Political Discourse, or...?

No matter what one may think of Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose-Driven Life and pastor and founder of the Saddleback Church conglomerate in southern California, there is little question that his influence in American Christian culture (at least) is substantial. His founded church has somewhere in the neighborhood of eight "satellite" locations and his popularity amongst many Christian circles has risen like a comet and orbited the personal theologies of Christians from every denominational stripe. Many churches and individuals have used his best seller to seek purpose in their own lives. Whether you agree with all of his teachings and/or opinions or not, he has earned a voice and his success has allowed him to pay back the church (where he now pastors for free despite a busy speaking schedule) he founded for every paycheck he ever received from them. These bite-size-fact-minutiae are impressive -- to say the least -- and Rick and Kay Warren don't seem to be slowing down.

I do want to make it clear, for those who might be tempted to imbue me with the beliefs conveyed in every book or speech Rick has ever written or given, that I do not follow any man, save the God-man Jesus, who is the Christ. I do so imperfectly, with definite need to improve, and align myself with scripture in every conceivable way... even as I struggle to understand sometimes. All I mean to "say" by posting this is that I am impressed by Rick's responses in this interview, especially the very last response. I also wish to start dialogue with the following questions.

With the upcoming election looming, Rick offers his take on the political climate in America. This link will take you to the page that holds the full interview, but as I think it's important, I'll include the text here too. What I want to know from you all is this: What does the phrase "religious freedom" mean to you? Is it important to talk about publicly? Based on your understanding of what "religious freedom" means, do you believe it's important to uphold religious freedoms today or not? Why?

Now, without further delay, the interview in its entirety:

News & Views 8/23/12

12 days ago

Pastor Rick Warren

Dear Saddleback Family, 

Today, we let the Orange County Register be the first to announce that we will NOT be hosting another Civil Forum on the Presidency as we did four years ago with the presidential candidates. 

Instead, our church will host a Civil Forum on Religious Freedom in September. Here are my full answers to questions about the Civil Forum.  Please forward this on to those you know would want to know.

PASTOR RICK'S FULL INTERVIEW

QUESTION: So, the rumor that Saddleback would host another Civil Forum on the Presidency was untrue?

Warren:  We did consider hosting another Civil Forum on the Presidency but decided against it.

When the primaries began earlier this year we began getting requests to do another presidential forum because the one we did in 2008 was given such high marks by pundits and critics for its unique format and for fairness. Also, the TV networks were eager to cover it again since it garnered one of the largest viewing audiences of that election.  So, last spring I talked with both campaigns about the possibility of doing it again. They were both favorable to participating, but we had not decided to do it.

QUESTION: Would this have been your first civil forum involving a sitting president?

Warren: No. President Bush participated in one of our civil forums while in office.  We actually had President Bush as a guest twice at Saddleback Civil Forums.

QUESTION: How many sitting presidents have you known personally?

Warren: All of them since President Carter, who was president when Kay and I started Saddleback in 1980.

QUESTION: Favorite presidential moment?

Warren:  President Reagan wearing a Saddleback Church cap at his ranch in Santa Barbara. He wrote me several encouraging letters in the early years of Saddleback. I've framed them.

 

QUESTION: So what made you decide to not repeat the Presidential Civil Forum this year?

Warren:  We had two reasons:  First, we feel the climate of the current presidential campaign is the exact opposite of the values of the Civil Forums.  We created the Civil Forums to promote civility and personal respect between people with major differences. The forums are meant to be a place where people of goodwill can seriously disagree on significant issues without being disagreeable or resorting to personal attack and name-calling. But that is not the climate of today's campaign. I've never seen more irresponsible personal attacks, mean-spirited slander, and flat-out dishonest attack ads, and I don't expect that tone to change before the election. We felt it would be hypocritical to pretend civility for one evening only to have the name-calling return the next day. President Obama ran on the promise of being a "uniter, not a divider" but both he and the leaders of Congress have failed miserably at that promise.  Our nation is more divided now than ever, except for the Civil War. That saddens me as an American.

QUESTION: And the second reason?

Warren: There is an even bigger issue at stake right now than who sits in the White House. It is the crumbling of our constitution's first guaranteed freedom - the freedom of religion. This issue is more significant and has far greater implications for America's future. People have forgotten that America was founded by people who came here to escape religious persecution. Freedom of religion is America's FIRST freedom. It's #1. It is the first freedom mentioned in the Bill of Rights - before freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and every other freedom!  America was the first and probably the only country to be founded in order to give every individual the freedom to practice his religion and follow his conscience without governmental constraint. And yet today, at the city, the state, and the federal levels, government bureaucrats are daily trying to limit that freedom, impose restrictions, and stifle expressions of faith on campuses, in hospitals, and in businesses. There are widespread attempts to redefine the first amendment to simply mean "You are free to believe anything at your place of worship but you are not free to practice your conscience elsewhere."  So now we've had the Justice Department suing a religious university for wanting to hire only teachers that share their faith and convictions. Fortunately, the Supreme Court overruled them, but religion is being zoned into a little box.  We've had the government forcing confessing Catholics to violate their convictions, cities zoning out churches, Muslims forbidden to wear head scarves, and businesses banned because of the religious views of the owners. There are literally hundreds of examples of freedom being squelched. The constitution doesn't just guarantee your freedom to worship; it guarantees you freedom from government intervention in your daily living out of what you believe.  That's why we've chosen to host a Civil Forum on Religious Freedom in September instead of the presidential forum. It's a fight for the constitution, not a personality.

