This, That and the Other

If you want to read a longer treatment on “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” the subject raised by my blog yesterday, see this article by scholar Ben Witherinton.

Tonight is the dry run of our new WOW program (“Worship on Wednesday”) that begins for real on March 7. We were calling it “Wednesday Night Live,” but then Roger came up with WOW, so we thought we’d better use that moniker. You know how sensitive Roger is about stuff like that! This is a new focus for our children where we are putting on a mini-VBS every Wednesday night—high-energy praise and worship, large group teaching and drama, small group activities and crafts, and prayer time. Bill and Melissa Foster are heading this effort, but it will take a lot of volunteers. Contact them to find out how you can help. For the adults, we will have a time focusing on marriage and relationships through the Jerry and Lynn Jones DVD series "Marriage Matters." That will start March 7 as well.

My scripture reading this morning included this little jewel from Proverbs, “If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet” (Prov. 10:19, NCV). The NLT rendering is less diplomatic, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” I wonder if this applies to blog posts?

Our little blog community at TucksDenbighBlog is not large enough to worry about formal rules of response. Trivia quote from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, “Rules? There ain’t no rules in a knife fight!” What’s my point? No point, I just like that quote! Our only informal rule for the blog is the Golden Rule. Sometimes one may need to blow off steam, and firing off a post can be therapeutic. But then that might not be such good therapy for those of us reading. After all, something under 10,000 people read this blog each day! Let’s have more responses, more discussion, more great posts. But let's keep them golden.

The Lost Tomb of Jesus

In 1980 a construction crew in the Jerusalem chanced upon a first-century tomb containing ten ossuaries or bone boxes. Some of these were inscribed with names like Jesus, Maria, Mariamene, Matthew; Judas, son of Jesus; and Jose, names that were very common in first century name. James Cameron, who directed The Titanic, has produced the documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" to air on the Discovery Channel that suggests that this represents the family tomb of Jesus. The ossuary discovered in Jerusalem contained the bones of Jesus, thus invalidating the Christian affirmation that “He is risen!”

The “proof” in this much-hyped film seems much more like debatable conjecture and supposition. The case largely revolves around the only uncommon name found on the bone boxes, that of Mariamene. It is suggested that some later Christians may have used that name for Mary Magdalene, and this links the more other common names. Cameron says, "If you found a John, a Paul and a George, you're not going to leap to any conclusions... unless you found a Ringo." Of course, there is no evidence that anyone called Mary Magdalene Mariamene at the time of her death. And there is no evidence that connects Mary Magdalene to the family of Jesus… unless you count The Da Vinci Code. DNA tests have supposedly confirmed that the remains in the “Jesus” and “Mariamene” ossuaries were not related on their mother's sides. Therefore, if this was a family tomb, and if the two aren’t related on their Father’s side, then the two "would most likely have been husband and wife."

The whole thing is made of smoke-and-mirror suppositions big enough to sink the Titanic. One scholar put it, “There were too many assumptions being claimed as discoveries, and that they were trying to connect dots that didn't belong together.” Amos Kloner was the first archeologist to examine the site, and he dismisses the whole proposition, "They just want to get money for it. It's a joke. It was an ordinary middleclass Jerusalem burial cave. The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time." But Cameron will do this with such movie magic that there will be many people who may be convinced.... especially those who want to be convinced.

If you want more information on the historical reliability of the sources on the life of Jesus, then let me invite to be with us on May 18-20 as Dr. Tommy South, Professor of New Testament at Virginia Commonwealth University, is with us to discuses the topic “What Can we Know About Jesus?” Make plans now to be here for this Friday-Sunday Seminar.

Who Are Your Paparazzi?

I’m sure most of us have had just about as much of Britney Spears news as we can stand… and then some. It seems that every newspaper, news cast, and news webpage has to chronicle the latest proof that the girl has completely lost it... if she ever had it. But then, most of us Regular Joes can't imagine living your entire life in front of paparazzi there to chronicle every false step and bad haircut. Maybe that twists you after awhile. I would think that most of us would be a bit more careful about what we said and did in front of people there waiting for us to mess up. But then, maybe not.

