Some Teens Challenge Me About Covetousness

Something To Think About, Intelligence, Envy, & Covetousness:

I frequently go into houses much bigger and nicer than the lovely home where my wife allows me to live.  Some of my friends have newer, more manly trucks, and hotter cars, than what I drive.  Some of my fellow DIY enthusiasts have tool collections that are impressive, both for quantity and quality.  Mostly, though, I don't struggle with envy about those matters.  Where I have to sit myself down and give me a good talking-to is over the matter of intelligence.  I'm blessed a good utilitarian mind.  Most of the time, by God's grace, I can get-r-done.  Since the work I do involves ideas, thinking, organizing and making persuasive presentations, I frequently spend time--even if only by way of books, articles, and blogs--with people smarter than me, sometimes way smarter.  By the way, I think it is smart to do that.  Sometimes, though, as I read some author who refers to scores of books--books that aren't short and that are devoid of pictures--which he/she obviously has read, understood, and remembered, or when I walk with someone through a brilliant analysis of of a complicated Biblical or Theological issue, I have to push back covetousness.  How come they get to be so much smarter than me?  I know that some of these folk's brilliance comes from discipline, and many years of dedicated study, but I look at some of what I read and realize that I have no more chance of being on that level than I do of being a star in the NBA.  For those of you who don't understand sports analogies, that would be ZERO. I want to thank some local kids for challenging me, reminding me, and helping me to realize that my worth is not determined by my IQ any more than it is by how many square feet my house is or how many horsepower I take out on the road. In a world where decisions of worth and pecking-order are often made in a cut-throat manner, a group of students got it right.  They realized that just because someone is better looking, smarter, richer, faster or stronger than somebody else, that doesn't make them worth any more.  These students chose someone from a group that is often looked down on, and gave him a turn in the spotlight. What they did was right.  They honored this young man because of something he is.  He touches the lives of others in meaningful ways.  I'm sure it was a great encouragement to Chris.  What the students at Alleghany High School don't know is they were a challenge to me. They reminded me that envying what others have and who others are won't get anything done.  Using what I have and who I am to the glory of God can do more than I can imagine.  Chris, fellow students at AHS, thank you.  Lead on.  Use what God has given you for His glory. I think the rest of you can figure out how that applies to you. It's STTA. David shared some thoughts about God's sovereign control over the way he was made.  You can read his thoughts in this beautiful Psalm.

The Lord's Prayer, Preacher Boys, & Old Cabinet Makers:

Something To Think About, The Lord's Prayer, Preacher Boys, & Old Cabinet Makers:

It used to be common in my part of church-world to refer to young men in Bible college as "preacher boys."  I can remember some sweet blue-haired ladies referring to me that way.  It was a good thing.  If they referred to you as "My preacher boy,"  you could figure some homemade cookies were on the way.  I was privileged to spend about five hours with a group of preacher boys, lecturing on the art of preaching, and some basic survival skills for pastors.  If any of you preacher boys are reading this please don't be insulted.  I was really impressed with how much they don't know.  That's why I was invited to share with them.  If you pay even a moderate amount of attention to something that you do all your life you learn something about it. Yesterday I was privileged to preach from Luke 11, The Lord's Prayer.  (You can watch a video or download an mp3 here.)  As I worked through this thirty-seven word prayer I was impressed with how much I don't know.  I don't mean about my attempt to preach this message, though that is abundantly true.  The ignorance I am talking about is at the core of the overall teaching of the Bible on prayer.  This sample prayer from our Lord is in the mainstream of that doctrine.  It is abundantly clear that prayer is not about me getting what I want, but God getting what He deserves.  That makes sense, even on a self-serving level, because I'm too ignorant to know what I need. The prayer opens with the word "Father."  While we may begin our prayers in a similar way, if we are honest, we'll admit our initial thought is not about God, Who He is, and what His plans are for this world, rather we begin with thoughts of ME, what I want, and my plans to mold this world into a place that will give me the most fun.  If we think of God at all, it is along the lines C. S. Lewis expressed, We want Him to be not a Heavenly Father, but a Heavenly Grandfather--somebody less interested in making us endure something that is good for us, and more willing to indulge us by allowing us to get what we declare as good--as in FUN.  Fathers make us eat vegetables.  Grandfathers take us out for ice cream.  Several times I told my young preacher friends that they needed to know they don't know.  They would be wise to listen to someone who knows more than them--at this point I was referring to their real teacher and the author of a book they were assigned to read.   One of the problems with being ignorant is we are ignorant of our ignorance.  As my late father-in-law told me about a master cabinet maker he was privileged to work for, the old craftsman said, "You forget what you know, and let me teach you." The Lord's prayer in Luke 11 begins with two requests that have to do with God.        "Father, may your name be honored;      may your kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2, NET)   "But," I hear myself saying, "there is all this stuff I want, even things that I need.  People treat me badly.  I brought my list."  As I preached yesterday I heard a voice.  It sounded a lot like what I told the preacher boys, or the counsel the old master shared with my Father-in-law, "Child, trust me, you don't know how to do this.  This is how you start."   Seeing my impatience my Father looks at me with loving eyes.  "Trust me.  This is really what is most important." I won't preach the message again.  I'll just leave you with this. Do you really think that you know better than the God of the Universe what ought to be happen in this world? It's STTA. You can read the Lord's lesson on prayer here.  The Lord's Prayer as recorded in Matthew is found here.

