My mom is a lover of art...she loved to display on her stairway mantel a beautiful statue which showed off her sophisticated style! I am not sure how expensive the stature really was, but it was a beautiful visage of an elegant Greek woman (like my mom) -- a face and shoulder statue. She was very proud of it; so she placed it in a prominent place for everyone to see.
My mom also was a mother of six highly-energetic children born only a few years apart. Her second daughter, Lara Lee (it is really Laura but we pronounce it Lara), was born with a rare condition called Rhett's syndrome. It is a terrible disease that attacks the nervous system and destroys the bodies' normal brain function; and as a result my sister never mentally matured past the age of 1 1/2. As her body grew, her mental age stayed the same. When she was around 9 or 10 my sister would literally run around the house for hours at a time, it was how she released her energy. One day, while she was whipping from room to room she ran smack into my mom's favorite statue. It fell onto the wood floor and completely smashed into about 10 different pieces. My mom was heart-broken...her priceless piece of art was forever ruined; and what made it worse, my sister had no idea what she was even doing. My poor elegant mom, shattered dreams and a broken statue! My dad came home from work and said "We can fix it! I will go out and buy some ceramic glue and I will make it look like brand new." She said, "No, it is forever ruined, it will never be as valuable as it once was." My dad looked at my mom and said, "I am sorry about what happened; but what is more important, being angry over a ceramic statue or showing mercy to your own flesh and blood daughter?" Sure enough my dad fixed it, and if you didn't look close, you couldn't even tell it was broken. The amazing thing that happened, is over time my mom actually began to appreciate that statue more than ever because every time she saw it, it reminded her of what was really important...her relationship with a daughter she loved, and who depended on her constant care. Life is like that, you want it to be perfect, you think you can conquer the world and then in a mere moment, it falls apart - - it feels just like my mom's statue being broke. I'm sure all of us have had thoughts that "your life has been utterly ruined by sin or tragedy, you are a forever failure, there is no hope, the world stinks so why even try?" Well because....we have a Father in heaven that has a glue that puts ruined lives back together. It's called resurrection life and it was purchased by the death of his Son. What is important to God is not that you can perform daily for him and live the perfect life, he doesn't even care if you are better than everyone else - - but what he really wants is for you to know him (Jeremiah 9:23-24). He wants you to experience a God that is quick to show mercy and patch you back up with his love! HE ALWAYS DESIRES TO RAISE TO LIFE THAT WHICH WAS ONCE DEAD! Yes, there will be some cracks left over from your past sin and rebelliousness; but remember, God has allowed this so you can see what really matters. Having faith in an amazing God! When you see the scars from your past failures, remember, he is the one who took your broken pieces, glued them back together, and brought you back to life! Those cracks are left to remind you of how good he really is. Allow the forgiveness you have received to make you stronger, better. So be kind & compassionate. God has put at your disposal a continual supply of grace through his Son. God has forgiven each of us for so much, we have damaged so many of the relationships we have touched, that we need to start allowing God's forgiveness to flow through us daily. Who are we to let bitterness, disappointment, anger, and shattered dreams to continue to rule our lives? If God can forgive, why can't we? Just a final note on my sister Lara; the average life span of a person with Rhett's syndrome is 17 years of age...my sister this October turns 53 years old. My mom's continued love has kept her living 35 years longer than she should have -- and in the same way, if you continue to live by faith, God's love will restore those parts of your life that you once thought could never be restored. And instead of making it 35 years longer than the average person, through his love you get to live forever!