Jesus lived his entire life in the glare of what amounted to first century paparazzi. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus was followed by large crowds intent on his every move. And many onlookers were there waiting for Him to mess up. Notice the following texts--

• Mark 3:2- Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
• Luke 6:7- The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
• Luke 14:1- One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
• Luke 20:20- Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

Jesus’ enemies were there with notepads at the ready waiting to catch Him in something that they could use to discredit or accuse Him. Of course, that never happened. In the end, they had resort to false witnesses and twisted testimony (Matt 26:59-60).

I wonder how many of us have secret paparatzzi watching us-- co-workers, friends, neighbors, family members. They have heard our Christian profession, and they watch us waiting to see how we are going to live our faith. It may not be fair, but they will see any flaw and failure as proof that our faith doesn’t work. I had a neighbor come over to watch me re-roofing my storage shed. I finally asked him why he was there, and he said, “Oh nothing really; I’m just waiting to hear what you will say when you hit your thumb!” He was being funny; some people are deadly seriously.

None of us can ever be perfect, but we can be consistent. Perhaps the greatest witness we can give to the truthfulness of our faith is now consistently we live it out before the paparazzi of the world. Peter says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).

Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday and the traditional beginning of the season of Lent. In some places, Today is known as as “Pancake Day.” Lent is a traditional time for liturgical fasting when only “plain foods” are to be eaten. Fancy foods like eggs, milk and sugar are to be removed from the house, so what better way to do that than to eat a bunch of pancakes the day before? In fact, Mardi Gras with all its excesses began as a way to prepare for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season which culminates in Good Friday and Easter Sunday—the death and resurrection of Jesus. Have you ever gorged yourself a bit the day before you were to start a diet? Well, that was the idea behind Mardi Gras, except that most people don’t do Lent after Fat Tuesday. They have the big party, but they never fast and focus on what led up to the death and resurrection of Jesus

Another name for today is “Shrove Tuesday.” Shrove is the past tense of “shrive,” which means confessing and doing penance for past sins. Lent was the time to reflect on sin and the price Jesus paid, and Shrove Tuesday began that holy period. Once again, the tradition was largely maintained by folks who remember the party and forgot to focus on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Face it, having a big party is much more fun that a period of fasting and self-deprivation.

Do we live like we expect Fat Tuesday without Ash Wednesday? Not that any of us would think about doing Mardi Gras. But do we live like we want the forgiveness of Christ without the self-sacrifice of discipleship? At the center of Christianity is a cross, and the call of discipleship is to make the cross of Jesus our cross. “And he said to them all, “Anyone who wants to come with me must forget self, take up their cross every day, and follow me” (Luke 9:23, NLT). It’s one thing to enjoy the pancakes; it’s another thing to follow Jesus in the way of the cross!

Choosy Mothers Choose Jiff

I’m feeling a little bit queasy this morning. I have been feeling a bit queasy since yesterday afternoon when I found that the lot number on our big jar of Peter Pan peanut butter began “2111.” There has been an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened 300 people in 39 states, and that outbreak has been traced to certain batches of peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra Foods under the brands “Peter Pan” and “Great Value,” Wal-Mart’s house brand. All infected peanut butter has a lot number that begins “2111,” which is exactly the lot number of the jar of Peter Pan in our pantry-- the half-eaten jar in our pantry.

So I'm feeling a little queasy this morning. Of course, what really makes me queasy is to think that we’ve been paying for Peter Pan all these years when it comes from the same place as Wal-Mart’s house brand!

I really do feel a little sich this morning. Of course, I just did some research salmonella, a group of bacteria that cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps lasting from 4-7 days and beginning 12 to 72 hours after infection. People infected usually recover without seeking treatment, although sometimes hospitalization for dehydration and extreme diarrhea. The elderly and infants are particularly at risk for the more extreme complications. People sometimes die from this bug, but there have been no deaths linked to this latest outbreak. But I am feeling a little bit queasy.


But I think this is just the power of suggestion. We do tend to find what it is that for which we are looking. When we look at our day, and all that we see are the endless appointments, the tasks that need to be done, co-workers who are really pulling their weight, and a boss making with unreasonable demands—then that may be all we see. But if we are looking for God breaking into our day with little graces and unexpected blessings, then that is just what we might see. We tend to find what we are looking for, don’t we? The point is to train ourselves to look for God and His mercies in the ordinary rush of ordinary life.

