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A Father's Love

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Oligarchy

Oligarchy. What is an 'oligarchy'? Here is a dictionary definition of the word:

1 : government by the few
2 : a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes; also : a group exercising such control
3 : an organization under oligarchic control

Another definition might well be the United States Congress.

In reality this is what our elected bodies of legislators are becoming in this nation. A small group of people who are grimly determined to pass legislation that is clearly undesired by their constituents. God help us. (I do not write that lightly.) The elected officials of this Republic have shown today how resolute they are to turn their office into an oligarchy. Against the will of the majority of their constituents they have passed a bill that will permanently change the nature of the medical system of this nation, its insurance industry, erect barriers to effective care, treatment, and medical research; and, put in place the structure that may well lead to a more 'eugenic' medical practice in the future. They are writing and passing legislation that is almost impossible to amend or remove. This is patently unconstitutional. I wonder how much longer this nation can stand under this onslaught.

How has this happened? It did not occur overnight. Our nation has been sliding down the slope of tyranny for decades. Where has the church been during this time? Unfortunately, and to our shame, for the most part we have been silent. There have been cries from some corners at times. But, on the whole we have failed at one of the most important tasks of the Body of Christ: making disciples, grounding saints firmly in the Word, teaching them to see the world and reason with Biblical precision. As a result, we now live in a period of time when Orthodoxy is rarely taught, Christians live lives in which Scripture is divorced from daily life, and we have lost our saltiness.

The American Church has become expert at marketing itself in ever more tantilising forms to a public that is less interested in Truth and more interested in titillation. We have transformed catechesis into a carnival. The church has all too often become a market for the pleasing of the flesh rather that a place of spiritual renewal. Even the most covenantal among us are tainted by the world in which we live. We must on a daily basis appeal to God for forgiveness for our fleshly desires, seek his face for mercy and grace, thank him for the forgiveness found in the great Sacrifice of Christ, and then walk circumspectly in the strength given to us.

What does the church have to do with politics? Everything. Politics and public policy are merely the outworking of theology. Everyone has a theology, even atheists. Our actions flow from those beliefs.

So, here we are. We have a nation in which a subset of elected representatives have taken it upon themselves to foist destructive laws and policies upon us. God have mercy upon us. May He grant to his Church a spirit of repentance, renewal, sound mindedness, and courage.

USSA?

Today the House of Representatives is on target to vote for one of the longest works written in the English language: The Health Care 'Reform' bills HR 3590 / 4872. I wonder if anyone in this nation knows what the full implications would be if this measure passes. I doubt it. I am pretty sure that most of the people voting don't even know the total scope of the bill / act. One thing that is sure is that the President and the Leftist members of Congress are hell bent on moving us toward a Socialist/NeoCommunist status as a nation.

Economics aside, this bill is patently sinful in how it treats the unborn. That alone warrants a no vote.

May the Lord have mercy upon us.

Thanks A Lot . . . Not

With all of the wisdom of a bag of rocks and the tact of a maniacal elephant the United States Senate passed their version of the most overtly socialistic, most expensive, damaging bill to ever leave that body. Thanks for nothing NeoComms.

What a wonderful Christmas present to this nation: One that will destroy her.

Who is Your Countryman?

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

Samuel Adams was never one to mince words. These words were part of a speech given by Mr. Adams at the Philadelphia State House, August 1, 1776. You can see by this date that discussion was taking place about the impact that the recently voted upon Declaration of Independence would have. Freedom has consequences. Freedom demands a price. Samuel Adams knew this. So did his colleagues. Some of them were willing to pay that price, others were not.

In this nation today a crisis is brewing. It has been brewing for decades. There is a tempest beginning to blow across this land. Our very foundations are under assault by Marxist ideas. They have been for decades. Marxism is a political philosophy that stands in direct opposition to Holy Scripture. Christians cannot sit idly by while a God-less philosophy and its attendant oppression grows by the day. Yet, some are content to do so. Why?

