Thoughts of Another Traveler…

Recent posts

  • “Give to Live”

    So, in case you didn’t know, I am still stuck in the 80’s with most of my music playlists.  Specifically, I stick to the hard rockers and hair bands that made my wonder years go around.  (Side Note:  It is amazing to me how so many of the “Sex, Drugs, and Rock-N-Roll” heroes of the 80’s are now some of today’s most prominent pro-family, pro-America, middle-right spokespersons.  They weren’t all “Satan Worshippers” as many preachers of that decade wanted us to believe!)  But I digress from the thoughts I felt compelled to share in today’s blog.  One song that appears frequently in several of my playlists is a little known, short-lived single by one of my favorite 80’s dudes—the “Red-Rocker” Sammy Hagar.  (Another Side Note:  Not the Sammy Hagar who joined Van Hagar after David Lee Roth went off the ledge and went solo.  The “Red-Rocker” Sammy Hagar who only sold out to arena/pop-rock a few times in his solo career – most prominently with his biggest hit, “I Can’t Drive 55”).  Anyway, the song is titled “Give to Live” and I wanted to share the lyrics with you.

    Oooh I can see that you’ve got fire in your eyes
    And pain inside your heart
    So many things have come
    And torn your world apart

    Oh baby, baby, baby
    Don’t give up, Don’t give up, Don’t give up

    If you want love, You’ve got to give a little
    If you want faith, You just believe a little

    If you want peace, Turn your cheek a little

    Oh you’ve got to give, You’ve got to give, You’ve got to give to live

    An empty hand reaching out for someone
    An empty heart takes so little to fill
    It’s so much easier to push instead of pull

    Oh baby, baby, baby
    Don’t give up, Don’t give up, Don’t give up

    If you want love, You’ve got to give a little
    If you want faith, You just believe a little

    If you want peace, Turn your cheek a little

    Oh you’ve got to give, You’ve got to give, You’ve got to give to live

    Each man’s a country in his own right
    Oh everybody needs a friend
    One friend one God one country
    No man can defend

    Yeah, I believe in faith and destination
    But so much of that ties in our own hands
    But if you know what you want
    Just go on out and get it

    Oh baby, baby just don’t give up no, no
    Ah don’t give up, yeah, yeah

    Yesterday, after an extremely stressful day at work, I went on a long bicycle ride.  I find it a good way to exercise and de-stress at the same time.  Of course, I put on my old rock favorites playlist and went to work.  Somewhere around mile seven, “Give to Live” hit me hard and I began to sing out loud while riding.  This must have been interesting for all those walking and riding the trail since I had my earbuds in.  I really didn’t care; the song was doing its job.  I was reminded of why this song has always been a favorite of mine—because it is chalk full of good theology!  Sammy surely had some background with the Bible as this song is literally a Marshal Amp Red Guitar driven rendition of Jesus’ powerful teachings in Luke 6:27-38.

    “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

     “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

     “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from Heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

     “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

    We sure don’t have enough people looking around and seeing that so many in the world today have ‘pain inside their hearts’ and the ‘fire in their eyes’ is gone.  Most of us don’t even need to look around—if we just look inside most of us will admit that ‘so many things have come and torn our worlds apart’ and left us feeling a bit hopeless and helpless.  Hell, Sammy was writing this in the 1980’s when the biggest issue tearing my world apart was cassette tapes getting destroyed by my stereo, and that my mom bought me a fake “Members Only” jacket instead of the real one.  Sometimes I don’t even recognize the world we live in today.  At 51 years of age, not only have I faced more loss of those I love more than I ever imagined—but I find myself surviving in a world that is absolutely consumed with selfishness, pain, hatred, anger, hopelessness, and worst of all total depravity of faith, morality, and the eternal principles God has provided to allow us to “…have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  Each of us individually and everyone around us is looking for Love, and Faith, and Peace—these are the pillars of life that keep that ‘fire in your eyes’.

    I guess God and Sammy spoke to me yesterday while on my bike ride.  I was clearly reminded that if I just sit around praying and hoping that God will somehow bring revival to our nation, that people would somehow just turn back to God and the eternal principles of his Word, that people would just realize that we are not intelligent enough as human beings to outsmart God—then maybe we could turn this thing around—then I will simply continue to pull instead of push.  And although praying and hoping for change are important things to do, they certainly are not the endpoint.  I need to act, I need to move, I am called to do more than observe and hope.  I am called to “Give to Live!” 

    If I want love, I need to give a little.  If I want faith, I need to believe a little.  If I want peace, I need to turn the cheek a little.  Sammy didn’t invent this concept.  Jesus did.  When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the prayer included this line:

    “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10)

    Jesus knew that to fulfill this request in the only prayer he ever taught us to pray, His followers needed to live out Luke chapter 6.  God’s will can only be done “on Earth as it is in Heaven” when those of us who have the Spirit of God within us act—Give life, Give love, Give faith, and Give peace.  As important is the promise that if you want to ‘have life and have it more abundantly’ and if you want to live with ‘fire in your eyes’ and if you want life to be given to you in ‘good measure, running over’ you need to ‘Give to Live’!

    God help me to renew my passion and resolve to “Give to Live”

    Final note for those of you who haven’t already done it. 

    For a bit of throwback to early MTV days, you can find an original music video of “Give to Live” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrdzTmUTtYU.  Oh, and by the way, for an even further appreciation of the passion and writing ability of the “Red Rocker” go ahead and search for another little-known favorite of mine— “Where Eagles Fly” you will not be disappointed!

    May God bless His Word.  And May God bless the 80’s!

  • The Spinning Plate Syndrome

    You might be familiar with the old circus act of the “Spinning Plate” performer.  Remember the one who could put a plate on a stick and spin the plate without dropping it.  By the end of the act, the performer had a plate in each hand, one in each foot, one on top of their head, and holding one in their mouth.  What a talent to possess.  One cannot help but admire the balance, concentration, and agility it takes to keep multiple plates spinning without breaking them.

    There is a problem when we enter this “Spinning Plate” circus act in our business practices and daily personal lives.    Our culture seems driven with the mentality that the most successful people are the people who can “Spin” the most plates.  By default, all of us find ourselves sucked into this mentality, and even feeling guilty if we are not “Spinning” as many plates as the super successful (busy) people.  We might even find a plate or two to add to an empty hand just so we can show that we do not have idle hands (since those are the “Devil’s Workshop”).  Soon we find ourselves expending all of our mental and physical energy making sure we do not drop a plate, while forgetting why we are spinning the plate in the first place.

    I truly believe that the “Spinning Plate” syndrome is inherently linked to numerous failures, weaknesses, and communication issues in our business practices.  I believe this can become especially true as you work your way up the proverbial corporate ladder.  The culture in most companies is to move successful people to take more responsibility, handle more people, expand the tree of reports, and provide expertise in multiple areas.  This seems to be the practical way to think and operate.  The reality many times is that we end up producing high level “Plate Spinners” who simply have more pressure not to let a plate break. Despite all of the advice we receive from mental health and human resources experts about burn-out, family time, mental focus, team building, and productive communication—we still fight the stigma that unless we are working long hours every day, and sending e-mails all weekend we are not worthy of being handed more plates to spin. 