Don't Be a Wise Guy

An old Dennis the Menace cartoon has Dennis come from school one day and tell his mother that the teacher said that he was a wise guy. His mother was a bit upset by that, and so she called the teacher. As it turns out, the class was doing a nativity play for Christmas, and Dennis had been selected to play one of the wise men. (Nativity play in school? I told you it was an OLD cartoon!). The point was that Dennis did not appreciate the difference between being a wise man and a wise guy.

Sometimes we don't appreciate the difference, either. Sometimes we think that we know some things, and we think that our knowledge this makes us wise. But sometimes that so-called "knowledge" just makes us a wise guy (or gal). Nothings tends to make us more arrogant than thinking that we get it. Everyone else doesn’t get it, but we get it. To the Corinthians who were entrenched on opposite sides of the old foods-offered-to-idols debate, Paul gives this warning about what they think they know (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)--

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. 2 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.

Knowledge (either real or imagined) has a tendency to puff us up and make us proud. Paul in effect says, "It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know-- or rather, who knows you!” Paul knows that knowledge is important, but he also knows that it is love that truly builds us up.

My daily bible reading from Proverbs reminds me of something that is easy to forget. No matter now much we think we know, we should be a wise guy--

12 “I am wisdom, and I have good judgment. I also have knowledge and good sense.
13 If you respect the Lord, you will also hate evil. I hate pride and bragging, evil ways and lies. (Proverbs 8:12-13, NCV)

The warning here is that when we really possess knowledge and wisdom, then will will hate pride and arrogance. We will especially hate them in ourselves. True knowledge never leads us to arrogantly think we know all there is to know. No, true knowledge leads us to know God... and that knowledge always drives us to our knees in humility.

So… don't we a wise guy!

Desperate Faith

The only thing more frustrating than trying to console the inconsolable is BEING the inconsolable. We stand at the bedside of one losing their fight with cancer. Or we sit with a husband or wife who has tried to keep their marriage together only to receive the final papers in the mail. Or we stand beside a family numb with grief at the edge of a freshly dug grave. We think that there should be words to say, but the words never seem to come.

Or sometimes the words are spoken by the sufferer. We hear them saying things like, "Where was God when this was happening?" Or maybe, "Why would he allow such a thing to happen?" Or sometimes even "Why did God turn against me like this?" We are made uncomfortable when we hear words like these from the lips of the faithful. And we try to shush the sufferer, "You don't really mean that." Yes they do; they mean precisely that!

And it is OK. These aren't intellectual questions seeking factual answers; they are the desperate cries of a heart that is breaking. This is precisely the cry of David in Psalm 22:1-2.

1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

In his struggle and suffering, David feels that God has turned against him. He groans and God ignores him; he cries out, and God remains silent. Why has God forsaken him? Well the answer is, "God hasn't." God will act to revive and restore him. David is confident of that fact, and he gives God a “praise in prospect” in Psalm 22:22-23

22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

He knows that he will again praise God, but right now David FEELS forsaken. And he expresses his true feelings to God without veneer or varnish. And he will not be shushed. God knows His heart, so there is no need for him to pretty up his words. He simply shares his feelings with God, and cries our for God to help.

The ability to be honest to God despite frustration and pain is called "faith." We like David's calm and serene faith expressed in Psalm 23, "Though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Now that is real faith! Is it an accident that Psalm 23 follows Psalm 22. The faith of Psalm 22 is much more messy, but it is real faith as well. The heart that cries out to God in despair is a heart that cries out to God! Maybe the reason David was so faithful in expressing his praise is because he was also so honest in expressing his pain. We don't cry out to one who is not there; we don't ask for help from one who is impotent to give help.

The ultimate affirmation of David's desperate faith is that his words become the words of Jesus from the cross as he embraced our suffering and identified with us as sufferers. There will be times when our faith will turn desperate. God will seem silent; the pain and frustrations of life will seem as the arrows of the Almighty. When that happens, the only thing to do is to cry out our lament to the God. He hears and he cares... even when it feels as if He does not!

You Can't Just Jump Up

I remember Bill Cosby doing a routine years ago about what to do in a plane crash. He had decided that all you have to do if your plane is crashing is to wait until just before the plane hits the ground… and then jump up. That’s all you have to do— just jump up. Of course, that doesn’t work too well if you’re in a helicopter. But in a plane, just wait until right before it hits the ground and jump up.