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If you think the sound of fingernails on the chalkboard, chewing ice, or biting pen caps is one of the worst things you ever had to endure ...than that means you have never had to watch "Say Yes to the Dress" with you daughter? I would rather be water-boarded than to have to sit through a whole episode of that show for an hour straight. The plot is this, "The viewer gets to go inside a Manhattan bridal boutique to watch soon-to-be brides, mothers, mother-in-laws, and queer fashion designers discuss, argue, and fight about finding the "perfect" wedding dress. "Should I get a mermaid cut, a princess cut, a slim cut, an Empire cut with a seam, a trumpet dress....yada...yada...yada." Just pick a dress already? One thing that is rarely if ever discussed on this show: "Should the dress be white?" It use to matter, but no longer does. This came to my attention recently when a friend from an older generation stopped by my office and asked me about an upcoming wedding he was invited to. He told me how the couple was already living and sleeping together; and he wondered if he was wrong in thinking that the bride should not wear white. You see, at one time the color white meant that a "pure virgin was being presented" to her groom. Not anymore, in fact, it seems that all that matters is if the dress is pretty and the ceremony was everything she ever wanted. Does it matter if a bride is a virgin anymore? People are so sexually free now that if you said "yes, it sure does matter" - - you would be looked down upon for being judgmental, puritanical, & antiquated. And just think, that would mean a whole lot of brides these days would have to wear a different color- - and that would be unfair. Sex before marriage to most people is a small item, and to them it becomes just a different choice than remaining a virgin. They deem this decision as an "equivalent choice." Not in God's eyes: there is a moral difference, they cannot be compared at all. One choice is of higher, nobler value, how God designed for it to be. The other is a "trespass," jumping moral fences before you are allowed. Trespassing is always a sin, and it is no where near equivalent to the obedience and loyalty God wants from his people. But the world wants both choices without having to worry about the stigma for trespassing and sin; they want to be allowed to wear white when their white has been dipped in the mud and has become dingy. In so many other issues of life, people view decisions as equal when oftentimes, morally there is a huge gap: - The Middle-East conflict: Yes, war is horrible and always in conflict, the worst of humanity on both sides comes out. But there is no moral equivalence when one side is using bombs to protect their civilians, and when the other side is using their civilians to protect their bombs. It is just not equal. - The Inner-City Gun Violence: Yes, the police often use extreme force, yes there is some racial profiling taking place; but this never makes it OK for a thug to use a gun to rob a store, attack a cop, shoot innocent neighbors, and completely disrespect civil authority when they are trying to do their job. This is not morally equivalent. We have forgotten how to reason, and when we say there is moral equivalence when there is none, we are often confirming sinful behavior. Lifting it up to a place that it was never meant to be. As a result of not understanding moral equivalence, our minds have grown dingy. We need to exalt legitimate actions and decisions. Yes, there is always forgiveness for sin; but the consequences are terrible and often remain. So, the next time your kid tries to pull the moral equivalent card on you as a parent and says something like, "I smashed Johnnie's toy because he called me a bad name!" Sit him in time out and make him watch "Say Yes to the Dress!" I guarantee you, he will never smash Johnnie's toy again! Honestly I ask you: Has higher education advanced? Is humanity really better off intellectually than it was 300 years ago? For me, I have always found this topic fascinating: Are we getting smarter as a society? And an even more important question than that; are we producing more noble and dignified thinkers? For many people that question probably isn't that important -- but I think it is. There are countless ways to begin addressing these questions, but I want to start this discussion off with just one thought, and I think it is quite illuminating: Just compare the first Harvard student handbook of 1636 with the Harvard handbook of today. It is staggering how different they are, but I will let you read them for yourself and let you decide... 1636 HANDBOOK _______________________________________________________________ Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Proverbs 2:3).” — From the first Harvard University Student Handbook, chartered in 1636 (For over 100 years, more than 50% of all Harvard graduates were pastors.) 2014 HANDBOOK _________________________________________________________________ A fundamental goal of the College is to foster an environment in which its members may live and work productively together, making use of the rich resources of the University, in individual and collective pursuit of academic excellence, extracurricular accomplishment, and personal challenge. In the words of the Resolution on Rights and Responsibilities adopted by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on April 14, 1970, “By accepting membership in the University, an individual joins a community ideally characterized by free expression, free inquiry, intellectual honesty, respect for the dignity of others, and openness to constructive change.” For this goal to be achieved, the community must be a tolerant and supportive one, characterized by civility and consideration for others. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course requirements is inconsistent with the purposes of a university and with the law. Harvard expects that those with whom it deals will comply with all applicable anti-discrimination laws. Therefore the standards and expectations of this community are high, as much so in the quality of interpersonal relationships as they are in academic performance. SOME CONSIDERATIONS...