Final (for now) thoughts on the abortion debate:

Something To Think About, Holding Life Sacred:

A Preface (skip this if you want): STTA is mainly read by conservative, or conservative-leaning Christians.  I hope the thoughts on the abortion debate have proven helpful.  We can't ignore this, nor can we just go around spouting outrage.  Balance and nuance are required.  I am very thankful to know that there are some folk who read STTA who are not, so to speak, part of the Club.  I regard it as a great privilege to be able to speak into your life.  Though it is but for a moment, I am glad to be able to share something to think about from the Christian worldview that I hold.  I hope this week's thoughts have been an encouragement to you.  There are many of us in the fold of conservative Evangelicalism who are trying to follow our Lord in sharing both truth and grace.  Some in Christian circles serve up ethical mush--you really can't tell what is in there.  Others are harsh and wrongly judgmental.  Maintaining love and truth is hard--much harder than chewing gum and walking.  I hope it encourages you to know that some of us are trying. To both groups, thanks for letting me in. Talking about abortion is not pleasant.  It is necessary.  As far as STTA is concerned, I need to be done with the subject for a while, so today's edition will be a bit of a grab-bag to allow me to share some closing thoughts  It will also be long: Why can't prolife folk, like me, just leave this alone?  It is the law of our land.  Abortion, generally labeled with one of the euphamistic titles like "Reproductive Services," has been a part of our culture for decades, now. To be honest with you, I don't think you'd like us very much if we didn't say something.  For reasons I have mentioned this week, and which others have spoken to in great detail, we think that unborn children are what they appear to be, little people.  In spite of the caricatures media often presents, Christian people are generally kind.  We think we have an obligation to speak-up for those who can't speak for themselves.    To often we Evangelicals have put way too much faith in government.  Our faith should inform how we vote, and influence our government leaders.  Christians who are in government should be better leaders because of their faith.  We can't allow political activism to interfere with Good News proclamation.  Jesus saves, not the IRS.  Sometimes we appear to have forgotten that.   When we talk about the life of the unborn let's take note of the one we are speaking to, and of the one who might be listening in.  For example in making our case to our congressman, or state representative, we might forcefully make known that "the welfare of the mother" is a term that has been interpreted so broadly that in many cases it means abortion on demand for any reason, at any time.  When we are speaking to that mother, however, we must always speak in such a way that we make known that we are very concerned for her welfare.  Nuance.  Balance.   The current round of abortion talk was precipitated by the release of videos from Center for Medical Progress.  Are these videos authentic?  Have they been doctored in some way to make people appear to say one thing when really they were saying another?  Have excerpts been taken out of context?  etc. etc.?  These questions will be debated until everyone is tired of it, and other, more current news pushes this out of the consciousness of most of us. I only make this observation.  What is incontrovertibly true is that these videos show people calmly--even flippantly discussing matters of grave importance and seriousness.  Unfortunately we have gotten used to this new reality.  Discussion about the brains and livers of unborn children--or even fetuses that will become children--and the gruesome procedures required to "harvest" those tissues has become something that can comfortably be discussed over wine, with polite company.  This is not so much an accusation against the people in the videos, as it is an indictment of our entire society. A kind old gentleman named, believe it or not, "Mr. Rogers," married my grandma toward the end of her life.  Mr. Rogers talked about going to the place where people took dead horses and mules.  He spoke of seeing a pile of dead animals in the hot Alabama sun.  The flies and stench were plentiful.  The first step in processing these remains was skinning the carcasses, which was done quite efficiently with the aid of a hose attached to a compressor.  The hide was inflated separating the skin from the muscle below.  It could then be easily removed.  What most impressed my step-grandpa, though, was what happened when the signal for lunch was given.  the workers just wiped off their hands sat down on a dead mule and opened their lunch boxes.  I guess if you are a dead mule skinner, you get used to what would be repulsive to the rest of us. What I saw in these videos is the equivalent of sitting on a dead mule to enjoy your lunch.  That we have let our culture descend to the level, that life is viewed this cavalierly condemns us all.  We need to do something.  To do it well requires not only walking while chewing gum, we have to walk a tight-rope, chew, and blow bubbles, all the while dealing with hecklers and dodging the rocks they throw. This is way too long, but, for now, I'm done, and I hope that for you I've provided . . . It's STTA. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'll continue, for a bit longer to post some further thoughts and links on this.