I thought that was funny... because I remember having the same idea when I was a kid. Why not just jump up at the last minute? Why wouldn’t that work? Well, it wouldn’t work because you are moving at the same speed as the crashing plane. You can’t jump up fast enough or far enough, and even if you could... you would still land in the middle of a plane crash! No, its best to stay in your seat with your seatbelt securing fastened leaning over in crash position. That at least makes it easier for them to find you later!

What brought that up? My reading this morning was in Matthew 24, Matthew’s version of the text in Mark 13 we slogged through in Bible class last night. Jesus ends the chapter with a parable of a wealthy landowner who goes on a trip and leaves his servant in charge. Jesus asks what would happen if the servant goofs off the whole time the master is gone, thinking he has plenty of time to get ready? Matthew 24:48-51 (NCV) reads—

48 But suppose that evil servant thinks to himself, ‘My master will not come back soon,’ 49 and he begins to beat the other servants and eat and get drunk with others like him? 50 The master will come when that servant is not ready and is not expecting him. 51 Then the master will cut him in pieces and send him away to be with the hypocrites, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.

What the servant was trying to do was waiting until the last minute and jumping up. Unfortunately, the master came home unexpectedly. And by that time, the servant was already falling at crash speed, and nothing can prevent him from crashing and burning.

If we are to be ready when Jesus returns, then we must stay ready all the time. We can’t live our lives as we please and wait until the last minute to get ready. We don’t know when the last minute will be. And by that time, we may already be in such a nose dive that we can’t pull out. You can’t wait until right before the crash and just jump up.

A Universal Language

One of the things that helped Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the crew of the Enterprise boldly go where no man had gone before was the fact that they never had a language barrier. No matter what galaxy they visited or what life form they encountered, everyone just seemed to speak English. And on those rare instances when there was a language barrier (and Spock was too busy to do a Vulcan mind-meld), they simply used their universal language decoder. Uhura flipped a switch on her console, the translator was activated, and again everyone could communicate in English.

Well, according to David in Psalm 19, there is a universal language. And all we have to do to see it is to look up--

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (Psalm 19:1-4a, NLT)

The power of God as seen in creation speaks to all people of all time about His existence and His power. The vastness of the universe speaks of the incredible and limitless God who created it. The intricacy of its design points us to the wisdom of the One who designed it. God speaks to us of Himself in His creation, from the awesome infinitely of the galaxy to the microscopic majesty seen in a single drop of water. God shouts to us of His presence and His power in the everyday wonders of His creation. That is the universal language (Romans 1:20, NLT)

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Listen today for the voice of God in your life. That voice will be all around you, reminding You of God's presence. And let God's voice in creation drive you to listen to his voice in revelation. Only there does tell of His ultimate voice in the world of men and women-- Jesus Christ.

Nice Guy Finishes First

This morning I am basking in the afterglow of Super Bowl XLI. The Colts finally won a championship, Peyton Manning finally won a big game, the Indy defense finally stopped the run, and a dome team finally won outside in bad weather. And for the first time, an African-American coach held up the Lombardi trophy as NFL champion. And most importantly— the Peyton Manning jersey that I bought at A.J. Wright for $5.00 years ago finally turned out to be a wise investment!

There was another victory as well. Earlier in the week, the NFL notified several large churches that they were in violation of the NFL’s copyright protection by advertising showing the Super Bowl in their church building. It may have been coincidental that the churches were in Indianapolis and Chicago, the two Super Bowl cities. The prohibition was murky enough that some cancelled their parties and there was evidently an outcry... and the NFL back-pedaled faster than a Chicago corner trying to cover Marvin Harrison. They announced that it is perfectly OK for churches to show the Super Bowl as long as they keep moneychangers out of the temple—the church can’t charge admission. Click here for details.

One of the reasons originally given by the league for preventing churches from showing the game is that they did not want the NFL connected with religious messages. They feared that churches would use the Super Bowl as a platform for sharing their faith. (Where would they get an idea like that?) They did not want the reputation of the Super Bowl sullied by talking about Jesus at half-time when we should be watching something wholesome, like Prince prancing around in the rain!

Well, if they really wanted to ban God from the Super Bowl last night, they really let the wrong two teams to play in the game. Both Indianapolis’ Tony Dungy and Chicago’s Lovie Smith are dedicated Christians. When accepting the Lombardi trophy after the game, Dungy said this--

I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this. But again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that.

