Tax Day 2009

Yes...

...even Tax Day can be a gateway to spiritual formation. Consider the following...

PALABRA (The Word)

Matthew 22.15-22
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

PONDER (The Point)

A Taxing Question

Is it right to pay taxes to a secular government? Can we participate in a society that uses these funds for things contrary to the precepts and principles of Scripture and the teaching of the Church? Where do we draw the lines?

These are all intriguing questions whose answers are very significant to our life of Christ-following. However, they must be addressed in another post. For the impact of this teaching of our Jesus was that "when they heard this, they were amazed." The wow factor is how Jesus, the master teacher, turns this would-be trap into a deeply penitrating look at spiritual formation.

Whose image?

Every governing body that mints coin or prints paper money authorizes that currency with easy to identify symbols. Every currency of the United States, for instance, bears the name "United States of America" and the phrase "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE."

In Jesus' day the Caesar of the Roman Empire stamped his picture (image) onto the coinage used as legal tender. The printing was in Latin, the official language of the conquerors. So the coin brought to Jesus literally bore the Emperor's image and inscription.

So, Jesus says, give it back to Caesar. Yes we should pay taxes, in part because what we are spending is depending on that government to be judged legal tender or the currency of exchange. It is produced by and endorsed with that government's authority.

But the wow comes from the implication to everyone knowledgable of the Scriptures. This was especially true of Jesus' original listeners -- first century Jews. But it is also true of the Biblically-literate of all times and places.

We are all "stamped" with the imago dei, the image of God who created us originally and individually [Genesis 1.26-28.] A lot of speculation and debate has gone into the idea of the imago dei. Even after the Rebellion in Paradise, we retained a marred and mishapened version of the imago [Genesis 5.3, Genesis 9.6.] At the least we can say from the actual texts using the phrase imago dei, that it includes the human moral capacity [of that tree you must not eat,] human sexuality/procreativity [male and female created He them, be fruitful and multiply...fill the earth] and human stewardship of the rest of creation [subdue it. Rule over...] Essential human-ness bears clear markings of the One who made us--all.

While answering the political question of taxation, Jesus points to a deeper duty every human has. We should give to God what is God's -- our very self marked with His imago dei.

PRACTICE (The Principle)

So on this Tax day 2009, I hope you have filed your paperwork and written that check. Jesus says it is right to share in the cost, as well as the benefits, of a society.

But I really hope and pray that you take a moment and give God His due, too. Not something or some percentage but give your very self. From your DNA to your human spirit, you are marked with His image. All He wants is all you are, surrendered to His power, love and leadership -- for His renown and glory.

Whose image? Whose inscription?

The Picture

Easter Sunday morning, after we were dressed up for church, I took a few pictures of the kiddos. Lisa uploaded them to facebook last night. She claims one of Little Sister is the best she has ever taken. The truth is that Jillie Bean usually is tearful or fitful when professional pictures are made. So perhaps it is her best ever picture.

I got to thinking about how it was that her Papa, in very poor lighting, was the one to capture her best-ever picture. I took a lotof snapshoots that morning and some were horrible. I am not a professional photographer. I had no props or special filters. But there is the pictoral evidence. She is delightfully playful with a hint of mischief in her eyes -- in other words, the real Gracie-Girl!

A lot of life is like that. It's not about being good. It's about being persistent. A persistant prayer life is one into which transcendent moments come. A faithful commitment to marriage allows a couple to experience the rapturous passion that sweeps them off their feet to fall in love all over again. Consistently being there for others means you'll be there when they really need you. Daily debriefs around the dinner table opens the channel for the kids to share when things aren't going well.

So last night, as I slipped into bed too late to pray with Lisa, I gently layed my hand on her shoulder and spent awhile lifting her to Our Father. I prayed for my children. I prayed that I might be faithful and persistance in the things that matter so I can be there for the next Picture-Perfect moment.

Get the picture?

A Bandage for Woody

We enjoyed a little trip out as a family last night. On our way out of one of our stops, Eli ran ahead of us a few feet and fell down. He scraped his little hand on the concrete sidewalk. He cried and then...

...HE ASKED FOR A BANDAGE!!!!!!!!!!

Eli never, never, never wants a bandage, even if it would stop him from bleeding out. He hates to take them off. That, to him, adds insult and pain to his injury.

But last night he wanted one. So I stuck on a day-glow-green one after bathtime. He then got his Woody out of the toy box and said he would sleep with him. Suddenly he sheepishly asked me to put a bandage on Woody's hand, too. So I stuck one on Woody as well.

He then curled down in bed and held Woody ever-so-gently and told him, "You'll be O.K." as he drifted quickly off to sleep.

This morning he even took the bandage OFF himself! My boy is growing up too quickly. He has such a caring way and a gentle spirit. I am so proud to be his Papa!

On Second Thought

Have you ever had a really good thought, after it would could have made a difference?

Well I sure did, Friday evening on the way home from the Unity Service. I had been asked to deal with the physical suffering of Jesus. I researched the observations of the Mayo Clinic and others to formulate a graphic description of death-by-crucifixion. I had organized my thoughts into an outline with flow and even a relief-valve personal reference in the middle. You can't assault the human mind with gore without overstressing it to the point of shut-down.

So in the middle of discussing the tortuous cycle of avoiding the pain and giving in to it so you could catch a breathe, I told how I used to scare my mom by holding my breath when I was mad. My Grandma had counselled her mom to let me go ahead and hold my breathe, because I would start breathing if I passed out.

The too-late thought was that I should have began my portion of the evening by having everyone stand and hold their breath for as long as they could. When they took a breath, they would sit down. That simple, tangable act would have instantly personalized the details I later shared. Every mention of suffocation would have brought a flashback to the opening exercise -- to the burning need to breath, to the way the body cries out for the next breath.

This will be part of any future sharing on death-by-crucifixion.

He IS Risen, Indeed!

Resurrection Sunday was a good day for me.

Faith Community celebrated with sincere and ardent joy. We greeted antiphonally with "He is risen! He is risen, indeed!" The congregation sange with ferver and enthusiasm. The sermon, "Easter Changes Everything!" was uplifting. 55 gathered including several first-time guests.
Tim and Terry were both there so the music was excellent. And a good day was had by all.

Later, after kiddo knaps, we went to Grandma Andy's for lunch. The kids hunted more eggs and we went for a little hike down Three Mile Road.

We returned to our home happy and ready for sleep.

The Cave

Silent Saturday was spent at Lisa's folks in OH. We got up early, drove to Luke and Regina's and then took part in a community Easter egg hunt. Then we went to the farm to share the day with family. The kids helped Momaw make a Bunny cake, colored eggs with Regina and otherwise enjoyed cousiness.

In the afternoon the menfolk took the older kids on a nature hike to "the Cave." It was straight uphill and quite a walk. Along the trail we found a set of discarded deer antlers. It was a nice set of 8 points. He should be a bigger buck next season! The kids were facinated.

We left the antlers where we found them. The thinking was to avoid accidental impalement as we hiked the challenging turrain. We would pick them up on the return trip.

At this point I picked up something -- Eli. He had made the first of the hike holding to Pop-Pops hand. Now he was too tired to continue. I hoisted him onto my back and we finished the first half of the trip that-a-way.

When we arrived at "the Cave" I found it was a head of a hollow (pronounced "holler") that had been eroded by the flow of water. It was a very deep undercut. The side walls extended down at at least a 120 degree slope. The hike team stayed at the top en masse. I found a trail leading into the actual cave. Being only 12 to 18 inches wide I slowly made my way around the wall and into the cave.

It was very long, maybe 100 feet. It extended into the mountain 20 or 25 feet. The center was completely dry while the majority was moistened from the falls.

I paused. Silent Saturday is all about such a cool cavernous place. The Garden Tomb was also cut out of rock. I spent 5 minutes or so reflecting on that Sepulcher.

I returned to the group and we trailed back to the antlers. Then we followed an old county dirt road back to the farm. Along the way, as I carried Eli on my back, I tried to pass on some outdoorsmanship. "Don't step over big rocks or fallen logs unless you can see the other side. Snakes." "Sit and slide downhill. Keep your feet ahead of your head." "Don't eat yellow snow..."