The contrast is clear, but does this show that we have really advanced? My gut reaction to this question, which I sadly must confess, reflects a mind that has been saturated in a profoundly secular culture over the last 45 years. If I were to be honest with you, after reading this I think my secular self would say something like this: "Absolutely we have advanced, isn't it obvious? Just think, students no longer have to be suffocated by monolithic biblical thinking which probably was enforced by patriarchal old men. The modern mind and modern man (I'm sorry for my insensitivity, maybe I should use a more neutered phrase like "modern people") no longer need to be shackled to such simplistic religious superstitions anymore." Or my sophisticated self would say: "Learning is all about experimentation, tolerance, and diversity - - ahhh, the new handbook's perspective seems so refreshing, so liberating, so free! Right? People can now-a-days choose and determine who and what they want to become -- no longer are women and minorities held back. All people can break free from the traditional molds and adventure out to new horizons of thought and creativity." But those responses really don't address the question of "are we smarter?" Are we better off? Has our desire for tolerance achieved it's goal and actually brought peace and a kinder populace to society? Personally, I see more selfishness, more demands for personal rights to be granted, and less service and love toward others than ever before. Honestly, has our freedom helped people become better humans or are we more brutal and addicted to our fleshly passions? (I think that is really the goal of wanting people to consider new sexual orientations... it is more times than not an excuse to explore and indulge in sensuality and lust.) As a Christian I know that Jesus is everything; but I also know that if I actually live like this people will think of me as simple minded and repressed puritan. A relic of days gone by: "C'mon, is having Jesus as your foundation enough?" I THINK HE IS. "Is it really productive to encourage people to pray?" I THINK IT IS. Solomon, one of the smartest men who ever lived, puts it like this, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge?" (Pr. 1:7) But more important than that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and it is pure." (Ps. 111:10 & 19:9) Wisdom and purity is what makes better people. Our society has lost respect for this truth; and it is precisely at this point where I think we as a society have gone wrong. We may know more about science, but we have lost real compassion & understanding of the Spirit in the life of the soul. Like small gods we have captured the fire of Prometheus and built the most brilliant of technological wonders in the laboratories of our universities; but we have lost God himself. In our highly politically correct world -- living by Solomon's mantra to "Fear the Lord" seems almost silly and easier said than done! But who cares what professors, pundits and politicians say-- Jesus Christ lives forever. And that is still and will always be the truth! (Hebrews 13:8) Odinism is on the rise! Beware! Malachi Pratt, my friend who is always in the know, enlightened me about this new disturbing societal trend last week ---apparently Odinism is catching on in prisons and the mean streets of the minds of angry white males once again. It is also gaining inroads in popular culture through the influence of the extremely successful "Thor" movies. Odinism is the resurrection of the pagan barbaric world of the Norse god Odin and his heroic race the Teutons; the 'great race', the only hope of the world. William Shrirer, author of the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", described it as he came across this belief in many of the minds of the rabid NAZI fanatics during the 1930's in Germany, as the, "belief in an irrational, heroic, mystic world, beset by treachery, overwhelmed by violence, drowned in blood, and culminating in the Goetterdaemmerung, the twilight of the gods, as Valhalla, set on fire by Wotan (aka: Odin) after his vicissitudes, goes up in an orgy of self-willed annihilation...These heroes, this primitive demonic world, were always, to ancient Nordic pagans, a fire 'in the people's soul.'" Adolph Hitler bought into this garbage, and so did some of the 19th century German philosophers who used the mystical world of Odin as a way to describe the coming hero, the Uber-man (superman): Nietzsche, "The strong men, the masters, regain the pure conscience of a beast of prey; monsters filled with joy....a man capable of commanding, when he is by nature a 'Master'" Hegel: "They may be called Heroes, inasmuch as they have derived their purposes and their vocation, not from the calm regular course of things, sanctioned by the existing order; but from a concealed fount, from that inner spirit, still hidden beneath the surface, which impinges on the outer world as on a shell and bursts it into pieces -- World-historical men, the Heroes of an epoch, the clear-sighted ones." In other words, to the Odinist; we humans must break-free, through dominance, violence, self-will, our intellect and brilliance and become the gods we were always meant to become. It is our's for the taking...we just need to realize it and then go ahead and grab it. Another famous saying attributed to Nietzsche sums up the heart of the Odinist, "Might is right!" In biblical language, Odinism is a new package of the ancient lie that was first uttered in Eden, "if you eat this fruit, you will be like God." Like God, hmmm...a god on earth? Sounds crazy, even blasphemous -- humans are the stuff of dirt