Who Is Moving?

Something To Think About, False Motion:

The picture might do it for some of you.  It generally happens to me while I'm waiting at a traffic light.  I have this sudden unsettling feeling that I'm moving.  My right foot reflexively mashes harder on the brake, then there is the split-second of panic because for some reason the brake has no effect on my drifting car.  Thankfully the terror is short-lived.  “Whew, I'm not the one rolling.  It's that semi right next to me." When I have that experience on the road it usually ends with a chuckle.  When it happens in the ethical realm, the disorientation lasts a lot longer.  Indeed, some Christians--even some Christian leaders--never get over it. We live in a world in which moral realities appear to swirl and waver like smoke rising from a just-snuffed candle.  It can be disorienting.  Are the "rights-and-wrongs" I grew up with really "wrongs-and-rights" or "maybes-and-maybes" or just a swirling spiral of choices spinning around even more options? An honest evaluation of the standards that we draw from the Word of God is always valid.  If we are going to say "God said," we need to be sure we heard Him correctly.  But just because we see relative motion between our culture and the standards drawn from the Bible does not mean that those standards are in motion or that they need to move.  In fact what we really need is a fixed point by which we judge everything else that swirls and drifts.  Part of the reason that the Bible is good news is it is dependable.  It is the rock that stands firm even in the storms of life. Don't loose sight of it. It's STTA. Here is a site where you can find out about Jesus Christ and His plan for you.  You'll find several opportunities to explore.  If we can help you, let us know.  covingtonbiblechurch.com

Something To Think About Loving our neighbor, 7/7

My buddies and I resumed our Monday morning listen to the audio version of Eric Metaxas's book, 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness.  Jackie Robinson is the first of the seven whose life overlaps with mine.  He was the grandson of a slave, and grew up in an era of deep racial division.  In 1945 Branch Rickey, General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, invited Robinson to the the first Black player in Major League Baseball.  Jackie Robinson not only excelled athletically, but faced the insults and taunts that were heaped on him with a divinely provided self-control.  The player and manager opened the door, and in just a short time the unfair barrier that prevented Black athletes from playing at the highest level had been eliminated. My observation, and the conversation this morning, indicate that we still don't have it right. Less than twenty years after Jackie Robinson got the break he deserved, Dr. Martin Luther King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."  We have made progress, but we have not yet arrived. The Old Testament prophets often thundered against the injustices of their world.  Their words still carry great force when laid down next to the inequities of the 21st Century.  Amos said, “. . . let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.  (Amos 5:24) Like so many today who claim to follow God, the people of Israel were busy about external acts of worship.  Commentator Donald R. Sunukjian, helps us get a handle on the prophet's words: Instead of ritual and performance, God wanted a relentless commitment to justice and righteousness. . . . He wanted a passionate concern for the rights of the poor, a concern that would roll on like an ever-flowing river … like a never-failing stream that did not run dry. God wanted a day-to-day life of surging integrity and goodness. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Few of us are in a position, like Branch Rickey, that affords us an opportunity to, in one fell swoop, reverse decades of injustice.  Each of us, though, can make a difference. Are we? It's STTA: Find out more about CBC at our website, or in a recent newsletter. God's Story in His Own Words. a message composed of nothing but Scripture that presents the flow of Divine Revelation from "In the beginning," to the final "Amen." You can find out about a relationship with Jesus that provides the kind of internal change that makes a difference in our world here.

Something To Think About Alignment, 6/9

Having the wheels properly aligned on anything that rolls--from cars that tend to dive for the ditch, to trailers (like the picture) that wear our tires on one side, to grocery carts that go "whappity, whappity, whappity"-- is incredibly important.   A friend of mine just invested a pretty good chunk of money in getting the front end of his car lined up.  It's money well-spent.  The wheel needs to be going the same direction as the rest of the vehicle.  Any deviation will produce excessive wear, or worse, disaster. Doing wheel alignment on an automobile is a specialty thing.  It takes the right equipment, and the right technician to use it. Yesterday we honored a batch of graduates at CBC.  It's one thing to get graduates to line up.  It's a far more difficult task to get a graduate in line.  Unlike servicing an automobile, there are no computer assisted people-alignment units, and the task is not done by a specialist.  While there are counselors, coaches, and people like me, who seek to give guidance, in the human realm it is an amateur who is wielding the wrench.  Each of us has to make the adjustment on himself.  And especially for people like graduates, who are going on to something new (and isn't really true about all of us?), that means we are getting oriented to something we've never seen before. Sounds impossible!? It would be, except. God in his word has given us the default settings.  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind." "Love your neighbor as yourself." Seek opportunity to do good, and do those good deeds in such a way that God will be honored, rather than self puffed up. Etc.. When you buy a new car, the manufacturer doesn't know whether you will drive it on the long straight roads of Kansas, the pot-hole labyrinth that makes up many cities, or the curvy mountain roads that abound in my region.  The engineers that designed the car have concluded that this particular alignment is best for this particular vehicle.  Our God,who made us, knows far more about what makes us run straight than the best heads in Detroit do about Fords, Chevies, or Chryslers.  When God recalls one of His products, it is not because of any mistake on His part.  Follow His spec.s Run straight! It's STTA.   Find out more about CBC at our website, or in a recent newsletter. God's Story in His Own Words. our Easter message that presents the flow of Divine Revelation from "In the beginning," to the final "Amen." You can find out the extent of God's investment in us here.