I thought of my Grandfathers and my parents sharing the secrets of safely enjoying nature with me. All those boyhood days spent roaming the hills overshadowing Blue Creek. Those fall days hunting squire with my dad. Hiking with mom along old right-o-way roads. Exploring similar outcroppings and caves with Mike, Tim and Terry. It was re-energizing and centering to be on that hill with my people--past and present.

E and I both thoroughly enjoyed the hike to the Cave.

Good Friday Unity Service

Last night we enjoyed sharing in a five-church "cluster" observance of the events transpiring the first Good Friday. Lisa and the kids, Gail Smith, Elaine and Mom attended from Faith. There were folks from Huntington First Wesleyan, Williamson Wesleyan, Fayette County Community and Grace Wesleyan (host.)

It was interesting to interact with four other ministers, to blend styles and personalities as we each shared a portion of the evenings review of Thursday night through Friday. Some spoke from manuscripts, some with outline only; some prayed with the elegance of years of experience, others with youthful zeal; some were miked, some weren't.

But as the Body came together in Jesus' name, we entered into the solemn day Jesus died. B.R. Kincaid ushered us into the presence of the Lamb with a wonderful prayer. We sang, "Lead Me to Calvary" with the aide of Grace's musicians. Jason acted as celebrant during the Lord's Supper. Rich took us from the Upper Room through John 15's "I am the vine, you are the branches." I was assigned the solemn task of rehearsing the Lord's physical suffering from Gethsemane through scourging to Golgotha (see Excruciating.)

Glen's presentation on "Let this CUP pass from me. Never the less, not my will but yours be done" punctuated the spiritual realities of Calvary. Jesus died for us, in our place, bearing our wrong and paying it's aweful price.

The evening ended as Jason shared a video "It's Friday, but Sunday's a-Comin'!"

I hope in the days to come, we pastors will debrief about our impressions of the evening and plan other unity events. I know my folks need a stronger connection to our church family and I enjoyed the interaction immensely.

Excruciating

Excruciating...

...extremely painful
...causing intense suffering
...unbearably distressing
...torturing.

Excruciating...the word comes from Latin meaning, "out of the CROSS." Death on a cross was so painful and torturous, it warranted a pain word of its own. Good Friday may be good for us, but it was excruciating for Him.

0900 Jesus' wrists and feet were impaled. The cross beam was affixed to the upright. As the tenen settled into the mortice and those around settled down to watch, Jesus dying began.

Each breathe was purchased at the price of extreme, excruciating pain. Without the pain, Jesus could not exhale and was sufficating. To force air out and gasp fresh air, He had to pull His weight up by the nails in His wrists and feet. Searing, electric pain shot up and down the nerves from the wrist to the shoulder. His carpel bones ground around the square spike. Breathes were short and shallow.

1200 Three excruciating hours have passed. Jesus weakens from the lack of respiration, dehydration, exposure and shock. Darkness envelopes the land. It seems as if nature trys to shield the embarrassing shame of its Creator. To conceal the horror.

1500 Three more excruciating hours later, Jesus cries out in a loud voice and then exhales for the last time. Remember crucifixion restricts exhalations. It was an act of will to breath His last.

Proticol dictates the Roman execution squad verify death. This was accomplished by smashing the leg bones of the crucified with a malet. Without leg support the victim could not push up and breathe. They also would issue a death thrust with a sword or spear. Jesus they "verified" using the latter method.

When Joseph petitions Pilate for permission to remove and bury the body, an official inquest is ordered to certify His death. Crucifixion has been engineered to kill its victim, but not quickly. Some crucified persons lasted days before expiring. The Death Squad reports the death is "verified."


The Light of the World is extinguished...
The Maker of All is destroyed by His creation...
The Lord of Life is dead...

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day Jesus mandated a new Sacrament. Tonight is the anniversary of the institution of Communion, the Lord's Supper, Eucharist.

The words always haunt me, "On the night he was betrayed..."

This is the first Maundy Thursday since 2001 that I have not served the Meal of Grace on the anniversary of its inception. Tonight is also Passover. It was the Passover Seder that Jesus modified to be the sign of the New Covenant.

We are meeting with other Wesleyan believers tomorrow for a Good Friday service.

Whenever I think of the Meal of Grace I recall our wedding. As Lisa walked down the aisle in stunning beauty, I heard, "How beautiful, the Radiant Bride...how beautiful is the Body of Christ. How beautiful the hands that serve the bread and the wine...how beautiful..." We actually had the song sung to highlight the nature of the Covenant as mystery -- like the uniting of Christ and His Body, the church.

Holy Week as Pattern

Holy Week refers to the period of time from Palm Sunday through Good Friday to Silent Saturday. It memorializes the last few days of Jesus life and his death. It is sacred time.


During the Lenten Luncheon in Williamson, WV, I heard two ladies share a reflection on the events of Holy Week as a model for spirituality. Later, Lisa and I adapted it for a few Maundy Thursday services. We used the same structure to lead people through prayer stations focused on the various days activities.


Today, I'm using them to scaffold my personal TAWG.


Sunday. The first day of Holy week welcomed Jesus with waving palm-fronds and shouts of "God save!" We come into an understanding of His presence among us with praise, worship and thanksgiving. "I will enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise," said the Psalmist. I pause to praise Him for His character and to thank Him for His previous action on my behalf.

Monday. Monday found Jesus clearing out the Temple (Mark 11.15-19.) People had cluttered the courtyard with commerce, commotion and a cacophony of noise. They were taking advantage of travelling worshippers through the sale of sacrificial animals and exchanging "unclean" currency for temple shekels. Jesus redeclares the true purpose of the place is prayer and physically removes those things that detract from prayer. We need to clear the decks of all distractions from our communion with God, too.

Tuesday. Tuesday the disciples notice that a fig tree Jesus had cursed on Monday was now withered from its roots (Mark 11.20-25.) Trees naturally wither from the branch back to the root as the moisture withdraws. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the importance of forgiveness. I need to weed out any bitterness or anything that hinders the productive life of the Spirit.

Wednesday. Mark reports that on this day a lady annoints Jesus with expensive oil while he attends a dinner. In order to pour the precious ointment on Jesus, the jar had to be broken. So, too, my life. If I am to honor Jesus, I must allow the precious, reserved parts of me be broken open. I cannot keep things back for myself and honor Him as He deserves. Broken and spilled out for the love of You, Jesus...

Thursday. Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus gave us a new mandate -- partake in the Meal of Grace. Here we see Jesus institute the means of grace and command us to "Do this in rememberance of me." I must attend to the means of grace: solitude, fellowship, prayer, meditation, Scripture, fasting, giving, worship, etc. These have no power in themselves, they are just the usual channels through which God transfuses new grace into my life.

Friday. The Day of Death has come. But Jesus has been predicting this day, calling his followers to imitate Him in this cross-bearing. Paul says it best, "I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live. But the life I live, I live through Him..."

Saturday. Silence. Waiting. I continue in the Presence as I wait upon the Lord. Not bargaining or pleading or working or doing. I need to be still and experiencially know that He is God...

Holy Weak

Today is Tuesday of Holy Week. Lenten fasting and reflection winds down this week. The focus on the cross climaxes this Friday with the anniversary of the crucifixion. Then Sunday marks the RESURRECTION. These comprise the Highest Holy Days for Christianity.

Yet I feel weaker, less spiritual and further from Calvary than I did Ash Wednesday.

I lay awake at 4 am this morning struggling in prayer. The words got no higher than the ceiling, it seemed. I tossed and turned and wrestled with myself, with doubt, with frustration. My spirit groaned. My flesh cried out for the living God. Around 5:20, Sister woke and I brought her to bed with me.

The journey of faith is mysterious. Intimacy with the Almighty is sometimes followed with silence -- deafening silence. Highs sweep to lows. Clarity muddies into uncertainty.

Yet, Christ calls me to pick up my cross and follow him. Even if I am weak, he calls me His. His strength is pefected in my weakness. The power obviously is His not mine. He is my all in all, even when I'm not all that...

The Blessings Continue

I found out this morning that my Bachelor +15 classification should result in a pay raise! AND, it should also mean a back-pay check to the effective date of my new WVDE credential! Wow! that is good news.

I still have a ways to go on my Multi-Categorical Certification and Masters Degree, but the long journey is progressing!

God is good to me in ways I could not begin to deserve. Chief among them is my wonderful wife who poured so much of herself into making my 40th birthday unforgettable. She is the joy in and love of my life!!! She has been so patient while I have been away in night courses or summer school and I want this new chapter of my life to bring her joy and return on her investment and sacrifice.