    An example of this is what I might term the obsessive, compulsive meeting disorder.  We have this brilliant logic that tells us that successful people have to spend every waking hour in a meeting or on a call.  It actually becomes a cool competition at the beginning of each meeting.  We spend the first five minutes of each of our 12 meetings every day bragging about how many meetings we have already been in, and how many more we have to go.  During the meeting, we find a good percentage of the attendees working on prepping for the next meeting—confirmed by the often repeated phrase, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that question, I was distracted for a moment.”  The real fun happens during the last 5 minutes of each meeting while trying to schedule the follow-up meeting to the follow-up meeting.  It becomes a contest to see who has the most difficulty scheduling an opening because they already have so many meetings planned on their calendar for the next 3 years.  You get a badge of honor if you are the one who needs to shift several meetings around to squeeze in yet another meeting—proving that you are a great team player, while being a person of utmost importance.   In between the fifth and sixth meetings of the day we might even take three minutes to post on Social media how many meetings we have had with an exhausted face emoticon.  You know what I call this—“Plate Spinning”.

    Here is what obsessive, compulsive meeting disorder creates:

    • Limited time to prepare by reading documents, performing deep-research needed to bring value
    • Limited time to digest, and process subject matter post meeting
    • Limited ability to bring the RIGHT people together to solve issues
    • Limited time to THINK—Much less time to THINK outside the box
    • Limited Success in Solving critical issues correctly
    • A Reactive instead of Proactive culture
    • Managers and Teams content to Operate in “Firefighter” mode

    “Plate Spinning” also has obvious effects on our personal lives.  If you live in circus performance mode in your career, it is likely that you will bring that culture home with you.  We tend to find ourselves living in a vicious cycle of yet adding an entirely separate stack of plates to spin once we leave the workplace and come home.   You worry about dropping work related plates in the evenings, on the weekends, and even on much needed vacations—all the while, some of the most important plates that need attention (such as family, faith, exercise, diet, and rest) are falling and breaking.  In addition, we extend the joy of “Plate Spinning” to our children by placing and pushing them in dozens of activities such as year-round sports, travel teams, music, arts, clubs, and every social event possible.  Although this increases our own “Plate Spinning” to the level of complete madness, we feel a sense of dedication because we have a fear that if our kids do not learn to “Spin Plates” like the Jones’ kids, they might not succeed as a professional athlete someday.

    Full disclosure at this point—I am currently caught in a “Plate Spinning” life cycle.  I have a fair share of “Plate Spinners” around me and I tend to be one myself if not very careful.  I did not used to give it much thought in my younger days.  Something about living beyond the the big 5-0 has me doing some careful evaluation.  My kids are off to college, passion in my career is low, stress levels are high, faith is tough, and most days I feel like a hamster on a wheel.  Not the ideal situation I worked, educated, and dreamed for over the years.  Nevertheless, like many of us, I get up every day and get those plates spinning because it is what I feel I have to do to make a living.  I also work hard to rotate the spinning plates according to what I know should be the true priorities—only to end up feeling I am completely out of resources and energy to keep them balanced for total success.

    Deep down I feel more and more drawn to simplify things.  I think often of timeless advice that I have given countless times to many I have coached, “Work smarter, not harder.”  I desire to think, to converse, to build relationships, to build and coach teams to tackle problems that make a difference, to read with intent and interest, to analyze and evaluate deeper, and to listen with patience.  I do not want to develop obsessive, compulsive meeting disorder simply to exude and portray importance.  I want to be a performer and contributor without the need to be a circus act famous for acrobatic shuffling of busy-ness.  I ultimately desire a well-balanced life that does not limp into retirement with a mind, body, and soul exhausted from “Plate Spinning” and void of meaning without it.

  • A Moral Evil…Justified??

    So, this morning I was scrolling through Twitter and saw and interesting tweet.  The context stemmed from a Reddit discussion where a religious leader had recently posted a general defense of slavery as it relates to the Bible.  Particularly a defense of Jonathan Edwards as an American Slave owner during the time of legal slavery in America.  Here is the question posed by the tweet.  “I’m wondering how a Christian can not know that American Slavery was moral evil in 2021?  How is that even possible?”  As I read this, I had some interesting thoughts this morning, so I thought I would write them down.

    First, my thoughts have nothing to do with the opinion or Theology of the poster in the Reddit discussion.  That is a topic of so much heated debate and misunderstanding that even discussing it is akin to “throwing your pearls to the swine.”  Second, I am not going to disagree with the tweet author at all.  Regardless of your Biblical understanding of history, culture, and societal norms in a given era—trying to formulate an argument that doesn’t identify Slavery as a true “Moral Evil” is quite ignorant and does show that we still have work to do to bring ourselves out of the shadows of the justification of slavery in the past (whether that be in America, or any other civilization—past or present). 

    No, my answer to the author of the tweet would simply be this (re-read the original question now).  “The same way that we have a modern culture that cannot identify a multitude of easily identifiable ‘moral evils’ that are becoming accepted and justified across society in 2021!”  I often wonder if 100 years from now (if we make it that long) if there will be a generation of theologians, educators, pastors, and activists who will be saying, “I wonder how in the world a Christian could not have known that _____________ was a moral evil in 2121?  How is that even possible?”  Here is my real answer.  A proven fact of every civilization and era of history, human beings (even Christians) are prone to a justification cycle that desensitizes sin and moral evil.  It is the enemy of our soul’s greatest weapon against us.  “Come on man, God did not really mean it when He said that you should not ____________ or that ____________ was sin.  That is just God trying to hold you back and keep you from becoming enlightened!”  (My edited summary of the slow fade justification speech that Satan made to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3) 

    I always use this analogy, and it is amazing how many people have never heard it.  It is just like “Boiling a Frog.”  I know is sounds gross and childish, but the lesson is piercing.  If you place a Frog in a boiling pot of water, that frog will immediately leap out of the boiling water because it senses danger and death.  But if you put a Frog in a nice, cool pot of water he will just swim around joyfully.  All you must do then is just slowly increase the heat over time.  Get the frog use to the heat increase, make him comfortable.  Allow the Frog to reason and justify why he might like the warmer water.  Over time the water comes to a boil, but the Frog now has no adverse reaction or fear.  The frog has no “fight or flight” reaction.  The Frog loses the will and strength to get out of the pot—and boils to death.  And poof!  The Frog justified and made comfortable something evil and harmful right up to his very demise.

    Silly?  Maybe so.  But history shows that the great “moral evil” of slavery was somehow justified and accepted across multiple civilizations and cultures in much the same way.  And despite knowing history and understanding the evil implications of slavery the cycle somehow continued with new civilizations and new generation of people.  (It is still an existing ‘moral evil’ around the world today in case you didn’t know).  It is much easier for our society today to ‘Monday morning Quarterback’ and declare universally (or at least anyone who has a dime of common sense) that Slavery was and is an absolute ‘moral evil’.  However, across every civilization and era of history where slavery was prevalent, we find that taking that stand might not have been most popular, educated, or even culturally accepted stance at the time.  And if you are not up to speed on history (especially church history), it is a fact that this acceptance crossed belief systems, religion, education, race, and ethnicity.  In other words, (Unless you were actually a slave in a given historical context) you might want to pretend to do a time travel and put yourself in that point in history.  I would surmise that had social media existed during many of these eras, tweeting out that slavery was a ‘moral evil’ might have had you labeled in the ranks of the non-woke, uneducated, extremist crowd.  Would you have been one that fell to the culturally accepted norm and believed the promoted points of justification that existed at that time?  Or would you have been the rogue agent boldly taking a stand and fighting on the side of the minority?  Against governments?  Against philosophers and educators of the time?  Against apostacy in the church? 

    Well, if you answered yes to that, then I applaud you.  I truly hope I could answer yes because I absolutely despise and hate true racism and slavery.  Yet I must continually remind myself of one reality.  This concept is absolutely no different than the slow boil of acceptance America and American Christians have placed on so many ‘moral evils’ in this generation.  If you can’t see today that our culture is in a slow boil of accepting many ‘moral evils’ then you are truly blind.  And you might just be one of the majorities of history (through evil misdirection and lies formulated from the same spiritual enemy in Genesis chapter 3) who found a way to justify slavery. 

