Internal Bleeding

The other week I was doing some remodeling work on our home. Included in the carpentry, painting, installing a drop ceiling, sub-flooring and laminate flooring was some electrical wiring. (Do not be overly impressed, my electrical skills drop off quickly under scrutiny.) This particular project required me cut and splice wiring as I installed new electrical outlets in our new pantry. As I was cutting the wires I noticed that the blade on my razor knife was dull and needed replacing. I took care of that and was eager to get back at the job with the tools in proper working order.

I climbed the ladder and began cutting and splicing numerous wires in some very tight locations. It had me in some odd contortions of my body atop the step ladder.

Don’t get ahead of me here.

While making one cut, the knife slipped after hitting a stud and sliced into the finger on my left hand laying it open about 1-1/4”. It was one of those cuts where you look at it and for a split  second think to yourself, “Oh man, I just cut myself!” (or something like that.) before the blood begins to gush out. Now I am a bit strange when it comes to cuts and stiches. I simply do not go get myself sewn up when I should. I have at least 4-5 scars on my body where I have been cut over the years and did not go to a doctor to have it looked at. I keep my tetanus up to date, so there is no issue there. I am not afraid of needles or anything; I donate blood every eight weeks and have for 40 years. It is just . . . well . . . I do not know what it is. I think the only explanation is that I am a male. Either that or I am just stupid. Either works.

All of that to say, I did not go to the doctor. I went upstairs, my wife Kay poured alcohol over it, put some anti-bacterial ointment on a bandage, wrapped me up, pulling the wound tightly together, and back to work I went to complete the job. (Hey! Kay was a nurse for 20 years. That counts for something.)

It is funny though, as I was working and thinking about the few seconds before I bleed and the many seconds afterward where I was bleeding, I began to think about people and their internal pain. How many folks do you pass daily who are bleeding? I do not mean physically, I mean they are in deep hurt over something in life that has scarred them. They were hurt deeply and the blood still seeps from the wound. They tell you about it, and it provides some relief, but it will take some time for the wound to heal, just as the cut on my finger took weeks to heal. We should be glad they are aware of the cut and the need to heal. Holidays often cause some folks to recall cuts, be it Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas or whatever. It serves as a reminder that I am bleeding and have not healed.

Then there are others. Some people are bleeding, but are unaware of it. Bleeding internally. If you ask any physician they will most likely tell you that internal bleeding is the most dangerous. It is because you are unaware that your life source is seeping from your veins into places in your body it was never meant to be. If this goes unchecked, depending upon the severity, you could bleed to death and never know what was wrong. At least external cuts, even bad ones, are visible and show there is a need for assistance.

Again, how many people do you pass daily who may be bleeding internally. Something horrible may have been done to them, but they will not admit it. Perhaps they are unaware. They are hiding it. It is internal bleeding. It is taking their life from them as it were and they are not aware it is happening because of denial or fear to face the issue, or any number of things.

Perhaps if you are a woman, when you were younger you were raped. Perhaps it was on a date. You were pressured by someone and you gave in but you were saying “No,” and it was ignored. Others have convinced you it was no big deal, but you were raped, plain and simple, and it silently affects you to this day. You may not admit it, but it is affecting your intimate relationships. It is affecting them deeply. You are bleeding internally.

Maybe when you were a child you were abused. You may have been physically or emotionally or intellectually abused.  Someone with power over you used that power in a way that hurt you deeply. It may have been that you were sexually molested. Those scars do not go away without time to process them and allow them to heal. If you do not address the violence, admit that the other person was indeed wrong, and allow yourself to heal you will continue to bleed internally affecting your self-image, your sexuality, and who can tell where all the damage will go. Your relationships will all suffer until you address the source of the bleeding.

Did someone betray you? They made promises to you and broke them. It hurt you. It hurt you deeply. It has caused you to bleed internally. No one can see it. They may have gotten off scott free as it were. But the hurt you feel is relentless. Have you looked at what happened and made a decision to not let it hold you back from what you desire any longer?

Were you neglected love and affection due you from someone as a child or as an adult? We all have those needs. When we do not receive them it can cause us to seek to fill that need in unhealthy ways. Isn’t it time to admit there is bleeding taking place and get help addressing it?

One more. Were you abused by someone spiritually? Someone in a position of spiritual power used that power, perhaps even sincerely, but they have laid such a guilt trip on you that your relationship with God is affected. It is often in the name of godliness or conviction or some other spiritual platitude. Has it corrupted your view of God? Has it made you see God as your enemy instead of a loving heavenly parent whose desire really is for your best and seeks to welcome you, love you, guide you and accept you? The bleeding internally from this can cause issues that are almost impossible to diagnose, unless you are honest with yourself and a close trusted person who can help you admit what took place.

I could go on, but you get the picture. How many of us are bleeding internally even now and are afraid or unwilling to admit it?

Maybe it is finally time to do so.

Prayer that Hits Home

I saw this on a friend's site. I am not sure where it originated from, but it sure hits home on many levels.

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Dear Lord,

Help me to relax about insignificant details, beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 a.m. EST.

Help me to consider people’s feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive.

Help me to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions, even though they’re usually not my fault.