Lisa is the best and deserves the best in return!

Palm Sunday

On the way to church this morning, I opened the mail from the previous two days. I was away and could not do so Friday or Saturday.

The WV Department of Education has issued me a teaching credential for LD Special Education and Bachelor + 15 pay classification!!

I was ready to really wave those palm fronds as I thought of how God had just helped me find favor with the WVDE.

Our crowd was small, but my heart was full!!

Fishing and Partying

Day two of the Boy's-Day-Out.

We tried to fish in the cold and wind, but were not successful at catching any. It was good to stand on the bank with my three brothers and share the morning together.

As boys, we always went fishing in the rain and cold during Easter Break along the banks of Blue Creek.

Kudos to Terry for loaning me a reel that actually worked and for going out of his way to drive me back to Poca!

Once back in Poca, I was suprised by a party in my honor. Many family, church-family and friends were there. It was great.

Lisa has outdone herself in planning and social networking with this weekend for me.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my 40th birthday.

For a suprise, Lisa rented a cabin at North Bend State Park for me to get away. She also invited my three brothers, my father-in-law and my sister-in-law's husband. This is my circle of male identity. They each drove a considerable distance and took valuable time from their schedules to spend it with me.

First, I enjoyed a tremendous visit with Mike as we drove from my house to North Bend. It was 2 hours of iron sharpening iron spiritual feasting.

Then, we joined Roger at the cabin and the spiritual recharge continued. We shared shop talk about the pastorate (both Mike and Roger serve as shepherds in their congregations.)

Along comes Luke, my brother-in-law. The male bonding and energizing continued.

Finally, Tim and Terry arrived and the political reparte that began in Mike's truck assumed a full-bore conservatism-fest. Tim lead the charge with much about stimulous and socialism.

We feasted on steak, potatoes, salad and toast from Roger's hand. We enjoyed laughs and conversation until about 2am.

It was a wonderful day.

Thanks to all who made it so!!!

My Boy is SO Smart!!

This morning, while driving to schools, E looks out the window and says, "Daddy, those clouds are purple. What does that mean? Pink ones mean rain." A little further down the road, he muses, "Daddy, those are aligator clouds." [a sign that the weather is changing]

I have been pointing out certain cloud formations and their prediction power for the day's weather. But having only mentioned them twice at most, I am truly impressed with his memory capacity and his ability to draw inferences and apply them to new cloud formations.

He delights me with his talkative, pokey reflections on life. I get to see the world again through his truly fresh eyes. I see with wonder what I have come to take for granted through constant exposure.

My boy is SO smart!!

April Blog Challenge

Today is the first day of April -- April Fool's Day.

In times past, Lis and I have used this day to announce the secret name of our children and other nifty pranks.

But my announcement today is no joke, no prank.

I am challenging myself to post every day of this 30-day month. I have never been consistent with the postings here, let alone made it for a solid period of time longer than a week. But I want to make better use of my time and spend more reflecting.

It is the time for reflections. Friday I cross a threshold into mid-life. I will mark my FORTIETH birthday -- the big 4-0! I have not accomplished all I had dreamed in boyhood but I have experienced more than boys can dream. I have spent much too long on life's treadmill of mediocracy and I have made marked progress as well. I have rested too long on potential and gifts.

I want the next phase of life to be full and productive. So I am challenging myself to live up to potential, to exercise the gifts God has granted and see what might come of it. I feel a pull toward intentionality.

So tune in dear reader and see if I can, with God's grace, the love of my good woman and kids, meet this first challenge and follow through.

Love this Boy and Love this Song!

Check this out, I guarantee it will make you smile. Thanks E. for the song and Momma for posting it for all to enjoy. You are my son, Shinn.

Come, Ye Weary, Heavy-Laden

Lent has been draining on my DW and I.

Two weeks ago, I left the pulpit feeling like a total failure. The guitar had picked up a local radio station and relayed it through the sound system. I had to disconnect. It was only me playing and singing so it was not up to par. The sermon focused on Jesus' fifth and sixth saying from the cross, "I am thirsty. It is finished." These are powerful sayings yet I felt the whole thing went flat. I literally had to fight back tears as I felt I failed in conveying the deep meaning of these words to our folks. I had failed...

This week L. left totally drained by the struggle with the nursery and the strain of constant service. She tried to share that with me, but I did not hear her clearly. I did not want to hear that she, too, was drained and discouraged.

We love our folks and each other. Sometimes the load gets heavy and the yoke gales a bit. While sitting here in writer's block, I heard Jesus singing to me, "Come ye weary, heavy-laden...if you tarry 'til you're better, you will never come at all." So, "I will arise and go to Jesus. He will embrace me in his arms. And in the arms of my dear Savior, there are 10,000 charms."

Come, SLIDE with me...

My DW is so creative. She amazes me with the things she imagines into reality. My life is definitely more interesting and wonderful because of her.

She had this idea. Let's put a slide off our back deck onto the patio for the kids. You just need to move a few runners and nail it down and it will work safely.

So we went to Lowe's and bought an 8-foot sliding board. I removed three runners and lag-bolted the slide into place. Then I moved our grill to the other end of the patio so they would not fall into searing hot metal at the end of their rides.

The kids almost exploded with excitement and anticipation as I went through the assembly.

Finally, E. was commissioned as the test pilot. He barely moved. The excitement meter went from explosive to fizzled in an instant.

So what's a Papa to do but go to the garage and retrieve the car wax to help things along. Yes, I waxed the board and buffed it to a high-gloss finish.

E.'s next test flight was literally a flight. One nanosecond he was sitting at the top of the slide, the next he was at the bottom. It was as if the car wax had transformed the slide into a Star Trek-like transporter, capable of moving matter through space instantly.

The excitement meter rebounded to near-explosive as E & J streaked down the lighting slide of speed.

Oh Daddy, Jesus Has Boo-Boo's!!!!

Shortly after Lent began God brought the reality of it all home to me through the voice of my son, E.


We read often to and with our kids. Sometimes at bedtime. Sometimes in the evening. Sometimes just to fill in time. One evening, right after supper we were reading a few books. Mommy brought in a little book about the Easter story. As she read through them, E. looked at the pictures and made comments or asked questions. At the turn of a page, Lisa began reading about the crucifixion. E yelled out, "Oh Daddy! Jesus has BOO-BOO's!!!" He was very upset.


The tears just streaked down my face and I struggled to say clearly, "Yes, E. Jesus got those boo-boos because He loves us."

There's Lent and Holy Week in a nutshell: Jesus has BOO-BOOs!

Seven Last Words from the Cross

We begin our Lenten series of teachings sitting at the foot of the cross. Being this close, we can hear the Last Seven Words of Jesus. This closeness is important, for the dying Jesus does not have the breathe to declare loud or long statements.


He undulates between cruel, painful torture and life-ending suffication. He purchases each next breathe with extreme torment. Yet He wishes to speak meaning into His execution so that we will not be blinded by the pain and shame. What happens here for the next 6 hours far exceeds the wooden beams, the thorny crown, the torn flesh, the slow, agonizing death.


Jesus speaks 7 times. We need the combined witness of all four Gospels to hear him for no one contains them all. Luke and John each give us 3 for a total of 6 while Matthew and Mark share the middle saying that makes up the seven.


In the course of our 2009 Lent/Spring Teaching we, at times, will combine sayings to keep the contextual cohesiveness. Each could be parsed and disected, but their power rests in the fact that our Savior spoke them while dying -- for the sins of the whole world.

Ash Wednesday 2009

Growing up in the conservative Holiness movement, I did not know what Ash Wednesday was. Except...something Catholic and meaningless.

My first year in college preparing for ministry in the same church I encountered Ash Wednesday in Allentown, PA where A LOT of people walked around all day with charcoal-grey crosses smudged on their foreheads.

Then I became aware of my spiritual heritage in the Holiness / Methodist / Episcopal / Catholic branch of the Christian family. The subjective, emotional understanding of the Faith I had experienced as a child left me longing for a firmer foundation on which to build my life. I found it in this historic connection to the Church at large.

I need a day like Ash Wednesday. If there wasn't such a day, someone would soon start it. I need a time to be reminded of my mortality and immorality. I need to pause and realize that I and everything I know will someday all be dust in the wind.