    We have become numb.  The Church is becoming irrelevant.  And in this age of ‘Moral Relativism’ justifying the acceptance of just about anything is not only a possibility, but a reality.   Thankful to God that today, the majority has decided that slavery is and was an actual ‘moral evil’.  At least in America.  However, it might just be time to put that war behind us.  Maybe we need some courageous folks who are more than just ‘Monday Morning Quarterbacks’ on the topic of slavery.  I mean really, isn’t that a much easier stand to take today now that it is actually illegal in this country?  Do we really need to continue this fight with some small minority of idiots who have pea sized brains? 

    I ask this question of all men and women of every race, creed, and ethnicity.  “What slow boil of acceptance of ‘moral evil’ are we justifying today?”  And how can we find universal ground to fight together to prevent the downfall and destruction of the generation or society in front of us.  I mean really, look around people.  We are living in a world where a great percentage of people are actually fighting to normalize and unhinge a multitude of ‘moral evils’ that have been accepted and identified as such since the beginning of time.  Many of which have proven historically to be the downfall of societies and civilizations.  Even more frightening, we live in a world where an even greater percentage are too scared or comfortable to be a rogue agent and stand against it—even knowing deep inside that the label of ‘moral evil’ should be stamped. 

    Easier to justify it in some way I suppose.   Easier to wait for another generation to finally look back and stamp it the way it always should have been. Easier in the future to ask the question, ““I wonder how in the world a Christian could not have known that _____________ was a moral evil in 2121?”

  • Principles versus Methods…A life Distinction

    Many years ago, early in my vocational ministry career, I attended a seminar on “Paradigm Shifting”.  (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradigm)  The course itself was very enlightening and educational.  Especially for a young, aspiring theologian who had it all figured out at 25 years old.  I took a lot from that learning experience overall, but one takeaway from the seminar has resonated in my life since then.  One of the sessions introduced itself with this little quote:

    “Methods are many, Principles are few; Methods change often, Principles never do”

     This statement contributed to one of those “Light Bulb” moments we are granted along the journey of life.  At the time, I was serving in full-time vocational ministry as a recently ordained minister.  The church where I served at the time was going through some challenging times related to growth and change.  If you don’t know or understand, change within the Church usually requires more miraculous intervention from our Creator than walking on water, or descending to the gates of Hell to conquer death.  Back in those days, great debates were occurring on some deep, fundamental theological debates such as – “Hymnbooks or Projector?”  “Hymns or Contemporary (even with drums!)” “Can a church board member enjoy a glass of wine?”  Reminder, that I grew up in church as a pastor’s Kid, and this irrelevant garbage is exactly why I had originally pulled a Jonah and ran away from Nineveh like the plague.

    I will not divulge this essay into a diatribe on my ministry years because I could write a book.  What I did learn during this time was a deeper understanding of a phenomenon that caused a tremendous amount of debate and opposition to change.  I learned that building a distinction between a “Principle” and a “Method” can be life changing.  And the lack of an understanding (or the willingness to build on that distinction) between the two can be both paralyzing and extremely dangerous.  Frankly, a paradigm shift in my own personal faith and spiritual walk really began to occur as well.  I began to take a deeper look at my own faith, understanding of scripture, theology, and personal philosophy of ministry and life.  I began to evaluate all of this by asking myself, “Is this concept or belief a ‘Principle’ (an actual Biblical truth/Theological pillar) or, is this concept or belief simply a ‘Methodology’ (a personal or culturally derived method or philosophy of presenting/delivering) said ‘Principle’.  

    Although I am not writing this essay specific to my experience in vocational ministry, I developed a personal belief at this time that I believe is still true today.  The Church (not a building or denomination) of Jesus has seen more destruction from within, hurt more people, destroyed more faith, and eliminated more influence on a lost world with this issue than any other.    Pastors, teachers, televangelists, and well-intentioned spiritual dragons have spent decades preaching and arguing over ‘Methodology’ (doctrinal issues, style of music, church membership, and the list goes on) instead of intelligently and spiritually teaching ‘Principles’ (Eternal truths that are pillars of Christian theology, Biblical understanding, and Christian World view) that truly change lives and fulfill Jesus’ vision of a unified body of believers as prayed for in John 17.  Leadership failure and human pride have (in my humble opinion) literally escorted us into an era where Christians have very little desire to distinguish a theological/foundational truth (a ‘Principle’) from an opinion or cultural relevant trend (‘Method’).  For those that do still seek foundational truth and principle, many lack the leadership, tools, and building blocks to do so.  Enter the era of Moral Relativism (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relativism ) and Postmodernism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism ) dominating both our culture and our churches.

    Several years ago, I was working as an adjunct professor for a Christian University—writing and teaching several courses on Ministry and Theology.  I remember one of the Senior Theology professors (who was critiquing and approving class material/documentation for my classes) said something to me that I will never forget.  He said, “Never, ever forget that there is a vast difference between ‘Theology’ and ‘Philosophy’, and the biggest mistake we can make is to confuse the two while teaching the Bible.”  I immediately connected that statement with “Methods are Many, Principles are few; Methods change often, Principles never do.”  Today we live in culture that is rife with people who have been hurt by the Church, by their religious upbringing, and by the failure of parents, pastors, and hypocritical Christian leaders who couldn’t or wouldn’t distinguish between the two.  We have failed by trying to force vast amounts of “Philosophy” (Methodology) down throats of several generations of kids while proclaiming it as “Principle” (Theology).  We are reaping a social media culture exploding with the belief that the greatest percentage of the Christian faith is nothing more than “Methodology” or “Philosophy” with very little “Principle” or “Theology” worth believing in at all (much less worth dying for).  A few years ago, I began to refer to it as the “throw out the baby with the bathwater” movement.  In other words, I believe we are seeing a great percentage of our entire culture (even believers and those who profess Christianity) who truly believe there are very few “Principles” which are eternal.   The current cultural response (to any belief that may be viewed as ‘counter-cultural’) is that most faith based teaching or Biblical truth that has been revered as “Principle” (for thousands of years) can simply be placed into a non-culturally relevant bucket and thrown out as nothing more than a “Methodology”. 

    Maybe worse, we are seeing this post-modern ideology take a stronger foothold in historically Christian Institutions of higher education, Denominational leadership, best-selling authors, and even small-town pastors struggling to stay ‘Relevant’ in this crazy world.   Teaching the historical truth that Christianity (the “Principles” and “Theology” of the faith) has always been and will continue to be counter-cultural is not a popular approach today.   It sells better (and surely makes Jesus more palatable) to further the mistakes of the previous evangelical generation by reducing “Principle” to “Methodology” and just throw out the “Principles” that don’t feel good or line up with the current “woke” culture.  Ironically, we now live in a time when instead of trying to turn “Methodology” into “Principle” by taking scripture out of context—we are becoming content to turn “Principle” into “Methodology” and evaluate the relevance of that “Methodology” based on what might offend or be counter-cultural.  I suppose this is exactly what Jesus meant when he sent the disciples out to teach in his name and he told them:

    • “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother-in-law.   And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.   And he that taketh not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.   He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.”   Matthew 10:32-39

    In many cases, I consider myself to be a progressive-thinking person.  In my early years of ministry, I was continually stirring up controversy with teachers, pastors, and saints challenging “Methodology” that had been twisted and turned into “Principle”.  I stood and fought intently for what I saw as needed change in the Church in many areas.  I lived to challenge the “We’ve always done it that way” crowd when it came to “Methodology”.  I learned to despise the hypocritical and arrogant approach of so many Christian leaders and Churches whose “Philosophy” of ministry had ventured so far from actual “Theology” that it was more damaging to the Gospel of Christ than most Atheists attempts ever were.  Maybe, because of this, I developed a deeper passion for the “Principles”.  I began to devote a considerable amount of time to the study of Hermeneutics, Apologetics, Theology, Church History, and the writings of Christian forefathers who were willing to die for these “Principles” –despite existing cultural trends, ideologies, ethnicity differences, or societal influence of any kind.  I was not willing to be satisfied with a Faith/Belief system (that calls me to take up my cross and be willing to die for it), or with any “Principle” (eternal truth) that needed to be adjusted every time society, culture, or new religious trend deemed it irrelevant.