QUESTION: Who will be invited to speak at that Civil Forum?

Warren:  I have invited the leading Catholic voice in America, the leading Jewish voice in America, and the leading Muslim voice in America to join me. I don't want to announce their names yet, because we are still coordinating our schedules for a date when we can all appear together. We obviously have different beliefs, but we are all "neighbors" in the national sense and the Scriptures command us to "Love your neighbor as yourself."  But one thing we all have in common is the mutual concern for protecting religious freedom for everyone. We are haunted by the words of the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller who wrote "First the Nazis came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me."  We intend to speak out for each other. For instance, if the government suddenly decreed that all Jewish delis must now offer pork, you'd find me opposing that with my rabbi friends. I don't have a problem with pork, but I support your right to follow your faith.

QUESTION: What do you think are the candidates' views of religious freedom?

Warren: President Obama's policies clearly show what he values and I have told him that I adamantly disagree with those particular policies. I have not talked about this issue with Governor Romney, but I would imagine that, as Mormon, he'd obviously understand the importance of protecting all religions against persecution, and insuring people's rights to practice their conscience without government intervention.

 

QUESTION; When will you announce the date of the Civil Forum on Religious Freedom?

Warren: As soon as we have coordinated the speakers' schedules.

 

QUESTION: Will that forum be televised, too?

Warren: I hope so. Americans are definitely going to want to hear the leaders I've lined up.

QUESTION: Any final words?

Warren: In the final analysis, I believe our hope is not found in any man we put in the White House, but our hope is found in the man we put on the Cross.

Fatherhood Spin

What is it like to be a father?

How does one approach this new responsibility and what are the many thoughts and worries that come with this role?

Fatherhood Perspective (from a new father...)

You could say the idea of fatherhood has always been front and center in our culture, with people on all sides of the role aiming their side's weapons directly at them. As a new father myself, and a baby girl on the way, I don't take lightly that responsibility and I'm not arrogant enough to say "I got this," like it's not big deal. I at once understand 1) the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding me, the word of God teaching me and directing my steps, and the loving Father who comforts me when I (frequently) fall short, and 2) that being a father is not a "nothin' but net" undertaking that is downloaded into my brain as though I were still connected to the Matrix.

Fatherhood is a role not all can handle, fewer step up to when it comes, and in any case should not be undertaken lightly. Every now and again fatherhood comes up in an interesting way. I feel we're seeing an example of that today.

Recently I've seen a couple articles discussing some comments made by Pat Robertson, and none of them were good. I'm thankful that at least one article I read had the video embedded so I could watch what really happened. Man, first person perspective can make a world of difference! Since I believe it's important to watch the video for yourself, I'll include it here:



This post is, in one sense, also an exercise in controlling media spin -- which could be personal (blog, tweet, etc.) or corporately intentional (Fox, NBC, etc.). I've seen several people post a link and would like to clear up where I believe the ire comes from.

I watched the video and have three thoughts: 1) he didn't tell people NOT to adopt, or even that you shouldn't adopt someone if you know they had a troubled past. 2) he only said a man doesn't HAVE to take on the issues that MAY be a part of a mother-with-adopted-kids' problems, for which he gives an example, and that decision doesn't make him a dog. 3) Pat's comment was a response not to the woman with the problem but to the cohost's comment.

Edwards' article over the video was an inaccurate extrapolation of what he said. The title to the article where I first watched the video is itself misleading. Another blogger gave a nice piece on scriptural evidence toward God's concern for orphans and the brokenness we all suffer from, which was good, but he might have overstepped in saying Pat's comments were of the devil. That's often the kind of phrase that we would do better to think in our heads without actually saying, not least because we can't know that. There have been assumptions thrown at Robertson that could be simply seen as unfair.

Now, let me be clear: I'm not a disciple of Robertson, so I have no stake in his career or how people see him. I would just hope that people would do the same for me if my words or intentions were twisted. I agree, Robertson has definitely said some nutty things before, some of which are recounted in this article... a new one might be the assumption that there is any one among us who DOESN'T grow up weird. Life is weird and we all have damage, pains, and things to work through. I think he would've fared better to say that "if guys don't want to walk into a situation like that, that's their decision," and leave it at that. His dip into a personal story, at best, failed to evoke sympathy for anyone and, at worst, threatened to derail the point he was making in the first place.

The point was this: a man doesn't have to take on the responsibility of children if they don't want to.

Shying away from the responsibility of a spouse and three kids because you know you won't receive any child support for those efforts does not automatically make a single man a dog. That kind of responsibility is no small matter, and I would rather a man admit they can't handle it up front than watch them split later on, after they've allowed children to grow close to them. To my view, the issue isn't what the kids may be suffering from, but the prospect of going from "Bachelor" to "Husband with three children" without the extra income that child support would bring. Speaking as a man who takes providing for my family very seriously, that would concern me, and probably be a deal breaker, too if I didn't feel very strongly like God would make a way to provide.

It sounds like the lady's question -- "Why are the men acting this way?" -- has received its answer but she didn't like it. The answer is 1) no child support and 2) they're not her biological kids. I'm thinking there are a lot of unanswered questions here, but we can't speak to those, only to what we DO know. The men who didn't want to stick around, didn't. No one's saying that's not painful to go through, but there are too many saying it's wrong of the guy on personal or biblical grounds, both of which are a stretch due to how little we know about the situation.