I still don't wear the ashen cross upon my forehead and I think it is my own need to keep my faith below the surface.

My Mountain Momma!

I have tried to relay some of the mixed blessing it is to be Appalachian in geography and culture. Today's entry is in that vein of posts.

Saturday was spent sawing, splitting, shuttling and stacking wood for my in-laws wood-burning furnace. It is their only source of heat and it has been VERY cold of late. So cold, in fact, that they ran dangerously low on fuel.

Lisa and I took the family to OH and while the kiddos enjoyed Momaw, Aunts and cousins, I went to work on the task at hand. Everything was layered in ice and snow. Hands soon became wet, cold and burning.

After a short start, I looked up to see my Mountain Momma walking through the garden. She was dressed to work. Soon she was operating the splitter while I shuffled the wood to it and then into the trailer. Before I knew it, she was hurling split wood into the trailer, too.

My wife is a good woman. Even in our younger years, when I foolishly teased her at summer camps, I took note that she was always working and helping her Dad. She could always be counted on to lend a hand. It is one of the things I love most about her. She is a doer of good deeds.

My wife is a great wife. Not only can she run a woodsplitter, carry and THROW wood, she supported my efforts with warm thanks and at-a-boys to keep me going. She thanked me for helping her Daddy. She is gracious.

Finally, my wife is HOT! After all that work, she went inside, showered and changed into a party outfit. On her way to the van to go to her BFF's Tastefully Simple party, she looked AMAZINGLY YUMMY! It stirred a flashback to the first time I saw her as an adult at the St. John the 23rd Retreat Center on Hodges Road, Charleston. She took my breath away as she walked past that series of windows. Wow! She did the same thing 15 years later this Saturday when she walked from the house to the van! She still turns my head.

So I did what any Appalachian boy would do. I hollered, whooped and whistled at my wonderful wife. She's my Mountain Momma. Eat your hearts out guys. Looks like she's sticking with me!

Give Me a Brake

I have mentioned previously (Appalachian Boy) that I am proud to belong to a resourceful people. I want to pass on my heritage to my son. So...

...last night E and I went to the local Advanced Auto to get a new headlight and some brake pads for the Cavalier. We came home bearing Captain D's supper and TimBits. After a hearty family supper, blessed by E's rendition of "God is Great...", he and I retired to the garage to replace the light bulb.

Now Chevy seems to be having financial problems due to a slacking in sales. Perhaps it has something to do with the HORRID engineering utilized in the construction of the Cavalier! The oil filter is approachable only by great patience and dexterity. Now I learn that changing a headlight bulb requires an advanced degree in engineering as well! You cannot access it without removing the entire headlight / turn light assembly. But something was holding it to the front quarter panel.

After an hour of thought, discussed, grunting, huffing and dismantling of rubberized covering pieces, I discovered the secret. A latch had to be deactivated with a screwdriver to release the assembly fom the frame!

All the while E. was with me. He refused offers to watch movies, get a bath or anything else until he had helped me fix it. Finally we were able to remove the blown bulb and install the new one. I let him test it by turning on the lights and running around the car to see it was actually on.

After he went to bed, I removed the old brake shoes and replaced them. They were GREATLY worn out and now things are good again.

We are going back to the Advanced Auto this evening to get wires and plugs. He (and I) can hardly wait to work together again on the challenges of the enigmatic Cavalier.

Puttin' on My Preachin' Jacket

The other night E walked into the living room and saw my sport coat hanging on the stair rail. He declared, "Daddy, I'm gonna wear your preachin' jacket." "Okay..." I muttered absent-mindedly while trying to unravel one of the universe's most complex mysteries -- how to upload iTunes tracks onto a non-iPod player. [But that's another post for another day.]

"You're going to do what?" I asked, shaking myself from my self-absorbed trance.

"I'm gonna put on your preachin' jacket and preach."

"Okay. Sister and I will come to church with you."

He then put my sport coat on (with a little help from me) and instructed us to go to the nursery where the kids go for church. We sat where he indicated. He then said that he was going to the platform to preach as he ascended the couch at the opposite end of the room. First he played a mean air-guitar and sang a really upbeat tune to lead our worship. Once that was over he said we needed to pray. So he folded his hands and whispered a few words "...in Jesus Christ's name. Amen." Then there was a slow tune played on the air-guitar.

Finally he muttered a few words of exortation and the service ended.

He did it again the following night and this time I had the video camera rolling.

This was a touching first because he was imitating me and that is indeed flattering and challenging. Second, he was reinacting something that at times we are not sure he is benefiting from -- being at church. Lastly, when I was just a little guy like him, I used to conduct church at my Grandma Andy's coffee table and preach, too.

Hmmm...

3000 Americans...

September 11, 2001...


...3000 Americans lost their lives...

...not from terrorism but from abortion.



That is the average number of "procedures" carried out every day since the landmark Roe -v- Wade decision was handed down from the United States Supreme Court on January 21, 1972. The average number of Americans whose lives were ended by the actions of others.

3000 lives end every day for 36 years!

Where is the outrage?
Where are the voices pleading, "Have you seen my loved one?"
Where are the tears?

3000 a day...

Prophesy: Exposing the Deeds of Darkness

Today we look at a third mission of the Church brought to mind by the season of Epiphany--Prophetic Outcry. While Epiphany does teach the church has a mission to reach the whole world and to tell our story in the place God, in His sovereignty, has placed us in the world, we also must embrace the mission of being salt and light in the world. The church has from its inception, and the Wesleyan Church in particular, had a ministry of prophetic outcry.

Ephesians 3.8-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3.16-20
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Matthew 5.38-42
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

This weekend memorializes the contribution of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the cause of Civil Rights in the U. S. Many gatherings and memorials have been planned in coordination with the historic Inauguration Ceremonies of Tuesday. While many have championed his contributions, others memorized at least parts of his famous speech in Washington, D.C, few speak of his emphasis on non-violent resistance. This was the "Soul-force" of the movement that overcame brutal physical force. It is an idea deeply rooted in the Christian message.

Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live as children of light. The Epiphany experience had so transformed them and their living that they stopped being darkness (not just being in darkness) and were now light. Remember now that they were living in the pagan Roman Empire where sexual promiscuity, brutality and slavery were the rule. Yet, Paul insists that the now-enlightened must expose the deeds of darkness.

Jesus Himself calls us to such exposure. But first He addresses our need of continued light. We stay in the light first as an admission of our humble need of Him. No one who seeks to live as a child of light begins with exposing darkness in others. We first come into the light to have our own actions and attitudes exposed. We only shine the light on others with a humble sense of obedience not joyful, Pharisaic self-agrandizement.

Next Jesus teaches that the best way to expose the deeds of darkness is to suffer openly. If someone slaps us, we take it. We even open ourselves to additional abuse. One who would strike twice when there is no resistance shows the evil of the act. As my Grandpa would say, "Two wrongs don't make one right."

Further Jesus says we are to offer our coat to the one who wins our shirt in a lawsuit. We are to volunteer to carry the load a second mile if compelled to carry it the first. Again, our suffering patiently and non-violently the injuries of an unjust law (there really was a law forcing people to carry the load of a Roman for one mile) exposes its injustice.

This is not a call to be the doormat for bullies and tyrants. It is active, courageous life as light exposing the evil and injustice in society. It is always chosen not imposed. The freedom to act even in slave-like conditions is true liberty. The goal is always the abolition of the injustice as it collapses upon itself.

This is true soul-force. It is natural and base to ball up our fists when struck. It is natural to hurl insults when insulted. It seems logical to meet force with force.

The Church rejoices in the memory of Dr. King for he brought the power of Epiphany to our troubled society in his day. But moreso the Church rejoices in the example of our Lord, who, when reviled did not open his mouth. His willing death on the cross exposed the jealousy and injustice of those who executed The Innocent Man. And He points the way for His church to continue the Prophetic tradition He began. We must decry the wrongs in our society and be willing to suffer their injuries to bring to light the true nature of injustice and evil amongst us.

Remember Telamachus

The story is told of Telamachus, a monk in the Roman Empire after Christianity became legal and recongnized. One day he felt God calling him to go from his monestary to Rome. There he was caught up in a crowd flowing into the Arena.

Once inside Telamachus watched in horror as gladiators fought to the death. He stood to his feet and cried, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The blood-thirsty spectators shouted for him to sit down and be quiet. He continued to protest, "In the name of Christ, stop!"