Some Nuance In The Abortion Debate:

Something To Think About, Nuance:

Let me be upfront.  I think there is clear evidence that babies-not-yet-born are in fact little people.  I base that on the amazing ultrasound pictures I have seen, the fact that the genetic code that makes each of us the unique wonder that we are is in us from conception, and the reality that many children born well before their allotted 39 weeks in the womb--one of my sons, for instance--;live grow and thrive.  In addition to that observational evidence, there is the clear inference in scripture (here, here, & here).  It would appear that all of life from conception to death is a continuum of change.  At what point on that continuum does one say, before this, this isn't human? At a time when so many little lives are being lost through abortion, we must speak clearly and truthfully.  This is a human being.  Her, or his, life is worthy of our protection.  But, here is where it gets hard.  If we use the same language in every circumstance to every person, we are almost sure to get it wrong, or at least be heard as wrong.  When we are dealing with laws and courts we ought to make the case carefully, clearly, and unflinchingly that these unborn babies are in fact human beings worthy of the law's protection.  When we are dealing with the women who are the mothers of these unborn people, we must deal with the equally clear reality that here is a human being, with needs and relationships that must be acknowledged and considered.  Like all of us, these women have a variety of motives.  Some use their power to selfishly get their way, whatever it costs.  Others are convinced they are powerless, and have lost their way.  None of this negates the reality that the child they are carrying is a precious human being, but the humanity of that little one does not cancel out the need of the mom. Then when you add in all the societal pressures in our world, it gets even tougher.  Speaking forthrightly in defense of the unborn while at the same time showing compassion for those in need, requires nuance.  We aren't very good at that.  We gravitate to extremes.  Our truth needs to be wrapped in love, and we dare not cheapen our love by offering it in a container of falsehood.  I don't think you do that on bumper-stickers, parade banners, or in sound bites. Holy Spirit guided nuance--that's what we need. It's STTA. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'm posting some further thoughts and links on this.

Abortion: Let's at least try to talk.

