SHAKING THE DUST FROM YOUR FEET

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. (Matt. 10.14, KJV).


"As he walked down the long drive, his briefcase in one hand and a book of papers in the other, he paused as that verse came to his mind.  He had a strong desire to do something ritualistic.  His pain and hurt was so deep he felt pretty raw as he tucked his tail and left the institution he had given so much of his life to and with so much blind faith.  A religious institution, it claimed to be, and expected its people to be good, kind, wise, spiritual and grace-filled.  Yet, the governing body...and the people in charge...were devious, lying, cheating, and petty individuals who made a kindergarten class look mature.  Yes, he longed to do something demonstrative, filled with ritual, and significance.  A stomping of his foot, a dragging off of his loafers to wipe the dust of the place off his foot, and a fist raised as he spoke some Old Testament curse inspired by his pain and disappointment. He was too hurt, though, and his shoulders sagged as he trudged on down the drive and his uncertain future."

Those in ministry - pulpit, classroom, or other forms - are often particularly subject to being abused, maligned, and ignored.  The truth is sometimes the blow from the sinner is the kindest blow; it is the blow from those who claim to also be Christ followers which leaves the harshest scar.  

Too often business - even Christian business - is too much a thing of balance sheets and bottom lines. People are used and tossed away like garbage with no concern for their life.  This is especially disturbing when the wise voices are the ones silenced, when those with spiritual discernment are the ones shown the door, and the one who has a vision is blinded.

Let those with ears - hear.

ADVICE FOR PREACHERS

John Wesley's 'Letters,' To John Trembath CORK, August 17, 1760.

"I pray be exact in this; be a pattern of truth, sincerity, and godly simplicity.

What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher read so little. And perhaps by neglecting it you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought. Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it any more than a thorough Christian. 

O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way: else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer. 

Take up your cross, and be a Christian altogether. Then will all the children of God rejoice (not grieve) over you, and in particular Yours, &c."

Source: The Wesley Center Online, The Letters of John Wesley, Edited by John Telford -- London: Epworth Press, 1931.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SHOES: Reflections between Generations

Maturing as a woman, creeping into that "Wise Woman" classification based on both age and experience, I must admit to being a bit troubled by what I am seeing among young women.  Surfing the 'Net I see blog after blog by women under thirty filled with images based on fashion. 

This tendency to define your life through the clothes you purchase has troubling overtones.  It reflects the clout of society to mold character based on values that have nothing to do with life.  The purses, the shoes, the clothes; is this all women are?  Is this all we have allowed society to create for us?  Is this the only message being given to our daughters and granddaughters?  Media highlights over-indulgence, self-adoration, and consumption as normative aspects of modern life.  We see ethics of manipulation, self-service, and relativism employed as models of normal behavior. We see celebrity status bestowed on people simply because of their wealth, their profession, family, or their notoriety.

Personal achievement is contained within shopping expeditions and life punctuated by the ability to acquire things.

Is this life?  Is it what should be life? It is a merely a generational shift emerging as the women of my generation mature and the generation arises to take our place?   Or is it the intensifying eradication of the progress made in the 20th century to bring dignity, equality, and value to the human specifies by the inclusion of women? For a woman who came of age watching her older "sisters" marching, burning bras, and demanding equal pay I have a different perspective on things.  I remember the blatant sexism which said I was a woman and so I could not be paid the same, I was a woman and what I said had less value than a male, and I remember the way women were treated like children incapable of caring for themselves or making decisions. I remember the way women were valued only for their cooking, cleaning, and baby making skills.  I remember the way women were seen only as sexual parts and pieces.

I remember the first time I felt the brunt of being a 'second class citizen' simply because of my gender.  I remember because I am seeing it all over again in a new generation of women who think they are defined and limited by their biology.  

It highlights the need to answer one simple question : what have we done to and for women to bring about a generation of loving, courageous, women able to love themselves and be themselves as women of God?

I fear the answer is - nothing.

I fear that the answer is we have allowed society and its shallow substitutions of woman hood and its strength to be hijacked by narrow definitions of woman.

The evidence is clear.

The echoes of another time can teach us well if we heed their lesson. Look around and see how women are being defined today. They are baby makers, wives, fashionistas, and house fraus; the same formula in place which led to the female awakening and rebellion of the late 1950's and 1960's.  Such definitions are shallow substitutes for real self-actualization and real spiritual relativity. The inevitable outcome will be another cultural upheaval as the shackles of that reality again become too much for both men and women to bear.

The messages are clear from society: women can be strong, intelligent, and independent only as long as they are attractive, sexually exciting, or domestically inclined.  As long as they mold themselves to the dictates of fashion.  As long as they mold themselves to narrow, fundamentalist definitions of what makes a Godly woman.  As long as they accept their role as bitches, nags, victims, baby makers, or sexual objects. As long as they allow their own intelligence to be restricted to the stereotype or their own goals of achievement sidelined in favor of another based merely on gender.

Women - hear the voice of the prophet - it is all about the shoes!  

The shoes are symbols of the sickness and will define and reveal the motives and values you incorporate into your life. The shoes will reflect the control you allow others to have over and in your life. The killer high heels inspired by sex trafficking and designed to maximize physical sexual assets or the comfortable yet stylish shoes of  a woman who has accepted who she is and demands society accept her as she is or not at all!  Which will you choose: The vixen or the warrior; the vamp or the saint; the girl or the lady; the caricature or the real woman?