    I am not willing to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” to become “woke” or “culturally relevant”.  To take that stance, I have had to do a lot of soul searching, reading, and praying to come to a place in my life where the simple phrase “Methods are many, Principles are few; Methods change often, Principles never do” has more meaning than I ever dreamed it would.  We live in a hurting society.  A culture where every person on Social Media is an expert in just about any topic—and actually has the right to be an expert since we are living in the philosophical fog of Moral relativism and Post-modernism.  Our culture is looking for answers, looking for truth, looking for something to heal the pain, looking for something to believe in—and the church is failing to provide that.  I believe it takes truth to heal, truth to provide answers, truth to guide—and truth comes from our Creator and all that He has provided to us to seek and find that truth.  His truth is “Principle” that doesn’t change.  Attacks on “Principles” and theological truths that have proven the test of time (across civilizations, ethnicities, wars, modernization, persecution, and technology) will continue to increase as people look elsewhere for answers.  Why?  Because God’s “Principles” and true “Theology” always run counter-cultural and counter-intuitive to human intellect and reasoning promoted by those whose faith has been built (or destroyed) with mere “Methodology”.

    What are your “Principles”?

      18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”   20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.  I Corinthians 1: 18-25

  • Does a Leader need to “Get in the Weeds” or not?

    Have you ever been told you need to “Get out of the weeds!” in order to move up and lead effectively?  Seems like sound advice, until you work in an environment where everyone in the company is working to get out of the weeds in order to move up.  Soon you have a company of Managers/Executives (and I use the word “Management” instead of “Leadership” intentionally) who have seldom been in the weeds to begin with, and have a shallow understanding of the real effects of the weeds.  While everyone is sitting in the executive conference room looking at things from a “50,000 foot” view—weeds can have a tendency to grow pretty thick.   Then when critical operations and process begin to fail, you get a manager or executive wanting it fixed. Here is how that conversation and process might proceed:

    Boss:  “I want to know what the problem is and how we fix it immediately”

    Employee (Expert in the weeds):  Highly detailed response indicating how the problem evolved over time, and how it has been overlooked, and the multiple steps of action it will take to resolve it over a long period of time, while affecting and changing multiple processes, departments, vendors, and systems.

    Boss:  “That’s too deep in the weeds, I don’t have time or patience to dive that deep—Just fix it”

    Employee (Expert in the weeds):  Calls meeting with multiple peers and middle management to address a solution

    Meeting results:  Everyone explains why this can or cannot be solved at this time.  Everyone discusses how it might be done, but without universal agreement.  Everyone discusses how his or her department does or does not own this problem in the first place.  Result–Process is halted when each representative indicates that this level of decision-making should come from a much higher authority.

    Employee (Expert in the weeds, who now owns the weeds):  Presents proposed solution to Boss

    Boss:  “This is why you are not in management; you spend too much time in the weeds and fail to produce an acceptable solution”  (Then Boss throws over the fence a 50,000 ft. decision that neither solves the problem or eliminates the weeds—but does look good on a spreadsheet)

    An effective leader must decide when to “Get in the Weeds” and when to delegate the weeds to capable problem solvers. Every leadership and executive training resource that exists today would provide that advice.  A leader who micro-manages every small issue and problem will never be successful as a higher-level manager or executive, that is proven fact.  Effective leadership is often defined by two choices a leader makes.  Either trust the “Experts” who are in the weeds with authority to make smart decisions; or, “Get in the Weeds” yourself, uncover what is hidden under all the rocks, and use your authority to make a decision that holds yourself and your team accountable.  

    As I speak with peers and partners across industry segments today, the discussion often turns to a common concern.  Those advancing to high levels of leadership seem to share a similar trait—they never like to get in the weeds themselves; and, often feel threatened by expert employees who live in the weeds every day.  Many have succeeded by being “Yes” men up the ladder, while leaving those below to deal with the weeds without resolution.  It does not take a rocket scientist to realize why this cycle can be easy to replicate, especially in a company where higher-level leadership has a high turnover rate, or frequent organizational changes occur.  In this environment, the weeds may lay dormant for a time, and numbers on the spreadsheet continue to look promising.  Nevertheless, soon the weeds will grow too tall, issues will arise, efficiency will decline, and all of the sudden a big problem will appear out of nowhere (at least that is the perception of the Boss because they never took the time to get down in any of the weeds in the first place).  The result is usually a conversation and process of decision making as described above.

    The greatest leadership I ever received was from an executive who was willing to “Get in the Weeds” to fully understand, debate, and research a critical issue, while holding the authority to make a final decision.  The combination of both of these actions will always bring success.  The elimination of either action will most often leave the weeds in place, or simply create new weeds that choke out future success. The lessons in leadership I learned from this executive permeated my leadership style.  He eventually pushed me to become the expert and turn over every rock, so that I could be the weed eliminator and decision maker.  Steve Jobs captured this concept well when he was quoted as saying, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”

    Team members respect and follow leaders who are not afraid to get in the weeds with them and understand their critical issues, challenges, and expertise.  Team members also respect and follow leaders who acknowledge and advance their expertise, delegate leadership to them, and provide them authority to deal with the weeds.  Leaders who refuse to lead in either these paths lose respect quick.  Dedicated employees and team members are smart, and are down in the weeds doing the work every day that makes a business successful.  A leader who never takes the time to roll up the sleeves and get in the trenches, but loves to dictate decisions and authority— will ultimately live in a jungle of ever-evolving weeds whose caretaker is a dysfunctional team.

    Nobody enjoys “Getting in the weeds.”  It is dirty work and many times exposes our weaknesses.  It might even leave us owning problems or risks that need to be resolved before we move up or across the corporate ladder.   Nonetheless, true leaders will always step up to the plate.  They will not simply plant flowers in the weeds to make them look pretty.  They will not delegate a landscaper with no expertise to kill them without understanding the consequences—then fire the landscaper or throw them under the bus.  They will not stand at the edge of the weed plot and dictate orders on how to clean it up, while the experts on the weeds have communicated the risks and concerns.  They will roll up their sleeves, bring the experts to the table, turn over all the rocks, and spend the necessary time to bring a new landscape into vision and reality.   

  • A Few Thoughts on “Science” and “Bias”

    Over the last few years, it seems that the word “Science” is getting tied to every political, cultural, and religious discussion within our society.  The term is weaponized, demonized, politicized, glorified, popularized, and at times outright vulgarized across all forms of media.  Social media seems to exasperate this trend to an extreme, as suddenly we live in a world full of Scientific experts on a full variety of topics—ranging from how to properly cook a steak to Global warming end of days predictions.

    Although this may not be a completely new or even more predominant phenomenon within a historical context, I sense that due to a variety of cultural and technological changes it may be at least more apparent (at least), and maybe more dangerous (at best).  I do believe it is at least worth a broader discussion within our society today. 