Eventually, he made his way to the front row and leaped over the retaining wall and into the fighting area. He ran to the nearest two combatants and begged, "In the name of Christ, stop!" As he pleaded with them, he was struck in the side with a gladias or short sword. He fell to the sandy floor and continued to plead, in ever weakening voice, "In the name of Christ, stop." Then he was silent.

The combatants stopped. Then all in the field of conflict stopped. There, in a pool of his own blood, lay the simple monk--dead. Slowly the stands emptied of spectators as the shock of this death settled in. Then the arena was silent and empty.

They say that Honorius, the Christian emperor, was so moved by the martyrdoom of one willing to expose the evil of mortal combat for entertainment by his own death, that he soon declared them illegal. No one fought to the death to entertain the crowds in the Arena again.

A Story to Tell to the Nations

This Sunday celebrates the Baptism of Jesus. At this time who He really was as God's Messiah and Son became clear to John the Baptizer. The next day John declared to two of his followers, "There is the Lamb of God." They followed Jesus and the truth dawned on them as well through their own experience with Jesus. They, in turn, told others about Him. This passage, John 1, sets the focus for our second Epiphany "Enlightenment."

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39"Come," he replied, "and you will see."

When we have the light of Jesus shed on our lives, we become light-bearers. Having accepted His invitation to "Come and see" we experience His love, power and leadership in life-altering ways. The transformation is profound.

We must then tell the story to those around us. Everyone has a story, a unique personal experience with God through Jesus. We each have a specific "net" or network of Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors to whom we can tell the Good News. We must brighten the corner where we are.

This duty, this privilege of telling our story ranks up there with trans-cultural missions we discussed last week. How sad that many will cross the oceans to spred the light to those unlike them, but will not cross the street to tell a neighbor. No one can tell your story like you can. And without the telling the message dies with you.

Like John we must translate our personal Epiphany to help enlighten someone else. We have influence over some more than others. These deserve to hear His story. And their reception of the light will in turn create more opportunities for its spread as they tell others, too. It only takes one to start the process!

How can I tell my story?

A few simple suggestions will help anyone tell their Epiphany story. First, write it out. This is important and should be worked out in advance of actual sharing. Second, tell in briefest terms what life was like B.C. (before Christ came into your life.) Don't spend too much time or emphasis here as we don't want to glamorize our sinfulness or sorrows. Then tell of how life has improved with Jesus in your life. Give one or two specific ways the Light has effected you. Then tell of the actual Epiphany moment. How did the light come on? When? Where? Be sure to include a nutshell of the Last Steps to Becoming a Christian (Romans' Road, ABCs of Salvation, Sinner's Prayer) to help them understand the conscious decision that must be made and God's promise on which salvation belongs. Lastly, K.I.S.S. it. Keep It Short and Simple. Be so familiar with it you can tell it from the first to the third floor on an elevator or elaborate in the necesary detail should more time or interest warrant.

Now, Go, Tell one person your story this week.

Nations Will Come to Your Light

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. Isaiah 61.1-6 (NIV)

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3.2-6 (NIV)

The Coming of the Magi to Visit Jesus

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[in its rising] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Christmas/Epiphany Squeeze-Play

We compress the birth narratives of Jesus found in Luke and Matthew for the sake of presenting all the known material of his early childhood. The literary license is used for plays and pagents to give a full-orbed view of this significant event--the invasion of time by the Eternal.

The first memorial to the coming of Jesus was Epiphany. It marked the revealing of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. We still celebrate the Enlightenment of the whole world every January 6. With it we conclude the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Like the distance between the dates of December 25 and January 6, there seems to be some time between the events of Luke's birth narrative and the coming of the Magi in Matthew. Matthew clearly states that the Magi event happened "after the birth of Jesus." The Magi find a "child" in a "house" not a baby in a manger. The star appeared or "rose" 2 years before they actually saw Jesus, as indicated by their reply to Herod and his murder of all males 2 years old and younger.

The Light has Dawned.

The first truth of the Magi Visit and Epiphany in general is that God sends enlightenment to every person. He grabs our attention. We cannot understand or please God through our own effort. But he has promised to get our attention.

The Magi were professional advisors of court. They studied areas of knowledge that the common person of the time would not have known. One such area of knowledge was astronomy. They studied the planets and stars trying to determine future events. This astrological method of divination of course was pagan and wrong, but God got their attention through a star.

The Light Drew Them Closer

God never speaks clearer than through His Word, the Scriptures. The Magi go as far as the could based on the signal star. They arrive in Jerusalem and ask to see the new King. In response, the scribes and teachers of the law site God's promise in Micah 6.2. Bethlehem, not the capital of Jerusalem, was the place to look.

We cannot do better for instructions for living or insight into God and his world than looking into the Bible. If it says, "Do," we'd better do. If it says, "Don't," we'd better not do. In the lids of this anthology we will find principles, precepts, precidents and practices that will improve our living and being. God's Word gives clear teaching on the nature of the universe and the origins of the world as it exists today. It also gives practical direction for money management, emotional health and healty relationships. Most importantly, it teaches us about God and how to properly relate to him.

They Left Different

After seeing Jesus, they worshipped him. Literally, they bowed down. Then they gave him significant gifts.

[Aside. What ever prompted the church to move away from giving as an act of worship?!?!? Sure, church growth "experts" said folks were turned off by offering-taking. But worship inside the lids of the Bible is always connected to giving of ourselves. We may have robbed folks of a blessing in the attempt not to offend them.]

Then they received new light from God. He warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. So they followed these instuctions and returned home by another route. They left differently than they came.

When we find Jesus, we too want to share with him, to bow down in obessance. And we, too, can leave different than when we came into the Light. Isaiah had the same experience in chapter 6 of his prophecy. Jacob had the same in his wrestling match with the Almighty. Seeing God changes us. Seeing his radiance makes us radiate his Light. The face of Moses shone with glory after he returned from the Mount of the Law's revelation.

We must radiate the love of Jesus to a dark and lonely world.

The Gift Is Given

Isaiah declared that "unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given." The Ultimate Christmas Gift was given thousands of years ago. It has your name on it. But we have not all received the Gift.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[put it out] it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1.1-18 (NIV)

Everyone's Gift

Pardon my Arminian emphasis but over and over in John 1 we hear God declare his plan for ALL humanity, not just a select few. God give light to everyone. Everyone who believes is blessed. The Gift has all our names on it.

Gifts are not paychecks, we don't earn them. I am not fond of the strong-arm behavior management use of Christmas. You know, the "You'd better be good or Santa won't bring you anything." "You'd better be good for goodness sake." My children will receive presents regardless of behavior. They are gifts, not something they earn. The gifts reflect our [Lisa's and my] love and our empassioned desire to bless our children.

This is especially true of the Ultimate Gift -- Jesus. God gave him out of a heart of love and a desire to bless the people of the world. He sent Christ to the good, the bad and the ugly. While no one would imagine they could earn such a One as Jesus, we must not imagine we could be so bad as to be disqualified from the Gift. God gives him to ALL.

Not Universalist

While God gave the gift to everyone, not everyone has the gift. Gifts are not earned, but they must be received. So many or, more acurately, most still have not benefited from the Ultimate Gift. It remains enclosed in a box and hidden in the wrappings of the holiday.

We must do as John 1 instructs. We must receive Jesus in order for the Ultimate Gift to have the Ultimate impact on our hearts and lives. But how does one receive this Best-of-Gifts?

Receive HIM

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1.12a

We receive Jesus first when we are willing to take him "as is." So often we think of Jesus as a Genie in a Bottle. He's there to help us out and make our wishes his command. He makes miraculous things happen at our behest. Or we might have any number of other false or warped images of who Jesus is based on family or church history. But like any other person with whom we wish to have relationship, we must take Jesus the way he really is and "seek not to alter when alteration find."

Believe in His Name

As we open ourselves to the Jesus who really is and cease from trying to fit him into the boxes of our imaginations, we will begin to trust him. That's what the Bible word believe implies to relating to God -- trust. We will grow in our interdependence on him as we release the need to control and learn more of his character. Time and intimacy with the Almighty leads us to trust even when we do not understand fully how or even what He is doing. This trust is the center of our relationship.

Given the right to BECOME.

