Celebration of Death

Tonight, we, the all powerful U.S. of A., killed one Osama Bin Laden. Crowds rushed to the other Washington and New York's Ground 0 to chant and celebrate the killing of one of our nations greatest villains. Hoo-Ra!

It's a timely event, finally defeating Bin Laden after tirelessly searching for the past 10 years. On some level, I see this as proof of the fruit of persistence (we had a sermon today of the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-6). But I'm also taken back by all of the celebration that is taking over FB and the Twittersphere like a storm.

While I'm most certainly not torn on my feelings about where I think Bin Laden will likely be spending eternity, I am not so sure about our authority as human's to stake claim to righteousness killing outside of direct battle scenarios. I am even less comfortable with the idea of celebrating the death of anyone. 

God Bless America  May America act in accordance with God's will and thus receive His blessing

"Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily." Luke 18: 1-8

Add the word "How"

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it,

for him it is sin." James 4:17 ESV

photo © 2006 Jim Fischer | more info (via: Wylio)


I memorized this verse wrong some time ago. As a result, it didn't have quite the impact it should have until today. I was saying "whoever knows what he should do..." instead of "... knows the right thing to do..."
That little change allowed me frequently place the question of right and wrong into some dangerous context. Regardless of right and wrong, is God calling me to do this thing?
Is God calling me to help that person?
Is God calling me to change the tone of our argument?
Is God calling me to apologize? Be patient? Stop cussing? Work less? Love more? Pray more fervently?
God calls us to do something by putting it on our hearts. So ff we are asking the question, 'should I be doing something about this?' The answer is most always a resounding 'YES you should'! After all, often times I find that it's not a prayer of what should be done, but should I do it. And in that case, it is me that knows what "the right thing to do" is.
So I repeat God's admonition, "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
To be on the safe side, when you are asking yourself these questions, add the word "how" to the front of them.


It's not, 'Does God want to use me in this case?' 
It's ,'How does God want to use me in this case?'

This Pile I'm Standing In

photo © 2009 Markus | more info (via: Wylio)
I was recently fortunate enough to be introduced to this wonderfully written blog by Jen Zugs. She does a fantastic job of painting a portrait of how Christ is at work in the lives of her and her family in a way that is personal and relatable. Through this window called a blog I have been able to better see how Jesus can work through his people to nurture His children and affect the unaffected.

Please. Click, follow, and enjoy.

The Absurdity of Disbelief

photo © 2009 Jonathan Corbet | more info (via: Wylio)

This is nothing new, but for whatever reason I spent a little time thinking about what I would have to believe in order to NOT believe the bible. It's funny how evidence seems to have stacked up on the other side of my proverbial wall in the years since I've become a Christian.

In any case, if you don't believe the bible, I have concluded that you must either believe that the entire thing is a complete falsification made several hundred years after the death of Christ.... in which case I urge you to watch the Discovery channel a little more discerningly. Or, you are forced to agree with the following statements:

• Jesus was either insane or a liar bent on misery
• Jesus was an amazing magician and unparalleled psychological manipulator to pull off so many supposed miracles
• Jesus' disciples were murdered, tortured, and otherwise persecuted to protect an elaborate lie from which they had nothing to gain personally
• It is  a complete coincidence that Jesus fulfills 48 OT prophesies
• It is a complete coincidence that the bible alluded to many of the more profound scientific conclusions long before the science existed to prove them
• All accounts of Jesus miracles where blatant falsehoods and apparitions.
• People that were alive in the times during Jesus life and immediately following His death believed everything that you are choosing not to, but you, 2000 years removed from the events, know better.

I'll be praying for you.

Blogger App

I'm now armed with a mobile blogging app and swype... You can anticipate error riddled diatribes about things that might as well not be written.

Jesus for President

I know nothing about copyright and what images I can legally copy... 

but I'm attempting to be legit by posting where this image came from.

 http://timoberg.com/category/graphics-animation/ 

Despite all the Christmas cheer going around... a mere 2 days after Thanksgiving i might add. God didn't hesitate to put a substantial dose of clarity inducing conviction on my heart today.

It's those moments where I can see what He wants and then, rather than submitting, I "decide" what to do with that information. It is in that very instant that I check too see how it lines up with what I want, that I have begun worshiping something other than God. It should come as no surprise to you if you're actually following this blog that this divine creature of worship is indeed myself. But here's the point: Even if I choose to comply with His will, I am only being led by myself. I weigh God's word, how much I trust Him, conclude that He's a decent bet and then I make the judgement that He is worthy of listening to... this time. That's not worship, it's vague sense of regard at best!

Pastor Bill Clem made this clear to me today when he pointed out that we, as American's, have an aversion to kingly rule built right into the very foundation of this nation. We feel the right to choose our president and do not resign to being ruled by anyone until we have chosen to do so. And even then, we reserve the right to reject them and bring in another, more suited, ruler of our choosing. In fact, he pointed, we would likely be much happier with Jesus if we could elect Him as God as opposed to being subjected to him as King. And the truth is, this is exactly what many people do with God. They (the royal they that is) accept God as king when times are good and then reject him for another idol the moment that His "good" doesn't match their interpretation of it. The fact is, Jesus already is the King and always will be. The only question is, will I accept his gift of love and mercy and follow him or will I (attempt to) stand in defiance of him?

One Chocolate Square Closer to Holyness

photo © 2005 Elaine Ashton | more info (via: Wylio)

Today marks the beginning of Advent. This is the season where children eagerly anticipate the daily celebration of opening another square on their Santa endowed calender of chocolates (more reminiscent to a cheap cup of instant  coco mixed with cold water and left out to dry into a plactic like wafer). It's also the season where those of us who love Jesus begin building the anticipation for the greatest celebration of the year. The day that God was born human. It's amazing, it's humbling, it's cause for celebration, it... feels too early to be singing Christmas carols.

All the same, I am excited to be celebrating advent. I am excited to go into this holiday season working towards making this a lesson in rejoicing the greatest gift of all rather than a practice in self-gratification. I'm praying for a generous and motivated heart, that is committed to good works for the many many people in need. For works borne out of a love for Jesus and an appreciation for the gift of grace that He has shown me. I'm hopeful that a weekly reminder of that gift via MH Ballards advent mini-series and a daily devotional that I signed up for will help me along the way.