    Lately, I have been thinking and doing a bit of research on at least two topics that seem to be discussed very little, and possibly widely misunderstood.  The first topic is the actual understanding (or lack thereof) of “Scientific Method.”  (If you want a quick, simple overview, you can just read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method).  The second topic is that while our culture is focused on exposing and removing bias from every element of society, it is rarely discussed or acknowledged that these very same biases that we are fighting over in cultural and political circles are quite possibly just as predominant within the scientific community.  NOTE—this is not a “Scientific” hypothesis or data driven theory—just a common sense thought from a bias that says all humans exert bias across their education, career, and understanding of the world around them. 

    First, let’s discuss some general, non-brilliant basics of the Scientific method.  If you are like me, you are currently inundated with this comment, “Just accept the Science of ___” Of course, we can finish that comment with any hot topic in the media today.  Probably the biggest “Hot Button” issue of the day would be any discussion around Covid-19 and Vaccinations.  I truly believe that the issue complicating these discussions the most (outside of corrupt politicians and corrupt media) is a deep fundamental educational understanding of basic “Scientific Method.”  Science is a process.  Science is a system of study that requires a cyclical approach of research with an end-result of either concluded Scientific fact, or (in many cases) an ongoing Scientific hypothesis/theory.  I truly believe that most people just don’t understand the difference anymore.  We certainly do not have honest politicians or media that understand it—or maybe worse, they do fully understand it, but intentionally leave the decision making over what might be Scientific fact, versus Scientific theory to the masses. 

    Here is my current “Scientific” hypothesis/theory—almost every hot topic issue in our society today is based on a process of Scientific Method that is in early stages of questioning and data gathering, or repeated hypothetical stages of the cyclical cycle.  Most legitimate Scientists (without bias) will readily admit this. Let me use a current example to illustrate this point.  Let’s use Global Warming as a discussion point.   There is no doubt recent (within the last 100 years) Scientific data that shows that humans are in some ways affecting the global climate.  To argue that this is not true in any way, would be akin to arguing that the Earth is still flat—even though we orbit the earth in spaceships and observe a round planet!  However, the current trend we see is the release of layer after layer of Scientific hypothesis or theory surrounding the study of this relatively recent and factual historical data.  And if you understand the Scientific method at all—even in its most basic form, you should realize that any prediction of how long we have left on this planet, and what might happen next if we don’t move to electric cars within 10 years is not based on Scientific fact, but Scientific Hypothesis.  Don’t misunderstand – it might be true, or it might not be true.  That is what a “Theory” or “Hypothesis” is.  The problem is that the “Science” behind so many of these hot button topics in our society today are not presented or understood by the masses with this elementary level understanding of the “Scientific Method.”  Fact number one is that Scientific “Theory” or “Hypothesis” is NOT Scientific “Fact”.  You can believe that it is fact, and the data and status of where that hypothesis is within the cycle of the “Scientific Method” might point more heavily to a certain outcome or conclusion.  It still does not mean that it is proven Scientific “Fact”.

    Which leads me to my second non-scientific hypothesis.  I believe the deeper issue is that because of this basic misunderstanding of the “Scientific Method” we have developed a trend to accept what we want to believe as “Science” (interpreted as scientific fact) based on our bias—instead of actual “Science”.  That bias might be derived from religious, ethical, moral, educational, ethnic, or any other combination of bias forming factors.  It doesn’t take “Rocket Science” to see how this is played out in so many controversial issues, both historical and current.  I will use a very general example that most of us might be familiar with.  In recent history, there have been many prominent Scientists that have devoted their intelligence, research, and time to studying what has become commonly referred to as the “God Particle”.  This study is both fascinating and very intellectually deep.  (For a brief overview you can read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgs_boson)  I have read several articles and white papers on this topic over the years, and here is what is fascinating.  Scientists with a bias toward a Theistic theological/religious belief system (and YES, these do exist, and many of them are renowned in the scientific world) have developed hypothesis and theories that point to the complexity of the universe, the case for a Creator, and the case for what is commonly termed as “Intelligent Design”.  While Scientists whose bias would exclude any “Theistic” belief system develop hypothesis that point to a completely different theory of the origin of all things.  Yet, the brilliance, physics, data, tests, and countless hours of research devoted are similar to each group of scientists. 

    I am not writing this brief essay to expound on my belief system, or in anyway to provide some in depth scientific analysis on any given topic in order to defend or promote any particular belief system.  What I am trying to convey is that all Scientific analysis begins with a human being, and we would do well to acknowledge that human beings are flawed with bias.  Contrary to popular belief and portrayal in the media, it is not only those with a “Judeo Christian” belief system who are steeped in bias.  Consequently, it might not be a stretch to propose that many issues currently within the process/cycle of “Scientific Method” were originally placed there with an inherent bias to begin with.  Furthermore, as an extension of a better understanding of the “Scientific Method” we might derive that to “Just accept the Science of ____” could possibly mean that not only could we be confusing “Fact” with “Hypothesis”, but we might also just be accepting a “Hypothesis” deeply ingrained with a strong personal bias or agenda to begin with.  I might further propose that so many of the issues that divide our society and world today are a direct result of the failure to understand this foundational subjectivity. 

    I have a fundamentally deep belief system in the Bible, Christian Theology and tradition, and a passion for Christian apologetics.  Conversely, I am not and have never been opposed to, nor scared of “Science”.  In fact, I have great respect and admiration for Scientists and the advancement of both Science and Technology.  I love to read it, study it, and try to comprehend even the most complicated topics and theories.  Quite Frankly, I believe that one of God’s greatest gifts to his creation was the gift of intelligence and brilliance to a small percentage of beings who throughout history have been transforming agents of human, medical, technological, and social advancement. 

    Throughout human history, many Scientific “Hypothesis” have become universally accepted as Scientific “Fact” as they made a complete life cycle through what we know as “Scientific Method”.  Research, data gathering, hypothesis, testing, observation, and repeatability finally moved the needle from hypothesis to fact—many times despite bias or deeply ingrained religious opposition to the original idea.  I thank God for these advancements despite well intentioned “Zealots” who tried to stand in the way.  Conversely, and despite unpopular belief, many “Scientific Hypothesis” have never completed the cycle and passed the test of the “Scientific Method”.  Some have been thrown away as science “Faux pas”, while others have been woven into our educational system and culture with a bias driven agenda disguised as “Scientific Fact”. 

    Despite the historical achievements, technological advancements, and truly amazing scientific discoveries—I believe we are witnessing a culture where common sense and educational understanding of actual science might be declining to a point of no return.  We need to continue to remove the fear of science and acceptance of scientific fact from our religious education and theology.  Maybe more importantly we need to educate our children and our society to understand Science and especially the “Scientific Method” for what it really means.  If we continue to allow politicians, educators, scientists, and the media to shape vast changes to our society, world, and belief system by confusing “Scientific Fact” with “Scientific Hypothesis” and “Scientific Theory” we stand a good chance to produce a hypothetical world which does not and cannot exist. 

    For myself, there will continue to always be a call to educate my mind, challenge my bias, and love the science of the world around us.  While acknowledging that I ultimately “Walk by Faith”.  Faith in my Creator.  Faith and belief that He has revealed himself in His law, His Scripture, His Creation, His Son Jesus, and the daily indwelling of His Holy Spirit. 

      18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”   20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

    I Corinthians 1: 18-25

  • Can’t we all just get along?