Help me to not try to run everything – but, if you need some help, please feel free to ask me.

Help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it exactly right.

Help me to take things more seriously, especially laughter, parties, and dancing.

Give me patience, and I mean right now!

Help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?) Help me to finish everything I sta

Help me to keep my mind on one thing … oh, look, a bird … at a time.

Help me to do only what I can, and trust you for the rest. And would you mind putting that in writing?

Keep me open to others’ ideas, misguided though they may be.

Help me follow established procedures. Hey, wait … this is wrong …

Help me slow down andnotrushthroughwhatido.

Thank you, Lord.

Amen

On to Bethlehem

As I have stated often, there are a lot of options at Advent/Christmas musically. I have at times been spoken to through a wide variety of songs. This year the song that is really speaking to me is On to Bethlehem. It was recorded in about 1999 by Bill Mallonee and the Vigilantes of Love. The mellow sound and the introspective lyrics are how I am experiencing this season. If you let it, I believe God can speak to you and provide comfort as well.

"So tell me, what is your little secret? What's on your blister soul? What is that one little secret? The one that has taken its toll?" "God wrapped himself in human skin, for those who want to touch."

Below I have pasted the lyrics and and a link to the version I am listening to recorded by the worship band at the church where I served 14 years ago. This was done during our New Noel Christmas production.

If you go HERE you can listen to the version I am referencing along with a list of the musicians involved.

On To Bethlehem

       Bill Malonee and VOL

So I'm at this wheel
It's 3 a.m.
Waiting for the caffeine to come around
Life rears its ugly head again
They say, "Your radio's cool, and retail's way down"
And I'd like to say I'm faithful to the task at hand
Speaking Gospel to a handful and others with their list of demands

It's cold this year, and I'm late on my dues
It's cold in here
Ah, but that's nothing new
My heart's electric with Your love again
So it's on to Bethlehem

You might surmise that I ran there, but I really only crept
Lead me to the place where love runs wild and then it dogs your every step
You know how fickle my heart is and prone to wander, my Lord
Yeah, we talk, but it's at arm's length
Always got one eye on the door

God wraps Himself up in human skin for those who want to touch
And God let them drive the nails in for those of us who know way too much
And You come bearing all our burdens and take Your lovers for a ride
We stayed holed up in our cages fashioned by our own design

So tell me, what is your secret?
What's on your blister soul?
What is that one little secret?
You know, the one that has taken its toll
'Cos Daddy's banging on your gate again
Yeah, He won't leave you alone
Got a whole lot of dry, warm rooms in the finest of homes

Meeting Me - An Advent Poem #3

Meeting Me

Holy Child, why is it that you would

leave heaven’s glory

to lie

in a feeding trough?

Why would you

surrender unlimited power

to become

the most helpless of beings?

What was your goal?

Why did you come?

Why are you here?

You will not remain this way.

You will grow

first into a boy, and finally into a man.

You will die

upon a cross for my sin . . . you will die.

You will rise

From a death that should have been mine.

Why would you choose to meet me here?

Is it because of my need?

Is it because of your love?

Is it because . . .

Holy Child. You will not remain this way.

But

This is the path that leads to your goal

and humanity’s gain.

That is why you came.

That is why we bow.

That is why we worship You.

That is why we call you Savior.

That is why.

How Abounding - An Advent Poem #2

How Abounding

How deep is the sin

            that runs into my very being?

            It stares back when I look at my reflection.

            It is a part of my nature.

            I am left with no hope of escaping it clutches

                        unless God delivers me.

Is that what this is about?

How amazing is the grace of God

            that extends beyond the grasp of my sin?

It sees I am

 unworthy of this honor.

I am totally unable to undertake this task alone.

This grace makes me

worthy . . .

and available. . .  for God’s purposes.

Perhaps THAT is what this is all about?

How abounding is the voice of God

that calls me

to something other than myself?

This is something I could never have imagined

No human can fully understand this

            or believe it

. . . without His assistance?

Maybe that is just the point

            it is his aid of which I am in need.

It is that same aid of which we all are in need.

            And soon I may hold that very aid in my arms.

How abounding. How abounding indeed.

Persons - An Advent Poem #1

Persons

So many faces

Each one different

beautiful in its own way

Do they realize how important everyone is?

So many minds

Each one thinking different thoughts

bowing to their former self

Have they truly comprehended the significance of this?

So many expectations

Each one coming from a personal bias

bringing a different vantage point to this experience.

Are they willing to see what is actually taking place?

So many viewpoints

Each one with a slant all it own.

bending this night into their own experience. 

How will I get them to allow my Father to work?

So many persons

Each one unique, and loved from above

bonding with a baby they cannot comprehend.

How long before they understand?

So many needs

Each one greater than the one before

becoming larger as the night passes.

Will they allow me to point them to the true answer?

They are all looking at me.

Pain in their heart.

Expectation is in their face.

Hope is in their voice.

Modern Day Puritanism

Ours is a strange time to be alive. We talk outwardly on being tolerant. However, we all have seen that quite often the most intolerant are those who preach tolerance. We see it in individuals quite often, but it shows up in odd ways collectively as an American culture. Here is what I am referring to.