We continually expand our understanding of the Jesus who really is and deepen our trust of him. He in turn continues a process of growth and development that changes us from the inside out. Faith in the Bible narratives is ALWAYS transformational. We have stopped trying to shape Jesus to fit our plans and entered into a change where he shapes us to fit his plan.

Here is where habits and patterns are deconstructed and new, wholistic ones constructed. Our spiritual and character DNA is spliced with that of Jesus. We literally become more and more like our Savior by his amazing grace.

So... have you RECEIVED this Ultimate Gift. The final steps of unwrapping him are as simple as A, B, C. Accept Jesus as he is revealing himself to you. Stop trying to use God and start allowing him to use you for his purposes. Believe or trust him and act as if his directions are the best and have your best interest at heart. Commit to the transformation process and to following his lead.

Jesus: The Prince of Peace

We have been unwrapping the Ultimate Gift: Jesus Christ. God gave this gift to everyone and yet not everyone experiences the blessings of this gift. We hope to find new dimensions of His presence as described in Isaiah 9.6 this Christmas.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Prince of Peace

The final aspect of this Ultimate Gift is the peace He brings into the lives of those who receive Him. Isaiah further promised that Of the increase of his...peace there will be no end. What does it mean to have His peace that always increases and never ends.

Isaiah fleshes out this Reign of Peace in Chapter 32:

1 See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. 2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land...16 Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. 17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. 19 Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, 20 how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

Prince of Peace [and Quiet]

When the Prince of Peace sets up His forever Reign, it will include quietness. This is the effect of right living. In our hustle and bustle toward Christmas Christ offers us quietness of heart and soul. How frazzled our spirits can get in the pursuit of the Perfect Christmas. Jesus wants to calm and quiet our heart like he did to the stormy lake. Today, hear him say to you, "Quiet! Be still!"

Prince of Peace [and Confidence]

Confidence is that calm assurance that all is well. When the Reign of Peace comes to stay, people will have such assurance. But even today, we can have the Blessed Assurance that Jesus is near. When my family went Christmas shopping, we had to go to Charleston. I was a small boy from the country and the city scared me with all the people. But as long as I held Mom or Dad's hand, I felt confident and sure. So it is with Jesus, he holds our life in his hands and we can be confident.

Prince of Peace [and Security]

When the Kingdom comes, the lion and the lamb will lay down together, children will play outside snake holes and all will be safe. We "ain't gonna study war no more" and spears will be refitted as plowshares. Peace will preside over all.

One of my favorite Christmas stories comes from the era of World War I. The whole of Europe was divided by a series of trenches interconnected with tunnels. It was a stalemate. In almost pointless procession, solders would receive orders to climb out of their trench and run across "no-mans-land" toward the enemy trenches. The goal was to break the stalemate and advance the battlelines. Almost always it resulted in the death and wounding of hundreds of men who would eventually have to fall back to their original position.

One Christmas eve after nightfall, the sound of singing drifted from the German side toward the Allied side of "no-man's-land." In German someone was singing "stille nacht, hailege nacht..." Silent Night. Soon some English and French singers joined the song.

Eventually, these singers climbed out of the trenches and walked toward each other. They exchanged Christmas greetings and the fighting ended...briefly. For just a while, eternity's peace invaded earth's warring.

Prince of Peace [Chieftain of SHALOM]

The Hebrew word for peace encompasses wholeness of the entire person. God sent Jesus to make a whole out of our fragmented selves. Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christ-followers, May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

God wants to pull together our brokeness and make us whole persons again.

Jesus: The Everlasting Father

The original Christmas gift was Jesus. He remains the Ultimate Gift. Advent 2008 calls us to finally unwrap this best of gifts. We were on God's Christmas List when He gave Jesus.


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6


The Everlasting Father.


Before His birth, Jesus was. Before the birth of His ancestors David or Abraham or Adam, Jesus was. Before the creation, Jesus was. He is the eternally Begotten of the Father who has lived with Him and the Holy Spirit in perfect harmony as God from before all time past. He is the Everlasting Father.


As such He exists eternally in the present. When speaking of Abraham, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth before Abraham was born, I am!" John 8.58 When Moses asked God what he could tell the Hebrews His name was, God relpied, "I AM." Jesus is present, never past or future. We may refer to His past acts or long for His future return, but Jesus lives in an eternal now that knows no past or future.


The proclaimation at every Meal of Grace (Communion, Lord's Supper or Eucharist) is "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." Advent especially reminds us of our expectant waiting for Jesus' Second coming. The future is bright for those who have opened the Gift of the Everlasting Father.



The Everlasting Father.


How many gifts from previous Christmases can you name? Not many, huh? How many gifts do you still have? Even fewer, I would guess. Every gift you get this year will in time fade, break down or wear out. These Neverlasting gifts promised happiness or convenience or renewed health or labor-savings. But the reality disappointed.


Jesus is EverLASTING not Neverlasting. Even the very world in which we live will wear out, declares Psalm 102.25-27, "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." So we must put our hope in the only One who will never change: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever!


The Everlasting Father.


When Christians speak of God we mean the One who is Three persons. God is Father, Son and Spirit. The Father is not the Son or the Spirit, the Son is not the Father or the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father or the Son. God is distinct in Persons, and one in Essence.


So why refer to the Son as The Everlasting Father?

The title fits very well with the remainder of the prophecy about this coming One. "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 7-8

Jesus will be the Father of a New Era of Justice and Peace, like Simon Bolivar was to South America or George Washington was to the United States. (By the way, Washington never "fathered" any physical children.) Jesus will initiate this new Kingdom of God with His second coming. We look for a city whose "achitect and builder" is Jesus (Hebrews 11.10.)

And this Era of Peace will never end. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Jesus: The Mighty God

Jesus is the Ultimate Christmas Gift. But many have never openned the gift God provided. This Advent is a call to open ourselves to Jesus: the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

The Mighty God.

First, this is a divine title for Jesus. He is God. With the Incarnation, God became a man. In Him we see what God is like, how he would respond and how he would have us live. Jesus is not just an historic figure. He requires greater notice than a "good teacher."

Jesus claimed to be God! Along with C.S. Lewis we must proclaim the Tri-lemna. Either Jesus is a lunatic: someone out of touch with reality in claiming to be God like someone might claim to be an Easter Bunny, or he is a liar: someone who knows good and well that he is not God but claimed to be anyway, or he is Lord: someone who really was God-in-flesh-appearing.

The life of Jesus does not reveal someone mentally unstable. His teachings and ethics are matched by his lifestyle. He is a man of integrety.

It is the claim of Scripture and the teaching of the Church that Jesus cannot be thought of as a good man or teacher. He is The Mighty God.

The Mighty God.

Second, this name for the promised Son reveals his nature as a victorious warrior. The coming One would be like the Mighty Men of Valor in the Hebrew Scriptures. These were men whose military exploits made them national heroes. They were brave, strong, persistant and won the victory.

Jesus, though his Suffering, Death and Resurrection, has become the Victor. He now has victory over death, Hell and the grave. When he rose again to life he lead captivity captive and made an open triumph over the law and sin. He will return in the clouds as a Prince at the head of a vast army of light. He's the All-Time-Undefeated-Undesputed Champion.

The Gift.

With this Mighty God as your present Christmas gift, you can be made more than a conquerer! Nothing in all of creation can defeat you with Jesus as your Champion. The habits, hurts, heartaches, hardships and hurdles that have defeated you in the past are no match for this Mighty God. Turn these over to Him today and experience what true victory can be like.

Prepare the Way of the Lord

Advent means coming. Like parousia, it often refers to the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth. We focus on His coming as the Babe and as the Bridegroom, the kid and the King, the infant and the Infinite.

But what of our coming to him?

I use purple as the liturgical color for Advent because I believe it calls us to move toward Him as well. Many have moved to the royal blue and away from the penitential purple. But, like John the Baptizer, Advent cries out, "Prepare ye the way of the LORD! Make straight paths." Advent demands we level the way, lowering the lofty and lifting the low. Roughed up people and relationships need smoothing. Advent calls us to work at ushering in the Coming One, walk the way of preparation and watch for His approach.

James teaches that if we "draw near to God, He will draw near to you." The Gospel empowers us to be workers together with God in advancing His kingdom. Our participation is a privilege. God invites us as persons of will to journey with Him in this path of reconciliation. But we could never reach Him if He were not reaching for us. He doen't do this to us, but in cooperation with us.