    This seems to be the theme of today’s world.  Everywhere we turn we hear the cry for peace and unity.  Politicians are pushing diplomacy, peace talks, and negotiations.  Supermodels have life goals of working towards “World Peace.”  Governments, non-profits, and religious organizations are being built with the sole purpose of building a utopia where can all live at peace.  On the surface these appear to be worthy goals.  At the heart of Christianity is a call to live in peace, and to love all mankind.  I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to live in a world with no war, no suffering and dying, and no disagreements about religious beliefs?  On the surface it would seem to be exciting to find more and more believers who are passionate about world peace.  But is it a REAL possibility, and is it a noble and worthwhile goal for a Christian to be living for?

    With the current events of recent days, I have spent many hours pondering what I really believe about a few things.  I have watched our President make a valiant attempt to convince people around the world that we desire peace.  At the same time, I read reports everyday of evil dictators, who if given the chance, would wipe America and Christianity from the face of the Earth.  These are times when your faith is tested.  These are times when basing your world view, your faith, and your political beliefs on only portions of scripture can be deceiving and detrimental to your entire spiritual foundation.  This is not a Republican or Democratic issue.  This is not a right wing or left wing issue.  This is a fundamental issue that has been going on since the creation of man, and that affects all mankind.

    I thought I would write a bit and share a few things that might provoke us al l to think a bit about the world we live in today.  Now before I even get started, there will be those that will immediately label me a “Right Wing War-Monger” because of some of the unpopular beliefs I share on this matter.  I suppose that is fine if you want to label me.  I simply ask that you read with an open mind some of these thoughts.  Curse me at the end if you want, but please don’t post any curse words on my Facebook because my kids read the posts!!  

    I want to start by saying this, “Jesus was and is the most divisive person in all of history!”  There is no way around this fact.  Although it seems very popular today to pick and choose the aspects of Jesus one wants to love and worship—and ignore the aspects that make us cringe with conviction—this does not change the fact that Jesus was very clear in who He claimed to be, and He was very clear in the truths He proclaimed.  Yes, He showed love to all people.  Yes, he healed the sick.  Yes, he ministered to the down and out.  Yes, He built relationships with people from all walks of life.  He also infuriated those who refused to believe that He was who He said He was.  He also proclaimed that HE was the ONLY way to God the Father and eternal life.  He also called people out publicly for living in sin.  And He preached absolute after absolute that alienated and angered people to the point that they nailed him to a cross.  Did Jesus teach that we could all believe whatever we wanted and that was ok?  Did Jesus teach that if believers worked and ministered enough that world peace was achievable?  Read just a couple of these controversial statements below to see what comes to my mind:

    • “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.   And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.   And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.   He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
    • “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.   For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.   All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
    • “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.   And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.    And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.    And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.   But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. “

    As I have been re-reading many of the passages that contain these “Controversial” words of Jesus—I become amazed at how many times I find myself saying, “Wow, that sounds just like the world we live in today!”   Sadly, it seems it used to sound like the world abroad, and now it rings true right here in America!  Obviously, we are living in a day when we are seeing more and more how “Offensive” Christ is.  You can’t talk about Him in public—religion is now strictly personal.  You can’t mix Him with your politics—that offends the “Separation of Church and State.”  You can’t bring Him to work—you might offend a co-worker.  You can’t vote your beliefs based on His teachings—that makes you an unintelligent radical right winger.   Kids have to be careful at school—they might have an atheist professor who dictates the classroom and grades.  You can’t celebrate His birthday or call it “Christmas” anymore—that offends the Jewish, Muslim, and Secular progressives.  And even though approximately 74% of people in our country identify with the “Christian” faith—according to our current president we should no longer call ourselves a “Christian” nation because we are “Offending” the rest of the world.  I suppose it is about time for believers to move to the caves and catacombs, and keep our mouths shut for the sake of “World Peace.”

    Or maybe we just need to start realizing a few ugly truths that are not Politically correct, but historically accurate:

    • Jews and Christians will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
    • Muslims and Christians will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
    • Communism and Christianity will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
    • Humanism and Secularism will always deny the teachings of Christ—they are divisive

    The lack of Spiritual insight in people today leads them to believe that if we just avoid the appearance or belief of absolute truth, that it will make everything ok.  It will help everyone “Just get along!”  The problem is that Christianity is based on a complete set of absolute truths and teachings that will always bring divisiveness, and will always offend those who do not believe.  When Jesus stated, “I came not to send peace, but a sword” He was NOT promoting war and killing that should be carried out by believers.  He was simply preparing the disciples and believers to follow for a very ugly truth.  His claim to absolute truth; and His teachings would offend those who refused to believe.  In fact, they would at times be offended to the point of hatred, war, and killing that would cost believers their lives if they chose to stand true in those beliefs.     

    Does this mean that we can’t all get along?  I do believe that this means that as long as there are religious belief systems that claim different absolute truth—people will be offended, and once people are offended they very often become enemies out of hatred.  Now it goes without saying that as believers we are issued an absolute teaching by Jesus to love all, and hate none.  (Sadly, the church has lived in failure on that teaching too many times.)  Nevertheless, remember that those who are deceived by the great enemy of Christ, and are guided by his beguiling ways—do not live by that same mandate.  Don’t be fooled by the popular post-modern acceptance of multiple truths and the feel good philosophy that Spiritual truth is whatever a person decides in their own heart.  Either Christ was who He said he was, “The way, the truth, and the life” or He wasn’t.  There is no way around that.  Somebody is right and somebody is wrong.  Either, Jewish people are right, and we are still waiting on the savior of the world.  Or, the Muslims are right, and Mohammed is the only way to eternal life.  Or, the Buddhists are right, and Buddha is the only way to truth.  Or, the atheists are right, and there is no God.  We could go on and on, but the point is made.  We might be able to get along, but we can never agree on absolutes that are so absolutely and eternally at odds with one another.  

    Yes, we can remove the label of “Christian Nation” from America, and that might make a few countries feel better about us.  But don’t be fooled by the shallow stance of those who live, think, and make decisions without Spiritual discernment.  War, hatred, and killing over religious absolutes have been going on since the beginning of man.  The Jewish and Arab people have been fighting and killing for 3000 years or more—a fence riding, smooth talking, educated President who claims to be Christian, but has a Muslim name is not going to change that.  Dictators have been trying to take over the world throughout history, guided by a real evil and real satanic power, and getting rid of some nuclear weapons so America does not appear “Arrogant” is not going to change that.  “Proclaimed” Muslims and Christians alike have been deceived in hatred to the point of killing since the days of Abraham, and fixing America’s economy is not the answer.  I recently read an article, and the author quoted one of our founding forefathers, John Adams, as saying, “We don’t have a government or a constitution capable of taming the animal passions of mankind.”  The same author quoted the prophet Jeremiah as prophesying, “The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?”  Spiritual discernment, Jesus Christ, the Bible, our forefathers, and history confirm these powerful statements.  We would do well to remember these truths in the current times.  More importantly, the leaders of our new self-proclaimed “Non-Christian” nation would do well to understand these truths as they attempt to sugar coat, socialize, and diplomatically solve the problems of America and the world.

    I am not a racist—I hate no man because of his creed, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or skin color.  I am not a war promoter either.  I hate war, especially senseless killing based on hatred, greed, or diversity.  Nevertheless, if I believe the scriptures and prophecies of Jesus, war and hatred are not going away anytime soon.  War and Hatred are by-products of the enemy of Christ, and any person or country whose hearts have not been changed by His truth and teaching, will always be vulnerable to promoting such.  Until that day, promised by Christ, when He shall return, and His enemy will be eliminated from power on the Earth, there will be diversity because of absolutes.  We can all get along—until absolute truth becomes the line drawn in the sand.  And absolute truth will always draw a line in the sand.  

