The Blood of the Martyrs

Tertullian - an early convert to Christianity (AD 200), became a leader in the ancient Church. He hailed from Carthage (modern Tunisia in North Africa) and wrote extensively on behalf of the Christian perspective. He was especially inspired by the Christian martyrs. After observing how Christians were willing to die for their faith, he wrote: Plures efficimur, quoties metumur a vobis: semen est sanguis christianorum - We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed.

This week the world has looked on as murderers representing ISIS led a group of Coptic Christians to a beach in Libya (Simon of Cyrene was from Libya - as were a number of Jews present at Pentecost according to Acts 2:10) and beheaded them in a brutal act of cowardice. The faces of the Christian martyrs were all on display in the photos and the videos. Of course, the ISIS murderers had their faces covered as always.

First, I would offer that a hood does not shield a person's identity from God. These murderers may not be brave enough to allow their identities to be known to the world, but God knows each of them. Remarkably, He loves them. He offers them an opportunity to experience eternal life through Christ.

Second, I would point out that this method has never worked. These Muslim extremists are not the first group of people to persecute Christians. Followers of Jesus have been persecuted for centuries. And--it has never worked. Beginning with the first Christian martyr, Stephen, believers have been tortured, ostracized and slaughtered. While in Rome recently, we visited the only "round" church in the city - Santo Stefano Rotondo. It was built in AD 455 and contains 64 frescoes depicting various martyrs of the faith.

It was quite humbling to walk through this ancient church and reflect upon the sacrifice of believers who paid the ultimate price for their belief in Jesus. Only in eternity will we be able to truly grasp the cost of the spread of Christianity across the world.

But - to my point, the decision to kill Christians has never worked to stop the spread of the Gospel. In fact, to the contrary -- Christianity has historically grown in the face of such persecution. Tertullian was right in his observation. Killing Christians actually leads to more Christians!

Today, Christianity is the single largest religion in the world. In fact, it is the largest religion in the history of the world. It remains the fastest growing religion in the world. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell recently published its exhaustive report that documents this truth. While Islam continues to expand, it is no match for Christianity. Christianity is the only religion in the world that can be found in every country of the world. It continues to out pace all other religions. (You can check out this report at http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/csgc-resources.cfm and download it for free.)

Today - I invite you to pray for the families of these brave martyrs who spilled their blood in Libya. Let's pray for the persecuted Church across the world. Let's also pray for the light of the Gospel to penetrate the hearts of those who continue to propagate evil and violence on others. Remember -- the greatest evangelist the Church has ever had was present at the first Christian martyrdom!

When in Rome . . .

I've just returned from leading my 7th annual Church History tour of Rome. Once again, I was overwhelmed and blessed by the experience. My colleagues, Curt and Kim Grice handle all of the logistics of the trip. I am always indebted to them in particular.

We take about 30 church members each year. We spend the week walking through the streets of Rome and through the history of both Christianity and western civilization. I love it. There is no other city in the world like Rome. It offers me an opportunity to teach my people about the history of Christianity in a setting unparalleled in the world.

We spend our time viewing the ancient sites, historically significant places, churches (lots of churches) and living in community for a few days. I do several lectures each day to set the context of what we are seeing and how it fits into The Big Story. We read the story of Jesus and the writings of Paul and connect them all to the city of Rome. Did I say I love it?

I probably have two favorite eras of Church History: Ancient Christianity and the Reformation. Our tour allows me the opportunity to address both of these significant periods of the history of Christianity against the backdrop of both the seat of the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church. It truly is a unique experience and offers our people a different setting for a spiritually formative exercise.

The story of Christianity is a remarkable one. It begins as a small Jewish sect in an outlier province of the Roman Empire. Caesar Augustus is fully in control of the Empire at this point in history. The city of Rome itself is on its way to becoming the metropolitan wonder of the ancient world. In less than 325 years, this small Jewish sect becomes the dominant religious choice of the Gentile population of the Empire. The Christianization of the Roman Empire is one of the most incredible stories in the history of humanity.

Christian communities appeared in all of the major metropolitan areas of the Roman Empire. Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth and Rome itself were all affected by the rapid growth of the numbers of Christians within them. The pastors of these churches were brilliant leaders who led the Church to grapple with the complex theological issues at hand. Believers spilled their blood along the way as the Gospel took hold of the ancient world.

I am always humbled by re-visiting this story in its Roman setting. I thank God for such a sturdy Gospel that truly has changed the world. When in Rome -- I am always encouraged and reminded of the commission to take this Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Frankly, my dear . . .

In some ways, American life in 1939 was much simpler than it is today. Perhaps there was more homogeneity across our nation with respect to our national identity. One might argue that Americans knew what America stood for -- so to speak. As Archie and Edith Bunker used to opine at the opening of All in the Family, "Those were the days!"

However, history offers perspective. We know now that Adolf Hitler was marching across Europe. Emperor Hirohito was contemplating an attempt at world domination. Institutional racism was just a way of life. So, in some ways, life was simpler in 1939--but layers of complexity would soon be discovered that would emerge from the shadows and be revealed to the national consciousness soon enough.