Is the woman wealthy enough to support these children on her own? If she's not, then the problem for me, as a guy, would be evident. She's in a bind and, as a guy, I would feel overwhelmed to help her without some kind of support. If that makes me cowardly or one who appears not to trust God... well, you're entitled to your opinion. If she is, I'd assume the financial strain for the guy would not be cause for him to split, since it wouldn't be for me (see how my response is personal, from my perspective?).

Is the care for three international children currently manageable and/or sustainable? If it is, then I'm out of ideas for why the guys would walk away. It may be calloused to say, but it's possible the guys thought the cons outweighed the pros, though not even that  means they were dogs. If it's not, then those men were likely thinking about what all else they would have to do to financially provide for these children, lest the sole responsibility rest only on the mother's shoulders. That's a huge weight, and I don't fault any guy who decides early that they're not up to the challenge.

All the questions come in, for me, on the "they're not her biological children" side of the coin.

Are the men racist or xenophobic? Welp, there you have it. They're trapped in outmoded ways of thinking, for sure, but it still doesn't necessarily make them dogs. But if not, there's another reason they backed out.

Are the men scared of the three kids angle but just slow about ending the relationship because they're afraid they'll be seen as weak or less of a man for NOT sticking around? If so, they may be cowards but it doesn't make them dogs, necessarily. If not, there's some other reason.

Are the men wondering why a single woman would adopt three kids herself? If so, I think that's a valid question to ask. And if they don't like the answer and they're not committed to the relationship or the kids yet, should they continue on with her as though they are? If not, there's some other reason.

And on and on it goes.

We can continue to assume and imbue and tear down and... (on and on and on)

Or we can ask questions and refuse to vilify another human being.

It's okay not to like another person because of something they've said or done to you (or at least something you're aware of). Jesus didn't tell us to like one another. You can be honest about not liking someone without stooping to the level of slander. It's not okay to tear down another for whom Christ died. Jesus told us to love one another.

And yes, that can be hard when you dislike someone. In fact, it's almost impossible but we're still called to do it, and I've a sneaky suspicion that the power of the Holy Spirit, and Christ in us, is suited to the task of making it happen. In the process, He might just change our heart and give us the means to love the broken with broken-hearted grace.

What if we used these culturally visible moments to share the love of Christ? What if these moments were all but wrapped up by our loving Father as the "in road" to talking to someone about the kind of sacrificial love God has for them, and you, that allows you to give that same love to someone you don't agree with?

What if it's an opportunity to talk about what "tolerance" really is?

Aimless & Grasping

In Aurora, Colorado last night, students and adults - along with thousands of others around the country - lined up to see the unveiling of The Dark Knight Rises. Night was certainly rising, but no one could have imagined what would actually happen.

James Holmes, a 24 year old young man, geared up among the rest of the excited movie-goers. Some wore capes, painted their faces, or even blended their enjoyment of previous Batman franchise movies (I saw one boy wearing a Riddler cape) to take part in the spectacle of the release. James Holmes was no different, except for the fact that he was more different than we could imagine.

Holmes entered the theater in tactical protective gear, a gas mask, and opened fire - first into the air and, according to reports, then at individuals who tried to leave. CNN reported that 12 people were killed and 59 were wounded, and that Holmes' home was rigged with various booby traps and incendiary explosives such that nearby neighbors had to be relocated. Reports started circulating that later screenings of the film would be removed from the theaters in light of the attack. The Paris, France premiere has already been cancelled.

The blog-o-sphere has erupted as people have weighed in on this tragedy, calling it senseless, an act of terror, the work of a madman, and even intimating that it's the gun law's proverbial "chickens coming home to roost." First and foremost, we must join with those affected by this tragedy by mourning with them, joining in their pain. Though I would hate to make this statement at all, it's important to say that this is not the time to self-righteously point out some theological stance on why this tragedy happened or what God is trying to tell us in it. Sometimes life just sucks and we need to be available in the difficulty of mourning, not presume that 'answers' will somehow lessen the tragedy.

Present In The Pain 

As a minister, however, people often turn to the Church, or to God, or to some other leader because they want some answers. They want to know why things like this happen. Some may even activate and try to find ways to end the problem, at least as they see it.

What I cannot do, as a Christian and a follower of my God, is provide easy, pat answers to things like this. Not because I'm ignorant of scripture passages that give comfort, but because scripture itself welcomes us into a messy history that describes how God is still present in the midst of suffering, confusion, and doubt. Sometimes, claiming an answer effectively ends another's search for the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our suffering.

Still, we want answers, don't we?

I may not be able to say why this happened, but I can say why it didn't happen. It didn't happen because Holmes is evil personified; it didn't happen because he was a madmen or a senseless human being - though these things could be determined later, psychologically, and they would make us feel better; it didn't happen because guns are evil and need to be outlawed or kept out of the hands of the public. It didn't even happen because our society continues to chip away at the Judeo-Christian foundation of this nation.

When we grasp at these straw man 'reasons' for such tragedies, we do ourselves a disservice. By pointing the finger at people like Holmes - a madman so remarkably different from ourselves (right?) - we ignore our own ambivalence about the violence and desensitization we allow in our homes and into our minds. It's just entertainment, it's not real, it's just a funny t-shirt. I'm not saying that video games and movies are responsible for acts like last night's, but I also do not think they are neutral bystanders. We will naturally reflect what we absorb. And when we get to look at someone worse off than ourselves - morally, financially, etc. - then, well, there's a kind of self-serving justification in that.

