us how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and even more time trying to convince us that there was still good in him.
And, isn't that the point of these revisionist presentations? The Wicked Witch of the West became the conflicted and misunderstood Elphaba in the very fine musical, Wicked. The Snow Queen of Hans Christian Andersen was portrayed in a milder sense in Frozen as the tormented Elsa. And, now we have Maleficent transformed before our very eyes.
In a spiritual way, I'm all for revisionism. Our very lives can take a dramatically different course when Jesus interrupts our timeline. A life that began in depravity that can only be partially dressed up by good influences and right choices can be radically changed by the presence of Jesus and our acceptance of salvation. God can re-write our life story - He can bring clarity out of confusion and delight out of despair. He provides meaning and purpose; He is our Redeemer, our Savior. Sure, we will have our struggles and our internal conflict, but God can direct us in working through those life issues that threaten to derail us.
But, we can attempt to revise the story without true redemption, and that's dangerous. By chalking up our devious ways to being "misunderstood," without the true change of heart and a passion for holiness, we can shortchange the work that God wants to do in us. We can go easy on ourselves and attribute our degradation to "well, that's just the way I am," or blame harmful people or circumstances. Or, we can fail to intervene in the life of someone else because we think they are either beyond change or do not need to change. Truth is, we all need to change - not to gloss over our sinful patterns, but to allow the Spirit to do His work from the inside out. We can be better, but we have to realize that doesn't come merely by trying to modify behavior through human strength; rather, life change transpires as we realize that we can't truly change by human means - but through the Spirit, we can.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Protect Your Castle: Lead With Humility
The apostle Paul wrote a powerful passage about humility and how we regard others in Philippians 2:
1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Our Lord Jesus set a powerful example for us - throughout His ministry, He taught on and demonstrated the power of humility, and ultimately, He humbled Himself by giving His life, bearing suffering and humiliation so that we might come to know Him, that we could be saved. Now, He calls us to lay down our lives and accept the new life that only He can bring. By His power and in His live, He also calls us to lay down our lives before other people, regarding their needs as higher than our own.
There's a powerful teaching on leadership in Mark chapter 10. Jesus is talking about what it means to be great, and we read:
1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Our Lord Jesus set a powerful example for us - throughout His ministry, He taught on and demonstrated the power of humility, and ultimately, He humbled Himself by giving His life, bearing suffering and humiliation so that we might come to know Him, that we could be saved. Now, He calls us to lay down our lives and accept the new life that only He can bring. By His power and in His live, He also calls us to lay down our lives before other people, regarding their needs as higher than our own.
There's a powerful teaching on leadership in Mark chapter 10. Jesus is talking about what it means to be great, and we read:
42But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.44And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Recently, Papa John's founder John Schnatter took a trip to the U.K. He stayed in a castle that had been renovated to become a hotel — complete with oven and steam room.
At a recent National Small Business Week event, according to BusinessInsider.com, Schnatter related, "The next day I said to the manager, 'This is neat, how come there aren't more castles that are hotels?'"
The hotel manager's reply was that if the king didn't take care of the peasants who built the castle, they'd burn it down. But this king took care of the people who did the heavy lifting, so it stands to this day.
To "Papa" John, that was a powerful lesson in management. He told the gathering, "If you don't take care of the people doing the heavy lifting...they will burn your castle down."
Of course, this is an analogy for the management sphere, a reminder to take care of the people who work for you. Schnatter contrasted what he sees as two management models: the head coach and the king, or queen. He says that king and queen managers are more adversarial, while coaches work more cooperatively with their employees. A queen will take all the credit; a coach will spread rewards around the team. Schnatter says that when people are working in a coach-type environment, there's less anxiety and less fighting.
Schnatter says that 15 years ago he managed more like a king. If he or an employee made a mistake he'd "get really down on himself." But if a mistake is made today, he'll approach the incident with curiosity, asking why the mistake happened. This is crucial, he says, given that you can't innovate unless you're willing to make mistakes.
Recently, Papa John's founder John Schnatter took a trip to the U.K. He stayed in a castle that had been renovated to become a hotel — complete with oven and steam room.
At a recent National Small Business Week event, according to BusinessInsider.com, Schnatter related, "The next day I said to the manager, 'This is neat, how come there aren't more castles that are hotels?'"
