The Majesty and the Joy

Christmas is over, I know. Actually, not quite. This is only Day 6 of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and Epiphany is still to come. In light of that, here are two things worth celebrating this Christmas. The first is a very short soundbyte on the wonder of Christmas.

World and Everything - Dec. 24, 11

The second is a story about an awesome new development in Jamaica. I love these kinds of stories and you can really see the genuine delight in the faces of the people in this short video clip from the BBC.

I love how the Gospel according to Luke is titled, Jiizas: di Buk We Luuk Rait bout Im, which you can plainly see is phonetically, "Jesus: the Book That Luke Write about Him." How cool is that? The look on people's faces whenever Jesus becomes real to them in their own heart language, and is not seen as some Western god, has yet to grow old for me. This is what life truly is all about. May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On Klosterman on Tebow

I recently read a remarkable and humorous take on the whole Tim Tebow fascination sweeping the pop culture landscape. What makes the piece so unique is that it comes at the "Tebow Thing" from a non-Christian, but very honest, frank perspective. The columnist is Chuck Klosterman who is a regular contributor to a rather funny, but also rather coarse, sports journal website co-hosted by ESPN, Grantland. The piece can be found by clicking this link.


I found the whole article to be refreshing. It's probably safe to say that most American Christians are Tebowphiles and the majority of Tebow-dislikers are probably non-Christians. So when Klosterman approached this article with vulnerability, disclosing his hesitancies towards belief in the whole God-helping-Tim-Tebow thing but all the while being open to the possibility of its existence, it impressed me and I respected Klosterman for it.

In the end, Klosterman rightly realizes that this whole controversy is ultimately about faith. And I think that is exactly where God would want the Tebow Thing to lead. If that is the case, if having the conversation about faith is the goal sought, I believe that's one more grain of sand on the scales indicating that perhaps God is behind the Tebow Thing. Regardless of winning or losing, even if Tebow takes a catastrophic hit to the knees that ends his career this Sunday, the platform has been erected -- the conversation is taking place -- God has gotten the attention and interest of the people He loves for just another brief moment. And that brief conversation will give Christ's Body a chance to show people the character of Him who loves them without fail.

The obvious question that someone is bound to ask, and should, is: Well, if Tebow doesn't play another down, how does God get glory from that or how does that prove there is a God behind all of this?

Answer: Any number of ways, many of which depend on Tebow's own response. For the sake of brevity, I'll make two crucial points. First of all, as stated before on this blog, God loves resurrections. Nothing seems to prove his existence more or bring him greater glory than bringing people back when all was gone, for nothing is impossible with God.

Secondly, I would argue that God thrives more on perceived failure than He does on perceived worldly success. In support of that claim I offer nothing more than the indefatigable Persecuted Church. Throughout history, in every place, the Persecuted Church is dealt death after death, destruction after destruction, and yet it continues to expand and excel and win. Victory through defeat. Hope through suffering (Rom 5:3-5). Life through death. And that is just how God would have it. In the world's eyes this is backward. But God's ways have always been backwards to man's. Or is it the other way around?

This is why Klosterman is quite right. In the end it does all come down to faith. For it certainly takes trust to be led through the bad in order to have the good. And a great deal of trust at that when trusting Someone unseen. Which, getting back to Klosterman, is where much of the "cognitive dissonance" comes in. Indeed, how can we trust when our eyes and minds seem to tell us differently? That is a great deal to overcome. But if we are to make it in this life, "overcome" we must. And that is why the Bible so vehemently exhorts us to do so, particularly in its final pages (1 Jn 5:4-5, Rev 2-3, 21:7) .

One more final point in response to Klosterman. He and many other skeptics who think the Tebow Thing not so unfathomable, believe that there are, in fact, valid reasons and statistics for Tebow's and the Broncos' not-so-unfathomable success. They would point to things such as: Coach John Fox's brilliance; the Denver defense growing more cohesive and effective; Tebow's natural physical assets of speed and size, ideally suited for running; among other things.

Well, apparently the whole Tebow Thing may not be solely statistical or even isolated to Tebow or the Denver side of the football. In a Yahoo Sports column, Doug Farrar commented on the admission by Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby that the Tebow Thing not only has God written all over it but actually brought some of the Dolphins themselves closer to God.

All of that, of course, by no means proves that God exists. But it is one more grain of sand. And it all comes down, not to proof, but to faith.

Wrath, Love, Japan, and a Guy Named Zach Motts

Sometimes people talk about sin as if the only reason it is wrong is because God does not like it. Since God is good, that is a logical approach I suppose, but it makes God look like some kind of arbitrary rule maker. Then they talk about God being angry about sin and His wrath sounds bit pompous and unreasonably judgmental. But I do not think God is arbitrary or pompous. What if we shift the starting point a little? What if we look at God as a lover in relation to the subject of sin and wrath?

There is an organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). Why would these mothers form an organization against drunk driving and give it an acronym of anger? Is there anger arbitrary? No. They formed this organization because they are women who love their children or loved children that were killed by drunk driving. They stand against something that caused pain, injury, or death to their loved ones. Their position against drunk driving is in relation to their beloved.