But, when Gone With the Wind premiered in 1939 there was much buzz about Clark Gable's line at the end of the movie when he countered Vivian Leigh's portrayal of Scarlett O'hara's despair with, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a d___."

It is not as if movie goers at the time had never heard an actor swear on film. However, they had never heard one of Gable's stature do it. And, certainly not in a film of the caliber of this epic drama. Needless to say, it caused quite a controversy. Certainly America was not so prudish that grown men did not swear in public in those days. Well, actually, gentlemen tended to choose their language a bit more carefully. Americans were familiar with the habit of cursing, but it was not showcased on film until Gable's Rhett Butler dismissed Scarlett's dilemma with an expletive.

All of this to say--America historically has had an interesting relationship with its film-making industry. It would be hard to exaggerate the role of cinema in the development of and celebration of both pop culture and real life. On the one hand, Americans have tended to go to the movie theater to escape the challenges and demands of real life. "Just entertain me!" has been the sentiment of many Americans. On the other hand, Americans also go to the movies to seek a better understanding of their own lives. There has always been this tension.

As one might imagine, this opens the door for a good bit of controversy. For example, the very first full-length feature film, The Birth of A Nation was released in 1915. It was a cinematic triumph. It was the first film to be officially previewed in the White House by the President of the United States (Woodrow Wilson). It represented the best technology Hollywood had to offer. But, the film depicted the South during the era of Reconstruction and beyond through the lens of White Supremacy. Blacks were portrayed as sexually aggressive and dangerous. The Ku Klux Klan was celebrated in the film as a heroic response to the threat posed by black men. It is a move that would offend all sensibilities today!

Hollywood has been both comfortable and uncomfortable in its role in its contribution to the American psyche. On the one hand, many in the movie industry claim absolute innocence in response to any hint of an attempt to influence the culture. "We are entertainers and artists" -- is what many in the film industry maintain. "Our movies are merely artistic expressions with the desire to entertain" -- is the answer given often. (I'm paraphrasing, not quoting anyone in particular.)

But--we all know better. We all know that there are several motivating factors behind the making of films. Financial profit is certainly at the center of all motivation! However, there certainly has to be the desire to shape, cast light, shape opinions, etc. I think the latest controversy over the new film, American Sniper is a great case in point. Many on the left in the entertainment business (Bill Maher, Michael Moore, Seth Rogen to name a few) have been critical of the film. Some have labeled it "war propaganda" and condemned it as an attempt to support decisions made about Iraq.

I have not seen the film. But I have followed the controversy. Namely because I am keenly interested in the whole concept of influence. I am convinced the film industry (and entertainment in general) is incredibly influential. In 2015, we can't imagine a time when a curse word could have caused controversy in a motion picture. Our screens--large and small--are laced with profanity, immorality, violence, explicit sexuality and all manner of gruesomeness. It would be hard to shock us with anything we might see today. So--we have not just been entertained. We have been numbed. 

Archaeology and Faith

On January 4, the Washington Post reported another archaeological discovery in Jerusalem that connects to a story found in the Bible. According to author Ruth Eglash, this most recent finding may be the discovery of the site of Jesus's trial in the Holy City. 

I read a few articles about this discovery and its potential connection to the story of Jesus. Mostly, the news was met with a "ho-hum" response. I find that to be interesting. Often, archaeological discoveries are greeted with incredible intensity and fanfare. For example, there was quite a stir about the recent announcement of the discovery of the time capsule under the Massachusetts' State House--left by Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. There was great excitement when curators actually opened the capsule to reveal the contents from some 220 years ago.

Biblical archaeologists however often are greeted with skepticism when they make announcements. Some of the skepticism is warranted because there have been a few suspect "discoveries" across the years. You may be familiar with the research published by Nina Burleigh in her book, Unholy Business: A True Tale of Faith, Greed and Forgery in the Holy Land (Collins, 2008). The primary impetus for her book was the controversy surrounding the discovery of the "James Ossuary." An ossuary is a box that was used to store the bones of the departed in burial tombs in the ancient world. This particular one gained notoriety because its inscription mentioned Jesus.

In any event, many people now believe this box to be a fraud. A trial ensued and it was a pretty sordid tale. Burleigh was intrigued by all of this and traveled to Jerusalem to study the industry connected to the approximately 30,000 archaeological sites in the Holy Land. Her book records her findings where she is part journalist, part archaeologist and part detective. The sub-title of her book offers a glimpse into her take on her findings. She is certainly a reputable writer of note and is quite accomplished.

So, there have certainly been many suspicious "announcements" of significant finds in the field of archaeology in the Holy Land through the years. Both thorough-going secularists and people of faith are often interested in the archaeology of the Middle East. The skeptical, non-religious crowd enjoys any story of potential fraud or intrigue surrounding any finding. On the other hand, many among the faithful hope the next discovery "proves" the Biblical account of ancient history. More often than not, both of these perspectives are left wanting and the respective adherents are disappointed on some level. 

