The Blank Page

Virtually everything good God does comes with a delay. In fact, it seems like the greater the revelation, the longer the delay.

That was true with the blank page at the end of the Old Testament. The last word is “curse” Malachi 4:6. Then silence from God. The blank page lasts for 400 years. Finally, the page is turned. The Anointed One has arrived. The silence is broken. A wait that started from the beginning of time, and culminated in a final 400 years of silence, suddenly came to an end at the birth of Jesus. Angels burst onto the scene and suddenly announced the arrival of the blessed one, the answer to the curse.

That was true for the first Advent and it is true in your life now. The delay, the blank page, the silence is the time God makes us wait. Why?

As Augustine put it: “Simply by making us wait God increases our desire, which in turn enlarges the capacity of our soul, making it able to receive what is to be given to us.”

Here are two questions to ask while waiting:

•            God, what do you want me to discover about You?
•     What do you want to change about me?

Resist the temptation to force things. Because you are tired of waiting, you might rush to make your own solutions, answer your own questions, make your own way. As a result, you live admid the wreckage of Plan B. Instead, wait. Live out Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I have put my hope.”

The valley between history and hope is often empty and long. The only way to make it through the blankness of that time is to trust that God will turn the page in his time. The God who promises: a new life, a new birth, new heaven and a new earth, a new heart, a new name, and a new song is at work doing a new thing, even during times of silence. Advent teaches us that God will turn the page in his time. Beyond what you can see, more than you can dream, bigger than you can appreciate, farther than you can reach. Right now your life may be like staring at a blank page. No matter how silent God seems, no matter how delayed the answer, no matter how blank the page, don’t stop waiting, don’t stop hoping, God is up to something good.

"Dad" in the Rearview Mirror

Having attempted to teach two daughters how to drive, I was captured by the example my friend Lee Eclov shared. It taught me something about living in the fear of the Lord.

As Lee tells it, he used to think that living in "the fear of the Lord" was like driving down the street while watching the policeman in your rearview mirror. Most of us who drive know what that is like. But Lee offers up a better picture for fearing the Lord. He says,

It's like a teenage driver who suddenly spots her father's car in her rearview mirror. Seeing him back there puts her on notice to be on her best behavior—to use her blinkers and stop at the yellow light, and to keep both hands on the wheel. But it also tells her that her father cares enough to follow her. It tells her that she's safe. Her father isn't trying to trap or trick her. He's trying to help her develop good habits; not just to be careful on this trip, but to obey the laws and stay safe until she gets home. She's driving on her own, but not completely on her own.

How wonderful is that image? I can identify with that in my life with Christ. In some way, fearing the Lord is like living with my heavenly Father in my rearview mirror. I look up and see his perfect holiness, but also his patient care. I am motivated to do what is right, and inspired by his loving concern. As the immortal, invisible God, there is nowhere I can run from his presence.

Now if only I could find a way to shadow my 17-year-old without it seeming creepy…

Is the Gospel Powerful Enough to Bring Contentment?

Recently, in my study of 1 Timothy, I grappled with the teaching in chapter 6 about how Christian slaves should live. It challenged me. Why didn’t Paul come right out and denounce slavery? Why didn’t Jesus condemn it? Why the instruction on how to live as a slave?

The Bible does speak against slavery in several ways. Even in 1 Timothy (1:10) Paul included slave traders with murderers, adulterers, and perverts as rebels who oppose the gospel. In the Old Testament, a fugitive slave wasn’t to be returned to his master, but be given refuge (Deuteronomy 23:15). To kidnap a human and sell him to another was deserving of the death penalty (Exodus 21:14). Mistreatment of slaves was forbidden (Exodus 21:20). Those commands alone show the ungodliness of the slavery practiced in American history, and the human trafficking that occurs today.

Still, the fact that the New Testament focuses more on how to please God as a slave than it does condemning slavery, made me wonder. John Stott addressed it this way: “The main reason is that slavery was deeply embedded in the structures of Greco-Roman society….to dismantle slavery all at once would have brought about the collapse of society.” 

Perhaps a vital truth is being emphasized, over above an obvious evil. Since believers are called to a life of quiet, peaceful obedience (1 Tim. 2:2, Rom. 13:1-2), job #1 for the Christian slave was not rebellion, but pleasing God even in that difficult situation.

If overthrowing social structures is not the first order of business for the church, how does this apply to other issues we face? What about homosexuality? Because the Bible teaches that homosexuality is wrong, Christians might be tempted to respond by vigorously opposing the removal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, or angrily warring against gay marriage, or by mistreating, denouncing, or ignoring gay people. A more Christ-like response would be to treat homosexuals you know with dignity and love.

The reality is that the power of the gospel should transform you. The gospel is not the weapon to use so that you can forcefully change others, or change your society, or even change your situation. When the gospel transforms you, it will be demonstrated in how you respond to whatever circumstance you are in. That is the message of Philippians 4 “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 

My Misplaced Hope

My life gets off track and I feel like quitting when my hope is in the wrong place.

• When my great hope is that people like me, that means when someone doesn’t like me, I get depressed.
• When my highest hope is that I have financial security, that means every rise in prices, every unexpected expense, every decrease in income is devastating.
•   When my hope is all wrapped up in a healthy, loving family, that means sickness or dysfunction or infertility or divorce puts me into a freefall.
• When my hope rests in my security and comfort, then the threat of an earthquake or flood or terrorist attack keeps me up at night.
• When my highest hope is in relationships, then the loss of a friend, a betrayal, a breakup leaves me empty and desperate.
• When my hope is in my own ability, and then I come in 2^nd or 12^th, or I’m not the one chosen, it crushes me.
• When my hope is resting on my level of self-esteem, then every time I’m mistreated, taken advantage of, disrespected, ignored, it throws me into a pit of despair.

My hope is in danger of being shaken, stolen, or drained away unless it is resting on the living God (1 Tim 4:10). It is hard work. It is a struggle to keep my hope in the right place. Because I’m human, I tend to pile my hope in other places. They may be good places, like church or home or work or achievement. So it takes some effort to drag my hope off the wrong pedestal, and stack it all on the Lord. Other voices call for my attention and trust. Other passions creep into first place.

For this I labor and strive, that I have put my hope in the living God.

Why Are You Really Working So Hard?

