Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters in China

The Church is flourishing in China, despite persecution. Please continue to pray for God's holy fire to sweep through millions of hearts in this country, and around the world.

Profiling

I'd glad that Canadian officials caught 17 terror-planning men and arrested them. Now I'm hearing two criticisms of this event from a left-leaning, ACLU promoting friend:

1. The police were using profiling strategies unfairly to single out these men.
2. No one is talking about the details of the case, and there's only enough information to make a news headline.

My thoughts:

1. I support the profiling work done that gave extra attention to Arab men. I think it is rational and right to allocate resources (time, attention, scrutiny, money) differentially when there is good reason to believe some individuals with specific ethnic or country origins or religious beliefs are much more likely to be terrorists than others.

Can profiling efforts be abused or miss individuals -- absolutely. We live in a fallen world. If you want fair, you may need to get a different universe. (Side note: give this some thought, you really don't want fair. You and I benefit tremendously by unfair treatment from our Lord.)

Here's another person who says hoorah for profiling.

2. Whatever information is trumpeted on the news gets to our enemies, as well. So less news about what happened is appropriate.

We must remain vigilant. This is going to be a long war.

Anniversary of D-Day

Sixty-two years ago today American and British forces created a 5 mile wide beachhead at Normandy, France. That beachhead, dearly bought, was the opening of liberty for Europe. They poured men and materiel through that beachhead that pushed the Nazi regime back, retook the cities and villages, and restored them to their rightful owners.

Men, remind your families about D-Day. Talk with your sons about honor and sacrifice and freedom. (Check out the National D-Day Museum and the PBS American Experience sites.) The movie Saving Private Ryan is intense, but has some of the best portrayals of what storming the beach would have been like. A friend's father who was in the 2nd wave of boats at Omaha beach (and the only survivor of his boat that day) has told me that one difference is that the movie actors were too old. Most of the men hitting that beach were 17, 18, and 19. If you were 21 you were an old man.

But be sure also to talk with your families about spiritual beachheads. Militarily, a beachhead is a secure zone from which you can launch new attacks. God is working in His Church, in each of His people, to create beachheads that are launching points to retake what Satan has usurped. May the Holy Spirit pour through us to touch, reclaim, and restore thousands and hundreds of thousands and millions of lives! May we be large and clean conduits of the grace of Christ, for the glory of His Name, no matter what our sacrifice.

There are things worth dying for, men.

The Great Animal Namer

Geoff Thomas has a useful article talking about Adam. I had not considered the significance of Adam naming the animals of the field the Lord brought to him. There is a useful insight here, too, that this great work needed to be done before the Lord created Eve as his suitable helper. Recommended.

Future Geological Events

Kevin Nelstead posts about events that are geologically likely -- based on historical frequency -- for the next 1000, 10000, 100000, and 1000000 years! Plus he gives some great comments about how Christians should view future Earth. Guys, this makes for fun dinner conversation with the family. Check it out.

English Standard Version?

I'm looking for people who have been using the English Standard Version translation of the Bible. I continue to read positive press, but would like some personal testimonies. Please contact me at info@teachtochangelives or add a comment about your experience. Thanks!

Loving God With Your Medial Ventral Prefrontal Cortex

That's the idea that Mark Batterson proposes in his blog. He's starting a sermon series on neurology and faith. He makes an excellent point:

"I have this conviction: every ology is a branch of theology. That is based on Romans 1:20. Every branch of science reveals a new dimension of the Creator."

Yes!

Learning to Be Good Listeners

[A joke with a point!]

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife turning back and forth, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off, he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday. I'd like to be six again, she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster... everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake. Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, ..M&M's. What a fabulous adventure !

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well Dear, what was it like being six again?" Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "I meant my Dress Size, you goofball!"

[This joke is in lots of places on the Internet]

Origins of Lucerna Font

Here's an interesting article about the story behind the Lucerna font used in some Bibles. This is a nice example of a team of people using all their skills to glorify God.

Do You Have These Ministry Skills?

Rick Warren has compiled "35 Ministry Skills You'll Need in the 21st Century." There's no way any one person could have all 35 skills in sufficient amounts, but that's ok. We're a body, right?

Read through these and ask yourself how many of these skills would have been appropriate in the first century, and the second, etc.

Put the Right Finish On It

It's been a difficult time where I work. There are many frustrations for large groups of people, and fears, uncertainties -- the emotions are flowing!

It is right and appropriate to pour out these emotions -- fear, anger, frustration, despair -- in our prayers before the Lord. He is our loving father, eager to listen.

All too often, however, we leave our prayers at that point, and don't end them properly. The biblical pattern is in the Psalms, in Job, and other places. End these prayers with submission to His authority and will, and with praise for Him. Put the right finish on your prayers, men!

Quote of the Week

"To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Death by Ministry

If you're a pastor and/or serious Bible teacher, or want to understand how to help your church leadership and staff, you must read this article: Death by Ministry.

Mark Driscoll begins with some sobering statistics about burnout in ministry, then gives some outstanding counsel for how to prepare yourself and guard yourself for long-term Kingdom impact.

Give this to your pastors. Even if they know these things (and they may). "It is as important to be reminded as to be informed." -- Richard Halverson

A Troubling Symptom

American culture is rapidly losing the discipline of punctuality. I think this is a symptom of the real issues of self-focus, and lack of respect for other people's time. As a culture we are so affluent that time is the most precious commodity.

I've told a few Sunday School classes that I'm quick to make judgment on people who are consistently late to worship services. I keep thinking things like "If it was the President, they'd be here early. If it was a movie they looked forward to seeing, they'd be here on time. Shouldn't we treat the Lord Almighty with even more respect?"