As you've no doubt heard before, the argument is made that laws that restrict the possession of firearms will not dissuade those who already do not obey the law from carrying them. It will only allow their law-breaking to continue with less conflict when only law enforcement officers are allowed to possess guns. If this hasn't meant anything to us in years past, certainly the suffering economy and cut backs to police forces should. But I suspect we've no reason to support proper gun safety and possession until our world is irrevocably affected by one who possesses a gun but not the concern for morality or others that we do.

A hatchet job article by the Huffington Post misrepresented Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) by claiming he said "the shootings that took place... were a result of "ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs." Gohmert stated, in the interview, that a nation's increase in corruption and viciousness increases the need for masters [whereas religious morality acts as a safeguard], Christian beliefs of founding fathers and modern believers are under attack, and things like this happen - at which point the interviewer turned to Holmes. Gohmert claimed the shooting is a result of declining virtue/morality and, as a Christian, he believes the rejection of Judeo-Christian values is a part of that decline. I could be splitting hairs here, but the HP drew a direct correlation that Gohmert did not. Nevertheless, Gohmert's concern is for the laws of this nation, and I believe this is a backwards way of seeking an end to these kinds of terrible acts.

Directionally Challenged

Gohmert quoted Ben Franklin as saying "only a virtuous people are capable of freedom," and there is truth to that. There is a responsibility in freedom, namely, that our freedoms do not extend to taking the freedoms of another. We are not free to do that.

Scripture repeatedly tells us the story of the people of God who refuse to follow the God who desperately loves them. Starting in Genesis God finds the intentions of our hearts being evil all the time, and not until the end of time as we know it will this change. So God works and moves within this framework, calling us to return to Him and away from sin, but we do not listen until we are directly harmed by the sinful actions in ourselves or others. In fact, even in these times the atheist must admit their belief in God as they scream out, "what kind of God would allow this to happen?!"

That is a great and a horrible question, because connected to it is another great and horrible question: "If God were to end evil once and for all, right now, would you be left standing?" And then we come to grips with how self-serving and directionally challenged our standards for morality can be. God repeatedly beckons us to turn from our sinful ways, to stop doing what is not good for us [or our relationship with God], and follow Him. But we continue to say our way is better. Our way is fine. Our way isn't hurting anyone.

And so we are aimless. Scripture describes it as being tossed back and forth by shifting winds of doctrine, by whatever direction our beliefs or opinions happen to be pointing in at any given moment.

I'm not trying to give us answers to this weekend's tragedy and I'm not trying to make sense of it. I'm only trying to help us make sense of why these things bother us in the first place.

They bother us because we are created in the image of a God who loves us and wants us to turn back to Him, who is bothered by these things and so we too are bothered by them. The aim of life is to come to know this one God who would walk the earth to show us how to live well, as any good father also behaves in the way he wants his watching son or daughter to emulate. When we reach out for Jesus, and allow Him to guide us to the Father, we can finally let go of the endless [if not fruitless] quest to have all the answers. And when things like this happen, we don't have to overextend our wisdom to make sense of it but can be fully present in the pain, just as God is with us.

If we're lucky, we will be in tune enough with ourselves to hear the gentle voice of God as He reminds us how close we too are to death, and yet He's closer than we think, and He says He's got real life up His sleeve. If we take His hand and let Him lead, He'll show us the way to this real life, not at the expense of others but on behalf of others, so we also become lights to the world, as Jesus is to us.

He is the way when we seek direction; the truth when counterfeits try to spring from the shadows for their day in the sun; and the life that is abundant and lasting, here and now but also in the life to come. We don't have to be aimless and grasping anymore. Turn from your sins and to the Lord.

You won't find Him in this blog. But you will in the Bible. Read it. Read it again. Think about it. Consider the history of the people just like you and me who, though imperfect screw-ups at times, were used by God to accomplish much.

Oh yeah, and don't start in 1st or 2nd Chronicles - baby steps, bro, baby steps. Feel free to contact me for help - I would love to show you some great places to start, or even read through portions with you so we can ask questions together.

The night's definitely rising, but the light of the world is so much more powerful!

I'm Forever Yours - Faithfully... Truly?

Trending with Social Media

Saw a post this morning on my Facebook news feed that resounded with this morning's Bible reading, so I'd like to share it here:

Now Ted and I go way back. Not in the "hanging out in Austin writing books and frequenting coffee shops" (how cool would THAT be?!) kind of way, but in the "I read his books and he has no idea who I am" kind of way.

Yeah, we're pretty tight.

Dekker's books make powerful connections with people, drawing allusions to scripture and the character of God that Dekker himself intends, and certainly arousing allusions from readers that are surprising to him as well. God uses his books to impact people, just as I would hope that God uses my life and messages as a pastor to impact people. In and of themselves, as I'm sure Dekker would agree, our words have some power, but God's truth holds ultimate power. After all, such Truth became flesh and lived among us, and people 2,000 years later still claim to be changed by that life. 

