Perspectives on Life

Will I Ever Graduate?

I was always one of those kids who would pass time by marking days on a calendar. Whether it was waiting for Christmas or my birthday, whatever special occasion loomed on the horizon, it was always marked by the number of days left before it happened. On December 26th, I was famous for saying "only 364 days left before Christmas".

There was always one monumental occasion that I watched like a pot of water, waiting for it to boil.....the end of school. I had count-downs for every holiday, every break. in fact, I used to sit in class and watch the clock to see when it was time for lunch, recess and the end of the day. I never liked to say that I hated school but rather loved being out of school. Don't get me wrong, I loved to learn but at my own pace and not from teachers. I would rather sit with my Algebra book and figure it out myself.

So, I thought it was quite fitting that as I sat down to send an email to an OLD friend of mine to tell him about my continual struggle with impatience, I found myself with that same feeling that I used to get in class. I had just written, "I guess life is like school except class never lets out". What a revelation. Just like when I used to look anxiously at the calendar and at the clock during school, I continually ask God .....WHEN? It's about "learning" on my terms, "getting" on my schedule, watching the clock....impatiently waiting for God to "come through".

This is the end of the story for now. I did have a revelation and came up with a cool analogy but the solution.......only "time" will tell.

Almost Back

Yes....it's been over a month since I have posted. I am not good at multitasking and have had many other things on the plate.

At the risk of bringing up a topic that has been thoroughly discussed....I continue to be amazed at the number of people who really believe the U.S. Constitution actually says "separation of church and state". I am more disgruntled with the lawmakers, who over the years have written volumes based on the words "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion....."  Talk about creative writing? If ever a clause needed to be interpreted by "original intent", it's this one. Proponents of the "living document" philosophy would be in a world of hurt if their bank treated their mortgage agreement as a living document. "Mr. Smith, due to socioeconomic changes, we feel it necessary to double your payment. Our original intent is irrelevant" 

I was just reading George Washington's proclamation written in October 1789 establishing Thanksgiving. Surely Mr. Washington understood as well as anyone the original intent of the Constitution. With that in mind....read his proclamation. So much for the "wall of separation".  Thanksgiving Proclamation

Are all sins equal?

On page 28 of this PDF , JI Packer has written an excellent article to help answer this question.

CALVIN COLLEGE.....NOT A SLEEPING DOG YET

$12,000.00

According to the Detroit Free Press, this is the approximate amount the faculty, alumni and students raised in order to place one full-page ad and one half-page ad in the Grand Rapids Press.

Here are a few quotes and statements I have found in various newspapers.

Quoting Professors Crump and Jelks:

"It's a way to counter stereotypical thinking about Christian institutions"

"It's tapped into a silent majority in the Christian evangelical community that resents the Christian vocabulary being hijacked by the Christian right"

"We are guided by Christian conviction....John Calvin wasn't an easy pushover kind of a guy either" (Jelks)

"Some think we should be honored to have the President here. We're excited about the opportunity to show people that evangelical Christianity is represented by a much broader spectrum of opinion than is depicted by the religious right and the media" (Crump)

"We are not Lynchburg" (Jelks)

According to the Grand Rapids Press, the alumna who organized the fund raising and signature gathering for one of the letters (the one that costs $9600), currently consults for the Center for American Progress. This liberal think tank was founded by John Podesta, former chief of staff for President Clinton. 

___________________________

It would not be hard to draw some interesting conclusions from the quotes made by these two professors. It sounds like there was a definite agenda driven by pride. This was not about disagreeing with Bush, it was about making a political statement. Why did Prof. Jelks have to reference Liberty University? Also, you would think that this consultant should have known that her ties to a liberal organization would call into question her motives.

Again, as I stated last week, my issue is with the public way in which all this was done, especially the full-page ad which was signed by students, alumni and faculty. In this ad, there were direct accusations made against  President Bush.

Now back to the issue of $12,000.00

Accusations were leveled at President Bush for neglecting the poor. Let's see.....what could these signatories have done with $12,000.00?

• Sponsored 4 children for 10 years through Christian Children's Fund or..
• Provided 10000 meals in a local shelter in Grand Rapids or....
• Purchased 500 pairs of shoes for needy children in Grand Rapids or....
• Purchased 36000 cans of soup for the food bank or.....

I stated in my previous post that I recognize the right and responsibility we have to hold our government accountable.  In this case, I disagree with the methods and language used. Actually, I am quite upset by it. I too support the statement that God is not a Republican or a Democrat. But, did you ever stop to think that God does not always smile on democracy?  We have many, many freedoms as U.S. citizens and as Christians. But Paul gives us caution about our Christian liberties that apply here.

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive" 1Cor 10:23 (Another translation says "not all things edify")

Just because you can....doesn't mean you should!

"So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another" Rom 14:19

To the faculty, alumni and students of Calvin who signed these letters: (especially those who made umbilical accusations)  What part of that was beneficial, edifying or constructive? Given the fallout from angry alumni on both sides, what part of this process pursued and resulted in peace? To the editor of the Chimes (campus newspaper), what Christian values did you champion by encouraging your fellow seniors to wear armbands of protest against an invited guest of your university and a fellow believer? Your editorial was riddled with sarcasm toward Bush and I doubt if God was pleased or glorified in your rhetoric.  Ultimately, is not that our goal, that our actions and words glorify God?