Should I judge them for this? No. Who am I that I should judge my Master's servants?

Is punctuality a discipline that I believe should be promoted, and encouraged? Absolutely.

Truth and Presentation

Al Gore's documentary film, titled "An Inconvenient Truth," is about the global warming "catastrophe." I've seen a number of raving positive reviews. I looked through a PowerPoint presentation that Gore has been giving for months now, and it's slick.

Remember the proverb: "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him." (Proverbs 18:17)

These might be good questioners to consider, before you decide what is truth.

"Inconvenient Truths Indeed"

"Questions for Al Gore"

Also, remember this: "Endless repetition is not a coherent argument." (Thomas Sowell)

"Attend Church, Get a 10% Raise"

The Economist, a formidable magazine with high reputation, reports on an MIT study that examined data for church-attenders. People who attended twice as often were 10% wealthier. better educated, and less likely to divorce.

I suspect this economist is looking at the system backwards.

When people people begin to live in right relationship with God and with others, obeying biblical precepts, their lives will often be "better" as the world measures it. You're simply working with a strong foundation, rather than on a foundation of lies and deceipt and lonliness.

Good News?

Michael Barone does a fine job illustrating the facts about the economic news of the world, and the relative peace of the world. Despite media reports with selective focus, there IS excellent economic and peace news today. From a macro view on those fronts, we live in good times. Some of the best times ever, in fact.

Mr. Barone does not address our spiritual condition, however. This is harder to measure. Some say Christianity is advancing at a fast pace nearly everywhere (and some add, "except for the US"). What say you?

Winston Churchill Quotes

I liked some of these pithy quotes from Winston Churchill, especially:

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

"If you are going through hell, keep going."

"If you have an important point to make, don' t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time -- a tremendous whack."

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."

Prayer for Understanding

I've seen this several times over the years, and enjoy reflecting on it.

"I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for.

Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am among all men most richly blessed."

Prayer of an unknown Confederate soldier, U.S. Civil War (1860s).

Why do You Expect Differently?

The da Vinci Code movie opens today. I've spoken with many Christians and read several articles where people point out the double standard from the world and media -- the argument is usually in two parts:

1. No Hollywood type would dare make an offensive movie undermining the claims of Muhammed, but they don't think twice about making movies that attack Christ and his Church.
2. Media attacks on The Passion of the Christ and the Narnia movie are rampant, even though they are amazing commercial successes.

Our job, men, is to be salt and light. We can speak the truth. We can (through God's enabling life in us) to bless those who curse us and persecute us.

But here's a caution: let us not be caught whining about unfair treatment. No student of the Bible should expect "fair" treatment or be surprised when persecution happens. Our true enemy has deceived these people. Don't expect different treatment. "I'm shocked, shocked, that Christians would be persecuted!"

Honor

Doug Phillips shares some good insights and recommendations about establishing honor as the defining principle for living. Recommended, especially if you are training boys into men.

Milestone Reached

One billion people now have Internet access, and 1/4th of them have high-speed access. Let us use it for good.

Disclaimer Needed?

http://www.worldmagblog.com/blog/archives/024505.html A "Da Vinci Code" cast member added fuel to the firestorm when he said the Bible should carry a disclaimer. Actor Ian McKellen made the statement during an NBC "Today Show" interview after Matt Lauer asked whether the movie should have a disclaimer saying it is fiction. "Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction," McKellen said. "I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."...


I would encourage anyone to seriously read the New Testament. Ask and answer two questions:

1. Who is Jesus?
2. What will you do about that?

I was challenged to do just this, and God used the Word to change my life. It's not enough, by the way, to answer the first question. I regularly meet people who casually say, "Yeah, Jesus is the son of God, so what?" God promises that every knee will bow. You can begin bowing now, or bow later. You won't like later.

Christ and Creation

Kevin Nelstead continues to hit it out of the park on his blog, The Earth Is Not Flat. I recommend you add it to your regular reading list(and please consider supporting their ministry in Romania).

His sermon on Christ and Creation is fabulous. Kevin clearly explains why creation testifies to God's existence, nature, and power, but is incomplete revelation. If you have not-yet-believing friends and family who are interested in the natural environment, or aren't thinking about God, check out this sermon and the other postings.

Business Methods to Manage Churches

There is helpful, creative tension in the discussions about how much of the accepted practices and methods for managing corporations should be adopted by church leaders.

Here's what one pastor said to his elder board:

"The next time a sentence begins, “In the business world, we…” please know that I’m not interested in the rest of that sentence. The church is not the business world. As I’ve observed the effects of the business world on people’s lives, it doesn’t produce the traits that the church is about: joy, contentment, grace, and love. I don’t see the business world as a model for encouraging the kinds of lives we’re called to live."

From the other perspective you have business leaders scratching their heads and trying to figure out how to capture the tremendous passion and volunteer spirit they see in non-profits and churches, and get that same energy expressed in their businesses.

I don't believe there is a simplistic answer. The church is a special kind of human organization, so to at least some extent, practices successful in business organizations will be effective in the church. But a business is, in the end, performance-driven, and measuring by monetary and scale attributes. Churches [should] have a completely different ethic and metric system.

What do you think?

Quote of the Week

"Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone." -- John Quincy Adams

Godly men standing on the principles of God never stand alone.

Designing a Church for Men

Mark Doebler pastors the Grove Church in Peoria, IL, which is specifically designed to appeal to men. Read this interview transcript -- amazing ideas.