Something To Think About, At least trying to talk about Life:

I don't know about you, but one of the--maybe simply the--frustrating thing(s) about the abortion debate is, it is so often like two people, wearing blindfolds, standing on opposite sides of the street yelling at each other in two different languages.  One side shouts over and over again.  "It's a baby!  Can't you see that?"  The other side yells back,  "It's my body (or her body) you have no right."  Both lines of rhetoric have long ago ceased to have any impact on the other side.  So instead of getting all red in the face, how about if I tell you about two absolutely wonderful young men, and then make an offer.   One of these young men is a passionate musician.  He's not only passionate about his music, but it is his passion to use his music to communicate the message about his savior, Jesus Christ.  He's an artist at heart.  He can do remarkable things with pen and paper, but lately his medium of choice is sod and stone, mulch and plants.  He turns barren places into refuges of beauty. The other young guy is also involved in landscaping, only his impact on his world is often made from the seat of a big zero-turn mower.  He's a young business man, the kind preacher-types, like me, really love.  He is a generous business man.  He wants to use what he has to God's glory.  That includes his talents and abilities.  He's tried his hand at preaching a few times.  He enjoys going to the County Fair and sharing the Good News with those who stop by his booth to receive a yardstick that tells the greatest story ever told. One of these guys is my grandson and the other my nephew.  Both of them could very easily have become one of those little lives that ends before they see the light of day.  Wow! Am I ever glad their moms chose a different route. Part of the reason those two moms felt they were able to choose life for those two little guys was, even though their circumstances were less than ideal, there was someone who said, "I'll help."  When one side stops hurling words like mortar shells, and instead packages them in love. And when the other side shows a willingness to take the hand of help that is offered--well--you end up with somebody outstanding, like my nephew or my grandson. Here is my offer.  I'll do what I can to get the two sides together in a celebration of life rather than a surrender to death. How about we begin here; It's Something To Think About. Over at The View Through My Keyhole, I'm posting some further thoughts and links on this. I don't want the graphics in this article to confuse you.  I am prolife.  I do think we should talk sensibly about the life of the unborn.  I used these graphics to illustrate the polarized positions that have been staked out in the debate.

The Need For Balance

Something To Think About, Balance:

Recently, I've been working on the skill of being old. For instance I had to work through the transition from encouraging young people to show appropriate respect to their seniors to being comfortable with young people--when did fifty get to be young?--"Sir"-ing me. Much of growing old has to do with balance.  We've all seen folk who spend their social security checks on clothing that looks good on teenagers, but on them--not so much. Aging athletes are famous for overdoing it.  Yet on the other extreme are perfectly healthy folk who just quit.  They become couch potatoes or coffee shop squatters.  They have a lot of living to do, and much to offer, but they just check out. Balance! Maintaining equilibrium is a complicated process.  It involves processing input from eyes, inner ear, and feeling from feet and legs.  That somewhat primal data is mixed with memory--"I remember that stair-tread is loose"--and reasoning--"that grass is wet and the ground is sloping. . . ."  Then a millisecond later that information is transmitted to muscles that need to instantly tense or relax, but not too much, and often one needs to do one thing while another the opposite, then that floods the brain with a whole new wave of data and. . . . Some of you fellow oldsters know what comes next.  The processor doesn't process as fast as it once did, and the left leg got the signal but wasn't up to the emergency task.  One thing that hasn't slowed down is the speed with which the ground rushes up to meet you. Bones that are less flexible, skin that is less resistant to impact, and the slowing of the healing process make the loss of balance more costly than it used to be.  So we find ourselves looking for more sensible shoes, and using hand-rails with more frequency.  Even those choices involve a measure of balance.  I've got enough metal in my body to stock a modest hardware store, but I plan to ride my bike later today.  I didn't say this would be easy. I've noticed that a lot of folk, young and old, struggle with balance.  The finely honed balance of a premier athlete or dancer produces a flowing smoothness.  Those who struggle with balance tend to herk and jerk from one awkward position to the next.  I see that a lot. Example:  Recently the terribly disturbing videos released by The Center for Medical Progress, have provoked a needed conversation.  Unfortunately the tone has often been needlessly, and unproductively shrill.  Precarious positions are being occupied.      I think we need to reach for a handrail and make sure that we keep our balance.  If you are willing to lace up your prudent footwear, we'll walk together for the next few days.  I'll warn you, there are some narrow planks we have to traverse, and we don't have safety lines, but don't get the idea that just hunkering down where you are is the wise choice.  I smell smoke. Like I said, "I didn't say this would be easy." It's STTA.

It takes a while to know if we have done anything worthwhile.

