Displaying the Ten Commandments, #2:

Not far from where I sit, a  case is being decided related to displaying the Ten Commandments in public space.  It is not the first such lawsuit, and likely won't be the last.
I am not so much in favor of the display of the Decalogue as I am opposed to the mentality that has forced the removal of similar displays.  We are on an ice-coated incline.  What I am heartily, and completely in favor of, is the display of the morality and ethic that is presented in the law received from the hand of God on Sinai in the lives of God's people today.
Take the second of those ten terse statements:

 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4)
It is a standard that the People of God in the Old-Testament habitually violated.  In fact before Moses had even returned from the mountain they had made a golden calf to represent God.
One of the clear points God makes about Himself is that He is beyond all such constructs, be they wood, gold or stone, whether they are produced in the Sinai desert, Hollywood, Detroit, or Wall Street.  (Deuteronomy 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:16)  

When Moses came down from having met with God, there was no doubt what was going on, Aaron's lame excuses not withstanding.  I fear that even a quick, casual observation of the average Twenty-first Century Christian would demonstrate a modern version of idolatry every bit as obnoxious as the reveling of the people before the calf that, according to Aaron, just came out of the fire.  

I need to ask myself, "Does my life show that I worship and obey the God, Who is other than all that is around me, or do I look way too much like everyone else--devoted to a god of human manufacture?"

Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments:

I just saw that the Giles County 10 Commandment case is back in the headlines.  It will likely surprise no one to hear that the case is being driven as a result of a suit brought by well less than a handful, maybe one student and a parent ( here).

The Giles County display includes a number of historic documents

I am thoroughly convinced that our schools and other public institutions would be far better places if the there was a greater awareness of and adherence to the Decalogue.  Yet as I think of the horrendous persecution inflicted on Christians in some lands dominated by Islam, I certainly want my nation to respect the faith of nonChristians.  The rights of minorities--even minorities of two--need to be respected.  

I'm not saying the display at Narrows High School--a school, by the way, my pastoral associate attended--constitutes discrimination, or coercion.  I'm not sure that any of our founding documents guarantees the right to never see anything that makes one uncomfortable.  Since the two complainants in this case have remained anonymous, I don't know, but if they are like others who have similarly complained in other cases, their problem is "I am an atheist.  Seeing this display makes me feel that I am not a welcome part of this public--as in, "paid for by my tax money."--institution."  Do atheists demand the right to practice atheism, or the right to not practice theism?  (Here is one atheist's viewpoint on the dispute in Giles.)  Either way they have that right, and I endorse it.  I'm open to being convinced, but I don't see that this display violates either right.

I won't be filing an amicus curiae in this case.  Instead I'm advocating for a far more effective and, as far as I know, totally legal, display.  I'm advocating that we live out the principles of the Ten Commandments in our everyday life.  Start with #1.  Live in such a way that it clearly shows that there is one God and that He is my Lord.

Stay tuned.

 

It's STTA.

Ultimately the law shows out profound need.  When you see that look here to see the soul-u-tion.

Tension can be good:

I spent a considerable bit of time recently shopping for a movie to use on a date night with my lovely wife.  Weeding out all the choices that are too this or too that, doesn't leave a large selection.  I'm certainly open to your suggestions, but I digress; that's not the purpose of this piece.

One of the things I noticed as I looked at the plot summaries, especially of the older flicks, is that many of them are built around the tension that exists when one finds a romantic interest in someone other than the person in whom they ought to have such an interest.  In plainer terms:  "I'm married to, engaged to, going steady with, Bob (or Suzie), but I'm falling in love with Jane (or Bill)."  Sometimes this conflict is developed through comedy, and in other presentations it leads to tragedy in the fullest sense.  I'm wondering, though, when the pull that the viewer needs to feel in order for the plot to work will no longer be present.  Is the device becoming like the elastic in an over-used garment?  You can pull on it, but it doesn't pull back.

The stress that such plot lines depend on is dependent on certain qualities in the viewer: 

• Marriage is a special, even sacred, relationship.
• Sexual activity should have some relationship to love.
• People ought to keep their promises, and
• In general tell the truth.
• To use another human being for one's own advancement is wrong.

In other words the elastic is the watcher's commitment to a basic system of morality.  I see that basic morality being drained from our culture at large.

I don't figure that a plot-line built on the debate of whether whale oil or beef tallow was the best fuel for lighting homes would gain much traction in our electrified world.  