Contraceptives, Conscience, and Conversation

"Get the Government Out of the Bedroom!", "Get Out of My Uterus!" - those were the signs in the 1960's and 1970's as women, gays, and others argued that what went on in the bedroom and, and in women's bodies, was nobodies business but the people involved.  These people were defined as 'consenting adults.'

Yet, today the dialogue is a call for government to step into the bedroom, the uterus, and sexual relations in general to safeguard 'women's health.'    First Amendment rights of freedom of religion are to be trumped by a woman's 'rights' to contraception.  And, as White House representatives said, 'free contraceptives.'

A young women, stepping into the role of speaking for all women using contraceptives, and calling for their free access via insurance coverage regardless of the First Amendment issues, now finds herself bearing the brunt of dialog.  One side rears up and says no derogatory remarks should be made to or about the young lady. She should not be caricatured as representative of those who wish to have sex and have someone else pay for it.  She should not be called names  or figure in comparisons to others who wish to have sex and have someone pay for it.  Yet, in these same groups conservatives and others are often called 'bastards', 'idiots', 'subintellects', etc.

The real issue here is the conflict between the right of groups to follow their conscience in the services they pay for their employees. If the employer, say a church or religious group, does not believe in sex before marriage, should they be forced to provide contraception - or elective abortions - to an unmarried woman?  If the employer, does not believe in contraception, should they be forced to provide it for non-medical reasons? Non-medical would include the regulation of hormones and other similar applications.

If I am unmarried and intend to have an active sex life - why work for a group which has opposing moral view points?  If I am married but wish to use contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy, should I work for a group which does not hold that as a valid lifestyle choice?  Where are the personal ethics in such conflicts of moral viewpoints?

The veneer of civilization we don each day is but that, a shallow covering susceptible to the struggling animal nature lurking beneath the surface.  Humanity on its own always rises to its own lowest common denominator. This is the message of religion - the need for transformation and an elevation of morals, behaviors, and motivations.  Morality can never be legislated successfully - look at prohibition.   Equally, a lack of morality should not be forced on those who hold different beliefs as protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

A MASCULINE RELIGION

http://www.christianpost.com/news/john-piper-god-gave-christianity-a-masculine-feel-68385/

John Piper argues that God gave Christianity a 'masculine feel'.   This totally ignores the Biblical examples of women and exalts the masculine as divine (see earlier articles on this blog on this).

All worship the Ball!

"Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me!"

Idolatry?  That is only in pagan nations.  That was only in the Old Testament. That does not happen today!

Yet, every season is now consumed by some athletic competition of one type or another. Church and worship services are displaced or turned into events celebrating the seasonal event.  School budgets are consumed by the demands of supporting the space, uniforms, coaches, and travel for sports teams even when the academic programs of those schools go begging.  Many sports programs have lowered entrance requirements just so students can "play."   Young people are taught to live, eat, breath athletics.  Older people eternally chase past or imagined glory by following a game.   Professional players earn more than most doctors, educator, or pastors.   What was at one time  a way to enjoy fresh air and activity has become a cult where periodically the devout feast, share fellowship, and stare at players and a ball for hours on end.  They adorn themselves with colors, styles and words reflecting their chosen deity. They make great sacrifices, enduring every discomfort, and supporting their teams even through the tough times. 

Once, idealist aspirations abounded and banners of "sportsmanship!" waved high and proud.  Now, drugs, ethics, sexual misconduct, greed, and dishonesty are the shadows of professional, and even amateur, athletics.  

Now, to demonstrate how far this cult has moved, when a Christian ad has run in one of their worship festivals there are cries of it being inappropriate.  Gods are jealous. They want their faithful ones to themselves. The cult is calling! 

All worship the ball!

Help Stop Global Abuse of Women: The Mordecai Project

This outstanding ministry seeks to address educating men on sound, balanced, Christian views of male-female relationship.  Through conferences, homes, and other facilities woman around the world can begin to live better, more spiritually free, and emotionally healthy lives.

A FACEBOOK KIND OF FAITH

Social networking is a vital and dynamic element in modern 21st century society.  We Facebook, we email, we text, we instant message, we Twitter, we Google+ and probably something else which has not yet been invented! Christians tend to be very purpose driven in their use of these tools.  Christians post scriptures, positive motivational posters, and communicate on religious themes or social issues via a spiritual lens.

This "Facebook Faith" is also frequently lacking in any humor, narrow in its tolerance or acceptance of people with different beliefs, and unable to communicate beyond that bumper sticker-hit and run faith communication.  Like emails which delight in catching "them" (whoever they might be) out, these posters often seem to also approach communication via a Teddy Roosevelt inspired evangelism...type ponderously and sling a super sized Bible.   

Just sharing a Bible verse may satisfy some inner drive to 'share the gospel' but few outside the faith will even read those posts and de-friending will commence.  Sharing a frustration or common experience and reflecting a dependence on God is a better witness.  Some will complain, some may leave,  but your cyber witness will leave a memory of someone in life who reaches out in faith and not just someone spouting verses and dispensing Bible thumping answers.

The Bible invited..."come let us reason together" which infers a discussion, a meeting of disparate minds and varied attitudes.  

FAITH AND LEARNING

Sometimes in life people try to keep their spiritual life and professional life apart.  They are like two rooms kept for opposing and specific purpose. When we wish to be "spiritual" we go to the Bible.   When we wish to be professional we go to readings addressing professional development.