Something To Think About, Preaching:

I have the privilege this week, and next, to speak to a group of budding preachers.  It is intended to be what Paul did for Timothy and Titus.  In preparing--and it is very much an ongoing process.--one of the things I'm doing is putting together a list of--with apologies to Solomon--"Proverbs for Preachers."  Probably the wise king of Israel used parchment to record his Proverbs.  I'm using PowerPoint.  Here is one:     As my pastor during my teen years used to remind us. Pastors*  are just like the rest of us.  When they get up in the morning, they put their pants on one leg at a time."   As such, the sticks and stones of criticism often hurts, sometimes the pain is bone deep.   Often, I deserve the criticism that I receive, in fact I probably deserve more than I get.  Being human, nothing I do is faultless.  To use a term that has grown common in the internet era, I'm "just saying."  It seems like mistakes are recognized and consequences brought to bear much quicker than successes. I've known preachers who were fired, or hounded out of their ministry.  Leaving aside for a moment whether the termination was justified,  the time from the offence to the final showdown was pretty brief.  I've known other pastors who faithfully labored year after year, and only found out a long time after--a very long time--that they had had any success at all.  I figure some faithful servants won't know until they hear that "Well done," from the Chief Pastor. This is not a plea for folk to go out and be nice to their pastor, certainly not to this one.  (Though if you want to be nice to the one who ministers to you and your family, I sure won't stop you.)  This is really addressed to pastors and anyone who does anything in service to our Lord, and that group is much bigger than those who have a role like mine.  We just need to know how things work.  Isaiah, Jeremiah, "others" (Hebrews 11:35-38)  were treated horribly.  Note what Hebrews 11:38 says, "They were too good for this world."  Even our Lord was a "Man of Sorrows." Serving the Lord for immediate gratification is a sure route to frustration, and probably worse.  It is a task that needs to be motivated by faith, faith in the one Who is faithful, and that ministry needs to be conducted faithfully.  I put that picture on the slide because it is a reminder of that need to be faithful.  the guys at the table with me are guys in whom I was privileged to invest.  Later, I came to see some of the fruit of that investment.  The true accounting will take place later still.    For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)    It's STTA.

Preaching: Is Anybody Listening?

Something To Think About, Preaching, 2:

STTA started out as a radio program.  I'd go down to the local radio station and sit in from of a console and a recorder.  I age myself when I tell you I started out with a reel to reel.  I'd sit there with a stopwatch in my hand and read from my script.   Sometimes it came out right.  Often times I'd have to start over.  I made good use of the rewind button.  When I finished, the tech-guy at the radio station would put my spots on a cartridge that looked a lot like the old eight-tracks that used to be in automobiles. "Something to Think About" was broadcast right after Paul Harvey.  After his iconic, "Good Day," my, "Hello, my name is Howard Merrell, this is Something to Think About," would go out to radio-land. Back in the day it used to be common for local businesses to play the local radio station over their public-address systems.  A few times, I was giving my order to a waitress, or getting my change from a checkout clerk when my radio-voice came out of the speaker.  Some made the connection, others just kept counting nickels.  It never was really clear whether anyone really listened. Is anybody out there tuned in? I'm not on the radio anymore, but it is still a question I ask whenever I preach.  People may look like they are paying attention, and often they are--to their cellphone, a grocery list, a mental replay of the fight they recently had with their spouse, or even "twenty-five reasons why this guy is all wrong." When the preacher steps down from the platform or the teacher finishes the lesson, we are never quite sure what has been accomplished. Anything? From time to time we preacher-types get word from the other side.  It happened to me recently.  Somebody took the time to come and let me know that yes, indeed, someone was listening.  Somebody out there in the sea of faces zeroed in on the message in the message and applied it to their heart.  A life was changed. Is anybody listening? Most of the time we don't know. Preaching is an act of faith.  I believe in the power of God's word (see here).  To teach Sunday School, to preach, to read the Bible to your kids before they go to sleep, involves believing that God works through His word.  It's encouraging to have that trust reinforced from time to time.  I'm thankful to my new friend for giving me a peek at what's going on out there. Yes, somebody listened.   It's STTA.   A fictional preacher-friend of mine has the same question in his heart that many of we flesh and blood preachers struggle with.  Sometime it seems like Nobody is listening.  You might identify with Parson Smedley's musings.