You will often hear people in places of prominence talk about believing in giving individuals a second chance. If pressed individually and pressed further on their own failings, most would indeed fall under that umbrella. Most of us less prominent folks would also fall into that camp.

Here is where it appears to be breaking down.

Primarily, through the use of social media we have become a nation that desires instant punishment. It goes from A-Rod, to Jerry Sandusky, to Donald Sterling, to Danny Ferry, to the mayor of Toronto, to Tony Stewart, to Joe Paterno, to Governor Christi, to Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson, to the police in Missouri, to any number of politicians, to the latest public figure who we think is guilty of a crime. Now, I am not saying that some of the individuals listed above are not guilty. Some indeed are.Others however have been exonerated or never proven at fault or the case is still under investigation.

In actuality it does not seem to matter if the person IS guilty or not. We have judged them guilty based upon our limited evidence and we then want to see them punished. We want to see them punished quickly and here is the rub . . . we want to see them punished publicly. It appears to me that we, as a culture, are acting in eerily similar fashion to the Puritans of a few hundred years ago who punished folks in the most public of settings available to them in that day Where the extreme Puritans put folks into stocks and publicly mocked and otherwise humiliated them, we do it now via the Internet. We assassinate their character. Quite often, just as the legalistic wing of the Puritans did, we even resort to attacking their family. With our words and posts we "convict" them quickly and viciously and without regard as to whether we may end up being wrong.

Just as tolerance goes away when it is not our belief we are seeking tolerance for, it seems it is no longer innocent until proven guilty. We have become guilty until proven innocent on many fronts. We see ourselves as having moved so much beyond the folks of a few hundred years ago, yet here we are acting in much the same way. I am not in favor of being soft on criminal acts of any sort, but we must exercise care not to violate the old "log and splinter" principle while the facts play out.

Donating Blood and Fatherhood

Last Friday I made my regularly scheduled trek that I take each 8 weeks to donate blood. This time, I talked to Kay and took Gavin with me. (I so wish I had done this with my three, now adult, children.) I wanted him to understand what I did and then help him to understand a bit why I do it.

Donating blood is something I learned from my father. For all his shortcomings due to his addictions, I saw him more than once give blood. I remember him telling me “Someone needs this blood and I can give it to them.” It made an impression upon me to the point that I still recall it. I tried to think of how much I have given in the nearly 40 years I have been donating blood. While I have not always been at the 8-week mark, I have been regular in my donating and I assume I am in the 15 – 20 gallon range of donating blood totally all three states where I have lived.

Since they were not terribly busy, the ladies at the donor center allowed Gavin to go back and watch the process for which I was grateful. He has had blood drawn on numerous occasions due to his growth hormone issues, but never in this volume and he was amazed, especially at the size of the needle, which I no longer notice.

As we left he and I had some dialogue about it. I mentioned to him that when Kay was in her cancer treatments four years ago she had blood transfusion on at least two occasions and received a total of four units I think. I told Gavin, I have always given to help others, but now whenever I give, I am giving in gratitude for the individuals who gave blood that was given to my wife. He said, “Grandma had someone else’s blood put in her?!” I told him that is exactly how it works and explained a bit of the science behind it (well as much as I understand!)

Here is my point, being a father is about teaching on so many levels. I firmly believe in the verbal, intellectual and spiritual side of it, but I also believe my role as the father in Gavin’s life is to teach him about his responsibility to other human beings and their care. Giving blood is just one small way I can model just that, the way my Dad (unknowingly) did for me.

Strength Based Approaches

Anyone who has been around me longer than 30 minutes knows that I am all about the Strength-Based approach as stressed by Gallup and Marcus Buckingham specifically. It infiltrates everything I do. I had a wonderful discussion with an individual a few weeks back regarding this.

I was at my grandson Gavin's 5th grade end of the year outing at a local amusement park. As we were leaving I was chatting with one of the three teachers in his team. Now, Gavin likes all three of his teachers, but really liked this particular one. I had thought perhaps it had something to do with the fact that this teacher was male. I was so wrong.

As that teacher and I walked to the final departure location at the end of the day, we were chatting about how Gavin liked him and blossomed in his classes. The teacher then said something like this:

"I believe every child has a strength. My goal is to discover what that strength is and then play to that. Gavin loves details and likes for things to be exact and logical. If they do not make sense, he cannot buy it. He wants facts to support what you are saying."

He could not have hit the nail on the head  better. Gavin is so much that way, that at night you cannot say, "Gavin it is 9:30 . . . bed time." He will reply, "It is not 9:30, it is 9:26."

I began to talk to this teacher about Marcus Buckingham and the strength-based approach. I learned he teacher had never heard of it. He simply had noticed that kids respond when you play to their strengths. As I talked about how we do not grow our weaknesses, we simply have to manage around them and not let them pull us down, he became more and more interested.

Now to us, as a parent or grandparent or whatever interaction you have with others, do you seek to recognize their strengths and play to them? If not, you are missing a golden opportunity. It is something I do in leadership capacities and folks always respond. If you have never checked out this leadership / parenting / friendship / co-worker / colleague tool, I encourage you to do so at Marcus Buckingham's Site here and others. Read the book Now Discover Your Strengths, (and his Buckingham's others as well) take the inventory, grow yourself and help others!!