and clay. A god?...c'mon, I feel more like a worm. And then in my studies this week in John 10, I came across one of the most bizarre dialogues between the Jewish leaders and Jesus, and it deals with the concept of humans as 'gods'. The Jews doubted that Jesus' miracles were actually the works of God. So in defense of his works, Jesus makes this statement in John 10:34: Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came - and the Scripture cannot be broken - what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?" I like what the commentator Frederick Bruner initially says about this verse, "Jesus' answer seems rather arbitrary." What does this have to do with anything? And even more than that, what does he mean by saying that we are 'gods'? Bible scholars are divided on how to answer this, (It could mean angels, prophets of old, demonic influences over pagan nations), and so many just choose to ignore the phrase 'gods' all-together. "Ehh, let's just ignore it? Too confusing and controversial." But I can't...you see, I like to biblically tinker with deductive reasoning. Are you ready for it? (1) This quote by Jesus comes from Psalm 82, where Jesus is talking about God presiding over the council of 'gods'. The Hebrew word is "Elohim" the term for God himself. So this term is probably not referring to lesser beings like angels, nor demons - - they are merely servants of one in authority. Elohim can also be rendered as 'judge'. (See Exodus 21:6, 22:8-9) My belief is that this is referring to people made in God's image who have been given the right to render judgement over other men. One commentator writes, "It is clear from the next three verses that the word “gods” refers to magistrates, judges, and other people who hold positions of authority and rule. Calling a human magistrate a 'god' indicates three things: 1) he has authority over other human beings, 2) the power he wields as a civil authority is to be feared, and 3) he derives his power and authority from God Himself, who is pictured as judging the whole earth in verse 8." A 'god' is a person of title, power, authority and importance. You know people like this. Our current political culture calls this noble quality as "GRAVITAS!" (2) God chooses some men and women to speak on his behalf -- they are speaking his words and therefore they are representatives of his throne and rule. This is no light matter. Psalm 82:6-7 is saying that these representatives must be careful however; even though they are appointed to positions of authority ('gods' among the people) they must remember, they are still mortal and will be judged by God himself. But this is as far as most commentators take this concept...I want to take it one step further, a lot further... (3) In our redeemed state, we are going to be more incredible than you can ever imagine. We will really be like 'gods': beings of such beauty, power and brilliance that we would frighten ourselves if we actually were able to see firsthand who we are going to become. Think about it: - "Sons & Daughters of the Most High" (Psalm 82:6 & Romans 8:19-23) -- 1 John says when Jesus appears we will be just like him. Our bodies groan because we want to be who we were meant to be. And who is that you ask? 1 Corinthians 15 says we are going to be beings that are "imperishable (42)", "glory filled (43)", & "powerful (43)." When you consider this, being compared to Thor and his abilities is not too far fetched at all. I am just not sure if we will be given a hammer? But who knows? - "Judges Over Angels" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) - - Yes, you heard me right! We are going to be presiding over cases involving fallen demons. We get to judge them. You don't believe me, read Isaiah 14:4, this is hinting that we will be taunting Satan when he is finally brought to judgment. Taunting means to throw out statements and ridiculing songs of defeat against your enemy. We are not yet permitted to do this (Jude 9), but we will be. And when I finally get to, I am going to "let him have it!" - "Rulers over the Cities & Kingdoms of this World" (Luke 19:17) - - Oh sure, you work at McDonald's now; but if you play your cards right and serve Jesus faithfully down here in the shadows, when his kingdom of light comes, he will honor you by allowing you to serve with him. Romans 8:17 calls all true and suffering believers as co-heirs! Co-heirs, fellow rulers, princes and princesses, scepter wielding ambassadors of his kingdom of love. Being crowned like Aragorn son of Arathron on "Lord of the Rings"and his ilk, is no joke!This will be our reality. The whole point of John 10:34 is this: If we are considered 'gods' who have received and believed the word of God, how much greater should we view the one who is the Word of God in the flesh, the actual and only begotten Son of God? (verses 34-36) Wow, he is one powerful, worship deserving dude! The Lord over all the lords, and God over all 'gods'! Instead of buying into mystical lies and the make-believe of Odinism; why not accept the real thing? I love how Colossians 1:12-13 puts it: "Give thanks to God the Father, who has QUALIFIED you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves!" Honestly, God's truths are way better than any fairy tale we can dream up. And too bad most adults have turned the grand wonder of Christianity into a stale game of do's and don'ts: worry about wearing stuffy ties, sporting ugly old brown polyester sport coats, and listening to Lawrence Welk music. Christianity is so much more than that: it is an invitation to join the vast army of 'gods' and 'goddesses' that are part of the family of the Most High God himself!