Talking about Preaching

Something To Think About, Preaching:

"It's a weird way to make a living." I remember sharing that commentary about being a pastor and preaching to a group of people every week.  I was talking to a younger colleague.  Not only has it been the way I have earned my living for all my adult life, preaching/pastoring has been my life. Today, and five more times over the next two weeks I get to talk to a group of guys about preaching to, and being a shepherd to, a congregation.  It is a great privilege. As I prepare, I am reminded of some who have taught and/or been an example to me over the years: My late Father-in-law, Eugene Marsceau was my pastor through my formative teen years.  He modeled faithfulness.  That is the trait that is the chief requirement for those of us to whom a message has been entrusted. Lester Pipkin was the President of Appalacian Bible Institute where I received the training that impacted me most.  He was a great example of powerful preaching.  Words can move people.  The Word of God is powerful. Billy Price has been my colleague in ministry for almost my whole career.  He has modeled what it means to love others with the love of Christ.  He has been my friend. I can't say I knew the man, but I learned from Joe Stowell that sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is to say nothing.  It's harder than you think.  I have never seen a man with a more powerful presence, I saw in Glenn Mathews a rare combination of passion and intellect. I observed as I listened to Victor Decker, my pastor during two years of college, and J. Don Jennings, whose ministry I sat under several times, that God not only uses us in spite of our handicaps, He actually uses our handicaps as a means for showcasing His word.  We have the treasure in clay pots.   I could go on, but let me just say that I'm humbled to step into the room with these men, not, as has been true in the past, in the role of student, but as one who seeks to shape the next generation of those who Preach the Word. I'd appreciate you praying for me.  I know it sounds quaint and old-fashioned, but we need some guys who can preach the word.  If I can have any positive influence to that end.  I'll be very thankful. Let me know in about fifty years how it works out. It's STTA.

The direction the refugees are going says something.

Something to Think About for September 11, 2015:

Something To Think About, The Shadow of the Cross:

A couple of caveats: America is not a Christian nation.  Europe certainly is not a Christian continent.  The New Testament presents a way of life that is counter-cultural.  "Christian nation" is an oxymoron. I speak as a citizen of the United States when I say, our record, and that of other so-called Christian nations, even our recent record, is not spotless.   With that said, I notice on this anniversary of 9/11 that thousands of refugees are boarding rickety boats and leaky rafts.  Some are getting into the back of crowded trucks or walking many miles.  Fathers are selling everything they own and borrowing everything they can, in order to take their families from one place to another.  Many are dying in the attempt.  Keeping in mind my caveats, it is still undeniable that the flow of these refugees is moving away from nations where there have been years, even centuries, of attempts to obliterate the influence of the cross, into lands where the cross still casts a long shadow.  The case can be made that "Christian" nations need to do more to welcome these folk in such great need.  Still the contrast is stark when one compares what these nations are doing with what wealthy Islamic nations aren't doing.  The heritage of the West to show kindness to those in need has developed under the shadow of the cross.  The influence of Christianity has led to protections for the weak, and freedoms for minorities.  While our history is full of grievous examples of "not living up to what we claim to believe," it is that system of ethics that flowed from Christian principles that led us to outlaw the evil of slavery, and take steps to recognize the value of all people regardless of race or religion. Even diminished as that influence has become over the last century, those who are desperately looking for a safe place to raise their families see lands where the cross of Christ still casts a shadow as a haven.  The Good News that changes people's lives, leads to a better world.   It's STTA.   On this page there are multiple options.  All of them point to how the message of the cross can change your life. Some of you wonder what you can do to help the refugees of Islamic persecution.  There are many good ministries.  Global Partners for Peace and Development has worked with those fleeing persecution for years.  Here is their website.

I'm a Christian AND . . .