What I mean is this--there has not ever been an archaeological finding that completely and absolutely proves the Biblical account of Israel and Jesus to be demonstrable untrue. Conversely, there hasn't been some great discovery that absolutely proves every detail of the Bible to be demonstrably true. With that said, there have been some amazing archaeological discoveries that corroborate the Biblical account. That is without question. In fact, the list of those is tool long for this little ol' blog.

For example, the discovery of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, Peter's house in Capernaum and the first-century synagogue in Capernaum all corroborate the accounts provided in the Gospels. The discovery of the Tel Dan Stela that bears the most ancient inscription to mention King David put to rest the previously repeated mantra that David was not mentioned outside the Bible. There have been hundreds of inscriptions (Pontius Pilate in Caesarea), coins, potsherds, buildings and ancient cities that have offered corroborating testimonies to material we find in both the Old and New Testament.

But --- here's the thing. We still have to be people of faith. Archaeological discoveries are incredible and encouraging. They certainly offer affirmations for us. But, God will always require faith from us. We have to be willing to believe He is God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We will always take steps of faith toward Him. We will not have "proof" of everything. Regardless of how much archaeologists unearth in the Holy Land, the Christian life is a life of faith.

I praise God there is so much corroborating evidence that has already been discovered. I am grateful for the scholarship and integrity of legitimate archaeologists who have opened doors to the ancient world for us. The light of these discoveries has shed light on our path, for sure. But the path remains a path of faith!

Cowboys, Referees and What ifs

I remember the 1967 Ice Bowl in Green Bay. I was a little boy in Birmingham, Alabama. Our community league football teams were the "Packers." We wore the same uniform as the Green Bay Packers. I played through those leagues as a kid. I was number 15 - just like my favorite player, Bart Starr, quarterback of the Packers. We were huge Green Bay fans in those days. So, understandably, I was pulling for the Packers on that cold December day in 1967.

Fast forward to 2015. I have spent most of my adult life in Texas. I served my first tour of duty in the 80's and 90's while I was completing seminary and pastoring. I returned in 2001 to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Arlington, Texas. That's right, Arlington -- home of the Dallas Cowboys. And, I have been converted! I'm a Cowboys' fan now. I love this team. I love Romo and Witten. So, yesterday I was cheering wildly for the Cowboys to beat those Packers.

I was watching it live when "it" happened. The "catch" or the "non-catch" as it were. Are you kidding me? It was a catch, for sure. Three steps, an elbow, a stretch for the end zone. No doubt, a catch. Dez Bryant made a circus leap for a perfectly thrown pass and hauled it in on the one yard line. No doubt the Cowboys would score and we would be set up for a classic final drive for the Packers. Could Aaron Rogers lead them down the field and maybe repeat Bart Starr's final drive against the Cowboys in the Ice Bowl? Or, would the Cowboys defense make a stop and help Dallas land in the NFC Championship game?

But, wait a minute. The miraculous catch was reviewed. By whom? Three blind mice? Three stooges? The management of the Packers? Packer fans? Actually a referee reviewed it. According to referee Gene Steratore, Dez Bryant "did not maintain possession of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch. In our judgment, he maintained possession but continued to fall and never had another act common to the game." 

I'm sorry. What???? Catching, stepping and reaching -- aren't those football acts?

Now, last week I was in complete agreement when the referees picked up the flag on a late interference call on the Cowboys. That "non-call" was certainly the right call and it led to a Detroit Lions punt that allowed the Cowboys to go ahead and seal the win. So, I know these referees are capable of getting it right!

Anyway - it's over for the Cowboys. Great season. Great players. It was fun.

As I reflected last night on the events of the day, I came to several conclusions.

1. Perspective is so important. My perspective has changed since the last time the Cowboys and Packers played in a playoff game. I really am a Cowboys' fan now. Were I still a fan of the Packers, I would probably be hailing the courage of the referee to change such a pivotal call. Many people are saying today that this was a judgment call based on a challenging rule. There is a difference of opinion about what constitutes a true "catch" when a receiver seems to be falling to the ground. The ground cannot cause a fumble, but it can cause an incompletion. The referee has to make the judgment based on the "football acts" of the receiver. So -- it could have gone either way. I wanted it to go my way.

2. Somebody has to be in charge. The players can't make the rule calls in a game. There has to be somebody who is charged with keeping the rules. That is the referee's job. He, along with his team of officials, must insure the rules are kept. Sometimes, these folks make judgment calls based on the evidence before them. In the actual game, they are the final authority.

3. "What ifs" are fun, but in the end, meaningless. We don't known what would have happened if the "catch" was actually ruled a catch. We can only deal with reality.

OK - so these are actually life lessons as well. In life, perspective matters. How we view things makes all the difference in the world. It is true. My perspective shapes my feelings and judgments. And, authority matters. In life, somebody has to be in charge! From my perspective as a Christian, God is in charge. His Word is authoritative. Finally, reality matters. I can't afford to live my life in denial of reality. I don't want to be like Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite. "What ifs" are fun, interesting -- but I can't live everyday in a sea of what ifs. I have to live in reality.