Could it be that they are content with their ease? Could it be that they prefer wealth to sacrifice? Tranquility to Freedom? Only God knows.

So, who are your countrymen?

Just a Reminder

"July the Fourth" or "Independence Day"

Which is it? What is the day that citizens of the United States celebrate on this fourth day of July? I fear that for many the change in how the day is called is telling. It seems as if many Americans have forgotten that the reason for the holiday celebration is to recall the day that brave men, magistrates, pledged to serve and defend those they represented with their 'lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor' against a tyrannical government.

Therefore, I would like to make a suggestion. If you are a freedom loving, God fearing citizen of the United States call today what it is: INDEPENDENCE DAY. Don't wish folks a, 'Happy Fourth of July!' Instead, wish them a 'Happy Independence Day!'.

In the past six months we have witnessed a rapid encroachment upon the freedoms that these men declared. I shudder to think what this nation may well look like if this direction does not change.

Just to remind everyone what it is all about, here is the text of the Declaration of Independence. Below it you will find the signatories. Take a minute and thank God for the service of these men. Thank him for the blessings of Liberty. If you are not an American, thank God for America's liberty anyway. Without it much of the comfortable lifestyle you enjoy would not exist.

______________

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Serious Stuff

After months of idleness, at least in the blogosphere, it is time to return. As most of my posts have been on serious and sometimes controversial issues I thought that I would continue in that tradition by referencing the following video:

We Must Fight

I know that it is rude to 'mix politics and religion'. But, the truth is that politics is the outworking of religion. Every person is religious. The question is what is your religious bias and how does it affect your political stance.

I am going to stick my neck out and make a few statements that some will call brash, others whom I love will disagree and some well meaning people will call me foolish.

1. Many, if not most, of American Christians today are consumed with material interests; beit work, pleasure, financial prosperity, and others. They are so consumed that they cannot see the war raging in our culture. And, frankly, they don't care unless it affects their comfort or cash.

2. Most American Christians, and Americans in general, are ignorant of their history.

3. Most American Christians, and Americans in general, are ignorant of news. Liberals get their pablum from the 'mainstream press'. And, Conservatives get their pablum from the 'new media'. If they, in either camp, say it then it must be so.

Case in point: The current presidential primary. One candidate in particular will serve as an example. Mike Huckabee. This man has been lambasted from both sides. He has been decried as a liberal by the 'conservative new media'. He has been derided as a theocrat from the liberal media. He is neither. He is a man who acts upon moral principles that stem not from the Constitution, but from Scripture. As wonderful as our Constitution is it is not an ultimate authority in morality.

His actions as the governor of the State of Arkansas are excised from context and pointed to as proof that he is a liberal by the likes of Rush, Hannity, Savage, Town Hall, and more. Seen in the context of the politics of that state it can be shown that he did more to act on conservative principles than seems possible. Remember two things: Governing a state is different that governing a nation. And, Arkansas has the most lop-sided Democratically controlled government in the nation. They know this. Yet, they refuse to give context to his actions. I know that I have no voice compared to those I cited above. But, someone has to say it.

I do know that ultimately politics are not the answer to this nations ills. The answer is a church militant with the Gospel; willing to forgo this crazy notion that all men are good. All men are bad, and as such they must either be controlled by the spirit of God within them or the sword. The Founding Fathers of this nation knew this and said as much. They also said that only Christian men of good moral character were suitable for public office. How far we have strayed from that ideal.

So, I am going on record: I support Mike Huckabee. He is not perfect. No candidate is. Some say voting for him is a 'wasted vote'. (If everyone I heard say that they would vote for him, but it would be a 'wasted vote' because he is not electable WOULD vote for him he would carry this state.)

Happy Birthday Mars' Robert!