Some of us live in a state of exhaustion. Why are we working so hard? Ask yourself if your weariness has anything to do with trying to make everybody happy. Perhaps one reason you work so hard is to keep others from being disappointed, to satisfy their complaints, and so they will not think less of you or who you represent.

Nothing will change for the better, until you constantly ask yourself who you are trying to please and why. As a Christian and as a pastor, there is only one right answer. I always work hard and do my best, but no one else, other than God, knows my limits. Only I know the totality of my job. Instead of trying to satisfy everyone’s expectations, I resign myself to the fact that some people are going to be disappointed in me. But as long as I am doing my best before God, I am much more able to live with that. I set limits for what I will or won’t do and try to stick with them. If there are expectations that go outside those limits, then I will compensate in another way. 

For years I lived with people putting guilt on me to change my vacation, to disappoint my family, to work 7 days, to do them ‘just this one favor’. Now I refuse to let that guilt control or motivate me. I limit the number of evenings I will go out in a week. I limit the number of outside speaking engagements I will do in a year. I limit the number of responsibilities I accept. I am very careful about responding to “emergencies.” Because I have found that there are far fewer emergencies than people think that cannot wait until morning. “I’m sorry, but I’m not available right now” works great.

No one else can do that for you. No one else will stop your self-destruction. Instead they will applaud your work ethic all the way to your grave. So when someone comes at me with an expectation or a request, I first filter it through the “who am I trying to please and why” question. If I know God is satisfied with me, what else matters?

Get the Shame Out

Anne Heche is well-known for her acting roles, and for her personal life, including a 3-year relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. A few years ago, Heche revealed she was sexually abused by her father from when she was a toddler until age 12. She says: "I did a lot of things in my life to get away from what had happened to me. I drank, I smoked, I did drugs, I had sex…. I did anything I could to get the shame out of my life.''

We all experience shame over things we’ve done and shame over things done to us. No one is exempt. How do we get the shame out of our lives?

In Joshua 5, we find 2 million Israelites ready to cross over into the Promised Land. They are on the edge of victory. Before that could happen, God called for an outward demonstration of commitment to him. Circumcision. Once they did, God makes this pronouncement:

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day, (Joshua 5:9).

Obeying God today removes the shame of yesterday. 

God can break you free from the mockery of past failures. God can roll away the reproach of your past so it no longer defines and limits who you are. Submit to God and you can put Egypt behind you. Yes, you have failed in the past. You have not measured up. You have not trusted God. You have not been faithful. But the question is, Will you obey today?

Obey today, and it doesn’t matter what anyone else calls you. Obey today, and it doesn’t matter what they think of you. Obey today, and it doesn’t matter what you once did, or what you once were. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. In Christ you are free and the burden is lifted. Don’t let the weight of incomplete obedience hold you back. Don’t allow the chains of hurtful memories, or fears, or failures to drag you down. Obey today, and the Lord God Almighty will roll away the reproach of yesterday.

Is Your Church Like Minor League Baseball?

After visiting four minor league baseball parks, I noticed a trend. They were all frantic in their attempts to get people through the gates. I categorize the efforts this way:

1.       Gimmicks. Some parks offered free food, all you could eat, for the price of admission. Two-fer Tuesdays and Thirsty Thursdays were about drink specials. Gifts thrown to the crowd included commemorative towels, Frisbees, tee shirts, hot dogs, pizza, and footballs.

2.       Amusements. There were costumed characters, participation games, races, and themes like “Nerd Night”. Lots of entertainment that had nothing to do with baseball.

3.       Pettiness. The sound system and video displays denigrated the opposition. When the other team hit a home run, body function sounds were played. Belittling chants and songs aimed at humiliating the visiting side were popular.

Clearly the focus was not on baseball, but about making losing baseball interesting. Absence of victory produced this desperation. With the teams mired in the basement, baseball was no longer enough incentive.

While the gimmicks, amusements, and pettiness attracted a few people, the efforts were no help to the players. Almost everyone on the field seemed to be going through the motions. The bench was silent as players said little to cheer each other on. The managers appeared disinterested. No one seemed to be playing for anything. In one game, the most passionate person on the field was the home plate umpire.

Does your church display similar signs?

1.       When do giveaways, special guests, concerts, or contests become a desperate attempt to attract an audience, rather than accomplish kingdom work?

2.       When does the drama, the song list, the funny video, the egg drop from a helicopter devolve into mere entertainment instead of a proclamation of the truth?

3.       When do put-downs of celebrities, politicians, other churches, other preachers, or cultural practices actually distract from the life-transforming good news of Jesus?

The missing ingredient is the reality of victory. “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous,” Psalm 118:15. Without it, people drift away, worship leaders and preachers become self-seeking, passionless, or misdirected. Leave the gimmicks, amusements, and pettiness to losing baseball teams. Celebrate the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ.

Every Worship Event Must Have--Part 2

One person’s music is another person’s noise. Regardless of individual tastes, take a moment to appreciate the musical accompaniment of King Hezekiah’s worship service in 2 Chronicles 29. Cymbals, harps, lyres, and trumpets are the instruments listed. There may have been others. Since Hezekiah followed King David’s procedure, that meant there were 4,000 instrumentalists. That’s a good sized orchestra or band. Ever heard that many instruments playing at once? Harps and lyres sound quiet. Cymbals and trumpets do not. 4,000 of anything is going to be loud.

As thousands of animals were killed, skinned, cut up, arranged on the altar, and set on fire, the people began singing with the instruments playing (29:27-28). Imagine the commotion, the distractions, and the odors. Sight, sound, smell; all of these things happened at the same time. Once the offerings were over, everyone knelt down and worshipped. In this description are important elements of worship.

Celebration and Sacrifice are indispensible to Worship.

With our songs and music and offerings and respect, God is honored. When you come to worship, it involves celebration, whether loudly or quietly or both. We can’t keep quiet for a whole service unless we ignore Jesus. Yes, we need to mourn over sin. Yes, we need to be still and know that he is God. But we are on the other side of the redemption story. Jesus has come and so the silence is broken. Jesus is alive and so there is forgiveness. That has to be celebrated with sound. Martin Luther said “Music drives away the Devil.” As God’s people we celebrate that sin, death and Satan have been defeated by Jesus.

And when you come to worship there must be sacrifice. If your sacrifice is that you just decided to show up, that is ego-centric.  

In 2 Chronicles 29, worship happened while the music was playing, and after it was over. Worship happened while the sacrifices were being offered, and when they were finished. Worship happened when the choir sang, and when everybody sang, and without any singing at all.