God's Economy and the US Ecomony

This morning I read about the following store closings in an article lamenting our lack of real economic growth.

• Staples - 225 stores by 2015
• Radio Shack - 1,100 stores
• Albertsons  - 26 stores
• Abercrombie & Fitch - undisclosed in 2015
• Gilly Hicks - 20 stores
• Barnes & Nobles - 218 stores
• J.C. Penney - 33 stores
• Toys R Us – 100 stores.
• Sweetbay Supermarket – 17 stores
• Loehmann’s  - shut down
• Sears / Kmart - 500 stores
• Quiznos - filed for bankruptcy
• Sbarro – 155 locations
• Ruby Tuesday - 30 restaurants
• Red Lobster selling unknown number of stores
• Ralph’s – 15 supermarkets
• Safeway - closed 72 Dominick’s grocery stores

I was reminded:

• God is not dependent upon the US economy.
• God is not surprised by any of this.
• God still meets our NEEDS just as he has always has.
• There is not a sparrow that falls that God does not notice.
• God still loves each of us more than we could imagine.

Do You Want to Get Well?

These are the concluding remarks of a message I delivered on March 23, 2014 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sharon, PA. It does not include the exegetical, interpretive and analytical comments made from the passage in John 5 prior to these comments.

======================

I want to spend the remaining minutes would have together focusing on one small detail in this miracle. That detail comes from what I believe is the most astounding, self-revelatory, soul-searching, life impacting question recorded by Jesus addressed to any one individual. It has ramifications that carry forward to the 21^st century and hit us in the face so hard as to leave us reeling from the impact.

The question was simply this, “Do you want to get well?”

Do you want to get well? Well, do you?

Many folks are not physically impaired, but have something that can be far more daunting. Many of you are lying by the pool emotionally or relationally or personally paralyzed.

In theological terms, what we have here is the delicate balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The purpose of this question is to get at the heart of the individual.

Maybe Jesus’ question gets at the heart of this man's disability. Would he prefer the known, i.e. living with this disability or is he willing to risk the unknown, being healed and the massive life change that would follow.

Do we really want to be rid of our sin and our addictions and our negative behaviors? If we were to honestly invest 15 to 20 min. seriously thinking about this topic the ramifications could be huge.

I want you to seriously ask yourself, “Do I want to get well?” Because I can tell you from over 30 years of ministry experience everyone does not want to.

Some individuals like where they are.

Some folks are just too lazy to make the changes.

Some are afraid of what the change will mean.

There are some of you here today to have an issue with alcohol or tobacco or some other substance. It controls you. I am not here to tell you if it is right or wrong. Those questions have varying shades of gray attached to them. But Scripture is clear. We should not be controlled by any substance and some of you are. As I as I stand here and make these statements, please do not hear judgment from me. But do here this this is a decision you must wrestle with. You must decide do I want to conquer this or not. You have had family members plead with you to make changes. But they cannot make the change for you. Only you can do that. You know what it is going to take to conquer whatever it is. The question you need to ask yourself is "Do I want to get well?"

There are some men here today and your computer regularly takes you to sites it should not take you. It is sites that are demeaning to women and degrading to sexuality as God designed it. You know in your heart of hearts it is not right. The personal guilt you feel after having visited those sites tells you that. The question you must ask is "Do I want to get well?” Am I willing to set up accountability structures - serious accountability structures - to allow me to stop permitting this activity from controlling me?

Others here today have some relational issues that seriously need to be addressed. There are husbands and wives here and your marriage is not the way God would desire it and not the way you want it. But you have fallen into a trap. You fallen into a pattern. You may have allowed yourself to think it cannot get better. The question you have to ask is, "Do I want to get well?” Will I go to my partner and open my heart and tells them what is missing in our relationship and how it hurts me? Am I willing to hear from my partner things that I must address and myself? Because it is NEVER one person. Never. You may need to ask, "Am I willing to sit down with a mediator if that is what is needed?" Do you want to get well?

There probably are some students here who have allowed themselves to frequent activities they know are unhealthy. You know this is not in your best interest. I know. I know. I know. You say, "Everyone is doing it. I'm just in college. I'm just in high school. Everyone has to sow their wild oats at this age." NO, everyone does not do it! But I can guarantee you everyone must reap the consequences of any oats they may sow. Maybe you need to make some hard decisions about being real with yourself  and decide what you will go to and what you allow yourself to do. It may be a decision you need to make in a dating relationship. There may be some activities are allowing yourself and your partner to participate in you should not and you know you should not. Do you want to get well?

There are those of us here who look in the mirror or step on the scales and know we are not treating our body the way God wants us to treat it. Our eating habits and our exercising habits or lack thereof are not honoring to God. And our body is showing the wear and tear and we are paying the price or we will pay the price. Are you willing to address that issue? Are you willing to address your diet or exercise? It might mean going to see a physician. There may be some serious decisions you need to make medically to get help. There may be a cost to pay. But the question is this, do you want to get well?