"Men respond exceedingly well to challenge." Amen to that.

Best idea, in my opinion: the huddle.

"And then after the service we have something called a men’s huddle. I invite every man in the church to meet me off to the side. No microphones or nothing. We gather just like a football huddle. I stare the men in the eye. I usually have something to hand to them for them to take, put in their pocket, carry with them during the week. I have a specific story or challenge for them to walk out of the service with something practical in their hands. And the great thing about that is as soon as they get in the car, what are the wives going to ask their husbands?

Steve:“What did you do in the huddle?”

Mark: Exactly! “What did you do in the huddle?” And so for a man who does not know how to minister to his family, for the first time in his life, even without trying, he is beginning to minister to his family in spiritual things. And it’s exciting!They’re learning how to have spiritual conversations with their wife and their children on the way home from the church, because I’ve given them something that their wife and their kids didn’t hear.


Read the whole interview here.

Perry Noble Gets My Votes for Best Title of the Month

Perry Noble has a great blog post about our works-based righteousness being offensive to God.

Go here to see why he gets my vote for best title of the month.

This is a very useful strategy when you are teaching and working with people -- help them understand viscerally what the biblical text says.

An Alternative Approach for Iran

Bret Stephens outlines several approaches to stop the current Iranian government from further work on nuclear weapons. Worth reading. I didn't realize how vulnerable Iran was financially, or that they import 40% of their gasoline due to lack of refineries.

What Do Moms Do?

Mark Batterson relays this story:

"Tony Campolo tells one of my favorite mom stories. When he was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania his wife was a stay-at-home mom. At faculty functions she'd invariably get asked what she did and she'd say she was a full-time mom. The reaction was always the same. She felt patronized by the intelligentsia so she redefined her role. The next time she was asked she said, "I am socializing two homo sapiens in the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the teleologically prescribed utopia inherent in the eschaton." Then she paused a moment and asked, “And what is it that you do?”

I love it.

Let's figure out the equivalent for real dads!

Happy Mother's Day!

One of the things they teach you in West Virginia history is that the Mother's Day celebration on the 2nd Sunday in May came from the efforts of a Ana Jarvis at a church in Grafton, WV, beginning in 1907.

May God bless all our mothers today, and each day!

I liked what Armstrong Williams says about his mother:

"We recently honored my mother on her 80th birthday with many friends and relatives who came from far and wide to help us celebrate on the family farm in Marion, South Carolina. As we were celebrating her 80 years, it dawned on me that every day is Mother’s Day. Without mothers we would not be here. Our mothers are our first models of God: From their bodies, spring our creation. Early on, in the womb, we are weaned on their nutrients. When we are born, the maternal instinct ensures our safety. This unconditional bond teaches a child what it means to be cherished, teaches a child about the world around him, about emotional needs, about the essence of love. From these early interactions a child's character is born. My own mother spread her love equally to her children, taking great care to build and affirm our self-esteem. At the same time, she never tried to be our best friend; she was our mother, and as such, she provided the discipline and structure that our young minds craved. It was under her kindly lash, that my sense of personal responsibility and assertiveness grew. Most of all, she found great peace by giving up everything to serve her children and to help endow them with an immutable moral foundation. This moral sense was bound up in the concepts of religious striving, hard work and charity. In the simplest sense, mama believed that an absolute moral point of reference was necessary to help us discern between right and wrong. Without this foundation, she thought humans tended merely to live from whim to whim, moving neither toward nor away from anything, finding enjoyment only in moments of fleeting beauty. These lessons were learned young and so they tended to stick. They formed a foundation that would haul me along into adulthood. In a very tangible way, they set me about becoming the man I am today. Decades later these early lessons remain not just as memory, but also as a lingering joy in my heart and a constant source of rejuvenation.
I suppose it is appropriate that, upon birth, we are literally attached to our mothers. So while we delight in celebrating this Mother’s Day on May 14 – remember – every day is Mother’s Day."

I'd put my mom up against his mom any day :-)

United Flight 93 Movie

I saw the United Flight 93 Movie last night. Very impressive. Gut-wrenching. Brought back the whole range of emotions from that day. I thought the movie powerfully portrayed the confusion, the fears, and the heroics in a non-political way. Major kudos to the filmmakers.

One part of me says "Every American should see this movie." It so clearly portrays the nature of the enemy we're facing.

Another part of me thinks this movie is too intense for my wife and daughter to watch. I went with my teenage son, and we had a good conversation afterwards about what men must do in difficult situations.

Here's a useful wikipedia entry on UAL Flight 93.

Self-control

"As far as your self-control goes, as far goes your freedom."
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Good days, bad days

Check

More on the "Liberal" Word

I've written before how it bugs me that the wonderful word "liberal" (which means freedom) has been coopted by leftist and socialist thinking. Thomas Sowell writes:

"Some say it is 'name-calling' if you refer to someone as a liberal. There is nothing inherently negative about the word 'liberal.' If it has acquired negative overtones, that is because of what liberals have done and the consequences that followed."

Some of my left-leaning political friends have now adopted the moniker "Progressive." The same thing will happen to that word.

And to "Conservative."

We don't manage labels very well, do we?

How are we doing with "evangelical" and "Christian" and "Jesus-follower"?

Power in Relationships

Peggy Noonan writes (about politicians in Washington) that "Power is distancing."

I believe she's correct.

I can't get my mind completely around this, but God-drenched relationships have power, but remain intimate. That distancing effect results from pride and other sins.