You know, nice guys aren’t supposed to finish first. But one did last night. And it looks like we can go ahead and plan next year’s Super Bowl party. And I think I’ll hold onto my Colts jersey too!

The Die Has Been Cast

I have heard the following words several times. They can be found all over the web, most often attributed to “author unknown. When there is an attempt to refer to an author, it is attributed to a young pastor in Zimbabwe (or sometimes Rwanda) who was later martyred. Whoever wrote it reminds us powerfully that discipleship is costly and difficult… and absolutely essential—

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes,
give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me… My banner will be clear!

On Being Vigilant

Yesterday, a United Airlines flight was stopped at the end of a runway in Omaha to take on a hazardous materials crew. Someone had noticed a suspicious white powder in the galley at the rear of the plane, and crew followed the outlined emergency plan. Passengers were held on the plane for 2 ½ hours while the hazmat crew did its investigation. It turned out that the suspicious white powder in the airplane’s galley was a sugar substitute. Hey, as far as I’m concerned, if the sweetener was the stuff in the pink packet, then the emergency plan and the hazmat suits were in order!

I guess we mark this down as one of those “signs of the times.” Our post 9-11 world is a scary and dangerous place, and we appreciate the hyper-vigilance of those in charge of our safety, even if their vigilance sometimes appears to be a bit extreme. There are dangerous things out there, and the only way we can be safe is to always be on our watch.

Should that not be the case in our Christian lives? We live in times that are dangerous spiritually. Our world no longer really respects faith in Christ as being a "mainstream choice." Those who do choose to take the call of Jesus seriously will sometimes find themselves a bit out of step with the world around them. There was a time when almost everyone accepted homosexuality as wrong; now it is acceptable to most and almost fashionable to many. If you suggest that sexuality involves moral choices and consequences, many people look at you like you just landed from Mars. The world is constantly calling evil good and good evil (Isa. 5:20), and we need to constantly be on watch again evil influences. Peter tells us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT).

When you are watching for terrorism, you may indeed pull the pin on the emergency plan because someone left Sweet-N-Lo laying around. I wonder if that should not happen more in spiritual things. If we never ever raise any false alarms of spiritual danger in the world around us, perhaps we are not on high enough alert!

Do We Get It?

Evidently, yesterday was my “be content and don’t focus so much on material things” day. Both my Sunday morning sermon series (from Deuteronomy) and Sunday night small group (from Psalm 23) focused on how material things can cause us not to focus on God. In Deuteronomy 8:12-14, Moses warned Israel that moving from the struggles of the desert to the bounty of the Promised Land could cause them to forget about God--

12 When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

In Psalm 23, the picture of God as our good shepherd making us lie in green pastures and beside calm waters is a picture of a soul content in God. It is not easy for us to lie down and rest in God when we scurry around to collect materials things that ultimately can’t bring contentment.

Both lessons reminded me that our lives must be centered in God and that often it is our pursuit of stuff that pushes us off center. I hope the lessons helped others as well.

But evidently, my subconscious mind just doesn't get it. Last night I had a vivid dream (one of those what seems real). I had just bought a new DVD-Recorder that played in both Blu-Ray and Hi-Def DVD formats (a machine which isn't even on the market yet). The problem was that I couldn’t figure out how to hook the thing into my TV. (That’s the part of the dream that was realistic). It is funny that I would have that dream right after two lessons on contentment and materialism. I guess that maybe deep down I just don’t get it yet.

Maybe deep down, none of us gets it yet. God gives us good things in the life to enjoy. He also gives us good things to share with others. It’s so easy for us to get so focused on the first that we have nothing left over for the second. The one thing that will keep us from seeing the kingdom of God clearly is focusing so intently on the kingdoms of this world.

The Hand of God

Something struck me this morning as I was reading Genesis 45. The sons of Jacob had come to Egypt for famine relief aid and found themselves dealing directly with the Grand Vizier. (If Egypt loved acronyms like most goverments, this was the "Office of GiVE" -- Grand Vizier of Egypt-- the office in charge of giving famine relief.) The brothers were shocked when the second most powerful man in Egypt, revealed himself as Joseph, their long lost brother. Well, he wasn’t really lost; they had sold him as a slave to some Arab traders headed for Egypt and convinced Jacob that Joseph was dead. (Talk about sibling-rivalry). And now that same brother stood before them as the great and might Grand Vizier. That reuninion must have been a bit awkward, don’t you think?