Jesus Christ is the Hero, the Uber-man, the Master. But he does not need "Might to be Right" because his "Mercy has triumphed over Judgment!" What a guy...no, what a God! He is the one I will love and be loyal to until the day I die; the day when I finally become the 'god' I always was meant to be. Blaspheme you say? I say Blessing! Six little bullets may be the straw that breaks the camel's back...America is being torn asunder, and this current incident has the potential to set our country on fire! Ferguson, Missouri is in chaos: an 18 year old black man was shot six times by a white police officer. Before you form your argument, decide blame and begin debating your point; ask yourself, "What if someone you love was shot 6 times; four times in the arm and twice in the head?" What if he was your little brother? I can tell you how I would feel: Angry, confused, heart-broken, & demanding justice! As I have been watching this scenario play out, I did not want to comment. I don't live there, I don't know all the facts, I'm not from an area where people are dying on the streets -- so for me it doesn't seem like an urgent issue. But as a pastor, there are times when I need to speak up and guide the people God has called me to teach to form the right opinions. Our job is to be like Jesus. And my singular advice is this: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) This verse calls us, first and foremost, to listen and learn from others, "Value Others." When a black man is shot in cold blood we usually run to our own political leanings, jump to conclusions and point the angry finger of blame. This does not value anyone: Stop it and listen! (1) If you are White: Have some compassion. Do you really know and understand what black people are up against in our culture? I just watched a CNN discussion on this. (*** see bottom of page) At first, I wanted to argue the pundits, but then I stopped and listened. I realized that I really don't know what it is like being instantly judged because I have black skin. I had a black roomate in college and I saw with my own eyes, how some people, not all, treated him differently than me. They pulled back, closed up, and were visibly uncomfortable around him. He wasn't being a jerk, he wasn't trying to cop an attitude, he was just....black. Let's face it, regardless if you think they are acting out, or playing the thug; remember, they really do underneath it all feel misunderstood and unfairly judged. So have some compassion. (2) If you are Black: Most police officers are only trying to serve the public, that is a noble thing. And just like you and me -- they don't want to die doing their job. Can you imagine leaving your wife and children to go to work, and then you are asked to enter into a neighborhood skirmish knowing you may be shot? I would tend to be a bit defensive and hard-edged too. Most police officers I know are not trying to be "slave masters" and "NAZI enforcers" they are simply trying to stay alive. Seriously, have you watched some of the thug hip-hop lately? Cops are hated...you don't need to pile on the anger that is already out there against them. Show some honest respect. (3) If you are Rich: You have the ability to buy security and isolation - - you can live in luxury far away from the deadly world most black and poor live in. Much of the poor in our country are stuck in rotted out apartments and dangerous neighborhoods. They are daily simply trying to survive. Don't view them as leeches trying to suck out your money. Do you even care that many single moms are dying on the inside? Aren't we supposed to help those in need regardless of how they got there? I am not arguing for more government solutions, I do not believe politicians hold the Utopian keys...but I do believe before God, the rich do have money to help those in need. To whom much is given....you know how it goes! (4) If you are Poor: Don't play the part of the victim and live your life out of jealous anger and envy. Don't expect things, demand things, or hate people because they have things. Even if it seems unfair, this kind of attitude will eventually kill you...bitterness rots a soul. There are a lot of people using you, getting rich off of you, and they are fueling you to hate those who have more than you. The more angry you get, the more money they make! Trust God, and live responsibly one day at a time. Scripture says to all of us, "Make it your ambition to lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness." What is godliness? Not success, not hatred, not political correctness, but extending mercy to others! Jesus didn't have to leave heaven to save this dirty world, but he did. He gave his life for those he knew who would eventually kill him. He didn't demand, hold a rally, keep his riches to himself - - he gave it all up voluntarily (not by force) in order to save others. Each group of people must learn from His example. Remember 1 Peter 2:20-25 - "Even though he was treated unfairly, he did not retaliate, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly." How will God justly judge you? As someone who treated others better, or as a proud bigot that hated? __________________________________________________________ *** http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2014/08/15/raising-black-boys.cnn.html I am always one step ahead of culture; on the "marketing bell-curve" I am considered an innovator. And if you notice by the title of this post, that means I am completely aware of all of the new & popular phrases and hipster words like "lol", "Whatzzzz up?", and of course "BFF." Are you keeping up with 'pop-culture' (I am not including the Kardashians on that question)? Do you know what BFF means? Of course, it means "Best Friends Forever!" Do you have a BFF, and if the answer is yes, what makes them your BFF? I can hear some of your answers now: - "Well, my bestie and I hit all the sales at the mall. When it comes to finding discounts, she has my back. She is the first one to come to all my jewelry and candle parties too! Gotta love it! And my boyfriends, well, she will never flirt with them when I am gone. That is what I love about