I Had to Laugh

"Blogger. n. Someone with nothing to say writing for someone with nothing to do."
-- Guy Kawasaki

Now it's true that sometimes I have nothing to say, but the second part is fale -- I know you men have LOTS to do. Good things, which God has prepared in advance for you to do!

Top 10 Issues Facing Families

Factor these into your ministry outreach to other men!

1. Anti-Christian culture; 2. Divorce; 3. Busyness; 4. Absent father figure; 5. Lack of discipline; 6. Financial pressures; 7. Lack of communication; 8. Negative media influences; 9. Balance of work and family; 10. Materialism.

More here.

Raising Men

Check out this mother's story about raising men, especially so they honor and defend women. Good advice here for moms and dads.

Desiring God Radio

I frequently recommend John Piper's books, articles, and sermons. These have been SO helpful to me. God uses his ministry to regularly rebuke, exhort, and excite my heart for Jesus.

If you're not a big reader, and prefer listening, then check out Desiring God Radio. They have hours of great information available, no cost. It's delightful to hear Pastor Piper's heart as he talks and preaches.

(You can also learn a lot from Pastor Piper about *how* to deliver information. Notice how he goes back to Scripture again and again, often repeating the text. Very powerful.)

The Silence of Adam

Kevin Nelstead has a wonderful post with quotes from The Silence of Adam. Check it out. I'm adding this book to my reading list.

"The root problem is the failure to believe that God is enough."

"When people try to handle their lives by merely working hard to do better, they either fail and live in defeat or succeed and become proud."

"Men are called to pass on something important to future generations: not just a passing on of history but a passing on of the memory of God in our lives."

See Kevin's comments about this book.

Darfur Peace Accords

Let us continue to pray for peace in Darfur, brothers. There is a long history here to make people skeptical about how long the peace agreements will hold.

How to Pray for Your Pastor

I have a special desire to pray for pastors. I liked Perry's Noble's advice in this endeavor:

#1 - Pray For His Walk With God
#2 - Pray For His Marriage
#3 - Pray For Him As A Father
#4 - Pray For His Leadership
#5 - Pray For His Creativity
#6 - Pray For "Thick Skin."
#7 - Pray For His Health

Perry gives some details for each request.

U.S. Church in Decline

Christianity Today has a special report: The American Church in Crisis. Read the report and reflect on it.

But don't despair or be discouraged.

Ask God what He wants you to do to serve Him. Today.

For me, I'm going to keep on teaching the Bible to change lives. I'm going to continue to love my wife and shepherd my family. I'm going to continue to encourage and challenge men to be bold and gentle, tough and tender.

Albert Einstein Didn't Do This

There is an (admittedly delicious) story about Albert Einstein refuting a university professor by arguing [logically] that evil exists because of the absence of God. Turns out not to be true.

When this story came around to my inbox again recently, I explained that it was a fable. The person who sent it to me was outraged that I would challenge it! "It should be true," he wrote.

We all have the tendency to believe reported stories and facts when they agree with our worldview, even when they are demonstrably false. Let's watch ourselves, men, and keep our doctrine pure.

Growth in China

The

Discipling Men

If you're ministering to men, check out this article.

Harvard Admission Requirements

Doug Phillips outlines the

Prayer Myths

Here's a wonderful article about our false assumptions about prayer. Recommended.

Chazown

That's the Hebrew word meaning "dream, revelation, or vision." Craig Goeschel chose it as the title of his book, and writes to encourage believers to discover the biblical vision for their lives.

This excerpt caught my attention:

" I surveyed about fifty Christians, asking two questions. First, I asked, "If money were no object, what would you do for the rest of your life?"
I fully expected answers such as:
"I'd volunteer my time at the Crisis Pregnancy Center."
"I'd adopt children from a third-world country."
"I'd mentor young inner-city kids."
Sadly, the most common answers orbited around personal comfort. Instead of Spirit-led, selfless responses, virtually everyone gave answers like:
"I'd quit working, buy a nice car, a new house, a boat."
"I'd travel."
"I'd hire people to help me around the house."

Then I asked, "Besides ministering to your family, what do you believe is the number one, most important thing God wants to accomplish through you?" To their credit, the people were pretty honest. But I found their most common answer heatbreaking.
It was "I don't know."

Read the rest of this post. If you don't know what God wants you to do as a husband and father, start on your knees and in the Word. Write me if you need more help.

Turn Off TV Week

Apparently this is "Turn Off TV Week." We don't watch much live TV, so I missed this news. If you're interested in the negative impacts of TV on your brain, check out this

Marketing the Kit-Kat Bar in Japan

What does this story tell us about human vulnerabilities? "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus," because we're prone to fix them on so many other things that cannot possibly fulfill our needs.

Input Junkie vs. Wisdom & Understanding

I'm an input junkie. I read very fast, and voraciously. I'm devouring, collating, filtering, summarizing, forwarding, and cross-linking data all the time. I have to really work at meditating, focusing, reflecting -- because it's much easier to just go get more information!

Was I born at a wonderful time for an input junkie, or what? The amount of information available (irrespective of quality) is increasing at an ever faster rate. Some people are overwhelmed now, but I'm still jazzed.

Here's a helpful comment from Nicholas Carr that I'm choosing to reflect upon:

"Like me, you've probably sensed the same thing, in yourself and in others - the way the constant collection of information becomes an easy substitute for trying to achieve any kind of true understanding. It seems a form of laziness as much as anything else, a laziness that the internet both encourages and justifies. The web is "a hall of mirrors" that provides the illusion of thinking, Michael Gorman, the president of the American Library Association, tells Orlowski. "No one would tell you a student using Google today is producing work as good as they were 20 years ago using printed sources. Despite these amazing technical breakthroughs, these technologies haven't added to human wellbeing."