A lover can quite easily become angry at anything that would harm the beloved. A lover would do anything possible to protect the beloved from pain and injury. If anything makes a person ready to leap to someone’s defense, it is love. If God is a lover, then anything that would harm us would be something that He hates. God would want to destroy whatever would cause us torment, destruction, or death. That is what sin does to us. Sin destroys us, so God hates it. God’s wrath toward sin is the most righteous and loving wrath that is possible, because He is angry because He
loves us so much. He loves us too much to pass over anything that is eating away
at us and killing us. A lover would not ignore a fault that is destroying his beloved. That would not be possible. God hates sin because He loves us. God is angry about sin because He cannot stand anything that would destroy us. God is a lover.

This came from a post called "Wrath and Love," by a missionary to Japan and fellow colleague of mine from Asbury College, Zach Motts. His post comes to my mind from time to time. I was only going to quote bits and pieces, but I just had to share the whole thing it's so good. His thoughts are right on and so different from most anything I or others think about sin and God. Since reading this post three years ago, whenever I read of some forbiddance in the Bible that I don't quite understand, instead of thinking, "Oh, God must not like that," I now try to think, "Hmm, what might God be protecting me from by saying this?" It's a rather life-altering paradigm shift really. But I find it true and awe-inspiring and so much more comforting to follow God with a perspective like this. I know I had heard this perspective before, but it hit home with Zach's post.

If you liked this post, check out more of Zach's work on his blog, Peregrine. He writes rather distinctly and always with profundity--and sometimes he's funny. If you find yourself enjoying more of his work, perhaps you'll be moved to follow and support Zach in other ways. He and his Japanese wife, Esther, and their daughter, Zoe, could use help in returning to Japan as full-time missionaries. Financially, they are still looking for $3,000 more in monthly support. That's 100 new partners at $30/month or 60 new partners at $50/month. To help them follow the link to their World Gospel Mission page. Even if you cannot financially give, prayer is free of charge and it's always much better as any hard-core missionary will tell you. So in your prayers remember the work of Jesus in Japan and three of his servants spreading the good news there of a God who truly loves.

A Letter to PETA (or any Animal-Lover)

Dear PETA (or any Animal-Lover):

This is an invitation to just ponder the wonderful magnanimity of a God who loves all of his creations, not just the humans, even down to the littlest of creatures. Yes, it is true. Humans are unique, different. That should go without saying. And it is true that, yes, God did grant humans the permission to eat of any "moving thing that lives" (Genesis 9:3).

But does that mean that He despises animals or has no affection for them in his heart? Far from it! Consider Proverbs 12:10 where God's word says that "a righteous man regards the life of his animal." God cares that animals are treated properly.

In an even more heartwarming passage, consider the words of God to the prophet Jonah:

"And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one
hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand
and their left -- and much livestock?" (Jonah 4:11)

What tenderness is found in this verse. It is literally the last verse and testament of the book of Jonah, making it all the more poignant. Notice the dash before the mention of livestock; it makes it a parenthetical. It is almost as if God could have left it out. Surely asking that Jonah consider the demise of 120,000 people would be enough to make Jonah pity Nineveh's possible destruction. But, no, God feels it necessary that Jonah reflect on all the livestock that might also be lost.

And then there are the classic lines from Jesus himself, declaring that the Father takes care to feed even the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26). And we all know the hymn proclaiming that even the sparrow -- sold for 1/32 of a denarius in ancient Judea -- is under His watchful eye. When humans throw barely a coin to purchase two, God still looks out for just a single one (Matthew 10:29).

Every sparrow is his precious creation. Think how much you love just one of your poems that you write. Or your all-vegan, spaghetti and tofu-meatballs dinner you prepared last night. Or your child. Or any other thing that you created. God feels much the same way. But only infinitely more so.

Just because you eat it does not mean you don't care for it. Observe the Sioux's humble reliance and appreciation for the bison. He eats it to live, but he by no means disregards it. To him the bison is a gift for the continuation and health of his life and those he loves.

So, yes, God does allow for eating the animal. But He also cares for the animal. A paradox? Perhaps. But trust him. Perhaps He knows what he is best.

On a Mission for Hope

Your letter-writing or phone calls, and intercession are again needed. This time for a little girl in need of a visa so she can come to the United States with her family. Without your help, it could be another two years before Hope can be united with all her family.

Here is the cool story in 3 minutes or less:




The YouTube page also has easy links for writing your representative and/or senator.

Helping out is easy. And senators and representatives are specifically there to help with getting visas. So write to them! After all, if you're an American citizen, you are their boss and they work for you.

Youcef Nadarkhani

For the first time in over two decades a judicial execution of an Iranian Christian charged with apostasy may take place in the imminent future...

Unless a miracle of God occurs or...

