On Ash Wednesday, Facebook's Timeline, and Life

Ash Wednesday was not that long ago as I write this. I did something that evening I haven’t done in quite a while: I went to an Ash Wednesday service. (Yes, I took ashes.) To me, this is a time of reflection on my own mortality and sinfulness. 

This also coincides with Facebook’s impending rollout of their timeline. So I’ve been adding stuff to my timeline, and I’ve been struck with a new sense of my mortality, if nothing else. It’s been easy to look at my life in small chunks; with the short-term memory problems I’ve had since long before high-school, that’s easy. But to start adding things like the beginning and ending of schools, my marriage (now twenty years strong), a little employment, some travels, and few events that helped shape who I am today...and one thing occurred to me.

Despite myself, my failings, my feelings, and my sheer stubbornness...I’ve spent my entire adult life either chasing God, or being chased by God. (And in a few cases, both.) Bible school, seminary, church work, my current ministry with Master’s International School of Divinity (coming up on twelve years there). Starting with high school, going back to church. Going on a mission trip. Then a year plus later, leaving church for a time (for reasons I won’t publish). Getting my business straight with Jesus in 1984. Surviving with my faith strengthened after my Navy time. Surviving re-entry to college and the civilian world. Dealing with God’s call on my life. Surviving Bible college, for all that. Surviving my first ministry position (and learning from my mistakes there). 

But to see all that, in a linear form also reminded me of a lot of good things. Life hasn’t all been in survival or crisis mode. Deena and I have traveled a lot together. We’ve been to Ireland, the Grand Canyon, Canada...and all over the US. (I’m not going to put in all our travels-but some highlights will be added.) We’ve seen a lot, learned a lot, laughed a lot. You have to laugh a lot on long car trips with your spouse or you can get cranky in the middle of Kansas. Or Nebraska. Or Iowa, Wyoming, Georgia...you get the idea.

It also reinforced that I don’t always understand today’s culture. I don’t watch a lot of TV; if I’m not singing barbershop somewhere or doing something online, I’m probably reading something. What TV I do watch tends to be oddball stuff: some news; hockey or other sports (like Canadian football); Food Network or Weather Channel (remember the days when you could actually get a weather forecast there?), on occasion the Discovery Channel, PBS and National Geographic. Movies? I think the last movie I saw in a theatre was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The last movie I watched the video for? The live-action Speed Racer. (I can hear you all now: Geek!) Modern music? My poor iPod must feel like it’s stuck in a time warp. A lot of stuff from the 70’s and 80’s, and a lot of that is what we used to call “Contemporary Christian Music.” There’s also a boatload of Southern Gospel and Praise and Worship...much of which is from the late 80’s and the 90’s. (Yes, there’s a lot of barbershop-both quartets and choruses-on it as well, as well as some Celtic and Hawai’ian.) 

But what struck me the most was the pursuit of the Holy. My entire adult life has been spent studying the Bible, learning about how God and Jesus work in our lives, learning theology from several different angles. I remember the kind of person I was prior to 1984, prior to that time when Jesus grabbed me and shook me and said “Follow Me!” I told him I accepted His gift, and would go where He sent me and do what He asked. I’ve never regretted it. (I’ve questioned my sanity and His sense of humor at times, but never once regretted it.) It took three years of His prevenient grace before I got the hint, and some reminders-gentle and otherwise-along the way. 

Earlier on, I mentioned both my mortality and my own sinfulness. He died for me and my sins, and He died for you and yours. That’s what Ash Wednesday’s about, really. I’ll be spending a little less time online, and a little more time thinking about being a better Christian. Spending a little more time in the Bible, and in prayer, and some quiet time where it’s just me and my thoughts. 

The best news of all: He rose again. That’s why we celebrate Easter.

Enough for now.

On "Simple Church"

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers” (Attributed to Harry S. Truman).

I may not be a leader in the conventional sense, but I am a reader. Sometimes too much so; I dislike getting rid of any of my books and so about 60% of my library resides in cedar-plastic tubs in a 10x10 climate controlled (read: inside access) storage bin. While I wait for my dissertation for what will be my third doctorate-this one a Ph.D-to move forward (the writing’s done, and I’m waiting for permission to send in the rough draft for review), I’m reading. Books on prayer and contemplation, preaching, some Wesleyan theology, and some books on leadership and church development. 