my BFF." - "I don't use the word BFF, but my best bud is always willing to buy the next round of drinks. If I need someone to hang out with, I can call him at anytime and we will do the craziest things together: truck pulls, deer blind sitting, romping through the abandoned buildings in the city, or even running the "tough mudder". My best friend is always, and I mean always, up for a good time!" Friendship these days is all about the moment, the thrill, "living the dream." It must include laughter, good food, snarky comments, and looking good. Above all your BFF cannot cramp your style. Well I have a BFF and here is why I love him: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life...no one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." Who is my BFF you wonder? It should be obvious: Jesus. Just think... *He voluntarily died for me...most of my friends in the past wanted something from me. They liked me when I had something to offer in return. *He endured the worst kind of pain you could ever imagine as my substitute...the only pain my friends would be willing to put up with was waiting for me five minutes, at the most, and then they were out of there. *He knew who I really was, a helpless & penniless man, and still he died for me....most of my friends hung out with me as long as I could play the "cool & tough guy" act along with them. Once I started sharing my questions and doubts about the purpose of life, questioning the worth of partying until you black-out, and asking them to take the issues of sin and religion seriously, they thought I was nuts. "See ya Weeks!Good luck with that God stuff. There is a Corona Beer happy hour going on down the street on Division, I'm gone." Jesus still wants me, he would still die again for me, and he actually likes me. And just think, this is after everything he knows about me, the stupid, idiotic things I have done and continue to do. That is why he is my BFF, and why I am more than willing to do what he asks me to do. He has completely proved he is 100% FOR ME! Sometimes a blog doesn't need to be too deep. Just honest. Jesus is my bestie! A couple of nights ago I introduced some of my kids to the movie "Princess Bride" for the very first time. It is a rather simple and silly movie, but I love it. The lines are classic:
"Mawwaige...mawwaige is what bwings us togeder today." "Inconceivable! ... You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means?" "My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!" This 1987 comedy brings back some great memories, and it still has the ability to create for me some genuine side-splitting belly laughs. After the movie was over, I scolded the kids for staying up so late (which was my fault but a good dad never takes the blame) and sent them off to bed, and then I checked the news. It was horrible, Robin Williams was found dead of asphyxiation...a man who made his living off of laughter, killed himself because of severe depression. Laughter, it is a strange thing. At times it has tremendous ability to build you up, like a good medicine it can smooth out the wrinkles of your weary soul; and yet at other times it can be used to hide despair, the very thing that may be killing you. I wonder, is laughter and joking a language of hope, or despair? I think it has the potential for both. The book of Ephesians 4:29 says that the gift of communication is given to us for the sake of building others up, to encourage and breathe life into others. And yet if it is used sinfully, like a poison, it can destroy and tear down. Laughter, one of the most powerful forms of communication we have at our disposal, can do both; that is why we have to be extremely careful how we use it. Here is my take on the proper and improper use of laughter: (1) laughter is rightly used when it notices the ironic, strange, odd and random uniqueness of life and invites others to share it with you: Like laughing together at a funny movie line such as"inconceivable", or noticing how your weird dog likes to sleep with his stuffed monkey animal friend at bedtime. It is a spontaneous thing, a joy that bubbles up, when life just strikes you as funny and you want to share it. As they say, the more the merrier. (1b) laughter is wrongly used when it centers simply around inside jokes and secret codes and phrases that only include a select few. Have you ever been in a group when you say something and two or three people are laughing, you have no reason why, but you are pretty sure you may be the one they are laughing at? The popular and elite often find humor in their own superiority...and your stupidity. And it hurts. (2) humor is a healthy when you can honestly laugh at yourself and join with the rest of humanity in relishing the crazy random experiences of life. Often humor is found in the common foibles we all undergo and the unexpected expectedness of absurd occurrences we all have endured: having unzipped pants when giving a speech in front of class, toilet paper on the shoe as you walk into an interview, or even passing gas during a blind date. Let's face it, people are funny. You are funny. Laugh! (2b) humor is deadening when you mock the dignity of others, making sport of their unique person-hood, cynically destroying tightly held moral convictions, or even enjoying other's personal human misery and embarrassing unintentional blunders. Junior Highers are masters of this, and so are late night comics and talk show hosts. Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, and even David Lettermen come to mind. Like hungry sharks, they feed on other's weakness. As Christians, we must learn to "never cynically laugh" at the things and priceless people Jesus died for. Sadly, Robin Williams floated on the waves of hilarity between both worlds. Some of his movies and television shows were filled with laughter that truly was lifting and life-giving, moments that brought joy and and continuous humor through his impromptu zany wackiness. But if you dare (I don't suggest it) to surf social media, his stand-up comedy had a terrible darkside: raw, course, brutal and dehumanizing. I am afraid the darkside is where his mind too often dwelled. When he was left alone to himself, I believe it was this kind of thinking that fueled his despair. Tearing apart other people's dignity through mockery and cynicism, always, and I mean always comes back to poison you. If you view others to have no real meaning, lumps of idiotic clay that is open season for all sorts of disrespect and mockery; than you will begin to believe that there is nothing intrinsically valuable about your soul either. Are we not all made in the image of God? Take heed to Matthew 5:22. Robin William's death is a tragedy, not only because his ability to bring us to tears of laughter through his outrageous wit has been forever silenced; but more tragic than that is because his constant need to produce a laugh for the public never allowed him to open up and ask others to share his pain in private - - comedy must always keep tragedy hidden. That is why we have the tears of a clown! I once heard laughter is the language of faith, you can smile because you have hope for a better tomorrow. Sometimes I think laughter can also be the language of the devil, he is great at getting people to disguise brokenness through the mask of the muse. He uses it to isolate and alienate. Leaving people to suffer alone. Ecclesiastes says it is better to spend time in the house of the mourner, rather than always hanging out at the party. I think I know why -- honesty through sharing your suffering allows people in, gives them a chance to offer you compassion and mercy as balm for a broken heart. However, laughter at the wild party has an amazing ability at keeping people at arms length. Yes, you need to laugh through tough times, but not if it hides who you really are and the pain you are really carrying. I think as we mourn Robin's death, people are wondering, is he in peace? I don't know, I don't know. But one thing I do know - - his death is no laughing matter. Eternity is real, and it is never worth the price of telling a few side-splitting jokes down here on earth. Ahhh, vacation was so nice, plenty of sun, plenty of food; but I must admit, too much time to think... This summer, it was one of the first times that it was strikingly obvious to me that "I am not getting any younger." What was my oldest daughter doing taking her Senior pictures by Lake Michigan? Too soon, too soon! And my youngest daughter only a mere couple of years ago was splashing in the baby pool; now she frolics in the deep with no fear, or need of her dear ole' dad's shoulders to hang on. No, not my little girl? This summer, I also considered long-and-hard, my calling: I wonder, is God pleased with me? Have I been faithful over the past year to the job he has placed me in? Is my ministry even effective anymore? Or, should I quit because my flawed humanity is getting in the way of what God is trying to accomplish at the church I serve? My mind races on vacation...I even am brought back to the lyrics of my favorite U2 song, "Where the Streets have No Name.": I want to run I want to hide I want to tear down the walls That hold me inside Maybe it would be better to run away from it all, buy a "little house" you can pull behind your car, and park in the middle of the woods living off of wild mushrooms and squirrels for the next couple of years?
This feeling of escape was heightened as I talked with my brother-in-law Joel about the state of the American Church. (He is constantly researching and keeping up with the modern trends of Christianity, post-modernity, politics and the poor). In one of our discussions he asked me what I thought about the fallout from Mark Driscoll's arrogant rants and chauvinist postings on social media? (See -- http://www.religionnews.com/2014/08/08/mark-driscoll-acts-29/ ) I didn't know anything about it. So I did some research...this popular pastor is being picketed by former members of his church who left because of his abusive leadership style and women hating overtly sexual rants. I ran across this quote from David Kupliean - a church critic - as I was learning about Mark Driscoll's actions. It really got me thinking about my job and how I teach: “No matter what kind of person you are, a form of Christianity has evolved just for you. There’s a politically liberal Christianity and a politically conservative Christianity. There’s an acutely activist Christianity and an utterly apolitical Christianity, a Christianity that holds up a high standard of ethical behavior and service, and a Christianity for which both personal ethics and good works are irrelevant. There’s a raucous, intensely emotional Christianity drenched in high-voltage music, and there’s a quiet, contemplative Christianity. There’s a loving Christianity and a hateful, racist Christianity, a Christianity that honors Jews as God’s chosen people and a Christianity that maligns Jews as Satan’s children.” His point is that the church seems to be always trying to create a Jesus that looks just like the people they want to attract. It is the old Burger King Jesus, "All we ask is that you let us serve "Him" your way." So I wonder, "Am I caught up in serving a Jesus to the people that they want? Am I using the name of Jesus for my own fame, glory and chance to control other people's lives?" Wow, that question and being aware of my own dark pride & brokenness makes me want to run. But I can't. I must stay the course, press on and finish the race. There are many reasons to keep going on and not run away: - His grace is sufficient for my weakness. - I am a debtor, I must continue to share the gospel. - I can only plant and water, the Lord does all the work in making it grow. - The Lord called me, and he will do it. - I never want to leave and let it be open season for the wolves who really do want to destroy the flock of God. It really is a high honor to serve the people of Kent City Baptist. I know my ministry is flawed, but by God's grace I know he can use this "jar of clay" to bring glory to His amazing Son, Jesus Christ. I also know, I will have to face him someday and give an account. That scares me! One last thing: Is it just me, or is Duck Dynasty not that funny anymore? Maybe I am just getting too old to laugh? I