Some of you wake up every day with a feeling as if there is a dark cloud hanging over you. You would like to see and feel and hear the joy in life you once felt. You put on that things are fine, but only a select few know just how much pain you are in. You have tried everything you can imagine to ignore it and move on, but it is just not happening. Maybe it is time you made an appointment with a counselor. Maybe you need to see a doctor. Perhaps there is medication that you need and have been putting off. I know the fear that comes from that. If not a counselor, maybe you start by finding and individual you can trust to guide you. Do you want to get well?

Some of you here today were wounded terribly when you were younger. For some it was physical abuse. For others it was emotional or mental abuse you endured and the scars run deep. Also based on my experience, I can promise you there are several women in this room who were sexually molested or raped when you were younger. Some of them on a date where they thought they were safe. There may be some men here with that scar as well. You have never told a soul. But it burns deep. Very deep. You have suppressed it and hidden it and denied it and quite frankly, we both know that is not working. If impacts the intimate relationships in your life, perhaps sexually with your spouse. You were the victim. You were and are innocent. Yet you are the one paying the price. Is it not time for that darkness to be owned and exposed to the light of day and allow Jesus to heal it. It may involve therapy and some hard honesty with the ones who are impacted. But the question remains, do you want to get well?

There are some folks here that have been wrestling with placing faith in Jesus for some time. You may have been attending Covenant for years. You may have never been in a church before. But either way, for whatever reason you have never placed faith in Jesus. In some cases if you did, it very well may surprise those who know you. For others it would not surprise anyone, but they would be glad for you. Here is the question, “Do you want to get well?” Haven’t you struggled with your sin long enough? Isn’t it time to finally place faith in Jesus and stop pretending?

Maybe your issue is something I have not even scratched the surface on but the Spirit of God is burning it in your mind right now.

Do we want to get well?

       Do I want to get well?

               Do you want to get well?

Well, do you? Because if you do, it is going to require you to make some hard choices and make some serious changes in your life, in your relationships, interpersonal habits, and what can prove to be the very core of your life.

Lifelong Learner

The Internet has altered the writing / publishing world in a way that I think will only be fully realized when it is looked back upon in the future. I am in the midst of it and enjoy it. I read things I would otherwise never be able to read. My research can be much more broad and encompassing without constantly jumping up and running to my shelves, which still must be done of course! Due to this change I am able to read a broader array of writers than I normally would. I would never have purchased their work but when it is written for all to see on a blog, like this one, then I am more inclined to read it. It is interesting how so many more folks have become experts on one subject or another simply because they have a forum to write it.

A few weeks back I was reading a blog written by a young theolog who was waxing eloquent about all he brings to the table. He described himself in some pretty interesting ways, many of which may be totally accurate. One phrase stood out when he called himself a "lifelong learner." I must admit I thought (and I hope I did not say it aloud since I was in a coffee shop!): "That would be more impressive if the life was longer than just thirty years, especially since the first 2/3 of that time was  not so much his own choice."

Do I consider myself and "lifelong learner?" Well, I certainly hope so. My Dad used to say I was a professional student. I think once you stop learning and stop opening yourself up to the possibility that you may actually have been wrong on some topics, you begin the process to die mentally, and I am convinced it carries over into the spiritual realm of our life as well. There are things I now believe that are almost 180 degrees removed from what I stated dogmatically in pulpits years ago. So, if I a true lifelong learner I am growing, improving, changing, admitting my many faults and seeking a more steady diet of Christlikeness in my life. As I approach my 60th birthday this year, I hope that is read differently than if I had written that when I was half this age.

Who has your back?

Asante Samuel of Philadelphia Eagles makes many interceptions. At times he will see something and tell the other defensive back “Cover my man for me,” and make his play. The play works when someone has his back, giving him the freedom to go for it.

Who has your back allowing you to go for it?

Whose back do you have allowing them to do the same?

SBC Statement on Agreement and Differences

Today I ran across the statement that was released by the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the various area of belief where they agree and where they differ. I found it quite interesting and in most areas a statement that could have been written for the Evangelical community at large. It does not address some hot topic issues that are used to divide today, which I like. It actually appears to recognize that those topics will change as time goes along. It looks at the overarching theological concepts that seem important. It clearly is addressing the Calvinism/Armenian divide. I like how it says repeatedly, “We agree that . . . but we differ on . . .” or “agree to disagree” while remaining believers in the same camp. I have pasted it below. It would be interesting to see how other view this statement.

With a full recognition of the limitless wisdom of God’s Word and the limited wisdom of ourselves, we urge Southern Baptists to grant one another liberty in those areas within The Baptist Faith and Message where differences in interpretation cause us to disagree. For instance,

§  We agree that God loves everyone and desires to save everyone, but we differ as to why only some are ultimately saved.

§  While we all heartily affirm the article on election in The Baptist Faith and Message (Article V), we differ as to whether the response of faith plays a role in one’s election.

§  We agree that the penal and substitutionary death of Christ was sufficient for the sins of the entire world, but we differ as to whether Jesus actually substituted for the sins of all people or only the elect.

§  We agree that the Gospel should be proclaimed to everyone, but we differ as to whether or how every hearer will be enabled to respond.

§  We agree that everyone has inherited Adam’s hopelessly fallen sin nature, but we differ as to whether we also inherit his guilt.

§  We agree that men and women are sinners, but we differ about the effects of sin on the mind and the will.