Just finished one today called “Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus”, and am about 40% done with a book called “Simple Church.” “Change the World”, by Mike Slaughter, basically is about the concept of getting out from the walls of one’s church and doing ministry, especially to those who have little. “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me” (Matthew 26:11, NRSV) is still true; Slaughter’s book essentially asks the question “What if Church was a verb instead of a noun?” (Part of the Rethink Church question, for all you Methodists out there), and “Which is better: Expanding your facilities or your impact?” Good questions-but before you read his book, read Simple Church. 

No, really. I mean it.

Simple Church-for those of you reading this that either know me, are or have been one of my students-focuses on one thought that I’ve said, taught and harped on for years on end: The Church Universal is programming their people to death! The concept of Simple Church (as I’ve read to this point) is that it’s not enough to have programs, unless they are part of a streamlined growth and disciple-making process. You can do more with less-and probably should be. A great companion book to this is Easum’s “Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers.” This book stresses that sometimes, you need to get rid of certain ministries that have been there since dirt was new (hence the ‘sacred cow’)-to make Ministry happen. (Catch the difference?) I’m reading it in conjunction with the other two books. In fact, Simple Church states that...well...The Church is programming their people to death, and they are burning out instead of growing deeper in their faith. Too many churches have too many programs that don’t do anything but make one feel like a hamster. You know, running on the holy habitrail wheel, never getting outside the walls of the church to meet, much less minister to others...and having a faith as a result that’s an inch deep. Jesus didn’t call us to make church members, but to “...make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a, NRSV). It’s challenging reading...but I find I am resonating with it. You might find the same thing. So I challenge you to read these books as well. 

Who knows? Maybe you’ll find their message resonates with you, too.

Enough for now.

Reflections on a Sunday

It’s 10:00 pm on a Sunday night and I’m back in my boyhood home, the house I grew up in. I’m in my old room, and while it’s still my room, Mom made a few changes some years back. The walls are cleaner and a lighter shade of blue then when I lived here daily (though I am grateful the doorframe is the same color blue as my room was originally). The bookshelves that held Star Trek models and books as well as my latest LEGO creation aren’t here either; I have all that with me in my current domicile. (Well, okay. The models are in storage, as is half of the books and a fair amount of the LEGO.) The bed I slept in is over at my in-laws for now in their guest room; I am sitting on essentially a queen sized futon, which in a sense is also a part of my life: things Japanese have formed part of who I am as well.

There are other reminders of my life here: The Norman Rockwell Barbershop quartet picture is hanging up on a wall, as is a beautiful picture of a church (showing my ministry and faith). The napkin holder I made in 7th grade is sitting on a shelf, still in need of Varathane. (But after 32 years, why do it now?) Some Navy stuff is here as well, including a picture from when I was in boot at Great Lakes. A picture from my wedding is on the wall, showing family--far too many of whom have gone to their eternal reward.

I am home for a week, and my bride of nearly 19 years will be joining me at the end of the week. So tonight, it’s me and my thoughts before I turn in. And to be frank, my being here couldn’t have come at a better time for a number of reasons I won’t bore you with here.

It is with all this in reference that God met with me tonight. Oh, nothing major--no burning bush or anything like that--but a chance for me to rest, to be His child by returning to my childhood home. A chance, in the words of Twila Paris, to “..drop my sword, and look up for a smile.” 

You see, sometimes for those of us in ministry--any ministry--we get to the point where we can’t fight the battle any more. We get tired, weary...we get discouraged and sometimes wonder if we ever made, or will ever make, a difference. I go through this in my position with Master’s; I wonder if anything I do ever impacts people, or if I have ever made a difference. 

Today though, I got a glimpse of that. I could see the hand of God all over my day and my trip.

First off, Mom had Joel Osteen on this morning. He was talking about “Staying Open to Do Things God’s Way.” That caught my attention, as I find myself far too often trying to keep things in nice, neat little boxes. That got me to thinking: am I truly being open, or do I insist that God do things my way?

Then we went to church, and I crashed choir. Actually, Mom invited me to try and sing with the choir at the church I grew up in. Being a decent singer, and wanting to attend church with Mom, I went--figuring the worst case scenario would be I would end up sitting in the Sanctuary. 

I was welcomed like lost family, got handed a robe and music by one of my former youth leaders, introduced around, and sang during the service. It wasn’t a difficult set of songs, and the stuff from the hymnal was sight-readable for the one song I didn’t know. Some folks remembered me, and I met some new folk as well. I was reminded that I have made an impact, if for no other reason that those folks remembered who I was.

It was good to be in God’s house this morning. 