Now is the time you desperately need to connect with God in worship. Your ability to worship is not dependent upon the songs used. Your ability to worship is not dependent on the instruments played, or whatever sounds and sights are included. Your ability to worship is not even dependent on the words that you hear. Worship has to do with your willingness to bow down and place the one, true God back on the pedestal of your life. Push down the pretenders and deceivers, topple the intruders and diversions, dethrone the obsessions and desires that have taken his place. Lift him high and bow down low, give him your praise and worship, because that is what he made you to do.

Every Worship Event Must Have--Part 1

3,998. That’s the number of bulls, rams, lambs, and goats offered in 2 Chronicles 29. The animals were butchered. As the blood poured out it was collected in bowls and drizzled on the altar. Blood and gore everywhere.

The people placed their hands on the goats before the slaughter. In this way the people said, God we are sorry for what we’ve done. Accept this sacrifice, forgive our sins, cleanse our lives. One event, almost 4,000 animals killed. There were so many, the job overwhelmed the priests and they brought in family members to help. Bizarre as it seems to us now, there are parallels.

Blood and Cleansing are indispensible to Worship. Without blood and cleansing, all you have left is entertainment or ritual. That’s because God still requires a blood sacrifice. What changed is that he provided it for us, once and for all, with Jesus. He was slaughtered, poured out his blood, and for those who trust in him, our sins are washed away. The Bible says that sacrifice of Jesus makes us holy once for all. Take out the cross, and all we have left is a community event, a concert, or lodge meeting, or a pep rally. But through the blood of Christ we enjoy all the blessings of God.

And we have to come clean too. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Worship gives us the reminder that the dirt that comes into our lives can only be dealt with through him. Any worship event is a big waste if we don’t use this time to confess the junk that is interrupting our connection with God. If we just look forward to some good music or to fellowship with some friends or hearing something that inspires us, then we will not have worshipped. We’ve got to experience cleansing. “Dear God, I fell short of your glory this week. I was angry and said things I shouldn’t have when I didn’t get my way.” “Lord, I’ve given time and attention to everyone but you this week.” Whatever the garbage is, confess it to God and know his forgiveness.

I don’t get to visit many churches. For the few I do, I am amazed at what I’ve witnessed. In one great service at a mega-church, there was not a single song that mentioned the name of Christ. At a small church, I heard the condemnation of abortion and the need for Christians to take a stand. There was no mention of the blood and cleansing that makes worship possible.

Hopefully those are anomalies. No matter what style of worship you appreciate, no matter which church you attend, without recognizing your need of the blood of Jesus and the need for personal cleansing, there is no worship.

Wage the Right War

One of the mistakes American Christians make is to wage war at the wrong things. We see some hostility in the environment around us, so we react with hostility. We war against a political party. We war against people who oppose our beliefs. We war against systems that are unfair to us. We war against groups that oppose our values. Many churches and Christians believe we are at war with the world. So they take on a hostile stance and angrily attack the immorality out there, bad behavior out there, anti-christian talk out there. They protest and call names and denounce people out there. The Bible says the war is in here. The enemy is not the world out there, it is the worldliness in here.

In fact, our reaction to the sinfulness, the hostility of this world cannot be violent, angry, retaliatory at all. We

can’t wage war that way. Look how it’s described by the apostle Paul.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world….we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

A few years ago, I wrote a piece for Christianity Today called, Trends in the Abortion Debate: Tracing the history of a thirty-year battle. As I researched the column, it became clear that one of the main figures of the pro-life movement had a disintegrating personal life. He was disciplined by his home church for abandoning his first wife and two children, and for repeated inappropriate relationships with other women. This pro-life crusader also disowned his teenage foster daughter when she became pregnant for the second time, and disowned his adopted son who announced he was gay. The tactics he uses to protest his causes have come under criticism for being offensive and deceptive. The man is warring against something that is wrong out there—and make no mistake it is reprehensibly wrong—but he has apparently failed to fight war in here.

The cause of our warring is the desire from within us, says James 4:1. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?” And Ephesians 6:12 declares that our battle is not with flesh and blood but with the cosmic forces of evil, Satan and his angels. Unless we engage in that battle, our souls will shrivel and fail to thrive. So fight against the impulses and desires that prevent you from living a spiritual life, and wage war against your true self. 

An Alien in America

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11

This is the third time Peter has mentioned this already, 1:1 “To God’s elect, strangers in the world,” 1:17 “live your lives as strangers here…” This must be an important concept. If you follow Jesus, do you consider yourself a temporary resident?

We lived in Canada for about 10 years. We were aliens. The technical terms was “landed immigrant.” Under that designation, I could earn a living and pay taxes. But I was not permitted to vote or hold public office. And I couldn’t learn to like hockey. I know all the words to the Canadian National Anthem and enjoy it, but it’s not my anthem. I loved Canada, but I was an American living in Canada, an alien, never a Canadian.

The reality is that even though I’ve been back in the United States for 15 years, I’m still an alien. I say that because as a follower of Christ, this place is my temporary residence. Do you see yourself that way? Really? You belong to Jesus, not America. Your home is heaven, not this world. You are an alien. You’re not completely settled here. There are things you like and enjoy, but it is not home. This is not where you get your identity. Take this seriously and it changes how you look at life and how you react to a hostile world. 

3 Times Real Leaders Emerge

1. When other leaders lack courage to fulfill their responsibilities.

“To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to go forward alone,” said Harry Truman. Real leaders emerge at a time when no one else is willing to step forward. The giant Goliath singlehandedly harassed and immobilized Israel’s great leader. As the Commander in Chief and the tallest Israelite, King Saul was the obvious choice to respond to Goliath’s challenge of winner-take-all combat. Yet, day after day he did nothing other than offer a reward for someone else to do the job [1 Samuel 17:25]. Fear sidelined the established leader, but provided the stage for a new leader named David to emerge.

2. When the risk is greatest.

The glory-hungry and the pretenders seek to lead when the stakes are low. Many are those eager to contribute direction and solutions when failure costs little. But when the risk is life or death for an organization or even people, the real leaders emerge. As Kouzes and Posner put it, “Challenge calls forth leadership.” The challenge issued by the champion of the Philistines was a great risk. It meant life or death for the challenger, and victory or loss for the nation. Martin Luther King said, “If a man hasn’t found something he is willing to die for, he isn’t fit to live.” David was the only one who assessed the situation as something for which he was willing to die [1 Samuel 17:32]. The real leader risked.