So, we were texting back and forth the other day and this is kinda how things went:

Ted: "Hey David, how're Rebeca and Jace?"
Me: "Good, man, thanks! How's writing? Ready for book signing in ATL on Thurs?"
Ted: "Yeah, you know me! I love hearing how God's used what I do to reach people."
Me: "And He is!"
Ted: "Gotta ? 4 u."
Me: "Shoot"
Ted: "Working on new book. How common would u say sad Xians r?"
Me: "Sad? What, like depressed?"
Ted: "No.  Xians who know the Life, but their life sucks."
Me: "O right! Living life but not connected to abundant life."
Ted: "Yeah, not like Job-sucks but just chronically unhappy."
Me: "I'm with ya. I think all of us, depending on day. If love, joy, & peace r fruits of Truth then why r so many who claim to have it so miserable? We forget a lot."
Ted: "That's what I want to try to keep people from doing."
Me: "Just keep asking the questions. Life is the struggle..."
Ted: "Gotta p, brb"

Now, I don't wanna get sued or anything, so I assure you that whole dialogue is a fabrication. Especially the "text speak," which I absolutely LOATHE! Though I - with countless others - would love to boast a personal relationship with this writing phenom, he's got his inner circle (haha, get it, Dekker fans?) and I'm not one of them. But as a fan, I get his Facebook updates and this one resounded with today's Bible reading. Since I believe the power of God is both evident in nature and powerfully communicated in the biblical text, I want to segue into something that does have power.

Our Faithful God

Dekker's post goes right along with what I read this morning in 2 Kings 17. The problem of Israel - and us - is that the people of the one true God either worshiped God AND the gods of surrounding nations, or just the gods of those nations. They were unfaithful, did evil in the sight of the Lord, and thus multiplied their sins before Him - "They went after false idols and became false" (vs 15).

Maybe the reason many of us look like poor representations of the Jesus we claim to follow is because we are poor representations of Him. We have married our opinions, attitudes, and actions to the Lamb, and that doesn't uphold abundant life, but sacrifices Truth on the altar of ease. It makes us friends with the world, but does not please God. And since what pleases God has been commanded to us so we, too, might be pleased with life, we are miserable precisely BECAUSE we believe our ways to be better than God's ways -- or at the very least, not wrong.

This is the repeated story of the whole of scripture, and yet when I studied in seminary I was amazed how many of my classmates/colleagues were shocked by the archaeological evidence proving that ancient Israel did not worship God in the way revealed through the reforms of Hezekiah (what you might call the ruling religious class' perspective on worship, 2 Kings 18->), but worshiped other gods in their own ways. How is this not a confirmation of the text? Rather than being surprised by the faithlessness of Israel of which archaeology speaks, we should be eerily reminded of the accuracy of the biblical text and our own faithlessness.

Messages of Might

Our secretary, Cheryl, just said one of her friends on Facebook had a great line, and we laughed together even as we thought about the truth it holds: "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." Sometimes truth doesn't conform to what we already hold to be true because what we claim as true, actually isn't. And this can be painful to us. The more we have vested in some deceit, the more painful the correction becomes.


We can sing songs to the people we love - chiming in with Journey as they rock the ballad and promise, "I'm forever yours - faithfully," - but then why is divorce now commonplace in our society at large... and unfortunately, even greater in the Church?

You may contend with the last part, but consider the value that the Church puts on marriage. The divorce rate within the Church is higher because there is greater emphasis on the institution itself. "Christians" may uphold the idea of marriage being sacred more than "non-Christians," but in the end we've devalued this truth to mere opinion so it's not really a problem if we do want to divorce. We'll still talk about it as wrong (maybe), but we want to shy away from actually saying "sin," in favor of the gentler message of grace and love. Marriage is valued, it's honored, it's one man and one woman - at least until we notice an irreconcilable difference, meet someone better who treats us how we deserve to be treated, or learn that the gay people you know aren't the hunch-backed, evil trolls of personified sin that so many angry pulpit-preachers have made them out to be.

But the might in the messages of grace and love is precisely because of God's love for us in spite of our wrongs. When we deny the wrongs themselves, grace and love are cheapened. We don't need to make discussions of sin easier to take, or a footnote to grace and love, but acknowledge why talking about sin makes us uncomfortable.


And sadly, divorce is only one in a litany of examples to prove this point. Correction hurts, but ignoring the need for it because of the pain does not change what is true. I can honestly say, from my own experience, how welcome the thoughts that lambast my own wife can be in my own mind, if only it means that I get the upper hand in an argument, in the day, or just look good to others. I admit these things about myself to myself, and they hurt.

I see what I truly am and it's a weakness that makes me sick sometimes, so I'm far more gracious with others dealing with sin. Why? I know I am not without sin and am daily in need of God's grace.

What message of truth is pissing you off today? And does it mean you should run from it, or possibly toward the freedom waiting on the other side? 

********************

And yes, I also shared Dekker's post. We're having lunch later this week.

Kidding. Unless he's in San Diego sometime, wants to hit Phil's BBQ, and talk books.

Seriously. Call me, Ted.

Just kidding... unless you want to call me.

Relay for Life, Pt 1

 

June 9th & 10th, 2012

The last time I participated in the Relay for Life, I was pleasantly surprised to see the many people who gave of themselves to make it work. There were activities throughout the event, food and raffle tickets to be purchased, and people of all ages who came out to participate. There is even a great offering that some people provide where you can pick up a bead for every lap you pass them on - that's a great way to remember the event, but also your own participation in it. I still have mine as a reminder! But far from being some kind of abbreviated cancer fallout Woodstock, the event itself was (and is) an effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in the ongoing battle against cancer.

I am asking that you might consider to pledge a certain amount to my team, Wings of Hope, to help fight for a cure to cancer through the ACS. Every little bit helps and would be much appreciated. You could give a set amount, some spare change, or even pledge an amount per lap that I walk - the latter option might be a dangerous road because I like to run to keep in shape, I've developed a habit of walking and reading (and I LOVE to read!), and so I can rack them up pretty quickly! This year the luminaries are also going to be used to hold canned goods that will be given to the community, so consider sharing some of your food in this way also if you're in the area.