Lunch was spent with Mom and some friends of the family at a Mexican place that Dad loved to eat at. It was a leisurely affair, and followed once we got home with a nap and some football.

It was good to be at home this afternoon.

Then I had some time to myself, and spent it in God’s Word. And was reminded that: (A) I was not to worry (Mt. 6:28-34), (B) that God will care for me (Mt 25:34-40), and (C) that my job was--literally--to keep the faith (Mt 11:25-28). 

Let me make no bones about it: we live in uncertain times. No job or ministry is secure. Elections are in another week, and that can have some upheaval to it. (But enough about my lunch.) The economy is a roller coaster ride. News is bad from all parts of the world: Cholera in Haiti, unrest in the Middle East, drug wars in Mexico, chronic unemployment at home. It seems like everywhere one turns, things are falling apart, and you’re not sure if you can trust anything--or anyone. Heck, bedbugs are all over even. What’s up with that?

Tonight I was reminded that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And while tomorrow is another day and will have trouble enough of its own, God is already there, and will take care of things if I will but let Him.

Praise God, He is trustworthy. You can take Him at His Word. It is good to be reminded of that, in that still, small voice.

Part of the care I need to do this week is to take care of myself. That means getting some rest. Which I am now going to do.

Enough for now. 

On Bible Bookstores

Since we’re coming up on Memorial Day, take time to say thanks to a vet for being willing to keep America free. Freedom isn’t free by any stretch. Also take time to thank God Almighty for living in a free country, and pray for America. She needs all the prayers she can get right now.

I’m not going to comment on the idiocy regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at this point in time. Suffice it to say that I’m hideously disappointed, as a Vet, that this is even being rammed through-and down-the throats of America’s fighting men and women.  

No, today I’m remembering something else. 

This morning, I was wandering around one of the last remaining Christian bookstores in the local area. (I went to where one had been in West Eugene yesterday, only to discover it was long gone.) I was looking for a few books that might help me in my dissertation work. 

No such luck. (I’m not surprised. I suspected this would be the case as I’m looking for some pretty specialized, denominational type books, not just general stuff.) 

But it also got me to thinking about the demise of bookstores in general, and the Bible Bookstore in particular. You remember Bible Bookstores, don’t you?

When I first became a Christian, they were somewhat more numerous. They carried a little music (the bigger ones actually had a music section), reference tools, some rather predictable novels and books by well known preachers, church supplies, gospel tracts, VBS materials, hymnals for general use, Bible studies, and Bibles. In those days, your choice was the King James, the Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard, and maybe the New International Version. (They also carried the most amazing amount of junk with a Jesus sticker slapped on it.) 

Then there was a sort of Christian publishing revolution. Christian self-help, Christian novels and fiction, and so forth sprung forth. Reference tools started disappearing. The music sections got larger (and the music got better). Study Bibles started exploding out of nowhere. VHS tapes started showing up, and even the junk with Jesus stickers got better. Christian publishers got bought by mainstream publishers, as did Christian recording labels. And that’s when they became a bigger business, quit being Bible Bookstores, and became Christian bookstores.

Then something odd happened. Bible studies started going the way of the reference tools. The same can be said of gospel tracts. The music started changing, keeping more “modern” sounds. (Some of which I like, some I don’t.) VHS tapes were replaced by DVD’s, and the stories keep getting better, as do the production values. (Actually, that’s A Good Thing.) There are Christian computer programs that have reference and study helps. Christian Fiction has taken over, most of it geared to women. Christian self help is pretty good sized, too. Some stores even look like Christian gift boutiques. This is no great surprise; I asked the young lady behind the counter about a year ago about this and her reply was “basically, women do most of the reading and shopping in these stores anymore.” Of course they do...most men aren’t comfortable going into a place with a more feminine touch. 

Here’s a clue, kids--most men I know don’t wear scarves (Christian or otherwise), and would like a t-shirt that fits them. You know, like in sizes XL or bigger. Even I take an XL, and “tall” or “stout” are not terms used to describe me terribly often. And when all the books for men are clumped together with books on finances, on one rack (one rack=four shelves), you kind of get the picture that men have become something of an afterthought. 

You want study Bibles? They have them in very flavor going, in more translations than I think is safe. In fact, I saw two Bibles today that made me feel like I can die now because I’ve seen it all: The “American Patriot’s Bible” and a waterproof NIV. (“Perfect for beach/pool, bathtub, missions, vacations, sports.”) Somehow, spending time in the shower with the Word of God seems wrong to me. I understand His Word cleanses us...but I don’t think that’s quite what He meant. (On the other hand, I can see a use for this in a baptismal service.) 