Saying What I Mean:

Jesus and His half-brother James both spoke of saying "Yes," and meaning yes, and saying "No." and meaning no (Matthew 5:37 &James 5:12).  I was just listening to the news.  A great deal of what fills such broadcasts would be eliminated if more of our leaders followed this admonition.  Much of political reporting and commentary consists of, "This is what I said, but this is what I meant." or, "It is important to hear what ____ didn't say."  
It would be easy at this point to descend into a rant about politicians and their ways, but, since neither I nor most of my readers are running for office, that would just give us an opportunity to pat ourselves on the back for being better than them.  Rather I need to ask myself about my reputation in regard to the truth.  My devotion to truth-telling ought to be such that, without a handbook for decoding purposely dense language or the need to reinforce my statement with oaths, I would be believed.  People who hear me say, "Yes." ought to be able to conclude that I mean yes, and likewise with my "No."
In case this idea catches on among the political-types, I suggest filling the dead air with some good news stories.

It's STTA.

Trying to do right:

Several guys are meeting together on Monday mornings listening to Eric Metaxas's book Seven Men and the Secret of Their Success, and then discussing it.
The last two sessions have been on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  We haven't so much talked about the German Theologian/pastor, as we have discussed the world in which he lived--the time during and between the World Wars in Germany--what it meant to live for Christ then and there, and what we can learn from that.
Some of our thoughts are convicting.  For instance, just as the underlying antisemitism of Bonhoeffer's day allowed the Nazi propaganda to take root in his world, there are widespread prejudices in our world that can lead to further harm.
Am I part of the problem or am I, by the words I speak and the life I live, pointing to a solution?
Bonhoeffer came to believe, in particular after his time at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, that what one believes must lead to real-life action, and that one's worship is inadequate unless it is matched by appropriate life-change.  It was great to listen to a truck driver, a cop, an insurance adjuster, a small business owner, a missionary in training, an engineer, and a couple of preachers ask themselves and one another, "What are the issues that face us in our world and time?" and, "What do we do about them?"
Many of us were in good churches yesterday.  We heard truth from God's word proclaimed.  This morning I heard a preacher who died before I was born ask, "Now, what are you going to do about it?

Lead on, guys!

It's STTA.

Running for the Lord:

Something To Think About, Eric Liddell, 5/13

Yesterday, as I have for the past several Mondays, it was my privilege to share breakfast with some great men. Some from the past and some in the present.   Yesterday, Eric Liddell the Scots Olympian from 1924 and missionary martyr, was our special guest.  His was a life that exemplified Psalm 15.   From his refusal to run in his premier event at the Olympics, because it was scheduled on the Lord's Day, to, shortly before his death, his giving away of his running shoes to a fellow prisoner, Liddell's life is a study in doing what is right, rather than what is expedient or convenient.  You can get an idea of his remarkable life here.   As we listened to a bit of Liddell's story at breakfast yesterday, those of us at the table were well aware that most of us will never be called on to sacrifice Olympic gold or give our lives as martyrs for the Lord's cause.  Our service is likely to be more like a character who played a brief but significant role in Liddell's life.  Shortly before Liddell ran the 400 meter race that propelled him to fame an American masseur pressed a piece of paper into Liddell's hand.  It contained a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honour me I will honour." Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand.  Later he said that receiving that piece of paper was the finest thing that happened to him in Paris. Greatness often lies in the seemingly insignificant. Lord, may I do what is right today--whether it is small or great is up to You.  I simply ask for the ability to see what is right, and the strength and resolve it to do it. AMEN. It's STTA.

BALANCE

I hope I'm not imbalanced when I say, "The longer I live and minister the more impressed I am with the virtue of balance.
Take a moment and stand on one foot.  I recommend doing it next to a strong chair or other object where you can catch yourself if need be.  Look straight ahead.  Stand there flamingo-style long enough for a bit of fatigue to set in.  At that point you'll begin to notice how complicated it is to maintain equilibrium.  There are rapid signals, and matching corrections.  Often the corrections will be right, then left, front then back.  Interspersed with those corrections will be the sweet spots--those rare, fleeting moments when you don't feel like you are about to fall.  In short:

Balance is hard.