You all had to have known your collective "call to action" would be divisive. You couched it under ideals of Christian values when in fact you chose to take advantage of this event to do something very antithetical to our faith, to selfishly push your own agenda. You had to have known how the media would react and how it would reflect on the Christian community. Shame on you all!!

NOW THAT'S A STRETCH

In his book, God Is Closer Than You Think, John Ortberg talks about his visit to the Sistine Chapel and his observations of the fresco, The Creation of Adam.  He describes how Michelangelo painted the figure of God as reaching out toward Adam, his muscles taught  and his index finger extended.  Adam, however, is reclined and seems to be barely making an effort to reach out to God. There is a whisper of a gap between God's finger and the finger of Adam.  If Adam would  just sit up or reach a little farther, their fingers would meet.

As I read this illustration, I thought about Romans 3:12, "There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God". David basically made the same statement in Psalm 14:2,3a, "The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside....."  (this could prompt a discussion about the validity of "seeker sensitive" but we won't go there) Fallen man is incapable of making any move toward God absent the work of the Holy Spirit.

David understood that, even as God's children, we still have trouble "reaching out" to God.  We depend on Him to reach down to us.

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God, incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Psalm 17:6

Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly. Be to me a rock of strength. A stronghold to save me. Psalm 31:2

In Your righteousness, deliver me and rescue me, incline Your ear to me and save me. Psalm 71:2

Incline Your ear O Lord and answer me for I am afflicted and needy.       Psalm 86:1

In the above verses, incline means  "to stretch out with the goal of touching something". God s-t - r-e-t-c-h-e-s out to us with intentionality, with a purpose, to heal, to encourage, to comfort, to rescue. Whatever our need, God rushes to our side.

Calvin College: Justified Protest or Unbiblical Accusation

I am one of those people that periodically must walk away from the television when O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity and other conservative commentators are on the air. It is not because I disagree with them but because I get so emotional when it comes to certain political issues, especially those that deal with religion.

I must admit that I am very upset about the recent actions of about 100 faculty members at Calvin College. I am vehemently against their decision to publish an open letter of protest against President Bush. I do not deny their right and even their responsibility to question our government. However, I abhor the language used and the manner in which they chose to express their opinions.

At what point do we decide that it is acceptable to set aside Scripture to pursue a political or social agenda? These faculty members are supposed to set examples of biblical behavior and response. Please tell me what is biblical about the following comment. (and remember, our President is a professing Christian)

By their deeds ye shall know them," reads the paid advertisement, quoting the Bible. "Your deeds, Mr. President -- neglecting the needy to coddle the rich, desecrating the environment, and misleading the country into war -- do not exemplify the faith we live by" (Christianity Today)

YOUR DEEDs.......  Is this not a public accusation leveled against a fellow believer? These faculty members did not use language such as, "we disagree with your policies regarding the poor...." They publicly accuse President Bush (again, a professed believer) of neglecting the needy, coddling the rich and misleading the country. (as the kids would say in their chat language......GRRRRRR!!!) To add insult to umbilical accusation, they had the audacity to publish this on the day before and day of the president's commencement address at Calvin College.

This is another excerpt from an article in Christianity Today quoting the school's provost, Joel Carpenter.

The first three or four weeks [after announcing Bush's visit], alumni with more liberal political views vowed to never give another dollar or encourage their children to come [to Calvin]," Carpenter said. "Now that some of our faculty have been voicing dissent with Bush's views, alumni with more conservative political views are vowing the same thing. I tell you, it feels like a crossfire. I think it goes to show, sadly, how deeply divided our country is on matters of religion and politics."

Could our learned brothers and sisters at Calvin not have had the foresight to see this as a possible outcome along with the negative press this has spawned against conservative evangelicals.

I have edited this post several times trying to temper my anger with grace. I probably did not do that very well and may have left myself guilty of that which I am complaining about .

UPDATE!

I have been informed by a faculty member at Calvin College that the "by your deeds" letter was written and signed by members of the alumni not the faculty. I am still trying to obtain copies of letters that can be attributed to faculty, alumni and students.

This clarification still allows for this question: If the faculty at Calvin is so concerned about social and political injustice, why are they not equally concerned with biblical injustice. Have they spoken out against a open letter that levels such strong  accusations against our President and fellow believer?

The Third Strand

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one can be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. EC 4:9-12

I often wondered why Solomon added the idea of a third cord (person) after spending four verses talking about the power of two. Was this simply an "oh by the way, three is better than two". Is that as deep as the philosophical reasoning needs to go or can we extrapolate a little more than that. After all, Solomon was a man endowed with an abundance of wisdom. He made the point of calling it a cord. A cord is something woven together, not just independent strands. While three strands are stronger than two, three woven strands are three times stronger than just three independent strands.