Now I know that there’s lots of reference tools online. (Studylight.org is a great example of that.) And I know that a lot of books can be bought online from places like eBay, Amazon, CBD and Cokesbury. Ultimately, I will end up going that route.  

But there was something...different...about those stores. Not that they were holy, but there was a sense of being about the Father’s business (or at least, being in His Presence) when you walked in. These places were calm, almost tranquil. (I remember one in Concord; it felt like God had His Presence there. Since it was two doors down from the local porn theatre, He probably did.)   

Enough for Now.

Whatever happened to the Church I knew?

Whatever happened to the Church I knew?

I feel like I have missed something, somewhere. Before I left the Chicagoland area for Evansville in 1997, Promise Keepers was doing well. Men were getting motivated, taking up the challenge, and becoming the leaders they were supposed to be. We were finally taking back the cause of Christ. Women of Faith was also doing a booming business. Christians were pushing back and claiming their rightful place in this country. While we still had a lot of kingdom work to do, we were out and about, doing it. We were being heard, and we were not going to stand by idly any longer!

Fast forward ten years. It’s a different world now, post 9/11. Bible bookstores have become Christian bookstores, and have become places where mostly women shop. (I have asked why, and been told that the sales demographics prove this out.) There is enough Christianized fiction to fill several aisles, where there are only small sections, oddly tied together, for men and finances. (We won’t even go into the lack of Bible reference books and study tools.) It seems like every possible people group has its own specialized copy of the Bible anymore. (Do we really need a “Recovering Football Junkie NIV”?) I don’t recognize even half the musicians and bands in the CD racks, and frankly, I don’t care to. It sounds little different from the stuff on secular radio, most of which I don’t like to begin with. I can’t find a t-shirt in my size with a design that I like in these places. (Yes, I wear an x-large. Deal with it.) Some of the designs look gothic to me—which I don’t care much for—or are blatant rip-offs of commercial logos. Promise Keepers? One hardly hears about them now; they’re only having one event this year. New Man magazine is online only, and has been since 2007. Moody Magazine stopped publication in 2003. (Something about declining sales.) Even the Navigators stopped using Daily Walk and Closer Walk devotionals a few years ago. Now they’ll e-mail e-maila daily devotional to you.

That’s right: The Navigators will send you an e-mail devotional six days a week. Moody’s Today In The Word is not only an e-mail, but a podcastpodcast. (I get all three, including the printed version as well. The joys of being an alumni....) Yes, I understand it costs less to use e-mail. But I like using my Bible, and it’s hard to do that unless I print out the e-mail, if I get it. (Spam filters are an article for another day.)

Does anyone out there memorize scripture anymore? Or, has that gone the way of inductive bible study and reading the Bible through in a year?

Sundays: Used to be, they were for resting, and for going to church. Even God rested on the seventh day (Ge 2:2). Sunday evenings, there were youth groups that met before or after service—but nevernever during. Wednesday night was choir practice, prayer meeting, and Awana, Pioneer Clubs, or Royal Rangers (depending on your choice of doctrinal beliefs) to keep the kids occupied. Now we program our Christian youth to death.

And we wonder why our children are leaving the church in droves. They’re tired!

In some cases, Church is optional, much less church membership. One used to belong to a church and only left it if you moved away; now one might belong to several churches, depending “on the kids”, “on the programs”, or even “I like the 45 minute service that is mostly music and very little speaking.” (Admission: as I write this, the missus and I are between churches—and looking.)

The church used to want as many people involved in ministry as possible. These days, there’s a vetting process that makes many of us think twice about volunteering for any duties outside of leading a small group—and we think twice about that, even.

There are fewer church choirs now. They’ve been replaced by “worship teams.” This is not a bad thing, but further reduces opportunities for ministry. Have we replaced worship for a slick, concert-style experience? Where are the Bibles and hymnals, with the songs of the faith? They’ve all been replaced with huge TV screens and the lyrics and the verses get flashed on them! Whatever happened to preachers preaching “Thus saith the Lord” and the concept of sin? Do we even preach about the redeeming blood of Christ, living for God, and the reality of Hell?

Or, has it all been replaced by “speakers” lecturing us about how to be good parents, how to spend our money wisely, how to be nice people to our neighbors, and “Godly Living” (which is different than Living for God)?