Many Christian institutions of higher learning are committed to the idea of integrating faith and learning. This means that the two rooms are open and connected allowing a free flow of influence. Spirituality informs how we understand and apply the knowledge we gain.  It provides the values, motives, and behaviors for the professional life.

Francis Schaeffer in Art and the Bible argued that the true soul of the artist is always visible in the art they produce.   The same came be said of the academic process when learning and faith are engaged together in consideration of any academic subject.

The lessons and values of scripture are the measuring stick by which we can evaluate and interpret decisions, processes, and in historical or political studies, explore how it influenced those making social or political history.

Rather than being two separate compartments, or rooms, in the integration of faith and learning the two have a healthy and solid relationship.

Scripture is the base and is used to measure the values, actions, problems, and challenges expressed in the text.  Spiritual life is personal but it is lived in a highly public and political environment. 

To adapt Schaeffer's words: "the true soul of the Christian will be seen in the life they live; the true soul of the nation will be seen in the laws and society it creates."

"The logic and knowledge from every discipline is built upon a set of presuppositions. All such presuppositions must be examined and informed by the truth derived from the revealed Word of God and Christian thinking founded on a Christocentric epistemology, so as to create a coherent body of knowledge, i.e., faith informs all of learning’s presuppositional thinking.” (RW, 2009).

Key Biblical Texts: Romans 12:1-2 and Colossians 1:17.

BEARING FALSE WITNESS

One of the commandments enjoins people of God to not bear false witness against another person. Fingers are pointed to Potipher's Wife as examples of this sin. Today, could be added the thoughtless forwarding of emails whose sole desire is to discredit a politician or political party. 

 These are forwarded often with barely concealed glee at having "caught" someone or in having gotten the "upper hand". Yet the Bible tells us to do something very different:  (Proverbs 27:17) "do not delight when your enemy falls"; 1 Cor. 13:6 urges people to avoid delighting in evil or when one is caught in evil; As I have loved you, so you must love one another(John 13:34). ... Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).

For example the President's birth certificate.  Challenges to the birth certificate released by the White House is based on three things: 1) The name of the hospital, 2) the name of the birth country of his father, and 3) the use of the term "African" to refer to his father.  Passing this type of information along without verifying the truth or in order to delight in error is not the act of a person of faith. People can question, can learn, and can be silence.

What is the truth?  The hospital name was in use at the time of the birth, 2) the name "Kenya" can be found on a 1924 World Atlas and so it is evident the name was in use in the early 1960's, 3) and the term "African" was sometimes used for people born in Africa as opposed to those born in North America.

So stop and think before  forwarding some of those posts. More are incorrect and generated in order to malign or bear false witness. Do not contribute to that.

NOT THE MONEY - BUT THE LOVE OF MONEY

In recent months there has been a lot of protest about the rich vs the poor. The people who have a lot and those who wish they did.  The people who are guilty at having things and those willing to increase their guilt.  The issue is something else.

A recent television program looked at lottery winners - ordinary people who suddenly found they has 3 to 93 million dollars.  Some were even near homeless when they won.  As one might expect they immediately rewarded themselves with their new found wealth.  Yet, as one man went through his mansion casually tossing off spending $80,000 dollars on a set of dolls for his wife, $160,000 for two chests, buying 24 classic cars and providing them with space.  All the toys and self-indulgence was a little cloying.  

Excess is, after all, excess.  

The problem with wealth is never acquiring the wealth (if done legally) but in what is done with the wealth once acquired.  

For all the bad reputation of the old "Robber Barons" of the late 19th century they left a legacy of hospitals, libraries, churches, schools, parks, opera buildings, and many other things.

It was called "noblesse oblige", the idea that if you had been blessed with financial riches or other advantages, you were obligated to enrich your world through good deeds.  

When it is considered - each of us is blessed with something and some advantage - we too should feel obligated to enrich the world through service and contribution to those in need.  To begin working to help improve life for all.  It is a cycle of mutual support, skill building, self-sufficiency, and giving.  Instead of demanding what others have, or hoarding what one has, the goal of life should be to do the best you can and be willing to help others.  

As the saying goes - 'live simply so others may simply life.  The Bible had two important sentiments - the love of money is the root of all evil and it is more blessed to give than to receive.  Balance those two and there is a recipe for a successful and happy life.

THE CHURCH OF PEOPLE

A recent trend is emerging to bring men back to the church, to destroy the feminized church which drives away red-blooded men, and to create 'men-friendly' congregations.

The proponents point to 'foo-foo' decor, sensitive emotional music, and services and ministries designed to get in touch with the softer side of God.    This attempt to 'man cave' the church is not a way to dominate women, they say, but to liberate men.

"Ten Ways to Man Up Your Church" offers some interesting ideas but also infers some interesting things as well.  What is required is a "manly pastor" - therefore no woman can be a pastor of men simply because they fail in the "manly" category.  This also infers that most male pastors are lacking in the testosterone category as well.  An insult to many fine male pastors.  Next, things should be done excellently or not at all.  Another slap in the face of any group anywhere.  Also, an easy "out" to not do it.  Reminds me of someone whose idea of "picnic" was always so over the top, you would have had to cook for a week to prepare for it, and save a month to pay for it. Simple sandwiches and fun would not do. How many picnics did the family take?  None.  This may not be the end result of the strive for excellence but it could be.  It could also lead to a competitive approach to church..."Now, I want you to go out there this morning for this service, and give a 110%!!!"     Issues of giving men "space" and "speaking plain prayers" are valid and needed regardless of gender!   The imperative to respect men's time and avoiding services which drag on and on....are equally applicable to either gender.  Women probably enjoy long drawn out services no less than men.  There should be equal respect and honor of time.  