Do You Need a Church to Grow?

Living together in community is hard. It's good, but it's not always easy.

In Life Together, his classic book written for seminarians, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote balancing chapters titled "The Day Alone" and "The Day Together." Both solitude and togetherness are essential for Christian growth. (If you haven't read this book, get it.)

"Less than 20% of American adults believe participation in a congregation is critical to spiritual growth," according to a recent study. I don' t know why we should be surprised at this. Few people have had good experience with Christian community, and American culture is antithetical to deep relationships. We long for them, but love our alternatives much better.

I've got more observations on this issue than solutions. The answer is one deep relationship at a time, and that's what our loving God is all about.

Christian Perspective on the Environment

Kevin Nelstead has a good post on a Christian perspective on the environment. Being given dominion over the earth is not the same as sovereignty over the earth.

Signs of a Culture

Discipleship Journal reports that the most frequently checked word in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2005 was...

Integrity

Is this is a sign of a confused culture? Thousands of people longing to know what integrity is, because it is so missing in our culture?

Who doesn't believe in evolution?

Who doesn't believe in evolution as the origin of humans? American adults, that's who. At least according to a CBS news poll earlier this month. The data clearly shows a majority rejecting the notion of secular evolution, the idea that God did not play a role.

Good insight

Walter Williams points out the problem with balanced budget amendments: they do not rein in government spending, but will encourage more taxation.

"A balanced budget is no panacea. For example, suppose Congress spent $6 trillion and taxed us $6 trillion. We'd have a balanced budget, but we'd be far freer with today's unbalanced budget. The fact of business is that the true measure of the impact of government on our lives is not the taxes we pay but the level of spending."

More about Global Warming in the News

It seems that concerns about global warming are surfacing frequently in the news and magazines now. (Earth Day?) Jonah Golberg describes this as a "green scare." Robert Balling Jr. debunks the forthcoming HBO special, "Too Hot Not To Handle." And here's a nice short article about some of the junk pushed as good science.

My concern is that we help our families get past sound bites and simplest views. There are many stakeholders, including the poor in the fast-developing world. Mankind has proven adaptable to living in many circumstances. Economic systems are vulnerable to well-intentioned manipulations. All souls are precious.

I did laugh out loud when I read this in the WSJ:

"Two US explorers plan to start a four-month summer expedition to the North Pole next month to gather information on the animal they believe could be the first victim of global warming -- the polar bear," Reuters reports from Los Angeles. "Project Thin Ice 2006" will the be the first such expedition since 2004. Reuters explains that the explorers had to call off the mission they planned last year because of -- we kid you not -- "unusually heavy snow and ice."

(Yes, I've been told g.w. will create colder conditions in some areas. But it's still funny.)

How Not to Step Towards Sexual Sin

John Piper has excellent counsel for us about the ten steps towards sexual sin, and how not to take them. Remember than past success does not guarantee future obedience, men!

Be Decisive

In terms of family leadership, I suspect more men are stuck in neutral out of indecisiveness than anything else (with not knowing how & what to do -- there are so few good models to see today -- being a close second). So I recommend you check out this Fast Company blog entry on how decisiveness builds momentum. Even though it's written from a business perspective, you'll see how it applies to home life.

About Your Taxes

John Stossel has a sobering column about your taxes. "...by 1999, government cost every man, woman and child an average of more than $10,000 per year -- more than housing and health care combined."

"...the "concentrated benefits-diffuse costs" problem: The benefits of any given government program go to a few, but the costs are spread among many. If sheep and goat ranchers get $200 million in handouts, it costs each of us less than $1. What are you going to do about that? Go to Washington and protest? For a buck, you probably won't even write your congressman, let alone take him out to dinner or give him a $2,000 campaign contribution. Yet the sheep ranchers have an incentive to spend $199 million lobbying if it gets them a $200 million subsidy back. Economists call it rent-seeking. Of course, even the sheep ranchers would be better off if the government stuck to its basic purposes. But it makes no sense for them to pay for everyone else's programs and not demand their own."

The Alternative Minimum Tax is catching many families now -- and is structurally anti-family.

But I shouldn't be worried about paying too much tax, according to Senator Clinton. I should be paying more into a centrally-planned government driven economic system where the "smart" people in political power redistribute money to where it is needed.

I'm going to go read my copy of the US Constitution again, and think fondly of days before the 16th Amendment.

I Want to See God!

Yesterday I fell to my knees in prayer as I read this in Habakkuk 3:2

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

I've read a lot about God's deeds and fame, from the Bible, and history books, and events today. I've heard many testimonies. I've heard much more than I've seen first-hand! This is going to be my prayer for a time:

Renew your fame and deeds in our day, Lord! I want to see You.

Can a Christian Vote for Liberal Political Positions?

Doug Giles has an interesting (and bold) column, "A Christian Can Be a Christian or a Liberal, But He Can't Be Both."

Mr. Giles argues that authentic, biblical Christians can't support liberal politicians because they're going to implement policies that oppose Christian presence, influence, and work. (Read the whole column, don't just read my summary.)

It's sad that the word "liberal" has been hijacked by socialists and leftists. Liberal is derived from Latin and means "freedom." Many non-Right groups now describe themselves as "progressive," I suspect to be a more positive-sounding label than "conservative." There's nothing new or progressive about leftist governments, seeking increased power and authority. The Great American Experiment laid out with the US Constitution (which we moved VERY far from at the federal level) is what is progressive and new.