I'm wondering whether we are rapidly headed to a place where stories that depend on what one ought to do, will be meaningless, because most people will have concluded that other than to do what pleases me at the moment there is really nothing that I ought to do.

It's STTA, but add in Matthew 5:13-16 & think about it some more. 

You can find out here about how Jesus changes hearts. 

Trust? Oh!

Several trust issues have come way recently.  It is no wonder; life as we know it depends on trust.  One example:  When I drive I trust my life to numerous people I have never even met.  Way too often someone violates that trust through substance abuse, texting-while-driving, or just utter irresponsibility, yet early this morning I trusted a score of people to stay on their side of the road, stop at stop signs, and generally pay attention to the task of driving.  Especially, considering that at that hour, in a mill-town, many of those on the road have been up all night, the trust that I place in them involves considerable risk.

So, maybe I should just play it safe and walk everywhere?  But, that raises a new set of trust issues.  I can't even lock myself in my room without the necessity of trusting someone.  The question is "who to trust?" and, "how much?"

When I opened my email this morning I saw that one of our world's observers of human foibles had weighed in on the issue.  (At this point you might want to take a look at Scott Adam's Dilbert cartoon for 11/15.)  Asok is asking Wally a question.  If you are not a Dilbert fan, you need to understand that Wally is an incredibly clever individual, who uses his intellect to avoid all meaningful work.  "Wally,is there any difference between trust and stupidity?"  (emphasis mine)  

Wally, ever present coffee-cup in hand, replies, "Hold that thought.  I'll be right back."

The middle panel is blank except for Asok standing, waiting, trusting.

The third panel show's Asok, still alone, but with one word of enlightenment, "Oh."

It is a hard lesson that many folk in the non-comic world have learned through bitter experience, and one that many more need to master--hopefully, minus the bitters.  

Asok, Howard, reader, there are those who just aren't a good risk.  They will leave you all alone in the second and third panel, looking foolish before all the world.  An old farm related proverb makes the point this way.  The first time the mule kicks me it is the mules fault, the second time, I'm to blame.  I regularly see people with multiple hoof prints, sincerely asking: should I trust him or her again?

To which I ask, "Is there any credible reason to think that the mule has reformed since the last time you were kicked?"  

 Trust involves taking a chance.  Wisdom involves making sure it is a risk worth taking.

It's STTA.

Compassion:

Being compassionate isn't free.

It is said about Jesus Christ that He "felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36)  Isaiah predicted of Christ that He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.  (Isaiah 53:4)  I've always been intrigued by the words from the Lord after the woman succeeded in touching His robe:  ""Who is the one who touched Me?"  The disciples pointed out that people were pressing in on Him from every side, but Jesus replied, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."   Power had gone out of me.  Obviously, something was going on, here, that is beyond you or me, but just what went out.  Was there a wearying effect that Jesus contact with needy people had on Him.  It is a real possibility.

Last night a friend was telling me about his friend and his spiritual need.  He apologized because he was getting teary.  I should have apologized because I wasn't.  In the last hour I heard from someone who needs help with finances, and another who is concerned because a loved one is being treated badly.  In each of these cases, compassion will cost something.

I know I can't meet every need, but do I too easily use that as an excuse for not trying to meet any need?  

Compassion is expensive.  Is it a cost I'm willing to pay?

It's STTA.

Self-control:

Hello, I'm Howard Merrell.  I'm lacking in self-control.  Maybe we should start a Twelve-Step Program.   My admission is true on any level; just ask my wife or those who work with me, but that isn't my point.  A loss of temper, overeating, failure to do what we know we should do but never get around to survey would show I'm not the worst of the  lot, but I'm sure an honest evaluation would show others who are in better control of self than yours truly. I'm somewhere in the vast horde of those struggle with temptation, who are to one degree or another controlled by habits that ought to be broken, and who find themselves making the admission, "I did it again." I've often thought that "self-control" for the Christian is an incorrect term.  Just think about the part of self that each of us finds hardest to control.    ". . . no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." (James 3:8) David, realizing this truth, looks to the Lord to do for him what he cannot do for himself.  "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3)   Galatians 5:23 tells us that one of the aspects of the fruit that the Spirit of God produces in the life of those who "Walk in the Spirit" and are "led by the Spirit," is self-control.  (Galatians 5:16-18) So, is it self-control or Holy Spirit control?  If you put the passages I referenced above together with Ephesians 5:18 , which says we are to be controlled by the Spirit,  perhaps we ought to call it a "Spirit enabled ability to control self." Whatever we call it.  I need it.   Lord, I confess my sin, to get out of the way, yield to You, and commit myself to be in Your word and let Your word change me.  My desire is to be controlled by Your Spirit so I can control myself.   It's STTA.