The basic issue is what have we made of church?  

What would a church decorated by men look like?  A military barracks or monk's cell devoid of anything of the arts or comfort?  Would it look like a ubiquitous sports bar?   Or, the teenage boy's never cleaned room?   Would it be finely appointed or mimalist?   Would it appeal only to men?  

Would every sermon be filled with sport metaphors and stories?  Every prayer time take on the look and feel of a huddle?  Would the sanctuary evolve into a men's area around a large screen TV with recliners with women in kitchen or out shopping?  

Barna research group indicates, though, women are also leaving the church.   It may not be just a gender issue, but a relevance issue.   It is not easy to manage, program, and plan for a church of both men and women, young and old, rich and poor, and the like.  Too many churches have become like cruise ships offering diverse entertainments and activities to fill the time.  We have built long traditions of what has to be in a church service.

Instead of genderizing church even more, even in the name of balance, perhaps the emphasis should be on reshaping church into a more relevant, New Testament place of worship, training, and community.

Winter Poem. M.A.Hudson

It is the coldest time of the year.

Did anyone think to bring any cheer?

It is the time of sadness everyplace.

Did you try to bring a smile to a face?

There is fear and loneliness everywhere.

Did you help to eradicate despair?

Kindness and peace are in short supply.

Did anyone stop to wonder why?

The long chilly night seems without end.

Will you bring warmth or more bitter wind?

We all hold a candle without any flame.

Will we find the match or bring more of the same?

THE CHRISTMAS PHILODENDRON

With two teenage boys, my husband and I took a church in a small town several hundred miles away from where we had been living for many years.  He would be attending seminary and would pastor the church.  All was strange, new, and the pocketbook a little on the lean side.   We had left some items in storage because we could not move them and hoped to be able to return for them.  They included a tree, ornaments, and some 'extras' we felt were so important to make Christmas real.  As the holiday approached though, unexpected expenses made it impossible to retrieve the items in storage before Christmas.  In a feeble attempt to keep up the spirit of Christmas, we decorated a large green philodendron in a wicker pot given as a house warming gift by a family in the church.  

Tiny gold bulbs and small colored lights flickered on the plant.  We laughed as we sang, "Oh, Philodendron" and our version of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Plant".  We piled our modest gifts around its base telling each other we were discovering the real Christmas.  We created a new tradition of a Christmas eve party after the Christmas Eve Communion Service.   The small treats, special breads, and candies given as gifts from co-workers, church people, and employers, we had saved and spread them out for our party.  We played games, watched Christmas movies, and had fun - despite the lack of a tree.   The gifts were simple and meager but the food was good and the feeling festive.   

Sometimes circumstances make it hard to bring the dream up to the level of reality.  Money gets short, stresses sap a joyful attitude, and disappointment is the norm; hope may be a mere memory.  Attempts to substitute plants for a tree brimming with memories of good times and abundance fall far short.  

So what do we do? Do we give in and say "I cannot do this or this because I [have no money, have no job, have no hope, have no joy, have no love, just fill in the blanks]?"

The following Christmas was much different -  normalcy was restored - the Earth no longer tilted out of balance.    We looked at the green plant as we decorated a traditional tree.   But - we kept the family party because what we learned was it was the family that was important and while we were laughing, eating, playing games, and watching funny old movies - we never looked at that Christmas philodendron a single time.

It was the people and not the tree that made Christmas  what it needed to be for everyone.

A Child Is a Gift

Someone in a discussion posed the question, "Is it ever right to separate a child from its mother or father?"   In a perfect world the answer is short: no.   We do not, however, live in a perfect world.   It is right and necessary, for the life of a young and innocent child, to separate the child from one or more family members to avoid:

A two-year old tossed into a creek, still strapped in its carseat, to drown.

• An infant being systematically starved to death and in one case allowing a child to starve while they cared for a virtual, online child!
• A child  returned to troubled, abusive, or disturbed parents to be later killed.
• Children subjected to incest rape, torture, and forced sexualization at the hands of family members or strangers (boyfriends) allowed into the home.
• Children subjected to emotional abuse, constant belittling, demeanment, and insults.

Jesus said words which should be remembered in Matt.25.40 "... as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

What are we doing as churches, families, friends, and communities to help parents learn the skills they need to parent?  Many of these situations arose from lower income to middle class families and those on the fringes of society.  How to make a difference:

Start a free parenting class (often local health departments have programs already in place and just need a space) in your school, church, or business.

Establish a support network for parents needing to 'de-stress'.  A weekly event where parents can come together to see good behaviors, methods, and techniques modeled for them in their own community and by their neighbors.

Identify needs in the community and advocate for solutions. High drug use, gangs, absent parents, low morals, lack of hope, anger management, empowerment training for women to avoid bad relationships, whatever the problem - work together to find a solution to save the lives of children!

Our smallest and our weakest require us to be our stronger, better selves for them because they often cannot speak for themselves.

A SIMPLE BEADED CROSS

My mother had been rushed to the hospital with a stroke.  I had rushed to her and, after the hospital had sent us away so they could run some test, was resting at her apartment with family.

I had pulled on a Cherokee bead work necklace with a cross on that morning because it reminded me of mother.  As we had driven, I had felt it there on my breast and prayed.   Now, I merely prayed.