    There will always come a time to die for what you believe in.  We may die as martyrs as the early church and the persecuted church around the world today.  We may die as soldiers called to defend freedoms that have been granted by almighty.  Americans and Christians in America have stood, sacrificed, and died for absolutes since before we were a nation.  In fact, that is how we became a nation in 1776.  Those absolutes were based on an American dream that was built on something much more significant than the houses, cars, wealth, power, and retirement of today’s American dream.  They were absolutes built on freedom, hope, Biblical truths and a belief in the ONE true God.  Throw away these absolutes, and we might just be able to get along with everyone for a while—but what are we really living for?  And more importantly, what would we be willing to die for?  World Peace?

    I believe from the bottom of my heart that living for world peace, a one world government, and some great utopia in the future IS an absolute honorable goal.  In my absolute belief system, that is called “Heaven.”  It is the dwelling place of our Creator and Savior, and it is void of all evil.  It is also the promised eternal home of all believers.  Until then, I am called to love others, minister the gospel, share truth, and stand up for what I believe in to the point of dying.  If that offends someone, causes them to hate me, and draws a line in the sand, then so be it.  It is not like I got into this belief system without warning.  It is not like Jesus did not let us know this is the way it would be.  When I signed on, I took the forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, blessings, and miracles—I also took the fact that He is absolute truth, and I will be persecuted for believing that.  Believer in Christ, be prepared!  Jesus also proclaimed one other strong statement.  He said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  Doesn’t sound to me like our Savior had much time for patience or compromise!  I didn’t sign up for a life where everyone likes me.  I signed up to proclaim a message of truth—absolute truth!  

    Sure, I think we can all get along—just don’t push me to bury what I believe to be absolute truth so that you are not offended.  I won’t live in hate.  I won’t force my belief system on others.  I will pray for my enemies and those who hate me.  But I will live what I believe, and the only way to stop me will be to silence me by force.  That is not unintelligence; that is not American or Christian arrogance—that is living for something that you are willing to die for.  This is not about America or world politics.  This is not about patriotism or bi-partisanship.  This is about truth.  Take away the America our forefathers founded; take away our freedom; re-write the constitution; dictate our country into socialism, fascism, or communism; nevertheless, the truth of Christ will still be divisive!  In fact, let the rest of the world alone.  Let Iran build nuclear weapons; let Kim Jong II rule with an iron fist; patronize evil men like Hugo Chavez; and build relationships with Fidel Castro; heck, bring back Saddam Hussein and let him have Iraq back, most Americans don’t believe that fight was worth fighting anyway; nevertheless, the truth of Christ will still be divisive!  Believe me; I pray that none of these events happen. But if they do, I pray I have what it takes to remain true.  I pray that I have what it takes to stand strong.  I pray I have what it takes to refuse to “Just get along peacefully” and live for nothing!  I pray I would be prepared to die for the truths that have built nations, defeated the enemy, conquered dictators, fought for the unborn children, fed the hungry, cared for widows and orphans, and can ultimately save a world!

    In John 17, Jesus prayed for the disciples, and for all believers to come after them.  He did not pray for peace, prosperity, wealth, and a comfortable life without sacrifice.  He prayed for Unity.  Not “World Peace” among people of any belief.  He prayed for Unity among those who put their faith in HIM.  Jesus knew that the world filled with evil hearts, greed, deceit, and confusion would never “Just all get along!”  But His will was that those with faith in an absolute truth would stand together, work together, believe together, and suffer together to take that truth to a field ripe for harvest.  That is a noble and worthwhile goal to be working toward!  That is a cause worth dying for!  I don’t want enemies.  I don’t like it when people don’t like me.  I especially don’t like it when people want to kill me.  But it sounds to me like if I believe in Christ and stand for His truth—I may not be able to avoid those things.  Jesus did not.  The Disciples did not.  The early church did not.  The Persecuted church around the world today cannot.  We might solve some of America’s temporary political problems by being nice, throwing away truth, and avoiding any stance that might cause diversity.  Our new leaders of intellectual greatness might just sugar coat, and diplomatically throw away 200+ years of absolute beliefs in order to help everyone “Just get along” for a short time.  But the believer in Christ does not have that luxury.  There is a line drawn in the sand.  We didn’t draw it, and we can’t scratch it out.  We must unite and live and die for it!  That is our cause, and that is the road that we must travel as believers.  God Bless!

  • What if God issued a “Re-call” notice?

    Would I Make the List?

    A few days ago, I noticed a sign that really caught my attention—the sign said, “Get Ready for the recall of God’s Children!”  The message here was referring specifically to the second coming of Christ—and at first I honestly did not pay that much attention.  However, as I drove down the road, I began to think about it a little bit differently.  In fact, I felt God speak to me with one of those questions that jolt you to a complete new thought process—he said to me, “If I were to examine your life right now…what part would need to be put on a “Re-Call” notice?”  Then He said, “Think about that with some depth!”

    How many have ever received a “Re-call” notice on a product you purchased or a vehicle you own?

    “Re-calls” have become fairly commonplace in the world we live in today.  Some of them are very serious and involve complete failure of the manufacturer to build a quality safe product…some of them are actually a little humorous—and some downright ludicrous.  Many are real and serious, and many are simply the result of the litigation happy culture we live in today.

    Vehicle Recalls:

    This past week, BMW recalled over 1.3 million cars…the problem? A possible problem with a battery cable located in the trunk, which can cause starting issues and potentially a fire in the trunk.

    In the February 2012 National safety report alone, there are current vehicle recalls for Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Volvo, Harley Davidson, Mack Trucks, Chrysler, Suzuki, Champion Buses, Subaru, Winnebago motor-homes, Porsche, and Mitsubishi. 

    I have owned my current truck for almost 5 years—it has had 3 recalls—the last one involved the mechanic grinding down my gas pedal by less than 1/8 of an inch in order to assure that the pedal would not stick on the floor mat and cause me to have a crash!

    Recent recalls issued by Companies who make products:

    • Easton LaCrosse Helmets—Potential injury hazard
    • Power foundations adjustable mattresses—Potential fire hazard
    • Westinghouse Ceiling fans—fire and shock hazard
    • Bon Hiver Snowboard bidings—Potential fall hazard
    • Kawasaki Mule utility vehicles—potential fire hazard
    • Cub Cadet and Troy-bilt Lawn Tractors—Potential Crash hazard
    • Outdoor folding knife—Possible laceration hazard
    • Umbro boys outerwear jackets—potential entrapment hazard
    • Fisher Price toddler tricycles—Potential laceration hazard
    • Latches for Utility vehicle doors—potential ejection, impact, and Laceration hazard
    • Bosch Fire Alarm control panels—Potential fire alarm failure

    Definition of “Re-Call”

    1. To ask or order to return: recalled all workers who had been laid off.
    2. To summon back to awareness of or concern with the subject or situation at hand.
    3. To remember; recollect. 
    4. To cancel, take back, or revoke.
    5. To bring back; restore.
    6. To request return (of a product) to the manufacturer, as for necessary repairs or adjustments.
    7. to cause (one’s thoughts, attention, etc.) to return from a reverie or digression

    (Reverie—An act or state of Absent-minded daydreaming.)

    Why is a Product Re-called?

    • It is not functioning as promised—or not fulfilling its purpose
    • It poses a hazard to itself or others
    • It creates a liability

    On the night before Jesus crucifixion, Jesus shared many teachings with his disciples.  He shared with them the lesson of Servant hood by washing their feet.  He shared with them the lesson of what his true sacrificial purpose was by showing them the symbols of the wine and bread—and revealing to them the sacrifice of body and blood which would be for our sins.  Sometimes some of the most prominent lessons that Jesus gave are overlooked in the dialogue that happened during that week and that special evening.  Jesus told that the disciples about the trials they would face after he had departed from them in Physical presence.  He shared with them how difficult life would get, how people would hate them for their faith, and how they would receive the Holy Spirit to keep them, guide them, and protect them.