The hotel manager's reply was that if the king didn't take care of the peasants who built the castle, they'd burn it down. But this king took care of the people who did the heavy lifting, so it stands to this day.
To "Papa" John, that was a powerful lesson in management. He told the gathering, "If you don't take care of the people doing the heavy lifting...they will burn your castle down."
Of course, this is an analogy for the management sphere, a reminder to take care of the people who work for you. Schnatter contrasted what he sees as two management models: the head coach and the king, or queen. He says that king and queen managers are more adversarial, while coaches work more cooperatively with their employees. A queen will take all the credit; a coach will spread rewards around the team. Schnatter says that when people are working in a coach-type environment, there's less anxiety and less fighting.
Schnatter says that 15 years ago he managed more like a king. If he or an employee made a mistake he'd "get really down on himself." But if a mistake is made today, he'll approach the incident with curiosity, asking why the mistake happened. This is crucial, he says, given that you can't innovate unless you're willing to make mistakes.
There are some Biblical principles at play here - first of all, Jesus demonstrated a model of servant-leadership - even though He was a king, He taught His disciples to lead by being servants, and He exemplified that. The apostle Paul teaches us to put the needs of others before our own, to esteem others as higher than ourselves.
So, apparently the castle owners were arrogant and they essentially reaped what they had sown. That is a Biblical principle as well - if we convey an attitude of pride and we mistreat people, then I believe that we are vulnerable to having the same behavior displayed toward us. If you cultivate an atmosphere of hostility, it will produce hostile actions.
There's also a degree of learning from our mistakes. Because we are frail humans, we will mess up - frequently. But, as Christians who have the wisdom of God available to us, we can rely on the Holy Spirit and the direction of the Word to not only help identify failures, but also to point out ways in which we can improve. We need not be afraid to fail, but we do need to evaluate where we miss the mark and refine our course. And, if there's sin involved, if we have walked in disobedience, we need to confess our sins and experience God's forgiveness.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monsters Among Us?
The Bible tells us that the human heart is desperately wicked. Jesus said that evil intents proceed from our innermost being and defile us. The apostle Paul taught on putting sin to death in Colossians chapter 3:
5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
There's more...8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...
There's the answer - we are all born with a propensity to sin, and the sum total of our lives proceeds from that propensity + influences we encounter + the choices we make. But...the whole equation is transformed by the reliance on the power of Christ - if we are followers of Him, then our salvation results in a changed heart, a new life. While influences from the culture will still be there, we can develop a greater immunity to being seized by them, and we'll make correct choices, resulting in a life that glorifies God and produces fruit for Him. The power of the gospel can reverse a negative sum total for our lives.
Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew chapter 15 about the inward forces that defile individuals:
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.20These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
Ultimately, there is one man responsible for taking the lives of 6 people in Santa Barbara, California over the weekend.
But, who knows what influences could have contributed to his demise.
According to a comprehensive piece by Dan Wooding on the ASSISTNews.com website, Elliot Rodger, this troubled 22-year-old man who carried out his sinister plan on what he had threatened to be a "day of retribution," was the son of "Hunger Games" assistant director Peter Rodger, whose IMDB page shows that he had divorced Elliot's mother and remarried.
Reports say that by the ninth grade, Rodger was “increasingly bullied” and he stated that he “cried by myself at school every day.” In 2012, Rodger stated that the “one friend I had in the whole world who truly understood” him “blatantly said he didn't want to be friends anymore,” without offering him a reason for abandoning the friendship. He was described as “a serial killer in the making” by users of a bodybuilding online forum of which Rodger was a registered member.
According to the Rodger family's attorney, Rodger saw multiple therapists and was a student at Santa Barbara City College, although the school later claimed he was no longer taking classes. The lawyer also claims that Rodger was diagnosed with “highly functional Asperger syndrome” as a child. Prior to attending Santa Barbara City College, Rodger attended Crespi Carmelite High School, an all-male Catholic high school, but left before graduating. He had a YouTube account, a Facebook account, and a blog titled Elliot Rodger's Official Blog, all of which contained posts expressing loneliness and rejection. His 141-page manifesto mentioned a number of drugs that he was prescribed to use, although how long he was being treated with them and the identity of the drugs currently remain unknown.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, Jr., son of Bill Brown, formerly the head of Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures, told Face the Nation on CBS that deputies from his department first interacted with Rodger in April after a relative expressed concern about his well-being. Brown said that Rodger told "a very convincing story" to the deputies to make him believe he wasn't going to hurt himself or someone else, and he didn't meet the criteria for further intervention at that point.