Two hundred and one years ago today a boy was born to an American hero of the War of Independence, Henry 'Light Horse Harry' Lee. This lad would grow, graduate from West Point, have a distinguished career in the United States Army, and become known to all as Robert E. Lee. Robert Edward Lee was an amazing man. His abilities as a military commander are the stuff of legend. His tactics and strategy are still studied today. His character, faith in God as revealed in Scripture, and duty stemming from that faith, are a role model to all men today. He was a knight in the truest sense of the word.

His commitment to the Word of God led him to a devotion to family and community that is rare today. It is this same commitment that inspired and emboldened the men of his father's generation. That generation set in paper the 'givens' of liberty and founded a nation built upon them. Robert E. Lee learned from his father the intentions of the Founders. He gained his fame in the defense of those same principles against a Federal Government run wild in an unconstitutional movement to strip the states, and by extension, communities and families of their inalienable rights. The actions he undertook to defend his beloved Commonwealth of Virginia and the Confederate States of America are legendary. The loss of that cause does not negate its legitimacy.

Robert E. Lee was beloved by those who fought under his command. On more than one occasion when his blood was up in battle he strove to inspire his men by riding through his men's lines toward the enemy coming within range of the enemy. The men pleaded for him to retire to his rightful and proper position in the rear. His courage was unassailable. The men who followed him respectfully and lovingly called him "Mars' Robert." They marched hundreds of miles on meager rations, often unshod and poorly clothed. Yet, in battle they were a force that frequently won against overwhelming odds.

I'm a descendant of one of those men. He left such an impression upon my Great Great Grandfather, James Russell Underwood, that one of his sons was named Robert Edward Underwood.

Happy Birthday, Sir.

Deo Vindice

Birthday Musings

One year ago a transition occurred in my life and the lives of many loved ones. I resigned the church that I served as pastor. The people there were good folks who loved God. It became obvious that my theological position and ministry philosophy were not in line with the direction that the lay leadership were embracing. So, I resigned. It was difficult. It came as surprise to many in the congregation. It was a painful experience.

Several families in the congregation were not in agreement with the positions the leadership held. They each left the congregation. Meeting in a home Bible study they decided to form a fellowship and subsequently asked me to lead it. From this beginning a congregation developed: Providence Family Fellowship. What a blessing this fellowship has become to each of us. We come from widely varied backgrounds. Yet, in the middle of the variations a strong, warm, God seeking fellowship has been forged.

We are a Reformed Baptist fellowship who practice a family integrated approach to ministry. We meet in homes. We have seen real spiritual growth take place in each member from the little to the large; growth that would have been almost impossible in the an age segregated format.

It has been a year. It is hard to believe that it has been a year and it is hard to believe that it has been only a year. Our lives have been knit together in a manner that is so natural that it is difficult to describe. The men have grown in their abilities to lead their families.

All of this has been by God's great grace. What a precious and marvelous God we serve. Praise be to him!!

Happy Birthday Providence Family Fellowship!

Well, well . . .

This blog is still here!

Seriously, after months of insanity I'm resigning from the Rat Race. Therefore, there will be more moldy cheese for the winner.

The past several months have been an interesting period in life for me. I've learned a lot; much of which is probably not new to many.

After all that has taken place; all the energy expended, tears shed, sore muscles, sleepless nights, early mornings, intense conversations, and much more I now am even more convinced that Micah 6:8 sums it up.

'He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?'

Sublime wisdom from heaven.

The End of it All

The end of it all is this: fear the Lord and keep his commandments. (Eccl. 12:13)

Pretty simple, huh? That little statement penned by King Solomon is a summary of the lessons learned from of one of the most unusual books in the Scriptures. Solomon, seeking fulfillment in life, delved into a narcissistic period most likely unmatched in history. And, it was vanity. This man, whom God endowed with incredible wisdom, summed up a lifetime of learning from mistakes in that seemingly pithy sentence. Amazing.

However, it is powerful in its truth. The two precepts encompass all of existence. In the next few posts I want to delve into these principles.

Fear the Lord. Keep his commandments. Simple, yet profound.
Fear the Lord. Keep his commandments. Ancient, yet relevant.
Fear the Lord. Keep his commandments. Simple, yet difficult.
Fear the Lord. Keep his commandments. Ancient, yet refreshing.