3. When no one else recognizes the essential problem.

Saul and the armies of Israel were viewing Goliath’s threat only through the lens of human victory and defeat. David was the only one who identified the true issue. Goliath was defying God himself [1 Samuel 17:36, 45-47]. When the majority are not able to identify the issue of ultimate importance that is the time a real leader emerges. 

The Invisible Shepherd

It was one of those difficult years. We were short of money. I was trying to finish a degree and keep our car running. My wife had another miscarriage. There was a group at the church who didn’t like the pastor. I was that pastor. Things got so tough I began wondering where God was. He seemed to have disappeared from view.

That was the experience of Asaph. In desperation, he wrote Psalm 77. He cried to God for help, but his soul felt shriveled and lifeless. Asaph’s longing for God to act left him unable to sleep. He questioned God and voiced his mistrust. Such cries of agony are acceptable. Shouting our fears and doubts before God is prayer.

Suddenly, Asaph stops crying “I, I, I,” and says “Your miracles…, Your ways…, You are the God of gods.” Before, he was self-absorbed, focused on his disappointments. But now he focused on the Majestic God.

The Psalm ends with a wonderful statement. “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” When God led his people through the Red Sea, Asaph remembers there was no evidence God was there. There was only deliverance.

There are times when there are no footprints, but even without a trace God leads us. At those times when we see no evidence of God’s existence, the Invisible Shepherd is always there. In the miraculous and in the ordinary, in the roaring and in the silence, in the brilliance and in the darkness the invisible shepherd remains.

A navy diver said something about diving deep I found interesting. When you dive deep enough, it becomes so dark it’s almost impossible to keep from becoming disoriented and confused. It could be terrifying not to know which way is up and unable to see your hand in front of your face. Panic easily sets in. The advice of the navy diver was to “feel the bubbles.” The reason was because bubbles always drift to the surface. “When you can't trust your feelings or judgment,” he said, “you can trust the bubbles to get you back to the top.”

What do we do when we don’t know which way is up? How can we survive periods of darkness and gloom? How should we respond when God seems silent and invisible? Prayer is the stream of bubbles leading us toward the invisible shepherd. In desperation we pray, “Lord, it’s not more money, or a better spouse, or another job I need…I’m desperate for you.”

Keep sending up bubbles. Cry out to the invisible shepherd. Even when he seems gone without a trace, even when there are no footprints in the sand, he is right there with you.

Communion: 4 Factors in Keeping the Lord's Table Memorable and Meaningful

It was Communion Sunday. The Table was draped with a spotless, white cloth, covering the stacks of trays. The Pastor looked over the congregation with anger. "There is so much sin among you," he shouted. "None of you are worthy to participate in this observance." Like a thunder clap he was gone, leaving a congregation shocked and confused. This man eventually left the ministry, but not before reducing the church to a small group. Needless to say, that was a memorable Communion. 

Memorable and meaningful are not synonymous. One certainly does not guarantee the other. I must confess that I gave up trying to make Communion more meaningful long ago. Understood properly, it is in itself the most meaningful of acts that the church carries out. Recently, a young couple told me what happened in their pew on Easter Sunday. As I introduced the Table, their grade school daughter began pleading with them to include her. The girl was ready with answers. "I know what the bread means," she whispered. The parents looked at each other. The elements were coming closer. The girl talked about sin and what Jesus did. Then seeing her parents hesitate she added, "Besides, I'm hungry." Mom and Dad said no, whereupon the girl threw a fit. This child is not alone in her lack of clarity regarding the meaning and significance of the Table. How many adults pay little attention to the magnitude and magnificence of this event? What can I do to heighten their awareness? As I gather my people around the Table, there are critical factors I try to keep in mind.

Get Out of the Way
I want to be certain my presence is not intruding upon the moment. I do my best to let my words be few, my movements necessary, and my instructions clear. Some of the most memorable and meaningful remembrances of the Lord's death I have been a part of, were also the simplest. They involved no shining communion trays, no musical instruments, no well-trained servers and no identical servings of bread and cup. Remembering the simplicity of what Jesus instituted guards my propensity to overproduce Communion. The power of the elements themselves is sufficient. I want the word and the Spirit to speak without my well-intentioned interference. Even then there have been times when God's work on me individually has surfaced before all. 

At one service, a song being played caused me to weep as I served the servers. I began to sob uncontrollably. It took some time for me to regain my composure, and it certainly made some uncomfortable. Yet, I was not ashamed. Although I want to stay out of the way, I also must be authentic. It was no fabrication or emotional ploy. It was personal confrontation with the meaning of Communion. Any attempt to manufacture meaning would be akin to holding up an applause sign.

Embrace the Tensions
Is there anything more paradoxical than this observance? We need to feel the shock and shame of the agonizing death of our Savior. We need to sense the horror and heartache of the bloody payment for sin. Yet there is also the unbounded joy of knowing God's love, the exhilaration of forgiveness and acceptance before God. It is Good Friday and Easter all at once. It should be at least difficult if not impossible to participate in Communion without experiencing both sides. Though I want my words to be few, it is my responsibility to explain the tensions. Included in that is the need to both warn and welcome. It is only fair and fitting that we declare who is welcome at the Table. It is not my table, nor the church's, but it is the table of the Lord. All who belong to him are received. At the same time, we must be serious about the warning not to take this lightly and to come with understanding or face the consequences. 

Another tension is between individual and corporate. There must be a "me" focus, regarding personal sin and recognition of the elements. But the "we" focus must not be neglected. This table is not about me, but about the Lord and my relation to him. He has saved a people for himself. Christians around the globe gather around the table and the one loaf testifies to our oneness in Christ. Above all I want the tensions to remain, and do not attempt to alleviate or explain them away. Evangelicals tend to demystify everything. That is a mistake regarding Communion. In its simplicity, there is still a mystery that is inexplicable. I agree with John Calvin. "If anybody should ask me how this communion takes place, I am ashamed to confess that that is a secret too lofty for either my mind to comprehend or my words to declare."