Mercy!

A year or so ago I stopped at a traffic check that state and local police had set up just down the road.  As I pulled up next to the officer who was holding out his hand for me to stop, I recognized him as a young man who had grown up in the church I pastor.  

"This is my worst nightmare," I said, adding his name.

Without missing a beat, from beneath his broad-brimmed hat and from behind his sunglasses, he said, "It's about to get worse, if you don't have your license and registration."  

Of course he delivered the line in that flat, octave-lower-than-normal, state trooper voice they all seem to have.  I was glad I had the necessary paper work.  

Thankfully, my young friend has never pulled me over when I was actually guilt of something.  His colleagues have.  Officers have been kind enough to remind me that my inspection sticker had expired, or that I was exceeding the speed limit.  Whenever I have been apprehended in this manner there is a very long period of time between when the officer first announces my observed offense, and when they go back to the police cruiser to check things out.  During that couple of minutes which seems like a few hours, one thought dominates my mind.  

Mercy.

To be honest, I know I don't deserve mercy.  Isn't that an oxymoron?  I want police to to be tough on crime; I realize that is essential to a well-ordered society; but I sure hope--with an element of confessed selfishness-- that this officer will choose to make someone else an example.

I want mercy.

I think about my checking account.  I need mercy.

My mind runs to the ribbing I will take when others read the public record of my offence, and I desperately hope for mercy.

As I have already said, I know I don't deserve mercy, but I remember the great feeling of relief I have felt when an officer said those most welcome of words, "I'm giving you a warning." 

I know how blessed it is to receive mercy.  Jesus said blessed are those who show mercy.   That beatitude goes on to say, that those who show mercy will receive mercy.  (Matthew 5:7)  It's not karma at work.  Really the first part of each of those beatitudes describes the way God's people are.  When I have the power, from a purely human viewpoint, showing mercy isn't much fun.  It is one of the reasons power corrupts.  But if God has done His saving work in my heart, the Holy Spirit will give me a spirit of mercy (Look at the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, while mercy isn't listed there, these are traits that tend in that direction.)  Even on those occasions when duty demands that I do the right thing, and give the ticket, mark the student with a failing grade, or punish my child, I will, like Joseph, do right tempered with mercy (Micah 6:8,Zechariah 7:9).  

Lord, give me a willingness to show mercy that equals my desire to receive it.

Amen.

  

It's STTA.

I'd like to be courageous, but I'm kinda scared:

C. S. Lewis said, "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

I think it was that great thinker John Wayne who said, "Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway."

Courage is that quality that motivates and enables us to do right when it is hard.  I suppose one may possess courage during good times, but it will not be seen until the time of trial. To paraphrase Thomas Paine, when we come to one of those times that try our souls, unless we are possessed of courage, we like the "summer soldier, the sunshine patriot" will shrink from doing right.

  

Those of us who have earned some gray hair and bear the scars of battles past know the difference between courage and fool-heartiness.  Sometimes people happen to charge into the right battles, without real courage.  Their eagerness to engage has more to do with ignorance than bravery.  True courage requires a solid foundation.  Proverbs 28:1 offers such a platform:  "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." 

You may be able to correct me, but I don't know of anyone who is truly courageous concerning what they know is a wrong cause.  Out of desperation we may do something that on the surface appears to be courageous, to cover our guilt, but that's not courage.  Knowing I am right, knowing the value of the right, and being convinced that righteousness is worth standing for--even dying for--it is on such stones that courage is built.

Lord, give me a conviction of that which is right so that I will have the courage to do what is right.  I need to see clearly so that I can act courageously.  Help me not to buckle at the point of crisis, but rather to buckle on the armor You have provided, and having done all to stand,help me to stand. May I not forget that if I lead out of fear then I can only lead in retreat.   Lord, make us, Your church, those who, knowing that our cause is right and our victory is secure, live lives of courage.  

Amen. 

  

It's STTA.

Depending on the Kindness of others:

Plenty of us share a dependency with Blanche Dubois, We depend "on the kindness of strangers," and friends, and family, and anyone else.  

From the person who stops so we can pull out onto a busy street, to the youngster who helps pick up the contents of a dropped grocery bag, to the friend who uses their time to comfort and encourage us in a time of need, we all appreciate kindness.