Fear the Lord. Keep his commandments.

Madison Avenue Missions?

I thought I had seen it all. The current craze to use all means possible to grab the attention of non-churchgoers has produced some truly wacky methods of outreach in addition to ‘campaigns’ designed to draw people into the church’s facility. Becoming all things to all men in order that one might win some has reached a point of incredulity: cooking contests, races, ‘whatever’ nights, professional wrestlers, concerts, and much more. But, today I may have seen the topper.

When addressing this crazy unbiblical penchant for extreme outreach from the pulpit I have stated the following:

If it is all about drawing unsaved people here in order that they might be able to hear a message of hope I could pack this place out next week. It would be filled with unsaved men and women; those that need to hear the gospel. Here’s how I would do it.

I would take out ads that state that next Sunday we will be serving all the beer on tap that you can drink, all the food that you can eat, and every hour we will have special guests-strippers.

Yep, that will pack them in. But is it right?

I know that sounds silly, but push the reasoning to the nth degree and that is what happens.

In our city there is a congregation that is, in my opinion, far beyond the limits of acceptability regarding outreach programs. I’m no prude. But, I find the following appalling. On the marquee for the past several weeks has been a sign proclaiming the upcoming series to be ‘Pure Sex’. Along with this is the following url yourlamesexlife.net. Okay, a little racy. This week past a banner, and now bulletin boards are up:





The suggestive nature of the ads is inappropriate. Again, I’m no prude. I think that the church addresses human sexuality too little, on the whole. But, it must be done in a proper manner. And, we have no biblical warrant to use it as a method of evangelism. Yes, I know the logic behind it: Appeal to a felt need and then slip in the gospel. The only problem is that is not the biblical pattern of evangelism. It creates self-centered church goers who may or may not be actual Christians.

What do you think?

The Constant

Constancy is an underrated commodity in our modern world. Mobile telephones, computers, media technology, automobiles, even cooking appliances seem to become outdated almost upon market entry. Families and individuals move on a regular and frequent basis. Rare is the individual who lives in the community where his grandparents lived. As a society we have embraced change to an amazing degree. This brings with it many stresses that our forebears never faced.

As I wrote earlier, our churches change methods seemingly at the drop of a hat. Our families face a barrage of change on a regular basis. Some changes are inevitable and wonderful: the growth of children, the deepening of relationships, marriage and children, these are good and a blessing. Other changes such as the blurring of familial roles, the demands placed upon working fathers, and the continual drone of the siren call of a fallen world to 'blend in' place a burden upon God fearing families.

What is the constant upon which we can depend? Obviously it is our unchanging Sovereign Lord. This may seem simple; but it is profound. He has placed us in this world at this time. He stands in stark contrast to the fluid society in which we live. This fact should make it much easier for the Christian to remain steadfast. Yet, many Christians are overwhelmed by the changes which they face. Why is this?

At the risk of offending I offer this: While most Christians say that God is sovereign they really do not believe it. Very few in the American church will stand and say that God is the absolute final determiner of events. Mention the fact that a hurricane's course is directed by God and you are called an eccentric at best. You may even be labeled an heretic. To what extent does the sovereignty of God extend? Proverbs 16:33 says, ' The lot is cast into the lap, but the disposition thereof is of the Lord.' Today we would say, 'The dice are rolled, but the numbers that come up come from God.' No, this is not a license to play games of chance. It is, however, a very clear indicator of just how far the the work of God extends into the affairs of man. This is not fatalism. This is a statement of explicit faith in God. The modern view of God is far too small. Modern Christianity's view of God is one of a God who is hindered from truly exercising his power. He is dependent upon the actions of others to accomplish his will. This is a far cry from the picture of God that is painted in the Biblical narrative.