Fun Joke

There was a big-game hunter out to get a grizzly bear. He prayed for prey. He tramped through the big woods for hours, but never saw even a trace of a grizzly. Weary and dejected, he finally sat down on a hickory stump and leaned his gun against a nearby sapling, to rest for a while. Suddenly, he looked up to see a mighty grizzly bearing down on him. With no time to reach for his gun, he breathed a desperate prayer: "God, give this bear religion, so he won't kill me." The bear halted dead in his tracks, rose on his hind legs, spread his mighty paws, and looked to the heavens with thanksgiving. "Thank you, God," the bear shouted, "for sending this wonderful meal I'm about to eat."

Value Metrics for Dad

Todd Rhoades has a convicting post challenging us to check the actual amount of time we spend with God, our wives, and our kids.

Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in the West Bank

Our fellow Christians in Aboud are struggling, in effect caught between the Israelis and the Hamas-led government.

Debate: Athiesm vs. Christianity

This is an interesting video of a debate between Cliffe Knechtle and Dr. Michael Newdow, the atheist who sued to remove "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegience. I once spent part of a day with Mr. Knechtle at Northwestern University. He's an outstanding communicator.

I also recommend Mr. Knechtle's book, "Give Me an Answer."

Math Challenged?

Time Magazine is getting buzz because of their big cover story, "Dropout Nation." Even a casual reading suggests there are some math problems with their statement that 1/3rd of students aren't finishing high school, and it's been this way for a long time. (Alan Reynolds does a good job debunking their data and analysis.) And as World Magazine editors point out, why doesn't "60 Minutes" do a story on the crisis in high schools?

There are plenty of concerns about public schools. There are systemic problems that require careful thinking and sustained effort on the part of the curriculum designers, the teachers and administrators, the parents, employers, and especially the students. Throwing more money at the problem does not help when the problems are heart and character issues.

Time Magazine is in the business of selling magazines and ad space. Math-challenged readers are going to fall for their strategy of hype and exaggeration every time.

Easter Creates Compelling Dividing Lines

The story of Christ's resurrection just doesn't let you waffle around the issues. Either it's true, or not. There's no reasonable middle ground. In fact, I believe God made certain that the "middle of the road" had no substance.

Years ago now a roommate gave me a little New Testament and challenged me to read it. "You have to answer two questions:
1. Who is Jesus?
2. What will you do about that?"

Middle grounders had better avoid the second question altogether.

I think a lot of criticism of Christianity by those who have some reasonable knowledge of the biblical account comes because people don't want to change. The resurrection story demands that you and I change; we can't ever be comfortable in "sin management" strategies again. So for many critics, it's much easier to spew venom than deal with their personal need for transformation.

Set a Direction, and Start Moving

"Greatness is not where we stand, but in what direction we are moving.We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - But sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Jesus is Not a Breck Girl

One of the remarkable things to notice in the Bible is the unique combination of toughness and tenderness of Jesus. (That's where the name of this blog comes from, by the way.) Jesus appealed to men and women and youths and children. As Steve Farrar points out, we may make paintings of him with long silky clean hair and soft skin, but Jesus is not a Breck Girl.

The church today is failing to reach men as well as they should. Check out this

Listen to Mike Swaim’s teaching on Psalm 112

You can learn so much from sitting under the teaching of great Bible teachers! I’m privileged to get to hear several great teachers at CrossTrainers, a weekly men’s group here in central Iowa.

Mike Swaim taught last week from Psalm 112, and I highly recommend this talk to you.

Here’s why:
* He does a wonderful job of teaching directly from the Word.
* Few teachers I’ve seen are more capable of engaging men and inspiring them.
* This lesson is about the blessings that come from delighting in God’s Word – which is true for all of us, men, women, and children.* Mike weaves in personal stories to illustrate and emphasize points.

It will help if you know these things:
* At the beginning of the talk, Mike is holding up his well-worn Bible when he says “this book”
* Mike is a West Point graduate, served in Vietnam, and is a high school basketball coach

You can download Mike’s talk as an mp3 file (12MB, 52 minutes) from here:

http://www.afclive.com/crosstrainers/ct_audio_files.php

Get this and listen to Mike's important message – it will bless you, and you can learn a lot about how to teach by studying Mike’s example.

Remembering April 9

This was an important milestone in liberation.

Don't Use These Church Slogans

They're funny, like good satire, because there's an element of truth in them…
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/archives/church_ads.html

Facts

Christian men need to be good thinkers and train others to be good thinkers. (I've written about this before.) You don't need to be a Ph.D. in anything to be competent to find facts and analyze situations and square them with a biblical worldview.

But you do need to deal with facts, even uncomfortable facts. There seems to be a growing unwillingness to do this in America. Dick Armey points out that in Congress today "Demagoguery beats data." This experiment has been done before, men, and we have seen nations fall.

So if you won't deal with facts, and you depart from a biblical worldview on the creation, fall, and redemption of man, then you shouldn't be surprised when a scientist gets a standing ovation for recommending that we use airborne Ebola virus to kill 90% of the humans on Earth in order to save it.

Islam has Imperialist Ambitions

Efraim Karsh has an excellent overview (6 pages printed) of the imperialist ambitions of Islamic leaders from Muhammad forward. Recommended.

Peter Drucker's Advice on Picking Leaders

Peter Drucker has some interesting advice on picking leaders:

"What would I look for in picking a leader of an institution? First, I would look at what they candidates have done, what their strengths are. You can only perform with strength--and what have they done with it? Second, I would look at the institution and ask: "What is the one immediate key challenge?" I would try to match the strength with the needs.