§  We recognize the differences among us between those who believe that sin nullifies freedom to respond to the Gospel and those who believe that freedom to respond to the Gospel is marred but not nullified.

§  We agree that God is absolutely sovereign in initiating salvation, uniting the believer to Himself, and preserving the believer to the end, but we differ as to how God expresses His sovereignty with respect to human freedom.

§  We agree that the Holy Spirit working through the Gospel enables sinners to be saved, but we differ as to whether this grace is resistible or irresistible.

§  We agree on the necessity of regeneration that results in God-ordained, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered obedience from the heart, but differ as to whether faith precedes regeneration or regeneration precedes faith.

§  We agree that most Southern Baptists believe that those who die before they are capable of moral action go to heaven through the grace of God and the atonement of Christ, even as they differ as to why this is so.

The History Channel’s The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 6

This weekend we will see the final segment in the mini-series. As I look forward to this Sunday I have been asked by some to give it a grade. I have said, I do not think that is fair to do for a couple of reasons. First, it is not over yet. But also because that would cause me to focus on some of the things I did not agree with when there were far more things I did agree with.

One of the more pleasant surprises for me has been the way they have woven extra-Biblical history, and Jewish Rabbinical commentary, into the accounts. The beauty of the history is that it supports the accuracy of the Biblical text. It allows us to see how these other nations records weave into, quite often, briefly worded accounts in our Bible. The beauty of the Jewish commentaries and other historians is we get a view that we miss in simply reading the Biblical account. They often reveal the utter sinfulness of the nations of Israel and Judah which led to their judgment. This also forces us to ask questions about God and not simply gloss over things we do not understand. One example would be when we see such violence portrayed on both sides, as it really was in the ancient world. (More will be said on that in the next posting.)

As we look forward to this weekend’s segment, it will cover the crucifixion, resurrection and early church. I have seen several clips ahead of time and already know some responses. It will show the suffering of Jesus more graphic than most of these movies do, without being quite as “on screen vivid” as The Passion of the Christ. This week I would encourage you to watch how Jesus interacts with Peter. Peter denied Jesus, and cannot forgive himself or even as Jesus for forgiveness. Watch Jesus say things like, “Tell our brothers . . . and Peter.” I would like to go into how at some point Peter received a private time with the risen Lord, but I will resist.

I am eager to see the depictions of the early church and how it grows. As I said in an earlier post, “People are actually talking about the Bible!” Many of them have never read it or do not understand it. Perhaps this series will lead some to a beginning of faith, while it leads other to a deepening of their faith. Count me in the latter group.

The History Channel’s The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 5

Week three of The Bible mini-series is now history. I am sure that once again there are an numerous critics who will feel the need to point out the “errors” in the presentation. I am encouraged by the many folks who have reached out to me and said they intend to look beyond the perceived differences to see what God may be saying to them as they watch the series, just as I stated I intended to do. As I have stated, there is more than one account where I think they have some details incorrect. But there are far more where I feel they got it right. That is encouraging.

This week my thoughts went a different direction. As I sat and watched week three, I was taken by the number of times they took a different slant on the interpretation of how an event (we both believe actually happened) may have gone down. Here are a couple of cases in point.

When Joseph is visited by the angel to tell him to go ahead and complete the marriage to Mary, it happens right out in a public environment. A child takes his hand, who then transforms into the angel of the Lord and gives the word by the Lord to Joseph. After the visitation, Joseph is alert and still in the same location and no one around him notices what has taken place. Earlier, when Mary is visited by the same angel, it also happens in the middle of the day. Now, do I think that is exactly how that scene played our 2,000 years ago? I do not know. And neither do you. But as I said to my wife as we watched it, “Now that is an interesting take on the event. God could have an angel visit someone in broad daylight and in a full crowd if he desired. Who is to say the visitation occurred in the middle of the night as he slept as we usually picture it.” He was in a dream and asleep according to Matthew, but it does not have to have been sleep as we think of it at night. There are accounts in Scripture of this sort of event in front of folks who had no idea what was taking place. In Luke, Mary’s visitation does not mention sleep at all. Whether or not I agree is not the point. It is a dramatic interpretation that comes from the mind of someone who believes Jesus birth was miraculous just as I do, and it speaks truth to me and I am sure to many who viewed it.

A second time this was well played was at the birth of Jesus. (And witnessing that scene HAD to bring tears to your eyes; the portrayal was very moving!) While I do not think the Magi and Shepherds appeared at the same time, the scene where they were all present and at once bowed to Jesus was magnificently done! The look of shock on Joseph and Mary’s face was masterful directing and incredible acting on both their parts. It showed how this young couple (although Joseph may have been in his thirties) would have probably responded to the actual worship being given to this child. In Luke it never says the Shepherds bowed down. In Matthew the Magi clearly did, just as depicted. That does not take away from the power and the beauty of the scene and God spoke peace to my heart while I watched it.

Before closing this entry, I must say that I was troubled that some tried to make the depiction of Jesus’ temptation political in 2013 by implying a Satan character was chosen to look like the current President of the United States. When you see the renowned actor who played Satan, without makeup, it makes the controversy seem even more ludicrous. My fear was that something such as that could slow the movement of folks who may actually read the Bible after watching The Bible. I will pray that is not the case, especially as we move into these final two week.