So - today, life goes on. Even for us Cowboy fans.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article6015108.html#storylink=cpy

GOOD RELIGION

Have you read Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics (Free Press, 2012) by Ross Douthat? Ross is a columnist for the New York Times. He is a Harvard graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member. Brilliant thinker. Seminal writer. I follow his columns and enjoy his insights.

The premise of his book is outlined in the opening pages. He begins by crafting a portrait of America after the economic disaster of 2008. Debt, deficits, reckless financial decisions and the like are traced to the selfish appetite of a society that "can't get no satisfaction." He points out the fact that some have tried to blame the "decline of America" on religion. In fact, he explains two contradictory reasons offered for the downturn of our nation: one is the idea that America is too dependent on religion, the other is that America has turned its back on its religious roots.

Douthat concludes the real reason for the seeming decline of the American way is something deeper than either of these opinions. Here is his take:

". . . America's problem isn't too much religion, or too little of it. It's bad religion: the slow-motion collapse of traditional Christianity and the rise of a variety of destructive pseudo-Christianities in its place." (p. 3)

Douthat portrays Christianity as forming the "center" of American life for most of this country's history. He laments the misuse of the Christian faith for political, economic or geopolitical gain. His critique of many modern expressions of "Christianity" are strong and (I think) on-target. He ends his book by calling for a return to vibrant, orthodox Christianity that takes the Bible seriously and following Jesus to be a mandate.

It is a good read.

I thought about it today when I was driving to an early breakfast meeting and heard the news from Paris about the shootings at the headquarters of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hedbo. I had never heard of this magazine until today. Apparently, the cartoonists had offended the sensibilities of some Islamic terrorists.

When I heard the report--I thought about Douthat's book. Wow. How much damage has been caused by bad religion? It may be the terrorism associated with radical Islam or the insecurities exhibited by Hindu extremists in India or many other forms of atrocities committed in the name of religion. It is sad.

I can't imagine how much it must grieve God. He created this world and it was good (Genesis 1). In fact, it was very good (Genesis 1:31).

Douthat's book is not about terrorism or acts of atrocity committed in the name of God. But, the insights in his book about many forms of bad religion are on my mind today as I pray for God's people to reflect His goodness in His world.

THE SACRAMENTAL JOURNEY

So, here we go. 2015.

The Sacramental Journey continues.

Back in the late 1990's, I was serving as a pastor in Alabama. I was searching for an image to capture my understanding of the Christian life. After much reflection and prayer, I landed on this one--a journey. Certainly not an earth-shattering discovery! It is a common way of expressing one's life experience. However, I decided to add one other concept to this common image--sacramental. After all, every one is on a journey of one sort or another. Christians are on a holy, sacred and spiritual journey.

The journey motif is poignant for me for a number of reasons. I was raised in Alabama by parents who were from neighboring Georgia. We traveled often back and forth to visit grandparents and other family members. Plus, my brothers and I were baseball players. Our family often could be found traipsing across the country to let us play in all kinds of tournaments and All-Star games.

We had a 1964 AMC Rambler Station Wagon with no air conditioning. Think about that. Driving across the south in the summer with two older brothers in a hot car does not create positive vibes associated with "journeys." We had to roll the windows down (that's right, we "rolled" them down by hand--a lost art today) just to keep the air circulating. However, sometimes the draft was so strong, it threatened to suck the skinny people clear out of the vehicle!

But, we didn't dare complain about the wind tunnel effect in the back of the car. Back then, our Dad smoked cigars--Roitans, King Edwards and Muriels. If we complained about the wind draft, he would make us roll up the windows. He would open those little "vent" windows in the front of the vehicle (you can Google that). Then there was enough second-hand smoke in the vehicle to justify three future lawsuits from his sons.

Then, of course, we brothers had imaginary lines drawn across the back of the Station Wagon that you couldn't cross. When one of us did so, we retaliated with whatever means necessary to protect our territory. If it got out of hand, Daddy would look back and utter those immortal words, "Don't make me pull this car over.

So, the idea of a journey hasn't always evoked the most positive of images for me personally. However, I would like to think I have dealt with my issues and progressed to a more mature understanding of the value of this motif.

Certainly the Bible uses this idea to illustrate human life on earth. The word "walk" appears over 200 times in the Bible. Often, this word refers to how we actually live our lives. For example, refer to Psalm 1, Genesis 5:24, 17:1 or Jeremiah 6:16. And, Jesus claimed He is The Way. In fact, often in Acts, Christians are referred to as "followers of The Way." You get the idea.

But, for Christians, we are not just on any journey; we are on a holy, sacred and spiritual journey. Hence, I have chosen the word sacramental to describe our journey. We are followers of The Jesus Way. This is a path of holiness and sanctity. The English word "sacrament" is derived from the Latin term sacramentum. This is a word rich in theological meaning. Prior to its usage in Roman Catholic theology, this word was used to translate the Greek term musterion (mystery). This Greek word is associated with the idea that God reveals Himself and His truth to His people. What was hidden has been made known by God.