The sheriff also stated, "Obviously, looking back on this, it's a very tragic situation, and we certainly wish that we could turn the clock back and maybe change some things...It's very apparent that he was able to convince many people for many years that he didn't have this deep, underlying obvious mental illness that also manifested itself in this terrible tragedy." Sheriff Brown stated that his officials were unaware of the disturbing videos that Rodger had produced until after the tragedy.
Wooding quotes Michelle Moons, writing for the Brietbart California web site, who wrote that David Guzik, Pastor of the local Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, talked about the murder in his Sunday message, saying, “Our community was touched, impacted… wounded.”
Guzik went on to say, “We don’t short sell the presence of evil in this world,” and he continued, “It also tells us something about the courage and the great work of our first responders.”
Guzik further said, “It tells us something about our culture and how the idols of our culture work destruction in the lives of troubled people.”
5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
There's more...8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...
There's the answer - we are all born with a propensity to sin, and the sum total of our lives proceeds from that propensity + influences we encounter + the choices we make. But...the whole equation is transformed by the reliance on the power of Christ - if we are followers of Him, then our salvation results in a changed heart, a new life. While influences from the culture will still be there, we can develop a greater immunity to being seized by them, and we'll make correct choices, resulting in a life that glorifies God and produces fruit for Him. The power of the gospel can reverse a negative sum total for our lives.
Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew chapter 15 about the inward forces that defile individuals:
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.20These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
Ultimately, there is one man responsible for taking the lives of 6 people in Santa Barbara, California over the weekend.
But, who knows what influences could have contributed to his demise.
According to a comprehensive piece by Dan Wooding on the ASSISTNews.com website, Elliot Rodger, this troubled 22-year-old man who carried out his sinister plan on what he had threatened to be a "day of retribution," was the son of "Hunger Games" assistant director Peter Rodger, whose IMDB page shows that he had divorced Elliot's mother and remarried.
Reports say that by the ninth grade, Rodger was “increasingly bullied” and he stated that he “cried by myself at school every day.” In 2012, Rodger stated that the “one friend I had in the whole world who truly understood” him “blatantly said he didn't want to be friends anymore,” without offering him a reason for abandoning the friendship. He was described as “a serial killer in the making” by users of a bodybuilding online forum of which Rodger was a registered member.
According to the Rodger family's attorney, Rodger saw multiple therapists and was a student at Santa Barbara City College, although the school later claimed he was no longer taking classes. The lawyer also claims that Rodger was diagnosed with “highly functional Asperger syndrome” as a child. Prior to attending Santa Barbara City College, Rodger attended Crespi Carmelite High School, an all-male Catholic high school, but left before graduating. He had a YouTube account, a Facebook account, and a blog titled Elliot Rodger's Official Blog, all of which contained posts expressing loneliness and rejection. His 141-page manifesto mentioned a number of drugs that he was prescribed to use, although how long he was being treated with them and the identity of the drugs currently remain unknown.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, Jr., son of Bill Brown, formerly the head of Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures, told Face the Nation on CBS that deputies from his department first interacted with Rodger in April after a relative expressed concern about his well-being. Brown said that Rodger told "a very convincing story" to the deputies to make him believe he wasn't going to hurt himself or someone else, and he didn't meet the criteria for further intervention at that point.
The sheriff also stated, "Obviously, looking back on this, it's a very tragic situation, and we certainly wish that we could turn the clock back and maybe change some things...It's very apparent that he was able to convince many people for many years that he didn't have this deep, underlying obvious mental illness that also manifested itself in this terrible tragedy." Sheriff Brown stated that his officials were unaware of the disturbing videos that Rodger had produced until after the tragedy.
Wooding quotes Michelle Moons, writing for the Brietbart California web site, who wrote that David Guzik, Pastor of the local Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, talked about the murder in his Sunday message, saying, “Our community was touched, impacted… wounded.”
Guzik went on to say, “We don’t short sell the presence of evil in this world,” and he continued, “It also tells us something about the courage and the great work of our first responders.”
Guzik further said, “It tells us something about our culture and how the idols of our culture work destruction in the lives of troubled people.”