After awhile, a little woman came to the door, another of the elderly living on the block.  She was tiny and sprite.  She was frail and sassy.  She reminded of my mother in as many ways as she did not remind me at all.  She asked after mother, expressed her concern and was obviously a friend.   She noted the necklace and it was obvious she liked it.   I saw her, reminding so much of someone I loved yet not looking anything like her and a total stranger and saw my mother.

I wanted to hold my mother. I wanted to express my love for my mother but I saw only this small, frail woman.  I slipped the necklace over my head and onto to her tiny shoulders.   Fingers made of pale parchment lifted it up and her old eyes glowed in happiness as she looked at it.   She left soon after, we went back to the hospital, and I never saw her again.

Thinking of that, I realized I had looked at her and not seen her at all. Instead, I had seen my mother. I had given something to her because of my love for someone else.  In a way, that may describe what happens when God looks at those who have come to believe in Jesus as their Savior.   Or to those who want to find forgiveness for their life's errors and sins.  God looks at us but sees the sacrifice on our behalf.  He looks at us but sees Christ.  God looks to the one loved and sees us.

So, perhaps, that is also what we are supposed to do as well. As we weave our way through life meeting people here and there we should have the eyes that do not see the sinner but the savior. That do not see the fault but the forgiveness.  Do not see the stranger, but the one we love.

... namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

Ages and Stages

Some aging babyboomers are reluctant to accept they are getting older.  The generation that embraced the might and power of all things youthful is now faced with crow's feet in the mirror.  In a life predicated on youth, vigor, sexuality, and me-centric living there are now heel marks where they are fighting against the approach of their own mortality.

This is especially hard on women because in the youth-centric world this generation created there is no room for the grandmother, the older woman, or, eventually the wise woman.  Centuries past, in a world long ago, there was an understanding that women were like the seasons and each one brought its own special joys, challenges, and honors.  The youth was lithe, innocent, joyous, and filled with growth.  The middle ages were strong, sexual, capable, and fecund.    The latter ages were wise, intelligent, loving, and powerful because of their years.

Woman has often been depicted in these three stages. She has been child, wife, crone..  She has been Spring, Summer, Fall,   She has been youth, mother, hag.   Different times and different labels.

It is probably time to re-discover the lost sense of stages over the lost self in ages.  We were once young, we were once middle aged, and now we approach the threshold of the wise woman years.  Can we live up to it?

Abortion

This is a delicate issue, fraught with strong emotional responses and political maneuvering. The recent debate over defunding Planned Parenthood is just the latest volley in on ongoing war of ideologies.

Currently in North American there are 23 abortions to every 100 live births.

Pro-Life (Some of the Arguments):

The unborn child is a human being with potential rights of its own.

It is a unique creature created by God and to destroy it for any reason is murder.

It (abortion) becomes nothing but an alternatives method of birth control.

Woman, in her role as carrier and nurturer, becomes the slave owner of the potential life inside her.

Woman alone has say over the creature being formed within her and no one, not even the other DNA contributor, has any business butting in.

When we choose to abort we are devaluing all of life and arbitrarily setting ourselves up to determine who is worthy of life and what constitutes such a life.

Pro-Choice (Some of the Arguments):

It (abortion) saves lives, women died every year from 'back alley' abortions before it was legalized.

Victims of incest, rape, or abusive relationships were forced to carry offspring of these situations.

It is a woman's right to have a say over her own body and its health.

It is a woman's right to determine when she will reproduce and no one else's.

The nascent offspring is merely a collection of cells until it is born - being born grants humanity and not becoming pregnant.

Women would die from being forced to carry a child to term due to health reasons; an emergency abortion is a right and expectation for proper female reproductive health.

Women will be allowed to die without a right to an abortion

There is also a lot of illogic at work due to the emotional component.

For example, supporters of abortion always trot out that 'women will die because emergency abortions were not available.' Yet, no source, citation, or statistic is ever cited to support that emergency abortions for health reasons are a major problem. Such may exist, but they seem to hard to find. How many women actually have to have a medically induced abortion to save their life?

Another example, supporters say 'women will die without having abortions because they did before Roe vs Wade'. Yet, they also die from abortions since Roe vs Wade. The high figures cited by supporters often fails to take into consideration the overall gradual IMPROVEMENT of health care in the decades just before and since abortion was legalized.

A researcher can pull out a statistic on women who died from abortions in the 1920's or 1930's and point to the high numbers as proof of the need for abortions. The high numbers also mirror the statistics in ALL medical procedures during the same time period. Medicine was crappy then and everybody suffered not just women having 'abortions.' Research in England states death rates in rich and poor nations about the same and working from the assumption rich means more progressive, i.e. more civilized and more abortions, that is thought provoking. One study even suggests abortion may be a contributing factor to women's mortality rates.

It is amazing that Planned Parenthood, an organization birthed in the nihilistic eugenics philosophy of the early 20th century, would today bear images on its website of people from the very groups it would have seen selectively eliminated to produce a more perfect human race. Sanger, the erstwhile founder, believed in selectivity in reproduction....