This term also is connected to the root sacra - which means "holy" -- we get our word "sacred" from this root. For me, this is an excellent descriptive term for our distinctive journey as believers. We are called to a holy life that depends upon God's revelation of Himself.

So -- the Christian life is truly a Sacramental Journey. 

To be continued . . . 

THANKSGIVING 2013

Our Thanksgiving weekend began yesterday when friends who live in Niger stopped by for lunch and fellowship. We enjoyed spending time with them and catching up on all that is happening in their lives.

Last night, we had dinner at our daughter's house. Our son-in-law, his parents, our grandchildren, our son and his fiance, a friend from Sierra Leone and my Mom enjoyed a great feast. 

This morning, I woke up in my warm home, next to my beautiful wife. Our son, my Mom, our friend from Sierra Leone and two children from the Congo all spent the night here. Today we will be joined by the rest of this family from the Congo, my daughter and her family, a friend from Mexico and his wife - who serve now in Sierra Leone and their children. We will gather this evening around our table and enjoy another feast and fellowship together. 

I am currently serving as the Pastor of a church I love deeply. I am surrounded by an incredible staff of dedicated servants of God. I am invested in The Great Commission and I begin serving on the Board of a university whose Christian mission is unparalleled. 

So - am I thankful on this Thanksgiving Day? What do you think? 

Is everything perfect? Of course not. We have experienced times of testing, loss, challenge and difficulties -- like most of you have. We have made hard decisions, navigated through transitions and accepted circumstances that we cannot change. But - in the face of both challenge and blessing -- I am truly grateful to be where I am today. 

My life has been enriched by the Lord Jesus in ways that are inexpressible. The calling to serve Him and the Gospel that bears witness to Him has changed my life forever. This weekend is a great example of that. My table will be home to people from my immediate family and people from across the world. My parents raised me to have a love for Jesus. We have raised our kids to do the same. Cindy and I now find ourselves enmeshed in a network of Jesus followers that circles the globe. Our hearts are full and our lives are blessed beyond measure. 

So - to my family, my friends, my fellow-laborers in the Lord, my church family -- I can truly say, "I thank God on every remembrance of you. I pray on this Thanksgiving Day that our God will fill you with the knowledge of His will through all of the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. I pray that you will live a life worthy of our Lord -- that you will please Him in every way. I pray that you will be rooted and grounded in God's truth. I pray that you will bear fruit in every good work. I pray that you will be strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might. I pray that you will find your way on The Jesus Way. May God be glorified through your life." 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ash Wednesday

I will never forget Ash Wednesday of 2011. We held Clint Dobson’s funeral that day. After his tragic death on March 3, our church was filled to capacity on March 9 as we grieved the loss of our friend and brother. On the liturgical calendar, that day marked the beginning of the Lenten Season. On our church’s calendar, it will always be remembered with solemnity and profound respect.

So, now here we are – one year later. Next week, we will pause on the 3rd of March to reflect upon Clint’s life. We will celebrate the fact that no one can rob Clint of the eternal life secured for him in Christ. And – no one can negate the impact of his life upon us and countless other people. And – we will express our gratitude to God that Clint’s ministry continues to bear fruit in the Kingdom of God. For example, a scholarship has been established in his memory at his beloved Truett Seminary that will provide financial support for students for years to come.

Ash Wednesday will be commemorated across Christendom as faithful congregants will be doused with ashes in an ancient ceremony acknowledging the penalty of sin – namely, death. This day marks the beginning of our annual journey toward a hill outside of Jerusalem where the innocent Lamb of God died for our sins. The ensuing days of Lent offer believers an opportunity to reflect upon the true meaning of Christ’s death. For over 1800 years, this season has been characterized by sacrifice and self-denial as followers of Jesus seek to enter into His suffering and embrace the significance of His death.

The good news is that the story does not end on Good Friday. We not only engage in a pilgrimage to Golgotha – we also stand at an empty tomb on Easter Sunday and proclaim, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

Resurrection is God’s cure for death. All Christians die in its light. Clint Dobson’s earthly life was extinguished a year ago. However, he died in the light of the resurrection of His Lord. And, his life was a testimony to that light. His ministry offered hope to those living in darkness. His faithfulness unto death continues to shine as a beacon of light across time. In fact, the tragic circumstances surrounding his death demonstrate just how much darkness and brokenness remains in our world. However, the light of Clint’s life also expresses the remedy in Christ that is available to everyone. There is an answer to brokenness, darkness and death.

It is Ash Wednesday. Easter is not far away.

POWER
 
Lord Acton is credited with the quote, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
 
Our nation has been gripped by examples of the force of power. Herman Cain, one of the front-runners in the GOP presidential candidate race, has been accused of using his position of power to sexually harass women in the workplace. It has been grueling to listen to the charges leveled against him.
 
And – all eyes are on Happy Valley, Pennsylvania as one of the nation’s most respected athletic programs now is reeling in the wake of the explosive news that one of Joe Paterno’s long-time assistants is alleged to have engaged in several acts of the sexual abuse of children. It is awful. Each successive report seems to give more graphic details in a sordid chain of events that allegedly has occurred over the course of years at the revered Penn State University.
 