The 2012 Relay for Life in Lakeside, CA will have a "first" element for me. Though I've walked before in honor of those I know who have been personally touched by cancer, this is the first time my participation in the event has crossed over into the "personally personal" arena. For the time being, I will leave this rather enigmatic intro to suffice for the secret that is to come.

More than anything, I want my participation in this year's Relay for Life Lakeside to be a commitment not to the ACS but to the people in my life who have cancer, have been close to those with cancer, and who are now doing life in the wake of cancer's devastating effects. Because of them, I am honored to "walk this road" with them and share in their struggles, joys, and tears as we remember how far we've come, and how far we've yet to go.

THE FIGHT ISN'T OVER.

Your Relay For Life event is coming up again this weekend, and we wanted to make sure you knew that even if you can't be there, you can dedicate a luminaria to a loved one with a gift. Click now to help.

We all have a story to tell – a story of love, loss, and hopefully one of fighting back, too. Maybe you came to a previous Relay event to support a friend, a sister, a son, a parent. Maybe you just needed to light a luminaria and remember a loved one lost. Whatever it was that led you to join the 2011 Relay For Life of Lakeside CA, you're part of our family now.

Learn more at RelayForLife.org or by calling
1-800-227-2345. We hope to see you again soon.

Touched By Cancer

When I was going to seminary I became friends with an amazing woman whose life is now personally touched by cancer. When we lived nearer to each other, I enjoyed game nights, dances, hang out times, and chances to watch her joyful, faithful, fun personality shine in front of me and her loving cadre of friends. She was - even as she is now - an amazing woman of God whose love for Jesus is foundational to her character and integrity as a wife, friend, worker, and person.

Leslie's faith in the midst of this new journey in her life is an inspiration to all. She connects her experiences to the Word of God and draws strength from the very Source of life, even as she walks through the valley of the shadow of death. Cancer is a scary word, but she is determined to fight, and shares her thoughts in an insightful, touching blog so others can learn and draw strength from her own. She is a part of the body of Christ, as well as the body of cancer fighters. I walk for her.

When I first got to California and to this new job with Lakeside Christian Church, there were a handful of people who reached out to lessen the stress of our cross-country trek. One of those couples was Tim & Debbie. In the absence of nearby parents for me and Rebeca, they fit the bill at a time when we needed them. We were touched by their concern for us, willingness to help, and generosity in welcoming us into their family. We shared in meals and game nights with Tim, Debbie, Charity, Melody, Derek, Shayla, and Tanner that we won't soon forget.

And after a time of remission, Tim himself was touched by cancer again - a battle that he lost. With the characteristic humor, grace, and strength I'd come to know of them, I got the distinct honor of experiencing with them the pain of loss to cancer. Even then, they shared with me the beauty that can come in another's passing, even a unique and beautiful way (Heartsong Memory Beads) to continue to carry your loved one with you, literally. Through them, I am enriched and see both the joy and pain that comes with the diagnosis of cancer. Moments are more precious than the words that - through no fault of their own - lack the ability to speak the groaning of the heart and soul. I consider them - and the family they produced - to be people indelibly marked on my soul. I walk for them.

 The Unforeseen Future

I would like to think that cancer is not in my future but there's no guarantee. Not even the healthiest choices or best doctors can insulate us from the unknown. I would hope that if I one day learned that cancer was going to shift my familial, emotional, spiritual, and physical landscape, there would be people who would walk for, and with, me through it all.

And, of course, the hope would be that cures would be found by then, and that people in power would care more about individual lives than dollar signs so effective treatments were given the green light. So I'll support the ACS as long as they continue to faithfully search for cures and ways to increase the quality of life for those who are currently living with cancer.

I'm a part of the team, Wings of Hope. And I'm walking tomorrow.

A Day's Not Enough - Mother's Day 2012

Today - the second Sunday in May, this year falling on the 13th - is the one day every year where cards for mothers sell out all over America (I have it on very good authority that mothers are honored on March 8th in Romania, no matter what day it falls on). Walmart and Hallmark get gutted and yet all the cards fall desperately short of saying what you want them to say, don't they? Though I'm sure many women find the attention and appreciation of this day to be more of the same blessings they receive throughout the year, I'm sure there are also many women who experience Mother's Day as a reminder of how things could - and should - be every day. For that reason, writing something for all mothers can be a difficult thing to do. How do you write a catch-all for mothers whose circumstances, personalities, and families are as unique as the individuals who bear the title? Some may think I've put a camera in their home to write what I have, others may resonate with a thought or two, while others feel left out altogether. 

I certainly don't intend to leave out, or alienate, any mother because I am profoundly thankful to all of you for what you do AND who you are.This goes out to all mothers: at ease or struggling, healthy or in pain, single or married, you are all blessed. And even if you don't feel appreciated for all you do, you are by someone somewhere. This is for you:

A Mother’s Honor 

by David Clinkscales

Life’s never been fair, let’s just say that right now,
So to talk about mothers we must relate how
Not another job out there is capable of
Showing all the extent of a mother’s deep love.

From the moment a baby’s conceived there is birth
In the heart of a mother that speaks of the worth
Of the person inside her and nothing compares
To the thoughts she has for it, however she fairs.
Whether boy or girl comes she is dreaming of life
As a mother now, not just best friend or a wife.