In the din of voices crying, "Buy!" "Sale! Sale! Sale!" there is one clarion call.

"Prepare the way..."

I Come from "Good People"

They are "Good People." This is an Appalachian expression I've heard all my life. And over the past few days I have seen what it means. Two of my uncles stopped by during our mourning the passing of Grandma McCoy to show support and condolences. First my Uncle June (Oscar E. Anderson, Jr.) stopped by the funeral home. I'm sure he did so just to see me and Lisa. He doesn't really know the rest of the family very well. He was on his way to a Boy Scout council meeting. That was "Good People."

Then on the day of the funeral, my Uncle Robert paid his respects. He is my Aunt Mary (Shinn) Kennedy's husband and a good ol' boy from up Sanderson. He knows Roger well as they serve in the same district of TWC. He also shook hands and spoke in a familiar way with all Edna's children. No one else did so all day. Then I spoke briefly with him. That is definitely "Good People."

I am blessed to be among and from such "Good People." I have a rich Appalachian heritage and am truly blessed by God to belong to and with such wonderful, simple folks.

The Ties that Bind...

Families are a mixed blessing. In them we form our basic identity, patterns of operation and relationships that will go with us throughout our lifetimes. Positive behaviors and self-limiting self-talk take shape among family. We share more than just genetics we share experiences--both good and not so much. In this sharing we find common strengths and weaknesses.

The basis for family is marriage. Each marriage builds a new one from the remnants of two previous ones. The relationship and relatings of Mom and Dad inform the relationships and relatings of the children in the family. The stability of the family comes from a strong marriage partnership.

Yesterday, Lisa's Grandma McCoy was laid to rest.

I've thought much over the last few days about Laco and Edna. I also thought of Lovell and Allie and Os and Louise. These relationship were not perfect but they were permanent. The bedrock of whole tribes of children, grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. These folks and their salt-n-pepper partnership could be counted on. There used to be something unchanging in the rapidly changing world.

I want so very much for my children to have memories of their Mom-maw and Pop-pops, their house, their love, their example and their always being there. My own parents cannot provide this stability. My childhood family now has dual addresses and lifestyles.

I am Appalachian. We are a people bound to our land and to our clan. I pray daily that my children's children can find such a blessed heritage as Lisa and I have known in our grandparents. Amen.

Jesus: Wonderful, Counselor

My denom, the Wesleyan Church, has created a church-wide Advent resource this year. It has some great helps, ideas and multi-media. We like so many others are following the outline for our Advent Worship and spiritual formation.

The first Sunday, November 30, focused on Jesus: Wonderful Counselor. This series will unpack the four names of Jesus given in Isaiah 9.6 and what it might mean to receive Him as the Ultimate Gift in these ways this Christmas.

But are there 4 names (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) or five (Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace)? The modifier/noun pattern supports the grouping of four. The fact that wonderful and counselor do not have a definite article (the) preceeding them as the others do lends credance to the grouping of five names.

The words themselves are an interesting mix. Wonderful comes from a Hebrew word that most often is translated as miraculous work attributed to God. It is an amazing mystery how these things were accomplished. These works of God form the basis for exalted praise.

Counselor denotes one who leads with a plan. Like those who advise a king, this counselor will provide wise planning to carry out a goal or objective.

It was not too exegetically palatable or homiletically smooth to teach Jesus as Wonderful Counselor. But I did Sunday. Amazing, jaw-dropping things happen when we follow the leading of this Counselor rather than hurry to the Throne of Mercy/Grace and ask Him to bless our plans that they might succeed. The former leads to victory, the latter leads to confusion about God's love, power and leadership when our plans do not succeed.

Faith's Worship, November 30, 2008

This is what Worship Time looked like at Faith this first Sunday of Advent:

Gathering Time
Welcome/Announcements
Musical Call to Worship: Our God Saves
Advent Candle: The Light of HOPE
Opening Prayer

Gathered Time
Community Singing
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Here I Am to Worship, Forever, Sing to the King
Morning Prayers
Special Music: Tim Allen

Teaching Time
Isaiah 9.1-2, 6-7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Teaching: Jesus, The Ultimate Gift: Wonderful, Counselor

Dismissal Time
Benedition

The Exploited Become the Exploiting

This past week's reading from Ezekiel was extremely convicting for me as I prepared and presented the Teaching Time to Faith Community Church. The passage begins with a rebuke of the shepherds, or leaders, God had appointed over Israel. They took advantage of the very sheep they were to lead, protect and provide for. God was displeased.

But what really haunted me was the rebuke God gives to the exploited sheep. It seems they began exploiting each other in the scarce and scary circumstances created by the bad shepherds. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, Lean times had made the sheep mean. When things got tough, the sheep got tough on each other, too.

I thought of all the negative "normals" in which people develop. Homes with addicted parents, abuse (verbal, physical and sexual) and so on. How tragic that many in these situations repeat the offenses they found so offensive as children. We need a Shepherd, a King, to teach us a new normal.

I thought, too, of the times I have been put upon only to turn and take it out on someone else. The traffic jam, caused by a wreck, irratates me because it slows me up. So I get aggressive in my driving. The person in the "10 items or less" isle that obviously is too self-absorbed to notice she has 100 items and is upsetting MY rights and privileges. Displaced agression that expresses itself in harsh words to my family, irratibility with my coworkers and even "kicking the dog."

We need a shepherd to teach us how to face injustice like a lamb. We need a king to teach us how to be patient in suffering. We need to know what it could mean to "suffer long and remain kind."

Faith Worship

The liturgy for Faith looked like this Sunday, November 23:

Gathering Time
Welcome/Announcements
Call to Worship: Psalm 100 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Ticket to Worship: One "Thank you, God." Personal praise sentences.

Worship Time
Musical Praise
Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
For the Beauty of the Earth
Forever
Sing to the King.

Morning Prayers
Special Music: Offering gratefully received at this time.

Teaching Time
Lesson One: Psalm 23
Lesson Two: Ezekiel 34.11-24 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
'As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?
'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.
Teaching: The King Is Coming
Response: You Are My All in All

At the Lord's Table of Grace
Instruction, Reading (1 Corinthians 10.16-17), Invitation, Distribution and Participation
You Are My All in All (verse 2 & chorus)

Dismissal with Blessing
Hebrews 13.20-21 20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Not Willing...

The Momma and I try to instill in our children the importance and fun of trying new things. So from time to time we introduce new experiences and foods and games to them. We hope they will at least be gracious and courteous when confronted with different things while we are guests in someone else's space.

Well...last night we served lasagne for dinner.Jillian ate all we would give her. Eli was not hip to the idea. So we applied the try-just-one-bite procedure. If Eli tried just one small bite, he would share in the cookie desert. Otherwise he would not.

He did not. He kept leaving the table. We have already established the may-I-be-excused procedure. He tried escaping the choice, begging out of the consequence and outright hostility all in an effort to avoid the lasagne. He threw such a fit that we went to phase two and started a count-down clock. Still he refused. He went to bed without desert.

As I sullenly sat in the doorway, barring his intended raid on the cookies in the kitchen, he intermitantly said, "Leave me alone" and "get away from me." I cannot tell how this tore at my heart. I was already sad that he had chosen to miss the cookie. I was distressed that he was upset.

Suddenly it was not his voice I heard. It was my own. I thought of many times I said the same thing to the Heavenly Father. My head began to spin as I thought of the human condition. What we long for is right there within easy attainment. But we stubbornly insist on our way, thinking it better than the Father's way. Humanity is broken in ways that only lead to more brokeness. All the sadness and stress would disappear if he (we) just did the requested.

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, unconverted mankind spends their lifetimes saying, "Leave me alone, God." And in eternity, God will finally let us have our way...

Last night I stopped trying to convince Eli to eat. I just lay down beside him and cried, too. I could not make him do this simple thing without becoming a cruel dad. I could not remove the consequence without becoming an indulgent dad. But I could not let him face it alone. I hope that means I might be a good dad.

Every day I'm a daddy, I am overwhelmed with the love, patience and pain the Heavenly Father must have.

Dual Citizenship

My people were Pilgrim Holiness. The name is a descriptor. The holiness aspect has been emphasized alot in my posts. Today, 2 days after the national election, I feel the need to stress the pilgrim aspect a little.