Joseph was thrilled to be reunited with his family, but his brothers were somewhat less than thrilled. In fact, they were “terrified at his presence.” Joseph assured them that vengeance was not his agenda. Joseph’s faith in the workings of God shows itself in the way he responds to the fears of his brothers—

Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Genesis 45:5-7)

Joseph could see God’s hand working in his suffering to bring him to his lofty office so that he could save many lives. Joseph believed that "God sent me ahead" to prepare for the salvation of his family (the family that had abandoned him). Now that meant that he lost his family for many years, he suffered as a house slave in a foreign land, he was falsely accused by an evil woman, and he was sent to prison where he languished for many years. But Joseph saw all of that as the "hand of God" in preparing for the preservation of the clan of Jacob. Joseph was not seeking vengeance; he was seeking the hand of God! (Of course, the text does not tell us about the first meeting of the newly appointed Grand Vizier and Potipher’s wife, the lady that had him thrown into prison. I imagine that was an interesting reunion as well!)

Here’s the thought that hit me. If God used Joseph’s travails to prepare him to save Jacob’s family from the famine, why did not God just send a thunder-boomer or two to end the famine in the first place? God gives strength to those who suffer (see Psa 71:20), but would it not be easier for Him to just take away the suffering? Evidently not. That is what we want God to do when we suffer, and I'm sure that Joseph prayed many times for God to end his suffering. I rather doubt that Joseph ever prayed for God make him the Big Cheese over all Egypt. God does have a way of surpising us, but sometimes we have to suffer before we are surprised.

There is something we discover about God through difficulty and struggle that we just can’t learn any other way. That’s why James tells us to “consider it and pure joy” when we suffer trials, because in that suffering that we become “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Joseph’s travails taught him a perspective that showed him the hand of God in his life. That same hand of God is working on our lives in powerful ways. The question is whether or not we will see it and grow because of it.

Great Day Yesterday

OK, let’s get the football stuff out of the way first. The earth shifted on its axis and the sun rose in the west this morning as the Indianapolis Colts were able to exorcise the curse of Tom Brady and beat the New England Patriots in come-from-behind 38-34 thriller. I grew up a (then Baltimore) Colts fan. Johnny Unitas was my hero, as were Raymond Berry, Tom Mattie, John Mackie, Jimmy Orr, Bubba Smith, Mike Curtis, etc. I was 13 in 1969 when the Colts lost Super Bowl III to Joe Namath and his big mouth; I was 15 when the Colts beat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V on a last second field goal by Jim O’Brien. And that was pretty much the last time that anyone ever said the words “Colts” and “Super Bowl” in the same sentence. So I’m enjoying this one! And now I can wear my Peyton Manning jersey to our Super Bowl party… without explaining to everyone that I bought it years ago at A.J. Wright $4.99!

It was good to have Duane Castille speak to our adult classes yesterday. Duane works with Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund. When Isabel hit our area in 2003, knocking out electricity for 95% of our area (which lasted for well over a week), CCDRF was there for us. They send three tractor-trailer trucks full of emergency supplies (and frozen zucchini) for us to distribute to our community. (Click here for a report of that 2003 effort). It was good to hear of all the things still going on with that work. In the last 15 months, Church of Christ Disaster Relief has responded to ongoing needs caused by Katrina and more recent disasters by sending almost $23 million dollars in aid—food, water, cleaning supplies, bedding, appliances, etc. This is a great work, and it was good to hear more about it yesterday. I hope we can more involved with them in the future... raising funds and helping others-- not going through another Isabel.

We also had a good crowd stay after church for our Missions Team potluck and report yesterday. We appreciate Dan, Cindy and Joan’s willing to go to Ukraine to help with the church in Zhitomir (and the new work beginning, with God’s help, in Rivna). We have been hearing reports like this one every year since our first trip in 1993, and it is important that we see the pictures and meet the people through these reports. And it was also good to have lunch together. Thanks to the mission committee for hosting this event.

Pepperdine 2007

The exciting news for the week is not that the Colts are one game away from making the Super Bowl (I’ll get excited about that if it happens). The big news is that The Pepperdine Bible Lectures schedule for 2007 has finally been posted on their web site! Lynn and I have made the trip to Malibu each year since 1990, and it has become the highlight of our year. Really. we start talking about it in October... and start checking the web site as soon as the last bowl game is played. This has become a precious time for the two of us. It is a a time refreshing for me as I for a change get to listen to guys preach who know what they are talking about. Of course, Lynn also gets a chance to listen to guys preach who know what they are talking about!