I have no idea how much of any of this is true. I don’t know what Herman Cain has done or has not done. I don’t know for sure what has happened at Penn State. However, I do know that the abuse of power is nothing new to the human race. Fallen humans have a difficult time in stewarding power in productive and healthy means. It is easy to exert power over others in ways that victimize the weak and vulnerable members of society.
 
All of this is another reminder to me of just how broken humanity really is. Innocent children and adults suffer every day due to the abuse of power by those who are in power. Many of these victims suffer in silence because their voice has never been heard. Or, because their voice has been silenced by those who know better.
 
All of this to say – we need to be good stewards of the power entrusted to us. Are you in a position of power? Are you a boss, leader, employer, etc.? If so, how are you handling your position of power? Are you striving to be Christ-like in your exercise of the duties associated with your position? Are you sensitive to the needs of those who are less powerful? Are you self-critical and self-aware as you exert influence?
 
For those of us who are in positions of power, may we be guided by the Spirit of God and may our actions be tempered by the grace of God.

Holy Week 2011 - Monday
Matthew 26:1-30

Today's reading contains 4 distinct scenes - each of which is worthy of examination:
Scene 1: The Palace of Caiaphas
Word of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem had spread to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. No doubt they were threatened by the response of the people to Jesus. These leaders discuss their plot to kill this interloper. They were not going to allow Jesus to continue to influence the Jewish people. The only answer was to kill him. But -- the question was, "How?"
Scene 2: The Home of Simon the Leper
This event actually occurred on Saturday night prior to the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday. Matthew places it here for thematic emphasis. John puts it in chronological order for us. In any event, this was quite a gathering. Simon (presumably cured of leprosy) and Lazarus (cured of . . . death!) were in attendance. At some point in the evening, Mary annoints the body of Jesus with pure nard. It was an incredible act of worship. Certainly this was Mary's most prize possession. How she had obtained a flask of pure nard (from the Himalayan region) -- who knows? Regardless, it was worth more than anything she possessed. She felt led to offer it to Jesus in a spontaneous act of pure devotion. Jesus received this gift and blessed her for offering it to him.
Scene 3: Meeting with the Chief Priests
Judas Iscariot commits the dastardly deed of betraying Jesus to the Chief Priests. How much was the life of the Son of God worth to Judas? 30 pieces of silver. In Exodus 21, we read that this is the amount to be paid to a slave owner if the slave was gored to death by a bull. By the time of Jesus, this was considered a tip -- a small amount of cash used for cheap purchases.
Scene 4: The Lord's Supper
Jesus shares His final Passover meal with His closest friends. In the midst of the celebration, he offers a re-interpretation of the bread and wine. From now on, the bread will symbolize his body and the wine will remind His followers of His blood. This celebration will be known as The Lord's Supper and the followers of Jesus participate in this symbolic rite to this very day.

Four very distinct scenes.

Plotting. Annointing. Betraying. Celebrating.

Mary gave the best she had.

Judas got whatever he could get.

Jesus gave His very life.

The Chief Priests missed it all.

As you and I begin Holy Week 2011 -- may we be inspired by Mary's gift. May we be challenged by Jesus' obedience.

Snowed/Iced In
We have been snowed/iced in here in the DFW metroplex for a couple of days now. And it is bitter cold outside still. A few more days until the temperature rises above freezing. Here a few of my reflections while I have been "home-bound."

We are not in control. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are not in control of everything. This week is the biggest week in many years in the metroplex. The Super Bowl is here! Can you imagine the hours spent in planning for the events of this week? Or, the incredible amount of money invested in special things planned JUST for this week? And, guess what? We are not in control. Now, don't get me wrong. I want Arlington and the whole area to be great hosts to this event. Sure, I want our area to benefit economically from it all. And, I want us to have the chance to show people the love of Christ while they are in town. But -- I can't help but stop and think about how we can plan and plan and plan and plan -- and yet, we ultimately are not in control of everything.

Rest is good. Many of us have been off work or out of school for a couple of days now. For those of us who "go pretty hard" at life, rest is a good thing when it comes. Sometimes we are forced to rest. I'll admit that I have taken full advantage of some down time. I have rested. I hope you have!

Relationships are important. When we are "forced" to stay home, we have the opportunity to develop our family relationships a bit. Relationships are the stuff of life. We all need healthy relationships. It is good to sit and talk, listen and just enjoy each other's company. Our busy lives often are so full of activity that superficiality rules the day. So -- this is a great chance to deepen the connection you have with the people who are truly most important to you.

TV needs help. I'm not the biggest TV watcher in America anyway. I definitely am not an expert on daytime TV since I have a JOB. But - I have flipped through the channels a couple of times in the past two days. Lots of channels -- U-Verse channels. And . . . TV just needs some help. There are plenty of options for viewing -- just very few good options.

