A Boomer in the Pew

I Will say to the Lord, My Refuge and my Fortress

Creative Commons Photograph from Xavier Fargas, on Flickr.

Psalm 91 is a very precious, and intimate word from Yahweh.  It is completely, and very personally about Yahweh's promised protection to his children.  I particularly cling to the last stanza:

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Six times Yahweh says, "I will". 

Oh my soul, run and forever stay in the Fortress of God!

A Discussion on Swine Flu, God's Sovereignty, Your Worldview, and Your Choice

You can't be near the main stream media without hearing about a potential forthcoming swine flu pandemic.

When we hear such talk, it is human nature to take this information and process it into an action of some sort.

These actions will be visible in many ways:

• some will bury their heads in the sand.
• some will wait and see.
• some will immediately snap into action, and attempt to become a student of the problem.
• some will simply run out and get a shot.

Interestingly, this potential pandemic brings a wonderful opportunity for us to take a serious look at our belief system.

As Christians, how are we to act when faced with this looming threat:

1. God has nothing to do with Swine Flu, and choose from the list above?
2. God has everything to do with the Swine Flu, and I choose no action and will rest in his sovereignty?
3. God may, or may not, have anything to do with the Swine Flu, but he gave us doctors, and medical knowledge, and it is my responsibility to learn, and take action?
4. I'm going to run, and take my family to a deserted desert island until this blows over?
5. I am going to ignore the whole thing, stick my head in the sand, and play a video game?
6. A combination of these, or perhaps somewhere in between?

What say you?

What are we to Think of: A Statement of Evangelicals and Catholics Together?

Ever since the Reformation, a rift has existed between Protestants and Roman Catholics. These fissures are deep, long standing, a certainly the work of the god of this earth (Satan) to divide the Bride of Christ.

In 1994, a group of prominent evangelical Protestants, and a prominent group of Roman Catholics gathered together to sign a document entitled Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

This group has put forth a number of documents over the years, and this month puts forth Do Whatever He Tells you:  A Statement of Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

This particular document centers around the person of the Virgin Mary.  The document crafts the common ground of belief between the two camps, and then respectfully presents the difference of opinion from each camp, with each camp crafting their individual dissenting views.

These differences essentially revolve around four beliefs:

• Roman Catholic's believe in Mary's perpetual virginity.  In other words, even after the birth of Christ, Mary remained a virgin, and never consummated a sexual relationship with Joseph, maintaining that the vessel Mary was sacred, and would be stained with such a sexual union.
• Roman Catholic's believe in Mary's immaculate conception.  This belief holds that Mary, from the moment of her birth, was completely without the stain of sin on her life.  This belief puts her in the same sinless league as Christ.
• Roman Catholic's believe in Mary's bodily assumption.  Under this belief, Mary never physically dies, but is brought directly to heaven in a manner similar to Elijah.
• Roman Catholic's believe in the invocation of Mary.  In other words, Mary is involved in the dispensation of grace, and possesses an intercessory role between the Christian and Christ.

The other great challenge between the groups is that these four Roman Catholic beliefs were not gleaned from Scripture, but transferred as true truth through "Sacred Tradition". 

• Roman Catholic's maintain that the Pope, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, has the ability to bring about true truth, from whence comes "Sacred Tradition", outside of the Word of God.  Thus, in 1950, the Pope declared a true truth (Sacred Tradition) that Mary never died a physical death, but was brought alive to heaven.

I must confess, these chasms are infinitely deep.  I scratch my head in wonder as I contemplate what to think of all of this.  Protestants like Dr. John MacArther would maintain that these chasms are so infinite that we do our Roman Catholics friends harm by attempting to find any common unity. 

I understand Dr. MacArthur's concerns, but frankly, I haven't come to any conclusions about this apparent movement to unite evangelical Protestants with our Roman Catholic friends.

Most certainly there are Roman Catholics who are truly among the elect.  But, I am thinking, that a great, great many may not be.  To be fair, this same statement holds true of those professing a Protestant faith.  I am confident that at judgment day, there will be unfortunate, surprised, and eternally banished people from both camps.

So, what are we to think of this document?  Any thoughts?

Ahab, Jezebel, Naboth's Vineyard, Archaeological Digs in Jezreel, and Pascal's Wager

Once of the most compelling authentications of the Biblical narrative are the archaeological signs scattered all over the Middle East.

This morning I was reading the account of the weak-kneed King Ahab, whose wife Jezebel had Naboth the Jezreelite stoned to death, so that Ahab might have a vegetable garden.

It occurs to me over, and over, that God has really left us no excuse to deny his existence.  He has left us a trail that even a deaf, dumb, and blind Indiana Jones could find.

When you stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon, creation screams to us of God's existence. 

When you make an honest study of the historical record, there is very compelling evidence of God through the eyes of men, and women from history past.