There is joy in the changes but she doesn’t know
What is coming ahead or the way life will go.
She was brought up to speed on the changes, I guess
But had no idea life would become such a mess.
There are burp-ups & clean-ups & 1s, 2s, & 3s
That could push a Marine to give up on his knees.
There is crying that makes her consider adoption
When night after night makes it seem like an option.

She hates that she hates when her man gets away
While her “me” times are talking like Elmo all day.
She sings along blankly with all the kid’s shows
She has seen so much she automatically knows.
She is so close to murder on Sesame Street
When her husband comes home & says, “What’s there to eat?”
There is never an end to the work on her plate
So she’d like naps more, maybe, than some dinner date.

And through all of the stresses that pull at her mind
She is sure life is better than what is behind.
Love might have been thought of as theory before,
But now fullness has made it immeas’rably more.
Each day brings new ways to watch her love grow
As she gives of herself more than any could know.
She’s a blessed child of God with an honor her own
And is held up by God when she does it alone.
She is joined by Lord Jesus in loving her child
And His love restores all the Deceiver defiled.

We honor our mothers one day every year
When our focus to love them’s especially clear
But we know that just one day could never suffice
To give thanks they deserve after such sacrifice.
So we hope you’ll forgive us when we don’t admit
In the way that we love, how you’re worthy of it.

We know you’re not perfect, but neither are we,
And as far as moms go, well, you’re perfect for me.
You’ve raised us & loved us & taught us to sing,
Through all joys & disasters, to Jesus the King.
And it’s this reason, more than the others, we are
So grateful for you, Mom - can I borrow the car?

Though this poem was written generally to apply to all mothers, and to be given to the lady's in our church, I wrote it with my own mother and my wife in mind. As you might expect, inspiration and visual cues come to us all from personal thought and experiences, so I wanted to take a moment to share some things about the two phenomenal mothers in my life.

First, my beautiful wife: in addition to being the perfect woman for me and the reason for all I now do in life, she is an amazing mother. Through her mothering of Jace, I've seen things that appear to be magical in nature. She has a way with our son that mystifies me, and I don't think it's simply that she spends more time with him. That helps, sure, but she has a way with him that goes past time spent all the way to soul-knit. It seems like I come home every day and there is something else she has taught Jace - whether it's a word or an action (we're still working on the fist pound) - and that is a bitter-sweet pill to swallow. On the one hand I am so thrilled to see Jace developing this personality - he's a little person! On the other hand, I know he's having these daily "firsts" that I'm missing out on because I have to work outside the home. To be clear, I'm thankful for my work and love what I do, but missing out on these moments Mommy gets to experience daily is hard. I stand in awe of how my bride is almost single-handedly teaching him to be a bilingual, compassionate, giving, and humorous kid! Me and Jace are incredibly blessed to have Rebeca!

Second, my mother has managed to be my biggest fan and encourager for the better part of my life. I remember with fondness our long conversations, long bouts with laughter as we worked on sewing projects (for school, dang it, for school!!), and the times we went riding Ms. Plumb and Doll, her horses. We have long shared a mutual love for animals and writing and her counsel over the years has been invaluable to me. The sad thing is how many priceless memories from my past were lost because, when I was younger and still living under her roof, I so often neglected my time with her and the wisdom she possesses. Now, unfortunately, I see what a blessing she was and it's too late to get those things back. But the blessing of the present and future is that now I can make use of, and treasure, those moments we continue to have.

Speaking of which, since we've got them on Skype right now, I'm going to wrap this up and get back to talking to her. I love you my Bride and my Mom - you are both priceless and irreplaceable!! Happy Mother's Day!

A Picture Is Worth...

... what? If you're anything like me, you finished the phrase in your head. Whether we agree with the statement or not, we know it and the words evoke the understanding that what we see, we take in. And what we take in, we think on and start to form ways of seeing ourselves, others, and the world. I wonder what you think when you see a picture like the ones below, found in a church in Manzanillo, Mexico. Even if you're not a faithful person, feel free to think what these images evoke in you.

What emotions, words, thoughts, or images do these pictures bring up?

Do you think of family, colors, or smells from your past?

How would you explain these images to another?

When my wife and I walked up the stairs into this church's sanctuary, our first thought was that we had unwittingly stumbled into a funeral that was about to begin. There were several people standing just outside the sanctuary talking, a few others kneeling, or seated, to pray in the pews. We dared to venture in a little and, only then, noticed that the glass coffin contained a life-sized (clay, ceramic?) figurine (dare I say 'doll') of Jesus. The likewise life-size figure of Mary standing above the casket was seen clearly first. But once I saw the contents of the casket the image of Mary took on new meaning to me.

Heart of the Matter
I thought numerous thoughts as I looked at this display, and they pushed up against each other and gave me a very heavy feeling as they crowded in for attention: "Why would a church have a display of a dead Jesus in their sanctuary? Why do fresh flowers draw my attention to this casket where my Savior lies dead? Why is Mary portrayed as alive and Jesus as dead in this church? What message is this church giving, intentionally or unintentionally, to their congregation and to visitors? Do they focus more on the death of Jesus than on the power of His resurrection? Why does Mary look like a nun?"

I know that imagery and perception is more art than objective truth, so any renderings of Jesus or Mary - as well as ways of understanding their roles and how they are portrayed - are not to be judged solely by what we see, or confined to our subjective opinions. We can be wrong. We can imbue a message into a work of art just as easily as we breathe. I am aware that my question about Mary looking like a nun comes from equal parts upbringing, tradition, perspective, and scripture, and is not altogether pure. But I don't intend to bash this church or anyone who goes there. But what I feel I must do is ask questions that, like my faith, come from a place and have developed out of my own life of faith. We need to be willing to ask questions of our own beliefs and the ways we see our faith (whatever that faith or belief might be) if we are ever to grow in that faith and belief.