Creativity without Compromise
I come from a non-liturgical tradition, yet every Communion managed to be virtually identical anyway. Now as a pastor, I want to include some variations: 

• liturgy spoken by the people; 
• a phrase repeated by all as they take each element, such as, "Your body bore the weight of my sin;" 
• adequate time allowed for confession through silence, song, written prayers; 
• alternating the way in which people receive the elements: being served, coming forward or tincture (dipping bread into the cup).

Occasionally someone has a suggestion about doing Communion differently. The one I listened to most carefully was from a former All-American football player who could snap me like a twig. Suggestions are welcome, but examined closely. There are theological reasons why we have one Table and not several, why we partake together rather than everyone for themselves, why we use bread and cup. The idea of using elements other than what Scripture mentions accomplishes little other than novelty. Substituting Cool-Aid and pizza just trivializes the truth. 

Years ago, a new attender refused to take Communion because of the type of bread we used. It pushed the Elders to do a study on the subject. We found that although no particular type of bread was required by Scripture, justification could be made for several preferences: 

• common bread; leavened (representing Jew and Gentile in Christ among many other things); 
• loaf (signifying the one sacrifice and the one body); 
• baked (symbolizing God's judgment on sin); 
• unbroken prior to distribution. 

We don't slavishly follow these conclusions, but they do provide parameters. Creative changes can be helpful, but what makes Communion meaningful has far more to do with perception than packaging. I realize that some desire for modification is simply a reaction to ritual. But ritual is not a four-letter word. It does not eliminate being real. Ritual simply means an established or prescribed procedure. That describes Communion. The Table itself is formulaic. Paul said what was "handed to me, I delivered to you." (1 Cor.11:23) We have greater specifics about what was said by Jesus and by the early church regarding Communion, than about any other part of worship. In a search for meaning, we must be wary of jettisoning New Testament language, the order of the elements, their identity, or the closing proclamation. 

Allow for Holy Moments
Recently, a young couple in our church was on the verge of divorce. He battled with alcohol, but that was just part of the problem. Through loving but firm confrontation, God brought them to repentance. A few days later, they came forward during Communion. There they confessed their failings and their desire to begin again. The divorce papers were torn up, and their commitment to one another was renewed. At the same time, they called for the support and prayers of the congregation. This was a blast of reality and honesty totally in keeping with Communion. The Table is about reconciliation with God and with one another. Giving opportunity for such holy moments is important but must be done appropriately and wisely. I will not allow individuals to use the Table as a personal confession booth, but there are significant events within the life of the congregation that are properly and most powerfully dealt with at Communion.

My wife and I had a night alone on an anniversary years ago. We spent the day seeing Niagara Falls, then went to dinner in the Skylon Tower, a revolving restaurant overlooking the Falls. It was 9:30 PM, we were all dressed up and feeling very cosmopolitan. Our reservation put us at a table by the window. Just as we began to enjoy ourselves, a couple was seated right next to us. I mean the guy sitting beside me was closer than my wife. Our elbows were touching. In great contrast to us, the couple was wearing tee shirts and shorts. The fellow ordered a beer and began drinking it out of the bottle. Our air of intimacy evaporated. I was unable to say anything to Amy that this couple couldn't hear equally well. After fifteen minutes, we were still trying to make the best of it when they got up and left. I guess they felt as awkwardly as we did. Intimacy has nothing to do with proximity. 

The apostle Paul calls the bread and cup a participation in the body and blood of Christ. But mere proximity to the Table and ingestion of elements secures nothing. Our presence and participation neither guarantees standing before God, or fellowship with each other. So, in every way permissible, we must call ourselves and others to the bare reality of Communion. This is a multi-sensory reminder that Christ's death is central to our faith. It is not a marker to be admired or a toy to tinker with, it is an event to be experienced. As you lead others into that experience consider these factors. Memorable and meaningful are not synonymous, so get out of the way. There is mystery involved, so embrace the tensions. It's about perception not packaging, so be creative without compromise. This is a divine appointment, so allow for holy moments. Just being there is not enough.

Hitler, Jesus, and Me

Danish director Lars von Trier made some wildly inappropriate comments at the Cannes Film Festival last week. His attempts at humor included deriding Jews, identifying himself as a Nazi, sympathizing with Hitler, and speculating that his next movie could be The Final Solution. It was a Mel Gibson moment.

All this was enough to get von Trier kicked out of the festival, and justifiably so. Afterward, he tried to explain himself with these words: "There's a little bit of Nazi in all of us, and there's a little bit of human being in Hitler, and I think it's dangerous to think otherwise."

As wrong as his first comments were, von Trier was exactly right with this follow-up. The scary truth is that Hitler was not some phantom from another dimension. He was flesh and blood. A man. Like me.

The infamous Nazi, Adolf Eichman, was captured and put on trial in the 1960s. One of the witnesses who identified him had come out of Auschwitz. That in itself was a miracle. In Auschwitz 8,000 Jews could be stripped, gassed and cremated every 24 hours. The chimneys never stopped smoking. But Yehiel Dinur, had survived. Dinur stood in front of the bulletproof glass and stared into the face of the accused war criminal. It was a moment for justice when the once insignificant despised Jew could point the finger of blame at the once fearsome mastermind of the master race.

Instead of accusing, Dinur fell to the floor sobbing. Why? Eichman was not at all what Dinur expected. He didn't see a devil. Instead, Dinur saw a man who was just like himself, and it frightened him. As Dinur revealed in an interview with Mike Wallace, "Eichman is in all of us."

There is some Nazi in all of us. That's why we so desperately need the gospel. To think otherwise is worse than dangerous...it's damning.

Ministry Satisfaction: Interview with Dallas Willard

In my early days of ministry I spent huge amounts of time absorbed in Scripture and great spiritual writers. The Lord made it possible for me to spend whole days—without any issue of preparing for something or taking an examination—soaking up the Scripture. I literally wore out the books of great spiritual writers. This focus was foundational to my spiritual journey, to finding satisfaction in Christ. There is no substitute for simple satisfaction in the Word of God, in the presence of God. That affects all your actions.

Characteristics of dissatisfaction
Preachers who are not finding satisfaction in Christ are likely to demonstrate that with overexertion and over preparation for speaking, and with no peace about what they do after they do it. If we have not come to the place of resting in God, we will go back and think, Oh, if I'd done this, or Oh, I didn't do that. When you come to the place where you are drinking deeply from God and trusting him to act with you, there is peace about what you have communicated.