The History Channel’s The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 4

Week three of The Bible mini-series will air tomorrow evening. Since I have access to portions ahead of time, I am privy to some of what we will see. I am sure there will once again be the array of critics who will feel the need to point out the “errors” in the presentation. I intend to look beyond that to see what God may be saying to me.

One of the scenes to be depicted involves Daniel and his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dream. That is the very passage I will be speaking on in worship tomorrow as I follow along with the series throughout the month of March. It is one of the most marvelous passages in the entire Bible when it comes to God giving His plans to humanity. One of the most interesting parts in this passage carries a great parallel to Joseph in the book of Genesis. In both account, God reveals what is going to take place to a non-believing monarch. In both instances the recipient is very distraught over the incident. In spite of the fact that they have no idea what it meant, they both know it is something of extreme importance.

Tomorrow in my sermon I will not be spending much time tomorrow in the analysis of the interpretation of the dream. Others far superior to me on all levels have undertaken that task. But that is not the primary reason I do not intend to camp out there. It is because the man who interpreted the dreams for the king, Daniel, did not think that was the primary lesson. He thought the primary lessons revolved around the character and attributes of God, in this case God’s wisdom and power. It is pretty clear why Daniel focuses on those attributes of God. He is wise enough to understand all that is in store for humanity and wise enough that humans cannot understand it on their own. But also, God is powerful enough to see that it comes to pass, just as He said it would.

That would be cool if it simply stayed there, but of course that is not how I roll. I am going to push into it with my hearers a bit tomorrow. Do they really believe in those two things? Do they really believe Gods is wise enough to know what is best for them in all circumstances and responses they may have to activities in their life? Do they really believe God is powerful enough to see that things in their life transpire in a way that would be in their best interest, even in cases where they may make a decision that is less than what He would desire? Can God take an act meant for evil or just simply for foolishness and redeem it into something honorable? Does God know what it should be and can God bring it to pass in my life and in your life?

The History Channel’s The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 3

The second night of the series is now history. (Pun fully intended.) I can almost hear the screaming at the sets across the nation. I would be less than honest if I were to say that I agreed with every interpretive element and the way it was portrayed on the screen, because I was not. Numerous time sensitive elements we out of place, or skipped over but for crying out loud, as I said the first week, they only had ten hours to cover a this material.

However, once again, I intend to look beyond those to what I consider to be the bigger picture. The way I view the “bigger picture” falls into two primary categories.

Folks are actually talking about the Bible! It is “trending” on Twitter. Facebook is screaming with folks comments. I cannot help but think that if folks are talking about The Bible on television, that many of them may actually be reading the Bible . . . perhaps on their free app! If we who believe the Bible, believe it as we say we do, then we believe that God’s word will not return to Him barren or void. We believe it is alive and powerful. We believe that if we just get it out there it can take care of itself. The Bible does not need us to defend it any more than a lion needs us for defense. Just let it out. It can take care of itself. The ensuing dialogue among co-workers, students, neighbors, friend, acquaintances and family members will bring fruit for the kingdom.

The producers got the big themes right. For the sake of cinematography and film making, some items are a bit different than we may like. I get it. But the primary themes have been accurate. Do you hear the characters saying some of them?

   ·         “What the Lord gives, he can take away.”

   ·         “You think God doesn’t see everything?”

   ·         “If we obey the Lord, anything is possible.”

   ·         “You have a God who commands the winds and parts the seas.”

   ·         “A king is never above his God.”

As we move toward the final three Sunday nights, I have great anticipation that the portrayal of Jesus will do just what he said. “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.” While that “lifting” first occurred on a cross 2,000 year ago, perhaps now we can do a different kind of “lifting up,” and Jesus can draw folks to him. Look around friends. Our nation is in deep need of the love and grace and direction only Jesus can bring.

The History Channel's The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 2

After my first entry on The Bible, a friend of mine asked me about my statement regarding our “interpretive differences.” His comment was that does not Scripture have only one interpretation and many applications. It is a good, honest and worthwhile question. Here is a part of my response to him along with some further discussion.

First, I have heard (as you have) the “one interpretation – many application” thing for as long as I remember. What I have found often is it is a hermeneutic ploy used quite often when someone wants to trumpet their particular interpretation of a passage. While “technically” it is a very true statement, and I agree with it, the fact is, quite often it is not as easy to determine what that “one interpretation” is. I cannot tell the times I have gone into a passage with my one interpretation, only to have someone suggest, “Have you thought about it this way?” It has often caused me to reexamine my “one interpretation” as truly accurate to what God was actually saying. This to me is not a lowering of Scripture but a raising the standard of the text. I so believe that the Scriptures are “God breathed,” to quote Paul, that it behooves me to be sure I really am getting at what was being said, and not allowing my western eyes or my evangelical eyes or my male eyes or whatever to influence me from the truth being taught in a particular passage.