"Then I would look for integrity. A leader sets an example especially a strong leader. He or she is somebody on whom people, especially younger people, in the organization model themselves. Many years ago I learned from a very wise old man, who was the head of a very large, worldwide organization. He was in his late seventies, famous for putting the right people into the right enterprises, all over the globe. I asked him: "What do you look for?" And he said: "I always ask myself, would I want one of my sons to work under that person? If he is successful, the young people will imitate him. Would I want my son to look like this?" This, I think, is the ultimate question."

(Source)

Media Bias

Marvin Olasky relays this humorous account: "Columnist Michael Barone recalls asking a news executive, "Doesn't the fact that 90 percent of your people are Democrats affect your work product?" The response: "Our people are professional. They have standards of objectivity and professionalism, so that their own views don't affect the news." Barone: "So what you're saying is that your work product would be identical if 90 percent of your people were Republicans." The response: "No, then it would be biased."... "

Now, I've never been so blatantly biased in my entire life! I'm completely objective and professional in all my opinions! :-)

My grandfather used to say, "Since you have a belly button, you're entitled to your opinion."

The fundamental issue for Christian men to remember is that media bias isn't simply about political view.* The hardest media bias to overcome is the FORMAT. Regular human beings simply cannot package the complexities and subtleties of the issues we face into 2.5 minute video segments. You can't appropriately represent all the dimensions of an issue. Being so selective about what you say and show guarantees that you'll interject your bias.

The news media, of course, are responding to what the audience wants. Few people, in my experience, actually want to get information in order to think about it. When it gets past a point of being "entertainment," they're going on to the next channel.

It's incumbent on Christian men to be thinkers, and not dependent upon someone else's sound bites, no matter how well they "fit" your preferred paradigm. And we need to train our kids to be discerning, capable of finding facts from multiple sources and working through them logically. (Do not count on schools to do this for them, men, that's your job. I'm not saying you have to homeschool.)

*For the record, I do believe the data supports the statement that overall, mainstream TV network news and the largest newspapers tilt towards the liberal side.

Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

"Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord ."

Hat tip: Mark Batterson

"Scientific" Study on Prayer

There's been much newspulper trumpeting of the study showing no effect of prayer on patients.

My friend Kevin Nelstead addresses this WONDERFULLY in his blog, The Earth is Not Flat. Just nails it.

If you are at all interested in scientific issues and a Christian perspective, add Kevin's blog to your reading list. He's sharp, dedicated, and a good writer. Kevin is a missionary teacher in Romania, currently home on furlough.

Immigration in America

How should men of God be thinking about the current immigration debate? I don't have THE answer, but I do think it's important that we not get caught up in shrill debate. There are laws that are not being enforced, and since they are not ungodly laws, that will likely lead to problems and complications. There are national security issues. There is the fact that the economy is strong, and crime rates are actually falling -- and our immigration problems have a different character than European immigration problems altogether.

Check out John Podhoretz' column, good thoughts here:

"All these arguments are sound, and they raise issues that must be addressed. What is distressing about them, however, is how weirdly defeatist they are. Immigration foes are convinced that the American national fabric is frayed, tattered and in danger of disintegration - that America cannot survive in its present form if current immigration trends continue.
They fear the kind of social disorder now on display in Europe, where disgruntled Muslim immigrants are increasingly testing the limits of democratic civil society.
That's not the America I see, or the America I live in. I see a vibrant, dynamic, extraordinarily strong and extraordinarily stable country that has dealt successfully with far more pressing domestic problems without losing a beat."

On the macro level, I don't have the wisdom to know how best to proceed. I would remind our elected leaders that there are multiple system factors operating. Cause and effect are usually not closely positioned in time or space!

On the individual and community level, I think we need to follow the way of Christ and love people. What does that look like? Let's pray for direction.

Encourage People Today

Men, encourage people today. Encourage your kids, your wife. Build them up, give them positive reinforcement on Christ in them, the hope of glory. Encourage your neighbors and coworkers. Encourage other brothers in the church. Remind them of God's faithfulness, goodness, and provision.

Be a big conduit of God's love to others today!

Fathering Crisis

The NY Times article, The Plight of Black Men" is getting more attention. From the weekly Fathers.Com newsletter:

"The situation is so desperate, and the ramifications are so profound for the African American community, that the time is approaching to declare a state of emergency in our nation.
According to the studies cited, more than half of all black men do not finish high school, and among those in their 20’s, 72% either cannot find work, do not want to find work, or are incarcerated. By their mid-30’s, 6 in 10 black men who had dropped out of school had been imprisoned at some time. About half of all black men in their late 20’s and early 30’s who did not attend college are non-custodial fathers. Of course, all these factors are interrelated: many black fathers feel overwhelmed by their financial responsibilities, but they don’t have the education or skills to find a legitimate job that would truly help their situation, so some turn to crime. A sense of hopelessness dominates young black men at a time when they should be looking to the promises of the future.

It’s impossible to capture the breadth of the crisis in a few paragraphs. Erik Eckholm, author of the Times article, summarized it this way: "Terrible schools, absent parents, racism, the decline in blue collar jobs and a subculture that glorifies swagger over hard work have all been cited as causes of the deepening ruin of black youths."

This will take 2 or 3 generations to correct. Fathers and grandfathers are going to need to train sons and grandsons. Yes, there are economic and community factors -- but those same factors have existed in many times and places in history, without these results! This is a fathering crisis, with spiritual roots.