You can relieve the tension by lying down, or theoretically by pouring concrete around your boots.  Metaphorically, that's where way too many people live.

If physically standing is such hard work, why would we think that maintaining one's standing before the Lord--One Who is infinitely complex--would be simple?  If we think of some of the big Theological arguments we are likely to identify points where balance is important.  Please understand, balance does not equal compromise.  Think back to that physical exercise we did a moment ago.  When my brain tells me that I'm falling to the right, I have to allow that information to have its full impact.  If I don't react properly to that sensation I will fall.  On the other hand, if I over-react I will pitch over to the left.  Balance.

God is sovereign.  --  The decisions we make,
                                                and actions we take really matter.

God gives His people Liberty  --  Yet we must conform to His commands.

God has given human leaders,                                                                
and expects them to lead  --  Leaders too often abuse that power.

My associate Doug Williams is fond of pointing out that there are generally ditches on both sides of the road.  Both need to be avoided.  

Blessed are the balanced.

It's STTA.

Further thoughts on Balance:

Perhaps one reason there are so many liar, is there are so many of us who listen to them.

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT A friend of mine noticed from my web postings that I wasplanning to preach about "stepping out of my comfort-zone."  She knew of a song that she thought would fit with the message.  I agreed.  I used the song to make a video with which we finished the message.   The song is called The Voice of Truth.  A couple of lines from the song have haunted me for past week or so.  I'm quoting it from memory, so I might paraphrase a bit, but here is what plays in my head:  "Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen to and believe the voice of truth." It ought to be easy to listen to and act on the truth.  It's not. We live in a world that is dominated by the father of lies.  (See here and here.)  To listen to and act on truth takes determined effort.  Often times lies are attractive because: They appeal to our prejudice. They allow us to do what we want. They provide an easy way out. They justify our continued residence in our comfort-zone. Acting on truth is courageous, living a lie is cowardly.  The lie might provide temporary comfort, only truth can bring long term security.  We have the volume control.  Turn down the racket of falsehood.  Get in the Word, get with a group of people who are relentlessly pursuing the truth, face the truth squarely even when it looks scary, and then do it.  It's STTA.     You can access the message, STEPPING OUT WITH PETER; Out Of Our Comfort Zone, That Is,  athttp://covingtonbiblechurch.com/recordingsofmessages.html.  The video, which begins with a song by Theresa McCoy, ends with the song-video.   Here is a simple presentation of the truth that flows from God's love.

Life's hard x2

Something To Think About

"I'm trying to do the right thing, and it's hard."  The young man who shared those words with me is totally sincere.  I've watched him for a while now and I'm convinced that he is trying to do what's right.  When he says "it's hard" he's not speaking of it being difficult, as in, "I know clearly what I need to do, but it is not easy to do that."  What he is doing is difficult, but he's the kind of guy who can man up (forgive me ladies) and do what he needs to do.  What he means is, "It's complicated.  Figuring out what is the right thing to do is difficult." Life is   not a TV show. Things aren't neatly worked out in 30 minutes.  The star does not necessarily survive.  There are many reasons why my friend's situation is complicated.  Part of it has to do with past choices.  Many of the choices we make leave a wake of consequences.  Very high on that list of high impact decisions are the choices we make about relationships.  Our friendships, associations, and especially our marriages, if entered into foolishly or rebelliously, will leave us with fewer good/easy choices, and a lot more really hard ones.   Another big portion of my friend's complications come from the sinful actions of others.  When I do wrong, my actions generally send out ripples that rock the boats of others.  Sometimes my actions are so egregious that they capsize other craft--especially those that may be sitting low in the water, weighed down with problems.  None of us live in a vacuum. The good news is that the Bible is not a guide for living in an ideal, air-brushed, sun-always-shining world.  The pages of scripture are inhabited by the likes of David, Moses, Esther, and Paul.  Talk about people with a past, and/or who are negatively affected by outside forces.   I am confident that my friend will do the right thing, even though it is hard--in both senses of the word--not because he is smart and strong--he is--but because it is people like my friend, in situations like he finds himself, that the Lord promises to lead. When life is hard: Search the scriptures.  Enlist others through counsel, books, etc. to help you. Search your heart.  Often we aren't really willing to do what is right.  That's the other kind of hard.   Are you willing to do what you should. Make sure you and God are on good terms.  We should always walk with the Lord, but when the road is rough it is especially important. Trust the Lord.  Living right is not the result of me figuring it out.  It has to do with me following Him. It is always right to do right.  Don't give up. It's STTA   Click here to hear some thought from a couple of old preachers about finishing well.  It's harder than you may think. http://covingtonbiblechurch.com/lifesmostimportant.html