Nameless people keep things running. While I am at home, sitting by the fire, sipping coffee, reading, studying, hanging out with my family - whatever ---- there is a host of people working across the metroplex. For most of us, they are the nameless people. They are keeping the roads clear, keeping the electricity working (even with the occasional outages), handling traffic problems, keeping the natural gas flowing, keeping telephone service intact, etc. Yeah, the nameless folks are making it all happen everyday -- and particularly today.

God is good. If you are reading this blog, you are blessed. If you have a warm house with a roof over your head, you are blessed. God is just good, y'all. He just is. He has provided so much for us. We take Him for granted so often. He is good. All the time.

Space Shuttles

I remember where I was when the first Space Shuttle launched back in 1981. I was working for a funeral home in Alabama and I had been dispatched to the crematorium on Birmingham's south side. The company I worked for at the time had 17 funeral homes in Alabama, but only one of them actually was equipped for cremation. Anyway, I was there to pick up the remains of the deceased -- and the morticians were all gathered around a TV to watch the launching of the Columbia. I remember that it seemed like a science fiction movie. Human beings were going to orbit the earth, return to the atmosphere and land the space craft at an airstrip. It was incredible.

I had just returned home from a seminary class in 1986 and switched on the TV in our apartment and watched the Challenger accident. It was surreal. Obviously, the fact that a school teacher was aboard the space craft heightened everyone's awareness of the launch and added to the grief of the whole experience.

I moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1995 and became more knowledgeable about the space industry due to NASA's presence in that community. The NASA folks in Huntsville take all the space tragedys very personally. Generally speaking, the Marshall Space and Flight Center in Huntsville is in charge of each launch until the space vehicle leaves the atmosphere. Then, Mission Control in Houston takes over. So, the Challenger accident was principally connected to the Huntsville branch of NASA. It is a tough anniversary each year in Huntsville, to say the least.

Then, I was awakened early one Saturday morning in 2003 when something struck our roof. It was such a strange sound that I got up and went outside to look around. We then received a phone call from one of our friends to alert us to the fact that Columbia has been obliterated upon re-entry into the atmosphere. Parts of the shuttle were strewn across north Texas. Again, it was surreal.

We have certainly benefited from NASA's space exploration program. However, like most significant endeavors, it comes with risk and cost. Unfortunately the cost has been measured in more than dollars and man hours. It has actually resulted in the loss of several lives. These folks are heroes to us. They were willing to risk their lives to be involved in one of the most adventurous and daring enterprises in scientific discovery -- exploring outer space. Today, we remember them and pay tribute to their contributions.

Godspeed.

Should Old Guys be Blogging?

I think it is a legit question. I mean -- guys over 50 (that would be me) -- should we be blogging? The good bloggers all seem to be hip, cool and aware of the latest trends. They also have cool graphics and just good stuff on their blog pages.

What about us old guys? I don't really know how to put cool stuff on here. I'm not too good at adding links, photos and such.

But -- I'm going to try blogging for a while. See what happens. I guess I'll answer my own question -- at least for me.

Today, I preached on Ephesians 4. It is an awesome passage of scripture! So rich in meaning. The imagery is profound. Connecting "worthy" to the use of scales in the market was a brilliant stroke of Paul's pen (stylus or whatever he used). Recognizing our connectedness to one another is also a powerful word from this passage. And -- I love the challenge to progress toward maturity.

Yeah, Ephesians 4 is a great place to start the new year.

Goodbye 2010

So, 2010 is winding down. What a year!

On the personal side, this has been an eventful 12 months. Our kids are both in college ($$$). My Mom is doing well -- particularly for her 88 years! She is adjusting to life without my Dad. However, on Christmas Eve, my sister died. So, we are trusting God to care for all concerned.

Cindy's Dad is doing well over in Georgia. He is in his eighties as well -- but in pretty good health.

On the ministerial side, life is busy but productive. This year has been one filled with meaningful investments of our time and energy. We have sent cross-cultural workers to Asia (4) and Africa (2). Cindy and I have traveled to Africa (twice) and to Hawaii for the Baptist World Alliance meeting. I led a tour of Rome back in February (tough assignment, but someone has to do it). We have seen significant growth and maturity in our work across the world.

Cindy's leadership at GCPN has been amazing to observe. She tirelessly leads people in so many arenas toward the accomplishment of the Great Commission. I get tired just watching her! I'm blessed to have her as my life partner in ministry and my soul mate in life.

I have loved watching my church mature in 2010. We have been reading God's Word together in a daily reading plan that we call The Word of God for The People of God. We have been enriched by this experience of reading through both the Old and New Testaments. We have witnessed many spiritual victories because of the power of God's Word in the lives of His people. We had a rich and meaningful Lenten journey in 2010 as we learned more about Life on The Jesus Way.

Our church staff is growing both spiritually and in ministry. God has blessed us in 2010 with a sense of unity and purpose together as leaders for our church family. We had an inspiring and insightful retreat led by sociologist Michael Lindsay. We have been reading and studying together about leadership and the impact of the Gospel on the culture. We continue to reap benefits from the spiritual conversations, ministry planning and relationship building that we enjoy together.