And when you combine all of that with the archaeological evidence, you really are forced to pronounce a verdict.  There is certainly enough evidence to force us to make a conclusion.

Thankfully, God has not left us merely the cynical words of the atheist.  To the sincere seeker, God will certainly be found.

Have you given all of the evidence of God a serious consideration?  It really is most compelling. 

Perhaps you should take Pascal up on his wager, and do some personal research.  If God does exist, and I believe that is the case, then you will find yourself in the most awful place at your death as an unbeliever.

 

Praying a Lament for Friends in Need

I just received word that one of my dear blogging friends continues to be financially ravaged by this recession.

We have all been touched, but for some the bottom has not yet hit.

As I was reading Psalm 88 this morning (a lament) I was taken back with the direct language.  In one spot the Psalmist essentially says, "if you (God) continue to press on me, and drive me to Sheol (Hell), how will I give you praise?  Can the dead bring you glory?"

Wow!  This person is really feeling the thumb of God in their life.

Then, in reading the study notes for this Psalm, the author suggested praying this lament on behalf of someone who is seemingly likewise under stress from the movements of our Sovereign King.

I hadn't really given that a thought before.

Therefore, my great, and loved blogging friends, this lament's for you!

O Lord, God of my salvation;
I cry out day and night before you.
 2 Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!  3 For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
 5 like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
 6 You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

 8 You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
 9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O Lord;
I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But I, O Lord, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
16 Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17 They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.

God's Survival Guide for Enduring Economic Hard Times

This current recession has been very difficult for a great many in our nation.  Furthermore, this particular recession has reached into the very heart of all economic classes. 

A great many workers find themselves unemployed and facing great uncertainty, while millions of baby boomers, standing at retirement's door, found their assets cut in half, and their life course completely changed.

One of the first things that the Christian must wrap their minds around is that God is in control, is sovereign, and in a most mysterious way has ordained this. 

I have been forced to come to grips with this myself, and have written about it in the following articles:

• Did God prescribe America's current recession?
• John Piper - this recession is ordained by God, don't waste it!
• Why has God created this great recession?

Armed with this understanding, and more importantly bowing the will to God's sovereignty, we can then begin to find the blessing in all of this mess. 

Blessing you say?  Are you nuts?  How can there be blessing when I don't have a job?  How can there be blessing when I am 65 years old, and must go back to work because my assets have been destroyed?

First of all, if these questions are resonating in your heart, you must go back to step one, and bend the knee to God.  God uses recessions to get our attention.  He desires that we place him in the highest place in our life.  When economic times are good, we can easily forget our Creator.

However, once we have "done business with God", and have a right understanding, we can then begin to move forward to find God's blessing from the trial.

I implore you, please don't take the following prescriptions lightly.  There are directly from the lips of God, through James:

• Step #1 - seek wisdom.  I can tell you that a great part of my pain, during this economic downturn, was due to a lack of wisdom in certain areas.  God desires to teach us, to give us wisdom.  We only need ask. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5)
• Step #2 - deepen your faith.  This will require some work on your part.  What is it that God desires to teach you whilst you lie on your back?  Most likely it has to do with your relationship, and having a proper understanding of who God is.  This faith, and its accompanying understanding, is found by reading, studying, listening to, hearing preached, and dialoging with others about God's word.  There is no other way.  God speaks to us, in the era of the church, primarily through the hearing of his word.  Commit yourself to a regular diet of God's word.  It will change your life.  "But  let him ask in faith, with no doubting,..." (James 1:6) Faith is a settled trust.  Faith is finally crying uncle, coming to the end of yourself, and placing your trust in God, through Jesus Christ.  Without this, you will never have the ability to find this joy of which the Bible speaks.  You will be constantly bantered about by the waves of life.
• Step #3 - be obedient.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  Faith and obedience go hand in hand.  Our post-modern culture hates the idea that we must surrender our wills, and be obedient to a sovereign God.  We are most pleased to be the sovereigns in our lives.  Yet James instructs us to be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers of the word.  Our faith is worthless, if we are not willing to put it into practice.  In fact, the Bible uses incredibly graphic terms for this type of "faith".  A steaming pile of dung comes to mind. 

Here's the deal.  I have looked at these three things most of my life.  But to be honest, I never really possessed them.  This time, through this economic crisis, God got my full attention, and I have been on a three year journey to actually own these traits, instead of giving them lip service.

When you look at these three steps, do you yawn, or do you deeply desire them? 

There is a blessing for those who learn to persevere, for those who will run the good race:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

This not only refers to eternal life with Christ, but it also alludes to the laurel wreath given to the winner in athletic games.  

Let's together join to obtain not only the promised golden crown, but let's also join to obtain the laurel wreath presented to champions of the faith right here on earth.

If you desire to learn more about this, here is an on-line audio message from Pastor Jamie Rasmussen, given at our men's Marketplace Bible Study.