One of my great joys came when I got up from a chair to walk to the podium and the Lord said to me, "Now remember, it's what I do with the Word between your lips and their hearts that matters." That is a tremendous lesson. If you do not trust God to do that, then he will let you do what you're going to do, and it's not going to come to much. But once you turn it loose and recognize we are always inadequate but our inadequacy is not the issue, you are able to lay that burden down. Then the satisfaction you have in Christ spills over into everything you do.

The preacher who does not minister in that satisfaction is on dangerous ground. Those who experience moral failure are those who failed to live a deeply satisfied life in Christ, almost without exception. I know my temptations come out of situations where I am dissatisfied, not content. I am worried about something or not feeling the sufficiency I know is there. If I have a strong temptation, it will be out of my dissatisfaction.

The moral failures of ministers usually are over one of three things: sex, money, or power. That always comes out of dissatisfaction. Ministers are reaching for something, and they begin to feel, I deserve something better. I sacrifice so much and get so little. And so I'll do this. The surest guarantee against failure is to be so at peace and satisfied with God that when wrongdoing presents itself it isn't even interesting. That is how we stay out of temptation.

Characteristics of a satisfied soul
We are long on devices and programs. We have too many of them, and they get in the way. What we really need are preachers who can stand in simplicity and manifest and declare the richness of Christ in life. There isn't anything on earth that begins to compete with that for human benefit and human interest.

When people hear a preacher who is satisfied in this way, they sense that much more is coming from him than what he is saying. When I hear a preacher like this, I sense something flowing from him. Preachers like that are at peace. They are not struggling to make something happen.

That is one of the biggest issues for ministers today because of the model of success that comes to us. We get this idea we are supposed to make something happen, and so we need services to go just right. The concluding benediction has hardly ceased before those in charge are saying to one another, "How did it go?" or "It went really well." The truth is we don't know how it went. From God's point of view it will be eternity before we know how it went. These folks are not at peace if they are trying to manage outcomes in that way.

One mark of preachers who have attained deep satisfaction is they are at peace and they love what they are doing. Peace comes from them. From such preachers I sense something coming to me that is deeper than the words. Hearers sense the message opening up possibilities for them to live. In the presence of this kind of preacher, people find ways of doing the good that is before their hearts. That is the living water. Jesus brought people that opening up of possibilities. In John 8, when he said to the woman caught in adultery, "Go and sin no more," I don't think she felt,I've got to do that. She experienced Jesus' words as That's really possible. I can do that. That is one characteristic of preaching that comes from a satisfied life.

Another mark of satisfied preachers is they can listen. They can be silent in the presence of others because they are not always trying to make something happen. Such a person has the capacity to listen to people and come to an awareness of the needs that underlie the felt needs. We should be attentive to the felt needs of people, but we should know that the game is at a much deeper level of the soul.

A large part of what the pastor does in preaching and life is to listen and help people feel their real needs, not just superficial needs. The satisfied preacher speaks from a listening heart. Since people often do not know what they really need, such preaching can help them find out. This requires a spaciousness that only comes if your cup is running over because you are well-cared for by God.
Steps toward finding satisfaction
We can take steps to find this deep satisfaction and to preach from the well within us. I encourage pastors to have substantial times every week when they do nothing but enjoy God. That may mean walking by a stream, looking at a flower, listening to music, or watching your children or grandchildren play without your constantly trying to control them. Experience the fullness of God, think about the good things God has done for you, and realize he has done well by you. If there is a problem doing that, then work through the problem, because we cannot really serve him if we do not genuinely love him.

Henri Nouwen said the main obstacle to love for God is service for God. Service must come out of his strength and life flowing through us into receptive lives. Take an hour, sit in a comfortable place in silence, and do nothing but rest. If you go to sleep, that's okay. We have to stop trying too hard. There may be a few pastors for whom that is not the problem, but for most it is. We need to do that not only for ourselves but to set an example for those we speak to.

There is a place for effort, but it never earns anything and must never take the place of God with us. Our efforts are to make room for him in our lives.

Vicious God: The Problem of Old Testament Violence

How are we to understand the wholesale destruction of cities and people groups that occur in the Old Testament? It is especially difficult when the annihilation of woman and children comes at God’s command. How can this be reconciled with a loving God?

Most, if not all of the horrific violence commanded by God in the Old Testament must be understood in light of Genesis 15. This crucial passage records God’s solemn promise to Abram and his descendents. God cuts a covenant with his chosen friend. He puts his name on the line in promising Abram countless descendants, giving him a people forever, in a land forever. This will be true despite God’s prophecy of (as yet unnamed) Israel’s disobedience and punishment as slaves. Abram will not see these days, nor will he see the fulfillment of the promises in his lifetime. He is promised to die in peace at an old age.

Genesis 15:16 is key to understanding the violence that occurs in the rest of Israel’s ancient history. “In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." It was not yet time for Israel to possess the promise. One major reason was that the wickedness of the current resident wasn’t complete. The evil of this people group who inhabited Canaan was undeniable, but it had not yet reached the overflow point. This is clearly the way God works throughout Scripture. He provides opportunity to repent.

• Noah preached righteousness during the years he was building the ark.
• Lot lived a righteous life among the people of Sodom.
• Israel marched around Jericho, but only Rahab and her family were saved.

God did not just dispossess an innocent people from the land that was rightfully theirs. After generations of chances, he authorized the removal of a people whose vile practices only became worse and worse. These various people groups who lived in that area God promised to Israel were Canaanites. Their practices of idol worship were detestable, resulting in human sacrifice, ritual prostitution, infanticide (such as throwing children into the fire in honor of the god Molech), violence, and bloodthirsty warfare.

Generations later, Israel returned to the land of promise and began to fulfill Genesis 15.

In Joshua 6: The walls come down and Israel surrounded the city. They simply had to walk over the rubble and obliterate the opposition. The victory was completely accomplished by the hand of God. They were told to destroy everything. Why? There are reasons for the bloodthirstiness of God.

• The detestable pagan practices of the Canaanites would corrupt Israel. God wanted no evil influences, nothing left associated with idol worship.
• This was a culture rife with gross sexual perversions, incest, sorcery, child sacrifice, consulting the dead and must be obliterated.
• This land was given to Israel because these people were so wicked.
• God gave this people group generations to repent, to turn to him, to clean up their act and they did not.