2010 has been a very good year in many respects. I am truly blessed.

Blessings,
dw


Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Auburn is playing for the National Championship!!!

Transformed Along The Way

I've given a lot of thought recently to the essence of what it means to follow The Jesus Way. I have studied the New Testament and consulted various books and articles. I believe the crucial word that embodies what is supposed to happen to all followers is transformation.

At FBC Arlington, we have dedicated 2011 to an analysis of transformation. We are going to isoloate 6 spiritual growth areas and learn how our lives are supposed to be transformed by following The Jesus Way.

More to follow . . .

Spiritual Formation - cont'd

Although we can't completely categorize and measure everything, we have to provide enough organizational framework to give substance to our thoughts. This is particularly true with respect to spiritual formation.

I agree with John Ortberg's assessment:

"It's hard to imagine something more difficult to gauge or measure than spiritual growth. There is a mystery to it. It is intangible."

So -- measuring spiritual growth or formation is always going to be fraught with challenges. There will be some subjective bias involved in any process of accountability. With that said, we still have to do it!

Here is what I am planning to share with my church in 2010. We are going to evaluate ourselves in six basic areas:

1. Worship - seeking God in personal devotion

2. Knowledge - growing in knowledge of Biblical and spiritual truth

3. Obedience - we must integrate what we learn into real life

4. Selflessness/Stewardship - a diminishing selfishness is key to spiritual growth

5. Significant Spiritual Relationships - living in community with fellow believers

6. Evangelism/Missions - sharing Christ with neighbors and the world

We will be using these six areas to assist us in measuring our spiritual development as a body of believers seeking to follow The Jesus Way in the 21st century.

To be continued . . .

Spiritual Formation

What is spiritual formation? How does one know if he or she is spiritually formed?

According to George Barna, Christians are confused about spiritual formation. Jennifer Riley, in an article for Christian Post on Barna's latest research, reported that a "significant portion" of born-again Christians could not describe how "their church defines spiritual maturity."

Further, Barna's research concluded that pastors struggled to give definition to "spiritual maturity" -- which is the goal of spiritual formation.

So -- what is spiritual formation? How does it work? What are the components that lead people to become spiritually mature? And -- how do we measure spiritual maturity? Do you measure it by faithfulness in church attendance? How about tithing? Or serving? Or, is it measured by orthodox views on the Bible or theology?

It is a challenging enterprise -- this whole spiritual formation thing. I am working on a document right now for my church that addresses this relevant topic. It has been truly challenging for me. I am trying to be more specific than I have ever been in addressing this issue.

I'll keep you posted.

Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way . . .

Our church is learning to embody the truths of this thematic statement. It is more than just a statement. In fact, I think it represents the essence of what Christianity is all about.

God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). Human beings have been given this precious gift! We can bear the image of God in His world. However, Genesis 3 relates the story of mankind's rebellion against God. Thus, the image of God has been marred in humanity as a result of sinfulness. Our ability to bear God's image has been damaged.

Further, Isaiah 43:7 reveals that we have been created for God's glory. Again, our ability to reflect God's glory in His world has been short-circuited by our sinfulness. Hence, Paul can say that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!

Enter Jesus. He fully manifested the glory of God (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-3). He perfectly reflects God's image. In fact, Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. He is the exact representation of His being.

Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). He is The Way to God. His Way is The Way to live. His Way is The Way to reflect God's glory. As we embrace the Jesus Way, we experience the power of God in our lives so that we can progress from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Following the Jesus Way leads to true life. It leads to a life conformed to the image of God's Son. It leads to a life that can be truly connected to purpose and meaning.

I hope you will join us as we are Glorifying God by Following the Jesus Way!

The local church can . . .

. . . send missionaries - That's right, the local church can actually send missionaries! The local church is uniquely positioned to do just that. Our church has just commissioned our first missionary. We have set up a Sending Council. We have re-formatted our missions resources. We have developed a comprehensive approach to missiology. We have made a commitment to be a supportive, pro-active missional congregation.

. . . collaborate with others in missions - We haven't had to throw out the baby with the bath water to accomplish this. We are still supporting our traditonal missions enterprises. We still give financially to various boards and agencies that have historically received our missions dollars. We also have partnered with some key churches to develop a collaborative effort in this missions endeavor. We are committed to significant partnerships in order to pool our resources when possible in order to accomplish the advancement of the kingdom.

. . . develop glocal strategy - We also haven't had to sacrifice our local church and missions efforts in order to begin sending missionaries. As a matter of fact, our local commitments are growing. We are working to accommodate our church's growth in the midst of focusing our efforts on the world's needs. I believe this is the blessing of God!

. . . do whatever God leads you to do - Yes, I believe you can do whatever God leads you to do. The local church is the center of God's activity in the world. He has chosen to work through the church. What a privilege for us! We are "in on" what God is doing! That is an awesome truth and it brings serious responsibility with it. We must be good stewards of God's blessing.

Your local church is a special place. Your church can . . .!

Blessings,

Dennis R. Wiles