Something To Think About, Being a Christian:

"I'm a Christian but . . ." A video published by Buzzfeed has achieved that envied status of "going viral."  It features a winsome group of young adults finishing the statement, "I am a Christian, but . . ." and answering a couple of related questions. The obvious implication is that Christians are known for being homophobic, being close-minded, unaccepting, ignorant, uneducated, andthinking they are perfect.   The young people in the video identify as being fans of Beyonce, liking wine, and appreciating science.  They obviously want to be considered normal--not like those "crazy" Christians so often seen and heard in the media.  I'm four decades past being in the demographic of this video, but I identify with them, to a point.  Many of those who are identified as Christians, especially Christian leaders, are not people with whom I want to be identified.  In these daily musings I have identified many "Christians," so called, who are very poor examples of Christ-followers.  Among them are Westboro Baptist Church, leaders who hang "Rev." in front of their names but don't preach the Gospel, those who think "godliness is a means of gain," and often times me.  There are a lot of folk out there who I wish would take the bumper sticker off their cars.  The New Testament contains examples of the Apostle Paul, and others, in essence saying, "I'm a Christian but . . ." (here, here, & here)  Let me tell you two problems with the video--not only with the video, but with the view of Christianity that led to the viral-ity of the the little piece. The fact is the way of life that Jesus calls us to is counter cultural.  The early Christians were accused of being atheists, because unlike virtually everybody else in their world they refused to offer token worship to the gods of their place and time.  In a world consumed by conspicuous consumption, Jesus calls us to a life of laying up treasures in heaven.  All around us people are saying not only, "If it feels good do it."  but, "If it feels that good it can't be wrong."  Jesus, on the other hand says, "Take up your cross and follow me."  Yes, love is at the core Christianity, but love does not rhyme with "any thing goes." The video is far stronger in pointing out what Christianity isn't, from the viewpoint of the producers, than it is at making known what Christianity is.  One critic pointed out that Jesus is only mentioned one time.  Another observed a lack of anything about Christ's coming, or His death, or resurrection.  How different from the Apostle Paul, who, when he came to the hostile environment of Corinth, was "determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."  (1 Co 2:2)   I doubt that it will go viral, but how about this?   I'm a Christian, and I'm trying to live in obedience to God's word. It's STTA.   On this page there are multiple options.  All of them point to how we can have an ongoing relationship with our Lord.

Look around. It's beautiful.

Something To Think About, BEAUTY:

I am privileged to live in an incredibly beautiful place on God's globe.  It is sad that so often I fail to look.  I took a bike ride in the country, yesterday, then my wife and I went to a local lake and sat on the mirror like surface and enjoyed supper.  The mountains around the water turned from green to black silhouettes, rimmed with the last golden light of day.  A flock of birds moving in amazing unison stretched across the sky like a huge ribbon in the wind, twisting, turning, vanishing, returning.  Then today I took a one hundred twenty mile round trip through the mountains and along a couple of streams.  The morning fog turned to blue skies, but patches of mist still clung to some of the ridges. I don't always look at the beauty around me.  Sometimes I'm in a hurry so I rush by.  Other times I'm looking down so I won't stumble, or my focus is inward on my problems.  In the same way that the"worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things" choke out the good seed of the Word of God before it bears fruit (Mark 4:19), carrying daily worries around--especially beyond their intended one day shelf-life--blinds one to the beauty of God's world. I'm not your doctor, I'm just a guy who tries to write something worth thinking about from time to time, but here is my prescription:      Take a minute, or two, or three, or a whole hour, look around, and thank God for the beauty of the world. In spite of the blight of sin, it is still wonderful to behold. Then, with the wonder still in your heart, say, "Thank You, Lord." It's STTA.

This life is one transition after another.