Problems occurred whenever Israel failed to carry out this order of destruction. Judges 1 begins the story of what happens when Israel could not or would not drive out or destroy all the Canaanites. Soon, their influence pervaded God’s people and they began to do the same wicked things. Judges 19 is an extreme case in point. There is no more disgustingly graphic passage, made more horrid because it happens among God’s people. The vileness is highlighted by the fact that those involved have knowledge of the one true God and have benefited from his blessing. This chapter describes what happens when God is pushed into the margins of our lives; when he isn’t the ground of our existence but a supplement; when he is not essential but additional. It describes what happens when evil is allowed room, when we are not ruthless about ridding ourselves of godless, pagan attitudes and practices. The results are always poisonous.

God’s plan rested upon one man, one family, and one nation. We cannot underestimate the extremes to which the enemy would go to stop that plan. All Satan needed to do was stop one man, or late, pollute the chosen family, or later still, sidetrack a nation. The Old Testament is filled with examples of Satan attempting to do that very thing. Genesis 6 is one of the extreme approaches, when the sons of god lusted after the daughters of men and gave birth to a generation of greater wickedness. I see the sons of god as fallen angels, demons seeking to corrupt the chosen line. This situation necessitated the great Flood. God’s promise was on the line, the promise which in fulfillment would bring blessing to the entire world. Anything that threatened that promise must be destroyed. This is why such severe measures are taken throughout the Old Testament. Gleason Archer writes: “In every case the baneful infection of degenerate idolatry and moral depravity had to be removed before the Israel could safely settle down in these regions and set up a monotheistic, law-governed commonwealth as a testimony for the one true God.”

Still, “innocent” people died. War’s damage always extends beyond combatants. How could God order this? The God who loves us so much he sent his Son to die; the God who declared murder to be wrong and hatred to be sin, authorized bloodshed. We must understand the human condition in a biblical context. The Bible clearly states in both Old and New Testament that “There is none righteous.” No one is unworthy of divine punishment, no one is without guilt. Lamentations 3:22 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed.” In reality, we should be amazed at the mercy of God that doesn’t destroy all of humanity, that he does not immediately judge all sin here and now. We should marvel that he saves his own. In choosing a people, providing a land, and setting up a society, God was doing what he always seeks to do, show the world his glory.

Through God’s incredible and often bloody plan, Jesus the Savior was born. Through his violent and bloody death, the loving God made a way for sinful humanity to find peace. Now that the good news has arrived, God waits. He waits for all who will listen to respond to invitation of salvation. He waits for the filling up of sin in those who refuse to believe. In this day of grace, God waits to judge the wickedness of the world. The God of vengeance, the God who trods the winepress of wrath is going to be revealed again. But no one will be able to claim that they had no opportunity to turn to him. Every mouth will be silenced and the world will be held accountable before him.

Pastor Loses Blind Woman

Ann is a remarkable woman. Sightless, she lives on her own in the suburbs, and works in downtown Chicago. Every morning she walks two blocks to the train station and rides into the city. During the time her mother was dying, Ann was at the bedside as much as possible. The nursing home was about a mile from where Ann lived. One day she planned to come home from work at noon and go be with her mom and dad. Since my office was only one block from the station, I offered to meet the noon train and drive Ann to the nursing home.

I’m dependable. I'm never late. I keep my word. I'm like Maytag. I can be trusted. But that day I was at my desk working hard, when suddenly I remembered. It was 1:00 pm. Already an hour late, I ran to the station and searched. No Ann. I ran out to Main Street frantically looking in all directions. Spotting a police cruiser, I dashed over and blurted these ill-chosen words. “I was supposed to pick up a woman at the train station.” That got their attention, until hearing my story, then the officers lost interest.

After racing in circles for awhile, I ran to my office and called her home phone. No answer. I left a rambling apology on her answering machine. I wondered if it would be used as evidence in the trial. "Pastor admits responsibility for missing blind woman." I did not want to call her dad, find out Ann was not there, and have to confess: “I lost her.”

Eventually Ann called my office to find out if I was alright. My apologies were profuse and heartfelt. Then I said, “I promise I’ll be there tomorrow.” Ann replied, "That’s okay."

Has someone ever broken your trust? Failed to keep a promise? Has there ever been someone you counted on who did not come through? Something you believed in, but it did not work? In those broken promises and failed expectations, God is operating. Every loss invites you to trust in God alone. But sometimes when we lose, we get so fixated on what we've lost, we can't bring ourselves to trust God. We're like Eli who fell over backward and died when he heard that the ark of God had been captured by the enemy. We're like his daughter-in-law whose dying words were "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured," 1 Samuel 4:22.

If what I lose--job, spouse, health, investment, dream, freedom--causes me to lose hope, then my trust has been misplaced. Every loss invites me to trust in God alone.

A Nail in the Head

Construction worker Patrick Lawler thought he had a toothache. For almost a week, he tried painkillers and ice packs to reduce the swelling. When nothing he did brought relief, he finally went to the dental office where his wife works. Only after the dentist took an x-ray did Patrick learn the true source of the toothache. He had a four-inch nail in his head. The nail had entered through his mouth, just missing Patrick's right eye. Six days earlier, Patrick was working with a nail gun that backfired, and shot the nail into his mouth. But Patrick didn't realize it. He complained of a toothache and blurry vision. He tried soothing the pain with ice cream. But this was a pain that ice cream wasn't going to help. It took four hours of surgery to remove the nail, and Patrick is fine. 


How often have you misdiagnosed your troubles? Trouble is the pain that says, “Stop trying to fix things yourself. Stop medicating the ache away. Stop ignoring the hurt." http://twitpic.com/52rk72 When you come face to face with problems, situations that are infuriating, frustrating, terrifying, confusing, it is so that you will turn to the one you can depend on. Referring to his crushing circumstances the Apostle Paul said: "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."


Since it is so difficult for me to learn to rely on God, trouble must be my teacher. Sometimes I have to hit a wall in order to realize that my only hope is Christ. Comfort will not overflow in my life until I realize that I depend on the God who raises the dead. Trouble tells me I cannot save myself, but I must turn from self-reliance and rely on the one with resurrection power. 

4 Responses When You Hate Your Job

The majority of people who leave their jobs, do so because of their boss. Whether you have a nasty employer, a soul-sucking job, or a difficult relationship; these 4 possible responses to poor working conditions are relevant. They are illustrated by Jacob (Genesis 31) who had a lousy boss. Even worse, it was his father-in-law.