ChristianNews.net reports on Rodger's final video:
“You girls have never been attracted to me. I don’t know why you girls aren’t attracted to me. But I will punish you all for it,” he stated, followed by dark, maniacal laughter. “It’s an injustice, a crime. Because I don’t know what you don’t see in me. I’m the perfect guy. And yet you throw yourselves at all these obnoxious men, instead of me, the supreme gentleman. I will punish you all for it.”
He reportedly declared, "I’ll be a god exacting my retribution on all those who deserve it...Just for the crime of living a better life than me.”
Two comments from the pastor in Santa Barbara that I want to seize on: “We don’t short sell the presence of evil in this world," and “It tells us something about our culture and how the idols of our culture work destruction in the lives of troubled people.”
Elliot Rodger was responsible. But, the end result of his life was determined by the influences upon him and the choices he made. His mental illness was a huge factor, of course. But there are scores of people who are mentally ill that don't stoop to this level: You factor in wrong ideas and bad choices and you have the making of a troubled individual who obviously thought that violence was the ultimate revenge for the way he had been mistreated. A Washington Post film reviewer has suggested that entertainment culture was an influence, propping up a false idea of what it truly means to be a man - I do believe that our entertainment choices shape our worldview, and I don't doubt that they would contribute to propelling someone to commit violence...could or could not be a factor.
Elliot's father has a light resume which includes his work on "The Hunger Games" and his production and narration of a documentary called "Oh My God," which is summed up, according to Movieguide, by answering the question that there is some kind of God and all forms lead there – whether it’s pantheism, Christianity, Islam or any other religion. He states that man needs to create religion and that we all have different names for God. Peter sees that religion has led to wars as being evidence that religion is not the answer. Tim Lahaye, Walid Shoebat, Hugh Jackman, Bob Geldof, and other are all featured. So, there is evidence this child was not brought up in a home environment where the Scriptures were taught and revered.
I do believe that the culture and its extreme influences can contribute to the degradation of individuals, to the extent that they would commit murder or take their own lives. As the pastor said, there is evil in this word, and the idols of our culture work destruction in the lives of troubled people. The warning signs were everywhere concerning Elliot, and he was seeing therapists - obviously the steps taken were insufficient.
This tragic incident can highlight for us the opportunity for the church. We realize that evil is prevalent in this world, and people are making the choice to reject the ways of Christ. Mental illness will cloud the thinking of many, and fortunately, even within the past few years, churches are taking steps to remove the stigma of mental illness and reach out to try to provide Biblically-based help for those who struggle in that area. We have to be dedicated to continuing to shine the light of God's truth into a culture that accepts so many ideas that contradict the Scriptures. And, we have to be sensitive and discerning in order to extend compassion toward those who struggle. The presence of Jesus can transform a life that is headed for destruction - He has the power to undo the patterns of sin in all of our lives.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Not Lost
We live in a world that needs to know and experience the hope of Jesus. Hebrews 6 reminds us:
19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,20where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
There has been some discussion about the state of our culture. Are we living in a post-Christian era? There is evidence that is true. But, I would submit that because the church is still here on this earth, that there is great potential for good to be done and for Christ to be glorified. If we take seriously our calling as followers of Christ and allow His love to flow through our lives, we can be vessels through which the character of Christ can be expressed. His love is powerful, and He wants to do His work through His obedient servants - He wants to display Himself through His people!
Here's a story from Acts 17, and there's a key phrase that I want to highlight:
2Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,3explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."4And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.5But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
You may have heard about it - in the time period prior to Easter Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron made some rather pointed comments about Christianity and the role of the church. The Telegraph stated that:
Cameron is also quoted as saying that, "I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives." He also said that other religions should be respected.
Australian theologian Bill Muehlenberg, in a piece I first saw on Matt Barber's BarbWire website, wrote about a small gathering of around 25 key Christians that met in Britain recently. He said, "At this gathering of around 25 key Christians, I was impressed with how God always has a remnant left for himself. As many of you may know, this once great Christian nation is no longer great, at least in terms of Christianity. It is now a very dark and secular place indeed."
He went on:
In conclusion, he wrote that it took centuries to overtake Christianity, and we may need that same time frame again. He says:
I do think that it's encouraging for political leaders to publicly recognize the validity of the Christian faith and its potential to change hearts. Sometimes politicians will use religion as a veneer to hid behind, and we have to be so discerning when governmental leaders on one hand reach out to the church and on with other embrace principles that contradict the Christian faith. I don't know what Cameron's purpose was in making these declarations about Christianity, but I think it can serve as a reminder, even to those in the U.S., that Christianity is an incredible force for good in the culture - and we must continue to possess an attitude of being bold for Him.