Someone intervenes. This is where common everyday people, like you and I, come in. Much can be accomplished in numbers. Much can also be accomplished by pressuring international political leaders. To hear the complete story of Youcef Nadarkhani click here.

Do anything. To help at this point can be done in the simplest of ways. I will start with the easiest thing and move on from there:

1. Pray




2. Write a short, 2-sentence e-mail to Iranian authorities, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the E.U. (High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton at comm-spp-hrvp-ashton@ec.europa.eu), or the U.N. (inquiries@un.org)




3. Write a little longer e-mail and/or call your United States Senators and Representative, you are their boss




4. Tell your friends and family to do the same




5. If you want to go one step further, you can even write Youcef in prison while there is still time. This encourages persecuted Christians greatly and it sends a message to their captors.

If you are writing a government official. Here are some very good pointers to keep in mind courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs:

• Write a short, clear message.



• Be Polite. Remember you are representing Jesus Christ.



• State your general concern for persecuted believers.



• Do NOT write about politics or the government.

Time is short. Inundate! As God leads.

Godspeed!

"I will set my throne in Elam
and destroy her king and officials,”
declares the LORD.

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam
in days to come,”
declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:38-39

One of the Best Articles I Have Ever Read

Does the Bible Matter in the 21st Century?
By: Vishal Mangalwadi

As published by Foxnews.com on April 13, 2011:

In his quest to change oppressive regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, President
George W. Bush argued, “Everyone desires freedom.” True. Everyone also desires a
happy marriage: can everyone therefore have one?

Afghanistan, Iraq, Ivory Coast, and Libya ought to teach secular ideologues that freedom does not flow from the barrel of a gun. Nor does it flourish in every culture.

Why do most American presidents place a hand on the Bible to take the
oath of office? Secular education has made that a meaningless tradition, but the
tradition exists because the Bible is the secret of America’s freedom. Forget
the Bible and America will go the way of the first Protestant nation – Nazi
Germany.

Plato saw Greek democracy first hand and condemned it as the
worst of all political systems. That’s why the spread of the Greek culture,
called "Hellenization," did not stir a struggle for democracy. In AD 798, the
English scholar Alcuin summed up the then European wisdom to Emperor
Charlemagne: “And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the
voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is
always very close to madness.” Indeed, the voice of a corrupt people is often
the devil’s voice.

The cancer at the heart of America’s political economy is cultural. This great nation was built by an ethic – a spirituality that taught citizens to work, earn, save, invest, and use their wealth to serve their neighbors. This biblical ethic has been replaced by secularism’s entitlement culture that teaches people that they have a right to this, that and the other without corresponding obligations to work, save, and serve. This new culture forces the state to take from productive citizens or borrow from other
nations and spend it on man-made rights. This corruption of character is
destroying the world’s greatest economy, but can democracy allow leaders to go
against the voters’ voice?

The people’s voice began to be honored as God’s voice only because the sixteenth century biblical Reformation began saturating the hearts and minds of the people with the Word of God. Those who prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done in Scotland (or England, or Holland)” found the grace to free themselves from the tyranny of men. Not just Islamic, but every culture that rejects the kingdom of God condemns itself to be ruled exclusively by sinful men.

Almost everyone desires a happy marriage, but without the Bible, America cannot even define, let alone sustain marriage as one man–one woman, exclusive, and life-long relationship. The West became great because biblical monogamy harnessed sexual energy to build strong families, women, children, and men.

Human history knows no force other than the Bible that has the capacity to dam sexual energy to build powerful families and nations. Indeed, no non-biblical culture has ever been able to require husbands to “love your wives” and give them the spiritual resources to do so.

Vishal Mangalwadi has a new book coming out called "The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization."

Exposed: Subtle Message from Chinese Government

This is an exposé of a very subtle message from the Chinese government on English-language children's globes.

Watch the clip below for the earth-shattering report and analysis of this recently-discovered geopolitical issue.



Something to think about, indeed.

Coagulation of Cells

"Well -- uh, Mom, Dad, Grandma, the rest of you," Sandra nervously sputtered as she and Peter rose from the table. "We have some news," Sandra continued as the rest of the table gradually moved from bemusement to cautious expectation.

Clutching Peter's hands tightly, Sandra glanced around the table. "After nine years of trying, Peter and I..." she teasingly paused as the family waited on baited breath, sure of the words to come next. "... We're with coagulation of cells!" Sandra finally exclaimed as the family dining room went bonkers.

Late is much better than never -- especially in this regard. Pro Life Sunday was not this past Sunday but the one before, on January 23, 2011. It was in memoriam of the 38th anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision.

I am all for women's rights as was Jesus Christ. But the abortion debate is not about that. In lieu of saying anything more, I dare you to watch these two videos:

And then watch this short clip (2 minutes) from Abort73.

As Sandra and the others jumped up and down, somewhere inside the darkness a tiny clump of tissue, [insert your name], sighed.

A Joke

We all need some mirth every now and then, so without further ado:

Q...........What's the difference between men and women?

A...........Women think farts came after the Fall.