1. Get Out. You can get so fed up that you just leave. Jacob had reason to do that: bad feelings, unfair treatment, insufficient pay, even God's leading. But he ran like a roach in a restaurant. (Gen. 31:1-18) There are all kinds of reasons to quit a job, end a relationship, leave a church. Be careful, even if you are right, you can do it wrong. We usually exit situations before we ever learn what we should or because we aren't willing to do the hard thing.

2. Get Even. When Jacob left, he took everything he thought belonged to him. His wife Rachel also grabbed a few parting gifts. She stole something of great value. (Gen. 31:19-32) An estimated 75% of all employees steal at least once. How do people justify that? "I didn't get that raise." "I'm not paid overtime." "I do so much for this company and get so little." Getting even is always wrong.

3. Get Mad. Jacob vents. He sounds off, not realizing what his wife had done (Gen. 31:32-37). We don't have all the facts about a situation, even when we know we do. While expressing anger might feel good, it does more harm than good. Yelling, accusing, blaming accomplishes nothing. The Bible says: "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires."

4. Pursue Peace. How can this be an option when the boss drives you crazy, the company is a heartless machine, your spouse is scary, your in-laws psychotic?

• Define the problem, not the person. Pursuing peace doesn't mean holding your peace, staying silent, avoiding conflict. It is confronting issues openly and honestly. Deal with What and not Why. (Gen. 31:38-42. Don't attribute motives to people when they do stuff you don't like.
• Choose relationship over revenge. Jacob and Laban see the common ground they have as family (Gen. 31:43-55). Maybe you can't work with someone, but don't burn bridges. 
• Fear God most of all. (Gen. 31:53) No matter how the other party acts, you are ultimately out to please God. When injustice happens, when you don't get a fair deal, you know that even if it never gets resolved now, there is a day coming when all will be made right.

Though you are tempted to get out, get even, or get mad, know that in every situation, the Lord Jesus has empowered you to pursue peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

3 Critical Questions for Life's Direction-Part 3

3. Where am I headed?

Proverbs 14:2"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

Destination is all important. Not all roads are equal. Not all directions will end up where you should be. The destination question is not to be ignored. The fool is deceived by thinking the destination doesn’t matter. All of us can get wrapped up into doing what seems best for us, what looks the nicest, the safest, the easiest, the most rewarding. But you are only judging the way, the immediate journey. To focus on the way that seems right to you, will end in death. Because when it comes to ultimate things, you and I don’t have the right answers. The destination is wrong and the result is fatal. It’s a dead end.

No matter how life goes now, if you don’t have the right answer to the Where am I headed question, death is your future. You might be answering that question with, “I’m a pretty good person”. That’s a death sentence. Or you might say, “I like my life. Things will turn out okay.” That’s a dead end. Or “I’m a church-goer.” Or “I don’t worry about it. Whatever happens happens.” Or “I’m just enjoying the journey.” Death, death, death.

I need to warn those of you who are headed the wrong way. You think everything is fine. But I beg you to consider the direction of your life. This may be one more time when God is calling you. He may use this to get you thinking, so you will start considering the destination of the road you are on. Or this may be your only chance. This may be the last time you have the opportunity to hear that there is one right way, by grace through faith in Jesus. Don’t miss it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t lie to yourself. This is the day you need to change the very direction of your life. There is only one right destination, everything else ends in death.

These are the critical questions you and I need for life’s direction.

·         What am I doing? It’s too easy not to be righteous, or real. I need to stop lying to myself and reflect on my moral choices.

·         Who am I listening to? It’s too easy to hear what I want to hear, and accept without verifying. I need to consider things carefully in light of God’s truth.

·         Where am I headed? It’s too easy to ignore that, and to do whatever seems good to me. I need to turn to the one who is the way.

My 16-year-old daughter has a little saying she uses on me from time to time. She says, “You’re a good man with a bright future.” I believe she is trying to encourage me. She may sense I’m feeling down about things, and this is her way of giving me a pep talk. At first I argued with her a bit. “My future’s all behind me,” I said. She pointed out that this was impossible. To use her words, "All of your future is still in front of you...no matter how short it may be." Having affirmed the truth of the statement, she repeats, “You’re a good man with a bright future.” I must have appeared to be having a rough week last week. She said it three different times. 

Here’s the truth, the real goodness in me is because of Jesus. The only reason my future is bright is because of Jesus. What about you?

3 Critical Questions for Life's Direction-Part 2

According to Proverbs, the way we approach every day, and the way we are headed will show whether we are wise or foolish. So how do we know if we are walking in wisdom or wallowing in foolishness? Proverbs 14 gives three critical questions for life’s direction. 

2. Who Am I Listening to? 

Proverbs 14:15 "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

Wise people look below the surface. They aren’t taken in by a few words, or deceived by appearances. The foolish hear what they want to hear, and believe “anything” is literally every word. Uncritical acceptance of what you hear is unwise.

“But it was in the newspaper.” I have been interviewed many times by everything from local newspapers to national media outlets. What ended up being published or broadcast ranged from slightly inaccurate to absolutely false. I’ve never been able to say, “That’s exactly what I said and meant.” It has nothing to do with media bias, as much as human error and incompetence.

“But my Pastor said it.” Do not uncritically accept what you hear from anyone. Pastors make mistakes like everyone else. Some of them are absolute knuckleheads. Whether it’s burning the Koran, or holding a “bring your gun to church” day, or having a worship service that is really just a political rally, or using obscene language, or acting like a dictator, don’t believe every word without verifying. 

Wisdom looks below the surface. If someone has told you their side of the story, do not get all excited and make judgments without something from the other side. Even if that person is a completely innocent victim, rarely will they be able to give a completely accurate and unbiased version. The old saying goes, “There are always two sides, no matter how thin the pancake.” 

If you only get your news from Fox or MSNBC, branch out. If there is a talk show that you listen to that is seen as right-wing or left wing, expand your options.

Forwarding false information through email is epidemic among Christians. If you accept everything someone says because they mention Jesus, quote the Bible, says God told them, or claim to be a Christian, you are a fool. 

Too many Christians are sloppy thinkers and lazy fact-checkers. We need to be like that group of people the Apostle Paul taught, the folks from Bera. They loved what Paul had to say. They were excited about it. But every day they searched the Bible to verify that it was true.

A critical question for the direction of your life is Who Am I Listening To?