With the schedule out, we Lynn will be spending hours from now until May pouring over the schedule and planning the week in great detail. There are 20 or so classes to choose from each hour, so you really do need to spend some time in planning. This year, the web site has an online lectureship planner. Just click the lectures you want to attend, and it will print your own private schedule for you. Lynn will like that. I usually wait until I get there and then go to whatever is in Smother’s Theater—they have the most comfortable seats!

If nothing else, Pepperdine has some of the most interesting titles for lessons. I’m sure the content is great too, but I’m going to steal just the titles! For example—a lesson on evangelism in the church called “Grace Anatomy.” Or a lecture on the Trinity entitled “MP3: Manifest Presence.” Or the lesson on courageous joy called “The Faith-Filled YET.” Or “The Wedding Planner” (the church as the bride of Christ in Ephesians 5). If the lectures are as good as the titles, it should be great.

Everyone should think about going. Sure, airfare is expensive, but it's only money. The room and meals for the week is only $128— pretty good for a room in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean. OK, it’s only a dorm room… but its dorm room in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean! We’ve had several families from Denbigh go in the past (Randy and Better Tanner are going again this year). We oughta make this a Denbigh project one year.

I Sing for Joy at the Works of Your Hands

I was brought believing that going to church was important. I never remember my family ever discussing whether or not we would go to church a particular week-- if we were well enough to have a discussion, we were well enough to go! Dad ran his own business, often putting in 18-hour days, but I never remember him ever missing a Sunday or Wednesday night service because of his business! (Well, there was one Wednesday night when be went to a civic banquet to receive the “Employer of the Year” award, but that the only time). He believed that church was that important. I still believe that church is that important.

But while I've always known church to be important, I'm not sure that I've always understood why it is so important. For the longest time I saw going to church largely as my religious duty. I remember Grandmother referring to people who had stopped attending church as being “out of duty.” And I guess if were are “out of duty” when we miss church, then we must be “in duty” when we attend church. So I went to church every week; I did my duty

Well, at some point maybe I got the point. Church isn't about duty; it's about God. As the Psalmist says, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” (Psalm 92:1-2). Worship isn't about performing proscribed acts in precise ways, it is about meeting God. Church isn't about running the doctrine up the flag pole to salute it and feel holy; it is about falling at the feet of the Crucified One who makes us holy. Church isn't fulfilling a spiritual obligation; it is a precious gift that God gives to help prepare us for our true spiritual duty— living our lives for His glory. In worship, we come before God to be uplifted, challenged, taught and rebuked... all at the same time. In worship, we draw near to God as God draws near to us. In worship, the real world of the Spirit breaks into our world and draws into the presence of the Almighty. As Psalm 92 continues—

For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!

What is it that church is for us? Do we sing for joy ay the works of God's hands? Can we say along with the psalmist, "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, Most High?" Or do we just show up to do our duty?

The King of Glory

I have never been comfortable preaching on the church and financial giving. I do preach on giving-- it is talked about in the Bible (click here). But it someone ever accuses me of “All you ever preach on is money,” then you can know that they come to church about once a year... and have an incredibly bad sense of timing! I think one big reason that Christianity is dismissed today by many is the stereotype that “Churches are all about money.” Some preachers seem to work overtime to reinforce that streotype. Many televangelists tell their hearers that if they give to their ministery, then the result will be cars, houses and Bermuda vacations. What they don't mention (but the IRS is discovering) is that the cars, houses and Bermuda vacations will go to the televangelists! OK, maybe I'm a little cynical!

Yes, God blesses us in many ways every day, and we should see all the things we have as the blessings from the Father who knows how to give good gifts. And yes, God wants us to prosper spiritually and relationally, and He does want us to use our material blessings to bless others. But to suggest that our giving is a guarantee of a financial windfall twists the promises of scripture and plays to the lowest of all human motivators—greed. Psalm 24 does promise great blessings from God for those who seek him. But there are two differences here from what we often hear on TV. David says that it is holiness and righteous living that secures God's blessings— Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

God isn't just looking for our money; that would be too easy. God is first looking for our lives! Those who give Him their whole selves are the ones that He will bless. And the psalm also tells us what that blessing will be--

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

The blessing that God waits to give those who serve and obey Him is not houses and cars or never failing health. God does give those things, but He also sometimes allows us to suffer trials and struggles in order to make us stronger. No, the blessing that God gives those with holy hands and pure hearts is Himself. He comes into the hearts and lives of those who seek Him, and His presence transforms everything. Whether wealth or poverty, health or sickness, the King of glory rules in the lives of the faithful. His power is not limited by our portfolio; His sovereignty does not depend upon a medical chart. Who is the King of glory? The Lord is the King of glory!