Many of my friends and relatives are in a state of concern, mourning and dismay after the election returns placed a liberal Democrat in the White House. My people are by nature conservative. Some have a feeling of disappointment and others a sense of dread.

But I can't get very worked up about it all. I remember the dejection and fear that gripped the conservatives when Bill Clinton was elected. I remember the predictions of woe and doom. I bought in to the fear and sadness. But we survived that period.

I remember the joy and expectation when the Republican regained the White House and Congress. Again, I bought in to the euphoria. But the Republican-controlled White House and Congress turned out to be not so very different in spending and power-grabbing for the next 8 years. We survived that period.

I keep coming to a bedrock belief that Washington, D.C. is not the center of my universe. The places of power in this world are not my hope.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

Today, I want to affirm my Pilgrim roots. I am a dual citizen. I am an active citizen of the United States of America. I am thankful for the blessings I enjoy here. I support my country.

But I am a dual citizen. Heaven is my native land, through Jesus Christ. My country has a King, that is not subject to polls or the "will of the people." Because He is just and good and all-powerful, His governance goes on uninterupted in peace and stability.

The Roman Empire was falling to pieces. Internal corruption from the power-hungry and external invasions from barbarians tore at it. By this time the Church was the official religion and no longer an underground movement. The believers were losing hope as they saw their City being destroyed. Then Augustine called for a refocus of faith, not in the City of men (the body politic) but in the City of God (the body of Christ), the "eduring city" of Hebrews 13.14.

So today, brothers and sisters, both Democrates and Republican, Independents and Greens and Libertarians, work hard to bring righteousness, justice and peace to our land in the name of the Kingdom. Support, campaign and vote your conscience.

But look not to the City on the Potomac, look to the Coming City! Keep the anchor for your future hopes in the King who comes! Only on the New Earth will our pilgramage be over.

Just out of my reach...

Yesterday after work, we took the kids to a local playground for some good-natured goofing off in the warm sunshine. The weather is supposed to turn back to cool and cloudy in a couple of days. Jillian ran around and tried to replace all the loose gravel back in to the play area--one gravel at a time. She worked for a very long time on this task. She shows signs of real determination (stubborness.)

Eli desided he would climb the "rock wall." He loves these and usually attempts them. Most children's "walls" are generously sloped for better gripping and only 5-6 feet tall. This allows a parent to "spot" the climber to prevent falls.

The wall E attempted was at least 10 feet high. It was designed so the child could dismount onto a raised platform only 6 feet up. The first 3 times he climbed it, he used this approach. I spotted him and things were fine. He really didn't need any assistance, but I felt better providing a Papa safety net.

Attempt 4 was more adventurous. E climbed straight up and said he was going over the wall. The last 2.5 to 3 feet I could only touch the bottoms of his shoes as he struggled to throw his leg over the top of the wall and then hoist himself over.

I cannot describe the sensation of wanting to keep him safe and yet being so very proud of his adventurous spirit and obvious strength and coordination that was lifting him to conquer a challenge. Impressive for any 3 year-old, I think. A voice of panic kept rising in my throat and yet the will to act kept it from escaping my mouth. It was a most terrific and exilerating sensation that literally swept over my whole self in wave after wave.

Having clambered over the top, he looked down with an expression of joy and pride.

And as I stood there, I realized my hands were still stretching up to hold him...

...then the swurling thought that accompanied the panic/pride solidified into a crystaline form. This is the rest of my life with my boy. I will always have to balance his need for assistance with his need to attempt. I must provide support while allowing him to struggle. This panic/pride sensation will be the emotional soundtrack of my role as his Papa.

After descending the slicky-slide, he started climbing again. "Help me, Daddy," he said. At the crucial last 3 feet of his second ascent, I prayed, "Help me, Father..."

A Vote of Conscience

Yesterday I spoke to Faith Community Church about a Vote of Conscience. My goal, to describe with broad strokes the options Christ-followers have taken in regard to elections and some issues that the Scriptures address, challenged me as a speaker and I hope my folks as listeners.


I believe the Bible is not partisan but is political. Issues like support of life, care of the poor, widows and orphans, stewardship of the earth, justice, women's role in society, treatment of aliens and workers flesh out in the body politic of any society. Laws either sanction or subvert these Biblical values. Even if we choose not to engage in political activity, we must admit a political element to these issues.


Views of a Vote of Conscience


1. Declare one political party the "Christian" party. Evangelicals as a whole have adopted this view of voting since the mid 1970's. During this time the Republican party has been canonized as the Right party. Those looking at politics through this lense struggle to understand or accept that a Christ-follower could, in good conscience, vote Democrat. This outlook often expresses itself in voting "Straight-ticket."

2. Declare all political parties "Pagan." Some in my particular denominational heritage followed this thinking. The world system is evil and we are "just-a-passin'-through" anyways so leave the government to crooked politicians. Most would associate the Amish with this fortress and separatist mentality now. This view is expressed in not voting or otherwise engaging in the political process.

3. Vote on Issues of Conscience. A middle way between the extremes of #1 & #2 is to set personality and party aside. Key issues involved in each election are weighed against Kingdom building and Kingdom values. This approach requires that the Christ-follower enter into a deliberative process. A clear understanding of Kingdom values, priorities of values, position statements of candidates on the issues and comparisons must be found. Then the informed voter votes for the candidate based on Conscience.


ISSUES that GOD is Conscious of...


Not every plank of a candidate's platform rises to the level of a moral issue. Big government or smaller government, free-market capitalism or socialism or communism or feudalism, representative republic or direct democracy or even monarchy all deal with intricacies important to Americans, but not necessarily any is right or wrong. Christ's Kindgom is growing independent of all of these in every part of history and the globe.


But even a casual look at the Bible reveals several issues that are of repeated interest and emphasis.


LIFE...


God, in numerous places, takes a strong stand for life. God creates life. God commands man and woman to procreate life, to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." He declares life sacred and attached the sternest penalty to any man or beast that takes the life of a person.


God speaks of the unborn as persons. Psalm 139.13-16 describes the intimate involvement of God with the writer, prior to his birth. Isaiah 46.3-4 takes this "from-conception" involvement and shows it extends to the aged. Those at the ending of life are not to be discarded, as many ancient cultures thought, but supported. One's value does not depend on productivity or contribution. James 5.6 also declares God's concern for those wrongly condemned and executed. People are not to be "thrown away" or devalued even after committing henious crimes. The Bible does call for capital punishment, but sets a very high standard for its enactment. The condemned remains a person.


JUSTICE...


The prophets cried out against injustice more than any other "political" issue. The effects of sin are corporate as well as individual. Whole societies need salvaging and sanctifying. The poor often suffer injustice as those with more resources can present a more developed case in court. Many of our current practices exploit the poor -- exorbitant interest rates and fees from check-cashing companies, the lottery, rent-to-own...

The uninsured are treated differently than those with insurance. Medical and life-changing decisions are made based on ability to pay. The poor receive poor care.

God is concerned about the treatment of aliens and strangers among His people. Those visiting our country need to be treated with care and their personhood maintained. This is often a difficult mandate to balance with the need for safety and immigration control.

The worker who is defrauded honest wages also concerns the heart of God. James decried the abuse of workers that further enriched the wealthy. Today large companies make decisions in favor of profit sharing with stock holders over paying or retaining the workers that produce the profits.

God safeguards the rights of women. In Numbers 27, god affirms the inheritance rights of women. The divorce laws in Deuteronomy provide protection to women who were being "swapped" at the whim of husbands. The law specifically forbids divorcing and then later remarrying a wife after she has been remarried to another man. This effectively put an end to the trade of women as property and emphasized their personhood.

BASIC NEEDS...

Everyone has certain basic needs. Among these are food, shelter and clothing. Matthew records Jesus' teaching about the final judgement of humanity. There God will seperate persons based on the following criteria: "I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was naked and you clothed me. I was a stranger and you took me in." The astonished examinee will declare they can't recall doing these things for Jesus and he says, "If you did it for the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me."

Lastly, the Judge recalls that he was "sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me." Humans also need, in a very basic way, interaction with other human beings. We all too often will give toward charities that meet the basic needs of others. But we do not personally interact with others ourselves. Everyone needs to be looked in the eye, taken by the hand and given a pat on the back. No one benefits from being looked down on or ignored. No one should feel abandoned or invisible.