Something To Think About, Transitions:

My wife and I are working through a transition from our "working years" to our next opportunity.  If you are interested you can read about it here.  Friends and loved ones have spoken encouragement into our lives.  Some express a bit of wonder that folk at "our age" would be seeking what is next, rather than resting on what is past.  There is nothing remarkable about asking, "How can I use what I have to God's glory?"  It's just what we ought to do. The reality is, whether we realize it or not, we are all in transition.  My two lovely granddaughters, above, have entered a year of change.  It's Kendal's first year in a new school and Carrington's last year of High school.  A good friend of mine is forty years younger than me.  He is negotiating a passage from here to there that looks remarkably like mine.  His dad is fifteen years younger than me, and just about everything in his life has changed in the past few years.  Then there is another friend:  Whether it is now or down the line, he is looking at that ultimate transition.  We are all headed there.  As the old song says, "This world is not my home.  I'm just a passin' through."   I just received this picture of my youngest grandchild.  She's not three yet.  She watched her big sisters get ready for, and head off to, school.  She's thoroughly convinced she is a big as they are so she got on her new school clothes to head off to her "school"--day-care class.  After that nothing is the same. Not really. There are some realities that are unchanging. Forty-five years ago, though I was on crutches at the time, I climbed a hill and took a seat on a log where I had an unimpeded view to the west.  I was going through a particularly difficult passage in my life.  I took great comfort in watching the sun set.  God had kept the sun and earth, and all the other planets and stars in working order since the day He created them.   From little girls with new shoes, they can't tie yet, heading off to "school," to the old and grizzled on the threshold of eternity, life is a series of transitions.  If I'm with my little granddaughter when she is going through a particularly rough transition--and her life is filled withfirsts-- I'll hold her hand or even pick her up and carry her.  The reality for those of us who have an ongoing relationship with the Lord is that He has promised to be with us through all of life. Hold onto that. It's STTA.   On this page there are multiple options.  All of them point to how we can have an ongoing relationship with our Lord.

We have the privilege of having the Word in our language.

Something to Think About for September 1, 2015:

Something To Think About, Translations:

I shared yesterday about the power of the Word of God.  We English speakers are fortunate to have a multitude of options when it comes to reading and studying the Bible.  The hard drive on this computer contains more than a score of Bible translations, paraphrases, and versions.  I have friends who love the Lord, who don't even have an entire Bible in their language.  Other friends of mine live in places where their choice of which translation to use is easy.  There is only one. But the plethora of English Translations is not necessarily a blessing.  Which one do I use?  Some folk grew up on the King James.  Unless they sound like they are lisping when they read, they don't think it is the real thing.  The King James is a good translation.  There is a problem, though.  Take the following quiz to see it. If someone does "you to wit," should you be insulted? If one of the soldiers in Saul's army was big enough to hold a carriage in his hand, why in the world was he afraid of Goliath? Where did the sailors with whom Paul traveled  have to go to fetch a compass? How might the living prevent those who sleep, and why would we want to? To obtain a "meat offering, did the Old Testament worshiper go to one who raised animals or one who grew crops? I've given some information at the end of this email that will help you answer the questions, but for now, just know that every one of those questions is based on the fact the meaning of words has changed in the last four-hundred years.  For many, maybe most, 21st Century English speakers the King James Bible is a translation of God's Word into a language that they don't speak.  If one is prepared to deal with the Elizabethan English the King James is a marvelous translation.   Fortunately, if you are looking for a translation of the Bible into the kind of English that we speak in the Twenty-first Century, there are some excellent options. The New King James is a translation that preserves much of the feel of the KJV, but updates some of the archaic language. The New American Standard Bible is translation that has much to offer from a technical viewpoint.  It is my favorite translation. Likewise the English Standard Version.  This translation is favored by many preachers and teachers I admire. The New International, has been the most popular of the modern English Translations.  Unfortunately, some of the revisions of the NIV in the past couple of decades may have been influenced by political correctness as much as a desire for accuracy.  I am confident about recommending the "original," 1984, NIV.  I'll let others comment on the revisions. My wife really likes the New Living Translation. I often use it when I am going to be reading a large chunk of the Bible.  It is very conversational.  Most of the text of my message,God's Story in His Own Words, is taken from the NLT. You can find technical reviews of various Bible translations elsewhere. This is just a word from a friend. It's STTA.   Here is a link to a message I've been privileged to share several times that uses only the words of Scripture to share God's Story, in His Own Words.   About the Quiz:  I think these links will clear things up.  "do you to wit," "Keeper of the carriage" "fetch a compass" "shall not prevent them which are asleep" "meat offering"  According to Matthew Henry, "Meat was, and still is [in his day], properly given to any kind of provision,