It's Not Easy Being a Green Christian

An old saying tells us “Politics makes strange bedfellows.” The same can evidently be said about global warming and saving the earth. Representatives from environmental science and evangelical churches recently met in Atlanta to discuss the need for urgent action in addressing the problem of global warming. Rich Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals said, “Whether God created the Earth in a millisecond or whether it evolved over billions of years, the issue we agree on is that it needs to be cared for today.” While no one offered to change their minds about the origin of the Earth, both agree that the threat to life on Earth because of global warming is real enough where they could set aside their disagreements and work together on the problem.

Last February, 86 evangelical leaders issued a call to action on the problem of global warming. While admitting that it too some convincing, they now accepted that that human-induced climate change is real. Christians need to be concerned because the impact of global warming would hit the poor the hardest, “Millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors.” However, several prominent evangelicals urged the National Association of Evangelicals to avoid taking a similar position because many are still not convinced that global warming is real. (It would be hard to convince me of that after the last our recent string of 70 degree January days!).

There was a time when it seemed like many Christians (well, many Christians that I talked to, admittedly a small-subset) bought the Rush Limbaugh line that the environmentalist whackos and liberal scientific establishment had made up the whole hole-in-the-ozone think as a leftist plot to do away with aerosol spray cans and cheap automotive refrigerant. I think many of us have come to see the environment as a humanitarian issue and a stewardship issue rather than a plank in someone’s political agenda. As much as it seems to pain some to admit, Al Gore is not Chicken Little and the sky may really be falling.

By the way, I’ve already told Lynn that our next car is going to be a 2008 American-made hybrid—I say Ford Escape, she says we are buying another Ford. Of course, we won’t be able to buy it until 2018, so we have plenty of time for negotiation!

Nip It in the Bud!

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 7:14)

Starting a quarrel is easy... stopping one once it has begun is another matter. Disputes and debates can take on a life of their own once the match is lit. Solomon says that the best way to stop a quarrel is to not to have one in the first place. To use the words of that great theologian Barney Fife, "You've got to nip it in the bud!" But sometimes the bud refuses to be nipped. What do we do when the dam breaks and the flood of dispute begins its path of destruction? One thing we do is to remind ourselves that disputes, disharmony and wrangling over differences is outside the will of God. To love to quarrel is to love sin.

Gene Shelburne conducted a seminar for us a couple of years ago based on his excellent little book The Quest for Unity. To borrow a line from Jim McQuiggen, “Every Christian ought to be forced to read this book... if they want to!” One chapter describes the price Gene’s father paid because he dared to seek unity with brothers and sisters who many had dismissed as heretics. Powerful men made it their mission to discredit him. Lies were spread, churches were bullied into breaking all ties with him, and colleagues distanced themselves from him. His sin was to preach that Jesus intended for us to take his call to unity seriously. Shelburne points to an ugly truth—

Have you noticed that just about any great reconciler you can name in any era of the Christian faith has been heckled and hounded and harassed by the very people he is trying to unite? People who stand up for unity always seem to draw fire. Usually from their own people. They get “fragged” by their own troops, to borrow an ugly metaphor from Vietnam. (The Quest for Unity, page 54)

Gene goes on to suggest that the best example of this truth is Paul. We recognize Paul as the most influential missionary that Christianity has known, but to many church leaders of his own day, Paul was seen as a dangerous false apostle. Some of his most damaging opposition wasn’t from the Jews or the Romans; it was from other Christians who opposed him. Why? Paul dared to preach unity between the Jewish and Gentile church. Unity is something that almost everyone says is important, but unity always becomes a very messy business when it comes down to the sacrifice, compromise and selflessness that is required for real unity to take place. As Shelburne points out and Paul models, it is easier for us to shoot the messenger than to take unity seriously.