And, don't discount that God may be raising you up or placing you in an important position where He can use you to speak His truth and to demonstrate the compassion of Christ. We may have a tendency to underestimate ourselves, but with the power of God and a willing heart, we can make a mark on the world for Him.
19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,20where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
There has been some discussion about the state of our culture. Are we living in a post-Christian era? There is evidence that is true. But, I would submit that because the church is still here on this earth, that there is great potential for good to be done and for Christ to be glorified. If we take seriously our calling as followers of Christ and allow His love to flow through our lives, we can be vessels through which the character of Christ can be expressed. His love is powerful, and He wants to do His work through His obedient servants - He wants to display Himself through His people!
Here's a story from Acts 17, and there's a key phrase that I want to highlight:
2Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,3explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."4And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.5But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
You may have heard about it - in the time period prior to Easter Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron made some rather pointed comments about Christianity and the role of the church. The Telegraph stated that:
In his strongest intervention on religion to date, Mr Cameron said that in an increasingly "secular age" Christians need to be even "more confident" and "ambitious".
He said that he has personally felt the "healing power" of the Church of England's pastoral care and highlighted its role in "improving our society and the education of our children".
He said he wants to "infuse politics" with Christian "ideals and values" such as "responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility and love".Just before Easter, Mr. Cameron wrote a piece in the Church Times about the value of Christianity to the U.K. today.
Cameron is also quoted as saying that, "I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives." He also said that other religions should be respected.
Australian theologian Bill Muehlenberg, in a piece I first saw on Matt Barber's BarbWire website, wrote about a small gathering of around 25 key Christians that met in Britain recently. He said, "At this gathering of around 25 key Christians, I was impressed with how God always has a remnant left for himself. As many of you may know, this once great Christian nation is no longer great, at least in terms of Christianity. It is now a very dark and secular place indeed."
He went on:
Just last month the former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams declared England to be a “post-Christian” country. In an interview with The Telegraph he said that Britain is no longer “a nation of believers” and that the Church is likely to decline even further in the years ahead.
His comments follow from remarks made by the Prime Minister David Cameron that Christians should be “more evangelical”.Muehlenberg then shared about his comments to the group of believers, whom he described as "champions." Urging them to "keep standing strong," he said:
I mentioned that Jesus had a dozen followers, and that they managed to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). I suggested that with over two dozen present, we had even better odds of transforming our world! I encouraged them to not grow weary in welldoing, nor to let discouragement overcome them.He proposed that the West may be past a spiritual point of no return, but said that God could bring life out of what he called, "the spiritual and moral ash heap of England."
In conclusion, he wrote that it took centuries to overtake Christianity, and we may need that same time frame again. He says:
A new dark ages has settled over the West, and we are indeed “post-Christian”. But God is still on the throne, and still able to make dry bones come to life.
I mentioned that we certainly do need more people like Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones and Stott today in London and in England. Let us pray that God raises up such men, for such a dark time as this. But the group of 25 or so I fellowshipped with yesterday gave me very great hope that all is not lost, and God is still at work in deepest, darkest England.I think there are some key points here to reinforce. One is that in Christ, there is always hope. Prime Minister Cameron recognized the potential in Christian principles, and even though former Archbishop Williams described a "post-Christian" culture, which we have heard about the culture in which we live here in America, we can still hold fast to Christ and His principles. Where there is a remnant, there is potential for God to work through it.
I do think that it's encouraging for political leaders to publicly recognize the validity of the Christian faith and its potential to change hearts. Sometimes politicians will use religion as a veneer to hid behind, and we have to be so discerning when governmental leaders on one hand reach out to the church and on with other embrace principles that contradict the Christian faith. I don't know what Cameron's purpose was in making these declarations about Christianity, but I think it can serve as a reminder, even to those in the U.S., that Christianity is an incredible force for good in the culture - and we must continue to possess an attitude of being bold for Him.
And, don't discount that God may be raising you up or placing you in an important position where He can use you to speak His truth and to demonstrate the compassion of Christ. We may have a tendency to underestimate ourselves, but with the power of God and a willing heart, we can make a mark on the world for Him.
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