And, do we even care if it has?

Now, don’t get me all wrong here. I am all for the use of technology, and modern music, and a readable English translation of the Bible. (And, as I age, the use of larger font types as well. Since when did it become okay to use half-point font?) I am for the use of one’s Bible for everyday living, and any help we get in that department is (and should be) welcome. The world is vastly different today than the world I grew up in.

Nor am I advocating that we return to a romanticized version of an era that really existed, but looks much better in hindsight. This era seems to be lodged in the 1950’s for some reason, and frankly, the nostalgia overwrites the way things really were. I don’t really want to go there, and I suspect you really don’t either. (Besides, Flannelgraph materials and overhead projectors are getting reallyhard to come by.)

But I am all about making the church a little bit more of church, and not an overpsychologized, angst and guilt ridden place where we all must be perfect and not offend anyone and be all seeker sensitive. I suspect part of the problem of the Church Universal is we have gone too seeker sensitive, too far into the realm of Purpose Driven-ness and filling niche, boutique ministries, and gotten too far from what makes the Church, the Church.

In short, and in my opinion: we have, in our attempts to reach the lost, become too much like the world. In our attempts to “become relevant”, we have actually lost our relevance...and quit being salt and light as a result.

Even shorter: since we are now little different from the world, why bother with church at all?

Dear friends, the Cross of Christ is all about offense. It is a stumbling block (Ga 5:11). It’s not supposedto give us warm fuzzies. Church is not supposed to be a psychological clearing house, a religious coffee joint, and a place for a crossbred religio-spiritual concert. It is a place about getting right with Jesus Christ It’s about being surrounded by “a great cloud of witnesses” (He 12:1), but not looking back (Lk 9:62). It is a place where the Family of God comes together, to hear the Word of God, to have their faith strengthened, to share in Holy Communion, and to pray to God and Worship Him alone.Christians are to be in the world, and not of it. We are called to be a “people for God’s possession” (1 Pe 2:9). We don’t have to stick out radically a la John the Baptizer, but we shouldn’t necessarily blend in like we are sheep, either. (Although the 23rd Psalm does say “The Lord is our Shepherd” for a verygood reason. We all are like sheep (Is 53:7). We should be different. And, we shouldmake a difference, because we are a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

My gut reaction is that, while we need to maintain good production values, cutting edge ministry, and being warm and loving not only to each other but to those who visit (Remember, kids: Love the sinner, but hate the sin!), we need to add back solid theology, biblical preaching, doctrinal teaching, church discipline, music that honors God, and maybe even the old-fashioned altar call more than once every quarter. We need to become the Church of Jesus again, and not the church of religious fuzziness and psychological way station.

We might also want to bring back all day singing and dinner on the grounds, too...but I’d settle for just having Bibles and hymnals back in the pews.

Enough for now.

(Posted 5/20/09)

Undergrad Memories....

This was due to be posted the 16th of May. I was busy--but a warm welcome to the newly-minted alumni of the Moody Bible Institute. If I had been a speaker at commencement, my remarks might have looked something like this:

Memory is a funny thing. When one goes through any given experience, one tends to maximize the positive, and minimize the negative. We do this with everything from past boyfriends or girlfriends, job situations (unless it was so fantastic or so miserable that is all we remember), or our schooling.

So it is with me.

I spent the better part of a week looking through drawers, boxes, tubs and more looking for my alumni pin from the Moody Bible Institute. (I got my BA in Pastoral Ministry there in 1991, and that was preceded by completing the Adult Open Bible Studies Certificate in 1990, after working on that since 1986 as a sailor.)

In and of itself, the pin has little value. It’s not much larger than a nickle, and was given to me upon graduating. (I have a second pin, with the old MBI logo, that is slightly older). It’s what the pin represents.

It represents, inasmuch as the degree I hold, three-plus years of hard work. (I took some classes over a summer, plus two correspondence courses--hence the “plus.”) Were those years perfect? Were they miserable?

No to both.

Oh, there were good times. My second and third year roommate and I got along famously. (Well, at least I thought we did.) Most of my brother floormates and I had some great times. The missus and I had our ups and downs there. I dated (?) two of my fellow students--and while those ended badly, I have long wished them both well and forgiven them (and pray that maybe someday, they’ll forgive me). There were lots of laughs, good times, and a lot of learning. Sometimes, I learned what was being taught in the classes, and sometimes...well, sometimes I learned a lot about myself.