How does this affect us in our daily struggle amidst the changes of life? In every way. Once the Christian surrenders his haughty intellect to the truth of our Sovereign Lord a true, deep, and lasting peace can enter the heart. We can trust unrelentingly upon the goodness of our God. We need not despair when unforeseen change occurs; regardless of how painful that change may be. Think about it. How could an unsovereign God fulfill the promise of Romans 8:28?

God is our constant.

In With the Old

Recently I received a 'new' Bible. It is a new binding and typeset. But, it is a very old translation. The 1599 Geneva Bible. Tolle Lege press has published an edition of the Scriptures that is very well done. The Geneva Bible was the backbone translation of the English speaking world from its first printing in 1560 until well into the 17th century. What the folks have done at Tolle Lege is remarkable. Until now if you desired to read or use this translation you had to read a facsimile of an original. It takes some adjusting to use one. The spelling, punctuation, and type set have been updated. It contains all the text, less the Apocrypha, and the original notes. It is quite a work.

What amazes me is the ease with which it is read. Even for a modern English speaker the syntax is not difficult. It is much easier to read than the venerable Authorised Version (KJV). Theology aside it is easy to see why the Geneva remained the favoured translation for a long time after the publication of the KJV.

Perhaps with this new publication the older will replace the younger. It really is a beautiful translation. So, go out and buy a 'breeches Bible' for yourself. You won't regret it.

(I do not receive compensation in any form from Tolle Lege.)

Clean Shaven

For the first time in almost half of my life my face is clean shaven. Yes, that may not mean much to you, but it is quite a change for some in my life. My daughter, up until three weeks ago, had never seen me in that state. I must admit it is still distracting to me when I pass a mirror or window in which I can see my reflection. It was not something that I desired to do. It was a requirement of my new 'secular' job.

It has been amazing to see the reactions of people who know me. Some people I've known for years have passed me without knowing they did so. They do a double take and, BAM! realisation sets in. Being in this renewed state has caused me to reflect upon just how much we become accustomed to appearance; how we come to expect certain people's appearance to remain static, how we find comfort in familiarity. We find comfort in being able to foreknow what is coming to some degree.

Unfamiliarity brings with it distraction. The first Lord's Day that I preached with my new look it was quite comical. As I preached I could tell that many people were gazing intently at my chin. Normally, the majority of my congregation maintains a good degree of eye contact, but not that day. Yesterday one member, who had been in attendance for the past three weeks, came to me and said, 'Pastor, I finally realised that you've shaved your beard off. I knew you looked different, but I could not place it. Now, I can really listen again.' I believe that in the life of a congregation stability and predictability can be a blessing; even in corporate worship. In our day of constant striving for new and innovative worship we may be missing a vital function of delivery: constancy. Are we in our endeavour for the novel missing the blessing of the mundane? Have we begun to place needless distractions in front of our congregants eyes and hearts?

Then there is the fact of setting: Recently I and my family have dipped our toes into the world of Reenacting the War Between the States or the War for Southern Independence. (Yes, I do not call that war the PC term. Regardless of your 'side' it is not an accurate term.) When I sported my beard it seemed to just 'fit'. Witness the photo above. Now I'm a clean shaven soldier. The look is completely different.

What has that to do with our view of congregational life? When we make a change we should be careful to see that the change fits the culture and manners of the situation in which we are placed. I know that this is elementary, but I constantly receive mail and emails touting instant church growth if one will purchase and apply the following 'package'. Some sorts of outreach, worship style, discipleship, etc, work very well in one setting and are totally inappropriate in others. Something as simple and basic to American Christians as 'door knocking' would be disastrous in other settings eg. the church in China, Vietnam, Tajikstan, or any other place where the church is undergoing persecution. This appears obvious, but do we do the same thing in our own subcultures? I believe so.

We would be wise to prayerfully consider any changes we make in our families and churches. Some changes, those mandated by Scripture, obviously should be pursued - within context. Others, perhaps not.