The person who exhibits Biblical kindness doesn't just think nice thoughts, she actually does something.  One definition I found was "benevolence in action."  The kind person looks at another then asks the question what do I have and what can I do to help, encourage, protect this person.  We enjoy the presence of the kind-hearted, love to hear kind words, and soak up kind deeds.  Most of us would not have survived, certainly not thrived, if we hadn't had kind mothers.  Most of us look back with fondness on at least one teacher who treated us kindly at some difficult time in our life.  Contrary to numerous jokes, I was wonderfully blessed to have a kind Mother-in-law.  Sometimes we find ourselves like a dry sponge.  When kindness is poured out we soak it up.

Colossians speaks of God's people wearing kindness like a garment.  Galatians tells us it is one aspect of the fruitthat the Holy Spirit bears in our lives.  That makes sense because it is a characteristic of God.  (Ephesians 2:7)

I readily admit that I depend on the kindness of others. 
My prayer is that I will be one on whom others can depend for acts of kindness.

  

It's STTA.

Depending on the Kindness of others:

Plenty of us share a dependency with Blanche Dubois, We depend "on the kindness of strangers," and friends, and family, and anyone else.  

From the person who stops so we can pull out onto a busy street, to the youngster who helps pick up the contents of a dropped grocery bag, to the friend who uses their time to comfort and encourage us in a time of need, we all appreciate kindness.

The person who exhibits Biblical kindness doesn't just think nice thoughts, she actually does something.  One definition I found was "benevolence in action."  The kind person looks at another then asks the question what do I have and what can I do to help, encourage, protect this person.  We enjoy the presence of the kind-hearted, love to hear kind words, and soak up kind deeds.  Most of us would not have survived, certainly not thrived, if we hadn't had kind mothers.  Most of us look back with fondness on at least one teacher who treated us kindly at some difficult time in our life.  Contrary to numerous jokes, I was wonderfully blessed to have a kind Mother-in-law.  Sometimes we find ourselves like a dry sponge.  When kindness is poured out we soak it up.

Colossians speaks of God's people wearing kindness like a garment.  Galatians tells us it is one aspect of the fruitthat the Holy Spirit bears in our lives.  That makes sense because it is a characteristic of God.  (Ephesians 2:7)

I readily admit that I depend on the kindness of others. 
My prayer is that I will be one on whom others can depend for acts of kindness.

  

It's STTA.

Patience? It looks good on others:

 "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute." (Proverbs 15:18)  

How often we think, or say, "Just give me a minute."  Yet how selfish we can be with a minute if someone else needs one.

I sometimes wonder when I'm walking down a hall behind a group going slower than I want to go, "Do I slow others down as much as they do me?"  Probably.

When I'm out for a leisurely  drive I "Tsk, tsk," the horn-honkers.  When I'm late for an appointment I find the same delays quite irritating.  

 

Lord give me patience.  I'm tempted to add, "Right now!"but I'm working on it.

The New Testament has two words for patience.
One is primarily patience with situations and things.  We can get impatient with the weather, the passage of time, balky machinery--things over which we have little or no control.  Hupomone speaks of patience in trying circumstances.  It is a trait I greatly admire in others, especially people like police officers, moms, or ticket agents in airports. 

Lord, in the midst of turmoil and trying situations may I be surrounded with patient people.

 But, often I'm not surrounded by people with that kind of patience.  In fact I frequently find myself surrounded not just by trying circumstances, but trying people.  I imagine there are times when others find me to be that trying person.  Makrothumia is often translated as "long-suffering."  Think about loving spouses with irritating mates, or kind parents with demanding children, or loyal, faithful employees with irritating bosses--those who suffer long and thus model patience.  

 

Patience, it is one of the virtues that we ought to practice, model and promote.

  

It's STTA.

Here are some places where God's word speaks about patience:

• Romans 2:4
• Galatians 5:22
• Ephesians 4:2
• James 5:10
• 1 Peter 2:20

 

Masks

If tonight is like most Halloweens we won't see many trick-or-treaters at our house.  We live on a busy road, no sidewalk, and there are other neighborhoods where kids can more easily get a haul of candy.  Usually the ones who stop by are friends who make a special effort to ring our doorbell.  Kathy and I enjoy seeing the youngsters all decked out.  Generally, in spite of their masks, we know exactly who they are.