know, I know...I am walking on dangerously thin ice. How could I ever say that God is the devil? Give me a chance to explain myself: the first time I came across this idea I was reading the writings of Martin Luther, and I too thought it was a rather blasphemous statement. The mere thought that God and the Devil could be equated sounded totally ridiculous and idolatrous. But after chewing on his arguments awhile, they began to make profound sense. As I related Martin's explanation with my own personal experience, it completely clicked! God wants to provoke us, even anger us! He does this by directly confronting the dirt and disease of our life; so he can then shine his light and show us the dark state of our soul. In order for us to have him, he must first clean us out completely. When we begin to understand this, our fallen nature will actually hate him for this -- he will seem like a devil to us. Here is Martin Luther's quote: "There are none nearer to God than these haters and blasphemers of him, nor any sons more pleasing to him and beloved by him! And you can in this state make more satisfaction for sin in one moment than ever you could by repenting for many years together under a diet of bread and water. The 'blasphemer' at least does God the honor of acknowledging God as God. Perhaps we can imagine God saying, 'Ah, at last! I got you to talk with me! You finally spoke the truth about who I am and what I want.'" Huh? Let's break this down: (1) "There are none nearer to God than a hater..." How can this be true? Very simple, look at it from the perspective of going to the dentist or the doctor. When the dentist says you have a cavity, it is at that moment you begin to hate the dentist. His job at first is to expose your rottenness. If the dentist ignored your cavities, and let you get by on just applying teeth whitener, you would probably really like the dentist. "Hey, what a great guy!" However, he wouldn't be doing his job. So...the dentist first sits you down and says, "Open Wide." He is looking for cavities. Like a good dentist, God's first goal is to expose your sin, your pride, your self-righteousness; and your flesh hates him for it. At this moment, God becomes a devil. (2) "In this state you can bring satisfaction in a moment." This is what is so surprising and wonderfully true about salvation: it only takes a moment to gain entrance into eternity. But in this moment, your life is balancing on the edge of a knife and God is fighting the Devil for it. You can either surrender your life completely to God; or put on a religious mask to hide behind and run away from him. Most people choose the mask. And when they do, apathy, lethargy, carelessness take you over and it starts clouding and blinding your mind to the truth. This is the devil's best trick. However, the person who is standing there hating is "actually" understanding how serious the stakes are at this crucial moment. Anger is the sure sign they get what God is saying. He wants them...TO DIE TO SIN. They know he wants them to give up, surrender and admit defeat...but it is the last thing they want to do in their sinful flesh. If you are honest, you have been there! C.S. Lewis says this moment is like being backed into a corner by God himself. The scriptures paint Paul during this moment as a wild animal being pricked and prodded by God. Peter was so mad in his moment of exposure, that he swore a blue streak in a courtyard while Jesus was on trial. (3) "Repenting for many years under a diet of bread and water won't help you." This is like the person who thinks only using "teeth whitener" is enough to make for healthy teeth and keep the dentist away. In other words, doing religious deeds and being faithful to long held traditions,duties and obligations should be enough to keep God happy. But God doesn't want you doing nice things, he wants you dead! Just as a dentist wants the cavity removed, God wants your old man crucified. Constant virtuous activity doesn't cut it with a holy God; but we think it does because it makes us feel good about ourselves. All showy religion does is fuel the illusion that we have somehow appeased God's anger; we believe our good show has actually calmed God down! Through hard work and sincere efforts we have tamed and declawed the once ferocious lion. Please listen up....God cannot be tamed, because he is still full of hot fire towards our sin. (4) "The 'blasphemer' is acknowledging God as God!" When you get mad at God you finally are treating him as God. On the other hand, when you are playing church, being religious, thinking you can be good enough; you are not treating God as God -- you are treating him as a gullible little teenager. "See God, I went to church and sang really loud; I even gave some money in the offering plate... what a good boy am I? Right?" C'mon, you think you can fool an all-knowing God with such a childish charade? A lot of church people these days are trying to pull the wool over God's eyes by putting on a splendid outward show for all to see -- while their hearts are still blacker than the blackest coal. Haters of God know he can see everything. Haters of God know he can not be bought off simply by wearing a tie on Sunday and saying 2 minutes of prayer before dinner. He is much more dangerous than that. (5) "You finally spoke the truth about who I am." You may be wondering: how can calling God a devil be the truth? Think about it, when you are a son or daughter of the devil and you call God a devil, you are paying him a compliment. God has come to smash in the gates of hell, so to a demon, God is a demon. He hasn't come to play nicey nice to sin, but to kill and destroy it once and for all. God has come to do the devil's very own work to the devil. He has come to wage war. He has come to conquer. He is taking us back. Oh how the devil hates him for this. I wonder, do you hate him too? If the answer is yes, you may be finally getting it? But if you yawn and go back to your couch of apathy, than I can assure you...you really don't know God as God. And...you don't know how much danger you are still in! |
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