Mea Culpa

Dear Readers,
Please accept my apologies. Over the past few several weeks I've had a whirlwind of changes take place. I went from being a general contractor during the week to sub-contracting. The work took me away from home for 12 - 16 hours each day. This left little time for reflection let alone writing. Three weeks ago I took a new job with a national building supply company as an outside salesman. It is a welcome change.

Additionally, our congregation is undergoing some interesting changes that are consuming my time.

But, this does not end my endeavour to raise the standard of Biblical Manhood. So, press on men. Honour God. Pursue the ideals of chivalrous living. Love and cherish those in your course of life, especially the women.

Until I have more time,
Lawrence

Modern Day Chivalry : Intergrity

I'll never forget him. He was the Superintendent of the school that I went to for most of my underclass education. He had been there since shortly after the end of World War II. When he took the position at the small Christian prep school the only clothes he had were his U.S. Army uniforms. His name was Perry Mason. To this laddie Mr. Mason was larger than life. His office was on the hallway between the two buildings that made up our 'campus'. (They were actually surplus Quartermaster buildings.) He was a strict disciplinarian and rumour had it that his paddle was actually powered by electricity.

When I was in fourth grade I failed routinely to turn in my assignments. My teacher's paddlings didn't spur me on to greater academic endeavour. My father's didn't either. So, one fine day I was sent to see. . . Mr. Mason. I was mortified. I knew that I would not survive the electric paddle. I sat in his secretary's office and waited. He called me in. I cannot divulge all of the activities that took place behind his closed door. I'll just state that, yes, he did have a paddle that had a cord coming out of the handle. It was hanging in a display box on his wall. Our discussion was one that I will cherish for my entire life. From that day on I had a friend.

The main theme of it was this, 'Lawrence, the only thing you will ever have in your life is your name. Everything else belongs to someone else. What you do with your name is up to you.'

Fast forward. . .
I am now a senior attending the same school. Now we meet in a new state of the art (for 1980) school building. We have different superintendent. In chapel one morning our guest speaker was, Mr. Perry Mason.

I'll never forget that speech. Mr. Mason stood behind the pulpit and said, 'Young men and young ladies I may never have this opportunity to speak to you again. So, I want to tell you what I believe are the most important facts that I have learned in my life: In the end, there are only two things that matter. First, is your walk with God. Second, is your name; your integrity.' He went on from there.

Mr. Mason was a knight. He would come to the aid of the defenseless. He would shape the lives of those around him. He was a man that would keep his word to his own hurt. He was never do in private what he would be ashamed to speak of in public. He was a man with integrity.

At the core of real Christian manhood, not the emotion driven drivel that permeates the 'bookstore church', but the gutsy, strong, self-sacrificing, hard-nosed faith of Christ lies personal integrity. It is the foundation upon which all other honourable behaviour must be constructed. It is all too easy in our world of veneer to be lulled into a two, three, or more faced existence. Let's quit it and be whole men.

A Blustry Day

Today we awoke to a gusty Southerly wind that bore upon it the Gulf's humidity. Off and on all day it has rained. At times the rain is a driven drizzle. At others it is a torrential downpour. Interspersed among those periods are moments of relative calm. I love this type of fall weather. It portends the coming cooler days and evenings that make living in this climate so enjoyable. As I sat on a porch and reflected upon the weather today I was reminded of how today's weather parallels much of life; at least mine. It seems as if my life consists of one period of 'blowing rain' after another. At times it is gentle, then comes a gale. I'm continually reminded of the apostle Paul's words to Timothy, ' All who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.' I will be the first to say that I've never faced real persecution. I've just been inconvenienced occasionally. Having said that, I do believe that disciples of Jesus Christ will have 'stormy' lives. How could it be otherwise?

We live world bent upon manifesting the depravity of our natural birth. We should come into regular and head on conflict with the ethos of the world. This should cause turbulence in our lives. We don't have to look for it; it will come.

But, we are not merely living 'today'. We are living for an eternal reward with our Saviour. The 'cooler weather' that is coming.