Wikipedia:

In A Plan for Peace (1932), for example, Sanger proposed a congressional department to:

Keep the doors of immigration closed to the entrance of certain aliens whose condition is known to be detrimental to the stamina of the race, such asfeebleminded, idiots,morons, insane, syphilitic, epileptic, criminal, professional prostitutes, and others in this class barred by the immigration laws of 1924.[22]

And, following:

Apply a stern and rigid policy of sterilization and segregation to that grade of population whose progeny is already tainted or whose inheritance is such that objectionable traits may be transmitted to offspring.[22]

And basically, that is where it all comes full circle. The most negative element of abortion is the de-humanization it engenders. So much so that modern philosophers such as Harvard's own faculty can pontificate that parents should be able to determine abortion up till and including the first full month after birth.

WOMAN AS THEOLOGIAN

God created humanity as both male and female.  God gave to both dominion of this world. God used throughout scripture both male and female to accomplish the goals of God's heart. God included men and women, in pointed and definite ways, in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The church was filled with, led by, and spread through the work of both men and women.  Women have contributed to the understanding of God throughout time.

Women such as Julian of Norwich, Theresa of Avila,  Cathryn Booth, Phoebe Palmer, Elizabeth Achtiemier, Georgia Harkness, Mildred Bangs Wynkoop...well the list could go on ... who will be next to rightly divide the Word of Truth?   Who will be the next ones to integrate the male and female experiences into a common, and balanced, understanding of the relationship of God to Human?

LIKE HOLY WOMEN OF OLD...CALLING A HUSBAND 'MASTER'

Followers off the 'Biblical Womanhood' movement cite 1 Peter 3: 5-6  "...They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master..."

The Wedding. M.Hudson2011

In the prophetic book of Hosea, God speaks to his people using the language of metaphor and marriage. The promise of better relationships with God was expressed in terms clearly identifying the nature of the interaction as being love, and not power, based.

"And it shall be in that day," says the Lord, "..[you] will call me, 'My Husband (Ishi)' and no longer call me, 'My Master (Baali)' (Hosea 2.16).

The clear message is that the way God wishes to interact with His people is not through power, authority, or control. Instead, God's wish is to be intimate, loving, protective, and supportive of His people.

Compare this to the often misused words of Paul in Ephesians 5.22 and  Peter's word above, telling women to submit to their husbands.  It is often used as a whip to prod women into 'their place' while ignoring the earlier verse about submitting to one another.

This is another excellent example of how scripture informs scripture. If God desires to no longer have his symbolic spouse view him as 'master' -  than human men should look to this as their own marital model. It is always better to have relationship than mere reverence.

A YEAR OF BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD

Author Rachel Held Evans is exploring living by the mandates of 'Biblical Womanhood' in its most literal applications.  From making her own clothes to calling her mate 'Master'....well you get the picture.  Read about her project here.

A Strange Unity: Modesty and Coverings

"Modest'  for the Bat Israel  (Woman of Israel) means to dress 'not frumpy'  but with  elegance to fulfill their Tznuit (modesty) and bring their husbands joy.  Here is a site with samples of their apparel and styles, including headcoverings.   This site on orthodox Jewish dress includes both men and women.

"Modest" for some Christian groups has also meant wearing caps, veils, and scarves as seen here.  Some are protestant groups based in the Reformation and others are Catholic.  The LDS church also has very specific dress guidelines for modesty.  For others, it is a recent adaptation as seen here in a business that opened in 2002. They cite adopting the action in obedience to 1 Corinthian 11:1-16.  For other groups, being modest has meant plain dress, no makeup, no jewelry, long skirts, and long hair. Some younger women are changing this to emphasis more style while retaining the modesty.

"Modest" for Islamic women includes the scarf (Khimar), the total body covering (Hijab), and the face veil for the most devout (Niqab). You can read some rather detailed explanations of the rationales for wearing each and how they relate to worship by the devout Islamic woman here.   This site also, interestingly, reveals the dress codes for men to be considered modest within Islam.

Note, I could find no major websites addressing what it meant to be modest if a Christian man.

What is  modesty? In practical terms it is keeping revealed by clothing various parts of the human form which are deemed "private", "titillating", or "unseemly".  Thus, the breasts, arms, legs, hips, face, and head/hair are variously in need of coverings. No underwear may be seen through sleeves, no cleavage, and nothing too tight or form fitting to bring attention to the attributes marking the gender.  The primary belief among modest Christians is that the good deeds and faith will be the makeup and ornamentations of beauty.

Many will agree modern society has become extreme in its dress and fashion. The human form is constantly on display to promote sales, to evoke sexual thoughts, and to provoke interest. Dance moves  have become often mere grotesque pelvic thrusts and bizarre gyrations mimicking animal  lust rather than graceful, joyful,  or meaningful movements to music. Sexual encounters, references, and acts are seen as part of the normal entertainment cycle in books, music, movies, and on television. Children are being sexualized at earlier and earlier ages.  Women have become liberated and  yet abuse of women continues.  Prostitution a growing business and sexual affairs commonplace.   People wear veils, headcoverings, and long hair.  They dress in long sleeved dresses and wear no makeup but has that impacted the world for good?  Is there any evidence that those exterior 'things' have in any way helped the world, spread the gospel, feed the hungry, aided the poor, or soothed the hurting?

Will being 'modest' alone impact this sorry state of affairs?  Will retreating to communities or rural areas living a modest life make changes? Will legalistic-ally demanding compliance to a set of rules as to length of hair, cutting of hair, type of head covering, sleeves or no sleeves, really mean anything in the long run?

If it is really between a woman and her God....it should be between a woman and her God.  Her liberty should be to adopt the custom or not with NO outside interference or demands by religious groups.

For more, read my post on Where Did the Glory Go?, Could This Have Been in Paul's Mind? or my book THOSE PESKY VERSES OF PAUL, with a detailed look at 1 Corinthians 11.