So, the question that the images I've included above invoke in me are these: Where do we place Mary in our economy of God's mercy? Where does Mary stand in relation to Jesus in your heart, mind, and soul? And lastly, what does scripture say when we ask these questions of Him/it? We need to start with the last and work our way through to the first - starting with the Bible and working our way forward from the foundation to a proper understanding of those people we read of in the Bible. In the interest of time, we'll only look at passages that contain reference to both Jesus and Mary. Read the following passages and see what there is to learn about Jesus and Mary from them:

^{Matthew 1:18-25 - 18} Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. ²⁰ But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ²² Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ²³ “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” ²⁴ And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, ²⁵ but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. 

^{Mark 3:31-35 - 31} Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. ³² A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” ³³ Answering them, He said,“Who are My mother and My brothers?” ³⁴ Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! ³⁵ For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” 

^{Luke 1:26-38 - 26} Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee calledNazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; ³³ and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” ³⁵The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

^{Luke 2:25-35 - 25} And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s  Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,²⁸ then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹ “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,According to Your word;³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation,³¹ Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,³² A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,And the glory of Your people Israel.” ³³ And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 

^{Luke 2:41-52 - 41} Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; ⁴³ and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, ⁴⁴ but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. ⁴⁶ Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Himwere amazed at His understanding and His answers. ⁴⁸ When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” ⁴⁹ And He said to them,“Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. ⁵¹And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Reflections on the Scriptures
God's word - not only what is written, but the word made flesh in Jesus (John 1) - is the key we must follow, as we read, to understand what God is doing. Below, I may assume the knowledge gleaned from other texts and will expound these should anyone be interested in further study. We learn a few simple ideas from these passages, just from reading and thinking a little about what we read:

1. Mary's pregnancy with Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18, 20; Lk 1:35).
2. The angel says Jesus will save people from their sins (Matt 1:21; the name Jesus, a form of Joshua, means "YHWH [the specific, only God of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament] is salvation").
3. Simeon, according to Luke, is a confirmation of Jesus' person ("the Lord's Christ"), mission (be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel), and purpose (to be "[God's] salvation").
4. Both Joseph and Mary were amazed to hear what others said of Jesus (Lk 2:33).
5. Matthew connects Jesus' birth to Isaiah 7:14, a passage about Immanuel, and applies Isaiah's use of 'almah (i.e. young woman) to Mary, who was in fact a young woman AND a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth (Lk 1: 35).
6. Mary was a virgin only until sometime after Jesus' birth. The scriptures mention Jesus' brothers even as Jesus was sitting in the midst of a crowd of people and disciples (Matt 1:25, Mark 3:31, Lk 1:34).
7. God was with Mary and favored her to carry His Messiah. Mary had the faith to trust what the angel told her (Lk 1:28, 38). 
8. Jesus himself, though respecting His earthly 'parents,' held greater importance for those who did God's will, as it was His desire to be about the work of His Father (Mark 3:35; Lk 2:49).
9. Jesus' title, according to the angel, is Son of the Most High, the Lord God's anointed to an everlasting kingdom, a kingdom without end (Lk 1:32-33, 35).

There is certainly much more that could be listed here - Mary prompting Jesus to help at the wedding in Cana; Mary's presence in the crucifixion accounts; the Magnificat (i.e. Mary's "song" when she meets Elizabeth in Luke 1:46ff) - but not anything of a sort that would pertain to the issue being addressed. So based on the texts we've got to work with regarding Mary, the mother of Jesus, we see that she was favored by God and used to carry out the most dramatic event in history - the birth of God in the flesh. This should not be discounted by anyone and for this reason we all should call her blessed. She was special and we may never know how special she was until we get to speak with her in heaven. But I am relatively certain that she herself would be appalled at how much weight she has been given over the centuries, to the detriment of Jesus Himself.

Since no scriptures in the entire Bible refer to her as being sinless; a virgin throughout her life; spiritually linked to Jesus through the birth process (as a wholly unique member of the church, according to Catholic texts); bodily and spiritually taken up into heaven without dying (in the manner of Jesus); a mediator between us and God or us and Jesus; a hearer or answerer or relayer of prayers lifted to God; or the mother of the church (the Word only mentions the body [us] and the head [Jesus]), we must deduce that such beliefs have originated from human beings, not from God's authoritative word. Whether this started from the Church's authority structure or from the 'people in the pews' is irrelevant. What is important is that we acknowledge the focus on Mary - or any other person spoke of in scripture - instead of Jesus as wrong. Not unforgivable, not wicked or tantamount to hating God, but wrong nonetheless. And the disruption this places on people who seek to understand our reliance on Jesus should draw all of us to humble repentance because, in Christ, we needn't fear judgment on account of our sins.

In light of what we've learned here, what do our practices and spoken beliefs about Jesus and Mary say about them? Furthermore, what do they say about God? Ultimately, we must deal with these hard questions if we are ever to be honest about what our beliefs and practices say to those inside, and outside, our faith. When we elevate Mary in our hearts and minds - past the level of special honor she has been given in scripture - we run the risk of creating a theology (or ideology) that makes less of Jesus. This isn't necessarily the inevitable outcome, but it begs the question: if my heart seeks something more than Jesus, do I find Jesus at all, or just something else?