Is it a stretch to say that this third strand is Christ? Can it mean that a marriage (or any relationship) that is woven together with Christ will result in a stronger relationship? This reminds me of the passage I mentioned in my last entry. 2Cor 12:9 tells us that the power of Christ is made perfect in our weakness. Our admission that we are weak and need to be intertwined with Jesus makes his power "perfect".

As we partner together to accomplish God's work on this earth, let us be ever cognizant of our need to be woven together with Jesus Christ.

CHEER UP....YOU'RE BLIND! (repostd)

Back in 1982, I was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. This disease causes the cells in the retina to die leaving behind a blank spot. Think of it as a bad pixel in a LCD screen. My vision has deteriorated to the point wh

ere I am now considered legally blind. I still have some sight but I no longer can drive (except when I ride the mower down to the mailbox) and I have extreme night-blindness. I use screen magnification software to be able to do what I am doing right now.

Many people ask me if the acuity of my other senses has increased. To tell you the truth, I am not even sure I believe that this can happen. Other blind people have told me that their hearing seems to have improved. I think it is more of a perception than reality as I am not aware of any empirical data to support this claim.

In my case, I think I have become a better listener. Because my powers of observation are now limited, I take advantage of the senses that still function. Notice I did not say that I hear better. There is a difference between hearing and listening. I have become a better husband, a better father, a better friend and a better leader because I am a better listener.

I do not believe I would have ever been able to appreciate Paul's words in 2Cor 9:8-10 had I not lost my eyesight.

Vs. 8 - Three times I asked the Lord to take it away from me

I can tell you that I have asked God more than three times to heal my eyes. My friends and family pray about this as well. I have complete faith in God's ability to heal me but I also trust in His decision not to.

Vs. 9, 10 - But he said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness" Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses......for when I am weak, I am strong.

Just like Paul, God has chosen to not give me what I wanted but rather he has given me what i needed the most, his totally sufficient grace. Notice the verse says "my grace IS sufficient". God doesn't say he will make his grace sufficient, it already is. Because of my blindness, the power of Christ is able to work through me in a powerful way, a better way than if I had 20/20 vision. I can rejoice in what used to bring me sorrow. I have seen God use my "weakness" to reach people I could have never reached without it.

The world's philosophy is this, "What can't be cured must be endured". But Paul radiantly testifies "what can't be cured can be enjoyed. I enjoy weakness, sufferings and difficulties" So wonderful did he prove God's grace to be, that he even welcomed fresh occasions of drawing upon it's fullness. "I gladly glory...I enjoy my thorn" - J. Oswald Sanders

What a place to be, where one can say they enjoy their weaknesses. But this can only be done because of what Paul said in verse 10, "for Christ's sake". How sad it is for those who live outside the fellowship of Christ. They cannot enjoy the comfort of God's grace. Frankly, I don't know how I would have ever overcome my blindness without this wonderful, completing, life-altering and sustaining grace that God so freely gave me.

Newsweek, Filibuster, Religious bias and of course....FRUSTRATION

As lazy as this may seem, I am going to use a comment I left on another blog as my post for today. Some days the frustration level is about eyebrow level....you know what I mean?

Comment:

I don’t know if this is a comment or more of a confession. I must admit that the more I read and hear accounts of the horrific outcomes of Newsweek’s egregious and careless words, the more incensed I become. Add to these events the allegations of religious bias among some of our senators….my irritation level continues to rise.

What is our Christian response supposed to be? I just left a comment on another blog about the example of meekness that Christ always displayed. When Peter took out his sword and cut off the ear of one of those coming to arrest Jesus, Jesus did not thank him for sticking up for him, he rebuked him and cautioned us all that if we live by the sword, we die by the sword. When Jesus was being accused and interrogated, He answered with silence.

I am finding that we walk a tightrope as our political and social agendas merge with our spirituality. In our outrage with the editors of Newsweek, do we forget to pray for them? As we wag our tongues with righteous indignation at those politicians who are aggressively seeking to undermine and literally annihilate all Christian influence in the political and judicial arenas, do we forget to add these men and women to our prayer lists?

How's that for frustration?

ARE WE THERE YET?

What family, on their way to Disneyworld or some other greatly anticipated vacation spot, has not heard this question. With the regularity of Old Faithful, the cry comes forth from the back seat..."Are we there yet"?

Poor Moses had over a million children in the back of his minivan asking this very same question. (I think Moses would call it whining) As I mentioned in yesterdays post, the Israelites got so impatient and fed up with their "journey", they were even willing to go back to slavery rather than continue the trip to Milk & Honey World. Read Numbers 14 and see what Moses endured. In the preceding chapters, we find that the Israelites are on the doorstep of  this great land that God had promised them. But because of their grumbling and disobedience, God put up the detour sign turning a forty day journey into forty years.

So....here we are, we have been rescued from the slavery of sin and now we are on our way to Heaven, the greatest and most spectacular theme park ever imagined, where we get to spend FOREVER. Is it possible that if we strive to live a life void of discontent and disobedience that this journey will be enjoyable and full of God's blessing, truly seeming like we're only passing through. short. Is it also possible that if we choose  to grumble and complain along the way, as did the Israelites, that our trip through this life will seem long and laborious and we'll find ourselves crying out from the backseat....."are we there yet"?