Elijah, Mount Carmel, False Gods of Baal, and America's Relativism

21st century America is a morally confused place.  It would seem that our populace daily confuses pluralism with relativism.

You see, pluralism is the idea that a nation may exist and allow differing ideas, or religions to coexist.  This is one of the founding principles of America.

Whereas, relativism would seem to take this further and proclaim that not only can differing ideas coexist, but there is no true truth, or absolute.  If you believe something to be true, then of course it must be true. 

Christianity is unpopular in a relativistic society because it boldly refutes the idea that there is no absolute.  Over and over, the Bible proclaims that there is one true God.  Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, the life.  No man comes to the Father except by me".  (John 14:6)

King Ahab, and the Israelites had taken to worshiping the false god Baal.

God wasn't pleased, and therefore sent Elijah to King Ahab.

Surprisingly the events lead to a "my God is bigger than your god" showdown.

A contest is set up where both "Gods" are to show themselves, and unfortunately, for the Baal worshipers, nothing happens.

Seeing this, Elijah mocks them saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” (1 Kings 18:27)

Then Elijah calls upon Yahweh, and fire rains down from heaven consuming the sacrifice.

God desires that we all know the he alone is God.  The Scriptures are full of examples, and culminate in God's ultimate sacrifice through Jesus Christ.

America...relativism is a lie!

Unfortunately, the god of this world (actually a fallen angel named Satan) desires to keep you blind:  "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4)

There can only be one Creator.  There can be only one true truth. 

Therefore, let's discontinue relativism's lie, and begin the debate.

Jeremiah 32:38-41 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Dr. Wayne Grudem: Christians and Politics

Dr. Grudem was out of town on Sunday.  Therefore, our series on Christians and politics will resume next week.

In the meantime, why not refer a friend to this series.  We are certain to have some very interesting dialog.

How does God speak his will to President Obama?

It has been many years since the end of King Solomon's life.  Unfortunately, as I have read over the past few days, I have seen many unfaithful kings come and go.

We now find ourselves in Israel, with Ahab as king, and Baal has become the predominant god of Israel.

Another transition we are going to see here, is that God begins his predominant communication channel through the prophets.  Evidently, God is fed up with prideful, and sinful kings as his messengers to his people.

It is into this long succession of idol worship that we find ourselves introduced to the prophet Elijah.

As is now customary, God must get the attention of his people, now divided into two nations (Israel and Judah), with great misery.  This time a great misery is brought upon the people with a tremendous drought.

God calls Elijah to the desert, daily feeds him with food brought by ravens, and then later food miraculously appointed through the house of a poor widow.  While staying with the widow, Elijah also raises the widows son from the dead.  I am trying to recall whether we have seen this before now in the Hebrew narratives.  

We now move to God's confrontation of Ahab:

1 Kings 18:17-19 - When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”

Now Ahab calls Elijah a troublemaker because God announced this drought directly to Ahab, through Elijah, in an earlier passage.

This is my first journey through the life of Elijah.  Clearly he is an important man in God's view, as we see him on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses in the gospels.

I wonder, how does God speak to President Obama today?  There don't seem to be prophets in our midst.  Are we to individually speak through our voices (maybe our blogs), our votes, strengthened and kept straight by our own personal study of God's word?

What do you think?

A Night out in Phoenix: Hyatt's Compass Restaurant and Arizona Opera

In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I had a hot date with my wife.

We started our evening at Compass Restaurant, rotating high above the Phoenix skyline.

The setting was absolutely majestic. We were offered a 360°view of the city, along with a eagle's eye view of the setting sun.

The staff were very cordial, and the food was better than expected from a hotel chain setting.  It wasn't out of this world, but clearly rated a solid 4 out of 5.

The only beef we had with our dinning experience is that it took them about 20 minutes to get our main course to the table.  I suspect they were slammed from all the diners attending downtown events.

I suppose, to be honest, with all the incredible restaurants in our area, we likely wouldn't go back.  However, with the ambiance, and their location within walking distance to downtown events, I am quite certain that we will be back for these two reasons alone.

After dinner, we literally walked out the front door of the restaurant's location, and walked into the Phoenix Symphony Hall across the street.

This was Arizona Opera's 2009 opening performance.  The hall appeared to be sold out, and replete with valley residents all decked out for their special evening out.

Cossi' fan tutte, being comic light opera, was full of farcical moments which had the audience giggling as we were able to follow the Italian libretto with the English translation being projected above the stage.

I suppose, when compared to the whole world of opera, we won't see any of these performance touted around the world as earth shattering.  However, the vocal prowess of the singers was most pleasing, certainly not distracting, and gave us all a few intermittent glimpses of greatness.  You know, you hear a particular phrase, and you say to yourself, wow, she nailed that!.

If you have never visited the Arizona Opera, I would highly recommend it.  I am absolutely certain that we will back back, many times, and furthermore, proud to support this organization in our community.