BEFORE THE FIRST BITE

"Before the action comes the thought."   

H.C. Leupold wrote commentary over the famous Genesis verses telling of the Fall of Humanity.   Of how the "serpent" utilized the first military tactic of 'divide and conquer' by approaching Eve alone in the Garden.  Leupold noted that had he approached the couple together they would have mutually supported and protected each other from the clever words which sought to tempt.

Interestingly, Leupold also infers something occurring which brought to mind the words of Jesus.  

For religious people of Jesus' day, as long you did not act on the thought you were blameless.  So, men might look at a woman with lust but as long as he did nothing to fulfill that lust he was safe.  Jesus, however, indicated that impurity in the thoughts was no different than the act..."he who has looked at woman with lust has already committed adultery with her."

Leupold writing in his Exposition of Genesis (Baker, 1945) stated the eating of the fruit was not the sin...it was the result of the sin.  The sin was not giving an immediate 'get thee behind me Satan!'    As Martin Luther wrote, it was a sin against the word of God - in this case the literal words of God spoken to not eat the fruit of that particular tree.  The willingness to listen to the anti-God whispers was the moment of sin.

Sometimes, we can be very self-satisfied that we did not act on the deed or desire that flitted through our minds or our hearts. We can applaud our sense of tolerance and open-mindedness about areas of ambiguousness.  

Instead, sometimes old adages such as where there is smoke there is fire should be recalled. Or, the words of Jesus about the thought  or desire preceeding the action.

Stop....before the first bite...

NOW SHOWING FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Getting ready for God to do some BIG things today at [insert name of  Church]! Join us at 10am.


I have seen these posted on Facebook and other venues.  A couple of things disturb me about them.




1.  It is implied that God will only do BIG things in a church service.
2.  It is implied that God can be scheduled to perform, like a pet monkey or a trained canary.


If there is one thing I have learned about God in all my years it is this: God cannot be limited, confined, or scheduled.  God does not perform or do tricks. 




God can do BIG things anywhere and small ones too.   Alone or in a crowd God can be found and God can act.

RAISE A GLASS OF ....WHAT?

Does the Bible prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages?  It is a question sure to stir the hearts of people on both sides of the issue.  The question is one that has haunted the church for many years. 

Those whose churches or experiences stem from the Holiness Movement of the 18th and 19th centuries will give a resounding "No!"   Those from other traditions will say, "What's the deal?"    

Two principles from the Bible come through clearly: Excess and Behavior.

Consider the following:

• The Bible indicates wine 'cheers' both man and God (Judges 9.13)
• Wine is a gift of God (Psalms 104.15).
• Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine and not any fine, but the finest quality wine (John 2.10).
• Lack of wine is considered a punishment or judgement (Jer. 48:43)

Excess Prohibited:

Being drunken brings abandonment of restraint, poor choices, risky behaviors, and stupid mistakes.  Prov. 20:1 "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise".  How does one go astray?  By following the path of no restraint. Gluttony, anger, and  other excesses are also to be avoided but somehow we have not been consistent with those.

Behavior:

Romans 14 and 1 Thessalonian 5:22 are both used to insure that no one ever does anything that might offend a weaker Christian or give the appearance of behaviors leading to assumptions.   Yet, in both of those elements are the seeds of problems for all - the drinker and the non-drinker.

The non-drinker, who may be weak or who may have a temptation to drink to excess, may be encouraged to participate in self-destructive behaviors.  The liberty or ease at which someone else does an act which may cause them to not develop in their spiritual life so that they are made more Christ like and strengthened.  

The drinker, or the person who has no problem or is not subject to abuse or excess, is then restrained from an action.  Because of the weaker person, the church often stresses, we should avoid all that gives the appearance of evil.

It is that term "evil" that begs questions.  If wine is a gift of God - is it really "evil"?    Would it not serve to be a better witness to be able to say, "No, I have had enough?"   To buck the trend of "drink till you puke"?  To show that restraint brings joy without excess and that excess is not a necessity to enjoying a glass of wine.

In a world filled with "Spring Break" madness, documentaries covering the 'World's Sexiest Bars", and similar glorifications of excess, it might be good to reexamine the concepts of excess and behaviors.  This would redefine the entire subject of personal righteousness from choices about dress, hair, and other non-essentials to actions of justice, love, peace, kindness, and sacrifice.


We can stand around with high and tight hair, long dresses, no makeup, never attend any 'questionable' activities, never use a swear word, and never taste wine.  We can attend church five days a week, sing in the choir, teach classes and serve in leadership.  We can also be a grave inside with no true transformation of the heart, filled with secret sins, and all manner of corrupt behaviors and motives.  


How we look on the outside and the minor things we might do can never be used to determine spirituality, holiness, or relationship with God.

REDEFINING MISSION WORK

There is often a disconnect between what groups mean with they use the terms 'missions', 'mission work', and 'missionary.'

For some, the activity is narrowly defined by an evangelistic outreach where emphasis on preaching, crisis salvation, and witnessing on streets, in bars, and in other rough areas.  Still others view it as going into a socially, economically, or culturally different environment to bring them salvation, to bring them Biblical teaching and to be involved in the elevation of the society through the gospel.

For some, the activity is narrowly defined as the political, social, and cultural outreach where emphasis is on improving the quality of life, improving medical standards, and expanding the ability of a people to be self-sustaining.  Still others view it as revolutionary assistance to change, by force, the negative processes of a political or economic system.