    One of my favorite lessons of that night was the lesson from John 15, which I believes speaks to the theme for tonight—

    John 15  The Vine and the Branches

     1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

       5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 

       9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.   Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 

    New International Version (NIV)

    A person who is not attached to vine is in need of a “Recall”  

    Once you begin to remove yourself from your original purpose, the reason for which you are created, you come to a place of trouble.  As a branch—you cannot exist spiritually away from the Vine.  You must be connected to survive as part of this world.  Maybe tonight God is placing a “Recall” on your life.  Maybe He is calling us to “Reconnect” to the Vine.  

    Questions we can ask ourselves to see if we might be on God’s “Re-call” list:

    • Am I fulfilling the purpose of my creator/manufacturer?
    • Do I need repairs or adjustments—or do I have habits or actions in my life that are currently a potential hazard to myself or others?
    • Have I drifted into a state of Reverie…or digressed from the passion of the Gospel?
    • Sin separates us from our true state of existence and purpose for living…do I need to be restored or brought back to form through forgiveness because of lingering sin in my life?
    • Are my actions creating a liability for myself or others?

    Paul wrote to the church at Corinth—

    “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup”

    Why, because we have to be perfect?   NO!

    Because every time we partake of the Lord’s supper—it is the prime opportunity to be reminded of the Sacrifice made by Christ, and for us to discern what that truly means to us.  

    “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.  Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” 

    Because God want us to continually examine ourselves, and let him examine us to make sure we don’t need a “Recall” to make sure we are connected to the Vine.  In doing this, we avoid the condemnation that is coming for those who don’t believe or don’t even care.  

    Examine now—If God pulled you into the shop, and did a thorough inspection—where would He issue the recall?  Would he tell you right away that you are not connected to the Vine—or you are at least partially severed from Him?

  • Thoughts about protests and civil unrest from 2020.

    Honestly, I see this different than most people.  I do not see this from only a racism viewpoint.  I have been spending time trying to look at this from a much larger Spiritual issue in our culture.  We see revolt, protest, anger, and lack of trust in authority in general.  This could be why the protests are proving to be led and instigated by a much larger representation of ethic, socio economic, and race representation than just our Black brothers who are angry at racist, crooked White police.  In my opinion, this is deep inner pain and hurt (as a result of both real and perceived injustice, inequality, loss, death, and suffering) that demands an outlet to “Cry Out” 

    If God is our ultimate authority, and He is truly in control—maybe we begin to put puzzle pieces together and see that we live in a time when a vast percentage of society (from every culture, race, ethnic, and socio economic background) does not have a faith, theology, life perspective, and understanding of God that can withstand the trials of this life.  The most often question asked of any skeptic of God, Jesus, Christianity or Biblical truth is this:  “If God is so loving, and God is all-powerful, then why does God allow pain, suffering, disease, death…?”   Answers here are not easy, they are not necessarily always feel-good and fluffy.  And the answer we often desire is assurance that God should be in the business of creating a perfect utopia on Earth where all injustice, inequality, pain and suffering, and sin are resolved to the comfort of life we all long for.  When our faith and theology cannot bridge these gaps of reality—we tend to “Cry Out” for God to intervene.  In a sense we protest, we even revolt to some extent.  We become Jacob wrestling with God.  We become Job looking for answers.  We become Jeremiah weeping.  We might even become Judas (who was willing to betray Jesus when he found out that Jesus was not going to lead a political rebellion to overthrow the evil Roman empire and save Israel) in betrayal.  Some have a theology, history, faith, that ultimately bridges the gaps and holds fast with hope and belief.  Sadly, western religion and the demise of faith in our society leaves a great percentage of people without the spiritual depth to build these bridges.  (Side note of personal opinion—the ‘Evangelical’ movement may failed a generation, but the ‘Prosperity’ Gospel and the ‘Progressive’ Church movement certainly don’t have the truth to bridge those gaps)  Hence, our faith and belief system become emotionally based and in a sense nothing more than relativism with a bite sized dose of theology. 

    Think about the political and social issues that divide us so deep today.  Our society is crying out for authority figures and politicians to “fix” everything that hurts.  Demanding healing and retribution for every injustice and sin of the past, present, and future.  Longing for income and success equality as if this were a right or guarantee.  If “God” can’t or won’t fix it—then as a society we put our faith in political systems, political figures, forms of government, ideologies, or any other relative voice of hope that promises to do so.  We have created a cycle of relativism which drives a sense of entitlement, justice, and perfection that will always fail to deliver.  This leaves us in a constant state of protest and revolt—with each other and with God. 

    There is a basic Truth and perception that might help us all right now.  We live in an imperfect world where God is in complete control.  A world where pain, suffering, inequality, death, racism, greed, injustice, war, jealousy, intolerance, violence, hatred, and evil have been allowed to co-exist since the beginning of time because of the choices of creation.  No where do we have the promise of this imperfect world becoming a utopia where these things go away.  In fact, we are told by Jesus Himself several times that they will only get worse.  What we do have are three truths that remain steady despite our circumstances.  One, we have a calling to work to overcome evil with good and to be a light of love and hope in the dark.  Two, we have a promise that if we trust, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and stand in our faith, we can fulfill this calling.  Three, we have the ultimate promise that the utopia we so desperately desire (where all the horrible things listed above are finally resolved) is in fact a reality fulfilled in eternal life. 

    Until then (if God truly created us all “Equal” in His sight) it doesn’t matter if you are black or white, rich or poor, old or young, educated or not educated, and American or Mexican, Christian or Muslim.  We are all entitled to one thing—a life in an imperfect world that will experience the imperfections that exist.  We will have sunshine and storms.  We have success and failure.  We will have sickness and heath.  We will experience justice and injustice.  We will have people who hate us and love us.  We will have times of peace and times of war.  We will celebrate the miracle of birth and grieve at the darkness of death.  Life will never be “Fair” and life on Earth will never be free of everything that causes us pain. You cannot legislate it away.  You cannot create wealth equality and take it away.  You cannot create a form of government that makes it all better.  Every single day we have a calling to get up from our prone position of protest, anger, and revolt and keep on living.  Placing our faith in the one in control.  Changing what we can change.  Wrestling with what we cannot change.  Accepting God’s perfect timing and perfect justice.  And living with the knowledge that we are ONLY entitled to one thing—God’s great mercy, love, forgiveness and the future promise of eternal life.  

    I live with hurt, anger and the desire to protest every single day.  Sure, I am angered at police injustice and racism, and what happened to George Floyd.  I am also hurt and want to protest when good parents die unexpectedly and leave orphan children for no apparent reason.  I am angered when a thug criminal commits a crime that hurts or kills an innocent victim.  I want to protest when a disease takes someone I love.  I am angered when political leaders believe they are God and convince people they can solve all the problems of the world.  I am angered with innocent people lose their lives, livelihoods, and businesses to ignorant and cowardly rioters.  I am hurt when kids suffer pain and bullying they don’t deserve.  I torment when the innocent are punished and the guilty go free.  And yes, I wrestle with God when I don’t understand these life events.  But I live.  And the more I live, then more I realize that I need to be slower to point blame, more patient in demanding an answer and justification, and more committed than ever to deepen my own faith and trust in my Creator.  It is then, and only then that I can walk away from my right to protest, and instead seek deeper what I can do to live life to the fullest in promises of God…Despite the evil around me.

    Peace.

    Written in Spring of 2020