Why Democratic Capitalism Works Better than Collectivist Economics

Steve Forbes gave an excellent speech at Hillsdale College (transcript) debunking collectivist economic myths. And he never once mentions flat taxe rates :-) Recommended.

Joy in Fathering

Being a dad is a remarkable process for growth and influence. I think a lot of us get frustrated because we can't win at being a dad. Something in us would like it to be about winning, but it's not a competitive game with our kids.

Look at 3rd John verse 4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Let's think about what John is saying here. (Yes, he's talking about about the Christians he's responsible for, not necessarily his physical children. But we dads are about discipling Christians, especially our own children.)

John, the "beloved disciple", knows about suffering, and about joy. No greater joy? Wow!

John does not say, "I have not greater profit" or "I have no greater happiness" or "I've never been given grief by my children."

Note the active, present tense -- 'have' and 'are walking.' This is not joy from past tense work, but current assessment.

Walking is not wandering. John talks about "the" truth, not "a" truth. There is a specific path of discipleship.

What other thoughts do you have?

Sobering Economic Charts

This set of charts about our "Frankenstein Economy" in the US is sobering, to say the least.

How should Christians lead in such times? How will be distinctive?

John Piper Writes from Cambridge

Great Fresh Words letter from John Piper: "How to Respond to Horrifying Sayings of Jesus."

Economic Growth In Iraq

Check out this article about the amazing economic growth in Iraq since 2003. The GDP per capita has doubled, and the Brookings Institute forecasts real GDP growth of 495 in 2006-2008.

Do you think the flax 15% tax rate has anything to do with it?

Remembering Names

I'm pretty bad at remembering names. Ok, I'm really bad at it. I appreciated the tips here.

Real Leaders are People Who Can Make Things Better

Marshall Goldsmith writes eloquently about

Check out the article to get the whole story, it's great.

He concludes with an important point for each of us, men:

"Real leaders are not people who can point out what is wrong. Almost anyone can do that. Real leaders are people who can make things better."

Holiness Manifesto

Men, check out this Holiness Manifesto. I found there is depth here worth considering, and checking your personal (and family) life against.

More on Raising Boys

Doug Giles continues his series on raising boys. I like the strategy of raising boys who take care and improve what they've been given to manage, and to defend others. This gets you away from jock-or-not, but keeps you in the sphere of tough-and-tender.

Get Tozer-ized!

I've loved reading A.W. Tozer's books for years. They act like that firm 2x4 you need applied to my head, regularly.

So I was delighted to see this quick summary by Todd Rhoades, "Formula for a Burning Heart."

A couple of points really wacked me:

"It is our wretched habit of tolerating sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition."

" There must be a radical change in your habits of there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life."

Fighting Discouragement

It can be all-too easy to slip into discouragement, even for a little while. I know I've been battling it recently.

Our good and gracious God sends me lots of reading to remind me of His faithfulness. And that's the key, I believe, to overcoming discouragement -- remember God's past work, ongoing promises, and the future He has planned for us. Jeremy Taylor writes "It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent." Discouragement is spiritual amnesia. As Mark Batterson points out, "So Far, So God." That's the fact too focus on, men.

Leadership Longevity

I know many of the readers of this blog are in leadership positions in their local church. Check out this excellent set of ideas from Ray Glider for building lasting ministry.

Volumes

From March 20 Fortune magazine:

"The peoples of the earth sent and received 400,000 terabytes of information by email in 2002, according to research by the University of California at Berkeley's School of Information Management and Systems. That's equivalent to the print collections of 40,000 Libraries of Congress. (And that was measured way back in 2002; the quantity has only grown since.) "

Phone calls in 2002? 17 million terabytes of data.

Now we should distinguish knowledge from data, and communication from transmission, but even so.... W-o-w.

Men, let's keep teaching our kids how to manage the glut of information available, and discern what's truth, what's useful. So we need to be learning this first.

What Would an Atheist Think about Your Church?

Todd Rhodes has an interesting post about an atheist's impressions from visiting Willow Creek. What are the impressions that not-yet believers have about your church?

Keep Moving...Or Die

Apparently sharks have to keep moving or they die. (Apparently there are some places where sharks sleep, but if you come across a sleepin shark in your travels, my advice would be to let it lie.)

Blogs have to keep moving to. Some poor soul has counted how many blogs are started, and how many are still active 6 weeks and 6 months later -- tens of thousands get started, because it's so easy to start, and less than 5% are still active 6 months later.

[Thanks to those of you who write me notes when I don't post something here for a few days. "Where are you? Are you ok? I miss you, please write again soon" messages are very encouraging.]

As Christian husbands and fathers, we need to keep moving, too. Our relationships -- with our heavenly Father, with our wives, with our children, with extended family and neighbors and coworkers -- all need nurturing and action to keep moving. Our study of the Word needs to continue; it's a living Book for us. We need to continue to sharpen the skills and talents we've been given, so that we can continue to serve others well.

If I could speak with you, dear reader, I suspect we'd share at least one thing in common -- a desire to just sit down and procrastinate on what we should be doing. Yes, we need rests, and God has ordained rhythms in life we should pay attention to. But if you're taking a "rest" because you would just rather not think about it for a while, watch out! Take a rest to get back into right relationship with Christ, and because you are looking forward to more and greater service.

My pastor says there are only two kinds of marriages -- those being worked at, and those that aren't. There are only two kinds of sharks -- the moving and the dead. There are only two kinds of Christian men -- those moving forward, learning how to walk in better rhythm with God and with one another, and those lardassians sitting around listening to the wrong whiny voices from their flesh.