Who is right?  The truly be reflective of the Biblical concept of mission work requires there be more depth to how we envision mission work.  

Centuries of the Western Church sending missionaries to 'save the heathen' also tended to reflect a paternalistic attitude.  The unspoken message was also sometimes racist.  How, after all, could the pagan ever be supervisors of the work in their countries?  This messiah-like and paternalistic attitude tended to influence all mission work from the 1700's and in some groups continues to this day.

Take responses to catastrophe in recent times.  We go to Central or South American, we go to Haiti and preach but do we roll up our sleeves and help in the rebuilding?  Do we take medical groups along to provide needed medical assistance as we witness of God's love through actions and words?  Do we go to feed, clothe, and care for the unloved and share the Gospel in our actions and not just our words?

What of our everyday opportunities just down the street?  The Infant Crisis Center, the Homeless Shelter, the Literacy Project, the Jobs Program, the Meals on Wheels, the Homebound Visitor Program, the Big Brother or Big Sister and so much more.  Are we being 'light' in the darkness of our own local backyards?

It is always easy to sweep in someplace with a superhero cape flapping the breeze behind you, looking important, feeling sanctimonious, and yet do nothing purposeful or meaningful to really be the hands and heart of Christ to those in need.

Sometimes it is good to reflect and in reflection redefine what we mean by 'mission work.'  Mission work is merely discipleship beyond our comfort zone, it is sharing the gospel and then empowering individuals to assume their roles as evangelists into their world. To do more is to create co-dependent ministry rather than wide spread redemption.

SMALL THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There is a story in the book of Judges about a land dispute between two tribes, Ephraim and Gillead, who both needed access to a particular river crossing. As the conflict grew, the litmus test they devised was based on a form of credentialing to to allow access.

You see, the next to the last letter of the Hebrew language is pronounced differently depending on the placement of one small dot (Shin or Sin). The Gilieadites hit upon the idea of having persons who wished to use the ford pronounce the Hebrew word "Shibboleth". The Ephraimites would, by comparison, use the other pronunciations of "Siboleth." It was a simple test - answer correctly you crossed the river and answer incorrectly, by this test, and you died.

How ironic that the great letter, so to speak, they held in common was eclipsed by a small dot.
Now, how does this speak to us today?

Most of Christianity shares one great letter - a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a loving God, and redemption and atonement for sins - yet often we allow the small, tiny dot to divide rather than unite us.

Most of America shares one great letter - a love of country, state, community, family, and friends - yet often we allow the small, tiny dot to divide rather than unite us.

More importantly - any church - should also share the "big letter" and not be devisive and argue over the "little dot." When we argue over the minor, unimportant things we shame Christ and we are a false witness to the community. When we can't get along because we can't get our way - We are totally unChristian. we are "sinning". Such action requires - no demands - that we repent and we ask forgiveness of those we have wronged.

Could we- personally, corporately, communally - do what those tribal brothers could not do? Can we celebrate today a fresh determination to not allow the tiny dot to eclipse the great shared letter?

CHURCH FIGHTING

While researching another topic, I happened on this intriging little website. The blog entry of the title caught my eye because it seems lately that churches from all over are all complaining of the same thing: in-fighting, bad feelings, hurt feelings, power plays, and thinking of self. Pastors AND church people are complaining of church bullies and a lack of unity in their congregations. Hmmmm.

Sometimes we tend to want to look at things from a management viewpoint ("if they ran things right around here..."), a leadership issue ("if I was in charge..."), a peace perspective ("..if we can just all get along..."), or the old standby of tradition ("if we did things the way they used to..."), or a fear of change ("they are ruining things!).

In truth, all of these are symptoms of a problem.....but not one solved by meetings, committees, or by study groups. The problems are SPIRITUAL ones...or in truth a lack of God's Spirit in the midst of the congregational life.....some, like demonically incited attitudes of control, ego, unforgiveness, disunity, even problems in accepting that things change over time in music, worship and chruch formats....that can only be solved through "prayer and fasting"....

Let the CHURCH actually be the CHURCH OF GOD and GOODNESS and not EVIL.

"Be angry - but sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. ..Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up...And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God....put away all bittnerness...wrath...anger...and wrangling...and slander, together with malice...and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as GOD IN CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU."-- Eph 4: 25-32.

COUNT IT ALL JOY

A family had a small boy in kindergarten and chose to keep him ignorant of all the negatives of society, despite the fact his father would be shipping off for Iraq.   They did not do their child any favors because there are lessons we have to learn, things we have to come to accept, and things we have to face head on.  What happens when  this child runs straight into harsh reality?  When a father is wounded or killed?  When someone dies? When a marriage breaks up?  When things do not go as smoothly as mommy and daddy had led them to believe?   

They are all around us, Christians who believe that to be Christian is to live a life free of problems, free of issues, or tragedy.  When confronted by these realities of life the answer is to blame the individual: if you had more faith, if you had prayed more, if you had lived a better life...    The construct they have created denies them ability to accept that being a Christian might include suffering or sacrifice.

It is the sour which brings meaning to the sweet.  Without the one the other simply has no meaning.  Christian faith is not a pass to a life free of problems but assurance of companionship through the problems.  The three Hebrew youths made a decision to serve God in spite of the threat of a death in the fire.  They determined that they would do so and if God rescued them fine and i f not, they would be the most faithful men ever consumed in a fire.