Good times: trips all over Chicago. Eating at DB Kaplan’s Deli, Giordano’s Pizza, Mr. G’s, and yes, the late night Taco Bell and/or White Hen Pantry runs. Soda and snack runs on 2nd floor Culby. Shopping at Water Tower Place. Catching baseball games at Wrigley Field and the old Comiskey Park. Sunday church services at Covenant Presbyterian Church, followed by dinner in the Student Dining Room. Praying in Broman Chapel. Going to Founder’s Week was a treat.

There were bad times, too. All the breakups led to some unhappy, miserable, lonely days. I failed my first class--Theology 300, taught by Dr. Marvin E. Meyer--at Moody. Going to Founder’s Week was a chore. (You sit for three to four hours a day on wooden theatre seats in dress clothes and I defy you to tell me your buns aren’t sore.) I got used to being humiliated there. I almost took a swing at a fellow student there--it took several alert classmates to notice and keep me from completing what I started. I wanted to brain my first year roommate. (We have since made nice, and I hear from him on occasion.) I did take a swing at what I thought was drywall, only to discover that it was rebar reinforced concrete. I busted the knuckle on my pinky finger as a result, and learned that anger is much better managed than let loose. I had to take both PE and English again, even though I had taken them both at Los Medanos College, and passed with flying colors. I was 2100 miles from home, and in a totally different world. Planet? Heck, sometimes I felt like I was in a different galaxy! Many of my fellow students could go home on weekends or certain holidays. I was sort of stuck there on campus, along with many of our international students. In fact, sometimes I felt like an international student.

I wanted to quit at least once a semester. I was a transfer student that had successfully completed Navy “A” school and an A.A. I didn’t need to take this stuff. I certainly didn’t need an artificial curfew! (That was taken care of my final year there.) I didn’t care if Moody was the West Point of Christian Service; this was asinine and I didn’t need it.

The truth be told...was that I did. I needed it very much, more than I ever knew. Deep down, I knew if I could handle MBI and graduate with my faith and sanity intact, I could survive anything.

I needed the discipline, the education, the building of my faith and outright dedication to the Lord that was infused into me there. I have used the discipline to continue working on my third doctorate at home. The dedication to the Lord served me well when things went sour in my very first church position, and when things went south job-wise almost a year ago. My faith is what carries me in hard times, and helps me to celebrate the good times. The education has been built on...but it is the education I received there that I draw on.

As a student, then as an alum, I’ve bought many a book from Moody Press (now Moody Publishing). I listen to their radio feed; their praise and worship channel runs often on the Mac at home, often at work when I’m at my other job, and I’ll look for live feed in the car when I travel. (I enjoy Mike Kellogg and “Music Through The Night.”)

Is MBI for everyone? No. Not even close.

It’s not for the faint of heart or weak of constitution. It was sheer stubbornness--both mine and the wonderful woman who is now my wife--that got me through my time there. (Well, okay. That and the Hand of God pushing me along.) It’s not for people that want easy grades or straight “A’s”--although you can get them if you are diligent. Do I recommend people to go there? You bet. The education--both about God, Jesus, and the Bible as well as about myself--will serve me to the end of my days.

Oh, yes--I finally did locate my Alumni pin. It’s in a safe place now, where I can get to it and wear it on those occasions that warrant it.

Enough for now.

(Posted 5/18/09)

Easter is more than chocolate bunnies…

Easter is almost here. This is one of the primary holidays for those of us who are Christian—the joy of knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead is enough to fill us with great joy and hope.

Or at least, it should.

Too often, we get caught up in chocolate bunnies, pretty eggs, new clothes, and brunches or dinners. We forget that, while this is a celebration of new life and family, it is also a reminder that Jesus died for the sins of all humanity. He left His Family--The Father and the Holy Spirit--then, in the singular event that separates Christianity from every other religion, Jesus rose from the dead.

I can already hear some of you: The audacity of bringing Jesus into Easter!

Hang with me for a bit.

Just for a moment, consider this: None of the other major religious figures have ever claimed to return to life. Only Jesus did. That alone should say something. It may be disturbing, it may be fantastic…but it is very real. If one considers the Bible to be the Word of God, then it must be true, for God cannot lie.

I think C.S. Lewis said it best, in his book Mere Christianity: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool...or you can fall at His feet and call him Lord God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”

Think this over, while you enjoy your Easter. It is the most important thing you’ll ever mull over, because it will determine your eternity.

Enough for now.

(posted 3/13/08)