Masks are common these days, and it's not just because of Halloween.  The political season is also going full-bore.  Every candidate who is anybody at all has a cadre of handlers who try to make sure that their candidate is never seen or heard without the "benefit" of a mask.  These consultants and their counsel remind me of a cynical comment that I heard attributed to the late George Burns, "People are impressed with sincerity.  If you learn to fake that, you've got it made."  Pollsters, and consultants stick their fingers into the breeze of popular opinion and then try to make their candidate appear to be what they think the public wants them to be.  The right clothes, being seen in the right place, having an adoring (often another level of mask wearing) spouse by their side--cute kids/grandkids don't hurt, and even sporting the right haircut are seen as essential elements of politics.  In other words--spoken with an element of cynicism--wear the right mask, in such a way that it appears to not be a masquerade, and you will get elected.  

I find it interesting that much of what politicians are trying to appear to be (I'm not saying there are no sincere politicians, but I am speaking of them as a group.), is what we as God's people ought to be in reality.

• Honest
• Sincere
• Compassionate
• Responsible
• Courageous

It is common for folk to rhetorically cry out, "Take the mask off!"  Let's think about that one.  Maybe the shock will be too great.  Perhaps we ought to say, "Become something fit to see, then take the mask off."

It's STTA.

Where is your treasure, now?

Last night I had a wonderful time with a group of guys in our Prayer Meeting (We are open to ladies joining us, it is just that there is a meeting parallel with Prayer Meeting where we guys aren't welcome, so the Wednesday evening prayer and Bible study time tends to be mostly male.  Last night we discussed Matthew 6:19-24.   It begins with Jesus command/counsel about where to put our treasure.  We can put it down here, which Jesus says we shouldn't do, because down here "moth and rust corrupts and thieves steal."  Or, we can put our treasure in a place where it will be secure, heaven.  Not only is that where Jesus says we should put our treasure, He gives us sound reasons for doing so.

It is interesting that my study of this passage of scripture coincided with a tragic happening in the life of a friend of mine.  My friend has a house that is temporarily empty.  He's done a lot of work on the house, getting it ready for someone to move into.   Included in the refurbishing is (or "was," now) new plumbing.  Just like the Lord Jesus warned, thieves broke in and stole.  Thousands of dollars worth damage and stolen plumbing netted someone hundreds of dollars worth of scrap, which has likely already been burnt up in the form of drugs.  My friend is hurt, but he knows clearly that "this world is not my home.  I'm just a passin' through."  I'm confident that he knows that his real treasures are above.

Jesus warned that how we view our stuff, what we treasure, and where our treasure is stored, will affect who we are, how we think and what we do.  If our treasure is on earth so will our heart be.  I think it is likely that Paul had the Lord Jesus' words in mind when he said, ". . . if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."  (Colossians 3:1-2)

Just as the Lord Jesus said, I must make a choice.  I can't serve both God and Mammon (wealth personified).  As Midas found out, before he got into the auto exhaust business, where I set my affection will change my life. 

It's STTA.

Before you can put treasure in heaven, you need to know you are going there.  http://covingtonbiblechurch.com/lifesmostimportant.html

I hate to pick a fight with the redhead from Charlottesville--him being dead and all, I think I could take him--but he was wrong   All men aren't created equal.

I'm watching Monday Night Football.  So far the Bears aren't doing so well.  Somebody is less equal.  But, that's not my point.  Sports announcers have to announce, and often they make stuff up.  I'll get back to that.  A few minutes ago a receiver for Detroit made a remarkable catch.  Said announcers needed to fill some space, so they filled it up with some arithmatic.  Take the player's height, reach and leaping ability, do the calculations that tell you how far he can reach foreward, backward, left, right, and up, and you come up with the same space contained in a two-card garage. 

Me? I can barely reach my orange-juice next to the couch.  Got that, Tom?  Not even close to equal.

I regularly read stuff online & think I'd really like to comment on that.  Then I think, the person who wrote that comment is way smarter than me.  I'll just stay out of this.  On the other hand I have conversations where things run the other direction.  I feel like I need to tie one hand behind my back to make it fair. 

"But," someone says, "that's not what Jefferson meant."  

Maybe not.  He goes on to speak about people being endowed by their Creator.. . .  I'm not all together sure that Tom really believed in the Creator, but since he brought Him up, I'll agree.  People who jump high or sit firm, folk who are smart, not so much, or average--as the children's song says, "Red, brown, yellow, black, and white. all are precious in his sight."  All have sinned, and all can find salvation in Christ.

It's STTA.