Secondly, and more to the point in this discussion, most of the “interpretive differences” that occur in a video or television series such as this one are from narrative passages. They are not depicting the letters of Paul, Peter or John for example because . . . well, how would you? They are depicting what 85% of what the Bible actually is . . . narrative. The many narratives are given to us to show how faith in God is played out in real life experiences. In these narratives we have different views (or interpretations, although as I think about it, perhaps “interpretations” is not the best word) as to what may have happened. For example, in the account of Isaac, they surely omitted some items in the television production. Some quick examples: They did not depict clearly the three days travel of Abraham and Isaac and the servants were not with them. Another would be that Moses wife and children never appeared on the screen. A final example would be the number of Israelites in the Exodus. There were possibly as many as 3 million persons who crossed the Red Sea. That would be difficult to show on screen I imagine.

But here is where our difference can get in the way. Take two examples. Abraham, Isaac and his servants traveled for 45 miles from Beersheeba to the region of Moriah. In that entire time, Genesis 22 only records two one sentence conversations. One was Abe to the servants and the other was Abraham answering Isaac’s question. Surely in a three day journey there was more said than that. Surely in the 2-3 hours it would take Abraham and Isaac to build the altar more was said than the one sentence that is recorded. Yet we are left to our own to think what that discussion may have entailed. It does not take away from believing in the text just because what I think may have been said and what someone else thinks is different. The narrator who wrote the passage (Moses?) is only giving details that support his main point, which is “Abraham was tested.” A second example is the crossing of the Red Sea. There was no image of the pillar of fire/cloud that separated the Israelites from the Egyptians and the parting of the waters was done in very dramatic fashion. That is to be expected. However, all Scripture says is that a strong east wind blew all night and dried up the ground for them to cross. How it looked, we do not know.

Those are some of the types of differences I am referencing. They are just different ways of looking at the same event, while both lenses may give equal credence to the accuracy of Scripture. 

The History Channel's The Bible: My Thoughts, Part 1

I was a speech communications major in college. That meant 30 plus hours of speech, theater and classes in that vein. I was involved in several productions and enjoyed the time spent acting immensely. After college I remained in the speech realm in preaching and teaching. Later I was in a drama group where we performed all manner of productions. In addition to acting, I was able to be involved in directing and writing a lot of drama, including a full three act play.

While I was in that group, we led our church of 3,000 in an annual production called a “Praise Pageant,” which was a combination of music and theater done with the highest quality by trained individuals. It was attended by 10,000 folks a year. I was privileged for four years to play Jesus in that production. It was, and is, the highlight of my dramatic involvement. I have some of my fondest memories from those events.

In addition to other outcomes, it also led me to a great love of what I like to affectionately call, “Bathrobe Dramas.” Some are quite well done and very accurate Biblically. Others are less well done, and less accurate. I simply take them as they are intended and enjoy them. At times they have given me a new perspective on a passage that I had not thought of before.

In my collection I have numerous DVDs of Biblical productions. Many have some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry playing key roles. For example, I have one on the life of David where Leonard Nimoy (Spock from the Star Trek series) plays the role of the prophet Samuel. These DVDs are a great source of Biblical discussion between Gavin and me. He and I will play a portion of one and then talk about what we have just seen. At a later night we pick up where we left of. It is a great way to open up discussion with children regarding the Scriptures.

For those reasons and many others, I was very excited to learn that the mini-series The Bible was in production and sought to be Biblically accurate and cinematographically done of the highest quality. You will notice some “artistic license” in this series as with all of its predecessors. After all, they only have so much time and so much material.

I was a bit dismayed reading online this evening some of the numerous criticisms on the production after only one installment. Can we not forget our interpretive differences? I know some things shown do not line up exactly, but come on people, if you get lost in those all I can say is you have simply lost the plot!

While we are at it, let’s be honest here, some of the things folks are complaining about are not as clear in the Biblical text as we want to believe they are. In many of the Biblical narratives, there are details that quite honestly are not given at all! What do we do? We fill in the details as WE think they were or as we want them to be. Some of our blank filling comes from ideas, thoughts, past sermons, or whatever, that we bring to the actual text. Then when it is not portrayed on the screen as we think it should be, we get all over it. In truth if we go back read the text slowly and thoughtfully, we find it is not as cut and dried in some of the narratives as we may have thought.

Can we not simply be glad that people are actually talking about our Bible in a positive light on two major cable TV channels? Do we need to pick apart items that are moved around for the sake of artistic license or to make a story flow on the screen? Do we have to get on them because of the English or American flavor in places? Can we not give credit where credit is due? This was a monumental task they have undertaken and I for one cannot applaud their efforts enough. Would we really rather folks were watching Honey Boo Boo or Teen Mom? Have WE lost the plot of why God has us here in the first place?

I have read so many criticizing the accents, or the portrayals that I wonder if they noticed some key items. Did you not notice that there were more people of color in this version than in any of these films I recall ever seeing? There were two angels with Abraham and Lot. That should be accurate enough for the most cynical. But did you notice that one was portrayed as a Black man the other as an Asian? Did you see that throughout each scene, God was portrayed as ultimately FOR us not against us?

In my weekly emails to each congregation I have served as pastor in recent years I close them with the phrase “Come expectantly,” in regard to Sunday worship. For this television mini-series my phrase is “Watch expectantly.” See what God may have for you.  Why is that so hard? Could it be that somewhere deep down we are afraid of what God may actually say to us?